The cooking class....

So my soon-to-be SIL has enlisted me to assist in her culinary education.  In less than 9 months she will be a (low budget) newly wed and so her quest for kitchen skills has begun!  I never realized how some basic things in the kitchen; if never taught, will remain to be a mystery.  So, like demelza if you  don't   know... just ask for help.  I feel so honoured that she's chosen me as her guide! 

One of her requests was broccoli cheddar soup; sure to be any young 20 something's favourite!  

I did not have a recipe so I merely looked on line and the first one (with several stars!) that appeared was the following:

Showing her how to read through a recipe and organize herself was where I began.

We went through all the steps exactly as written.  This was a very simple recipe; other than the onions making us tear up...this was a great recipe to begin with. 

We made the following adjustments:

I used light shredded cheese over velveeta.

I couldn't find chopped frozen broccoli so I used frozen whole florets.

I added sea salt and lots of black pepper. 

Also at the "onion broccoli stock" stage I used my immersion blender to blitz it quickly before adding the cheese or milk (we wanted it more smooth than chunky).

It took us not even 20 minutes from start to finish and it tasted awesome! 

It was so creamy, cheesy and delicious. We loved that the broccoli was still recognizable and tastable....you didn't just taste cheese.

I would make this recipe again and will definitely recommend it!  

This soup cost approximately $10 to make a very large pot.  The cheese was the most expensive ingredient, costing a whopping $6.  As I told Demelza; cheese will freeze ...so stock up when it's on sale!

Demelza said that she will definitely make it again and will probably try it with the velveeta next time...I'm sure Drew would appreciate that!

Friday's fun supper night!

What to make?  Honestly this week I've hardly cooked.  Eaten out, eaten at the parents, eaten left overs...I needed some inspiration!  My sister Jan and I created a meal from one key ingredient; avocados! I took to google for some ideas...some sort of taco called our names. We decided with chicken.  Here's what we did...

I sautéed up a few pieces of chicken meanwhile Jan bowled up all the necessary and flavourful accompaniments.

For the chicken all I added was a little chilli powder, onion salt, salt and pepper.  We were going for kid friendly (and Cher friendly)!

Corn and flour tortilla shells

Salsa

Salsa verde

Plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)

Jalapeños 

Limes

Cilantro

Grated cheese

Slaw*

Avocado tossed with a little lime juice and salt

Jan made a *slaw with a pre made shredded broccoli and cabbage mix.  She added Greek yogurt, lime juice, horseradish mayo, and seasoning.  It was the perfect creamy crunch for the tacos.

The broccoli tops were for the kids to eat!

Woah; she looks worn out! She had just come in from the park and sprinkler time and it's still a million degrees here! She really enjoyed choosing her filling for the tacos...she did quite well keeping it together too!

My creation...

Janny loves her jalapeños!!!

Well it was a great meal and a great team effort in creating and executing it!

We sisters enjoyed our meal to the sound of the two kids banging; I mean playing on the keyboard with some sort of latin beat in the background on repeat...wish this blog has sound! It sure wasn't peaceful but it was delicious; inspired by the avocado!

Leftover lunch....

I love leftovers....especially when it was tasty the first time!

I made this coconut curry on Saturday...enough to last us two to three meals.  

Since I'm working a full day today I had to bring a lunch...so thankful for leftovers this morning!

It's a coconut curry with brown rice

I sautéed onion, grated sweet potato, mushrooms, chopped tomato, yellow pepper, garlic with curry powder, all spice, grated ginger, salt, pepper, GFsoya sauce. 

Once it had all gotten really good colour I added one can of coconut milk and one can of water. 

Separately I sautéed a package of ground turkey with  curry powder, all spice, Chinese five spice, ginger powder, onion salt

To the sauce I added the ground turkey and a drained/rinsed can of lentils

Served with brown rice.  

This tasted better today then it did Saturday...the flavours are brighter!

Good morning...

You know those mornings when you wake up needing a bowl of nutrition...maybe to settle your stomach from the plate of nachos you ate at 11pm the night before?  

Well this morning was one of those mornings...not feeling super awesome from the jalepenos sprinkled with a little guilt.  

I decided to make breakfast parfaits...but before I could start...my little helper had pulled up beside me.  I ended up letting her make it! 

While I was eating the parfait I realized this will basically be an infomercial for Costco!

We buy these 3pack tubs of yogurt at Costco; if we can find a far away expiration date. We use them for everything; they become our yogurt, mayo and sour cream.  

Knowing I had three; I actually mixed this one up with vanilla and agave syrup.  Now it's ready when we need it.

You can find these in the freezer isle; we love having these on hand for parfaits, smoothies and Aubrey even asks for a bowl of frozen berries.

I defrost them a little bit; if I had been thinking last night I would of taken a bowl out and put them in the fridge.

Some flax (the only superstore product!)

Granola; this is from my dad but I'm pretty sure it was bought at Costco.  The Christian casino as he refers to it.  "Where else can you go and drop $200 in 15 minutes!!!!"

It was just what I needed! Feeling better already! 

Cheesy eggs in the morning...

Saturday breakfast...Aubrey's choice...cheesy eggs...farmers sausage...nana's toast...coffee

Sautéed farmers sausage

Lightly beaten farm eggs

Season

Pour the mixed eggs in

Add the cheese

I was on toast duty

Nana's bread...

For years now Jeff's mom has been baking us bread.  We're spoiled to have homemade bread...we hardly have to buy bread!

I have gone on and off of eating it due to whatever "food plan" I've been on at any given time.  

Since my change to GF she attempted to make me an edible GF bread...Which is hard to find!! Well she has succeeded...every loaf gets better and better as she makes them; adjusts cooking time and the thickness of the pieces.  I definitely suggest to pre-slicing the GF bread before freezing...it makes it super easy to grab a slice. 

The regular loaf

Gluten free with caraway (delicious)

So there you have it...our plain-Jane breakfast...sometimes it's just what Aubrey ordered!!!!!

"Fancy" Mac and Cheese

My Gluten-Free journey started over a year ago...maybe even two years ago can't quite remember now.  Trying to try a healthier 'food style', no additives, no processed foods...going GF has been good for me. Takes a lot of the choice away.  

Some things I have tried to make have not been pretty; or edible for that matter. However; there is for sure this one recipe I will continue to go back to time and time again.

Martha Stewart's GF Mac and Cheese; it's a winner!

I've made this plain, added lobster in it to be a little decadent, and this "twist" i did to the original  recipe last night!

Topping:

1tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup rice cereal GF(I double this!)

1/4cup Parmesan ( I use whatever cheese I have)

(I add chilli powder, onion salt, pepper&salt)

Set aside.

Cook noodles and set aside once cooked.  I believe I have found the tastiest noodle out there as far as GF goes...

Sauce:

Sauté 2tbsp butter

1small diced yellow onion

3cloves garlic chopped

(About 4 minutes)

Add 2tbsp potato starch and sauté for 1 minute (if you are not GF you could use AP flour)

Add 2cups warmed milk

Stir about 3 minutes until thick

Off of the heat add 3 cups shredded cheese (old cheddar, mozzarella, mix?!)

1tsp grainy mustard

Course salt/pepper

Put in shallow baking dish or 8 ramekins. Top with topping mixture

Bake on 350f for 25minutes

**my twist:

I sautéed onion, garlic, bell pepper, farmers sausage on the side.  I stirred this into the sauce.

Once it came time to bake it I never did get a photo of the final product.  We were very hungry!!!!  It was bubbly and cheesy delicious looking! I do love doing this in individual ramekins too...gives everyone equal topping...looks less messy too for left overs. 

(This is how they look in individually done)

The reviews are in:

"Amazing fancy Mac and cheese" -Janalyn

"That's no regular Mac and cheese; that's gourmet mac and cheese....love the crunch" -Laura