Recipes
Lamb Koftas
So I've been a little obsessed with Lebanese food for a while now, particularly lamb koftas. I always thought they were complicated to make but then I saw Gordon Ramsey making it on his Ultimate Home Cooking show and he made it look so darn easy. Like WAY easy. So I...
Herbed Beet and Celery Salad
So it's been a while since I posted a recipe and it's basically because I started a newish gig that involves some travel and lots of catered lunches. All I can say is that I'm loving the job and maybe a little too much as some of my pants have gotten a wee bit snug...
Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
February seems like the perfect time to post a summery grilled steak in a refreshing and herby chimichurri sauce. It reminds me of summer barbeques and Argentinian restaurants in the midst of -20 degree weather and no actual barbeque access. Plus, it's way cheaper...
Green Ginger Juice
I have a new addition to my home - something I've wanted and dreamed about for a long time. Yup, I got a VitaMix. It is AWESOME and I LOVE it. Like LOVE LOVE it. I was gifted this amazing piece of equipment by my generous parents for Christmas (thanks mom and...
Healing Soup
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a lovely and restful holiday season and most of all, a healthy one. I had a nice stay-cation full of food, chocolate, and other goodies and spent lots of quality time with my family. It was all fun and wonderful until my sister...
No-Bake Nutella Marshmallow Crunch Bars
So you have a shower/potluck/party thing to attend and need to bring a dessert. You don't want to do store-bought but don't have time to bake something. If this sounds familiar than this my friends is the recipe for you. You need five things: butter, Nutella,...
Lebanese Rice, Lentils and Caramelized Onions (Mujaddara)
How often do you try something new? Like new new? We all get stuck in our day to day routines and dare I say, ruts. I'm guilty of just grabbing the same-ish groceries week after week and making my same go-to meals or going out to dinner at my usual spots and ordering...
Sweet & Spicy Asian Chicken Wings
I have a confession - I'm a closet chicken wing eater. That's right, I only eat chicken wings in the privacy of my own home. All that finger-licking and lip-smacking is just not for the public to witness. What can I say? I am just not comfortable in that state of...
Thai Squash and Coconut Milk Soup
So it's officially Fall now and that means squash soup season and this Thai version is beautifully creamy and super flavourful. I brought this to work for lunch and the steamy aroma of lemongrass, lime, and shallots wafted around my cubicle and down the hall. I was...
Summer Corn Salad
I love vegetables. Always have. When I was little, I watched commercials with kids hating brussels sprouts and broccoli unless they were covered in cheese sauce and it was super weird to me. My sister and I would fight over the last mushroom or baby corn in our stir...
Hazelnut Chocolate Power Balls
The past month has literally blown by in a sea of BBQs, pool parties, get-togethers, road trips, etc. And all this socializing has left me a little behind on recipe testing/actual cooking - I've been surviving mostly on leftover BBQ, thrown together salads, and a few...
Kedgeree (Indian Spiced Rice with Fish)
It's summer and I haven't been doing as much cooking as normal. There are too many patios to visit, friends to see, and outdoor fun times to be had that I'm really making salad and fast suppers for the most part. This dish is a great meal because it's pretty fast to...
Korean Beef Short Ribs (Galbi or Kalbi)
The best way to get invited (and hopefully re-invited) to cottages and pool parties is probably to bring meat and by meat, I mean specifically, these Korean beef short ribs called galbi or kalbi. Take it from a culture that specializes in grilled meats - these ribs...
Watermelon Feta Salad
A beautiful red and white salad perfect for celebrating Canada Day. It's super fast - just cut up some watermelon, slice some red onions, and chop parsley. Crumble some Greek feta cheese over top and drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar. It's refreshing and the...
Easy Perfectly Cooked Bacon
Weekend brunch is so over-rated. The line ups alone are enough to kill me. Seriously, I cannot even bear it. I see it all the time - huge lines outside popular brunch spots, folks just waiting around, probably hangry, to get a table. I've been guilty of the same...
Baked Tortilla Chips
I have a food-fession: I am obsessed with nachos. I spent almost an hour stuck in traffic today talking about food with my carpool and I would say a good chunk of it was about our mutual adoration of nachos. We discussed different kinds of nachos, how to make the...
Hearty Chickpea Soup with Fried Rosemary
Let's talk about soup baby, let's talk about you and me. Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be (insert these 90s dance moves from Salt'n Peppa). Okay, you probably know by now that I love soup but not all soups are good for you. Many of...
Steak Bavettes (Flap Steak)
For a long time, I thought a good steak meant splurging at a bistro/steakhouse or buying a crazy expensive cut of meat from the butcher. I didn't really grow up in a steak type of family - we were more a stir-fry beef with broccoli type house. However, I've recently...
Avocado Beet Carrot (ABC) Salad
I like happy things. This salad is a happy salad - it's colourful, full of unexpected flavour, nutritious, and fast. What's not to love? It's bright and cheerful, just like my pal Jerrica who introduced me to this salad (and yes she is named after this gal). Beets are...
Steamed Fish Cantonese Style
I love fish but I don't cook it as often as I'd like. I don't know about you but buying fish has gotten complicated - farmed, wild, organic, sashimi grade, flash-frozen, sustainable. Like I just want fish. But I just avoid buying it more often because I'm confused. So...
Grilled Haloumi & Fresh Herb Salad
So last week I entered on a self-imposed Instagram food-venture called #saladweek. I wanted to kick-start some healthier habits and with the warmer weather nearing, I figured I'd put it out there and commit to a salad a day for a week. I don't like eating the same...
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Spring is here! Smell ya later Old Man Winter. I'm so over you. I feel like everyone had a spring in their step today, the day was longer, and the city was a little happier. Didn't you just feel like you had more time in your day? That being said, you probably want...
Thai Chicken Curry with Vegetables
I once asked my 7-year-old nephew 'Where does curry come from?' His answer: Curry-ea! (I.e. Korea). I swear that kid is a genius. I'm not sure where it originated, but I'm a fan of curries from around the world. For a long time, Thai curry was my go-to dish and then...
Baby Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
This endless winter, I've been craving soup, stews, and hearty foods. Craving a salad during a windchill factor forecast? Uhh, not so much. However, I've been looking to lighten up my calories, boost my nutrient intake, and still feel satisfied and this salad seemed...
French Onion Soup
Brrr... it's cold in here. There must be a polar vortex in the atmosphere. (Insert foot-stomping and clapping a la Bring it On cheerleaders). Seriously. What is up with this weather? I don't know about you but all I'm craving is soup, comfort food, cheese, and more...
Pan Roasted Chicken with Fried Rosemary
When you think chicken breasts, do you think tasteless, dried out meat that needs, if not begs, to be smothered in sauce? I'm a totally a leg girl. Pass me the dark meat. I find it so much more flavourful, forgiving to cook, and cheaper. So basically winning on all...
Italian Vegetable Soup with Cannellini Beans
I wish I could say I was a more disciplined party-goer. You know, the ones who say 'No thanks, I've had my quota of two fried thingies already. I'll just drink water and eat carrot sticks now.' Instead, I'm the one who's helping to refill the chip bowl I just...
Chocolate Covered Popcorn
My name is Vanessa and I'm a snackaholic. If I'm stressed, I snack. If I'm happy, I snack. Entertaining? I snack. You get it. Sometimes I have to be careful that my snack intake on a given day doesn't outdo my actual meal calories. I have many snack weaknesses,...
Hot Spinach Dip
Back in the day, I worked as a cook in a student-run pub. It's where I bartended, waited tables, and worked the line in the kitchen. All in all, the experience was great. I learned how to cook in a somewhat professional kitchen and work with my friends, which felt...
Baked Oatmeal and Quinoa (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
I remember my initial reaction when I was first found out that I had to eliminate gluten from my diet. Naturally, I was devastated. No more pizza? Croissants? NO BREAD?!? NOOOOOOOOOO. "Kill me now/What the hell am I going to eat?/I hate my life" were some of my...
Japchae (Gluten-Free Korean Glass Noodles)
Do you bring a bagged lunch or do you buy? With my dietary restrictions, I almost always bring my lunch. If I'm not prepared, I'll end up buying ginger ale and a bag chips or popcorn for lunch at the convenient store in my office. Not ideal. In the summer,...
Maple Cayenne Brussels Sprouts
Poor brussels sprouts - they've always had such a bad rap. It's too bad because they're actually delicious, even candy-like when roasted in a touch of maple syrup. This recipe is my new go-to side for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. It's the perfect side to meaty...
Grilled Coriander Lime Chicken
I can't even believe it's only 6 weeks until Christmas. Fall is slipping away - it's cold, dark at 5 PM thanks to daylight savings, and stores are in full holiday mode. I don't know about you, but my pale and pasty self is craving a little summer and sunshine. ...
Roasted Vegetable Soup
Hearty, belly-warming, satisfying soup. That's what I've been craving ever since the weather started to get chilly. When fall comes, I naturally move away from cold salads and try to get my fill of veggies with soups instead. The colder weather and dark nights...
Rice Cooker Congee
As much as I love fall, with the changing leaves and fabulous fashion options, it's also flu and cold season for many. People at work seem to be dropping like flies, myself included. Times like this call for congee - a soupy savoury Chinese rice...
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Waffles (Gluten-Free)
Southern comfort food gets reimagined and de-glutenized in this sandwich in waffle form - crispy, cheesy, savoury, and full of big flavours. I've made two versions here - one vegetarian and with spicy turkey sausage. Either way, these waffles are perfect for...
Tuna Avocado Hummus Sandwich
Classics. Perfect anytime, anywhere, and never go out of style. Here's a healthy update to the classic tuna salad sandwich. Bye bye mayo. Hello avocado. This version is full of protein and good fats, is heart healthy, and loaded with lots of flavour. I've named...
Broreos (Fudgy Brownies Stuffed with Oreos)
Meet the Broreo: A homemade fudgy brownie stuffed with an Oreo cookie (all gluten-free of course). In your face Cronut and Crookie. It seems like it's not enough to just have a great dessert, it has to be filled with something else awesome. This is a food craze...
Pasta Alla Norma
This pasta is a simple and easy dinner that's satisfying and ready in about 20 minutes. For many folks, school is starting soon (where the heck did summer go??) and having some throw together meals in the rotation is always key. This vegetarian meal is full of yummy...
Easy 5 Ingredient Nutella Cookies with Sea Salt (Gluten Free)
Everyone is obsessed with Nutella these days. My love of Nutella started when I was a wee kid sneaking scoops of it into my mouth when no one was watching, and old habits die-hard. I try not to bring a jar into the house too often, because it disappears too fast. ...
My Cousin Vinny (Caramel Popcorn Affogato)
You may be wondering why this recipe is called 'My Cousin Vinny'. It's because it's a loveable Italian hot mess, that's why. This recipe is a concoction I came up with that's a hybrid of two amazing desserts. Last year, I had Thanksgiving dinner at Vancouver's Four...
Quinoa Granola
Gywneth Paltrow. Love her or hate her, the World's Most Beautiful Woman knows how to put herself out there. Admittedly, I was a fan of her last cookbook; including this recipe here. The recipes looked interesting and appealing to eat and fairly doable, and for the...
Mushroom and Herb Polenta
We've been eating vegetarian a few times a week and I've been experimenting with satisfying, simple, meatless meals. I'm not a vegetarian by any means, but I enjoy eating meatless meals quite often, especially when those vegetarian meals are cheesy, herb-filled...
Brie Pear Walnut Honey Flatbread
Sweet, salty, gooey, and crunchy. This flatbread has a combination of ingredients that are delicious on their own, but when combined, are pure heaven. This recipe is an adaptation of a popular menu item from a little brunch place in Little Italy/Portugal in Toronto...
Grilled Zucchini with Herb Dressing
Here's an easy side for your next barbecue or weeknight dinner. This flavourful herb-filled dressing, which is a cross between pesto and salsa verde with a hint of Caesar dressing, is versatile and great on grilled vegetables, chicken, steak, or fish. The best part...
Guacamole with Pomegranates
Are you thinking 'What the what?! Pomegranates in guacamole? This Chinese girl from Canada is crazy.' Seriously, I don't blame you but I swear this is the real deal. I'll always remember my first authentic Mexican meal after moving to Arizona at Barrio Cafe...
Sausage and Kale Pasta
Kale's so hot right now. Right? Or are we over it? I mean it is kind of a winter green, but technically it's spring now. Kidding. Regardless of what's hot or not, or how unseasonably cold it still is outside (spring, where are you?!?), kale is tasty, full of...
Baked Salmon with Turmeric and Onions
This recipe is full of flavour thanks to the tasty blend of turmeric, hot mustard powder, and rice wine vinegar. I have my mother-in-law to thank for introducing me to this delicious dish. Her version involves pickling the onions, which really enhances the...
Fruit and Coconut Water Smoothie
It's officially spring and I'm feeling the urge to lighten up, especially after a weekend of epic Easter eating. It's time to bust out the blender and get my shake on. My go-to version is mixed berry and mango, but just about anything you like would probably work...
Mexican Lamb Adobo
Most of my recipes are fast, accessible, and light. But every once in awhile, I like to enjoy a deeply rich meaty stick-to-your-ribs caveman type of meal. The kind of meal that has you leaning back in your chair in a satisfied adobo sauce-induced stupor. I used to...
