pasta salad with roasted chickpeas

I’ve had this package of multicolor farfalle (Italian for butterfly) pasta for weeks now and every time I open the pantry door, there it is, waiting for me to do something with it.  The colors of the butterfly pasta are all natural using beetroot, spinach, turmeric, paprika and black squid ink.  I wanted something special…

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wild rice salad

A rice salad is so versatile and using wild rice is a healthier option.  Wild rice is a grass and can be as long as one-inch and range in color from brown to black.  I prefer a wild rice mix which is a combination of brown basmati and wild rice.  A salad of your own…

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curried lentils – an easy dish to make

It was wet and humid yesterday.  I was hoping the rain would have stopped late in the afternoon so we could use the barbeque but windy conditions prevented that idea from happening.  I was feeling a bit nostalgic about our time overseas and a simple curry was the remedy needed to help us reminisce about…

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pork scaloppine sandwich

Before I chat about this insanely delicious pork scaloppine sandwich, I want to give a high five to the farm-to-table experience in Nova Scotia that’s been brewing here for years.  Farm-to-table movement isn’t new nor is it unique to this corner of the world.  But what I will say is this; it’s the reason I…

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plum torte – a classic

Summer heat tends to make me lazy.  I want to spend more time outdoors and less in the kitchen but when I spotted plums at the farmers’ market, I knew it was a dessert I’d happily sacrifice my precious outside time.  They looked so good and after one bite, the sweet tasting plum would be…

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Grilled Pepper Salad

Simple ingredients mingling together to pull off an out-of-this-world taste! If you’ve never had grilled peppers then you are in for one heck of a treat!  Grilling or roasting brings out their natural sweetness making them so good on their own and they really don’t need much attention to shine, so keep the ingredients simple. …

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stuffed zucchini blossoms

Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms…sounds so heavenly.  Summer squash which includes zucchini, is now available in local markets and food shops – they are for me, one of the highlights of the season.  They’re delicate, come in different varieties, tender, juicy, and sweet.  But before the summer squash is formed, the plant produces blossoms. If you’re lucky…

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bulgur and black bean salad

Summer always means a change in cooking gears.  The oven gets used less, our barbeque more, and food prep becomes simple.  Spending as much time outdoors is key and my energy is focused on leaving kitchen time down to a minimum.  I think we eat better during the summer with fresh, local produce available at…

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iced green tea

Cold, nonalcoholic iced drinks are always welcomed on a hot, humid day and there’s a variety to satisfy every palate.  Iced tea drinks have been around since the early 1900’s.  When we lived in Asia, bubble tea was all the rage.  I tried it, heck I’ll try anything once!  The tea is infused with crushed…

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Redcurrant Ripple Ice Cream

Ice cream, one of my favorite summer treats!  With a slew of flavors available, there’s something for every palate.  Last week I picked up a box of redcurrants from the farmers’ market and used a few sprinkled on my fruit tart.  I then used what was left to make a sauce and initially intended to…

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