Refrigerator Pickles

Busy Sunday , I finally got to make the Refrigerator Red Pickled Onions, great Christmas Gifts, I usually make Christmas Pickles along with The Red Pickled Onions , and some baked goods and put a few pkgs together for friends.. Asher and Kate are coming over for Supper today , I also baked bread and Banana Bread for Desert.. Were not having a traditional Sunday Dinner today as the weather is so nice we are BBQing some Pork Steaks, I will make my warm Potato Salad

We also put up the Christmas Decorations this weekend, as I go for my op this next week .. Thinking positive .. Wearing my Christmas Leggings !! This little man and his mom are coming over for Supper ..

I always have a jar of Red Onion Pickles in my fridge as they are great onPizza, Tacos, salads Burgers, Sandwiches fave is red pickled onions on a grilled cheese .. I only use red onions for my picked onions, but yellow or white onions can be used as well. Of course you won’t get that lovely bright-pink color,

Ingredients

  • 4 cups sliced red onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1.5 Tbsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard Seed
  • 3 cup red vinigar
  • 1 cup Apple Cider Vinigar
  • 2 springs of rosemary

Put the Vinigar and Sugar in a pot bring to the boil them simmer for about 10 mins, in a dish place sliced red onions, spices, garlic and rosemary , pour hot liquid over the onions and let cool, once cool place in jars and keep in the fridge

Christmas Pickles for these I used a white Vinigar , white sugar cucumbers sliced, dill , garlic and jalapenos , these have a little kick with them ..

Moussaka My Way

  • Today I made an amazing Moussaka.
  • 1 lb ground chicken browned and add rosemary, black pepper and garlic with 1 bay leaf and a pinch of all spice
  • 1 lg onion diced
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 2 large tomatoes diced
  • 1 tbl spoon garlic
  • rosemary pinch to taste
  • parsley pinch to taste
  • a little basil to taste
  • 1 cup of red wine
  • a little allspice cook all veg and add spices and red wine
  • 4 large potatoes boiled whole then sliced
  • 1 large egg plant sliced thin sprinkle with salt and olive oil them bake for 20 mins oven 350 f
  • Sauce
  • 1 cup of flour 1/2 cup butter make a roux, add 3 cups whole milk, garlic salt and pepper , add cheeseI added garlic herb cheese 1/2 cup and 1/2 cup crumbled feta, make sauce
  • in and oven proof dish place a layer of sliced potatoes them plate ground chicken mix on top.. layer egg plant and place the sauce on top with a sprinkle of feta cheese salty good ness bake in a 350 /365 oven for 35 mins then take out and let cool a wee while then ready to serve this is amazing

I watched Jamie Oliver make this dish once again I improvised and made a few wee changes def a family fave when you make it take a pic and let me see your creation .. Now what tomorrow Im not sure have a great Thursday evening .. Now Shower and Hot tub

Chicken soup quick and YUMMY

Chicken veg soup Yummy

With the Chicken stock from the Harissa Chicken, and 2 extra Chicken Breasts I made delicious, healthy Chicken soup. I cooked the chicken breast in butter, and fresh ground black pepper… In soup pot, I placed 1 onion diced, 1 large leek diced, 2 large carrots diced 3 large parsnips dices and cooked in olive oil until soft then I aded the chicken stock , 1 pkg of onion soup mix, garlic. 2 cups of egg noodles, salt and pepper ,Bring it to the boil them simmer for 30 mins , the Soup pot is 3/4 full so I have a lot of soup, I divide the soup in to containers for the freezer, this is a great lunch or supper for these cold winters nights.. My mom was amazing at making soups, I think i j=have inherited this from her…

Budget Friendly

For around the same price as a single can of soup that feeds one, you can cook up a big batch of tasty soup to feed the whole family for days! Soup is ideal for using Veg you have in your fridge I call this refrigerator soup carrots, cauliflower, squash, zucchini and leafy greens. A great way to re freeze for future meals Some times I just go to the store grab the veg for a specific soup

Add in dried beans, lentils or chickpeas that have soaked overnight and soon you will have a hearty, healthy homemade soup high in fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Just be sure to cook the legumes or pulses for the right amount of time. Seasonal Veg One of the best things about making soup at home is that you can pick your own ingredients! Local, seasonal, fresh foods

There’s nothing more nourishing than a bowl of homemade chicken soup from a loved one when you’re in bed with a cold or recovering from a high-stress event such as giving birth, the passing of a loved one or even positive life events such as a wedding or milestone event. When you’re the caretaker and making that delicious healing soup for a friend or family member, it feels so good to be useful in this way, knowing that all your love and affection for this person is going into this soup to help them get better. 

The tradition of preparing healing soup for the recovery of a sick patient goes back centuries. In his 12th century treatise, Egyptian Jewish physician and philosopher, Maimonides, writes about using chicken soup for upper respiratory tract symptoms.

There’s nothing more nourishing than a bowl of homemade chicken soup

I love saving different brother from a good old Ham bone brother Chicken broth or a fish stock it is always a great base for the soups and stews I always have Veg Bullion on hand

Bone Broth

Ingredients:

1 small chicken, beef, lamb, pork
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 tbl spoon crushed garlic
3 sprigs of thyme or dry
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, great for water retention
1 bunch parsley, chopped
Filter water, enough to cover chicken and vegetables, what ever meat bones you have use them

Nutritious  broth.

  • Bone broth soup is rich in nutrients. … 
  • It may help to protect the joints. … 
  • It may help fight osteoarthritis. … 
  • It may help reduce inflammation and heal the gut. … 
  • It may aid sleep. … 
  • Helpful in recovery after surgery this is whey I have some Soups and Bone Broth in my freezer.. It will help to heal my gut.. ! week to go before surgery thinking positive and eating right, and walking George 2 times a day LiveLaugh and Love life is to short

Christmas Cake and Cheese.. food for thought !!

I grew up with this tradition and never gave it a thought until we emigrated to Canada 39 yrs ago yesterday ,, I thought everyone ate Christmas Cake and Cheese ..

Northerners explain why Christmas cake must be served with cheese. As the festive season approaches, one custom that is set to entice the taste buds of the nation is fruit cake and a strong cheese – an increasingly popular Christmas pairing, which sits proudly amongst the long-standing traditions 

  • The tradition dates back to Victorian times
  • The cheese offsets the sweetness of the fruit, according to fans
  • In Yorkshire, Wensleydale is the most popular accompaniment

“On Christmas Eve one Yule cake is given to each member of the family, along with a piece of Christmas cheese. As a rule, part of it is left for Christmas morning, and eaten at the breakfast.””The cake to cheese ratio is all important. You need a surprisingly large slice of cheese to balance out the sweetness of the cake

Why do we have Christmas cake?Christmas cake is an English tradition that began as plum porridge. People ate the porridge on Christmas Eve, using it to line their stomachs after a day of fasting. … For Christmas, they made a similar cake using seasonal dried fruit and spices. The spices represented the exotic eastern spices brought by the Wise Men.

Cumbrian Cheeses This is where i grew up in beautiful Cumbria , I found this info on the net and fund it fascinating and it fits in with my Christmas Cake and cheese..

It might surprise you to learn that Cumbria, better known for its stocks of Herdwick sheep, has a thriving cheese industry. In fact, we love cheese here in the Lake District, which is why we have a good number of producers creating delicious cheeses of varying strengths and textures. No Christmas dinner is complete without a cheese board, and we think that Lake District cheeses should play a starring role. Best of all, rather than trudge through the supermarket, here you can make cheese buying fun.

At Cartmel Cheeses, you can browse and sample the cheeses and learn about their origins from the very knowledgeable staff. The shop stocks both local and international cheeses, and is adjacent to an artisan bakery and a brewery, so plenty of opportunity here to indulge. Over in Keswick, the Cheese Deli stocks one of the largest selections of local cheeses, along with plenty of cheese accompaniments. Of course, you could take your cheese obsession one step further and book yourself onto a Cheese Making Day at Thornby Moor Dairy in West Cumbria. The shop here stocks mouth-watering cheeses that are all made on site.

Introduction to Cumbria

Cumbria is the most north-western county in England, bordering onto Scotland. The county of Cumbria consists of six districts (Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden and South Lakeland), and in 2008 had a population of just under half a million. Cumbria is one of the most sparsely populated counties in the United Kingdom.
 
Its largest settlement and county town is Carlisle and the only other major urban area is Barrow-in-Furness on the south-western tip of the county.
 

Where is Cumbria

Home

Sunday Dinner to day is 2 Harissa Chickens

Kate was going to come over for Sunday Dinner, instead we are taking Sunday Dinner ti Kate and Aaron oh and the wee man Asher . To start we are having Lentil soup a quick and very budget friendly soup. 1 1/2 ltrs Veg stock, 1 onion, 1 1/2 cups red lentils, garlic, salt and pepper .. then when cooked about 40 mins. Then I blended the lentils , it is amazing ,, I made a Guyere red onion and rosemary flat bread to go with the soup

I made this Jamie Oliver Harrisa Chicken a couple of weeks ago, it was a hit . This time I’m making 2 chickens. With the chicken carcas I boil it and make chicken soup, i will make a big soup pot and freeze some for after my surgery! Once chickens are cooked i will post more pics.. The smell of the chickens cooking if amazing !! This dish is a simple dish to prepare .. i am going to try this with chicken thighs , a great dish for entertaining .. Happy Sunday y’all

Poultry mans Pie

I always try to think out of the box when cooking , today I have 1 lb ground chicken, what can I make Ta Daaaaa got it! I browned the ground chicken in a pot I placed light olive oil, 1 onion diced, 1 large Leek sliced and diced, 2 carrots dices 1/2 cup of frozen peas and cooked until soft , I then added the ground chicken a little chicken stock 2 tbl spns light sour cream, leave in pot to simmer ,, In another pot I diced 2 parsnips, 1/2 a small turnip diced, 2 large carrots sliced, and 5 medium potatoes diced , cook until soft then mash with a little butter salt and fresh ground black pepper . place Chicken mis in an oven proof dish layer the potato veg mash over the ground chicken , melt some butter and brush over the mash mix place in 165 f oven and bake for 30 to 45 mins until golden and crisp on top.. Once cooked I will add another pic

Ancient grains , they are Healthy and Nutritious

I cook with rice of various kinds also , millet Pearl barley Quinoa, Buckwheat, are ones I have cooked with and really enjoy heres a lis of a few

  • Amaranth
  • Barley
  • Buckwheat
  • Kamut
  • Millet
  • Quinoa
  • Spelt
  • Teff 

Ancient grains are grains that have been planted and harvested for thousands of years.  Some ancient grains are not grains, but actually grasses or seeds.

Although millet is most often associated as the main ingredient in bird seed, it is not just “for the birds.” Creamy like mashed potatoes or fluffy like rice, millet is a delicious grain that can accompany many types of food. As with most grains, millet is available in markets throughout the year. today I am going to make the Nordic Bowl a recipe I found on line a few days ago I am going to use Millet .. all . Millet is also gluten free and has amazing benefits to your health 

Peppers with a Millet turmeric filling

Ancient Grain Banana Bread I came across this recipe so i will try this as I love Banana bread

This ancient grain banana bread is one of those recipes that doesn’t compromise on flavor in spite of it having ancient grains. And, you cannot tell it is gluten free!

Ingredients
• ¾ cup quinoa flour
• ½ cup oat flour
• ¼ cup almond flour
• ¼ cup millet flour
• ¼ cup sorghum flour
• ¼ cup amaranth flour
• 2 tablespoons flax meal
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/2 cup raw sugar
• 2 cups mashed overripe bananas
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 1 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Since I didn’t have quinoa and oat flours on hand, took ½ cup quinoa and 1/3 cup oats and made flour.
3. In a large bowl, combine all flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together oil, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raw sugar. Stir in mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten.
4. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips into batter and pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

There are few simple secrets to making the perfect loaf of ancient grain banana bread.
1. You have to mash the bananas by a hand tool. Do not use any machines. A fork or a potato masher like I’m using will do the trick.
2. The amount of mashed bananas should be just a little less than the combined flour.
3. The combined flour plus flax meal plus tapioca starch should be 2 ½ cups. If you don’t have any one of the flours then use more of the other till you get 2 ½ cups.
4. Do not add any other liquid like milk etc. Just add oil that’s it. I cant wait to try this recipe ,

Planning a head , freezer meals All plant based .. My way

Planning a head Meals

Yesterday and today I have cooked meals for Hubby and my son when I’m in Hospital , I know David can cook but he works long shifts, If I can make it easier for him i will So I made a Bean Stew with white kidney beans and black beans , I put up a family sized portion and 2 lunch sized for David . I then made a double batch of red pepper Alfredo oh my it is delish!! I have also made Cheese, potato and Onion Pasty’s . Then a Bean Chilli that is rich and thick you don’t even miss the meat .. Now I have to think about supper tonight !!

Pergogies by request from David last night, these are amazing and in a mushroom sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 300g / 10 oz mushrooms , sliced
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp minced garlic ,
  • 1/4 cup (65 ml) white wine or Anise
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (250 ml) sour cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan ,finely grated
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 – 1/2 tsp dried)

Mushroom soup a quick and tasty Soup and healthy

I love to make soups and this one is truly amazing . I put 3 different Mushrooms in to this I got Dried Porcini mushrooms, Cremini Mushrooms, and button mushrooms the Porchini mushrooms I soaked in a cup of boiling water for 5 mins , I some times use Oyster and Portobello mushrooms.. I started my base 1 onion diced, 1 stalk of celery dices slice mushrooms place 2 tbl spns light olive oil in open with garlic add onions and celery sweat for about 5 mins then add sliced mushrooms and the Porcini mushroom along with the water the Porcini was soaking in , cook for about 10 mins until mushrooms are soft , then I add 3 cups of veg stock, then I get my hand blender and blend all together then once done add salt and fresh ground black pepper, and 1/2 cup light sour cream Its your choice you can add reg sour cream . This is quite a hearty soup i serve with a little truffle oil on top and a fresh crust baguette and a side salad

Mushrooms are edible fungus that can provide several important nutrients. The many kinds of mushroom have varying compositions and nutritional profiles.

From puffballs to truffles, mushrooms can range from everyday fare to a costly delicacy. People can buy them fresh, canned, or dried. Health Benefits

Mushrooms contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These can have various health benefits.

For example, antioxidants are chemicals that help the body eliminate free radicals.

Free radicals are toxic byproducts of metabolism and other bodily processes. They can accumulate in the body, and if too many collect, oxidative stress can result. This can harm the body’s cells and may lead to various health conditions.

Among the antioxidant agents in mushrooms are:

This is a 30 possible 40 min soup and one of Davids fave soups .. I am taking some over for Kate and Aaron..

Stuffed peppers,

Left over rice hmmm I think I will do stuffed pepper, quick and delish You can add what ever you like to the rice, I added 1 can of light tuna, garlic, onion diced, celery diced a hot pepper diced ( Don’t rub your eyes after you have handled hot pepper.. Salt fresh ground black pepper a sprinkle of Soy Sauce, and a little smoked paprika, once rice is done place in the peppers , I sometimes ad feta cheese, i didn’t this time .. I caked in a 350 oven for about 25 mins , i served with a home made soup, yup today a Red Bell pepper soup amazing , tasty and so healthy , thank you Sobeys for the great produce !! This is a flavourful meal.. Cooking most of our food from scratch becomes a habbit,

  • I also made 2 Cottage pies with ground chicken haricot beans and black beans, onions , celery , 2 large tomatoes added veg stock , once cooked placed in oven proof dish, in another pot I diced 1/2 a medium turnip and 3 large carrots sliced and 8 medium potatoes, cooked until soft and them mashed with butter and a little sour cream , placed on top of the meat and bean mix .. with the stock left over I made a very tasty gravy!! I served this with a fresh herb baguette oh my the flavours . I cooked in a 360 oven for about 40 mins until crispy and golden .. Eating #Plantbased and making most of our food from scratch is amazing.. I am heading ti to this surgery feeling well and very positive , by eating this way has postponed this surgery .. Love y’all have a great Sat Night

Bell Peppers

This morning I took George out for his morning walk , and brrr it was cold , I came home and looked in my fridge I have lots of

Bell Peppers, hmm I think I will make a Red Pepper Soup, I also added a little Jalapeño in to the mix My soups eat I just add ingredients , i don’t really have a recipe!! Doing this blog has made me write my recipes down ! well for the most part

  • 3 large red peppers diced,
  • 1 every stalk diced
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1/2 Jalapeño pepper seeds removed
  • 1 tbl spn diced Garlic
  • Fresh ground black pepper and salt a sprinkle of wakings Bell Pepper spice
  • 4 cups veg stock
  • 1/4 cup plain Sought or Light Sour Cream
  • tbl spn light olive oil
  • In a soup pot place all diced veggies . sauté until cooked 7 mins add veg stock bring to boil then I get my hand blender of you can use a food processor . blend . I like to leave a few chunks, add soup cream salt and pepper simmer for 10 mins. Ready to eat a 30 min soup, I will have with some crust home made bread and a salad.. #plantbased Thank you Western Family ( Save on Foods) For the Fresh amazing Produce and friendly staff

Health benefits of Bel Peppers !! Some info I came across on line ,

Bell peppers are often one of the key pillars to creating a colourful and aesthetically pleasing dish. The vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and greens found in bell peppers add a spark of life to dishes that utilize them. But bell peppers are also dense with healthy nutrients the body needs to function properly and fight off chronic diseases and afflictions. When individuals consider what fruits and vegetables to include in their diet, bell peppers should be high on the list. Why? Get to know the details about the delicious and amazing health benefits associated with the nutrient capacity of bell peppers now. Another reason to eat Bell Peppers

Fast food Yeah ! Curry in Made in 45 mins

I took out 2 chicken breast cut in to small pieces, cooked in olive oil to another pot 1 dived onion, left over peppers from the Harrisa Chicken with a little of the stock , 2 potatoes diced, 2 celery stalks diced, add chicken to the pot I add gram Masala and Cumin , 1 cup chicken stock garlic, coconut milk to taste I added 2 tbl spn, and salt and fresh ground black pepper bring to boil, simmer for 25 mins there you have a very fast curry! Today I will make naan bread , this meal will serve 6 to 8 people , I will serve over rice and also chick peas or lima beans.. Gotta love eating healthy and #Plant based , all meals are budget friendly!! In the pics are a few different Curries I have made , a delish Lamb curry, a chicken curry and a veg Curry.

Remember, remember, the Fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot

Tonight in the UK it is Guy Fawkes night , I always got Fireworks from mu Big Bro, oh how I miss him RIP Bro love you.. Curry tonight will be a great comfort food..

A little info on this day

Guy Fawkes Night

“Fifth of November” redirects here. For the date, see November 5.

Festivities in Windsor Castle by Paul Sandbyc. 1776

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes DayBonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in the United Kingdom. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London; and months later, the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure.

Within a few decades Gunpowder Treason Day, as it was known, became the predominant English state commemoration, but as it carried strong Protestant religious overtones it also became a focus for anti-Catholic sentimentPuritansdelivered sermons regarding the perceived dangers of popery, while during increasingly raucous celebrations common folk burnt effigies of popular hate-figures, such as the pope. Towards the end of the 18th century reports appear of children begging for money with effigies of Guy Fawkes and 5 November gradually became known as Guy Fawkes Day. Towns such as Lewes and Guildford were in the 19th century scenes of increasingly violent class-based confrontations, fostering traditions those towns celebrate still, albeit peaceably. In the 1850s changing attitudes resulted in the toning down of much of the day’s anti-Catholic rhetoric, and the Observance of 5th November Act was repealed in 1859. Eventually the violence was dealt with, and by the 20th century Guy Fawkes Day had become an enjoyable social commemoration, although lacking much of its original focus. The present-day Guy Fawkes Night is usually celebrated at large organised events, centred on a bonfire and extravagant firework displays.

Settlers exported Guy Fawkes Night to overseas colonies, including some in North America, where it was known as Pope Day. Those festivities died out with the onset of the American Revolution. Claims that Guy Fawkes Night was a Protestant replacement for older customs like Samhain are disputed, although another old celebration, Halloween, has lately increased in popularity in England, and according to some writers, may threaten the continued observance of 5 November.

Left over Chicken

So today is left overs , with the chicken left I think I will make a curry with the stock , also with lots of veg, for soup or gravies .. I really don’t think my curries are the same twice in a row, Today is my Birthday and I will be delivering my #Hugs4Cops blankets to 4 RCMP and 1 to a Local Lady Firefighter that one maybe tomorrow! I also have After School class to teach .. I don’t understand why some people are so mean and cruel to others and their pets.. I try to live my life as a long time friend Bob Mills once said treat others as you would like to be treat , this is how I try to live..

So Left Overs the chicken was so good there was 1 Chicken breast left , So I diced a leek, 1/2 onion diced a carrot and 1 cup left over rice and some of the stock from coking the chicken, I made an amazing chicken and Leek Soup . can have with some of the Bread I made yesterday a hearty lunch and budget friendly and good for you #Plant based #CookfromScratch

I delivered my blankets to day , I must go to Walmart for more wool, I have to say just me crocheting these blankets is getting tough, i have a sore arm , I will have to get it checked out .. BTW I tasted the soup it is amazing .. Once again a budget friendly lunch, health and not fast food.. LOL it was fast food it took me 30 mins ..

Harrisa Chicken Wow it was amazing the layers of flavours Def do this again

  • Making Jamie Olivers Harissa Chicken today , it looks amazing lets see how this goes .. I didn’t write down the recipe but here it is
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 orange or yellow
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 lg red onion
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • Dried mont i used fresh
  • red wine vinegar Harrisa chilli paste I didn’t have Harrisa Paste so I used Tamarina sauce and some smoky paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 chicken
  • I cut down the back bone with scissors

This is our Sunday dinner before David goes out to work,,, Thank you Jamie Oliver for this amazing dish , I will take pics once cooked

Recipe for the Harrisa Sauce I will do this next time , it was on line and not my recipe, no doubt i will tweak it. Recipes are a suggestion oh how to cook i love to put a twist in it , do it my way !! I love Jamie Olivers style of cooking The Chicken I got in Real Canadian Super Store, grated Cheddar in Walmart and produce in Save On Food ( Western Family ) Rice was also Walmart

  • 10 dried New Mexico chiles (or other large dried chile with mild-to-medium spiciness)
  • 7 dried chiles de arbol (increase for more heat, decrease for less heat)
  • 1 Tbsp (heaping) cumin seeds (or sub slightly less ground // if using ground, skip the toasting step)
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds (or sub slightly less ground // if using ground, skip the toasting step)
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds (not essential, but added to most traditional harissa)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste (or sub finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (if avoiding oil, sub water or omit)

Instructions

  1. Add dried chilies to a mixing bowl or measuring cup and cover with hot water. (We used a mix of mild New Mexico chiles and hot peppers (chiles de arbol). Adjust the ratio to preferred spice level.) Once submerged, cover and steam for 15-20 minutes to rehydrate. Set aside.
  2. In the meantime, add cumin and coriander seeds to a small skillet and toast over medium heat for a few minutes, or until fragrant and they start to pop. Then transfer to a mortar and pestle (if you don’t own one, just add to a food processor to mix later), and crush into a fine powder.
  3. Next add caraway seeds, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and salt, and mix. Then add lemon juice and vinegar and mix again until you’ve achieved a paste. Transfer paste to food processor and add the tomato paste. Set aside.
  4. Once chiles are rehydrated, drain and remove the stems and seeds (I recommend wearing gloves to protect your hands), then add to food processor. At this point, all ingredients (besides olive oil) should be in the food processor.
  5. Blend for 1-2 minutes, scraping down sides as needed until a smooth paste is achieved. Then stream in 1/4 cup olive oil while blending to create a saucier consistency (see photo). (Add more oil (or water) as needed until desired consistency is achieved.)
  6. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more lemon or vinegar for acidity, paprika for smokiness, tomato paste for depth of flavor, or salt to taste. If it’s not spicy enough at this point, you can either add more chiles de arbol (rehydrated and seeds removed) or cayenne pepper to taste.
  7. Scoop paste into a jar to store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. If storing in the freezer, we recommend scooping into an ice cube tray, freezing, and storing in a freezer-safe container up to 2 months. Add cubes directly to warm foods (like stews or cooked sauces). If adding to cold foods (like dressings or dips), let thaw before adding.

Now the taste test Chicken is in the oven, my house smells amazing .. Ilovetocook for family and friends , it is a great way to show family and friends you love them Have a Great Week, oh yeah my Birthday tomorrow Nov 4th

Cheese Potato and Onion Pie

Shift work Ugh I have to think a couple of days ahead .. These , potato and onion pie with a Salad today I think! It is great hot or cold, I made the pie yesterday after huge left , so here ya go , this is a fave by all! Its great for lunches and picnics. Basically boil your potatoes and onions the add what ever cheeses you like I like an aged cheddar and asiago also a dollop of Keens hot mustard it brings out the taste of cheese , bake 375 for about 30 mins or until golden brown I usually use and egg wash to seal and put on the top of the pie I Love to serve this with a nice crisp salad! With Some Kimchi or Olive Oil and balsamic #Plant based it amazing, cooking from scratch, yup some days I think oh boy i should just buy this, bur after the dish is made I think wow this is amazing, plus eco friendly not a lot of garbage , I have a pie there using Swiss Chard as a veg oh my love this vegetable.. George has to get in on the pic.. Miss B relaxing

Quick healthy noodle dish

This is a quick delish meal takes id say 20 mins to make ! You may have your fave noodles you like to use, i really like these as I can add my own flavour to it This day I used a low salt Veg broth , I used 3 blocks of noodles and 2 cups of stock , in a skillet I chopped an onion, peppers, garlic, frozen peas and a jalapeno when I have I also use bean sprouts and tomato, I sautéed until noodles were cooked added veg and the in the skillet i role 3 eggs in to ot an stirred once cooked I sliced in to egg strips and added to the noodle mix, i also added some soya sauce , a great quick yummy lunch!! We started doing this way back in the 80’s when we lived in kitimat BC, but David liked the Mushroom Flavoured noodles His Miracle food Ramen noodles Great on a freshly baked bun Yummy

.. I guess its a family tradition now

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started