Spring rains have finally settled the dust on the streets; puddles lie everywhere. Grey skies and a slight chill in the air make me want to stay inside and make soup. Not something from a can with long list of ingredients, but slowly simmered, freshly cut mushroom soup, with plenty of onion and some diced shallot thrown in for good measure. I’ve made fresh mushroom … Continue reading Creamy Mushroom Soup with Cashew Milk
Great for a simple lunch or healthy snack, these stuffed avocados come together swiftly and are loaded with Tex-Mex flavour! Cumin and fresh veggies keep the avocados healthy and super tasty. Avocados are not something I am fond of eating on their own. But add some texture and Mexican fair and I love them! Despite my daughter’s recent addiction to garlic salt on her morning … Continue reading Black Bean Stuffed Avocados
The warm spices of Morocco can take the most common of vegetables and elevate it to exotic new heights. As fitting as these spiced carrots might be for a special occasion like Easter dinner, they are still quick and simple enough for a weeknight side dish. The subtle sweetness of dried apricots compliments the spice blend exactly right–no honey or brown sugar needed. This side … Continue reading Moroccan Carrots with Apricots and Almonds
Ever since I spotted a colourful rainbow pizza by the Novice Gardener, I wanted to take that brilliant idea in a Tex-Mex direction. At first I thought I would make chalupas, but then I found out that chalupas are shaped differently than I thought. Tostadas are flat, whereas chalupas are traditionally shaped into bowl-like “boats” to hold the fillings. So to create rainbows it seems that, geometrically … Continue reading Rainbow Tostadas
Made with simple pantry ingredients, these oat bars and their peachy goodness are entirely within reach all year round!Finding a juicy fresh peach is not an easy thing. Last summer we struck out and were disappointed with the peaches available; I have craved good peaches ever since. Thankfully, canned and frozen peaches make it possible to taste one of my favourite fruits any time of … Continue reading Spiced Peach Oat Bars
My two years in China were full of delicious new discoveries. Tang yuan was one of them. After a two-week holiday trip to Thailand, I had just returned to the small city where I was living and working in northeast China. I had missed the main celebration of Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival, as most Chinese call it), but was delighted when some Chinese colleagues invited me … Continue reading Tang Yuan: Chinese Black Sesame Dumplings
Swirls and Spice 