Roasted Vegetable Pilaf with Bacon and Shiitake Mushrooms

Loaded with vegetables and packed with savoury goodness, bacon-infused pilaf works well as a meal with soup or salad. It can also be served in smaller portions as a hearty side dish. Eggplant and bacon pair beautifully together, and the flavours of the dish are completed by the lemon, soy sauce, and shiitake mushrooms. Though I prefer the more delicate flavour of fresh mushrooms, I … Continue reading Roasted Vegetable Pilaf with Bacon and Shiitake Mushrooms

aiming4simpleFebruary 2014February 20142 Comments

Chocolate Waffles with Pink Raspberry Frosting

gluten free, recipes, sweet

Chocolate Waffles with Natural Pink Raspberry Frosting

If there ever was a frosting destined for chocolate, this raspberry frosting is it. Put it on chocolate waffles, chocolate pancakes, or chocolate cupcakes and you have a naturally delicious burst of pink colour and zingy berry flavour. Chocolate waffles are especially nice because they can appear as either breakfast or dessert. I made a double batch of Chocolate Buckwheat Waffles and froze them, per … Continue reading Chocolate Waffles with Natural Pink Raspberry Frosting

aiming4simpleFebruary 2014February 201412 Comments

gluten free, recipes, sweet

Lunar New Year Recipe Roundup

Happy Lunar New Year’s Eve! It’s been an exciting and busy week for many of us as a big weekend approaches. Both the Lunar New Year and the Superbowl are converging at almost the same time. Have your local grocery shelves been emptier than usual? That’s been the case around here, which means I may have to resort to making some Chinese dumplings completely from … Continue reading Lunar New Year Recipe Roundup

aiming4simpleJanuary 2014February 201411 Comments

gluten free, recipes

Savoury Vegetable Cornbread: A Gluten Free Recipe

What I love about cornbread is that some variation of it can accent almost any dish. This savoury vegetable-loaded version pairs well with several cuisines, including (but not limited to) Mexican and Indian. Mexican Egg Drop Soup, basic lentil soup, Chicken Enchilada Rice Bowls, and Mango Chicken Curry would all be harmonious companions to this cornbread. Cumin, which I love, is a bold seasoning … Continue reading Savoury Vegetable Cornbread: A Gluten Free Recipe

aiming4simpleJanuary 2014January 20148 Comments

gluten free, recipes, vegan

Poinsettia Guacamole Blossoms

Pretty floral guacamole blossoms are great starters for gatherings during the holiday season. With only three ingredients, they are simple to make. And the poinsettia flowers can serve as more than a decoration–they can be a conversation starter as well. Why do we use poinsettias as Christmas decorations? Have you heard of the legend of the poinsettia? Did the legend precede the tradition, or vice … Continue reading Poinsettia Guacamole Blossoms

aiming4simpleDecember 2013December 20133 Comments

recipes, vegan

Red Pepper and Green Pesto Pasta

Simple and elegant, pasta with pesto and red peppers makes an impressive weeknight meal that is blessedly quick. Or serve it to guests and give yourself time to spare for fun and conversation. The green pesto can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. If you are like me and crave colour during these bleak midwinter months, the spritely red and green colours … Continue reading Red Pepper and Green Pesto Pasta

aiming4simpleDecember 2013December 20133 Comments