Soy Sauce Almonds

Prep Time: 0 min

Cooking Time: 7-8 min

Total: 8-10 min

Ingredients

2 cups whole raw almonds

1-2 tbsp soy sauce

Directions

1. Spread almonds on a baking sheet and bake in a preheat oven at 350 F for 8-10 minutes.  Shuffle pan after 5 minutes to rotate almonds.  Be careful not to overcook.
2. When almonds are toasted, remove tray from oven and pour soy sauce over almonds.  Mix so that they are lightly coated.
3. As the almonds cool, they will soak in the soy sauce and become crunchy.
4. Store in an airtight container.

Broccoli Soup

This flavourful broccoli soup is so easy to make. Make this for dinner tonight!

Serves: 6, freezes well

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 20-25 min

Total: 30-35 min

Ingredients

1 bunch of broccoli, washed and chopped
1 onion, sliced
1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and sliced (optional)
1 small-medium potato, peeled and cubed
1 tbsp. oil
4 cups of water
1 cube vegetable or chicken stock
salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a large pot heat oil. Saute onions and garlic until translucent.
2. Add potatoes, carrots, water and stock. Stir to combine.
3. Cover and bring to boil. Once the water boils, reduce the heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes in total.
4. Add broccoli to the pot and let cook for 4-5 minutes.  Remove pot from heat.
5. Using a handheld blender, puree soup and season to taste.  If soup is too thick, thin with water or milk.
6. Serve garnished with grated cheddar cheese or a drizzle of cream, and a slice of bread.

Sandwich Ideas

Try some of these ingredient combinations on different breads, bagels, pitas, crackers or wraps, either fresh, toasted or grilled.  Many also work well as an open face sandwich.  Just experiment and enjoy!


Savory

• hummus, tomato, cucumber and alfalfa sprouts
• plain cream cheese, red onion and tomato slices
• smoked salmon, plain cream cheese and fresh chives
• avocado, lemon, salt and pepper
• butter, Marmite and cucumber slices
• cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, cucumber and tomato slices, lettuce
• pesto, grilled vegetable stack and crumbled goat cheese or feta
• caremelized onions, sundried tomatoes, brie and baby arugala
• cold meat slices (chicken, turkey etc.), mayonnaise, honey mustard and lettuce
• cream cheese (regular, onion and chive, herb and garlic) and bruschetta
• hummus, sundried tomato, avocado and baby spinach
• bocconcini slices, tomato slices, fresh basil, balsamic reduction and olive oil
• tuna salad and tomato slices
• hummus, grilled vegetables, feta cheese and alfalfa sprouts
• guacamole, cucumber and tomato slices
• baba ghanoush and grilled vegetables
• tapenade
• pesto, sundried red pepper and crumbled feta
• cottage cheese, cucumber slices and pepper
• cottage cheese, sauteed mushrooms, sundried tomato, sprouts and toasted seeds
• roasted red peppers, brie and baby arugala
• grilled eggplant slices, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese and baby spinach
• fried egg, stir fried mushrooms and cheese slices
• tzatziki, red onion pieces, grilled chicken, tomato and cucumber slices
• egg salad
• brie, sauteed mushrooms and baby arugala
• chicken salad with apple
• feta, sauted baby spinach, caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes
• bean "liver" spread
• roasted butternut, hummus, honey and pine nuts
• smoked salmon with avocado, capers and red onion slices
• edamame spread
• Spanish tomato spread
• avocado, goat cheese, arugula and toasted walnuts
• brie, chutney and arugula (try beet and apple chutney!)

Peanut butter, banana and honey
on toasted light rye

Sweet

• plain goat cheese and a drizzle of honey 
• extra-old white cheddar cheese slices and chunky marmalade
• peanut or almond butter, honey and banana slices
• peanut butter, jam and banana slices
• plain cream cheese and berry jam
• peanut butter, apple slices and honey
• plain cream cheese, apple slices, honey and cinnamon
• Nutella and banana slices, or in a wrap
• grated apple, grated carrot, almond butter and raisins
• grated apple, chopped pecans or walnuts, cinnamon and honey (charoset)
• dessert hummus or healthy chocolate spread with banana or apple slices
• cottage cheese, maple syrup and crushed toasted peanuts, pecans or walnuts

Sunrise Over Amsterdam

Sunrise Over Amsterdam. Unedited digital photograph, 2010.

This photograph was taken about 15 minutes before my trans-Atlantic flight landed in Amsterdam.  After the 7 hour flight, I was lucky to be sitting by the window and even more lucky to be awake to see the break of dawn and the sun rise as the plane descended.  It was a truly spectacular moment and a wonderful start to the day.

Strawberry, Peanut Butter and Oat Squares

Strawberry, peanut butter and oat come together to make these little squares irresistible.

Serves: 15-20 squares, freezes well.

Prep Time:  15 min (plus 20 min for homemade strawberry spread)

Cooking Time: 25-35 min.

Total: 45-50 min.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup margarine or vegan margarine
1/4 cup natural peanut butter (smooth)
2 tbsp. maple syrup
2 tbsp. milk or substitute
3-5 tbsp. water
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
1 1/2 cups berry jam (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry) OR homemade strawberry spread (recipe below)

Directions

1. In a large bowl cream together sugar, peanut butter and margarine
2. In a separate bowl combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt.  Slowly add to creamed mixture.
3. Add maple syrup and milk, and mix together to form a crumble.  If needed, add one tablespoon of water at a time to moisten crumble mixture.  Set aside about 1 cup.
4. Grease a square baking dish and pour in crumble.  Using your hands, press crumble to form an even base.
5. Spread jam or homemade strawberry spread evenly over base.
6. Sprinkle remaining crumble over jam, followed by sesame seeds.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 25-35 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
8. Let cool and cut into squares.

Homemade Strawberry Spread

2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, washed and cut into pieces

3-4 tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. corn starch

1 1/2 tbsp. water

1. In a small pot, mix together strawberries and sugar.  Cook for 15-20 minutes on medium heat, stirring continuously.  As strawberries cook, mixture should become more watery.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together cornstarch and water.  Make sure cornstarch is fully dissolved.
3. Add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixture to strawberries and stir.  Continue to add cornstarch mixture until spread becomes thicker.
4. Let cool.

Adapted from ohsheglows.com

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

This delicious spinach and mushroom quiche is full of flavour and easy to make.

Serves:  6-8

Prep Time: 10-15 min

Cooking Time: 45-60 min

Total: 55-75 min, plus 15 min cool time

Ingredients

1 bag of baby spinach, washed and chopped
6-7 mushrooms, washed and sliced
1/2 cup orange or red pepper, diced (optional)

1 1/2 cups chunky plain cottage cheese

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated (optional)

3 eggs, whisked

1 red onion, diced

1 tbsp. oil

2 cloves garlic, diced

1 premade deep dish pie crust 9", thawed

fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)

fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a frying pan, heat oil and saute onion and garlic until translucent.  Add mushrooms and saute for another 5 minutes. Let cool.
2. In a large bowl, stir together cheeses, eggs, onion and mushroom mixture, spinach and herbs.  Season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour mixture into pie crust and bake in preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until edges are brown and quiche mixture has set.
4. Remove from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes.
5. Serve with a mixed greed salad as a main meal or cut into small pieces as an appetizer.

Five Minute Chocolate Cake

This recipe is a single serving of chocolate cake that can be made in under 5 minutes. An incredible discovery!

Serves: 1
Prep Time: 3-4 min

Cooking Time: 35-45 seconds
Total: 5 min


Ingredients

1 tbsp. sugar (or less)

1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa

2 tbsp. flour

1 1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 tbsp. milk or substitute

dash of vanilla

sprinkle of dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a microwave safe mug, add more milk if batter is too dry.
2. Mix in chocolate chips.
3. Microwave on high for 35-45 seconds.
4. Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, soy ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Breakfast Fruit Salad

A healthy breakfast or dessert that is easy to make and has unlimited combinations.

Serves:  Depends on the amount of fruit cut

Prep Time: 5- 10min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total: 5-10 min

Ingredients (choose a few fresh fruits)

orange
banana

strawberries
blueberries
raspberries
blackberries
gooseberries
peach
melon (cantelope, honeydew, watermelon)
pear
grapes
plum
apple
mango
pomegranate
papaya
passion fruit
figs
kiwi
lychee
pineapple
1/4 cup orange juice (more or less depending on the amount of fruit) or a squeeze of lemon juice

Directions

1. Cut chosen fruits into small, bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl. Add juice and toss lightly.
2. Serve immediately refrigerate for a few hours until serving.
3. Garnish with spoon of plain yogurt and sprinkle of granola, or serve with pancakes, crepes or waffles.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Lemon and poppy seed have a high taste affinity and together make these muffins magnificent.

Serves:  12 muffins

Prep Time: 15-20 min

Cooking Time: 15-20 min

Total: 35-40 min

Ingredients

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 tbsp. poppy seeds
2 eggs 
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp. lemon essence (optional)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce, or more if necessary
zest and juice of 1 lemon


Lemon Icing
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 cup powdered icing sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and poppy seeds.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs. Add yogurt, apple sauce, oil and zest.  Mix well.
3. Add wet mixture to dry mixture.  If batter is too dry, add more apple sauce.
4. Spoon batter into paper lined muffin cups and bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes, or until browned. Test with a toothpick.
5. To make icing, slowly add lemon juice to powdered icing sugar while stirring.  Keep adding lemon juice until desired consistency is reached, slightly runny.
6. When muffins have cooled, drizzle icing on top.  Make sure muffins are on a plate because the icing is sticky.

Adapted from allrecipes.com