Curried Red Lentil Dhal

Curried Red Lentil Dhal

Made this recipe off a red lentil dhal recipe of Michael Smith's. It is easy, delicious, and healthy. What a great way to make lentils. If you eat it with some basmati rice, it is a full meal with everything that your body needs. Eat it with some cilantro and chopped red onion for some freshness and crunch!

ingredients:

1 cup red lentils
3 cups water
1 tbsp fresh ginger
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup butter

1 onion

handful of cilantro
1 tbsp spoon brown sugar (optional)

1/2 tsp of salt
basmati rice

directions:

1. Cook basmati rice in a pot, or rice cooker. Follow the directions on the package of your rice. Mine is usually 1 part rice, 2 parts water, a little salt, and 8-10 minutes simmering.

2. Put butter into a medium sized pot, and melt it down. Toss in one chopped onion and cook the onion down so it starts to caramelize. This will help add sweetness to your dhal. Stir in your spices (cumin, curry powder, cayenne, etc) in with your onions and cook for 2-3 minutes. This will reinvigorate your spices. Add the lentils, water and ginger to the pot. Add brown sugar if you like a touch of sweetness, but don't add it if you want to make it a little healthier.

3. Bring the pot to a full boil, and then reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes until lentils are soft.

4. Spoon lentils over rice. Garnish with cilantro and red onion if you wish.

Warm Chicken and Pineapple Salad

Warm Chicken and Pineapple Salad

This was inspired by a Michael Smith recipe. It was delicious. I cooked all the elements in a cast iron pan, as I don't have a grill. Chicken breast, pineapple, orange bell pepper, red onion, snap peas, cilantro... with some oil and a bit of salt. Fantastic. All that great caramelized flavour is what it's all about.

ingredients:

chicken breast (or thigh would work)
fresh pineapple (sliced)
orange peppers
red onion

cilantro

directions:

1. Cut a whole pineapple in slices, or buy pineapple sliced into rings. Chop your pepper into fairly sizable chunks, as we will grill or fry it, and de-seed. Cut red onion into thick slices, maybe 1 inch thick.

2. Take the chicken, pineapple, peppers, and red onion and grill all at the same time. Or do them in a cast iron pan if you don't have a grill. Flip them all so they cook on both sides. They will all cook at different rates. The onion and peppers should get done first. While the pineapple and chicken will take longer.

3. Once everything is off, and a little cooled down, chop them into smaller bit size pieces. Almost like a stir-fry. And mix together in a bowl. Add in some chopped cilantro and toss. This recipe doesn't even need any dressing because the juices from everything should be enough. You could add a little salt or pepper maybe if you choose. But I like the freshness of just these grilled veggies and fruit complemented with the chicken.

Coconut Milk French Toast with Homemade Brioche Bread

Coconut Milk French Toast

I had always wanted to try French Toast with coconut milk, and you know what? It was so good! I also made the brioche bread specifically for making the french toast. Of course you could use any bread, and store bought bread might work even better. I was just taking the time to experiment.

ingredients:

4 pieces of bread
1 can coconut milk
3 eggs
1/4 tsp cinnamon or nut meg
1 tsp of sugar
maple syrup

directions:

1. Break 3 eggs and add to a bowl or flat pan that is a little deep. The wider the dish the better because you are eventually gonna sit the bread in it. But you can still do all the mixing in a bowl. Add 1 can of coconut milk. Then add your spices (cinammon and nut meg to your liking), 1 tsp of sugar. And then beat the mixture well so it all combines.

2. Dip in bread and cover the bread and let it soak up the egg mixture. If the bread is thicker and denser it may need to sit for a while to soak it up. If it's softer and not to thick, it may not have to sit for more than a minute.

3. Fry eggy bread in a frying pan with your choice of grease. So that it doesn't stick. Maybe a few minutes each side. Depends how hot your pan is. But peel up the bread to see how it's doing and flip when you get a brown golden crust.

4. Top with maple syrup. And if you really want to kick it up a notch, top with some chopped pecans as well.

Orange Spicy Ribs with Brussels Sprouts and Potato Salad

Orange Spicy Ribs with Brussels Sprouts and Potato Salad

This rib recipe is great because it doesn't require a BBQ or Grill. So for those who live in an apartment, or don't have access to either of those things you can make these in the oven! The high heat of 500 degrees helps break them down and make them extra tender. And all of the water in the dish will help to keep them moist. Just broil them with sauce after to get the char and colour you will want.

ingredients:

1 rack of pork ribs
3 inch piece of ginger

4 tablespoons canola oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup soy sauce

4 cups water

ketchup
soy sauce
orange and zest
1-2 cloves of garlic
brown sugar
white wine vinegar
ginger

directions:

1. Brush ribs with oil, or smear around with your hands. And then sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. Fill a large casserole dish or pan with 4 cups water, 1 cup soy sauce, pieces of sliced ginger, and maybe some oranges if you have it.

2. Cover dish with ribs with tin foil and put in an oven at 500 F degrees for 1.5 hour. The high heat will help break down the ribs and make them tender.

3. Remove the ribs from the oven, and brush with your favourite BBQ. If you make a homemade sauce yourself it will be even better. (see below).

4. Put ribs in oven until broil for 5 minutes or so to give some colour and char to the ribs. Serve the racks in chunks, or cut into individual pieces. (let it stand before slicing)

sauce:

In a small pot, combine ketchup, garlic, soy sauce, orange zest and juice, ginger, brown sugar, and white wine vinegar and cook down until it looks thicker and saucier. When combining the ingredients you want to have a good balance between sweet, sour, salty, tangy... the orange will make it extra special, and the ginger will add some spice to it.

Poached Pears with Caramel Sauce and Chopped Pistachios

I made the caramel sauce myself... super easy! The pears totally turned into a vehicle for the rest of the stuff... but oh well

PLT (Pastrami, Lettuce, Tomato) with Potato Salad

PLT (Pastrami, Lettuce, Tomato) with Potato Salad

I saw this sandwich on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and I wanted to make my own at home. It's pretty much a BLT, but replace the bacon with some fried pastrami. It was definitely a fun way to change things up. I made the bread homemade, but you can just use store bought bread too.

ingredients:

your choice of bread
pastrami from the deli, shaved
tomatoes
lettuce
mayo

red skinned potatoes
eggs
frozen peas
salt
pepper
mayo
vinegar

directions:

1. Grab a handful of shaved pastrami. About 100 grams per sandwich maybe. And fry in a frying pan over medium heat. If you have any of metal dishes or container you could put it on top to keep the pastrami flat.

2. Slice some tomato, break off some chunks of lettuce, and slice up or grab two slices of your favourite bread. Put a little mayonnaise on each slice of the bread. Layer the pastrami on to the bread, then the tomato, maybe crack some pepper on the tomato, add lettuce, and then finish off the sandwich with the last piece of bread.

3. Eat with a side of potato salad! Cook some frozen peas and add to make the potato salad a little fun and different.

Strip Loin Steak and Potatoes

Strip Loin Steak and Potatoes

With green beans and an iceberg wedge covered in blue cheese dressing. The steak was done in a cast iron pan with lots of pepper, bit of salt, bit of butter. Wonderful!

ingredients:

striploin steaks
salt
pepper
butter

handful fingerling potatoes, or small potatoes
handful of green beans
iceberg lettuce
blue cheese
mayo
vinegar

canola oil

salt
pepper
butter

directions:

Steak:

1. Take your steaks at room temperature, and generously sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. This seasoning is gonna help to form a crust on the steak. Fry the steak in a hot cast iron pan to get a good sear. After you flip the steak you can put some butter on top of the steak. This will help it from sticking to the pan, and help it cook, and give it more flavour.

2. Use a meat thermometer, or touch the steak. When you start to feel less give when you press down into the steak it means it's a little cooked through. I would recommend medium rare myself. If you want it well done (which some crazy people do), if you push down and find little give its cooked through.

Potatoes:

1. Roast potatoes in the oven with salt, pepper, and a little oil for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Beans:

1. Steam some green beans and blanch them in ice water to stop the cooking process. This will keep them from getting overcooked and keep their bright green colour. Then toss them in some melted butter.

Lettuce:

1. Cut a wedge of iceberg lettuce. About 1/4 of a head of lettuce. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, crumbled blue cheese, salt, and pepper together for a dressing. Drizzle on top of the wedge.

Homemade Bread

My first attempt at ever making bread, and not even with a machine. Just my hand, an oven, and some simple ingredients.

Mint Lamb Chops and Potato Latkes

Okay, the latkes weren't the best... but the lamb chops were unbelievable!!!

Guacamole and Salsa Fresca

Guacamole and Salsa Fresca

Guacamole has got to be the ultimate dip. Even better than hummus. Who doesn't like the creamy buttery texture of an avocado? Though, the best part of an avocado is the texture and not the taste. So make sure you mix some wonderful flavours into it.

ingredients:

3-4 avocados

1 tomato
1/2 red onion
1/2 lemon
pinch of salt
2 cloves of garlic

1 tomato
1/2 white onion
handful of cilantro

1/2 jalapeno

salt
pepper

directions:

1. Mash avocados with a hand masher, or a fork if you don't have one. Or any blunt object would do. Mix in chopped tomatoes, red onion, and crushed garlic. Sprinkle with salt, and squeeze in some lemon juice. You can also use lime juice, I just find lemon isn't as bitter and is a little more sweet. Stir the works altogether.

2. Chop tomatoes, white onion, cilantro, and jalapeno (chop it really tiny). The jalapeno is optional for some heat. Mix in a bowl. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper. If you want, you could add some oil and vinegar too it. But I think this way is much more fresh tasting.

Mountain Dew Pancakes

Mountain Dew Pancakes

Once upon a time I received some free mountain dew at an event, and I wanted to cook something fun for it. So I searched online, and the best idea I could come up with what mountain dew pancakes. I pretty much substituted mountain dew instead of water with an instant pancake mix. The results were interesting!

ingredients:

1 cup mountain dew
2 cups bisquick pancake mix

2 eggs
butter

maple syrup

whipped cream
sugar
mint

directions:

1. Mix bisquick, mountain dew, and 2 eggs into a bowl. If you want, you can replace the eggs with bananas if you want to make them vegan.

2. Heat a frying pan or griddle, add some butter, and cook the pancakes on it. Turn the pancake when it starts to form bubbles and its a golden brown on the one side.

3. Top with maple syrup. Whipped cream from a can, or make it fresh. (cream + sugar + hand mixer or stand mixer)

Pear, Blue Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Prosciutto, Walnuts, Mozzarella Cheese Pizza with Arugula Salad

Pear, Blue Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Prosciutto, Walnuts, Mozzarella Cheese Pizza 
with Arugula Salad

This is possibly the best pizza I have ever had. Pear is one of the most underrated fruits, and tastes amazing on pizza. If you have never tried it before, you should! And this pizza recipe is your chance.

ingredients:

dough
blue cheese
caramelized onion
prosciutto
walnuts
mozzarella
pear
olive oil
pepper
cornmeal
arugula

directions:

pizza dough:

1. Fill a mixing bowl with 1-1 and 1/4 cups of warm water in a bowl.

2. Add 1 tbsp of active dry yeast. Add 1 tbsp of brown sugar, or white sugar if you feel the yeast is old. It will help activate the yeast and give it something to "eat". Let stand for about 10 minutes until white frothy bubbles are on top. Add in 1 tbsp of oil (though probably optional) and 1/2-1 tsp of salt.

3. Mix in 3 cups of flour. You can add more flour if its too sticky. Kneed dough on a flat surface covered with flour. Add more flour to the surface as needed. Maybe kneed for at least 10-15 minutes. Until the dough no longer sticks together on your hand.

4. Form the dough into a ball and coat with olive oil. Put in a covered container in a warm place. Warm is key. I sometimes run the oven for a little while, and then turn the oven off and put it in a pot. Let it sit for at least one hour. Two hours works too. The Longer the better. The dough should double in size.

5. Punch the dough, and cut in half. This pizza recipe will make two pizzas.

6. Oil a pizza pan with butter or margarine. And dust it with cornmeal. The cornmeal will adhere to the grease. And then spread out the dough on the pan.

7. Top pizza with olive oil, pepper, mozzarella cheese, sliced pear, prosciutto, walnuts, caramelized onions, and crumbled blue cheese. Cook in an oven at 400 F for about 30 minutes. Or until the top gets golden brown.

8. Eat with a arugula salad, or top the pizza with arugula after it comes out of the oven.

Crusted Tilapia, Bed of Coleslaw, Roasted Beets and Potatoes

Crusted Tilapia, Bed of Coleslaw, Roasted Beets and Potatoes

The crust is only on the top. I hate when fish gets soggy on the bottom. There is also a sauce under the crust of yogurt, lemon, cayenne, honey, dijon mustard, salt and pepper

ingredients:

tilapia
bread crumbs
eggs
salt
pepper
flour
cabbage
mayo
vinegar
beets

Butter Chicken with Cucumber, Mint and Pineapple Salad

Butter Chicken with Cucumber. Mint and Pineapple Salad

Butter chicken has to be the most famous Indian dishes outside of India. But from what I've heard it's not actually called Butter Chicken there... or at least parts of India, but either way it's a yummy dish and I don't care. Butter Chicken is probably best with boneless skinless chicken thighs, but you could also use chicken breast if you want to be healthier.

ingredients:

1 - 1/2 pound chicken thighs
1/4-1/2 cup cream
tomato paste or 1 can diced tomatoes

1 onion
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp curry powder

1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
pinch of salt
1/4-1/2 cup butter

1/4-1/2 cup yogurt

1 cucumber
handful of fresh mint
1/2 a pineapple

directions:

1. Mix yogurt with cayenne, cumin, salt, pepper. Cover this yogurt mixture on to the chicken thighs. Then bake chicken thighs in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

2. Chop up onions, and sautee them in a frying pan until they start to get caramelized. Then toss in your cayenne, cumin, curry powder, coriander into the onions and cook for a few minutes to reinvigorate your spices. Toss in some tomato paste, or canned tomatoes, and cook down until tomatoes seem cook. Transfer mixture to a food processor, or blender, or use a hand blender, and blend til smooth.

3. Mix in some cream and butter until the mixture to help make it creamy and velvety. Then put in your cooked chicken thighs and let them cook out a little more in the sauce.

4. Serve butter chicken over rice. And a great salad to accompany it would be some chopped pineapple, cucumber and mint. Dress is with a little vinaigrette or keep it plain.

Hungarian Chicken Meatballs with Raw Zucchini Salad

I think the only that makes these meatballs Hungarian is there is paprika in the sauce. Zucchini salad was amazing! So fresh and crisp.

Pork Tenderloin with Mango Compote, Parsnip Puree and Brussel Sprouts

The pork tenderloin was marinated with lime juice and zest, honey, salt, garlic powder and chipotle chilies. The parsnip puree could maybe have used some potatoes. Overall amazing though thank you Alton Brown!

Beef Stew with St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout

Beef Stew with St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout

If you don't cook beef stew with either red wine, or an amber or dark beer, than you should. For this stew, I used the St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout. It gave it a dark deep rich flavour. Cooking with this beer gave it tastes of espresso and chocolate, which gave the stew another dimension.

ingredients:

2 pounds stew beef
2 carrots
2-3 celery stalks
1 onion

3 poatoes (skin on or off)
1 container of beef stock, or beef bouillon cube

handful of frozen peas

1-2 bay leaf

3 tbsp flour
salt
pepper

1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 bottle of dark or amber beer

directions:

1. Cut stewing beef into cubes. About 1-2 inches thick. Just make sure they are an even size and will cook at the same rate. Chop vegetables into similar sized pieces and set aside.

2. Dredge the beef in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper. And heat some oil in a large pot. Once the pot is hot, put in the beef to get a sear on the outside of the beef. Flip around until there is a brown crust forming on all sides of the beef.

3. Next, drop in your potatoes, and pour in your beef stock. This is also when you can pour in your beer, and your vinegar. The vinegar will help break down the beef and make it more tender. I'm not going to put in the other vegetables yet because I don't want those to become overcooked. But I don't mind if the potatoes are mushy. If you want firmer potatoes, put them in with the rest of the vegetables later. Bring to a boil, and then simmer.

4. Simmer the beef in the broth for at least 30 minutes on its own. After 30 minutes, you can add the onions, celery, and carrots to the stew. Also add 1-2 bay leafs. And cover the pot again.

5. Continue to simmer the stew covered for another 30 minutes. At this point you can pull out your bay leafs. And drop in your frozen peas which should cook quite quickly, which is way we save them for last.

6. After a few minutes the beef stew should be done, and ready to serve. Best eaten with bread.

Kale and White Bean Soup

Kale and White Bean Soup

I have totally gotten into kale lately thanks to my friend Tara who kept telling me to make Kale Chips, and man they are so delicious! The broth of this soup I felt had a lot of layers and substance for a veggie soup.

ingredients:

1 can of navy beans, or cannellini beans, or white kidney beans

big handful of kale
tomato
onion
veggie stock
garlic
salt
pepper

directions:

1. Caramelize onions in a large pot. Once caramelized, throw in some chopped tomato, and garlic. Stir and mix with the onions. Season with salt and pepper. After a few minutes pour in 1 container of veggie stock, or use veggie boullion cubes.

2. Drop in the white bean of your choice into the soup. You could mash some of the beans first, to give more texture to the broth of the soup, and then drop the rest in whole. Then add lots of fresh chopped kale. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, to make sure everything is cooked through and give the flavours of the soup a chance to meld.