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kayne’s restaurant

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This weekend we had the opportunity to go to the opening of Kayne’s Restaurant in Calgary.  Kayne’s is a venture by Lux Restaurant Group and features a menu that was developed with Chef Michael Noble.  Located on 17th Avenue, this modern-looking pub boasts a lounge area with a wall of flat screen tvs.

There were so many great things on the menu, it was hard to decide exactly what we wanted to try.  We decided to make a meal of appetizers and they were delicious!

We started with the Bison Pops.  These are indian-spiced bison meatballs served with a garlicky tzatziki.  These skewers were exploding with flavour, we had to resist the urge to order some more.

Being the cheese lovers that we are, we just had to try out the Crispy Brie.  The brie was lightly breaded with panko and the warm cheese just oozed out with every bite.  This was served with a sweet cranberry sauce and was fantastic!

We also tried out the Seafood and Chicken Purses.  These were fried wontons stuffed with a shrimp and chicken mixture.  Another great appetizer.

One thing that stood out in all the dishes was the amount of flavour! Great food and great service – we will definitely be back to try out the rest of the menu.

Kaynes on Urbanspoon

rosemary spiced nuts

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In a recent episode of Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate“, snacks craved by food personalities were featured.  Giada’s favorite snack were the bar nuts at Union Square Cafe in New York.  The hot nuts featured on the show looked so delicious, I started searching for the recipe.  Luckily, Nigella Lawson featured the nuts in her show Nigella Bites a couple of years ago, and the recipe was easily accessible.  Instead of using a mix of nuts, I used one of my faves, almonds.  The scent of these nuts mixed with the rosemary and spices filled the house and we couldn’t wait for them to be cooled before devouring them.  This delicious snack appeals to all as it satisfies any craving – salty, sweet, spicy, savoury.  My only advice is that you make lots!

Union Square Cafe’s Bar Nuts

2 1/4 cups nuts
2 TB coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp sea salt
1 TB butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss the nuts in a large bowl to combine and spread them out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until light golden brown, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the rosemary, cayenne, sugar, salt and melted butter.

Thoroughly toss the toasted nuts in the spiced butter and serve warm.

mint chocolate chip ice cream

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A couple weeks ago, we went to sin city and had a fabulous few days there.  It was a nice break and we enjoyed some quality family time.  On our last day there, we stopped for some mint chocolate chip ice cream. It was the worst mint ice cream I have ever had!  When we got home, I was happy to find some cream in the fridge and found my easy recipe for one of our favorite flavours. 

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
1 cup milk
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups cream
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 tsp mint extract
3 drops green food coloring
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Dissolve the sugar in the milk.  Add the rest of the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) and chill the mixture for an hour.  Follow the directions of your ice cream maker.  Add the chocolate chips in the last ten minutes.  Enjoy!

shrimp cakes

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Shrimp is a staple in our home.  It thaws easily and cooks quickly, it’s the perfect thing to pull out and make a quick meal with.  We had family bringing dinner over (lucky us!) but I still wanted to make an appetizer.  My fridge was stocked with peppers and onions and I thought this would be the perfect quick snack to make.  Hubby loved them and even raved about them to our massage therapist – always a good sign.  Can be served with roasted red pepper dip or garlic aioli.

Shrimp Cakes
Makes 12 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 green onions, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 egg
1 TB dijon mustard
salt
pepper
breadcrumbs

In a food processor, coarsely chop the raw shrimp.  Transfer to a bowl and add the veggies, egg, mustard, salt and pepper.  Add breadcrumbs, a little at a time, until the mixture can be formed into patties.  Refrigerate the patties for about 5 to 10 minutes.  Pan fry the shrimp cakes until shrimp is cooked and each cake has a nice brown crust.

Q turns 2!

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This past weekend, my little man turned 2!  Seems like just yesterday he was born.  We celebrated with a few friends and family with a Sesame Street themed music party. 

I think I shocked the people who knew me by not making a single thing! Well, I did make chocolate chip cookies for the kids to take home with a crazy straw for milk but besides that, nothing! 

We ordered pizza from down the street and snacked on veggies and chips and assorted flavours of crackers from the goldfish bar. 

My mom, who makes the most delicious cakes, baked Q’s cake and we got the local bakery to decorate it with the Sesame Street theme. 

My sister-in-law led the kids in song so they were able to play with their tamborines, xylophones and maracas which they were able to take home with them.  All in all, it was a fun day!

garlicky tomato and avocado bruschetta

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We have been lucky in the last couple of weeks to enjoy some great October weather.  We took advantage of this last week and went to Canmore for the day.  We had lunch at Luna Blue and enjoyed a feast of garlic with bruschetta, pizza and pasta.

I had good friends coming over for a lasagna dinner and I needed a quick appetizer to go along with it.  The garlicky bruschetta from the week before had been on my mind and I figured it would be the perfect starter.  I added an avocado to the mix which added some texture and made the bruschetta creamy.  It was a hit, even with the little ones.



Garlicky Tomato & Avocado Bruschetta

3 tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
4 TB olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
bunch of basil, chopped
salt
pepper

baguette, sliced
olive oil for drizzling

Slice the baguette on the diagonal and place on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and bake until toasted.

Mix the ingredients for the brushcetta.  Let stand for 10 minutes.  Top the toasted baguettes with the mixture and enjoy!

banana bread

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When visiting my cousin in Toronto this summer, she had made the most amazing banana bread. This bread is incredibly moist and so tasty, I was delighted when she shared the recipe. It became an instant hit and is now a regular in our house. Thanks A!

Banana Bread
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
2 bananas, mashed
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cream margarine and sugar together.  Once combined, add eggs and vanilla.  Next, mix in the dry ingredients – flour and baking soda.  Add the mashed bananas, sour cream and chocolate chips.

Add the batter to a loaf pan and cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

chicken and spinach curry in less than 30 minutes

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We have been eating way too much red meat lately.  It was time to take a break and start making more chicken and fish dishes.  Looking through my fridge, I found I had some chicken and spinach, so I figured I would make hubby happy and make an Indian dish.  Indian food does not have to be complicated or time consuming.  In less time than it took Q to watch an episode of “In The Night Garden”, this dish was ready to eat!


Chicken and Spinach Curry

Oil
3 chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 pound baby spinach
3 TB crushed tomatoes
2 tsp tomato paste
3 TB fried onions
1 tsp crushed ginger
1 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp turmeric
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
coriander for garnish

Saute the chicken in the oil until half-cooked.  Add the spinach and continue cooking until chicken is cooked and spinach is wilted.  Add the tomatoes, onions and spices and cook for a few minutes.  Add water and let simmer for 10 minutes.  Serve with rice or naan.