Food Mamma

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win tickets to the rocky mountain wine and food festival

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It’s Friday! What better way to kick off the long weekend than with a giveaway to one of my favourite events.
The Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival is taking place in beautiful Banff in May 30 and 31. At the Banff Springs Hotel, guests will be able to sample from an extensive array of wine, scotch, beer and other offerings, paired with delicious food samples. I know most people go for the libations but I love it for the amazing food options.
Want to win 2 tickets to the Saturday afternoon session? Leave a comment here, on Facebook or send me a tweet as to whether you like to go for the food or for the wine. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday, May 27 in the morning.  (Please note this does not include tasting coupons).

WHAT:             
The Bow Valley’s most distinctive wine and food event is celebrating another decadent weekend in the Rockies. The Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival invites guests to sample from an extensive array of wine, scotch, beer and other offerings, paired with delicious food samples. Wine and beverage experts will be on hand to impart their knowledge and provide tasting notes as attendees sip and sample their way from booth to booth. The Grand Tasting Hall will feature delectable cuisine from Banff and area restaurants and eateries including samples from The Bison Restaurant & Terrace, The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Balkan the Greek Restaurant, Valbella Gourmet Foods, and many more. 
Attendees can stay up to date on the most current event information through Twitter @RockyWineFood or Facebook www.facebook.com/Rockymountainwineandfood.
WHO:              
Wine, spirit and beer enthusiasts as well as food lovers will unite to indulge in tasty food and beverage discoveries.
WHY:                           
To celebrate the art of food and beverage creations brought to light by talented Banff and area restaurants, hotels and food purveyors, as well as wine, spirit and beer providers.  The Festival also presents guests with an unforgettable weekend in a world-class setting.
WHEN:            
May 30, 2014 7-10 p.m.                                     Friday Evening Session
May 31, 2014 2-5 p.m.                                       Saturday Afternoon Session
May 31, 2014 7-10 p.m.                                     Saturday Evening Session Sold out
Tickets are available online at rockymountainwine.com. Sampling coupons are required for sampling and can only be purchased onsite.
WHERE:          
The Fairmont Banff Springs – Conference Centre Van Horne Ballroom, President’s Hall & Concourse
405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4

happy mother's day!

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Hope all you moms out there had a wonderful day being celebrated! My day started with flowers and breakfast in bed, made by hubby and Q. Croissant tart shells filled with scrambled eggs and sausages, the boys went all out! It was so cute hearing them cook together!

In the afternoon, we had our folks come over, to celebrate our moms. The menu was simple – beef short ribs and fried mogo (casava). Spicy ribs along with sweet Maui ribs, my cousin’s recipe, with crispy mogo dunked in tamarind chutney…it was perfect. 

The day ended on a sweet note with creme caramel made by mom.

It was a lovely day, with close family and good food. What more could you ask for?

it’s been a little quiet on the blog…here’s why!

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It’s been a little quiet on the blog the last couple weeks, but for a
great reason. We welcomed baby Z to our family almost three weeks ago! He is the
sweetest little thing and Q is so excited to be a big brother.

With Q being five, and pretty much being able to do everything himself, we are truly starting from scratch! I almost forgot about the sleepless nights, feedings every two hours, and the diapers! It’s been totally worth it though – those baby cuddles make up for anything!

There hasn’t been a whole lot going on in the kitchen. I am thankful for meals from both our parents and also glad I stocked our freezer with banana bread, cookie dough and oven ready meals like lasagna. I do have lots brewing though, so stay tuned!

Photo Credit: Ross Dance Photography

urban china (edmonton)

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We spent a few days in Edmonton last week. After Q and hubby’s morning swim, everyone was famished.  Luckily Urban China was around the corner from our hotel and we thought dim sum was the perfect thing to fill our bellies.

The
place was packed and although there was a line we were seated quite
quickly. Carts loaded with dumplings, noodles and buns were pushed around the room, giving us a view of the delicious dishes before choosing what we were going to eat. This was also ideal in getting ourselves eating right away.
All three of us were happy about our choice for brunch, as we loaded up on many seafood items.
Here are some highlights from our meal. I’m totally craving dim sum
right now.

Urban China on Urbanspoon

meatless monday: butternut squash curry

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After a weekend of chocolate bunnies and candy eggs, we definitely need to implement Meatless Monday. This is one of our new favourite things – butternut squash curry. Made with roasted squash, and tossed with some Indian flavours, it definitely hits the spot.

Once the squash is roasted, the curry comes together in minutes, making it the perfect dish to use up leftover squash.

Butternut Squash Curry

1 medium squash, cubed and roasted
oil
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
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
coriander for garnish

Heat a pan and add a little bit of oil. Add the
tomatoes, onions and spices and cook for a few minutes.  Add the squash and water and
let simmer for 10 minutes. 

avocado pasta sauce

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I have a new favourite pasta sauce / dressing! After seeing so many people post pictures of the avocado pasta on Instagram, I decided that it was something I needed to try. I know the recipe is in Angela Liddon’s new “Oh She Glows” cookbook but I was so happy that I was able to find it on her blog.

With lemon, garlic and basil incorporated into the creaminess of the avocado, it is perfect on pasta – so fresh and flavourful! I find it also goes great with salad, brightening things up immensely.

The sauce comes together easily in a food processor and was so simple to make. Q took charge of this one, tossing things in. He loved it so much, he licked the processor bowl! We threw the sauce with orecchiette and topped it with roasted salmon. Just thinking about that satisfying meal makes me hungry.

Avocado Pasta
From Oh She Glows

1 medium sized ripe avocado, pitted
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 – 3 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup fresh basil
2 TB extra virgin olive oil

Place the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and olive oil into a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the avocado, basil and salt. Process until smooth and creamy. Pour sauce onto pasta and toss until fully combined. Serve immediately.