A few weeks ago, hubby and I checked out the new 1918 Tap and Table located in the new Legion building in Kensington. It was a fun evening where we got to hear from Chef Chris Murphy while trying some bites of what they had to offer.
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Via Cibo
A couple weeks ago, the kids and I checked out the newest Via Cibo on 14th Street in Calgary. Known for Italian Street Food, Via Cibo serves authentic food using fresh, local ingredients.
Located a couple blocks from 17th Avenue, the place was quite large and had parking. A huge bonus when visiting a restaurant downtown during peak times. When we walked in, right away you notice the open kitchen where you can see your dishes being made.
Give me some good fries with a great dip and I am happy. The kids are the same so naturally we had to order the Tuscan Fries. The fries were topped with rosemary, sea salt and truffle oil and finished off with some Grana Padana cheese. They were so good and perfect to munch on while we caught up on our day.
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Instant Pot Chicken Mogo
One of our favourite meals is Chicken Mogo – a creamy coconut dish with cassava and chicken. It’s so tasty and worth the two pots it takes to make it in – one to boil the cassava and one to cook the chicken and then the two are combined. I’ve been loving my Instant Pot and decided to experiment and see if this dish could be made in one pot. Happy to say that the experiment was a success!
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The Street Eatery
Thanks to social media, I had seen a glimpse of the offerings from The Street Eatery, and found myself drooling with most of what I saw. I was thrilled when I was invited to check them out for myself.
I went with my favourite little foodie, Q, for dinner on a Friday night. We went early and as the night wore on, the place filled up. The first thing you see on the wall is an amazing mural. The Street Eatery is a creation of three friends who were inspired by their travels and their roots. Their food is inspired by street food from around the world, from places like Korean and India. They opened last year but unfortunately due to a pipe burst earlier this year, they were forced to temporarily close. After the experience we had, we are thrilled that the place is up and running!
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Instant Pot Khichri
After hearing how amazing the Instant Pot was, I had to get one for myself. I have been playing with it for a few weeks and am amazed at how fast things can be made in it.
One thing that I love to make in it is Khichri. Khichri is a dish made with rice and split moong beans and is cooked until almost mushy. It’s a simple dish but one that provides so much comfort. It’s one of the dishes that was introduced early to both kids and they love it. The beans provide a lot of nutrients and protein and makes me feel good about feeding the dish to the kids. It’s finished off with a knob of butter, making it creamy.
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roasted butternut squash with sage brown butter sauce
One of our favourite vegetables is butternut squash. It is one of those things that need very little to enjoy. A drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper, and roasted in a 350 degree oven, you have yourself something pretty fantastic.
With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, this is definitely something to add to your menu. It’s easy and the sage brown butter sauce elevates this simple dish into something amazing. The dish is complete with a sprinkling of roasted pecans.
This sauce….it is something else. Butter and sage pulled together with a splash of cream – something so simple but so luscious. It is one of those sauces that you will make you want to lick the plate. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
1 medium butternut squash
1/4 cup unsalted butter
10 sage leaves
2 TB whipping cream
1/4 cup pecans, roasted
salt
pepper
Peel the butternut squash. Cut in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut into slices and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle some olive oil over the squash and add salt and pepper. Roast in a 350 degree oven for approximately half an hour.
In a small pan, on medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sage and let the butter brown. Stir in the cream and mix until smooth. Season with salt.
Arrange the roasted squash on a plate. Drizzle with sauce and pecans.
broccoli and cheddar soup
On a recent trip to Vegas, while waiting for our flight back, I enjoyed some broccoli and cheddar soup. It had been a long time since I had that type of soup and I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. I have stayed away from making too many cheesy things since it can’t be enjoyed by all of us but lately there are some great lactose-free cheese options. Since broccoli is one of the vegetables that my kids will actually eat, I thought this was something I really wanted to try at home.
I made this soup last month and it was a keeper. The cheesy broth with chunks of broccoli was tasty and comforting. This paired deliciously with the homemade cheddar crackers – there’s no such thing as too much cheese, right? This will definitely be keeping us warm during those cold days of Fall and Winter.
I’m happy to be participating in the Canadian Food Creatives Autumn Soup Collaboration. Thanks so much to Diana for hosting! Check out all the fabulous recipes and see this recipe below.
Roasted Chicken Minestrone Soup by My Kitchen Love
Lighter Potato Leek Soup by Fuchsia Freezer
Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup by 365 Days of Easy Recipes
Cream of Spinach Soup by I Say Nomato
Miso Noodle Soup by The Refreshanista
Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup with Polenta Croutons by Flavour and Savour
Creamy Carrot Orange Soup with Cashews by Making Healthy Choices
Roasted Butternut Squash Ginger Pear Soup by She Loves Biscotti
Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
Oil or butter
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 cups broth
1 small broccoli, chopped
2 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese
salt
pepper
In a pot, heat some oil and saute the onion until translucent. Add some more oil or butter and cook the flour. Whisk the milk into the flour, then the broth, stirring constantly to make sure there are no lumps. Let the broth mixture cook for ten minutes. Add the broccoli and cook until the florets until tender. Stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper. Serve with crackers or bread.
quinoa salad
With all those fresh ingredients out there, summer is the best time for salads. I have to say, simple salads are just not for me. I love a salad with all the extras, like nuts and cheese.
This is one of my favourite salads. I first had a variation of this salad five years ago at Julie’s potluck. It was a copycat of Earl’s West Coast Salad and had delicious prawns and the most amazing dressing. Since then, I’ve made this salad many times, each time simplifying it a bit more so that I could make it anytime.
I use whatever greens I have on hand – romaine, spinach, kale – anything will do. It’s rare that I add the prawns, making it a perfect side salad that goes with anything. I also just use roasted nuts, something I always have on hand. The salad calls for strawberries but I just use what’s in my fridge. The avocado adds the perfect creamy touch. You need to try this salad, I’m sure it will become your favourite too!
Quinoa Salad
1 head of lettuce
2 cups cooked quinoa
8 large strawberries, quartered
1 avocado, cut into cubes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup roasted pecans
2 TB cilantro, chopped
Citrus Honey Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup oil
1 TB rice vinegar
1 TB honey
1 TB lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp Dijon mustard
salt
pepper
Combine dressing in a jar and mix well. Place all the ingredients for the salad in a bowl and dress with the vinaigrette.
nobu, las vegas
Last month, hubby and I escaped for a few days to Las Vegas. It was a much needed break and it was so nice to escape from the real world. On our first day there, we had dinner at Nobu in the Hard Rock Hotel. This one of our favourite meals and I just had to share it with you.
We had an early dinner since we were heading to the Jennifer Lopez concert. She is amazing by the way, and definitely a concert worth going to!
Once we were seated, we were served with edamame – always a great start to a meal.
Our first course was Tai Sashimi with Dry Miso. The fish was so fresh and the addition of the citrusy Uzu oil made it so refreshing.
Our second course was sushi, which was so fresh. The dish consisted of two pieces of salmon with wasabi, two pieces of scallops and two pieces of tuna. It also had a yellowtail jalapeno roll. It was melt in your mouth sushi. So good!
The third course was rock shrimp tempura with creamy spicy sauce. The shrimp were crispy and the sauce had a kick – it paired so well together.
Black cod with miso was our fourth dish and was so good! The fish was flaky and sweet and we were so happy we chose this for our main course.
We ended our meal on a sweet note with a panna cotta. The dish was beautiful topped with a chocolate wafer.
We had such a great night, we considered coming back for dinner the next night. The food was great, as was the service. Would definitely recommend an evening at Nobu!
beef and mushroom lettuce wraps
It’s been a year since we have moved into our new place and this year, I was determined to have a garden. Hubby built me a box and we thought we would try our hand at growing our own food. What started out as a couple things ended up into a dozen. We planted kale, butter lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, zucchini, onions, carrots and fruit. We were thrilled when we started to see things grow and our sparse box turned into a lush garden.
There’s nothing like eating from your own garden. It’s fresh and so rewarding to be eating something to you have grown yourself. The butter lettuce has been a big success, the leaves growing big and full. There’s only so much salad you can eat though and so we have been using the lettuce as wraps.
These beef and mushroom wraps were a hit, with no leftovers. Adding the Korean pepper sauce, Gochujang, made Q happy since he can’t seem to get enough of it. The beef fulfilled everyone’s protein requirement and wrapping it in lettuce made us feel so great, eating a filling and healthy meal.
I’m happy to be participating in another Canadian Food Creatives Collaboration. This month’s theme is Fresh from the Garden and is hosted by Cassie of Crumb Kitchen. Check out all the fresh recipes and see this recipe below.
Beef and Mushroom Lettuce Wraps by Food Mamma
Caramelized Peaches with Coconut Whipped Cream and Crumble by Crumb Kitchen
Easy Sheet Pan Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables by She Loves Biscotti
Grilled Zucchini Greek Salad by Making Healthy Choices
Mexican Bean Salsa by 365 Days of Easy Recipes
Potatoes with Green Onion and Dill by Homemade & Yummy
Roasted Beet Chocolate Brownies by Tiny Sweet Tooth
Roasted Veggie Bocconcini Pasta Salad by Sugarlovespices
Strawberry Mint Chickpea Salad by Healthy Life Redesign
Beef and Mushroom Lettuce Wraps
1 lb ground beef
200 grams white mushrooms, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 TB gochujang
2 green onions, sliced
butter lettuce
green onions
Cook the ground beef and mushrooms until the mushrooms are tender and the ground beef is cooked. Add the garlic and the sauces and let cook for ten minutes. Finish with the green onions.
Wrap the beef mixture in the lettuce, top with more green onions and serve with hoisin sauce and Sriracha.