Category: dinner

Black Rice Burrito Skillet

November 25, 2015

Black rice is the thing right now. Everyone seems to be talking about it in one form or another. Just check out this NPR article by biologist Jeremy Cherfas  titled How ‘Forbidden’ Black Rice Flourished For Millennia. The anthocyanins or pigments that colors (and dyes your wooden spoons purple) black rice has been touted to have anti-inflammatory benefits, and be great for heart health.  Black rice also contains amino acids like Tryptophan, the one that puts you into your Thanksgiving turkey coma. As well as vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and folic acid.  But beyond its abundance of health merits it also tastes great. So enjoy that fast, flavorful, nutrient packed meal that is flexible enough for both vegans and carnivores.  Continue reading “Black Rice Burrito Skillet”

Creamless Cream of Vegetable Soup

November 13, 2015

 We have been busy travelling, renovating, working and scheming.  New York City is always a rush, but it feels as if life whizzing by with even greater fervor in the last few months.  However, it is been all been the best kinds of busy. Our days have been brimming with birthday celebrations, weekend escapes, social events, holidays and long adventures. Tomorrow we set off with a few of our nearest and dearest for nine days in Costa Rica. We are living life and living it to the full. In the face of all the crazy, we are fulfilled and we are happy. That being said we have been mindful to take few moments to slow down and home cook some good, hearty fall meals. Which brings me to today’s newest recipe for a creamless creamed soup.  It is fast and it is tasty. Enjoy, and happy fall all! Continue reading “Creamless Cream of Vegetable Soup”

Vegan Red Lentil Peanut Stew

November 8, 2015

Jameson hasn’t stopped talking about this dish.  The recipe yielded us leftovers for day, and each afternoon I have recieved a text proclaiming its awesomeness beyond compare. It may be because lentils are a rad super food. They’re low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. But high in protein (18 grams per cup of cooked lentil) and Iron.  Lentils are also an excellent source of fiber, folate, phosphorus, copper and manganese. But all that nutritional goodness aside, this stew is bar none. It is warm, rich and hearty making it the perfect autumn meal on a cold blustery day.  Enjoy! Continue reading “Vegan Red Lentil Peanut Stew”

Sweet Potato, Cauliflower And Buffalo Chicken Casserole

November 4, 2015

 This is a fast, but flavorful Paleo meal for a busy work night. It takes some time to roast but requires very little hands on time.  This dish is flexible and tastes great if you skip the chicken and go vegan.  If you are adhering strictly to the traditional Whole 30 by steering clear of yams, you can forgo them and add some extra cauliflower.  Continue reading “Sweet Potato, Cauliflower And Buffalo Chicken Casserole”

Paleo Pumpkin Chili

October 28, 2015

 I may have never had a pumpkin spice latte (I know, the travesty!) but I have been all about the pumpkin this fall.  For Canadian Thanksgiving I whipped up some Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles and some Paleo Pumpkin Balls.  I am keeping the trend going with this rich and cozy fall chili.

Jameson and I spend our saturday mornings wandering the Fort Greene greenmarket in our neighbourhood, where we ogle (and consume) fresh scones, local cheeses and sugar coated apple cider doughnuts. This past weekend I constructed this in season chili recipe as I walked the lanes of the farmers market, picking out each veg.  Although this chili checks all the boxes with gluten-free, paleo and vegan options, we elected to accompany it with a loaf of brick oven sourdough from She Wolf Bakery. Happy Harvest all! Continue reading “Paleo Pumpkin Chili”

Homemade, Slow Cooked, Creamy Mac and Cheese

October 21, 2015

 So there is nothing paleo or vegan about this dish, but trust me it is so worth the indulgence. I know, I know, I bragged that our Canadian Thanksgiving menu was filled with paleo, vegan and clean eats.  But rules are meant to be broken, and this recipe is so worth bending the guidelines for.  My justification for its inclusion is that every year without fail my super host of an Aunty preps some Mac and Cheese, because it is my cousin Graeme’s favourite side dish. So in my mind no Thanksgiving table is complete without a little Mac and Cheese. After you try this recipe I am pretty confident you will agree. Continue reading “Homemade, Slow Cooked, Creamy Mac and Cheese”

Vegan, No Bake Pumpkin Spice Balls

October 16, 2015

 This treat from our Canadian Thanksgiving has it all covered. They’re vegan. They’re paleo. They are gluten and dairy free. If you make them all with organic ingredients you can call them organic. This is a fast, simple, no guilt dessert or everyday fall treat. It also is right on the Pumpkin Spice trend. So enjoy being hip and healthy with these Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Balls.

Continue reading “Vegan, No Bake Pumpkin Spice Balls”

Butter Brickle Ice Cream Dessert

October 14, 2015

 Another recipe from our Canadian Thanksgiving is here! I know I gushed about how thankful we are for our NYC family, but that in no way means I didn’t miss my own family over the holiday weekend. It is an exciting time for my most precious people.  One of my best friends/maid of honour (who is married to my cousin) is expecting their second babe any minute now. There are more pregnancies and brand new babies for some of my most cherished friends and family. My brother just got engaged (and KILLED the Victoria Half marathon). So there is so, so much to celebrate right now.  So to make me feel a little closer to home I tried to emulate my Aunt’s fantastic Thanksgiving feast the best I could. That includes my all time, hands down favourite holiday dessert-Butter Brickle.  You can keep your pumpkin pies and apple cobblers, I am all about this ice creamy treat. Enjoy! Continue reading “Butter Brickle Ice Cream Dessert”

Canadian Thanksgiving in NYC 3.0: Paleo Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole

October 12, 2015

This is our third Canadian Thanksgiving in New York.  Being expats we have the pleasure of celebrating two Thanksgivings a year like the true gluttons we are.  Each year when the Canadian version of the holiday roles around we wrangle a gaggle of our nearest and dearest Americans and try to make them a touch more Canadian.

In all seriousness though, we are incredibly fortunate to live out a real life Friends episode each and every day.  We have amassed an incredible group of close, dynamic friends who have become our second family. Whether it is big events, or small moments we are truly thankful to be able to walk through this life with them.  Each and every single one enriches us beyond measure in a way even the most eloquent words couldn’t capture. So although it doesn’t fully quell the homesickness of being far away from my traditional family on Thanksgiving, I am glad to have some pretty rad New Yorkers to celebrate the occasion with.

Now on to the food! I switched the menu up a little from last year. Again I strove to meet the gluten-free, vegan,  dairy-free, paleo dietary needs of my guests (with a few very needed exceptions).  Based on the accolades and praise I received, I would say this year’s menu was a gland slam. Today you will find my recipe for Paleo Brocoli and Cauliflower Casserole. But don’t fret in the coming days I will continue to share the new recipes I whipped up for this years event, so keep checking back.  Until then, Happy CANADIAN Thanksgiving to all!

Our Thanksgiving 2015 Menu:

Served 12 with tons of leftovers to spare

  1. Pomegranate-Blueberry Glazed Roast Turkey
  2. Mushroom-Leek Gluten Free stuffing
  3. Curried Coconut Yam Casserole
  4. Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Ginger and Pear
  5. Homemade Mushroom Gravy
  6. Paleo Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole
  7. Mashed Potatoes
  8. Slow Cooked Mac and Cheese
  9. Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
  10. Buttermilk Biscuits
  11. Vegan Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Balls
  12. Butter Brickle Ice Cream Dessert
  13. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Continue reading “Canadian Thanksgiving in NYC 3.0: Paleo Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole”

Paleo Fish Taco Bowls

April 12, 2015

We have a serious amount of life happening right now.  Everything seems to be moving at rapid pace.  We are also sitting on the cusp of some potential monumental changes, or simply solidifying that everything in our little ecosystem will stay exactly the same for a touch longer.   But right now we wait, and while we wait I have been trying to keep busy.  Thus I have been cooking, baking and talking non-stop.   Which just means you reap the rewards of new recipes, such as this awesome Paleo (or vegan if you choose) dish.  Try using this recipe as your base and customize any way you like by throwing in any extra veggies laying around in your crisper (broccoli is pretty darn great).   Experiment, enjoy, but most importantly take advantage of the approaching warmer temperatures. Continue reading “Paleo Fish Taco Bowls”