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Sunday’s Specials and lots of LOVE

When I started this blog back in 2011, I wanted to share the diversity of recipes we enjoy every day and on special occasions, but I also wanted to leave some of the recipes written down for my daughter. However, life is not as linear as we like to believe it is. In the following years, I had to focus on a career change and there was just not enough time to pursue my hobby. Not to the extent that I wanted to. I did, however, continue to photograph the food we ate. It’s a little soft spot of mine: going back and seeing what we used to eat, say, five years ago. It is so different than what we eat today!

As expected, over the years, our culinary preferences have changed. Personally, I had to do some (involuntary) changes due to some health problems. And along the way (and one gruesome documentary later), my daughter also decided to become vegan. My husband, however,  is the only one that remains faithful and open to all kinds of challenges and new recipes. You put it in front of him, and if it looks and/or smells appetizing enough, he’ll eat it.

Now, you might ask yourself “Why is she telling us this?” I’ve been asked several times over the years what prompted me to start this blog. As I mention at the beginning of this post, this blog was meant to be a digital cookbook for my daughter to use after I’m long gone. (Bit sentimental but also morbid, as she so often likes to remind me). But now, as I become more immersed in this lovely community of food bloggers, this blog has grown and transformed in more ways than I ever dared to hope. And it is all because of you, dear reader. Now, before we get teary eyed, let me just say a big, warm thank you for supporting me and joining me on my daily adventure with food.

Because this Sunday was closer to Valentine’s Day I wanted to make it a bit more special.

We started the morning with Peppermint Hot Chocolate while waiting for the waffles to be done:

peppermint-hot-chocolate

 

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Since my daughter turned vegan, we discovered Yves company with their vegan products. One of our favorite ready done meals are the kale – quinoa bites. We had them on the side with mashed potatoes and veggies. Here you can see my husband’s plate which is quite overloaded 😉

Mashed potatoes with kale bite and veggies.jpg

Now for dessert I decided to go for a Vegan Butternut Squash pie. Unfortunately, I made a vegan crust but I lost my courage when it came to the filling .. .However it turned out just as amazing as a pie should be 🙂

butternutsquash-pie-2

Wishing you lots of love and delicious food.

” Love is just a word until someone comes along and and gives it a meaning.”  – Paul Coelho

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Roasted veggies

I just love veggies. Especially roasted in the oven. I could say this is my favorite way of eating veggies.  They’re easy to make and delicious.

This time I used: cauliflower, broccoli, red onion and baby tomatoes. I roasted the broccoli red onion and tomatoes on one tray and curry cauliflower on a second tray.

Mixed them together or eat them individual. Yummy !

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Enjoy!

 

Broccoli cheese casserole

Recently I found a very interesting culinary blog called : simplyrecipes.com. I loved the recipes, the explanations and not at least the pictures, even though I would love to see more pictures.:)Digging and saving a lot of recipes to my bookmark I decided to try: Broccoli cheese casserole.

Checking into my fridge I realize I do have everything I need : broccoli, cheese, eggs… so nothing could stop me to try it 🙂

Ingredients:

I am going to write all the ingredients from the recipe that inspire me but I made some changes or skipped some steps.

  • 2 bunches broccoli,
  • 2 strips of thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch wide strips ( I skip this step … I haven’t use bacon )
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour ( I haven’t used flour either )
  • 5 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup  sour cream ( I used 3% yogurt )
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2  tsp of black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 250 g cheddar cheese, grated : I used a mix of cheese : cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella and  parmesan

But with al the changes and skipping steps the cheese broccoli turn out amazing.

Before oven:

After oven:

On the plate:

Bon Appetite !!!

PS. Thanks Elise for posting this and ispire me !

Pineapple chicken with broccoli and beansprouts

Last week when I went out for grocery shopping I couldn’t resist not to buy bean sprouts and pineapple … I was craving for some sweet and sour dish for some time …so I decided now  it’s the perfect time to do it !!!

It was so delicious that I did it twice this week: Friday and Sunday !!!

Ingredients (4-6 servings)

  • 1 lb boneless-skinless chicken breast cut in bite size
  • 2-4 fresh pineapple rings cut in small pieces
  • 2 heads broccoli broke in florets
  • 1 bag bean sprouts
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut in small rings
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut in stripes
  • 1.5 cm fresh ginger root minced
  • 4 tbsp canola oil
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce ( or more if needed )
  • 100 ml white wine ( Pinot Blanc I had home )
  • salt and black pepper
  • 1 small dry chilli (optional)

In a large skillet heat 3 tbsp canola oil and add the chicken pieces. Cook them until gold brown on both sides, about 5-7 minutes.

 

Bon Appetite !

Teryiaki chicken breast with basmati rice and broccoli (2 )

A few weeks ago I promised I was going to write the second version for Teryiaki Chicken breast. Finally I got a chance to keep my promise.

As I said in first in my version of Teryiaki Chicken breast, the  marinade I am using it is not a classic one  but I try to discover one that is on my taste but most important on my better half taste : no too much sugar or salt and no flour !!!

Ingredients ( 6 servings )

  • 3 chicken breast ( boneless, skinless )
  • teryiaki sauce
  • soy sauce
  • barbecue sauce
  • salsa sauce
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1 head broccoli

Marinate the chicken piece at least for two hours before cooking.

In a large bowl mix together: teryiaki sauce, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil and lemon juice.  Cut each chicken breast in half and then in big pieces. Add the pieces to the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Heat some olive oil in a large pan and add the chicken pieces and cook them for about 8-10 minutes on low heat. Add the marinade and cook for 10 more minutes or until the chicken is soft and tender.

Cook one cup of basmati rice in 3 cups of water. When done add 3-5 tbsp of salsa sauce and give them a gently stir.

Brake the broccoli in small florets and boil  them for about 5 minutes.

Bon Appetite !