Beet & Corn Hash

This post seemed have gotten lost in the shuffle somewhere. Seems a little out of place now that we're almost heading into November but it was delish so here it is nonetheless!

I love meals that really represent the transition of seasons, especially summer to fall. Lately I've been diving into fall produce while still trying to use up some of late summers best offerings. I feel like the addition of sweet fresh corn really adds a touch of summer to an otherwise heavy fall dish. 

No recipe this time, just hoping to inspire you to take a breakfast staple like hash and give it a good ol' seasonal twist!

Oatcakes

Lately my pregnancy has left my appetite so all over the map. Hungry almost always, but so quickly and easily filled up that regular meals just don't work so well anymore.
I feel like I'm constantly searching for quick healthy snacks that I don't get bored of. Sometimes it feels like the search is endless.

Well today I think I found a new snack that I hopefully won't get sick of in the next 3 months, cause these are perfect! Oats, whole wheat flour, nuts, flax and just enough sweetener to make them addictive. Yum!

Sautéed Spinach with Coconut

There's nothing quite like feeling re-energized in the kitchen, eh? I don't know why but I've been on a rice kick lately. I cook up a big pot of rice and then use it in meals over a few days. This is a perfect example of how I've managed to sneak rice into my brunch; top it with sauteed spiced spinach, toasted coconut and a poached egg. It's heavenly!

Go to 101 Cookbooks for the spinach recipe and thank me later.

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins are so classic. Much like fluffy pancakes, a simple chicken soup, or chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins are one of those homemade foods you can always rely on to make you feel good.

After a good week or more of pure sunshine (and unseasonably high temperatures) this mornings grey skies were all it took for me to whip these up for breakfast in an effort to brighten up my day.

Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Scones with Orange Zest

Not since I discovered "Super Natural Everyday" have I been so excited about a cookbook. I've been patiently waiting for my turn to borrow "Ancient Grains for Modern Meals" by Maria Speck from the library, and today I finally got to pick it up.
Now I know a recipe like this might not be the best representation of a book of this nature but it was the first one I tried and they turned out to be some of the tastiest scones I've ever had so I felt I owed it to you all to share. I literally can't stop thinking about these scones (weird, no?) and even crave them for dessert.
And don't worry I'm sure I'll be sharing lots of delicious things made with farro, barley, quinoa, polenta and wheat berries with you soon enough.

Steel Cut Oats

This little bowl is a window into our daily life and routine.
Almost everyday my alarm clock goes off and I sleepily begin preparing these oats for my husbands breakfast. Why doesn't he make his own darn oats, you ask? Well most days the poor boy has to wake up at 5:45am, and I think it's a fair trade that if I get to sleep in then perhaps I could be generous enough to make him breakfast and bring it to his work. It's the least I can do, right?
As the months roll by his oatmeal gets topped with whatever fresh fruit is available. Strawberries, blueberries raspberries, blackberries, peaches, pears, or apples. It's yet another way we really notice (and appreciate) the season changes.

This morning I'm really noticing the season change. For the last few months I've been enjoying my morning coffee sitting in my favourite arm chair with our deck doors wide open, letting the sun pour in and warm me up.
Today the doors will not be opening. In fact there's only one window out of four that is left open (I just can't say goodbye to the fresh air just yet!). The sun still pours in but doesn't warm me up the same way. I'll rely on wool socks and sweaters to do that this morning, and will every morning from now until next spring (sounds kind of sad doesn't it?).

Quinoa Muffins

Could I be any more obsessed with my current favourite cookbook "Super Natural Everyday"? I didn't think so, but I feel like my infatuation is reaching new heights. 

I had been searching for around for some quinoa muffins and these are just what I was looking for. Healthy, tasty, filling, with a great texture. Add they were quite quick to throw together. Bonus!

Peach & Almond Olive Oil Muffins

A good friend is one who texts you a photo of freshly baked muffins and exclaims "These are the best muffins I've ever made!", knowing that if you both lived in the same city she'd be leaving some on your doorstep or inviting you over for tea to share them.

But when you're miles apart the next best thing is to take her word for it, make the muffins, and share them with the people who are close to you.

Jam Filled Cornmeal Biscuits

These are my new favourite vehicle for jam. I was truthfully not expecting these little gems to be so incredibly tasty. They're the perfect balance of sweet and salty, and wonderfully textured due to the cornmeal (also they're not as guilt as inducing as those thumbprint cookies). I'm currently eating them for breakfast with my morning coffee but I think they are going to taste quite delicious next to some cheese or even charcuterie. Also the thought of filling them with a slightly more savoury preserve like a chutney or hot pepper jelly has got me quite excited.

Do yourself a favour and head over to 101 Cookbooks, which is Heidi Swanson (author of Super Natural Everyday)'s blog and make these ASAP.

Quinoa Patties

After waiting for what felt like months I finally got a call from my local library telling me it's finally my turn to borrow "Super Natural Everyday" by Heidi Swanson. I excitedly picked up the book on my way to renew my photo I.D.; a boring task that would surely go by quicker with a book. What I hadn't thought of however was that reading that book on an empty stomach when I'm 30 minutes away from my kitchen would end up feeling like a form of torture.
Kale salad with coconut? Millet Muffins?? Rice Salad with Cherries and Goat Cheese??? My stomach was growling with anticipation.
So you can imagine that as soon as I returned home (after a pit-stop at a bulk food store to pick up various grains for all these new recipes) I dove back into the book head first, this time while in my kitchen ready to play.

Crisp and Clumpy Granola

Granola is a tried and true breakfast staple for me. Topped with yogurt and hopefully some fresh fruit, it's how I start my day almost every day of the week.
I've been making my own granola using this recipe that I shared with you last fall, making small adjustments here and there but never straying too far from the original recipe. It's served me well but the time has come for me step outside of my granola bubble and try something new.

I'll admit, I was nervous. But I shook myself free of my "if it ain't broke don't fix it" attitude and marched on over to the one blog I knew could help me find my way in the world of granola (and breakfast in general), Everybody likes Sandwiches.

Poached Eggs with Asparagus

Last saturday after spending my morning at the farmers markets picking up my week's worth of local groceries, I made myself a delicious little brunch consisting of poached eggs atop steamed asparagus and sprinkled with grated gouda. It was delicious, fresh and hit the spot.
Today I made the same simple meal again but jazzed it up a bit with some fresh dill and scallions, and crispy proscuitto.

It has taken a bit of practice for me to master poached eggs. There are so many different tricks and tips you can find online related to making the perfect poached egg, but this post on Everybody Likes Sandwiches was definitely the most helpful for me.

Buttermilk Pancakes

Holidays are usually the only days my husband and I are guaranteed to be able to sleep in and enjoy a nice breakfast together. This morning the sun was shining (for what feels like the first time in months!) and our sunny patio was just the perfect setting for a simple breakfast of pancakes and fresh pressed juice. 

These are the moments I cherish.

Baked Oatmeal with Apples & Pecans

As I type this all I can think of is sleep. It's 10:13am, I've been awake for just under 2 hours and yet I'm still tired. I think I'm getting sick.

This is oatmeal is hearty, filling, delicious and easy to throw together. 

I wish I had the energy to write more about this but the couch is calling me...

Feta & Bacon Omelet

This omelet is a bit of a guilty pleasure.
Chock full of maple bacon and feta (with some spinach and red onion thrown in to make it feel slightly healthier) the salty richness of this breakfast makes me weak in the knees.
Good thing I started my day with a giant glass of carrot orange and apple juice to balance it out.

Breakfast Burrito with Chorizo

This is the start to my day that I needed. 

The start to my day that I actually got was slipping on a patch of ice right outside my door on my way to get my morning coffee. Good thing a chorizo and avocado filled burrito heals all wounds. 

Huevos Rancheros

So, did you make any tortillas yesterday?
If not, here's another reason to do so today.

Apple Muffins

Granola

After ordering oodles of dried goods from Speerville Flour Mill, I've been just itching to make granola, but have been putting it off as I finish up the box of store-bought granola I had in my pantry. 


For the last week or so, each morning that I ate the boxed granola I just couldn't help but dream about my own granola and how much more delicious it would be. You can probably imagine that my willpower failed and this morning (with a 1/4 full box of granola still in the pantry) I just couldn't wait any longer.