Asparagus Salad

Do you ever have those moments when you have an idea for a dish or meal that slowly evolves into merely a shell of it's former self? Well that happens to me sometimes, like when I wanted to make a spring Panzanella salad and wound up with this.
Baked croutons, asparagus, dill, bitter greens, and some green onions are dressed in olive oil, lemon juice, a little garlic and lots of shaved extra old gouda.
The end result really reminded me of the flavours of my favourite Kale Salad but with more texture and diversity. This one's a keeper for sure!

Wilted Swiss Chard Potato Salad

Everyone keeps asking me if I've been having any strange cravings while pregnant. I feel like I'm almost disappointing people when I say no, not really. I remember asking pregnant friends the same thing, so curious of the weird and wacky food combinations they were eating. But most of them, like myself had nothing interesting to share.
I do feel like I'm eating a little differently but not all that "weird". There were a few weeks there when I could eat a bowl of cherry tomatoes simply dressed a few times a day, yet now it just doesn't appeal to me in the same way.
Around the same time I'd also slather a piece of toast with an inch thick layer of herb goat cheese and savour every tangy bite.
Lately I'd be pretty happy to eat some sort of grilled sausage on a bun smothered in mustard at any point in the day, but that's about it for real "cravings".

For the rest of the time I'm still trying to just enjoy all that spring has to offer. This salad is a perfect example of such. Asparagus, swiss chard and quinoa make this potato salad feel like a much healthier version of it's usual self.

Herbed Pasta Salad

This year on Canada day my husband and I did what we've done for the last few years; watch a lamb roast on a spit for hours in our friends backyard, and then eventually eat it. I brought a few dishes of yummy summer outdoor food with us to share and this salad was one of the stars of the show (next to the lamb of course) and I've been craving it ever since.

Pasta with Asparagus and Goat Cheese

Here it is. You're new favourite spring/summer meal. It takes barely any time to make and forever to forget. Truthfully I can't believe I've withheld this from you for so long.

I discovered Smitten Kitchen during the winter of 2008 and when spring rolled around and Deb revealed this winner of a dish I was officially head over heels. We've made this every spring and summer since then, experimenting along the way. 

Pretty much right off the bat we substituted dill for the tarragon, added bacon and have never looked back. Go make this. Right now.

Dijon Potato Salad

I don't know about you, but when I return home after a vacation I can't wait to get back into my routine.
During the last day or so of our recent vacation in Montreal I felt my mind slowly being distracted with thoughts of new sewing and knitting projects.
Today (being our first real day back) I anxiously woke up early and headed to the market to stock up our empty fridge with fresh produce. There were thankfully lots  of new spring offerings that made me so excited to get into the kitchen, like tatsoi and mustard frills. I've been waiting weeks (if not months) to feel this excited about produce, and it feels good!

Bison & Barley Soup with Swiss Chard

Clearly I'm a bit of a soup fan.

I've only been sharing my homemade world with you for about 2 months and here is my 7th soup! And that's not including all the ones that I've been too shy to show you...

Beetnuts Pate

Yet another fabulous recipe from The Coup! This one is probably my favourite so far (which says a lot because the others were awesome) and I'm totally adding this to my arsenal of dips that I'll be busting out this holiday season.
I apologize for sounding like a total food geek here but, the complex blend of flavours are really well balanced. Sweet, nutty, earthy, with some zing from lemon, and a kick from garlic.  Mmmmmmmm.
And it's actually super healthy!

Goat Cheese Spinach Quiche

My husband insisted he hated eggs. When we met he was vegan so I had no right to try to change his mind...but once he started eating animals I felt it was my wifely duty to make him love like eggs. I remember the first time I told him I was going to make a quiche. The look of disgust on his face was laughable. 
"Just promise me you'll try one bite, that's all I ask". 
It's been over a year since that first bite, and I've lost track of how many times he's asked for quiche for dinner. 

Borscht

Considering my love for beets, and my even greater love of soups, it's really quite astounding how I long it's taken me to get around to making Borscht.

Feta Dill Dip

I think the last time I showed you a dip recipe it was when I was making food for a party at our cafe. Well today is our cafe's 1st birthday (which means this week has been madness hence the lack of posts lately, sorry!) and here I am again making some quick tasty dips to bring to the party.


This dip has acquired quite a reputation over the years amongst my friends and family. I often hear "Oh my god you made The Dip!" once they realize what's in the bowl.


Well, I guess The Dip is pretty darn good if I may say so myself. Rich, creamy, tangy, and full of dill with a nice garlicky kick. You'll be hooked after one bite.

Pickles

Pickled beets, pickled radishes, pickled peppers, pickled carrots and just plain ol' pickles! I feel like I just can't stop canning.