Cuban Pot Roast

As the boxes pile up and moving day nears closer and closer, I'm trying desperately to not bring anything new into our home seeing as it'll just add to the "stuff" that needs to be packed up. I'm even going so far as to not buy anymore groceries. This task is proving to be both frustrating at times and challenging, but not impossible. Thankfully we have a well stocked pantry and freezer, and our fridge has enough fresh produce to lend to these last few meals.

Last night as I pondered what to make for dinner I spied a big ol piece of pork in our fridge that wasn't getting any younger. I've been craving rice (don't ask) so figured why not make a Cuban inspired pot roast and serve it with some lightly spiced rice. I also made some hot and spicy sweet potato fries to accompany the pork and rice and it was one of my favourite meals in a long time. Thank goodness there's lots of leftovers because I could (and will) eat this all day.

Cocoa Brownies

You are going to thank me for this one. Boy, oh boy.

The last time I made brownies was while my husband and I were staying at my mum's house for a few nights last summer. I think the combination of being in my childhood home plus it being a chilly rainy day somehow evoked a craving for the brownies my mum and I used to make. We both loved gooey undercooked brownies and would devour a pan together easily.
But other than that I really don't make brownies very often. Maybe it's because there are so many other interesting sweets I'd rather try, or maybe because I know I'll most likely eat the whole pan in a day and then regret making them at all.
But yesterday I just had this serious chocolate craving that needed to be cured. I had my mind on this chocolate and pear tart that I thought I had remembered reading about on Smitten Kitchen. To my dismay my dream dessert did not exist so I quickly set about browsing all things chocolate and (you guessed it) stumbled upon these delectable brownies which are better than any I've ever tried before.

Marinated Beet Salad

This salad just made my day.
Maybe I was a little too hungry and waited a little too long for lunch. But this salad has somehow made me feel so good, better than I thought a salad could. Actually thats not true, I know the power of salads (don't laugh!) but I feel like I haven't been eating the healthiest food lately and I think my body was just SO ready for some vegetables that it jumped for joy as I ate this simple salad.
Good thing I made enough for two...because I'm definitely having seconds.

Jerk Chicken

This is the kind of meal that heals me at times like these. Times when I'm overwhelmed with thoughts of the future and many questions about the present. My husband and I knew January would be a busy month for us and oh how it delivered! But there's a light at the end of the tunnel and I think I see it shining in the distance around mid February. Only a few more weeks to go!

But where was I...foods that heal me...right.
I always have those days during winter when I just need a little something summery to brighten me up. What better than some spicy jerk chicken, sweet potato fries and a light and zesty cucumber salad.

White Bean and Toasted Almond Spread

Today I'm trying to slow down.

The last month has flown by and I have a feeling this month is going to zip by even faster. 

After our vacation to Cuba in November my husband and I dove head first into work preparing to open a second cafe. This last week has been non-stop, painting, cleaning, building, fixing, organizing, planning, training, practicing; hoping that we're not forgetting anything for our opening day tomorrow. 

And then if that wasn't busy enough in another two weeks we take possession of our new house and have to start packing, cleaning, painting, and moving. 

It's hard to not feel overwhelmed and stressed and exhausted. Already.

Yesterday however we spent an incredibly relaxing afternoon/evening with friends indulging in the way people should over the holidays, and it really reminded me to just slow down and enjoy this last day of any remaining calm before the storm. 

3D Paper Garland

More cute paper garland! I can't stop!

Actually this is the first garland I started last week but somehow it got pushed aside once I started cutting out the glittery circles for the other holiday garland I made. 

To make these I folded a couple circles in half and then glued one half to another half, and kept gluing the folded circles to each other until I was happy with the amount of layers. Then I just put thread in the middle (where all the folded edges meet) and glued the last two sides together. 

I think the little 3D circles would make really cute simple ornaments for a christmas tree and the flat strands of circles would look great acting as ribbon on a present. 

Looks like I've got more crafting to do!

Samosas

Samosas have been on my "Must-make" list for years now. I suppose one big hinderance that kept me from making these for so long was finding nigella seeds for the dough. But thanks to Costas Halavrezos and Epices de Cru I now have a wealthy stock of them in my spice drawer.
The recipe I used was from Epicurious and although seemed to have generally good reviews many reviewers complained that they were bland. Considering that the recipe suggests that they be served with yogurt (as opposed chutney which is what I eat samosas with) I wasn't too concerned.

Well after rolling out the dough, folding and filling them, we fried up two right away and froze the rest. We ate them with my peach chutney and loved every single bite.