MISO & GINGER SALAD DRESSING

Making your own dressing is the best – and I love this one. 

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup light miso paste
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• ½ cup neutral oil (I used avocado oil for this one, canola or vegetable works well too)
• 2-3 tablespoons of water
• Honey (optional)
• Fresh ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl, mix into a thick paste
2. Slowly whisk in oil until the dressing is emulsified
3. Add 1 tablespoon water at a time to thin dressing to your liking - at this point you can add a little honey if you want on the sweeter side
4. Add pepper to taste
5. Use the dressing on your favorite salad, grilled vegetables or even fish.

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Bangers and Mash with Guinness Onion Gravy

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb pork sausages (preferably British bangers, though a good pork sausage would do)
• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces beef broth
• 1-12 ounce bottle Guinness (only using 8 ounces, but you drink the rest)
• 1 teaspoon each of Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1-2 cups cooked mashed potatoes

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring one medium-size pot of water to barely a simmer; add the sausages and cook for 20 minutes
2. Meanwhile in a large non-stick pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add onions; cook until nicely caramelized,  5-7 minutes
3. Add flour to onions, stir well and cook for another minute or so
4. Slowly add beef broth and 8 ounces of Guinness, letting the sauce come to a low simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened - season with salt and pepper to taste and keep warm
5. Heat a medium non-stick pan over medium, and a little oil and sear on all sides until nicely golden brown
6. To serve, place a small scoop of mashed potatoes onto a plate, top with sausages and spoon the Guinness gravy over the top
7. Boom!

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Homemade Hummus

Doesn't get much better than this.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• Juice of 1 small lemon
• ⅓ cup tahini
• 1 - 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained (reserve the liquid)
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• ½ tablespoon fresh parsley, rough chopped
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Paprika
• Pita

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a food processor with the metal ‘S’ blade, add garlic and lemon juice
2. Process about 1 minute, until garlic is minced then scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula
3. Add tahini, garbanzo beans and cumin
4. Continue to process another 2 to 3 minutes - add reserved liquid until hummus is relatively smooth and scoop into a serving bowl
5. Make it pretty with a little parsley, a good drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of  paprika
6. Serve with pita bread/chips, vegetables...whatever your heart desires

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Quick Asian Chicken Broth

My go to drink of choice when I’m sick, trying not to snack on shitty, unhealthy stuff or just want something delicious.   

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 green onions cut into 2 inch lengths 
• 10 or so sprigs of cilantro
• Four 1/8 inch slices ginger (skin in is fine)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled & rough smashed
• 15 or so Sichuan pepper corns
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 

DIRECTIONS

1. Put everything in a pot and bring to a low simmer, then cover and leave for 10 - 15 minutes 
2. But check a couple minutes after being covered to make sure it’s not boiling - it does that after it gets covered sometimes
3. To drink, I remove the peppercorns, ginger & garlic but leave in the greens 

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Hawaiian Pizza

Or at least my version - 'cuz after all I am a Canadian and it was invented by a Canadian. 

But really who cares - just make it.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ready-made flatbreads - I used ones that were approximately 10” x 6”
• ½ cup tomato sauce, see recipe or use jarred (if you don’t care about food)
• ½ - 3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• ¼-½  teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3-4 slices deli black forest ham, cut into thin strips
• Approximately ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Spread sauce evenly over the flatbreads and then add the pineapple
3. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over all and top with ham and then the cheese
4. Place flatbreads on baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes or until cheese melts and flatbreads get crispy
5. Garnish with cilantro, slice and enjoy.

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Shoestring Sweet Potato Fries

Not to be a broken record…but these are totally simple & delicious. 

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato, rinsed (no need to peel)
• 2 teaspoons neutral oil - like vegetable or avocado
• ½ teaspoon each Kosher salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin  and/or curry powder
• 1 teaspoon curry powder, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Spiralize sweet potato using the small noodle blade, then place the spiralized potato in a large mixing bowl
3. Add oil, salt, pepper and cumin and/or curry powder if using (which you should be) to the potatoes and mix well so the seasonings incorporate evenly
4. Place spiralized potatoes on a baking sheet and bake 20-30 minutes (toss fries halfway through) or until nice and golden brown

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Easy Homemade Cauliflower Fried Rice

So delicious and easy - plus you'll almost have no clue it’s cauliflower (but your waistline will).

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 medium head (about 24 oz) cauliflower, rinsed
• 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ cup red onions, diced small
• ½ cup red bell peppers, diced small
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons Sriracha
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons diced green onion

Directions

1. Remove the core of the cauliflower and coarsely chop off just the florets
2. Put the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse until the cauliflower is small and has the texture of rice - shouldn’t take more than 5 or 6 seconds, but if it’s a lot of cauliflower for your processor, do it in 2 batches or it can get mushy.
3. Heat a large saute pan or wok over medium heat with 1 tablespoon oil then add onions, peppers and mushrooms; stir and cook about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in ginger and garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds) then add the cauliflower rice - drizzle with a little more oil, and stir frequently until all is heated through and beginning to get a bit of color - maybe 3 minutes
5. Then add the soy, sesame oil and Sriracha - mix well
6. Finally add the beaten eggs, and stir until egg is cooked through - about another minute
7. Remove from heat - serve and garnish with green onions.

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Sopa De Fideo

A super delicious Mexican tomato soup with toasted thin noodles. Oh my...

INGREDIENTS

• 1-2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 8 ounces of uncooked Fideo Cortado, fine dry noodles (can use broken spaghetti)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 medium size onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• One 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
• 3-4 cups chicken broth
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

For serving

• Hot sauce
• Fresh chopped green onions
• Diced avocado

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium-size skillet and add the dry noodles. Cook until noodles are almost brown in color - mix in cumin and chili powder; continue to cook until noodles are toasty, remove from heat and set aside
2. In a stock pot, heat 1 tablespoon oil and cook onion until translucent
3. Add garlic, cook until fragrant about 30 seconds - then add tomatoes and use a hand blender until tomatoes are pureed (if you have one-can transfer tomato mixture in a regular blender at this time and return back to the pot)
4. Next add 3 cups of broth and the toasted noodles to the tomato mixture (add more broth if you like it thinner)  season with salt and pepper -  let simmer about 20 minutes or until noodles have softened
5. Ladle soup in a serving bowl and garnish with hot sauce, green onions and/or avocado if you want, and I highly recommend you do

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Cheesy Breakfast Grits

So so easy and delicious - ok, we complicate slightly but deliciously by adding sausage and a fried egg.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups water
• big pinch Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup quick cooking grits
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I like Monterey Jack, but use whatever you like or have)
• 6 ounces pork sausage
• 2 eggs 
• 2 greens onions, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Boil water and add salt & grits - stir well and turn down to low
2. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened
3. Add butter, milk and cheese, stir until creamy & well combined - cover and keep warm
4. Cook sausage in a non-stick pan until just no longer pink and keep warm
5. Cook eggs however you like - over easy, sunny, poached it’s up to you
6. Put 1/2 the grits into each of 2 bowls and add some sausage, green onions and top with the egg
7. Boom

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Artichoke Hearts

FEATURED ON PANTRY DAY TV EPISODE

Serves 1-2

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (15oz) whole artichoke hearts, drain, cut in half and dry on paper towels
• Avocado oil or any high retention oil to cook
• Kosher salt and fresh black ground pepper
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a wok or pan on high with about 2 tablespoons oil and add artichokes- let sit about a minute or until artichokes get some “charred” coloring
2. Add pinch of salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic and stir-fry about 30 seconds or so - add fresh parsley, stir and serve with squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top

Note: This is a fast cooking dish...prep all your ingredients beforehand

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Black Bean Burger

Makes 2 big burgers or 3 smaller ones

1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/3 cup red onion, diced

2 Holland peppers pepper, diced

1/2 cup sliced, loosely packed shiitake mushrooms

1 - 15 ounce black beans, well drained

1 egg

1 teaspoon each: cumin, garlic powder and chipotle chili powder

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs, divided

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided

Kosher salt & pepper to taste

2 or 3 burger buns toasted - just something good though ya hear me?

3/4 cup guacamole, recipe here

2 or 3 slices pepperjack cheese

• Heat non-stick pan, add butter and oil and add onions - cook over medium heat stirring often, about 20 minutes or until golden, remove to a plate but don’t clean the pan

• ‘Dry cook’ onion, peppers and mushrooms in a non-stick pan until just softened and dry, 5-7 minutes

• Do the same with the beans in another pan until beginning to stick

• Put onions, peppers, mushrooms and black beans into the bowl of a processor, pulse 3 or 4 times then add the cumin, garlic powder, 1/3 cup of the panko, 2 tablespoons of the flour & salt & pepper

• Process until really well combined, form into 2 large, or 3 medium patties and put on a parchment covered plate, and refrigerate 30 minutes

• Coat the patties (in this order) using 3 separate bowls for remaining flour, eggs and remaining panko

• Heat the pan you cooked the onions in, add a little more oil and cook patties until crispy and brown on each side (about 3-4 minutes per side)

• Add cheese when you flip them over, let cheese melt

• Toast buns lightly and build: bottom bun, guacamole, pattie with cheese, onions, bun top.

Sardine Avocado Toast

FEATURED ON PATRY DAY TV EPSIODE

Serves 1-2

Ingredients

• 4 slices french baguette - about ¼ inch thick
• Olive oil
• 1 ripe avocado, slightly mashed
• 4-6 grape tomatoes, sliced
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 can sardines (I like the ones in olive oil)
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Heat a flat griddle or pan on medium-high
2. Brush each baguette slice with olive oil and toast until lightly golden
3. Spread a little avocado on the toast, then layer with a few slices of tomatoes - season each slice with pinch of salt, fresh ground pepper and a little bit of the red pepper flakes (if you want)
4. Top with sardines and garnish with parsley

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These small, little bites of deliciousness are always welcome - and easy to make especially if you keep frozen, precooked meatballs in your freezer.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 pound ready made mini meatballs (in the freezer section)
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 green onions, white & light green parts only, thinly sliced on an angle
• sesame seeds for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a pot and heat on the stove over medium heat until sauce comes to a slight boil - then turn down heat and simmer
2. Place the meatballs in the pot, simmer 10-15 minutes until heated through
3. Serve over rice, garnish sesame seeds and green onions on top.

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Brussels Sprout & Bacon Flatbread

If you're a Brussels sprouts hater, there's a very good chance this could change your mind.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bacon strips, sliced widthwise
• 3-4 whole brussels sprouts, sliced thin
• ⅓ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon each Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pita bread
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
• ½ cup fresh baby arugula

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven 425 degrees
2. Heat a medium frying pan, add bacon - cook until just the edge of crispy, leave about ½ tablespoon of grease in the pan discarding the rest and add Brussels sprouts -  cook about 6-7 minutes and set aside
3. In a small bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic - mix well
4. Spread ricotta mixture evenly on pita, add bacon/Brussels mixture and top with Monterey Jack cheese
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese melts and pita is slightly crispy
6. While flatbread is in the oven, mix arugula with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper
7. Remove flatbread, top with arugula and serve.

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Grilled Scrambled Egg Sandwich

How have I not done this before?

Makes 1 sandwich

INGREDIENTS

• 2 strips bacon, sliced thin
• 4 cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 egg
• 2 slices of bread (any you like)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 slice cheese (any you like, I used Jack)
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In small skillet on medium heat cook bacon until almost crispy, remove excess bacon fat and add mushrooms – cook until nicely softened, about 5 minutes
2. Add butter to the bacon mixture then the egg – scramble in the pan until egg cooked through and set aside
3. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on one side of bread, then cheese and the egg mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste – top with 2nd slice of bread
4. Spread top slice with ½ tablespoon mayonnaise, and grill in a non-stick pan until nicely browned – repeat with 2nd sid.

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One Pot Mac

INGREDIENTS

• ⅓ lb bacon, sliced thin widthwise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 8 ounces macaroni-type pasta (I used orecchiette in this recipe)
• 2 cups milk
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a large pan with high sides, cook bacon on medium heat just until almost crisp and mix in garlic until fragrant - remove bacon in a small bowl
2. Lightly rinse and drain the uncooked pasta to get some of the starch out - set aside
3. Put the same pan back on medium heat - add milk, pasta, mustard powder, butter, ½ cup chicken broth and pepper - give it a little stir to loosen the pasta
4. Bring to a boil, then turn it down and let simmer until milk has reduced into thick sauce; about 10 minutes or so
5. Stir in cheese and bacon - if sauce is too thick, add a little more broth to thin sauce out.

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Best Grilled Pork & Pineapple Tacos

The spice of the pork and the sweet of the pineapple makes an outrageous combination

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 lbs boneless country style pork ribs
• 1-2 tablespoons oil
• 2 (½ inch) thick slices of fresh pineapple
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, roughly chopped
• 6 “street” size corn tortillas

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl to make the dry rub – set aside
2. Coat pork with 1 tablespoon oil and thoroughly sprinkle the rub mix on every side, reserve at least a tablespoon of the rub mixture
3. Preheat grill on med/high, cook 4-5 minutes on all 4 sides (pork temperature guide: 145 degrees)
4. Drizzle a little oil on each side of the pineapple, cook on grill (about 2 minutes each side)
5. Remove pork and pineapple from the grill
6. Thinly slice pork and dice pineapple into bite size pieces
7. In a separate bowl, mix sour cream with a little rub mix
8. Heat tortillas, spread sour cream then top with pork, pineapple and garnish with cilantro.

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Shrimp Scampi on Polenta

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups boiling water
• pinch Kosher salt
• 1 cup polenta
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1lb fresh raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail-on (31/50 size)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 cup Dry Vermouth  
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/2 lemon, fresh juice
• ½ cup cooked red bell pepper, diced small (optional)
• ½ cup cooked crispy bacon, diced small (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring water and pinch of salt in medium saucepan to a boil
2. Gradually whisk in the polenta, whisk for a minute and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes
3. In the meantime, in a large skillet on medium heat 2 tablespoons of butter, add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add vermouth and lemon juice – season with kosher salt and pepper flakes
5. When shrimp is cooked thoroughly, remove in a plate/bowl, leaving the sauce in the skillet on low heat
6. Slowly stir in 1tablespoon of butter to the sauce, until melted – keep warm
7. When polenta is cooked, take off the heat and thoroughly stir in 1 tablespoon butter. Plate up, with a layer of creamy polenta and top with a few shrimp, garnish with a little red bell pepper and bacon, then drizzle the sauce on top.

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Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken

Featured on my TV episode, Mediterranean Day.

Serves 2-4

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 2 roma tomatoes, diced small
• 1 cup English cucumber, diced small
• ¼ cup red onions, diced small
• ¼ cup sliced Kalamata olives
• ¼ cup each of fresh parsley, fresh basil and fresh mint; roughly chopped
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

For the dressing:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Grilled Chicken:

• 1 chicken breast, flattened out to about ½ inch thick
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large mixing bowl combine all the ingredients for the salad
2. Mix all the ingredients for the dressing, set aside
3. Preheat grill or grill pan on high heat
4. Lightly oil chicken and season with salt and pepper
5. Cook chicken until grilled beautifully - about 3 to minutes a side
6. Add dressing to salad, slice chicken and put on top of salad with a little bit more dressing.

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Shakshuka

Featured on my TV episode, Mediterranean Day.

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell, thinly sliced
• ½ of a yellow onion, thinly sliced
• Neutral oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1½ teaspoons cumin
• One 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
• 6 ounces baby spinach
• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup each finely chopped parsley & green onion

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the peppers, onions and a tablespoon of oil in a large pan (with at least 2 inch sides) over medium heat and cook until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes

2. Add the garlic with a little bit more oil and cook until very fragrant – about a minute

3. Add paprika and cumin – mix well and let toast slightly

4. Squish each tomato to break up and dd to the pan along with any juices from the can and let the whole thing simmer 15 minutes

5. Add spinach, stir to combine and continue to cook until spinach has completely wilted and is well incorporated

6. Carefully crack eggs on top of the sauce, cover with a lid or a double piece of foil and cook until the whites are set but the yolks still runny

7. Top with green onion & parsley – serve.

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