We are in full swing with rainy season in our neck of the woods.  It is hard to believe that November is already here...where do the months slip by?  Well, with fall comes pumpkins, and squashes of all kinds.  Despite the rainy season, I always look forward to creating new squash dishes of any kind.  […]

Before commencing with today's recipe I thought it fitting to make mention of our recent "Royal" visit. Our fair city has been a whirl wind of activity for the past week. We have just finished our "Royal" visit with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Victoria B.C.  They spent the week touring throughout a […]

Although I do have a number of rice dishes on this blog....rice is not my favorite side dish.  Never has been. (unless it is Risotto or a lovely dessert rice pudding) However, if you make it into a pilaf, adding numerous flavorings and other ingredients, it creates a flavorful side dish indeed. We recently discovered […]

Chanterelle mushrooms are by far my favorite mushroom - even re-hydrated they have such a distinct woodsy sweet flavor.  Although, fresh is always the best.  They do have a short window of time for harvest, and as we did not get any fresh ones this year, I was happy to be able to buy dehydrated […]

Last year, I was not aware - or more likely not on "the ball" enough to find out about a local farm that delivered fresh weekly organic vegetables - till December no less.   And the farm is only 8 minutes away from where we live. The above picture, at least to me, is pure […]

We received 2 huge bunches of fresh Swiss Chard from our Organic weekly farm delivery, so with one bunch I decided to make up a gratin.  Our temperatures are now dropping to freezing levels, so we will probably  not be seeing any more Swiss Chard until next year. Most of the chard was green, but […]

We have been getting the most lovely organic leeks and carrots from our local farmer's market as well as gorgeous fall/winter squashes.  Such a beautiful time of year when the harvest is coming in, the leaves are turning color - one of my favorite seasons. Leeks seem to be a much underused vegetable - but […]

We love Chinese food inspired dishes in this household.  Having given up Chinese Food many years ago, it was such a delight to find actual Gluten Free Ramen Noodles - at Costco no less! Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Noodles are from Lotus Foods Company - finally, a real gluten free ramen noodle - yayyy!  […]

This gluten free side dish - Rice a Roni, makes a nice change to every day rice or potatoes.  It is a dish I have been making for years, following Bette Hagman's recipe from her cook book "The Gluten-free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy".  So, I decided to change things up and create my own […]

Do you love beets?  We have always loved beets in this household.  Back in the day, I used to buy canned Harvard Beets - thinking they were divine.  However, when you look at the ingredients and it says "modified cornstarch", that is definitely a no go in any gluten free household.  In Canada, fortunately all […]

Recently at a restaurant, we had a most lovely sun dried tomato curry risotto.  Since we were having fresh spring salmon with fresh pesto, I decided to change the curry to fresh pesto.  It was delicious.  In this risotto, I did not have white wine, so used an Organic Balsamic Vinegar.  It might be the […]

It seems people either love brussel sprouts or they hate them.  I love them, my daughter - not so much.  With this dish there was a sweetness to the sauce and roasting the vegetables brought out more sweetness - yes, she did like brussel sprouts in this dish.  However, she also mentioned, this would be […]

This rice pilaf dish is something I could eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner...and I don't think even 3 times a day I would get bored eating it!  There was so much going on in this dish in terms of flavor, texture, savory and sweet - delicious. With all of the wonderful autumn squashes available […]

Yeahhh....I had a day off to cook something new!  With it still being September, our tourists are still here so work is still quite busy.  But today I had a day off...time to head into the kitchen. Merciful heavens....this was one delicious dish.  I have never made a savory Polenta dish before - so so […]

This is a new take on Zucchini Cakes.  I love to take an old recipe - change it up and have great results.  I did not use the standard bread crumbs or flour in this recipe.  Instead I used 1/2 cup of toasted sunflower seeds, then ground them up in a food processor - it […]

Each week going to our local organic Farmer's Market, I tend to over buy...it just looks so delicious.  So when I have an abundance of extra vegetables on hand a gratin is an easy tasty way to use them up. This makes a lovely lunch or side dish to any main meal. 2 cups finely […]

I finally got a day off - the first in ten days!  So I headed to the kitchen to make this tasty side dish for the BBQ we are having tonight. I still do not know how much I will be on this blog this summer, but will give it the best I can given […]

We live for asparagus season in this household.  When it arrives - we have asparagus dishes pretty much every day.  Here is an interesting article on the health benefits of this power food. This is not so much of a recipe, but more of a method - so easy, and so tasty.  I'll also post […]

The other day we found fresh locally grown winter spinach and parsnips at our local market.  Although our weather during this time of year can be quite cold, we are still able to grow certain vegetables in different regions. Parsnips seem to be such an underrated vegetable.  It seems that people either love them or […]

I love scalloped potatoes.  There are actually a couple of recipes on this blog for scalloped potatoes.  However, I was never 100 percent satisfied with them.  They were good, but not the good I remember from back in the day. Lately, I have been using Sweet Rice Flour as a thickener.  It works like a […]

Happy Christmas everyone!  This year we will be having a quiet Christmas. We will be having the traditional Turkey Dinner with all the fixin's on Christmas Eve....or more commonly known in our household as "Danish Christmas".  Family will arrive for the day and evening - one of my favorite times of the year. I wanted […]

Mercy...when winter sets into my bones I want a little heat.  Now if you read my blog, you do know we are wimps when it comes to heat.  Despite that, the heat I crave is in the form of a good curry.  Through the years, we have had many a good curry dish.  In the […]

Have you tried this new truRoots Sprouted Rice and Quinoa Blend?  It is heavenly!  It has:  organic sprouted brown rice, organic sprouted red rice, organic quinoa and organic wild rice.  There is really not a recipe to share today...just wanted to share some love.  Also, there is no paid advertisement here - I just get […]

Mercy....I have a new discovery.  This was so so good.  The other day I posted the recipe review from Candace and her delicious Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese. Yes it is Vegan, and it is also raw.  I love it!  We used it on sandwiches as a spread, as well as a dip with crackers and […]

Mercy...I am ruined...I will never want fresh store bought wild salmon ever again.  I must give a huge shout out, a huge THANK YOU to our neighbours.  They brought over this lovely salmon that was caught, fresh out of the ocean yesterday... We had one fillet for dinner which was perfect for the two of […]

Recently, I received this gorgeous cook book - Easy Elegance from Fabulous Fairholm, written by Sylvia Main.  Sylvia has a most beautiful Inn - Fairholme Manor located in the "Rockland - Fairfield" district of Victoria B.C.  Not only is her Inn one of the best rated Inn Bed and Breakfast vacation destinations in our City, […]

With this post, I must say there is not much of a recipe here.  In the summer time I just can not resist photographing such freshness.  When it comes to fresh, local, organic produce there is nothing I want to talk about more, nothing I want to feast on more. Fresh organic produce warms my […]

Do you have success cooking with a Slow Cooker/Crock Pot?  I never have - ever.  I suspect the reason for this was:  too much liquid?  overcooking?  not enough flavors/seasonings? Probably all of these reasons. On a recent grocery shopping day, I passed by a Garage Sale and decided to stop by.  Looking at this crock […]

We, like many parts of the world, are still waiting for summer.  So, to clean out the freezer I decided to use up any frozen vegetables we had...maybe that will bring the fresh summer vegetables sooner?  (I can dream yes?) I do not use a lot of frozen vegetables - lima beans, corn, and peas, […]

If you have lots of fresh vegetables in the fridge, and some leftover cooked rice - this is a great healthy way to use up extra ingredients.  It would be even better with fresh basil - which I did not have, nonetheless it was mighty tasty. 2 cups cooked brown rice 4 Tblsp. Grape Seed […]

Tonight we had a most wonderful "comfort" food meal.  Like many places around the world, we too are experiencing a most dreadful spring.  Last week was fabulous...out came the BBQ, sunscreen was applied, garden work was being done.  Five days...yes five glorious days.  Then the rain, wind and cold set back in...we are freezing!  I […]

This is not so much a recipe as a method.  With all of the Organic Local Asparagus available, we have been eating it every which way - so delicious!  Wouldn't it be great if fresh Asparagus was available with baby summer squashes?  Yumm! 15 fresh Organic Asparagus Spears 5 large carrots, sliced in half, then […]

EARTH: Earth Day is around the corner. Since Earth is our source of life, dedicating a day to our cosmic home once a year seems only fair. Each year, I try to make the effort of observing Earth Day.  Although, I do try to make a conscious effort every day. In Canada, we celebrate an […]

This was a most tasty Vegetarian side dish of Curried Vegetables we had with our Curried Salmon Burgers the other night. Mercy...packed full of texture and flavor, a great side dish to most any meal, curry or not. In this dish I used my garden fresh/frozen Collard Greens, but Spinach or Kale would be lovely […]

This is one of those salads that is great for a pot luck, or served for lunch or dinner or as a side dish.  A hearty vegetarian dish that is fresh and delicious too.  Originally I was going to make a vegetarian lettuce wrap, but ended up putting it all together - so good.  I […]

I love gratins.  This one could not have been easier to make - and a great side dish to any main meal.  Bubbling with flavor and the creamy texture of Swiss Gruyere - yum!  With a wee bit of green for St. Paddy's day... 1 Tblsp. of Olive oil salt and pepper 1 large shallot, […]

Rice has never been my first option. I like it, but never my first option.  However....rice pudding, or Risotto, you have me nailed.  I do have a number of rice dishes on my blog, mainly stir fries, or added as a stuffing, or in casseroles.  But pudding and Risotto? Wins me every time.  Risotto - […]

Sometimes, my DH, really surprises me.  He is actually quite a fussy eater....and seems to be more so as he gets older.  Some foods I absolutely love, he barely likes.  Well tonight, I served this side dish and he was "Over The Moon"!  He loved it!  Cooking for him has taught me that flavor, texture, […]

Remember my post, on the Saffron that our son Jarrod brought back from India?  Well, I had been savoring this lovely spice, using it only occasionally to make it last.  Then I thought, well that is silly, it is meant to be used!  Saffron and rice are such best friends...whether Risotto, or Basmati...it tastes great.  […]

This recipe was inspired from Jamie Oliver's 30 minute meals.  I did a couple of things different from his recipe - and mine took quite a bit longer to make - but roasting beets is so worth it!  This made enough for two - so just increase amounts if you have more mouths to feed. […]

Do not be fooled by this title.  Seriously, the title was in the hopes of capturing wee little ones taste buds, and fooling them at the same time. If I had asked my kids when they were little: "would you like some golden cherry rice stir fry"?  They would have been all over it...not knowing […]

Have you ever been giving thought to a recipe - it formulates in your mind, you can imagine the flavors, the textures....then it goes by the way side for six months?  Mercy!  Why did I wait so long on this one?? The first time I ever had creamed corn was when I was about 17 […]

This is a recipe I have been wanting to make ever since last Spring!  Our little town of Sooke, B.C. now has three fabulous Restaurants, plus one Cafe that serve Gluten Free Food!  Yeahhhhh!  We have a small population of just over 10,000 people, so to have this many Restaurants to choose from, we are […]

Have you ever cooked with fresh picked Chantrelle  Mushrooms?  This was a first for me....merciful heavens.  If you ever get the opportunity to cook with fresh Chantrelle Mushrooms, grab them, run for your lives to the kitchen, and cook them immediately....you will not regret it.... so delicious! My daughter arrived home the other day from […]

As of October 9th, all of the garden vegetables have been picked.  With an abundance of mixed greens, Chard, Collards, and Red Kale, I decided to make a mixed braised greens dish, (that was a mouthful!) which we had with our Thanksgiving dinner.  This is a great way to get the healthy benefits of all […]

This Thanksgiving will be one with lots of food, shared with loved ones.  Monday, October 10th is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, it is also my sister Tia's birthday - Happy Birthday Tia - we love you!  (Tia and her family live in Calgary Alberta - and we do miss them!) This post is all about […]

It is hard to believe that October is so soon upon us.  Where did the summer go?  Canadian Thanksgiving is just around the corner too. I am hoping with tomorrow's Farmer's Market to get a few more tomatoes and red peppers....then it will be the start of all the lovely root vegetables.  Time sure seems […]

This side dish was delectable...if you love Greek Salad this is for you.  I have never done a post on Greek Salad before, firstly, because I don't make the traditional Greek Salad, and secondly, it is too simple to post.    This past week, we have been using up the last of the garden tomatoes, and […]

We have been having an abundance of Basil, one of my favorite herbs.  This was such an easy, simple dish where Basil is the highlight.  Some of the ingredients, I just eye-balled - or judge to taste.  A great summer side dish for any main meal. 1 large Beefsteak tomato, sliced in quarter inch pieces […]

This is a lovely, tasty side dish to accompany any main dish. Doesn't it look pretty?  There is such a small window for Chive Flowers... I try to use them any way I can, the are so delicious!   Actually, I wanted to eat the whole plate - forget the main dish. 18-25 green beans, […]

Originally, I was not even going to do a post for this recipe.  Why?  I thought everyone knows how to make twice baked stuffed potatoes right?  Everyone has their own unique recipe for this lovely side dish.  Then it occurred to me, as I was in the middle of making these delectable goodies, that maybe, […]

I think I have fallen in love with Cauliflower Rice.  There are many good recipes out there, and I always thought what a great way to have a good meal without grains, then I saw Janet's post .  Please check out Janet's sight at Nine Hundred and Seventy Twelve Recipes to see her lovely recipe.  […]

Here is the recipe for the rice side dish we had with the Chipotle Chili Pepper Chicken tenders. Geez, I could have served this properly into a bowl!  We were so hungry, we just served our plates right from the pan!  This rice side dish would be lovely to accompany any Mexican dish.  And it […]

Here is another simple side dish.  Are you tired of Root Vegetables yet?  I am dreaming of fresh tomatoes off the vine, fresh basil, zucchini, fresh corn on the cob....lord help me...is it summer yet? Not!! It has been unreasonably cold these past few weeks.  We are so looking forward to warm weather!  In the […]

These roasted tomatoes are a lovely side dish to accompany any meal.  And they would be even better with fresh summer ripened tomatoes!  A simple recipe...but so delicious.  My daughter does not really like tomatoes, however she loved these which tells me this is a winner! We had these on top of a salad with […]

I think I love just about any kind of coleslaw recipe - creamy, vinaigrette, sweet, not sweet, spicy or not spicy.  And this recipe does not get any easier!   A simple everyday coleslaw recipe.  There are so many options you could use for the dressing.  This dressing was on the tart side, which we loved.  […]

Originally I was going to go East Indian for this dish, but somehow or other, I went Asian.  Not sure how that happened, but nevertheless, tasty!  A lovely side dish, or Vegetarian Main dish, that would also taste lovely with tofu or tempeh added to the stuffing.  There is a great article about Quinoa you […]

This was the third dish we had with our Indian Curry Dinner - an easy tasty side dish to accompany any Indian Meal. Cauliflower is one of those perfect vegetables that works so well with curry. Yams would also be lovely in this dish as well. Half of a large head of organic cauliflower, breaking […]

Well, it does not look red, and neither do the lentils.  If anything they are orange in color!  Here is one of the side dishes we had with our Indian Curry Dinner the other night. A delicious, easy Dahl recipe. And yes, we are still under a blanket of snow, at this point with no […]

This dish could not be easier to make - and packed with nutrition too. Luckily, we have not grown tired of eating all the lovely winter squash that has been available. There are a few  items I always keep on hand in the freezer - frozen peas, and frozen spinach.  They are so versatile, and […]

This is a lovely rice side dish we had with our Tempeh in Brown Miso Mushroom Gravy.  But this would be a lovely side dish to any main entree. 2 cups of cooked brown rice Olive oil 1 large minced shallot 2 minced garlic cloves 3/4 of a cup finely shredded, then chopped, green cabbage […]

This was a side dish we had with Christmas dinner.  It does not look very pretty, but it was darn tasty. I am the only person in my family that loves brussel sprouts, so I had to come up with a way to get my families tastebuds turned around to loving them.  It worked!  Well, […]

I love roasted vegetables of any kind.  Roasting adds so much flavor, and brings out the natural sweetness to the vegetable.  This recipe could not get easier.  A great side dish to any Vegetarian meal, or meat and fish recipes. handful of brussel sprouts, ends and leaves trimmed, cut in half 3-4 carrots, sliced and […]

This was another stuffed vegetable dish where I made too much stuffing...so glad I did - yum!  I could barely stop eating the extra from the bowl.  It will be great tomorrow with some veggies in a salad for lunch.  This is a wonderful side dish to any Vegetarian, Meat, or Fish dish.  I actually […]

Tracee, over at Mrs. Ed's Research and Recipes is hosting an SCD recipe list, where you can submit a favorite holiday recipe.  In Canada, we had our Thanksgiving in October, but this is a recipe that always is a crowd pleaser, one we have each Thanksgiving.  This is a lovely recipe my niece Tanya gave […]

This is such a classic side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I know many people who have variations of this recipe handed down through the generations.  Years ago, I tasted this dish - can't remember where, and I neglected to get a recipe, so when I made it, I did so based on the memory […]

This was a dish based on a stuffing for the ginormous Blue Hubbard Squash I purchased last weekend at the Farmer's Market.  Wow, this dish would easily stand alone on it's own.  Yummy.  I was surprised how tasty it turned out - those French Blue Lentils are sooooo good. I am glad I found another […]

We were in town the other day, and discovered another Farmer's Market, new to us, that was fantastic!  It is so exciting to see more and more Farmer's Markets through out town.  This gives me hope for better, fresher food to buy, as well, I really want to support our local farmers.  Here is one […]

We are getting ginormous red cabbages from the garden.  I honestly thought that since this was such a poor summer, we would get next to nothing this year, but it looks like  red cabbage loves cooler weather.  So far we have had it in salads, and stir fries.  Now onto Sauerkraut, something I have never […]

As of Aug 7th, 2010, we have rain.  Much needed, despite the lack of summer, it has also been very dry.  My tomato plants are crying though.  We kept some of the tomato plants in the mini greenhouse, but also kept 8 plants outside in the gardens.  With this rain, and the fog we have […]

Wow, that recently picked red cabbage from the garden is humongous!  Lord have mercy, we will be eating red cabbage for months!   It was really sweet tasting  and such an easy simple recipe, but honestly, I am guessing the amounts.  I just cut the very top of the red cabbage off, and I think it […]

This is such a healthy and versatile salad.  You can use any vegetables you have on hand…really anything would work.  This would also be a lovely salad with Pasta or Quinoa too.  It is a wonderful side dish, or a great lunch. We have been eating salads every day with all the lovely fresh produce […]

I have never made homemade Polenta before.  I had tried the store bought, that comes in a round tube.  Can't say I thought too much of it.  But homemade?  Delicious.  I am having so much fun with the cook book Emeril At The Grill, his picture looked so good, I thought I would give it […]

Guess what?  Three days ago we were freezing, gray, rainy weather.  I was begging for sunshine and heat.  Low and behold...we are in a heat wave!!  Now my plants look wilted.  Lord have mercy!  Despite that...this recipe is worth consideration...only make it early, in the wee hours of the a.m. if you too are in […]

THESE ARE UNBELIEVABLY DELICIOUS!  I found the recipe from Ryan of This is Reverb, who posted the recipe on The Pioneer Woman Blog.  Check out there sites for the original recipe.  The first time we had these…gulp….I ate 4!  They were that good, thank you Ryan! Depending on how much you want to make, adjust […]

Before going into this recipe, just thought I would mention, that Katie at Thyme for Cooking passed on some great info!  The French Meadow Bakery is having a Gluten Free Recipe Contest, you can check out their lovely site  here.  Their  Gluten Free baked goods look amazing!  Although, they are not in Canada, I have […]

UPDATE:  For some reason lately I have been having trouble making Risotto.  This is my most favorite Risotto recipe, so when it came out tough a few times...I really paid attention to what I was doing. Totally cover the rice in liquid.  Use a pot that has high sides on it.  Allow it to sit […]

Don't you just love fresh organic vegetables and fruit?  Such gorgeous color.  These came from the market the other morning....you can not tell from the picture, but those green onions are at least 1 1/2 ft. long!  Rhubarb dessert pending. The Fresh Asparagus has been wonderful at this time of year as well.  Easiest way […]

We had to use up the last of our fall planted Russian Red Kale.   Such a wonderful green….but you know…this would work with any green you have on hand…Swiss Chard, Spinach, Mustard Greens, or Collard Greens.  Love them all!! Loaded in calcium….and many more nutrients,   plus it is Dang Darn Good!! Huge bunch of Kale […]

The wonders of the garden never cease to amaze me.  Here is is the beginning of May, this is Swiss Chard we had planted in the fall.  The stocks were not huge, but thin, and small, with big leaves - and incredibly sweet. Many cities in the United States and Canada, now offer Community Gardens, […]

LENTILS AND RICE - JEHDRA This was a hard picture to take!!  One of these days we will get a new camera, but until then....we will have to make do! My friend George gave me this recipe, one he grew up having.  It is delicious, a great side dish, or on it’s own served with […]

SAFFRON Our son Jarrod had done some traveling through out India a while back, and upon returning, gifted me with the most heavenly Saffron.  In previous recipes using Saffron I had bought here, the Saffron had a distinct golden color.  This Saffron from India – turns PINK!  And the flavor?  Unbelievable! I cannot find words […]

A RECIPE INSPIRATION,.........and something more.... This recipe was inspired by Katie, of Thyme For Cooking….check out her lovely site for the original recipe and many of her other inspiring dishes!  The only things I changed was using Quinoa instead of Barley, a few splashes of Balsamic Vinegar, one minced garlic clove and not sure but,  […]

From the Garden....in Feb/March.  Wow.  Still having Collard Greens this time of year...from plantings last summer.  It is interesting....when I bought Collard Greens from the Market they were huge....took a long time to cook....and were quite strong in flavor...almost with a hint of bitterness.  But I guess where I planted my collards, maybe a bit […]

ROASTED BEETS This recipe was sooo delicious….I think it will be the only way I ever cook beets again! 5 medium or large beets olive oil 1 shallot salt and pepper Wash the beets under cold water.  Cut the tops and ends off of the beets.  Then cut them into quarters.  Place in a roasting […]

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES We usually have pretty big eaters in this house, so I tend to always make extra potatoes of any kind.  These are great, fried up for breakfast the next morning too! 5 - 6 large potatoes peeled, and cut into quarters (Yukon gold's taste great) 2 finely minced garlic cloves 1/2 cup […]

ZUCCHINI CAKES I was craving summer fresh vegetables.  So, with this recipe I used my garden frozen fresh zucchini. I did not measure these ingredients, so they are only estimations.  The measurements are equivalent to the size of the zucchini.  In this case, I probably had about 2 cups of shredded, defrosted zucchini. 2-3 cups […]