Baked Parmesan Zucchini...

Happy Friday Folks!

Ingredients:

3 zucchini ( I cut mine in rounds but you can follow the recipe and cut length wise)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp dried thyme 

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

olive oil

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Served with yams, roasted carrots and rotisserie chicken...

Recipe 

Garlic Prawns...

Helloooo Monday! 

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! Here's another recipe I've been meaning to post for awhile...Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 pound raw shrimp tail on

1/4 cup olive oil

2 lemons, juiced and divided

5-6 cloves garlic minced

2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped plus more for garnish

1 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I opted out)

6 tbsp salted butter

1/2 tsp pepper

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Here's another one I found on IG, and have added it to my recipe box. I love pairing this when I have a Mediterranean feast. Or enjoy it alone with pita or rice.

Directions:

1. Add the shrimp in a ziplock bag or medium size bowl.

2. Add olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, minced garlic, 1 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley, flour, cayenne pepper and pepper.

3. Toss well to combine, and marinate in fridge for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

4. Heat a large skillet on medium heat. 

5. Once hot add shrimp, be sure to add the garlic and season with salt and pepper.

6. Saute the shrimp until pink, 2-3 minutes on each side.

7. Remove the shrimp from skillet and set aside, leaving only the garlic.

8. Add butter and 1 tsp pepper to skillet.

9. Cook the garlic until it becomes caramelized and golden brown(watch out because left to long it will just get burnt).

10. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp of chopped parsley and juice of 1/2 of a lemon.

Enjoy! Hope you love it as much as I do!

Pork Tofu Mushroom...

Happy Friday Everyone! Welcome Weekend!

Here's a post I've had for awhile...haven't made this one in some time, might try this again this weekend!

Ingredients:

1/2 pound lean ground pork

1/2 pound dace meat 

1 package soft tofu

1/4 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp vegatable oil

1/4 tsp of salt

1/4 tsp pepper

6 shitake mushrooms, chopped

Serves 6-8

Serve with rice...

I added a splash of fish sauce for more flavour...

Found this recipe while watching Bubzvlogs, thanks to her doula!

Directions:

In a bowl combine pork, dace meat, soft tofu, sugar, salt, pepper, sesame oil, and vegetable oil. Fold in mushrooms. Place on steamer or double boiler and steam for 15-20 minutes. I had to split this into 4 in order to fit my pot.

Buddha's Feast...

Ingredients:

3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp dark sesame oil

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tsp sugar

1 pkg (14 ounce) water-packed extra firm tofu (drained and cut into 1inch cubes) I prefer fried tofu like you see below

5 cups broccoli florets

1/2 cup peeled broccoli stems (I omitted this)

2 tbsp canola oil

1 1/2 cups carrots (1/4 inch cut diagonally sliced)

1 cup snow peas, trimmed

1 can (14 ounce) whole baby corn, drained (I omitted this)

1 can (8 ounce) sliced water chestnuts, drained (I omitted this)

1 1/2 cup sliced green onions (I chopped mine)

1 tbsp grated peeled fresh ginger

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup vegetable broth

1 tbsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp salt

I added baby bok choy instead of the water chestnuts and corn...

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I've made this dish 5 times already since finding it online. Its filling enough to enjoy alone or with rice. 

Recipe

Banana Bread Muffins...

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3 large ripe bananas

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup of melted butter

Serves 12

I added almonds, chocolate chips and walnuts on top...

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. My gf made these recently and they looked so good I wanted some! She sent me the recipe and I tried them the next day. So yum! These will definitely be added to my recipe box. Thanks Peaches!

Recipe

Eggplant Dip...Kashkeh Bademjoon

1 Eggplant (next time I'll try this recipe with Japanese Eggplant, I found this one had too many seeds)

1 onion (chopped)

2 garlic cloves (crushed)

1/2 cup Sour Cream or Kashk

4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

And the meal...Garlic Prawn Recipe coming soon!

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I am absolutely addicted to eggplant dip from Zeitoon. There was a time I ate Persian food every week and this was a must! I googled and found a recipe and decided to try it. I'm so pleased with the results, definitely time consuming for this meal but was well worth the wait!

Instructions:

Peel and cut eggplant into 1" rounds. On wire rack with paper towels, lay eggplant on and salt both sides. Add another layer of paper towels and top with something heavy ( I placed 3 cookbooks). Leave on for 1 hr, this will help expel the excess liquid.

Preheat oven at 400 F bake eggplant for 20 minutes. Flip and continue baking for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven to cool.

During this time chop onions and garlic. In a pan on medium heat add 1 Tbsp of EVOO, add onions and sauté until soft. Lower heat to low and caramelize, mine took about 28 minutes. Add the garlic in the last 2 mins. Set aside 1 Tbsp of onions for garnish.

In a bowl add the eggplant and onion garlic mixture and mash with a fork. Add the sour cream and pepper to combine. You can transfer to a serving dish, but I kept mine in the same bowl(less dishes to wash yay! lol) Add the onions from earlier as garnish. 

Here's another recipe that's quicker...

Readers if you try this recipe I'd love to see your creations! tag #passorpraiseblogbakes 

Here's my IG: kngap

* update round 2 with lots of butter on the garlic prawns

Turkey Spaghetti...

I halved the recipe and even still I was able to freeze 3 days worth of lunches and dinners!

Ingredients:

2.5 pounds of lean ground turkey (next time I'll use less around 1.5)

1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

1 green pepper ( I omitted this as I'm allergic)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup white wine or chicken stock

1 can 28 ounce crushed tomatoes

half a can (2 ounce) tomato paste

1 jar store bought Marinara Sauce ( I used the full jar and omitted the additional 6 oz of crushed tomatoes)

1/2 Tsp ground oregano

1/2 Tsp ground thyme

2 whole bay leaves

1 Tbsp sugar

1 Tsp Salt

1/4 tsp crushed pepper (optional)

2 Tbsp finely minced fresh parsley

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional, I used a lot as I love cheese :))

extra minced parsley for serving

extra parmesan cheese for serving

Serves 12

Simmering...

Plated and ready to eat with a side of garlic cheese bread...

While creeping on IG I was motivated by Chrissy's post and the next day purchased the ingredients to make turkey spaghetti. I have tried the spaghetti squash but this time I used spaghetti noodles instead.

Find the recipe here...

* Thank you to those who gave their lives for us to have our tomorrows... November 11 Remembrance Day

Banana Oat and Coconut Muffins...

Ingredients:

1-2 or 1/2 Cup Super Ripe Banana (Mashed)

1/2 Cup Oat Flour

1-2 scoops Protein powder

2 Tbsp Coconut Flour (3 Tbsp if you're omitting the protein powder)

1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Egg

1 Egg White

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon (Optional)

2 Tbsp Mini Chocolate Chips (I only used 18 to sprinkle on top)

Yields: 6

Using a fork to combine everything...

After 20 mins of baking and cooling off...

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I found this recipe on IG from a feed I follow: fithealthyrecipes the original recipe came from lean_lisha

Preheat oven to 350 F
In a bowl whisk all dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients until combined. I didn't have any protein so I skipped this option and added another tablespoon of the coconut flour instead. I also added the cinnamon as I love anything with it!
At this point you can fold in your mini chocolate chips, or do what I did and place them on top.
Spray your baking tin and fill it evenly to fit the 6. I used a medium sized ice-cream scoop for convenience. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy! And if you do bake these tag me! #passorpraiseworthyblogbakes

* round 2 this time with coconut flakes 

Brazilian Cheese Bread...

Fresh out of the oven...

I used a mini size ice-cream scoop and it yieled about 35 

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. This is the second time I made these, and they truly are addicting! I managed to find this gem on IG from the colorfulfoodie! 

Ingredients:

1 Sweet Potato 

1 Cup Shredded Cheese (your choice, but I used Chedder)

1 Cup Tapioca Flour

1 Cup Low Fat Ricotta Cheese

1 egg

2 egg whites

Directions:

Preheat oven at 400 F 

Wash and dry your sweet potato. Prick with fork all over and bake for 30 mins. Flip and continue baking for another 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Preheat oven to 350 F

In a bowl add sweet potato and mash with a fork. Add flour, ricotta cheese, egg and egg whites. Combine everything and fold in shredded cheese. Spray a baking sheet and spoon on balls or use an ice-cream scoop for convenience. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Don't leave them in longer than 30 mins or else they look like this!

Still edible and tasty if you like them super crispy!

Readers if you try this recipe I'd love to see your creations! tag #passorpraiseblogbakes 

Here's my IG: kngap

Thanksgiving Dinner I made and first time baking of the cheese bread...

Chicken Chorizo Spinach and Egg Breakfast...

Ingredients:

1 Chicken Chorizo Sausage (found mine at Whole Foods)

1 Handful of fresh spinach or more to your liking

1/4 of avocado (can season with salt and pepper)

1/4 of an onion chopped

1 egg 

1 tsp butter or olive oil for pan

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Here's a quick recipe for breakfast that serves 2. I used a chicken chorizo sausage I found at Whole Foods, and removed the casing. In a pan set on medium-low heat add butter, allow to coat pan. Add onion and fry until semi translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add sausage pieces and cook until no longer pink ( depending on size of sausage this can take 5-8 mins.) I added spinach at the end and cooked until it wilted about 2 minutes. Set aside in plate/bowl. I used the fat from the sausage pieces to cook the egg. That's it! Serve and enjoy :)

* you can try different sausages from Whole Foods, the possibilities are endless:)

Proscuitto Wrapped Chicken with Steamed Veggies...

Hello everyone! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving:D I think I gained a few pounds from all the meals *~* 

Anywho, here's a dish I made a week ago...try it and let me know your thoughts!

Ingredients:

1 Skinless boneless Chicken Breast

3-5 slices of Proscuitto

Handful of steamed veggies ( I purchased those ready washed veggie bags from the grocery store)

1/2 Lemon 

Salt and Pepper to season chicken 

1 tbsp Olive Oil

*recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Here's another recipe that's quick and easy, serves 2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper (since proscuitto is salty already I only used a tiny amount of salt to season). Lay proscuitto flat tin foil and wrap around chicken, placing seam side down. Place on baking sheet and coat with olive oil, baking for 20 -35 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breast). Chicken should be cooked through and proscuitto nice and crispy. While chicken is baking, steam veggies in microwave or steamer. Remove chicken from oven and right before serving hit the chicken with a squeeze of lemon. Adds a nice zing!

Pork Maple Breakfast Sausage with Yams...

Ingredients:

1 Pork Maple Breakfast Sausage (remove from casing)

1/4 onion

Salt and Pepper to season 

1 tsp of butter

2 Yams

Garlic Salt and Pepper to season

Cooking spray

* yam recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker

added the fresh spinach for some crunch...(you can also cook the spinach in the sausage, just be sure to do so 2 minutes before being done)

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. While recently shopping at Whole Foods I picked up the pork maple breakfast sausage to try. Boy am I glad I did! It was sooo yummy! Here's how I made breakfast...

In a pan set at medium-low heat add butter and allow to coat. Next cook onions until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add pork maple breakfast sausage pieces and cook until no longer pink, about 5-8 mins depending on the size of the sausage.
The day before I had baked 2 yams at 400 F for *60 minutes. Make sure you scrub them clean and give them a good fork poke! I then cut them into large cubes. In a pan with butter or olive oil, place yams face down and on other side spray cooking spray and season with garlic salt and pepper. After 2-4 minutes flip and season. Continue on all sides, should be done when they're nice and crispy...
And that's it! Plate and serve:) Enjoy and happy cooking!

Humpday Happenings...More of the Same

Hope everyone've having a great midweek, here's what I've been up to lately...

 fresh coconut juice at Little Saigon

 Springrolls from Little Saigon

 Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream from Tartine (my favourite for October)

 homemade breakfast of broccoli, spinach, mushroom and onion cups with a side of papaya and pineapple

afternoon snacks of hummus, tzatziki, cucumbers, olives and parmesan pretzel crackers

 onion pancakes from City 1 Cafe

Roti from City 1 Cafe

Yam Fries with Guacamole, Sour Cream and Bacon...Inspired by IG

I came upon this recipe on Instagram recently and decided to recreate it...

I used the store bought pre-cut yam fries

Sour cream

Avocado with salt and pepper mashed

1 sprig Green Onion

3 bacon strips

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Follow the instructions on the package of the yam fries. I baked both the fries and bacon at the same time. I wanted the bacon to be super crispy so I left it for about 20 minutes. 

I also purchased a jar of japaleno peppers but for the life of me couldn't open it. I was so hungry, I gave up after a couple tries. They still tasted delish without, but if you want some heat add some pepper.

This will be perfect for movie night or a sports event. Apart from the bacon and sour cream this was pretty healthy.

Update...Xmas Aftermath

Hope everyone had a wonderful 24th and 25th!

Here's a quick update on what I was up to...

Picked up some goodies for myself...

Aritzia bag: Beekman Sweater and Upton Dress

In the Hermes bag: Oran Sandals

Prepped for Xmas Lunch Potluck with my family: Made Ina Garten's Tomato Feta Pasta Salad and Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (first time making these, they were great right out of the oven but got crispy after a few hours. I would suggest keeping them in only 2 minutes after lightly tapping the tops.)

Before Baking (this batch was for the kids)

After Baking (this batch was for the grown ups)

Part of the table spread: Not seen Turkey Pot Pie, Fruit Punch, Cinnamon Buns and my cookies were on another table...

Readers how did you spend the holidays? Would love to see pics!

Holiday Season...Xmas 2013

Happy Monday Everyone! Only 2 nights sleep until Christmas! (happy dance!!!)

Since I won't be posting on Christmas Day I thought I'd update you on what's been happening/and will happen...

Finished wrapping gifts for friends and family...

We're having Christmas Eve dinner with C's family, and on Christmas day we're having lunch with my family. Planning to make this for our Christmas Lunch Potluck...

Ina Garten Tomato Feta Pasta Salad

Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies ( will update with a photo once made)

This year I also haven't done a wish list as my only wish was for an iPad mini, but I did find some great ideas for gifts. I just haven't had a chance to update a post with it, so I apologize but here are my past ones...Homesense, MAC (new version) Plus my Secret Santa fulfilled my stocking stuffer wish list this year. (the candles are beautiful if you're still stuck on ideas.)

Lastly, Wishing you and yours a Happy Holidays! If you're travelling, safe travels! And even if you don't celebrate at this time of year, I hope you at least get to have a wonderful meal shared with good company!

Rookie in the Kitch...Butternut Squash and Shrimp Soup

Ingredients:

1 Butternut Squash- peeled and cut into cubes

Shrimp - peeled and deveined, I used 100 grams and cooked it in butter or olive oil. Set aside.

1 Yellow onion - chopped

1 handful of cilantro - chopped 

2 green onions - chopped

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fish Sauce to taste

Directions:

In a pot cook shrimp on medium for about 6-8 minutes and set aside. In same pot add onions and butter, cook for 5 minutes or until translucent. Add water, I used about 8 cups for more of a soup, bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour or less.  In the last 3 minutes add cooked shrimp, green onions and cilantro.

Enjoy!

Fish Taco Cravings...Tacofino Commissary

Chips and Salsa

Fish Tacos (added extra guacamole)

Chicken Taco

Pork Taco

And for dessert I popped by Thierry for salted caramel macarons and paired them with these humo strawberries I found at Whole Foods...

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I was at Earl's recently and was looking forward to ordering their fish tacos. To my surprise they no longer made them and have chicken tacos on the menu instead. I had a craving for fish tacos and now I was on a new mission to find a place that served decent ones in Vancouver. I googled Joey's, who no longer has them, and Cactus who I thought had them but online nothing was listed. I then sought the help of friends and finally decided on Tacofino Commissary. (I did call 2 Cactus's and they said the menu is different everywhere but the Broadway and Granville and Yaletown still have the fish tacos.) As you can see from the pics above the tacos are a decent size. I had the fish tacos (fresh and super crispy) while C had the other 2( he preferred the chicken out of the 2). The salsa was so yummy I downed that in zero time and wished there was more. These guys have food trucks around the city and the restaurant is open till 10pm M-Th and 11pm Sat. Thanks Christina for the recommendation!!!

Tacofino Commissary

2327 E Hastings Street

604 253 8226