Chicken, Corn & Edamame Chowder with Roasted Potato

Jan 16, 2012 by

I’ve made chowder once before and by all means it was okay. But when I came across a recipe by a fellow Food Blogger by the name of Nami of Just One Cookbook, I had to give it a try. The main difference between this recipe and the one I had done previously, was the use of Rotisserie Chicken and Roasted Potatoes. Those two by themselves sound like pure yum, and then I made a soup out of it.

Nami’s version called for a cup of Heavy Cream as the thickening agent for this recipe. To substitute, I was prepared to make a roux of some kind on the fly, but thankfully, Nami was able to tell me her quick trick (as listed in the recipe) in under 140 characters while I was preparing the chowder. Yay Nami! I omitted the bacon (I know, maybe next time) and added Edamame for a nice pop of colour and because I like the added fibre and protein 🙂

I can’t tell you how happy I was to make this chowder. I look forward to making it again. I will not omit the bacon, though ~ that’s a promise 🙂 Here is my amended recipe below.

5.0 from 1 reviews
 
Notes
 

This chowder was just lovely!

Chicken, Corn & Edamame Chowder with Roasted Potato

 

Have a wonderful week!

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Apple Crisp

Jan 9, 2012 by

For those that don’t know me, I have a deep love for my family. I suppose it only gets magnified knowing that I’m so far away from them. But it warms my heart whenever we do get a chance to talk and catch up with each other. I’m always so happy to help with any recipes or techniques should they inquire. Recently, my cousin called me with a question that was so simple, but somehow I didn’t have an answer for her. She had an apple and wanted to know if I had any recipes for a single apple. I looked for recipes for a while just to satisfy that desire to have a recipe for a single apple 🙂 Although I did not find exactly what I was looking for, I played around with the basic concept of apple crisp and came up with my own version. I did it quite a few times until my husband and I agreed that we had arrived at something special. So thanks to Kim, I’m able to share this recipe today.

I wanted to keep the ingredients as simple as possible and good for you too.

 

Royal Gala Apple

 

 

Whole Grain Oats

 

Apple Crisp Ingredients

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Apple Crisp
 
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A simple recipe for Apple Crisp
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • Apple Filling:
  • 1 Apple - Royal Gala (or a firm apple like Granny Smith)
  • 1 Tbsp Agave Nectar
  • 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tsp Flour
  • Butter for greasing oven-proof bowl
  • Oats Topping:
  • 2 Tbsp Butter, softened
  • 1 Tbsp Flour
  • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Cinnamon Powder
  • 4 Tbsp Whole Oats
Instructions
  1. Peel the apple and cut into small chunks.
  2. Use butter and grease a small oven proof bowl (I used a16oz bowl, 5inches in diameter)
  3. In a separate bowl, mix apple, agave nectar, lemon juice and flour so that apple is fully coated
  4. Empty coated apple into prepared oven proof bowl
  5. In a small bowl, add softened butter, flour, sugar, cinnamon and oats
  6. Combine using a fork and then crumble with your fingers until all the ingredients are combined
  7. Spread oats mixture on top of the apple in the prepared bowl
  8. Bake in a 375F oven until nicely browned on top, about 25 minutes
  9. Remove from oven and allow to rest for about 10 minutes
  10. Enjoy by itself or with traditional vanilla ice-cream

 

Apple Filling with agave nectar, lemon juice and flour

 

For some reason, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon look so beautiful together…

 

Brown Sugar and Cinnamon

 

Ingredients for the Topping

 

Ready for the oven

 

The result is a very clean and lean Apple Crisp that I’ve enjoyed many times. Thanks, Kim!

 

Kim's Apple Crisp

 

Apple Crisp

 

 

Have a great week everyone!

~Lyn

 

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Lyn’s Banana Bread

Jan 6, 2012 by

I’ve been making this banana bread for a few years now. It somehow never fails. Everybody loves it and I’m so happy to be sharing it with you. It’s definitely “lighter” than most recipes which is great because I really don’t care for the guilt that comes along with loaded baked goods. So this recipe satisfies me. I found this recipe on Food Network Canada and I’ve made my changes to get it to where I like it.

Bananas should never EVER go to waste. I learned a few years back that over-ripe bananas can be stored in the freezer for baking. That advice was like gold to me. I now use frozen bananas for porridge, smoothies and banana bread.

I love Banana Bread. Even more so with dark chocolate chips.

I use 2 bananas because I found using 3 made the bread overly moist, which wasn’t so nice for me. I love that yogurt is used as the binding agent instead of eggs. Notice too, that butter is absent. The garnish on top is optional too, it’s really there to make the cake look even prettier. The cake on its own is delicious. Yes, even without the chocolate chips.

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – Ready for the oven

 

Banana Bread

 

Lyn's Banana Bread
 
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A lighter version of a wonderful family favourite - Banana Bread
Author:
Recipe type: Bread
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • 2 very ripe bananas
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup all purpose, unbleached flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ tsp Allspice
  • 1 ripe banana, sliced, to bake on top of bread as a garnish (optional)
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Lightly grease a 4-inch X 8-inch loaf pan.
  3. In a large bowl, mash bananas. Add the honey, vanilla, sugar, yogurt and oil. Mix to combine.
  4. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, salt and allspice.
  5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined.
  6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  7. Arrange banana slices decoratively on top of the batter, if desired.
  8. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, until golden and a knife inserted comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes before cutting into slices.
Notes
Adapted from http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Fruit/recipe.html?dishid=5918

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

 

If you ever get around to making this bread, please do think of me. Imagine me with a big smile on my face, whispering sweetly…”I told you so”

Have an amazing weekend!

 

~Lyn   XoXo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ginger Molasses Cookies

Jan 5, 2012 by

Holiday baking was fun for me. I generally look for recipes that are quick and have fairly simple ingredients. I had been searching  for cookie recipes for a few days during the holiday season (lots to go through) and I was really happy to try this. I did not adapt the ingredients for this recipe in any way. It was perfect just the way it was. Find the original recipe here.

My kids loved it, and honestly, I had a hard time restraining myself while they were cooling. I messed up my first batch because I tried to bake 8 cookies on a tray. And when I say messed up, I just mean they baked stuck together and I had to cut them so they looked like weird squares. Tasted great all the same :-). These cookies start out small but they do spread quite a bit. 6 Cookies go on a 15.5inch X 10.5inch rimmed baking tray.

I made this recipe 3 times over the holidays! Yep, they were that good! I was able to give them as gifts and as a treat at a New Year gathering. I did my cookie baking at night so I did not get to take too many photographs but here are some that I shared on Facebook while I was making them.

Here they are, “chilling out” in the fridge before baking.

Ginger Molasses Cookies – Prep

 

And here is the first batch cooling. Thank goodness for stackable cooling racks! I only have 3 racks but once the cookies cooled, I transferred them to a cookie pan to make way for the set coming out of the oven. I definitely need more baking trays. This will reduce the overall cooking time drastically.

Ginger Molasses Cookies Cooling

 

 

Ginger Molasses Cookies
 
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Cookies for the holidays but are good enough for any time of the year.
Author:
Recipe type: Cookies
Ingredients
  • ½ cup butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 2 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup sugar for rolling
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, mix butter and sugars until combined
  2. Add molasses and mix until incorporated
  3. In a small bowl, whisk eggs gently to break up the yolks
  4. Add eggs to the molasses mixture and mix until combined
  5. In a medium bowl, add dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.
  6. Gradually add dry ingredients into molasses mixture and mix together with a spoon (or a mixer, if you like)
  7. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour
  8. When chilled, use a mini-scoop to grab small portions and then roll into smooth balls.
  9. Roll each ball in the granulated sugar and assemble onto a baking tray. Allow to chill for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator
  10. Once chilled, place 6 balls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet (I used a 15.5inch X 10.5inch rimmed sheet) leaving about 2-3 inches between each ball
  11. The balls waiting to be baked should remain in the refrigerator until ready to go in the oven
  12. Bake for 12 minutes in a 350 degree oven
  13. Bake in batches until the balls are finished. This recipe yields 54-56 cookies
Notes
Recipe from www.addapinch.com

 

Ginger Molasses Cookies for the Christmas Holidays

 

Ginger Molasses Cookies – Gift

 

I really enjoyed these cookies. They were delightfully crispy and had a satisfying crunch. I might make some more this week – just because! 🙂

 

 

 

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Family Dining During The Holidays

Jan 4, 2012 by

For a holiday meal for my family, I generally don’t go overboard. There’s no need since there’s only 2 adults and 2 little picky eaters. Larger families may prepare turkey or ham or a whole chicken, but this does not work for my household at the moment. I did however, prepare some things for the first time. As always, I cook with faith, hoping that the meal will turn out great.

Success strikes again! I made Lamb Loin Chops – freestyle. Plus Buttermilk Chicken and my husbands favourite lasagna. I’m sharing the recipe for the Lamb today because it is so simple and the lamb chops were so elegant.

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb Chops

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb Chops
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A simple recipe using Rosemary and Thyme as the main seasoning
Author:
Recipe type: entrée
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 8 pieces Lamb Loin Chops
  • 2 Tsp Fresh Rosemary, chopped
  • 2 Tsp Dried Thyme
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, cut in half
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 2 Tsp All Purpose Seasoning
  • Olive Oil for Searing
  • ¼ Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Instructions
  1. Season Lamb on both sides with Salt, Pepper, Rosemary, Thyme and All Purpose Seasoning. Set aside for about 20 minutes.
  2. In a large dutch oven (or skillet), sautee garlic until oil is fragrant. Remove garlic and discard.
  3. Add lamb gently to the pot. Brown on both sides about 5 minutes per side.
  4. Reduce heat and add chicken broth.
  5. Cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes until meat is soft and tender.

 

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb Chops

 

The lamb smelled wonderful as I browned them. I’m not sure how often I’ll be cooking lamb, but these pieces were very tender and flavourful.

Rosemary Thyme Lamb

 

And here was our holiday family dinner. Just for us 🙂 Small. Simple. Made with love.

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb, Lasagna, Rice & Peas, Buttermilk Chicken

 

 

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