Sunday Kitchen Experiments: Blue cheese stuffed pork chops with pear

Experimenting in the kitchen has become another creative outlet for me. On the weekends I will spend some time looking at old cook books, Pinterest and some of my favourite chefs’ websites for inspiration.

Sometimes I will buy the ingredients prior to finding the recipe and work backwards. On my shopping trip to the grocery store yesterday, I picked up some pork chops, pears, blue cheese and numerous other things.

The combination of pork chops and blue cheese enticed me and so my search began for the prefect, easy recipe.

I came across She Knows’s recipe and thought why not. It appeared to be simple enough and did not require too long to achieve a scrumptious dinner.

I felt that the chops needed a side, so I made one of my specialties: mashed pepper squash with butter and brown sugar.

 

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The prep and cooking time did not take long at all but the end result lacked some seasoning and although good, it was not as delectable as some other recipes I have tried.

If you are looking to try out the recipe, add salt, more cheese and cook the pears a little longer.

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Bon appétit!

 

 

The need to escape

In the last week or so, I have not been able to shake this feeling of sadness that has taken a hold of me.  When things start getting to me, whether it be work, home or the world, I usually book an escape. Run away for a few days to clear my head and to remind me of all the good things that life has to offer.

Paris is most often my first choice to restore my serenity. Unfortunately, that is not in the cards for me right now. Hopefully early next year, I will get a chance to go back and soak it all in.

Until then, I am experiencing my favourite places in Paris through photographs.

Eiffel
La Tour Eiffel – the love of my life

Every trip to Paris, there are few tried and true things that I always do:

  • Salade landaise from Chez Papa
  • Ice cream from Amorino
  • Desserts from anywhere and everywhere

 

The Seine
The sunsets over the Seine

Some places, I return to over and over again. Some because of the way I feel in them, others to watch the changing light reflect off a particular window, sculpture or brick.

 

And the epitome of all things Parisian (at least for me): Les Bouquinistes along the Seine and Paris street signs.

BouquinisteStreet signs

PARIS, JE T’AIME.

Kitchen Experiments: Lemon Thyme Chicken with Arugula Salad

I was home sick yesterday and since I could not focus on reading, I spent the bulk of the day watching TV. Nothing in particular, just quite a bit of zapping.

And then Jamie Oliver caught my eye. He was making rosemary chicken kebabs with a spinach, citrus and feta salad. I was still not 100% focused so I do not recall all the ingredients, but it stuck with me. Having been inspired yesterday, I tried my own hand at chicken skewers.

I marinated the chicken in garlic, thyme, lemon juice, olive oil and salt.
I marinated the chicken in garlic, thyme, lemon juice, olive oil and salt

I let the chicken marinade for a couple of hours before threading the pieces on wooden skewers.  And then onto the grill pan.

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While the chicken was grilling, I began the salad prep: sliced a bosc pear, crumbled some blue cheese and tossed it with arugula and a balsamic dressing.

Salad

Once the chicken was cooked, I removed it from the skewers et voilà!

Bon appétit!
Bon appétit!

Cosmopolitan Bogotá

The first time I planned to visit my offshore call centre in Bogotá, Colombia, corporate security sat me down for a stern talking to. I was given a long list of things not to do: don’t hail a cab, don’t wear jewelry, don’t leave the hotel, don’t speak to anyone, etc… We have all heard the stories about Colombia and the risks of traveling to the country. The only risk is that you will not want to leave!

Bogotá  is a beautiful green city nestled in the Andes mountains. The city is home to  an abundance of parks, restaurants and historic sites.

View o f the mountains from the call centre terrace
View o f the mountains from the call centre terrace
Usaquén
Usaquén

La Candelaria is the historic centre of Bogotá replete with museums, schools and colonial architecture. It is a must see.

San Bartolome
Colegio de San Bartolomé
Plaza Simon Bolivar
Plaza Simon Bolivar
Museo Botero
Museo Botero

Plaza Simon Bolivar Plaza Simon Bolivar 3 Bogota Tram La Candelaria Door La Candelaria