Category: Kitchen Experiments

Tomato season is coming to an end

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy Eating, Kitchen Experiments, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Whether you think it is a fruit or a vegetable, the tomato should be a staple in all kitchens. Sadly, once the end of October nears, I become deprived of this plump, succulent and essential pantry item.

There are several tomato varieties but I often gravitate to kumato and heirloom tomatoes. Kumato tomatoes are a brownish red and hail from Spain. Heirloom tomatoes vary in colour and shape. When at the market, I will spend several minutes looking at tomatoes, smelling them. I always look for that earthy, luscious smell. The scent of the vine still lingering.

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Over the last few weeks, I have been getting my fill of tomatoes: in salads, tarts, quiches, sauces and everything in between.

Quiche
Feta, tomato and olive quiche
Tart
Heirloom tomato and goat cheese tart

 

Soon, the scent of the vine will fade and the colour will dissolve. But until then, tomatoes will be a constant in my fridge.

 

Sunday Kitchen Experiments: Cilantro Lime Chicken with Black Bean Rice

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy Eating, Kitchen ExperimentsLeave a comment

The last few weeks have been very busy at work. By the time I get home, I do not feel like cooking anything so I have been resorting to unhealthy take out options.

I know this week is not going to be any different, so today I planned on cooking a meal that I could reheat in the next couple of days.

So here is my #pinterestwin.

What I loved about this recipe was how quick the prepping was. A handful of ingredients, one pot …

…and presto, dinner is served!

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Thank you @cookingclassy1 for the recipe.  http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/04/one-pan-cilantro-lime-chicken-and-rice-with-black-beans/

BON APÉTIT!

 

Sunday Kitchen Experiments: Blue cheese stuffed pork chops with pear

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Kitchen ExperimentsLeave a comment

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!

 

 

Kitchen Experiments

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy Eating, Kitchen ExperimentsLeave a comment

Some months ago I resolved to change the way I eat. Cooking for one was not enjoyable for me; spending so much time slaving over a stove and then eating over the sink was not quite what I imagined to be delightful.

So now, I make an effort to try new recipes. Once the meal has been prepared and plated, I take a photograph of it and post it on Instagram. It as become a way to be creative and relieve the day’s stresses.

On the menu this evening: Lemon Garlic Butter Cod with Green Beans and Beets.

Lemon Garlic Butter Cod

It was delicious.