Bruschetta Recipe

Diced Roma Tomatoes, Oregano, Salt, Pepper and Olive Oil

6 Ingredient Bruschetta!

Ingredients:
Oregano
Fresh Ground Pepper
Salt
Crushed Garlic
Olive Oil
Tomatoes


Instructions:

Chop some tomatoes, season with salt and pepper. 

Sprinkle with oregano, to taste.

Add some crushed garlic and a drizzle of olive oil and ENJOY!

Serve on toasted bread as is traditional, or try as a topping for fish or chicken!

Cassie Salad

Cassie Salad

A flavourful combination of sweet caramelized onions, tangy goat cheese, hearty chick peas and tuna & creamy avocado; covered in a delicious feta balsamic dressing.  Perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients:

1 cup Israeli couscous

½ cup caramelized onions

1 can (425 grams) chick peas

½ cup diced cucumber

1 can (95 gram) albacore tuna

200 grams diced feta cheese

¼ thinly sliced red onion

1 avocado diced

Instructions:

Combine Ingredients in large bowl and toss with dressing.

Feta Balsamic Dressing:

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons (90 ml) olive oil

2 tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons (30 grams) crumbled feta cheese

1 tablespoon (15 ml) finely chopped fresh oregano

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) minced garlic

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in small bowl and whisk until combined and feta becomes creamy.  Drizzle over salad and toss to coat.

This salad "Cassie Salad" is a tribute to my longtime assistant Cassie Kurnik who is now a wonderful teacher!

Wine Review - Taste Ontario Features Great Wines: Thirty Bench, East Dell

I had the pleasure of attending Taste Ontario 2013 and was thrilled with the assortment of local wines produced here in Ontario.

Please check out my wine review on Natalie Maclean's blog along with some other reviews that highlight the event!

http://www.nataliemaclean.com/blog/taste-ontario-features-great-wines-thirty-bench-east-dell/

The Delicious Food Show - Grand Opening

This morning I had the pleasure to attend the grand opening ceremony for this year's Delicious Food Show.

 Upon entering the venue you are greeted by beautiful booths and the smell of tasty treats.  Food trucks and exhibits filled with mouth watering goodies are everywhere! It's quite the foodies dream!

" From the creators of the One of a Kind Show and the Interior Design Show comes the Delicious Food Show, returning for its sophomore year to the Better Living Centre in Toronto, Canada from October 25-27, 2013. The Delicious Food Show is an interactive consumer-based tradeshow showcasing the latest and hottest in food products, wine and spirits, restaurants and food equipment. Mike Chalut will host The Food Network’s Celebrity Kitchen presented by The Home Depot Canada, upon which some of the world’s most notable culinary genii – including Martha Stewart, Michael Smith, Nadia G, Chuck Hughes, Lynn Crawford and David Rocco – will lead cooking demonstrations and entertaining presentations. This year’s show is solidifying itself as the food show of all food shows - get ready to sauté, sizzle and simmer the weekend away." 

During Martha's press conference and "ribbon cutting" (she used cake, so appropriate!)  we were introduced to Martha's newest book, Martha Stewart's Cakes featuring 150 of her mouthwatering recipes. She also is signing books at the event today! Luckily, due my persistence, I was able to meet Martha personally and at over 70 years old her beauty is astonishing!  This is the new book:

Also at the festival were Toronto's "Dream-team" of interior design were the lovely duo Steven and Chris.  Looking dapper as always the cheerful pair interviewed Martha in the lovely Home Depot kitchen.

Faith, Chris and Steven

Steven, Chris and Martha in the Kitchen

Home Depot Canada sponsored the event and the lovely Martha Stewart Kitchens.  President, Bill Lennie, offered Martha a warm introduction and attended the show.

Home Depot Canada President Bill Lennie and myself

The event continues all weekend so grab some loose fitting clothes so that you can try all of the goodies and head on down! I will be back tomorrow so look out for the food posts!

Apple Cider Vinegar - Health Benefits

The benefits of apple cider vinegar are endless.  Apple cider vinegar can be used for a wide range of health benefits including everything from alleviating cols symptoms to curing hiccups.  Some people turn to apple cider vinegar to help fight heart problems, fight diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol and even weight issues.  See the illustration about which illustrates 20 uses for this magic potion!

Delicious Food Show ! This weekend (October 25-27,2013) here in Toronto!

I will be participating in the Delicious Food Show this weekend and providing media coverage.  It's an amazing event featuring celebrity chefs from Food Network and more.  Check out the link and see you there!

http://www.deliciousfoodshow.com/

Chef Challenge - Ultimate Battle for the Cure - Mount Sinai Hospital 2013

Hello there! This year I will be fund raising for Mount Sinai Hospital.  Your tax-deductible donation would be greatly appreciated! Unfortunately so many of us have been directly effected by cancer and a cure can't be far off!

You can support the charitable event by contributing at:

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=2167140&langPref=en-CA

Please note:

The money raised through Chef’s Challenge® supports care and research in women’s cancers at Mount Sinai Hospital. With your support, physicians and researchers can investigate new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat women’s cancers bringing us closer to a cure.

Funds will help:

•          Support women’s cancer research at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital - one of the leading biomedical research facilities in the world, bringing a healthier future to Canadians through breakthroughs in health and disease.
•          Advance the work of the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre -a premiere facility specializing in breast health and disease that helps 33,000 women every year.

Superfood Bananas! Take a couple with you today! Food for Athletes and people on the go!

Healthy Kids - Exotic Meals - How to introduce exotic foods from around the world to your family!

Introducing children to new foods is important to a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.  It can be we have a one bite rule, basically, you have to try one bite and at least see what it tastes like.  This works well as kids seems to like making funny faces and spitting food into napkins.  Sometimes the first try won’t go over so well but the next time they recognize what you are serving and will be more challenging to get your children to try new things that look and taste totally different.    

Making a trip to the local market is an adventure in itself all of the foreign treats and packaging are a feast for the eyes and senses.  Allow your child the opportunity to choose what you will prepare and help cook so they feel a sense of pride and a connection to the food. 

Japanese themed dinner

Another idea that works well is a theme night where you plan a menu based upon an exotic culture and go with it.  Mexican, Indian, Japanese, Chinese the possibilities are endless!  Beautifying your dining room and table with colourful ethnic themed decorations can make your dinner party a mini vacation to anywhere in world.

African themed table setting

Ethiopian dinner platter

Indian dinner platter

Chickpea Salad

Refreshing chick pea salad perfect for picnics, lunch bags or potlucks. Cilantro, yellow pepper, cucumber, red onion & your fave vinaigrette!

Easy Roast Chicken Breasts - 5 Minute Prep!!

Easy Roast Chicken Breasts

Tired after a long day? Can't bear the thought of cooking? This easy and delicious meal takes 5 minutes to prepare and then you can walk away, take off your work clothes, pour a glass of wine and relax!

Ingredients:

1 large bone-in skinless chicken breast per person
1/2 small bag of baby carrots
1/2 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
1 medium sized red pepper, chopped roughly
2 spring onions, chopped roughly
Your favourite chicken seasoning (I like thyme, paprika, garlic & onion powder with some BBQ sauce for colour)


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Layer the vegetables in the bottom of a large roast pan.

Season the chicken in a bowl and lay on top of the vegetables.

Bake for 1 hour uncovered and serve with veggies and rice or pasta.