Shakshouka
For brunch, I love a rich and divine dish. I want a meal that stands out. I want a dish that makes me question if I want to eat anything else for the day. I want a platter that holds my attention. And what if …
Toggle header
a competitive BBQ cook's food curiosity
Vegetable
Mediterranean Inspired Orzo
Meatless Mondays can be flavorful and delicious, and it can be done with this Mediterranean Inspired Orzo. Powerful seasonings like sundried tomatoes, olives, curly leaf parsley and feta cheese will taunt the tastebuds and fill your stomach without realizing you are missing anything. This recipe …
Miso Chocolate Cauliflower
The delicate balance between sweet and savory is achieved in a simple surprising vegetable dish, Miso Chocolate Cauliflower. This dish is unexpected. However, the addition of the separate ingredients works. The savory aspect of white miso is mellowed by creamy chocolate. The sweetness of chocolate …
Smoked Acorn Squash & Toasted Cornbread
What if the squishy yet meaty texture of Acorn squash is paired with a light, fluffy, toasted cornbread and rounded out as a dish? Ideal for brunch or light lunch, it’s a surprising delightful and composed dish. This recipe also works great with leftover cornbread. …
Harvest Grains & Grill Bowl
Harvest Grains and Grill Bowl, a guilt free and surprisingly satisfying meal. I typically don’t order vegetarian bowls at a restaurant, add in the extra challenge to cook grains into a tasty dish? I’m in. The secret to delectable, is to ensure all aspects are …
Butternut Squash Souffle
This week’s Supper Challenge is “Spice It Up.” As I was enjoying a warm autumn’s day, I really had to stretch the spice aspect. Autumn is a time of pumpkin spice lattes, root vegetables and belly warming comforts foods. So the best I could do …
Beet Tartare
Beet Tartare, not Beef Tartare. While I haven’t turned into a vegetarian, we could all use more vegetables in our diet. This is a fun way to enjoy some – on a salad, as toast or as a spread. It has the visual appeal of …
Miso Green Beans
I love Asian cooked green beans because they are always cooked with a ton of flavor, no blanching in an Asians kitchen, thus, Miso Green Beans! With the earthy base of miso and spicy kick, you’ll enjoy these and be cooking this again! Best thing …
Korean Grilled Squid Rings
Squid is deceivingly easy to grill and for a simple flavor twist, Korean Grilled Squid Rings hit the spot. Starting the grill with aromatics – onion and scallions will perfume the air to get your mouth watering. The sweet caramelization of the onions balances the …
Canadian Caesar Salad
Happy Canada Day! What says, “Canadian” in a cool summer meal on Canada’s birthday? Caesar in a Caesar salad. When Walter Chell developed a custom cocktail for a restaurant opening, he likely didn’t consider this would be an iconic Canadian drink. This savory cocktail with …
Cauliflower Greek Salad
When the weather is warm, I love enjoying meals outside. Cauliflower Greek Salad is the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats! The brine of olives and feta cheese cuts through the rich sizzle of crispy and juicy chicken. So so so delicious! I truthfully can’t say …
Grilled Mushroom Pesto Toast
Avocado Toast was all the rage for a while; so that got me thinking, what about a Grilled Mushroom Pesto Toast? A hint of smoke, an herb garlic spread and flavor all the way! With this week’s Supper Challenge listed as “pesto,” pasta was not …
Crab(less) Tofu Cakes
When you’re >1000 km from the closest ocean, Crab(less) Tofu Cakes can substitute. What do you know? They’re vegetarian and perfect for Meatless Mondays too! On a serious note, I’m clearly a carnivore at heart, so when it comes to any sort of cooking, the …
Creamed Spinach
Deliciously rich and creamy, this restaurant style, Creamed Spinach can be made in your own home. Plus, who doesn’t love the antioxidants, iron content and the health benefits of spinach? This recipe is a keeper! Creamed spinach is an excellent side dish to steak, chicken, …
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Its a household treat at Thanksgiving for Sweet Potato Casserole, but for “Easter” Supper Challenge, I wanted to enjoy a more savory version of this root vegetable. I wanted to use fresh herbs with a flavorful umami base. I think this casserole is just that! …
Osaka Style Okonomiyaki
This Japanese street food is an Asian cross between a cabbage based pizza and a pancake. A cooked cabbage patty with delicious toppings like bacon, shrimp, squid or octopus can be enjoyed. In North America, an okonomiyaki sounds a little odd, but don’t judge it …
Kimchi (spicy pickled Korean vegetables)
Kimchi is so great for your gut, its full of probiotics and bacteria that is good for your body. Often served as a Korean side dish, these spicy pickled vegetables help reduce inflammation, low in sugar and has flavor to distract you from the vegetable …
Lime Cilantro Cauliflower Rice
Its a much lighter meal when cauliflower rice fills your plate. Its not hard to skip the carbs and fill your rice with flavor instead. This is the perfect accompaniment to Cuban Mojo Shrimp, so if you want a full meal, this is it! In …
Caramelized Maple Brussel Sprouts
Caramelized brussel sprouts with maple syrup and bacon will add a new dimension to brussel sprouts you grew up with. Magically browning these little cabbages removes the bitterness of the vegetable. Add steak spice, bacon and maple flavors and these little cabbages will be thoroughly …
Spaghetti Squash Rosé
Have you experienced the autumn symphony? Cool weather, fall leaves and migrating birds calls for spaghetti squash rosé in the repertoire of warm, hearty dishes. That’s a lot of words for WOW this dish is amazing! Its so amazing, that we have promptly bought a …
Korean Inspired Brussel Sprouts with Pan Fried Mackerel
The best thing about Korean food is the flavor punch! It might have been the K-cup with spicy pork I had for lunch, but when I thought about cooking the young brussel sprouts in the fridge, I had to cook it. Conveniently, I live by …
Salsa Verde (Green Salsa)
I was incredibly giddy when gifted a bag of tomatillos. In Canada, locating tomatillos is uncommon, to say the least. Ask a Canadian where to find tomatillos and they say, toma-wha? Describe a tomaillo as a green tart tomato and more blank stares – you …
Harvest Vegetarian Lasagna
For Supper Challenge this week, the theme is “layers.” With fall in full swing, I’m looking for comfort food and a challenge – so harvest vegetarian lasagna??!! If I’m going to all veggie, those veggies better stand out and be full flavored. Alright, veggies, layer …
Vegetarian Spiced Lentil (Dal) Soup with Apples, Ginger and Tumeric
I’m not kidding, this vegetarian soup with lentils is absolutely delicious! Second helpings by everyone at dinner! I love a challenge, especially for the weekly @supperchallenge. For “apple” this week, I want to cook apples in a savory way. When I came across a recipe …
Strawberry Kale Salad with Blues Hog Tennessee Red Dressing
BBQ is not just for meat lovers, so when looking for a full flavored lighter dinner, I’ll make a Strawberry Kale Salad with Blues Hog Tennessee Red Dressing. Blues Hog makes this awesome sweet and tangy sauce that has a great zest. While Tennessse Red …
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Kale and Pickled Mustard Cabbage
Can mushrooms burst with flavor and nutrients without much loved bacon or cheese? The answer is yes! I’m on a personal challenge to ensure that vegetables really stand out at the dinner table without basting the vegetables in high amounts of fat. So, how can …