Food for your Mood!

It's that time of year, when everyone seems to get a little gloomy and moody. I was reading up on foods to improve your mood and here is what I came up with.

Oatmeal! Oatmeal smoothes out blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar into the blood.

Walnuts! (Why not use them as an oatmeal topping?) Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, a type of fat that's needed for brain cells and mood-lifting neurotransmitters to function properly and help with depression.

Tea (and even coffee)! This one is obvious. Those of us who love coffee and tea already know about the instant boost we get from it. Just know your limits. Don't over-do the caffeine. Try switching to Decaf or herbal infusions after your first cup. Rooibos is always a yummy option (I love Tazo's Vanilla Rooibos) or a nice refreshing mint tea.

*Remember: All black, white and green teas are caffeinated. The tea leaves come from the same plant and are just processed/fermented differently.

Salmon (for vitamin D)! Especially in the winter when we don't get quite enough vitamin D from the small amount of sunlight we do get. Research has suggested that vitamin D increases our levels of serotonin. Try it instead of canned tuna in your sandwiches (with a little fresh dill). For me, I'll take salmon sashimi, or smoked salmon. Yum.

Lentils! Lentils are an excellent source of folate (low levels have been linked to depression), a B vitamin that appears to be essential for mood and proper nerve function in the brain. Use them in soups, or cold bean salads with cherry tomatoes and other fresh veggies.

Mashed Cauliflower

I really love cauliflower. I was craving it last night the way my mom likes to cook it. So, around midnight last night, I attempted the recipe. It was delicious and so simple (I love when delicious and simple get together).

- Take one head of cauliflower, chop into pieces and boil it in salted water much for about 10 minutes (longer if you like...try to over-boil it)
- When done, drain the water and add a tablespoon of butter, 3-4 tablespoons of cream cheese and salt & pepper to taste.
- Mash away and enjoy!

I love it!

The Flu!

My good friend Adam is sick with the flu. This is what I suggested to him.

Take a few chunks of fresh ginger root, 3-4 tablespoons of honey, and 3-4 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add boiling water (either in a thermos or a pot on the stove) and sip on it all day. If you're feeling up to it, add some cayenne pepper or crushed garlic.

Feel better soooooon!

Anise Hyssop Cookies

These cookies are wonderful! I've been meaning to post the recipe for these for some time now. My brother Brian gave me some of his anise hyssop for m birthday. A delicious tea and surprisingly great in a cookie!

Anise Hyssop Cookies

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped anise hyssop
leaves and flowers
1 large egg
8 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup almond butter
2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix together the sugar, anise hyssop, egg, butter, and almond butter. Mix in the flour and salt. Roll the dough into two cylinders each about 2 inches in diameter, place in a plastic container, and chill for one hour. Preheat the oven to 350* F. Slice the dough into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.

Pannekoeken for Mike

I keep forgetting that Mike loves these pancakes and wants this recipe. Here you go Mike. These are super easy and fun to make.

Pannekoeken!

4 eggs
4 cups of milk
2 teaspoons of salt
4 1/2 cups of flour
butter for cooking
Whisk eggs until slightly foamy. Add milk, whisking constantly, until combined. Add a pinch of salt, then slowly add flour.
Heat a 10- to 12-inch nonstick pan over medium
heat. Add about 1 teaspoon butter, and swirl to
coat bottom of pan. Add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup
batter, and tilt the pan to swirl the batter around
the bottom.
Cook on one side until browned in spots, about 3 minutes. Add fillings and a drizzle a little batter on top if you want filled pancakes. Flip pancake, and continue to cook until browned on second side,
about 3 minutes more.
Place on a plate, and cover with a large pan lid.
Keep stacking the pancakes, then covering, and
they will stay warm. Some favourites for fillings are:
- Blueberries, brown sugar and cream cheese
- Zucchini, mushroom and shredded chedder
- Bacon and mushroom
- Chopped apple and cheddar
- Leftover taco toppings
- Any nut butter or sliced cheese with jam
- Yesterday we used mozzarella and sliced breakfast sausages
- Spinach, feta and sun-dried tomato would be good too!

Blondies

I haven't posted in a while. I really shouldn't let that happen. Right now I have some blondies in the oven. I was going to make them for James on Valentine's day but never got around to it. I hope he'll love them just as much today.

Blondies
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup tightly packed brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup of all purpose flour
1/3 cup butterscotch chips (or walnut pieces)

Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly butter and flour an 8x8 pan. Whisk together. melted butter and sugar. Whisk in egg and vanilla extract. Combine baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour. Mix everything together and add butterscotch chips. Pour into pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool. Cut into squares and serve. Makes about 9 blondies.

Prince Edward County has made a lot of effort to promote culinary tourism in the region. The website is beautiful, clear and easy to navigate. It showcases all of the events and links to culinary tourism examples in the area. Not only is the website titled Taste The County, but among the many events and attractions is TASTE! A Celebration of Regional Cuisine. I love that it's described as a celebration, because that's what it should be all about. If one is new to the area, or only has a small window of opportunity to enjoy the region, how nice to come on a day to sample all of the regions best and most celebrated foods. Hopefully I can make time to attend this event next September.

http://www.tastecelebration.ca/


I also wanted to mention how beautiful the Taste Trail website is. I was driving along the 401 the other day and noticed a lot of signage in the area for the Taste Trail. A lot of effort has been put into this and I think it was extra smart to use the word TASTE in all the advertising/websites/events. It links it all together.

http://www.tastetrail.ca/index.html

Rice with Lime

Rice with Lime

This recipe is taken from The Mexican Cookbook by Marlena Spieler. I used this recipe the other night on my mother's birthday. It was so delicious that from now on whenever making it, I only have to say that I'm make THE rice. I've made it twice this week already.

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, very finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
1 cup of long grain rice
2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
lime zest, to garnish
lime wedges, to serve (optional)

ONE - Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook gently, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the rice and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring. Pour in the stock, increase the heat, and bring the rice to a boil. Reduce the heat to a very low simmer.

TWO - Cover and cook the rice for 10 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

THREE - Sprinkle the lime juice and fluff the rice to mix in the juice. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and garnish with lime zest. Serve with lime wedges.

This is so easy to make and so worth it. Enjoy!

Yasi's Place

Yasi's Place

Last week James and I were in Toronto. On our second day there I zoomed in on Google Maps to the neighbourhood we were in and typed coffee in the search box. I always need to find good coffee wherever I go. The map showed that just a couple of blocks from the house, tucked into the neighbourhood and away from the main streets was Yasis' Place at 299 Wallace Street. The website informed us that not only could we get great coffee, but breakfast and lunch would be served as well.

It was such a comfort to find a place like this. I felt at home in the middle of a big city I don't belong to yet. We walked in, took a seat and our server came over to take our drink orders. I was desperate for a double cappuccino (just right) and James ordered an orange pekoe tea. All of their teas are loose leaf and come in filtered tea pots. Jumping ahead a little, I want to mention that all of their take-out containers and utensils are compostable. Yay! The furniture is fun and I especially love the cassettes hanging from the walls.

James ordered the breakfast with eggs, toast, bacon and homefries (the homefries are amazing...make sure you at least get a side order). I had the Portabello Mushroom with tomato and tofu sandwich on a delicious herbed foccacia bread. I ordered a mixed side of their fresh green salad with apple slices and pea shoots and of course, the homefries. The homefries are somewhat spicy coated chunks of potato. So good!

I'll leave it at that. If you're looking for a comfortable neighbourhood cafe in a urban setting with lots of character, check it out. We're likely to be regulars within a few months.

http://www.yasisplace.ca/