Monthly Archives: May 2012

Sprummer Simplicity –Strawberry Spinach Salad

Posted on by
1

Is it crazy that I already feel the summer flying by? Between a summer job and trying to have as much fun as possible, I’m finding (as usual!) that there just aren’t enough hours in the day.  I just want to gallivant around town, read through the stack of novels that gets totally neglected during the school year, and play in the kitchen… meanwhile, my parents are quite concerned about my messy room (this may be a con to living at home when you’re twenty, but I love my parents.).

Ottawa has been getting some glorious weather lately, and to take advantage of this beautiful, fleeting sprummer (calendar says spring, feels like summer = sprummer. I didn’t invent this word, but I love it!) I’m a big fan of throwing together easy, fresh salads with seasonal produce.

A beautiful hike along the Luskville Falls trail in Gatineau Park. (Next time you’re making a smoothie, throw a little fresh mint in. It’s so refreshing!)

With the farmers markets that are popping up around the city, fresh produce is one of the best ways to celebrate the season.  The Locavore Artisan Food Fair that I talked about a couple weeks ago was a big hit!

Donuts from Suzy Q(spicy chocolate, raspberry white chocolate, and lemon meringue…so good!); people lined up for delicious takeaway from the Stone Soup Foodworks truck; the Flatbread Pizza Company’s exciting Locavore-day menu.

Another great thing about the sunny weather? Sunny weddings! Congrats, Josh & Maria! xo

With The Great Glebe Garage Sale, a potluck dinner, karaoke, more tennis, and sunshine on the horizon it looks like this weekend is shaping up to be another fun one. I’m such a lucky gal. Maybe I’ll even get to cleaning that messy room…
What are you up to this weekend?? Have fun!
Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Baked French Toast

Posted on by
6

Weekday breakfasts for me are usually just something fast and simple, but weekend breakfasts can be special. Without work or school to rush off to, it’s so nice to sit and really enjoy your first meal of the day! As far as “special” breakfasts go, I’m a pretty big fan of french toast; it’s easy, delicious and you can add almost anything to it. Well, this baked french toast takes even less prep time but is still lovely enough to serve for an occasion.
You can put it all together and leave it in the fridge overnight, then all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven! I think everyone can handle that.Ottawa is getting it’s second weekend of beautiful weather in a row, and I can’t get enough of the sunshine (although my lobster red shoulders might disagree).   This long weekend is the perfect time for a languid breakfast in the sun — hope you can take advantage of it!

This baked French toast was part of our Mother’s Day brunch… it was a delicious morning and I have so much love for my wonderful Mum & Nana! 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day…start baking!

Spanish Sweet: Lemon Ricotta Pudding

Posted on by
4

One of my best friends is leaving for Madrid to be an au pair for the next few months.  I am so excited for her, but selfishly I will miss having her in town this summer! She came over for an impromptu dinner the other night, and while the meal was not Spanish I thought it would be fun to serve a Spanish inspired dessert.

My parents gave me this beautiful cookbook for Christmas, The Food Of Spain, and I’ve been dying to try some of its recipes.  I’m excited I finally have!
I didn’t have a lot of time to whip up dessert when I came home from work, but this recipe actually turned out to be perfect for the occasion.  Four ingredients and almost no prep-work later, we had some delicious Spanish Cheese Pudding on our hands. (In the cookbook it is just called “cheese pudding”, but I think Lemon Ricotta Pudding sounds nicer…!)
This simple dessert is the perfect accompaniment for the colourful fruit that is starting to abound at the market and a little drizzle of honey.  The lemon flavour comes through lightly and will be great for easy breezy sunny days, this one is definitely on the “make again” list.
Love you, Laura — buen viaje!! xo

La receta

Light & Airy Coconut Cupcakes

Posted on by
2

I think coconut might be one of my favourite flavours whether it be in a curry or a cupcake (look at that versatility).  Its flavour is distinct but super light and makes me  think of sunny times on an island….which is never terrible. I’ve made my favourite coconut macaroons several times since I discovered how easy they were in December, but I decided it was time for a new coconut dessert in the house and so these coconut cupcakes happened. They were gone the same night they came out of the oven, so I guess everyone liked them!

The recipe from Canadian Living will leave you with nice, fluffy cupcakes. I’m not a huge fan of cream cheese icing as they suggest for the garnish, so I dipped the tops of my cupcakes in melted dark chocolate with some toasted shredded coconut on top. The contrast between the light cupcakes and the strong chocolate is a winner.  I think these are a great sprummer (spring + summer!) treat and would be perfect for a Mother’s Day dessert if any of you are baking for Mum this weekend! Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home

Posted on by
Reply

I’m baaaack. Arrived home just in time to start back at my summer job — a two day work week, so very strenuous!

Ireland was great. Learned so much more about the country’s history and we also learned that my mum’s Irish last name derives from the Gaelic for “half leper” or “of the sick”…how lovely!
I can’t imagine that I would ever sign myself up to hike for more than a day (two max!), so I guess I’ve got to thank my Dad for throwing me out on to the trail! I was worried we wouldn’t be left with enough time in Dublin, but we managed to pack a lot in. What a cool city. We had a small window of opportunity when our whole family could travel together, so I’m really glad we had this trip. I’m a lucky gal!

Molly Malone: “The Tart With The Cart” on Grafton Street in Dublin

Now that I’m home I’m really looking forward to catching up with friends this weekend, some tennis in the sun, and celebrating my wonderful mum! Also pretty excited for the spring edition of the Ottawa Locavore Artisan Food Fair.  If you live in Ottawa you have to check this out! I went to their last one around Christmas time and it was great! I’m sure this one will only be more popular.  Stone Soup Foodworks, who I’ve raved about before, will be there as well as many, many other celebrated artisans. What a great first weekend back in  town, hope yours is too!

Hello from County Galway!

Posted on by
Reply

We arrived at the Shannon airport bright and early Sunday morning and hopped on a bus to Galway and then off to Oughterard. Since then we’ve been hiking from one B&B to the next, stopping in the little towns we pass through to see the sites, and for tasty dinners at the end of the day (with a pint of Guinness, of course!). The Irish hospitality has been absolutely lovely, and the rugged landscapes are stunning. I decided to travel light, so my laptop is at home and I won’t be able to upload any pictures until we return (the horror!). So, I’ll leave you with this snapshot from my iPhone savvy brother — the best way to soothe tired muscles after a few days of hiking through the Irish countryside? The Connemara Seaweed Baths should do the trick…

20120502-172733.jpg

Today was our first full day of sunshine, I’m hoping we can keep it with us for the rest of our rambling! Two more days of hiking and then we’re off to explore Dublin, any suggestions??