STRAWBERRY FIZZ COCKTAIL

This past weekend I made a delicious cocktail using some fresh organic Ontario strawberries I picked myself! Since I was at the cottage on Georgian Bay I of course used some Georgian Bay Vodka but you can use whatever you have. I thought this was such an easy yet delicious cocktail I had to share it with you.

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 Strawberries (leave one for garnish and muddle the rest)
1 Oz of Vodka (I used Georgian Bay because it has hints of Vanilla)
4 Oz of Tamarind Jarritos Soda

DIRECTIONS:

Muddle the strawberries and pour into your glass, top with vodka and Tamarind Jarritos Soda. Garnish with a slice of strawberry!

*You can chill the vodka and Jarritos soda to ensure the drink is cold and refreshing.

Sitting on the beach having a Strawberry Fizz Cocktail

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SWEET HONEY SOY SHRIMP MARINADE - GLUTEN FREE OPTION!

This recipe is so easy! I paired this dish with some Japanese sticky rice but you can use any starchy base you like. I would also recommend pairing this with Asian noodles, quinoa if you want to be a little bit healthier or even just on its own if you are trying to optimize your protein intake. This recipe is perfect if you are looking for something to prepare for dinner that is super quick or if you invited someone over last minute. I always keep some frozen shrimp in my freezer so that on the occasion I need to whip up something I have this awesome recipe to fall back on! ENJOY

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup of honey
1/3 cup of soya sauce (you can substitute for a gluten free soya sauce if you want)
2-3 crushed garlic cloves (or minced)
1 tbsp of grated fresh ginger
1 lbs of uncooked, cleaned shrimp
1 tbsp of olive oil
1/4 cup chopped green onion (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:

Mix the honey, soya sauce, garlic and ginger in a large flat bowl. Add in your shrimp and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes

*If you are cooking a starchy base I would start cooking/prepping it now while the shrimp marinade

Heat up a pan on medium heat and add in your olive oil. When the olive oil is warm add in your shrimp including marinade and allow to cook until bright pink! Apx 4-6 minutes.

Remove from heat and add onto your rice (or whatever starch you choose). Garnish with some chopped green onions and enjoy!
 

 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Bon Appetite!!!

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CHORIZO SEAFOOD PAELLA

This time last year I was on my way to Barcelona! Last weekend, in memory of one of my top 5 favorite trip I decided to practice my paella skills. For this paella I went with a traditional chorizo sausage and seafood mix. Things to note: I am a huge fan of saffron as I was heavy on my pinch but you do you. Also the shrimp marinade is on the spicy side so if you are not that into spice go easy on the pepper flakes.   If you are planning to make dinner for a large group paella is great! This one was devour in 15 minutes flat! Enjoy!

VIDEO POSTED BELOW

INGREDIENTS

Marinate Shrimp:
1 lbs of shrimp (peeled and cleaned)
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander

4 Cups of Vegetable Stock
Pinch of salt to taste
Large pinch of saffron (ground)
3 tablespoons of oil
1 Spanish onion (diced)
3 cloves of garlic (grated)
1 cup of wine (split in two)
2 Cups of Paella Rice
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 Chorizo sausages cut up
1/2 lbs of Mussels
1/4 cup of green peas (steamed)
1/2 lbs of Clams1/4 Cup chopped Italian Parsley

DIRECTIONS:

Clean and peel your shrimp, add oil and spices for marinade and set aside in the fridge. 

In a small pot heat up your vegetable stock and add a pinch of salt to taste (this is the only salt I added to the entire dish) Once boiling add in your ground saffron and let steep until you are ready to use it.

Steam peas and set aside.

In a large paella skillet (or any large flat skillet) add in your oil and fry your diced onion until they become translucent. Make sure they dont burn. Add in your garlic and coat them in the oil. Let them cook for a minute or two before you add in your rice and coat the rice in oil.

When ready mix in half your wine, let that evaporate before adding in all your vegetable stock. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.

In a smaller deep skillet add in olive oil to coat the bottom before frying up your chopped chorizo. when they are almost done cooking add in your shrimp and cook until nice and pink.

Remove shrimp and chorizo and add to rice. Leave the greasy bottom and throw in your mussels and clams. Add the remainder of the wine and cover. Let the mussels and clams steam open and the alcohol to evaporate before transferring on top of your paella.

Add your steamed peas and garnish with parsley before you are ready to serve.

ENJOY!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Bon Appetite!!!

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'CHICKEN' NUGGETS - VEGETARIAN

As a kid I loved chicken nuggets!!! They were legit my favorite meal as a child. I recently have been trying to eat healthier, but still have cravings for my beloved chicken nuggets. So when I came across this recipe I thought it was a happy compromise. If you are looking into becoming vegetarian or vegan and want to transition yourself into the lifestyle this is a good recipe for you. It is also pretty easy to make gluten-free as you only have to change the panko bread crumbs to a gluten free option like rice or corn crumbs. Either way I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did.

VIDEO POSTED BELOW

INGREDIENT:

1 (15oz) Can of Chickpeas (Drained and Washed)
2 Eggs (or Vegan Egg Substitute) - One will be used for the breading
1 Cup of Chickpea Flour - 1/2 Cup will be used for the breading
1 TSP of Salt
1/2 TSP Onion Powder
1/2 TSP Garlic Powder
1 TBSP of Poultry Seasoning
1 Cup of Bread Crumbs or Rice/Corn Crumbs for GF option

DIRECTIONS:

Place chickpeas in a food processor and pulse until no large chunks remain. Once finished place chickpeas in a bowl and add one egg and mix together.

Add 1/2 Cup of chickpea flour to bowl along with salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Mix until fully incorporated.*

Form nuggets and place on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.

Once finished place baking tray in the fridge for 20 minutes to that the nuggets maintain form.

When ready remove nuggets from fridge and preheat over to 375 degrees.

Beat your last egg (this is your egg wash). Mix your poultry seasoning with the remaining flour in a bowl. Add breadcrumbs (or gluten free option) to another bowl. Dip each nugget into the flour, followed by the egg wash and lastly the bread crumbs and place back on the parchment paper.

Once oven is ready place baking tray with nuggets in the oven to cook for 20 minutes flipping the nuggets over half way through.

ENJOY!!!

*If you find that the nuggets are really wet and hard to form you can add an extra TBSP of chickpea flour.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Bon Appetite!!!

VEGAN TOFU FRIED RICE

This fried rice recipe has got some POWER! I love a little spice in my food so you know I'm gonna turn it up with this dish but if that's not for you go easy on the garlic chili sauce. I love me some Asian fried rice!!! If you are vegan this tofu dish is perfect for you and if you are not... well dont stop there! I've been known to add some shrimp to this baby or even chicken but you can remix this however you want - just make it your own. Enjoy

VIDEO POSTED BELOW

INGREDIENT:

3/4 Cup of Tofu (diced)
1 Cup of Brown Rice
3-4 TBSP of Soya Sauce or Tamari
2 TBSP of Brown Sugar
1 TBSP of Peanut Butter
1-2 TBSP of Garlic Chili Sauce
1 TSP of Sesame Seed Oil (optional)
4 Cloves of Garlic (Crushed or minced - 1 for Sauce 3 For veggies)
Veggies (Corn, Celery, Peas and Carrots)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven at 400 degrees.

Place diced tofu on a baking tray covered in parchment (wax) paper. Place in the over for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Next get your rice cooking (I usually do two parts water to one part rice)

Time to compose the sauce, add the soya sauce, brown sugar, peanut butter, sesame seed oil, garlic and garlic chili sauce to a bowl and mix!

Once the tofu is ready throw it in the sauce and let it marinate for 5 minutes and soak up all that goodness. 

After five minutes you want to throw it in a pan on medium heat and let that cook up for 5 minutes. DO NOT throw all the sauce in with the tofu, just whatever it is coated in is fine - keep sauce for the veggies and rice.

Remove tofu from pan once cooked and throw in a little more sauce along with the veggies. You want them to soften so you may want to cover the pan to speed up that process and keep moisture in - stir every couple minutes.

Once the veggies are soft add the tofu back in along with some cooked rice and the remainder of the sauce. Mix it all together before serving.

*If you are adding an alternative protein (i.e. chicken or shrimp) you can make extra sauce and marinate it in that prior to cooking it separately and then adding it in at the end.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Bon Appetite!!!