Broccoli & Pine Nut Soup

I had some broccoli left in the fridge that was on its last legs and it was lunch time.  I was hungry and I was craving something healthy and delish, but not a salad – for once.  

Fresh Mint Tea

Fall is my favourite season.  But this year, I welcome it with a bit of sadness – sadness knowing my garden season is coming to an end. 

Surprise – Hello Kitty Edible Arrangement!

What a surprise to answer the door and find a super cute Hello Kitty edible arrangement!!

Italian Walnut-Raisin Whole-Wheat Bread

I'm a toast eater.  Raisin toast with peanut butter eater to be precise.  The bread itself has changed throughout the years, but it has been my go to breakfast for 15+ years.  I literally look forward to it every morning.  How crazy is that?!

I found THE best raisin walnut bread at a small bakery while living in Japan.  I used to toast it up in my toaster oven and either eat it with butter or peanut butter if I was lucky (meaning I had some left over from one of the batches my mum shipped out to me!).  I've been searching for something that comes somewhat close, without any lucky.  Until possibly now.

Floral Friday – Mint Flower

This is the first year that I've ever grown mint – spearmint to be exact.  I remember my mum growing it when I was a kid and loving grabbing a few leaves to munch on while passing by.  

English Cucumbers Update & Pickle Salad with a Kick

My English cucumber plants are in total production mode!  My earlier wishes for them to catch up to my basil have come to fruition J

First Garden Salad of the Season

This is why I love having a garden – I can simply head outside and pick whatever is ripe and create a lovely salad.  Such a great accompaniment to meals in the summer. 

Basil Seedlings Update

As you can see from my Basil & Goat Cheese Pesto post, I'm already making great use of the bountiful green leaves my little basil seedlings have produced! 

Basil & Goat Cheese Pesto

The last several years I have been growing basil as it is my favorite herb and pairs so well with cucumbers and tomatoes (two other staples in my garden).  Every year I plan on making a batch of pesto, but always hold off not wanting to demolish my basil plants.  This year I said nuts on that and tackled a batch nice and early.

Carrot Ginger Soup

OMG – this soup is ridiculously good.  So good, I kept grabbing spoonfuls every time I passed the pot while it was cooling down.  Hot or cold, it was scrumptious!

Roasted Beet & Garlic Salad with Fresh Herbs

Beets are one of those vegetables that I can’t seem to get enough of.  The method I use for preparing beets is typically to roast them with some garlic and decide from there how I want to finish them off – soup, salad, side dish, etc.  Today I am sharing one of the many salad variations in my repertoire (mostly based on what I have readily available in the fridge J). 

Coleslaw

I've been tinkering in the kitchen today trying out a new rib recipe, which also means whipping up a batch of coleslaw.  In my household coleslaw is the accompaniment of choice and with BBQ season rapidly heading our way, I thought a post on the crunchy side would be apropos. 

Cream of Crimini Mushroom Soup

I know I have come up with something good when, half way through an avid conversation, there’s a pause for appreciation of the yumminess they are eating.  This was the reaction to this seriously intense mushroom flavoured soup.