Canadian Mom Blogger - Product Reviews, Travel, Food and Parenting
In our search for the best weekday meals, my husband and I find ourselves craving new and different dishes that break us out of the routine of chicken, fish and beef. That’s why we’ve recently become big fans of an unsung hero of weekday dinners…ground pork!
Affordable, versatile and delicious, there are so many ways of using ground pork for dinner. And right now, this easy Instant Pot Ground Pork Casserole is a favourite.
A few weeks ago, my fiance and I were setting the table for dinner and he mentioned that one thing we’ve really mastered since moving in with one another is the family dinner. Without fail, the four of us manage to sit down to a home-cooked meal almost every night. And even on nights when Jeremy’s job takes him to work, the boys and I have a family dinner of our own.
Making meals that we enjoy as adults, but that are still kid-friendly, is a big help when it comes to making family dinner a priority. And since we’re a typical busy family, having quick and easy meals in our repertoire is a must. That’s why Canadian Beef is a frequent choice for our dinner table! Whether we’re cooking up succulent burgers, tender steak or spicy tacos, beef is the perfect fast and delicious choice for the whole family!
Looking for a great recipe for those busy weeknights? This easy Peanut Beef takes just twenty minutes to make and is a surefire crowd pleaser! Serve it over rice or vermicelli and tailor the vegetables to suit your family’s tastes for a meal that kids and adults will both enjoy! [Read more…]
I love experimenting with different ethnic cuisines when I cook, I’m guessing partly because my mom was born in Finland and made so many traditional Finnish dishes when we were children. When I learned to cook myself, I tried classic French recipes, Chinese dishes, Mexican cooking and any other unique cuisine that interested me. But I have to admit, I’ve never before tried creating a meal with Philippines flavours and part of the reason for that was that I didn’t know much about the cooking style the country uses.
Then I discovered Pulo. This line of marinades and cooking sauces inspired by the 7000 islands of the Philippines make it easy to create an authentic Filipino meal in just minutes using the flavourful sauces and easy included recipes. Of course, even when trying something new I like to experiment a bit so I decided to forgo the recipes included with the sauces and create something new: Mango Chili Peanut Pulled Pork!
Yesterday, January 20th, was National Cheese Lover’s Day, but I have to be honest and say that I really don’t ever need an excuse to eat cheese. It is my all-time favourite food and one of the things I love about it is its versatility. Whether I want to whip up a fancy appetizer such as brie baked in puff pastry or a hearty dinner like homemade lasagna, it’s just a simple fact in my mind that cheese makes everything better.
But while there are plenty of more time-consuming cheese recipes that I love, in this household quick and easy meals are always a top priority. The Kraft Canada website is a constant source of inspiration for me since the recipes, in addition to being delicious, are always so simple to prepare. Of course, I also have a few tried-and-true easy dinner recipes of my own and Kraft cheese is a sure-fire way to make them even better!
That’s why I decided to celebrate National Cheese Lover’s Day and the start of a new year by making an incredibly simple and delicious Tomato Cheese Bake. With just three ingredients, this tasty dish makes a great lunch or light dinner, especially when paired with crusty French bread and a fresh green salad. And it’s even gluten-free!
Living in a small town all my life, I’ve always known that small town tend to be havens that harbour the most delicious food imaginable. And my own hometown is certainly no exception. From the local butcher shop’s famous beef jerky to the local bakery’s decadent brown butter brownies to the family restaurant’s infamous pizza, there are all kinds of culinary delights in Lumsden! And when I’m in the mood for Mexican, there’s no better place to get it than the local tavern. An ice-cold Corona and a Grilled Chicken Taco Salad are always a great way to satisfy my craving!
So when Old El Paso Canada gave me the challenge of indulging in a Mexican meal at a restaurant and then recreating the dish at home, I was only too happy to head out for the evening and spoil myself with a little Mexican food and a tasty beverage. I snapped my picture of the meal and got ready to recreate my favourite Mexican indulgence…with a little help from Old El Paso!
For the ninth year in a row, M&M Meat Shops is encouraging busy families to sit down together for dinner on September 19, 2013 for National Family Dinner Night! Sitting down for dinner is something that families tend to do less and less as our lives get busier, but it really is worth making time for! Family dinner isn’t just a chance to eat; it allows parents and children to reconnect, talk about their day and share triumphs and troubles to ensure a close bond that lasts long after the meal is done.
Of course, it can be hard to get that delicious family dinner ready sometimes, and that’s why M&M Meat Shops offers so many quick and convenient meal options perfect for an on-the-go family. This year, I was asked to create a National Family Dinner Night recipe using M&M products and I couldn’t wait to tackle the challenge!
The hardest thing about creating a recipe with M&M products is the fact that so many of the products available are delicious just as they are! Whether you’re looking for a tasty side dish like Grilled Vegetables or Parmesan and Garlic Potato Wedges, or a filling main course such as Lemon & Herb Chicken Tenderloins or Cod Andalusia, so many of the options need nothing more than to be heated up and served. Eventually I decided to create a pasta dish, since noodles are always a kid-friendly favourite. By adding M&M Meat Shops “New York” Striploin Steak, Garlic Shrimp and Sautéed Onions and Peppers, I was able to create a meal fancy enough for company that was still ready in a flash!
One of the things I love about summer is how much easier it is to entertain. We live in a fairly small house so hosting gatherings in the colder months can be tricky simply because we don’t have a lot of room for people to circulate. But our yard is huge, green and perfect for relaxing outside with family and friends. Even the party food is often as easy as lighting up the barbeque or pulling out a hearty cold salad made earlier in the day!
Recently I was browsing the Life Made Delicious website for new fresh ideas for summer entertaining and the Zesty Corn and Pasta Salad recipe reminded me of one of my own favourite summer pasta salad recipes: Mexican Toss Pasta Salad. This easy salad is hearty enough to act as a main dish on a warm summer day, but it’s also a fabulous party side dish or potluck contribution!
Sun-Maid, a company that many of us remember from our childhood, celebrated its 100th birthday in December and a short time ago, I received a fun little birthday package from Sun-Maid Canada containing a Sun-Maid apron and coupons for Sun-Maid cinnamon swirl raisin bread. I also received this delicious recipe and it sounded so easy and good that I just had to try it out!
