roasted

Easy Roasted Garlic Recipe for a Gourmet Charcuterie Board

September 25, 2017 by Kathryn 4 Comments

When my husband and I are having lunch at home together during the week, we have a few favourite meals we like to make. And a charcuterie board is always one of our top picks. Meat, cheese, crackers and a few garnishes combine to make a lunch that feels like a gourmet treat.

Roasted garlic is one of our all-time favourite additions to a charcuterie board. For months, we bought it by the spoonful from our local grocery store’s deli section. But then we tried making it ourselves, and I was thrilled with how easy it was. If you love garlic, you’ve got to give this simple oven roasted garlic recipe a try! [Read more…]

Try Coffee That Will Start Your Engine with Freshly Roasted Driven Coffee-Giveaway

February 22, 2016 by Kathryn 173 Comments

Even though I’ve loved a good cup of coffee ever since I was a teenager, it wasn’t until my late twenties that I realized just how much of a difference there could be between a basic store brand and a freshly roasted quality brand of coffee beans. Once I tasted the difference, I soon became a full-on coffee snob. While I do have my favourite blends and brands, I always love discovering new varieties to add to my coffee lineup. So when I had the chance to test out Driven Coffee, I couldn’t wait to see how I liked it.

I chose three different varieties to review: Papua New Guinea, Fair Trade Organic Mexico Sierra Azul and Impact Espresso Blend. I tend to favour dark roasts, but wanted to try a medium blend as well to get a better feel for the company’s variety. The coffee is available either as whole beans or pre-ground and since I believe the best flavour comes from freshly ground coffee, I chose the whole bean coffee to test. I loved learning that it was roasted in small batches just before being shipped out to maximize freshness!

When the coffee arrived, the smell had me drooling before I’d even opened the box. I popped two of the bags in the freezer to ensure the beans stayed fresh and opened the Papua New Guinea coffee for my first taste-test. It had a nice medium strength and body with a very smooth flavour. I liked the way the coffee was distinctive at the first sip, yet didn’t overpower. It was a perfect breakfast blend to kick start my day!
[Read more…]

Warm Salmon and Roasted Vegetable Salad Makes a Quick Healthy Dinner

September 29, 2015 by Kathryn 67 Comments

Fall has always been one of my busiest times of year, but it’s also a time when I want to make sure that my family is eating healthy. And on one of those busy nights when my boys have extra-curricular activities and I’ve had a busy day of work, making a nutritious dinner that we’ll all enjoy can be a challenge!

That’s why I’ve fallen in love with the new Sobeys Seafood Steamers! The newest food option at Sobeys fish counter isn’t just delicious; it’s also a great quick and easy option for a healthy dinner.

Using a special oven-safe bag that was inspired by the French cooking method en papillote (steaming fish in a parchment paper pouch), fish is customized to suit my family’s tastes then sealed in a handy pouch I can bake to perfection at home!

I decided to try the Seafood Steamer in one of Sobeys’ delicious-sounding recipes, so I headed to my local Sobeys fish counter to customize my meal. I found two beautiful boneless salmon fillets and requested them prepared with the Garlic & Parsley butter.

A few minutes later, my Seafood Steamers were ready! Then it was time to get cooking, and the Warm Salmon and Roasted Vegetable Salad seemed like a perfect healthy fall dinner! [Read more…]