Travelling to Haiti with FOODalogue and Macaroni au Fromage

 

Macaroni au Gratin

Joan of FOODalogue  started the year off with another armchair travel adventure with her Culinary Tour 2010 - South of the Border . At the beginning of the year she planned carefully and chose countries she felt would inspire us all to create a dish outside of our comfort zone and experience new taste and food sensations. Visiting South American countries has not been at the top of my travel wish list in the past, but I must admit that after researching each country and learning more about the people and their diverse cuisine I have definitely changed my mind!!!!! The next country on her tour is:

 Haiti 

Since it was rocked by a devastating earthquake, Haiti has been in the forefront of public consciousness ever since. Joan's original plan to travel to this island nation took on a different perspective than the paradise on earth we were hoping to visit virtually. The country of Haiti is part of the western Caribbean island of Hispaniola.  Hispaniola, is the island which contains both Haiti and The Dominican Republic and was named by Christopher Columbus who discovered it and settled there. Hispaniola means "Little Spain".

Fish Parcels Inspired By Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver's Fish Parcels

I made this dish a while ago, but have been having trouble posting about it. Why you ask? Most likely because there is not really just one recipe or even a real recipe at all. This is the type of dish that is wide open to interpretation. Use your imagination and utilize whatever you have available and/or whatever suits your fancy. I watched Jamie Oliver make this dish on his show Oliver Twist and wanted to prepare it for guests ever since!!!What is important is the technique involved with cooking your fish and vegetables to make them succulent, juicy and appealing. With a little knowledge about the vegetables and the fish you are using for this recipe you will be happy with the results.

Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake.... a Real Sensation!!!

Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake

Blood oranges are juicy, sweet with  a dark red interior and are slightly less acidic than regular table oranges. Originally from Sicily (Italy) and Spain the blood orange has gained in popularity and can be found fresh or in juice form in many local grocery stores. Blood oranges contain a pigment called anthocyanin which is not typically found in citrus but rather more common in other red fruits and flowers. Not only is the inside of the orange darkly pigmented but depending on the variety the outside may also have dark washes of red. What we find here in our stores probably are grown in either California of Texas. U.S. grown blood oranges are in season from late fall to early spring.

Journey to Jamaica with FOODalogue..Jamaican Patties, Planter Martini's, Hypnotic Breezes and H2Ope for Haiti

Jamaican Patties and Planters Martini

JAMAICA

Jamaica is the third largest island of the Caribbean. It lies aproximately 90 miles south of Cuba. It is a land of sharp contrast... mountains, lush green forest, wide rivers, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking beaches. Jamaica has been a hot spot for sun-worship and water sports for years. The sand is clean, the water is undulating shades of turquoise and green, and the palm trees sway seductively. Maybe you're a fan of reggae, the island's national music. When it’s time to get away from it all, who can resist turquoise blue waters, warm, balmy days and powdery white sand beaches. Throw in a little bit of exiting nightlife and we were in paradise virtually. These are all of the elements for a great vacation. I spent some time in Negril in the 1980's and am very familiar with it's hypnotic ways.

Risotto Alla Putanesca for Heart and Stroke Month

Risotto alla Putanesca

February is Heart and Stroke Month...Spread the Word!!!

Heart and Stroke Month is the time of year when we Canadians rally together to raise awareness and funds that have an enormous impact on the lives of not just heart and stroke patients, but of all Canadians. Canada's Heart and Stroke Foundation is a volunteer-based health charity which leads in their quest to eliminate heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application,  promoting healthy living and advocacy. Heart disease and stroke remains the leading cause of death and disability in Canada. Canadian baby boomers are now moving into their middle years, which is expected to result in a large increase in death and disability due to heart disease and stroke. The United States has the Go Red for Women Campaign where they wear red on February 5th, and from what I have read, I am sure other countries around the world have adopted the same values and set aside February to raise awareness as well.

Pancake Day...Sweet Potato Curried Latkes

 

Sweet Potato Curried Latkes

Today is Pancake Day and the day before Lent. Let's celebrate!!!! Shrove Tuesday is often referred to as "Pancake Day" because perishables like eggs and dairy products, which are generally prohibited during Lent, have to be used up. In Great Britian, Northern Ireland and several other countries around the world, Pancake Day is celebrated with fun, games, and of course a lot of eating.

We Celebrate Chinese New Year with Won Ton Soup

Won Ton Soup

Today is Valentines' Day and if you look really closely and use your imagination you will see hearts in this dish also. It just so happens that both Valentines Day and Chinese New Year fall on the same day this year which makes it doubly lucky!!! To celebrate I decided to make a delicious won ton soup....the won tons may look like hearts depending on how you fold them and how good your imagination is:D. Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the longest and most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. The origin of Chinese New Year is in itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions.

Amazing Butter Tarts for the Culinary Olympics

Butter Tarts

After years of anticipation today is the day!!!!  For the past few months here in Canada we have felt the momentum and enthusiasm grow as the Olympic Torch wound it's way throughout Canada travelling 45,000 km and visiting over 1,000 cities. The torch has reached it's final destination in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada today!!!!!!! Tonight will be the opening ceremonies. Vancouver is hosting  the 2010 Winter Olympic Games from February 12th – 28th. Canadians across the country are not only sharing in the pride of being the host country but looking forward to seeing all of your countries around the world participating in winter sports. We'll all be cheering on our athletes who have trained so vigorously and are set to represent their respective countries. Let the games begin!!!!!!!

Habitant Pea Soup with Salted Herbs

Habitant Pea Soup with Salted Herbs

Here it is the middle of February and I just can't believe that winter has not arrived here in the valley. Wiarton Willie, the groundhog, predicted 6 more weeks of winter on February 2nd...but winter has yet to arrive here in Western Canada. Now you better believe that in no way am I complaining here!!!!! A winter without snow is a dream come true when you can drive up into the mountains and get all the snow your little heart desires for snowboarding and skiing. We have some of the best powder snow in British Columbia!! But here in the valley I have not scraped my windshield, shoveled the driveway or put on snow tires this winter. My only desire for snow and some cooler weather would be for the Olympics in Vancouver. This will probably be the only time in my own history that I would be hoping for snow...except when I was a kid of course!!!!! Of course they are able to truck in snow from the mountains and man-made snow is always a big help as well. Last I heard Russia has even kindly offered to donate snow to the events. It would of course be too much to ask that we get through a winter here in Canada without snow at all.... but I do believe that the worst is over...if it ever came this year at all!!!

Win A Tasty Gift Just in Time for Valentines Day from Epicure Selections

 

Epicure Selections Prize Package

 Since we are all "foodies" and have been brought up to believe that food is the way to our loved ones heart what better way to show your love than to make them something special. Restaurants will have long waiting lists and personally I would love to snuggle by the fire with a delicious meal on a cold February day.

 Through the generosity of  Epicure Selections® one lucky winner will win a prize package worth approximately $100 to create your own delicious meal for the special people or person in your life just in time for Valentines' Day. Epicure Selections® is a specialty foods company specializing in herbs, spices and dips to make easy and affordable recipes. It is a British Columbia based company that began with 4 different spice offerings and has grown into a catalogue full of spice and herb blends along with other product offerings designed to make food preparation economical, easy and delicious.

We have all probably noticed the trend to stay at home to eat more often, but we also want ways to make that homecooked meal more enjoyable and easier to prepare when we are in a hurry or can't get to the store for that special something. Whether it is Valentine's Day or any other day, you can celebrate each day with that special someone in your own way! Love really is in the air.

To win this prize package please visit their site at http://www.epicureselections.com/

1- Please leave a comment below and let me know which recipe from their site you would love to prepare for your Valentine?

2- Only one entry per person.

3- Anyone can comment but the contest is open to Canadians only.

4- You have until Wednesday, February 10th, midnight WST to participate.

For your Valentine I am suggesting an entire meal that can be created with what you will recieve if you are the lucky winner. Their Red Pepper Jelly  is made from scratch using Sylvie’s original recipe. It is one of Epicure’s top sellers! This ruby-red blend of ripe red bell peppers, spices, tart vinegar and sugar is perfect to start my suggested Valentine's Day meal with a starter of Epicure's Baked Brie with Red Pepper Jelly which you can bake in the Epicure Red Dip Baker. This adorable red porcelain dish features side handles and fitted “Epicure Selections” embossed lid.

For a second course I suggest  Epicure's Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Zuppa  using their Roasted Red Pepper Dip Mix. Enjoy the rich flavour of roasted red bell peppers without the fuss of roasting. This dip makes a delicious, healthy alternative to plain mayonnaise. Mix gives instant flavour to soups, tomato sauces, rice, omelettes, roast lamb and chicken.

For the main course try the Bruschetta Herbs to prepare Epicure's Bruschetta Chicken . It also makes a great herb seasoning for pasta sauces, seafood and egg dishes.

To accompany the chicken savour Epicure's Spinach Margherita Pasta using the Margherita Sauce Mix which is a light, fresh blend of onion, tomato, leek and herb tomato based favourite . The mix is perfect for pastas, sauces and soups as well.

What is Valentine's Day without a luscious chocolaty dessert!!!!! Dark Belgian Chocolate is considered the world’s best. These easy-melt, bite-sized chocolate buttons make quick, silky chocolate sauces and mouth-watering cookies, cakes and brownies. It would be perfect to prepare Epicure's Poached Pears with Maple Chocolate Sauce. Or how's about a silky Epicure's Tiramisu Parfaits with the Tiramasu Dip Mix. Tiramisu literally means “cheer me up!” Be cheered by this rich blend of chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and vanilla.

Helene of La Cuisine d'Helene says, "I am so impressed with the quality of the Epicure Selections products. I am so glad that we have a Canadian Company that we can be proud of. If you are from Canada and want to try their products go to their website: Epicure Selections. I hope you give them a try and that you shop for Canadian products."

 Epicure Selections® follows a party-plan direct sales model to distribute their ever-expanding product line and is  proud to be 100% Canadian!!! I am proud to support a company that fives back to the community. In 2007, they created the Epicure Foundation™, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of Canadians through education and poverty relief. Along with the volunteering and fundraising opportunities they offer their Consultants and Home Team Members, The Epicure Foundation™ regularly makes funding and in-kind donations to more than 50 charities nationwide. The Epicure Foundation™ is particularly committed to promoting food security in Canada. They believe that, by assuring adequate physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, all Canadians can enjoy active, healthful lifestyles.

President and Founder Sylvie Rochette has personally donated $10,000 to the Red Cross for Haiti relief and has challenged their Consultants for their home-based businesses to match her donation via the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders and Unicef. Sylvie will match every dollar exceeding a total of $10,000 raised, to a maximum of $25,000.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Content must be credited to this author.

Chocolate Nutella Semifreddo for World Nutella Day

Chocolate Nutella Semifreddo

If Ellen Degeneres is trying to achieve world domination through her show ELLEN she will have to push past Nutella on her way up. Ellen wants to be seen in every country around the world, but Nutella is a special treat that has already achieved world domination and is adored the world over!!!!It rocks the foodie world and dominates the blog world today. I am sure you aware that since 2007 Nutella has had it's own day!!!!! February 5th is World Nutella Day which is the brainchild of Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso (and Shelley from At Home in Rome, in spirit). They solemnly declare February 5th “World Nutella Day 2010″ which is a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella. Happy Nutella Day!!!!!!!!World domination is inevitable...resistance is futile!!

Join Our Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club Cooking Italian - Mangia...Mangia....

 

Italian Stuffed Summer Vegetables

We are so glad that you have decided to join us once again for our Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club. This is a monthly event where 5 ladies in two countries get together to create a delicious meal with a theme in mind. We all share a love for Cooking Light magazine which has an emphasis on healthy eating and living. Each issue covers light cuisine and includes more than 70 delicious and flavourful recipes. It also explores food and nutrition news as well as fitness, health and beauty. This is this months write-up at their blog Test Kitchen Secrets.

For the month of February we enjoyed each others company virtually and continued with our healthy themes and cooked up some HEALTHY ITALIAN!!! Mama mia!!!!!  For this months virtual supper we shared a few bottles of Italian wine (perhaps a Brunello Montalcino or a Borolo) virtually as well as created a delicious menu from the pages of Cooking Light. We love to share these ideas with you each month by putting together a delicious meal for each other through our Virtual Supper Club. The idea is simple because we all share a common interest in cooking and all things "foodie". This is a team effort where we get together virtually once a month and combine what Cooking Light readers like best...good food with great company!!!

Authentic Italian dishes are very often based on just a few, humble ingredients. What makes them so tasty and delicious is that, over the centuries, Italians have discovered exactly how to achieve the perfect mix of flavours.  With our Italian menu we hoped to do just that and created a balanced and healthy meal. Helene of La Cuisine d'Helene started us off with a delectable and traditional Italian Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Salad. Look at that buffalo mozzarella!!!! I brought along some Italian Stuffed Summer Vegetables to round out the meal following the rhythm of the seasons. This time of the year peppers of all colours, shapes and sizes are available and abundant from local greenhouses. I chose red and green sweet peppers to match the colours of the Italian flag. Jamie of Mom's Cooking Club offers us a comforting and classic pasta secondo with Spaghettini with Oil and Garlic. And as our main dish Aggie of Aggie's Kitchen brought a colourful and delicious dish of Shrimp Arrabbiata for us to savour. Sadly Shelby of The Life and Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch was unable to join us this month. Check out everyone's links for photos and write-ups. Italian food is a celebration. A celebration of life, family and friends and a blessing which should be shared and enjoyed by all. Salute a cent’anno (health for a hundred years) !!!

The Silver Spoon cookbook says, "Eating is a serious matter in Italy. Cooking and food are among the finest expressions of Italian culture, vividly portraying the country’s history and traditions. Like all other arts, cooking is based on measures and proportions,on the balance and fusion of different elements. It blends ancient traditions with contemporary innovation and evolves constantly, even in the twenty- first century, as a result of its position at the center of Italian family life. At home with family or friends, for a special occasion, in a fancy restaurant or in a humble trattoria, or even when preparing a simple everyday meal, for Italians, cooking is synonymous with good food, good wine and good company."

Whether rustic or sophisticated, Italian cooking is traditionally based on excellent, fresh, seasonal ingredients. This is one of the main reasons why Italian food varies so much from region to region and even from village to village. Italy is made up of 20 different regions, each with its own culinary traditions. And though the country is relatively small, the difference in the food from one region to the next is extraordinary. Italian cooking is based on Italy’s rural traditions and depends very much on the vast variety of the country’s agricultural produce. Yet even if nowadays you can find almost any kind of food at any time of the year, Italians still follow the rhythm of the seasons and will wait until spring to enjoy asparagus, or the summer for a fresh Insalata caprese. It is easy to eat healthily in Italy.

In Italian families, special occasions are still celebrated at home with a five-course meal (antipasto,first course, main course with vegetables, cheese and dessert). But, when eating everyday, a one-meal dish such as lasagne, pizza or ribollita will satisfy even the most demanding of appetites.The country’s infinite variety of dishes allows Italians to create an excellent and healthy meal.

 
 Although distance prevents us from gathering as a group in each others homes we have enjoyed sharing a well balanced meal through our Virtual Supper Club this month and have developed a Healthy Italian menu from Cooking Light magazine that is sure to bring smiles to the table. What would you bring to the table? Link to the Cooking Light blog Test Kitchen Secrets or to one of our blogs here and make something delicious from the pages of the magazine to add to our HEALTHY ITALIAN menu...the more the merrier!!!! 

I brought back the taste of summer and sun-drenched Italian hillsides and wineries with these Italian Stuffed Summer Vegetables from the pages of Cooking Light. As the recipe calls for you can use a variety of vegetables which makes for a pretty presentation, but this can be made with all bell peppers as I did here. If you use only bell peppers as I have, which have no interior flesh, add equal amounts of additional breadcrumbs and tomatoes until you get enough filling. Using soft breadcrumbs adds to the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the tender vegetables. Because they are covered while baking, the vegetables keep moisture in, resulting in tender and delicate flesh.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Content must be credited to this author.

Come Celebrate My Three Year Blogiversary with Spicy Sausage Meat Lovers Pizza

Today I am celebrating my third year of blogging. More Than Burnt Toast has come a long way since its birth February 2nd three years ago. It started off as an avenue to record my recipes for L'il Burnt Toast who was attending university. I had visited a few blogs over the years but was drawn in through a friends daughter who had a diary blog while teaching in London and I felt I could make it work for my hobby too. My first posts had photos of places I had visited with no food photography at all. For shame. I had just returned from a 5 week sojourn in Greece and wanted to share some recipes I had learned while on Kea. A wise blogger suggested that photos might have people coming back...I was hooked. Since I began writing these pages I have discovered an entire community of generous and caring food bloggers which is continually growing!!!!!