Garlic

Is garlic even a vegetable?

Well, I've found out that it is a member of the Lily family (along with the onion, shallot, and chive), it's not a herb (because herbs denote something green), and it's not a spice (because wikipedia says so). So, basically because garlic doesn't fit into any other category it's most closely related to a vegetable.

But let's get to the important stuff...
Garlic festivals are all around us! Look into it, you probably live near one. Strictly based on witty alliteration, The Gilroy Garlic Festival, held in Gilroy, California seemed like a fun festival to learn about. This festival is complete with garlic favoured ice cream, garlic braiding workshops, and a Miss Garlic Gilroy Festival Queen (she has to perform a Garlic Speech, believe it or not. )

Roasted Garlic:

Cut the top off of the little clovies, spritz with oil and seasonings, cover in tinfoil and then bake it for 30-35 mins at 400 degrees.
(*Be sure to have gum on hand)

mmmm. Tasty!

Kale

Some may call it 'your new friend with benefits' others call it the cardboardy-like lettuce, either way, KALE is the new potato chip!!!

Cut off the stems, spritz a little oil, and season to taste. That's all it takes to turn this leafy, well structured green into a crispy delight. Pop 'em in the oven at 375-400 degrees and make sure your socks are on tight, because they are about to be blown...right off!!

You will never go back to potato chips again. Aside from the super convenient and inexpensive ways of Lays or Tostitos, Kale chips totally win in the snack food competition of life!

Oh ya, and kale was a key player in the Dig for Victory Campaign. What is the 'Dig for Victory Campaign' you may ask... Well apparently, during WWII gardens were planted in private residence to reduce the pressure on public food sources. Kale, along with other nutrient over-achievers, were grown and harvested and given to those in need. These gardens also provided the garden people (not the gnomes, the actual people) with a sense of purpose. Go Kale!!

30 Days of Veg

Everyone can eat more vegetables! So, for 30 days I will prepare a new veggie each day and with the help of the wonderful worldly web I might even learn something new!

Day 1: Sweet Potatoes
Day 2: Kale
Day 3: Garlic
Day 4: Bell Peppers
Day 5: Cucumber
Day 6: Purple Cauliflower
Day 7: Spaghetti Squash
Day 8: Baby Carrots
Day 9: Chives

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are a root vegetable that's super high in Vitamin A. According to whfoods.org these rooty treats are considered, 'standout antioxidants'. These 'unexpected tubers' are fabulous! and include magnificent health benefits of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and blood sugar-regulating nutrients.

Seasoned the sweets with a lemon and paprika pre-mixed seasoning.
Other seasonings to try are: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or just a simple s&p. 

Canada Day Cookies

Happy Canada Day Weekend Everybody!!

Fun Fact about Canada that I just found out...
"Up here" we can legally eat Kinder Surprises whereas "Down there" (USA) they can't! Go Canada!

WARNING!  There is nothing healthy about these cookies! (aka the most tasty cookie!)

The Cookies
3/4 c margarine softened at room temp. (actually soften it. This recipe isn't for the 'microwaving' cheaters out there ;) )
1 c white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream the margarine and sugar until smooth. Mix in the eggs and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well combined. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients. Then, throw it all together!!

Chill for at least 2 hours (this is key for great sugar cookies!! Buuuuuut if you must cheat, this part would be ok to cheat at. As my mom would say "cheater, cheater, pants on fire." Love you mom!)

Roll out the dough onto a floured surface and cut into what ever shape you want.

Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes (depending on the thickness of your cookies).

The Icing
1 kg icing sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
5 tbsp meringue powder
3/4 c warm water

Mix it all together and add more or less icing sugar to get desired consistency. This is a great icing just make sure you let it dry entirely so it hardens up!

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Ok, firsts things first... What's the point of putting zucchini in chocolatey, sugary, bundles of deliciousness? Nutrition...flavor...health trickery?....hmmm

To set the stage, these muffins were the product of a girls marathon-relay weekend away. After a morning of skeet shooting and bustin' caps (but not really caps) me and my beautiful friends decided to bake something up. It was a team effort and the results were fantastic! 

The line up...

2 cups zucchini, grated
1/2 cup butter
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 cup walnuts
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups sugar

How to do it...
1. Preheat the oven to 325
2. Cream the butter, then add the oil and sugar and mix.
3. Add the zucchini, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt and mix well.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts by hand.
5. Pour the cuppy cake muffin mix into the tins. 
6. Bake for about 1 hour (or until done).

Yay!!! Icing!!!

Beauty!!

Mmm mmm! Choco-'zook' deliciousness!!

Watermelon Fruit Salad

Happy First Day of Summer!!!

In honour of the greatest season EVER I have decided to make a fruity salad. Super simple, super tasty, super filling!

Watermelon
Strawberries
Bloobs (blueberries)
Fresh Mint

Mmm, Mmm!

HELLO Summer!!!

Deeee-licious!!

Blueberry Muffins

2 cups flour (any type of flour)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup apple sauce
2 tbsp vanilla
2 egg whites
BLOOBS!! (blueberries, as many as you would like.)

Still working on making these look better...but boy oh boy...they were tasty!! 

Combine the wet in one bowl. Combine the dry in another. Mix them together and fold in the BLOOBS! (I love blueberries! I would challenge anyone to a bloob eating contest, and I would probably win ;)  )

350 for 20 mins.

Banana Walnut Muffins

2 cups Flour (any type of flour. I used Gluten free flour and it was very chick pea tasting.)
1 cup White sugar
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 cup Applesauce
2 tbsp Vanilla (mmmm... I love vanilla!)
2 egg whites
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 banana, sliced
2 snack pack cup of banana pudding
1/2 cup walnut pieces
Cinnamon to sprinkle on top

Combine the flour, sugar, & baking soda in one bowl.
Combine the Applesauce, vanilla, & egg whites in another bowl.

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until moistened. Fold in the brown sugar, sliced banana, pudding, and walnut pieces.

Bake at 350 for 20 mins.

Not the most appealing muffins, but they were surprisingly tasty!

Next time I make these I plan to substitute the white and brown sugar with a healthier sweetener. The banana pudding adds great flavour!

Mushroom & Coconut Soup

Mushroom & Coconut Soup.

Try this recipe on the next rainy day. It's very modifiable and an easy way to get ride of leftovers in the fridge.

Heat some oil...

Saute onions and garlic...

Soften and steam up some mushrooms... (about 10 minutes) Add whatever  else you want  at this step....

Add 1 can of coconut milk...

SEASON!! 

GARNISH!!

EAT!!! MMMM

This soup was pretty good, however it was a little bit runny for my liking. I would definitely add more something next time. Perhaps some potatos (mmm) Carrots, lentils...
ENJOY!