Nachos Deluxe

A layer of frijoles refritos covered with a layer of seasoned beef (chili, garlic, onion, paprika, and pepper), tortilla chips, old cheddar cheese, pickled hot peppers, sweet red peppers, and sweet onions.

Served with the deluxe trinity for nacho dips... Cajun sour cream made with just Cajun Spice. Guacamole made with ripe avocados, grated onions and garlic, Cajun spice, and fresh lime juice. And... salsa sauce.

Barbeque

My healthy version of barbeque that does give me Total Barbeque Satisfaction. Yes... really.

Cajun Corn made with Cajun spice and a bit of butter. Collard Greens with Vidalia onions, cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Red rice stir fried with mushrooms and garlic. Slowly barbequed chicken thighs that were prepped with Cajun spice and finished with barbeque sauce.

Stone Salad

If I can make Stone Soup...why not Stone Salad :-)

Cucumbers, sweet peppers, sweet onions, tomatoes, carrots, avocado, fresh parsley, brown rice, chick peas, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice.

A perfect travel lunch.

Blueberries and Oatmeal

Fresh blueberries on oatmeal made with golden raisins and served with soy milk.

Tuna and Peas

A seared tuna steak with sweet peas, brown rice, and some fresh lemon. Plain and simple goodness.

Roasted Veggie Pizza and Salad

A roasted veggie pizza with roasted tomatoes, roasted mushrooms, roasted garlic, and Kalamata olives, on a sauteed sweet onion base. Mixed green salad with a balsamic dressing made of just balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

An Avocado

This is how my mom served it to me.... with store bought Catalina dressing. It just works like nothing else!

The Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

A classic!

Mango Salad and Satay

Homemade Thai food :-)

Mango salad made with hard mangoes, sweet peppers, carrots, cilantro, chopped peanuts, fresh lime zest and juice, hot sauce, soy sauce, and canola oil. Grilled satay with chicken thighs, onion, garlic and chilli powders, cumin, turmeric, and salt. Peanut sauce. Jasmine rice made with coconut water.

Last Meal Before Camp

My daughters last meal request before a month at camp...

Barely steamed asparagus. Pan roasted potatoes with parsley. And, a schnitzel... a pounded pork loin chop breaded with flour, eggs, and bread crumbs.

Beets, Kale, and Chicken

Roasted beets, wilted beet greens, sauteed chicken, and steamed rice.

Latkes and Apple Sauce

Works well as an appetizer, a desert, or a snack.

Latkes made with russet potatoes, carrots, sweet onion, and whole wheat flour. Fried in a little bit of canola oil. Served with apple sauce.

It's Fig Season!

A perfect fruit :-)

My Boy's Birthday Breakfast

French toast made with extra thick slices of whole wheat bread, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon. Warmed mango chunks. Whipped cream made with vanilla and sugar. Mennonite Maple syrup. And, barbequed bacon. And yes... I said barbequed.

He was happy :-)

A Pair of Perfect Tacos

I could have these almost every day!

Corn tortillas, lentil frijoles refritos, red peppers, sweet onions, corn, fresh cilantro, avocados, salsa, and some hot sauce.

Steak, Yams, and Brussels Sprouts

Grilled flank steak with a bit of steak spice. Baked yams topped with light sour cream and mucho fresh chives. Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

I got lucky that my kids love Brussels Sprouts :-)

Canadian Cold Soba

My version of cold soba. It was excellent if I do say so myself. It's definitely a summer meal.

A base of cold whole wheat spaghettini. Blanched and cooled red peppers, broccoli, carrots. Boiled kidney beans. A sauce made with mirin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, and sesame oil. Topped with sliced nori.

Lemon Pepper Chicken

Sauteed Lemon Pepper Chicken with fresh lemon (makes a big difference!) served on steamed quinoa and with sauteed red cabbage on the side.

Tortellini

Beef Tortellini tossed with a nice tomato sauce and sauteed mushrooms. Served with steamed green beans.

Seared Salmon

A seared salmon steak with wilted spinach, steamed carrots, and steamed brown rice.

That's lemon grass and ginger tea on the side.

Butter Chicken and Sauteed Okra

Butter Chicken made with boneless, skinless thighs and sauce from the store. Sauteed okra with coriander, cumin seed, ground cumin, turmeric, ginger, and chilli powder. Served with steamed brown rice.

My Boy's Birthday Dinner

For my boy's birthday dinner he requested....

A Risotto appetizer. Arborio rice, vegetable stock, Vidalia onions, lots of sauteed mushrooms, fresh chives, and Parmesan to finish. A grilled rib steak, mashed russet potatoes with garlic, milk, and butter, and ginger carrots.

I had to add the carrots to the request :-)