I made this salad for my company over the weekend. I had plans to make a couple different salads but we all liked this one so much that we couldn't seem to stay away from it. Sorry Mr. Caesar, you have been trumped. This is my favourite homemade vinaigrette so far. Most are too oily for my taste, but this one melds together so perfectly it's hard to tell the ingredients apart. I was quite surprised at how fruity the vinaigrette tasted. In fact, I was asked what type of fruit was in the dressing. I suspect that could be in part,...
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Company arrived yesterday for a four day stay. It always feel nice to have visitors from home because it helps bring our two worlds together. We haven't made many plans yet and are keeping things pretty relaxed. Growing up we always had a house full of visitors, especially around special occasions. So, for me to have a houseful over Valentines and to play the hostess, makes me a happy woman. My mom was always very good at creating a relaxing and welcoming environment in our home. A place where people could come as a reprieve and just be themselves. She instilled in...
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I think I'm in love. Or maybe I'm just confused because my hubby is off in Russia this week and I'm just trying to fill the void. Whatever the case, these Maple Walnut Apple Chips are addictive. Just look at that name and tell me that your mouth doesn't start to water. I had pretty high expectations, even though I'm not usually a fan of dried fruit. Partly because this is an Anna Olson recipe (I "love" her) and partly because the description sounded too good to be true. Let me tell you. These blew me out of the water and...
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I have joined the 10in10 challenge, "10 weeks to healthy in 2010". I may be two weeks late in posting about it, but I do have a good reason. I'm sure you're not interested in the minuscule details of my goals so I'll keep this brief. I haven't been able to settle in one spot for very long this past year and it's made a routine very hard to come by. Now that the future is looking a little more settled I thought 10in10 was the perfect way to help me start that routine. My goals are to exercise more and eat...
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Many times I have morned the loss of some sort of food item that I thought I would never find here in Norway. Most of them I have let go of, knowing that I need to embrace these cultural differences and use them to make me a better cook. But, every once in while I get a delightful surprise and discover one of these long lost joys hidden amongst the shelves of one of my local grocery stores. Every time I find something new I have to resist the urge to jump up and down, squealing with glee. Some days...
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It is becoming nearly impossible to get a good photo these days. The weather is so dreary and rainy that I have to turn on the lights as soon as I get up in the morning and they do not go off until I go to bed. Our house isn't very well lit either so I am beginning to feel like I'm living in a cave. When the sun finally does shine through I just might hobble my way onto the porch, beating my chest, yelling in a garbled language. That may not even be too far from the truth...
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My life feels a bit like a circus right now. Everything's going a little crazy and I'm having a hard time keeping my attention in one place. I didn't even have the time to attempt this months Daring Bakers Challenge, which was the French Macaron. It is something I will have to try and conquer soon because it looks like so much fun! Hopefully things will get back into a regular rhythm soon so that I have more time to share with you dear folks. The lovely Aimee over at Under the High Chair is hosting a jam swap. I could not...
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My hubby is in London this week, which means one of two things. I am either living off of leftovers and anything I can scrounge up without going to the grocery store. Or, I am making everything I normally avoid because I assume James won't like it. The latter is the reason for these delicious Roasted Pears. As I have mentioned earlier, my hubby is not too fond of pears, so when I spotted this recipe I knew that I had to make it while he was gone. They looked so simple I knew I would be able to get...
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The October 2009 Daring Cooks’ challenge was brought to us by Jaden of the blog Steamy Kitchen. The recipes are from her new cookbook, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook. Her picks were this Vietnamese Chicken Pho and Fried Dessert Wontons! First off let me shout from the rooftops, I LOVE THIS SOUP!! If the North American version of Chicken Noodle Soup had a pretty, tasty, asian cousin, this would be it. This soup is wholesome, comforting and exotic. The asian flavours are unmistakable, and I feel right at home sipping the broth and slurping up the noodles. I was a little afraid...
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I am not one to usually make juice from scratch. For some reason in my mind it always seemed like a lot of work and I didn't understand the reasoning behind it, when it is so readily available to purchase. But, after making homemade Cranberry Juice I have been converted. It is pure. It is tasty. And, you can control the ingredients. No more overly sweet fruit juice for me! This juice is a cranberry lovers dream (just ask my mother). The tart flavour cleanses the palate and lends itself to avoiding becoming overly sweet. The ruby red color has an...
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