This dessert has got to be one of my favorite ways to enjoy summer fruit! Supposedly the recipe makes 6 servings, but our family finds it's never quite enough! Double the recipe for a 9X13.
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups sliced peaches, fresh or canned 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen 1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen 1/2 cup blackberries, fresh or frozen 1/4 cup organic butter 1/2 cup oats (I use gluten-free) 1/4 tsp sea salt 3/4 cup raw cane sugar Directions: Gently stir fruit together. Pour into the bottom of a square baking dish (8x8 or 9x9). In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients together until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of fruit. Bake at 375F until top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Serve warm with shipped cream. Makes 6 servings.
Alternatively, replace the peaches and berries with 4 cups of pears or sliced Granny Smith apples.
Hi peeps!! Just a few things to share this week because of my shopping extravaganza last week *winks* I'll start as usual with my favorite find. It's a vintage HUGE rose covered fully lined curtain that I found at a local antique mall for $60! This one curtain is 8' tall and 15' long! I couldn't get the entire thing in a shot because it was just too big for my poor camera. It could easily be cut apart to make several individual curtains, which is what I'm hoping to do. Love the green color and all the roses!! Isn't it gorgy??*sighs*
Close up.
Then I found this Italian shadow box jewelry display case on craigslist for $15. Inside I have one new/old treasure and the other three are older finds but I haven't shared them here so I thought I'd take the opportunity now *winks*
The newest find is this cigarette case with a portrait of a woman. $12 at a local antique store. I will definitely be looking to collect more of these.
My next find is from a few years back. I paid $125 (which was actually half price) It's a micro petit point purse featuring a courting couple adorned with some stones and enamel flowers.
The back features a castle and swags with pink roses.
Lined with the palest pink ruched silk that is starting to tear and fray.
Next is this little silver mesh purse/compact that I purchased from an elderly neighbor for $15.
I would love it if these little blue stones were sapphires! *winks* But most likely pretty glass.
And finally this little beaded purse/compact was $10.
I found a new addition to my silver collection at the Goodwill. This silver glass caddy was on one isle for $1.99 and the dessert wine glasses were 50 cents each on another. So all told $4.99... Not bad I think!
And then I did discover something NEW to me... Maybe new to you also? Let me start by saying I've been in love with antiques for most of my life and in all that time I've never known about this... The Odd Fellows! Who and what are they? Weeellll... here's a little vid about them
The Odd Fellows (it turns out) are the Father of all fraternal organizations. Formed in England in the 18th century. I discovered them when I was trying to find information about these antique red velvet collars that I'd found on craigslist. A set of four of them for $12. Sooo ornate and beautiful with their silver appliques, fringe and tassels. I thought originally they might have been priests vestments of some sort? But was quickly made aware that they were something else. I took a look on ebay and couldn't believe how cheaply these items were selling! Some at 99 cents plus shipping, and some of the beautiful velvet ceremonial robes were little more than $20. Also some beautiful ornate medals for a song! I couldn't help but think of all the custom bag/purse and pillow makers who could use these old pieces in their designs. Am I the last one to know about these? Let me know! I feel I've discovered textile nirvana! Lol! *winks*
Each less than the cost of a latte!
And last (and definitely least) some vintage aqua lace trim from the Value Village for $1.99 and an egg vase for my etsy.
That's it for the flea market finds this week. I hope you'll come back next week for more thrifting fun! And please leave me a comment and I'll do the same for you *winks* I'd LOVE to hear from you! Vanna
1822 Broad Street Regina, SK 306-586-BITE (2483) http://www.bittenonbroad.com/ _________________________________________________________
It's slightly gutsy to open a restaurant on a semi-abandoned block in downtown Regina that has seen its share of restaurants come and go over the years.
But entrepreneur Astrid Baecker did exactly that two years ago when renovations at 1822 Broad Street got underway. After sitting empty for a few years, the building was looking in pretty rough shape when things got started. Within a few months Baecker and her team added plenty of shine.
What's now known as Bitten used to be home to Gingerz. Before that it was a satellite location of India House for a matter of months. And wayyy before that it was New Orleans. And that's all the history I know of the place.
The room itself, long and narrow with a balcony looking over the main floor, is an awkward shape for a restaurant. That being said, Bitten has made things work by modernizing the colour scheme and placing high-top tables with bar stools on the main floor that can be easily moved around to accommodate groups of all sizes.
The second floor balcony is cozy and closer to the bar. If drinking is your main reason for visiting Bitten, sit upstairs.
The menu has grown over the last two years. It's now several pages long and covers a surprisingly wide range of cuisines. If you want Asian, Bitten does that. If you want Italian, Bitten does that. If you want Cajun, they do that too. While the variety is nice, the menu lacks focus overall. Some of the appetizers, like the stuffed mushroom caps, seem like a throwback to the '80s.
On the other hand, appetizers come in very generous portions. Some might even find them large enough to be a meal. They definitely make for good sharing in a group.
As for the rest of the food, it's generally good. Some entrees, like a Surf and Turf I had around Valentine's Day in 2009, lacked flavour. However, the pizzas and salads are filling, tasty, and priced just right.
I've been to Bitten five or six times in the last two years and the service has always been good, no matter the server. Service isn't always lighting fast, but it's attentive. And Bitten isn't really the type of place you go for a speedy meal.
I can't finish this review without talking about dessert. Bitten's motto, after all, is "Life is Short... Have Dessert First."
The menu features a whole page of desserts to choose from, all of them made in-house. Bitten does a good job of classics like the Creme Brulee and Creme Caramel. The Mascarpone Toffee Parcels were delish when I tried them a few months back. I haven't had Bitten's version of Sticky Toffee Pudding just yet, but that's next on my list.
My advice: check Bitten out if you haven't been, or if it's been awhile. It's worth supporting a local eatery that's breathing life into our downtown core.
If you need to make an impression but are completely intimidated by the idea of baking a real cheesecake, this recipe will stop the show. I've made it many times and love the silky smooth texture, the way it slices perfectly, the combination of vanilla and chocolate, the richness of the cream, and how versatile it is for decorating. Not to mention that it can be whipped up the day before and stays good for a really long time.
That is, if you haven't eaten already.
You'll need:Crust: 1 1/2 cups of crumbled Oreo cookies 3-4 Tablespoons melted butter Chocolate Layer: 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin 2 Tablespoons cold water 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Vanilla Layer: 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin 2 Tablespoons cold water 1 2/3 cups heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Directions:Crust: Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter together. Pat into a 9" spring form pan. Set aside. Chocolate Layer: In a small saucepan, bring cream to a simmer. In a separate small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Add to warm cream and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir chocolate chips into remaining warm cream until melted. Stir in gelatin mixture and remaining cream. Pour on top of crust. Cool in fridge for 45 minutes or until firm. Vanilla Layer: In a small saucepan, bring cream and sugar to a simmer. In another bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Stir into cream until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add vanilla. Carefully spoon over chocolate layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm. After removing the sides of the spring form, you can garnish this beautiful dessert any way you like. In the picture shown above, I simply rubbed some more Oreo cookie crumbs onto the sides. Using several thin strips of waxed paper, I created a lattice stencil on the top of the dessert, sprinkled on some more crumbs, and carefully removed the strips of paper. Then I added a "haystack" of chopped chocolate covered peppermint sticks. I've also served this with a fresh strawberry sauce made by pureeing strawberries and sugar in the blender for a fresher taste. Be creative-the possibilities are endless!
*GF Variation: Simply use Gluten-free cookie crumbs instead.
Two things of importance to report today. Actually, make that three.
1.) I am still on a carbohydrate high from all the perogies, rice, noodles, pasta, and dessert consumed during Mosaic this weekend. Hope that everyone indulged just as much as I did at this great annual event that showcases just how diverse our city is.
2.) A few weeks ago I posted a review of The Mercury Cafe. Since that time, a number of people have posted comments about the place. Last week, one reader alleged that the Mercury's burgers were not homemade, contrary to what it says on the Mercury's menu. Here's what she wrote:
Anonymous said...
I was expecting a homemade hamburger when the menu stated all burgers were homemade. To my surprise (and disappointment), I watched the cook take a box of burgers out of the freezer and place them on the grill... there was nothing homemade about them. I will admit they were good burgers for storebought box burgers but definitely not homemade. :(
May 26, 2010 9:37 PM
I was a bit shocked by this. I really believed the burger I ate was homemade -- both the look and taste of the burger did not seem like they came from Safeway across the street. Then again, you never really know unless you're in the kitchen standing next to the chef. Today, I posted two more comments on this topic, presumably from employees at the Mercury. They said:
Anonymous said...
Actually you couldn't be more wrong. The burgers are 100% home made and not store bought - NOR FROZEN. Not sure what you were smoking that day but you were hallucinating. If you are interested in our process of making the burgers talk to the owner next time you are in and he will be happy to show you.
June 4, 2010 9:59 AM
Dave said...
Don't post lies. All the burgers are home made!!! Have a look next time you are in.
June 5, 2010 6:39 PM
I have to say, I'm willing to give Anonymous and Dave the benefit of the doubt. With that, I think this matter is settled. The Mercury's burgers are homemade. And they're good, too.
3.) The former Cafe Orange on Robinson Street has reinvented itself as Orange Izakaya (izakaya is Japanese for pub). While the doors have reopened, the place is back to serving coffee for the next couple of weeks until the new menu and lounge atmosphere are fully ready. Early reports are good.
This from my frien d LRadd on Twitter: " Cafe Orange has been majorly sexified -can't wait for the bar to open. For now having a coffee on the patio. If ur in the 'hood stop by."
And with that I'm off to enjoy this awesome sunny Sunday. Happy eating.
Would you believe me if I told you these things help you lose weight? Seriously! Every time you reach for a cookie, grab a Peppermint Patty instead and the pounds will melt off. They contain no sugar or dairy and are virtually carb-free. Yet, they're loaded with the kind of fat that's good for you (coconut oil) and helps burn off the bad stuff by improving your metabolism. The best part? They're so decadent and flavorful, there's no way you'll feel deprived. I am addicted to them and keep a stash in the back of our freezer. But don't tell the rest of my family or they'll be gone!
Time: 15 min. plus cooling time Servings: 12 large patties or 24 small patties *For THMer's, this is a Satisfying dessert. Ingredients:Chocolate:
1 cup virgin coconut oil (Tropical Traditions is my favorite)
1/2 cup pure cocoa powder
2 Tbsp Truvia (or alternative sweetener)
Filling:
1 cup finely shredded coconut, unsweetened
1 Tbsp Truvia (or alternative sweetener)
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
1/4-1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract
1/8 tsp sea salt
Directions: Bring 1 cup of coconut oil to liquid state (either in a double boiler, or immersing a sealed container in warm water). Whisk in cocoa powder and sweetener. Pour 1/2 of mixture into paper-lined muffin tins and set in freezer until hard (about 5 minutes). In the meantime, mash all of the filling ingredients together in a separate bowl. Divide and spread evenly on the chocolate coated muffin liners. Return to freezer for another 5 minutes or until hard. Evenly pour the last half of chocolate over the peppermint layer. Return to freezer. Once hard, transfer to a Ziploc bag and refrigerate or freeze until serving.
These recipes are reprinted with permission from the authors.
Just Like Wheat Thins Crackers | Trim Healthy Mama, I had my doubts about this recipe. "Just Like Wheat Thins?!" Yeah, right. You need refined flour and sugar to achieve that kind of deliciousness, don't you? Apparently not. These crackers are amazing and taste like the real thing I can't seem to keep our house stocked though - they disappear quickly!
3/4 cup flax meal
3/4 cup almond flour
2 egg whites
2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
1 Tbsp. parmeasan cheese
1/4 tsp sea salt
dash of black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil
1/2 tsp baking soda
Combine ingredients well and work into a dough ball with your hands. Place ball on parchment lined cookie sheet. Place another piece of parchment paper on top of dough ball and roll out into a slab the thickness of a cracker. Take off top piece and score into small squares. Bakes at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
Fooled Ya Pizza |Trim Healthy Mama, I've always felt bad for Brad who used to eat cardboard-like gluten-free pizza crusts while we enjoyed the gluten packed version! I had heard rave reviews about this cauliflower crust from other mamas on the Trim Healthy Mama plan and decided to give it a try even though it sounded pretty gross. Boy, was I wrong! Our entire family enjoys it just as much as the real thing! You'd never know cauliflower was the magic ingredient!
1 bag (16 oz.) frozen cauliflower (I used fresh)
3/4 cup egg whites
2 cups skim mozzarella cheese
sea salt and other seasonings (I used Epicure's Pizza seasoning blend)
pizza sauce and other pizza toppings (I used pepperoni, green pepper, red onion, cheddar and mozzarella cheese)
Lightly steam cauliflower and squeeze out all the excess water otherwise your crust won't get crispy (I skipped this step and used raw cauliflower with great results!). Put cauliflower in food processor and pulse a few times until you end up with rice sized pieces.
Add egg whites and pulse again. Add cheese and other seasonings (sea salt, Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powder). Mix ingredients together well with a spatula. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and grease well. Spread crust mixture evenly across cookie sheet. Bake at 450 for 20 minutes. Cool. Add pizza sauce and toppings and broil until toppings are done (I baked it at 400 for 8-10 minutes).
Peanut Squares | Trim Healthy Mama, These squares are so yummy! A combination of sweet and salty, we enjoy them as a snack and a dessert. They're gerat to give along with a meal to a new mom too.
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tsp Truvia
1 pkg cream cheese, softened
10 tsp Truvia
2/3 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup whipping cream
Mix almond flour, peanuts, melted butter, and 2 teaspoons of Truvia together in a bowl. Press into 8x8 baking dish and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
While crust is baking, beat cream cheese and second measurement of Truvia together until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and beat some more.
In a separate bowl, beat whipped cream. Fold into cream cheese mixture and spread over cooled crust.
Place in refrigerator to chill until set.
Cheeseburger Pie | Trim Healthy Mama, This is probably our #1 favorite supper on the plan. It's all the goodness of a cheeseburger without the bun. You would never miss it! This is so satisfying and delicious. I make once a week in place of burgers on the barbie.
2 lbs of ground beef
3 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. sea salt
6 oz. grated cheddar cheese
pickles, tomatoes, red onion
2 eggs
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup heavy cream
sea salt
ground pepper
6 oz. grated cheddar cheese
Brown ground beef and drain fat. Stir in onion powder, sea salt, and 6 oz. of grated cheese. Place beef mixture in casserole dish. Layer on any of your favorite burger toppings. Our family loves a combination of red onion, tomatoes, and pickles. In another bowl, beat eggs, mayo, cream, sea salt, and black pepper together. Pour on top of casserole and sprinkle on the remaining 6 oz. of cheese. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. We like it serve on a bed of chopped iceberg lettuce and drizzled with mustard and ketchup.
Chunky Cream Pops | Trim Healthy Mama, This frozen dessert reminds me of my favorite ice cream, President's Choice Chocolate Fudge Crackle... except it's waaaay healthier, made with good fats and no sugar. We love this treat. It's Brad's favorite of all the desserts I've made from Trim Healthy Mama so far.
1 batch of Skinny Chocolate
2 8oz. blocks of cream cheese
10 tsp. Truvia
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 heaped Tbsp. peanut butter
Make up a batch of Skinny Chocolate and put in the freezer to harden. Beat cream cheese, Truvia, and vanilla together. Cut up Skinny Chocolate into little bits and stir into cream cheese mixture along with peanut butter. Place wax paper on cookie sheet. Dump bite-sized spoonfuls of mixture onto paper. Insert a toothpick into center of cream pop and transfer to freezer. After an hour, pull pops off wax paper and transfer to a Ziploc bag for easy access. Here's a few more pictures of other Trim Healthy Mama recipes to satisfy the foodie in you:
Spicy Chicken Wings, pg. 323
Taco Salad, pg. 347
Special Agent Brownies, pg. 383
Trim Healthy Pancakes, pg. 223
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support.
This recipe is a low-fat, absolutely decadent-tasting, cheesecake-like dessert that keeps you full, healthy, and satisfies your sweet tooth! When I first discovered it in Trim Healthy Mama, I said, "Where have you been all my life?!"
I win The Best Mom In The World award when I serve this to the kids for breakfast. They think they're getting dessert!
This recipe comes from Trim Healthy Mama and is reposted with permission fro the authors. Cottage Berry Whip Time: 5 minutes Servings: 5-6 *For THMer's, this is an E, S, or FP.
Ingredients:
2 cups (1 container) low-fat cottage cheese
2 cups mixed berries
Truvia or NuNaturals to taste (when I make this for the kids, I use honey as the sweetener)
Directions: Put all ingredients into blender. Pulse until thoroughly blended. Serve and enjoy!
2135 Albert Street, Regina SK. 306-565-8894 ___________________________________________ Those who follow the blog will recall the news that Café Orange (in the Cathedral area) shut down a couple of months ago amid rumours that it will reopen as a sushi café. This is all fine and well, except it seems that just about every month a new sushi restaurant pops up in this city. At some point, sushi just isn’t going to sell enough to make a profit at each one of these places. At least that’s my opinion. So when Sake Japanese opened on Albert Street (near 13th Avenue) in February, I was only a little bit excited. On one hand, it is fantastic to see a vacant storefront turn into a thriving restaurant. There were too many empty buildings on that side of Albert Street not so very long ago. On the other hand, do we really need more sushi? Judging by the crowd at Sake on a recent Wednesday lunch hour, we do. The place was packed with groups and couples, likely from the office buildings nearby. To Sake’s credit, the restaurant is clean and decorated tastefully – nothing out of the ordinary, just a typical Japanese restaurant décor. Sake offers a mix of traditional tables, along with a number of “tatami” tables, where guests sit on cushions on top of bamboo mats. Lucky for us non-Japanese, the floor is sunken beneath the tables, making for a much more comfortable sit. As for the menu, be prepared to pig out. It’s an all-you-can-eat feast at Sake. You’re provided with a paper menu and a couple of pencils. Then you go to town marking off all the dishes you’d like to try. And there are plenty to taste. Sake offers at least 15 types of sushi rolls. Each roll consists of eight well-portioned pieces, far more than your average all-you-can-eat sushi joint. The Salmon Roll, California Roll, and Rainbow Roll that my dad and I shared were fresh – so much so that the sushi rice was moist and just a tad warm (meaning it was cooked only minutes before the rolls hit the table). Score! We also tried the crispy tempura, which comes with one jumbo shrimp per order; the fried fish; the edamame (whole soybeans); and the wonton soup. We cut ourselves off at that point, not wanting to overdo things and then go back to work in a food-induced coma. (Note: Sake, like every Japanese all-you-can-eat, will charge for food wastage, if need be.) Ice-cream fans, listen here: Sake also offers an unlimited amount of serve-yourself ice cream for dessert. Another classy touch. On offer were Tiger Tiger, Raspberry, and Pistachio the day we were there. Big Poppa and I both dug into the Tiger Tiger. Like father, like son as they say. So far, we’ve established that the food is great and the décor is good enough. That leaves the service. It was what I would call friendly, but not overly attentive. Our waiter neglected to bring one item we ordered (a rice bowl with chicken) and never came back to check if we wanted to order more food after the first round. Given that you pay a flat rate for lunch, missing an item wasn’t a big deal. Let’s just hope it isn’t a regular habit. I went in a skeptic, and I came out a believer (in the food anyway). Sake is on the right road to success.
I had the brilliant idea of reporting the happenings on Regina's restaurant scene for Valentine's Day this year. After all, Valentine's Day is one of the busiest nights of the year for most restaurants. It's a time when people are actually looking to splurge a little.
As Valentine's falls on a Sunday this year, I thought that many restaurants would have planned something special. So far, the results have been a little disappointing.
Nonetheless, if you are planning a special night out it would be wise to make reservations soon.
Here's what I know so far. Please leave a comment if you know something that's not on this list:
The Abbey 2124 Albert Street 545-8811 Two-course dinner for two, $59; Two-course dinner for two with wine, $79. (This might be the best special I've found yet).
Beer Bros Bakery & Cuisine 1801 Scarth Street 586-2337 Feb. 8-14: celebrate Valentine's Day all week long with a special menu. The four-course "ex-beer-ience" is $40.00 plus tax and tip. Not too bad, methinks. Bitten 1822 Broad Street 586-BITE Open for Valentine's (normally closed on Sundays). Otherwise, I was told it will be a "normal night" with a new fresh sheet coming out on V-day for the rest of the month of February.
Crave 1925 Victoria Avenue 525-8777 Closed on Sundays -- no Valentine's specials here.
Hotel Saskatchewan - Cortlandt Hall Dining Room 2125 Victoria Avenue 337-4311 A three-course menu with your choice of starter, entree, and dessert for $69.00 As Valentine's falls on a Sunday, morning brunch will be served for $32.00 with a few special items in honour of the day. La Bodega 2228 Albert Street 546-3660 Two seatings are planned, one at 5:30 p.m., the other at 8 p.m. Dinner special plus the usual menu are on offer here.
Memories 1717 Victoria Avenue 522-1999 Two seating times: The first for reservations between 5-6 p.m.; the second for reservations between 7-8:30 p.m. Regular menu with a four-course special for two people (price not known at time of calling)
Willow on Wascana 3000 Wascana Drive 585-3663 Two seatings: one at 4:30 p.m.; the other at 7:30 p.m. The 4:30 seating offers a six-course meal; the 7:30 seating is an eight-course meal. Both meals are served with wine flights. $100/$125 respectively. Both seatings were full as of Feb. 4, but a cancellation list is available. (As a former waiter, I know that a number of people always cancel on Valentine's Day, especially on a Sunday. Give the list a try). Zest 2903 Powerhouse Drive 522-5250 A couple's menu will be featured for $75.00 per couple (a four-course meal).
This recipe comes from Trim Healthy Mama and is reposted with permission fro the authors.
This frozen dessert reminds me of my favorite ice cream, President's Choice Chocolate Fudge Crackle... except it's waaaay healthier, made with good fats and no sugar. We love this treat. It's Brad's favorite of all the desserts I've made from Trim Healthy Mama so far. Ingredients:
1 batch of Skinny Chocolate
2 8oz. blocks of cream cheese
10 tsp. Truvia
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 heaped Tbsp. peanut butter
Directions: Make up a batch of Skinny Chocolate and put in the freezer to harden. Beat cream cheese, Truvia, and vanilla together. Cut up Skinny Chocolate into little bits and stir into cream cheese mixture along with peanut butter. Place wax paper on cookie sheet. Dump bite-sized spoonfuls of mixture onto paper. Insert a toothpick into center of cream pop and transfer to freezer. After an hour, pull pops off wax paper and transfer to a Ziploc bag for easy access.
These squares are so yummy! A combination of sweet and salty, we enjoy them as a snack and a dessert. They're great to give along with a meal to a new mom too. This recipe comes from Trim Healthy Mama and is reposted with permission fro the authors. Ingredients:
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tsp Truvia
1 pkg cream cheese, softened
10 tsp Truvia
2/3 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup whipping cream
Directions: Mix almond flour, peanuts, melted butter, and 2 teaspoons of Truvia together in a bowl. Press into 8x8 baking dish and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
While crust is baking, beat cream cheese and second measurement of Truvia together until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and beat some more.
In a separate bowl, beat whipped cream. Fold into cream cheese mixture and spread over cooled crust.
This week alone, I've received two requests for this delicious recipe, given to me by my former Young People's leader. Here are six great reasons why every one falls in love with it: 1. It's quick to prepare. Aside from baking time, this cake can be whipped together in 5 minutes flat, though everyone will think you're a highly experienced baker and spent a good part of your day making it. :) 2. It's stays moist and tender for a loooooong time. The orange juice and vanilla pudding help make this one of those melt-in-your-mouth cakes. Even at room temperature, it stays good and moist for a least a week. 3. It can be frozen. And, it even slices well when frozen. Within minutes from taking it out of the freezer, it's ready for consumption without the risk of getting an "ice cream headache." 4. It uses only 7 on-hand ingredients. No special trips into town. This cake can be made any time from your pantry staples. 5. It's economical. This cake costs $4.44 to make ($0.22 per serving)-that's when the ingredients aren't on sale. If you have your own cow, chickens, and orange tree, it's even cheaper. ;) 6. Everyone loves it! This is an excellent cake to give away, serve with a cup of coffee, or as a dessert. I've never met someone who didn't like it. Most people rave about it and the recipe gets requested often.
Batter: - 1 box of yellow or golden cake mix - 1 box of instant vanilla pudding (4 serving size) - 4 eggs - 3/4 cup of orange juice - 3/4 cup of melted butter Cinnamon Sugar mixture: -1/2 cup brown sugar -1 tsp cinnamon
In a large bowl, combine the batter ingredients with a mixer until smooth. In a smaller bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together.
Alternate layer in a greased bundt pan beginning and ending with a little of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Layer 1: Cinnamon sugar. Layer 2: Batter. Layer 3: Cinnamon sugar. Layer 4: Batter. Layer 5: Cinnamon mixture. I like to swirl in the cinnamon mixture by dragging a toothpick through the layers. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Cool.
Sometimes I add a glaze by mixing lemon juice and icing sugar together and drizzling it over the cake. I think it makes the cake look prettier and the lemon complements the orange juice really well too.
$9 for lunch buffet, $13-18 for dinner or Saturday lunch. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.
1946 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK 306-352-8424
_______________________________________
When I first heard there was a Thai restaurant on Hamilton Street downtown, I have to admit I was a little skeptical.
I pictured a little hole-in-the-wall place that would see a lot of foot traffic during the day (but few actual customers) and almost no one at night (when Regina's downtown transforms into a semi-deserted ghost town).
Boy, was I wrong.
First of all, Hamilton Street is undergoing a huge makeover. Over the last couple of years, new shops and eateries are popping up and filling in the holes left by vacant storefronts. There are still a few gaps, but given time they'll fill in too.
Second of all, Regina's downtown office crowd loves the place. Pay a visit almost any weekday at lunch and you'll be lucky to get a table if you're not there right at noon.
If you're new to Thai food, Siam's lunch buffet is an excellent place to start. There's always a good selection of meat, vegetable, and noodle dishes (Pad Thai is a sure bet), along with a couple of appetizer and dessert items.
Best of all, you can be in and out of the place with a full belly in 30 minutes or less. And get this, the grand total for the lunch buffet comes to less than $10 per person, tax included. I know, shocking.
Hold on now, before you drop the laptop and run down to Hamilton Street I need to talk more about the food.
On a recent Saturday morning, a group of us paid a visit to Siam for a not-so-traditional brunch (there's no buffet on Saturdays, FYI). We got off to a rocky start when we showed up at 11 a.m. (opening time) and the doors were still locked for another 15 minutes.
This didn't sit well with me -- unlike my usual Saturday morning of sleep and relaxation, I'd already done two loads of laundry, shopped for groceries, and ran a couple of other errands. I was hung-ree.
Once we were seated, things went more smoothly. Our gracious waiter was patient with us as we waited for others to arrive and took our time figuring out what to eat.
We ordered a ton of food, by the way. Siam makes this relatively easy by including pictures in the menu and on nifty digital photo frames hung on the walls next to tables.
These are my top three picks, for the first-timer:
- Appetizer: Mieng Kham (Leaf Wraps): This dish is a pleasure to behold and to eat. Crispy fresh coconut, fresh ginger, red onion, Thai chili, lime, cashews, and plum sugar sauce, served on top of bok choy leaves that you roll up yourself, then pop in your mouth.
- Entrees: Larb Moo: This item technically falls under the Salad category on the menu, but its size and filling portion makes it more like a meal. Spicy ground pork is mixed with roasted rice, red onions, green onions, cilantro, and lime juice. It's got some heat but not so much as to scare the beginner away.
Pad Thai: You haven't truly lived until you've had this Thai classic. A bed of warm rice noodles is covered in fried tofu, bean sprouts, and shrimp, then layered with sauce. Practically everyone likes Pad Thai. If you're completely unsure of what to order, start here.
On the whole, Siam is one of downtown's best restaurants with a huge menu, good service, reasonable prices and decent opening hours.
Cost - $12 lunch/$25 supper Monday to Friday, lunch and supper/Saturday and Sunday morning brunch, supper until late
2228 Albert St., Regina, SK. Phone: 306-546-3660 _______________ There are plenty of reasons why La Bodega is one of Regina's best restaurants.
OK, I guess you want me to name them. So here goes:
1.) La Bodega took an old, forgotten, decrepit house in the Cathedral neighbourhood and turned it into a hip, vibrant, intimate restaurant. That's not just luck, it's good planning. Previous owners of the building launched a bakery in the same spot and it was a massive flop within a year.
2.) So why has La Bodega succeeded? I think there are three key ingredients: a smart menu, a great location, and a design that allows La Bodega to be a restaurant, lounge, and/or concert venue depending on the time of day and the day of the week. They say you can't be all things to all people, but somehow La Bodega has always managed to attract the cool kids and the business lunch crowd and middle-aged couples just looking for a nice meal. That's no easy feat.
3.) Food -- of course, La Bodega would be nothing without the food. When La Bodega opened almost 10 years ago, no one in Regina had ever heard of tapas. Executive chef and owner Adam Sperling brought a creative, exciting menu to the Queen City and presented it in a way that was fresh and interesting to diners. Most people fell in love with the place after just one visit. And even now, the chefs continue to change and improve upon their menu, revealing new versions of it several times per year, keeping old favourites and introducing new ventures. And if a menu item doesn't work, La Bodega gets rid of it. 4.) Unless you're at Smitty's or an unapologetic hole-in-the-wall, a restaurant's decor is almost as important as what's on the plate (I said almost). La Bodega has always got the decor part right by using a mix of sophisticated yet rustic furnishings. The plain and sometimes mismatched wooden tables and chairs are jazzed up by much-more daring artwork and colours on the walls. The music -- never radio and certainly not Top 40 -- captures the worldly nature of the place without coming off as fake or, worse, New-Agey. In short, La Bodega's gypsy chic style is the Cathedral neighbourhood in a nutshell. It fits into its surroundings naturally. What more could you ask for? 5.) OK, this last reason is half-serious and half a joke. But when La Bodega first opened, they sold alcohol at ridiculously cheap prices. The food was never undervalued, but the drinks sure were. And people loved it. So they stayed for another. And another. And hey, can we see that menu again? We're hungry now. Over the years, it seems the prices of booze have crept upward, but you can still get a decent glass of wine for $5-6 per glass. So, what's the downside? La Bodega's biggest weakness is its weekend brunch. The menu is nowhere near as tasty as what's on offer for weekday lunch or suppertime. And the prices for an Eggs Benny border on the obscene. To me, the best breakfasts in the world are cheap and dirty. Get in, drink your weight in coffee, and get out $8 later. Otherwise La Bodega, you rock. http://www.labodegaregina.ca/
I wish this Japanese restaurant earned a higher score -- I really do. Not only is Hanabi close to a number of downtown offices and hotels, its bland storefront hides a warm and inviting dining room that puts you immediately at ease. The lanterns, curtains, sushi bar, and large number of semi-private booths could almost -- just for a second -- make you believe you were in Japan.
Hanabi's menu is full of Japanese favourites: Sushi, Tempura, Bento Boxes, Teriyaki and Edamame (whole soy beans) are all there. For the more adventurous, there's Soft Shell Crab, Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), and Seaweed Salad. There are also a a few Korean dishes on the menu.
When visiting for lunch last week, my friend (let's call her Ms. Thang) and I ordered a number of our favourites. It was her birthday and we have sushi on her birthday almost every year.
We asked for Miso Soup to start, followed by Gyoza (pork dumplings), Salmon Rolls, the Cream Cheese Roll (a house specialty), and two Inari (tofu pockets).
Things started reasonably well. The Gyoza arrived in about 10 minutes. They were OK, but I am almost certain they were store-bought -- a bit of a disappointment.
After another 10 minutes or so, we got the Inari, which usually come at the end of a meal, like a dessert item. At least they tasted good.
Then came the Cream Cheese Roll. Crisp seaweed wrapped itself around salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado and a "Special Sauce" (our waitress told us it was warm apple sauce). This roll was a new one for both of us, and it was delicious.
Next up, and after another noticeable delay, we got one of the Salmon Rolls. The other was mysteriously absent. We split the eight tasty morsels of soft sushi rice and tender pink salmon. And then we waited.
Finally, the next Salmon Roll landed on the table. We devoured it quickly. Lunch hour was basically over at this point. It was at about that moment that Ms. Thang, who was getting testy, had a realization. "Umm, we never got our Miso," she said, usually the first item to arrive within minutes of ordering.
"No, we sure didn't," I said, and rolled my eyes. At that point we had no further time to waste.
I asked for the bill. It came two or three minutes later, so I put my money in the billfold and waited for the waitress to come get it. She didn't.
Ms. Thang and I gathered our things and headed to the till, by this point grumbling to each other about the service.
"How was everything?" asked the sweet and smiling hostess.
We diplomatically told her that the food was great, but holy jeepers, could it have come any slower? At lunch?
Perhaps the secret to success at Hanabi is to visit their website and pre-order items off the online menu. It couldn't hurt, anyway. Or, just go in at supper hour when you have a couple of hours to kill.
There is only one major problem with these brownies; someone who doesn't have to eat gluten-free will decided this recipe is so out of this world that she'll gobble them up faster then the gluten-free husband she originally made them for (not me, of course). And if she's feeling generous enough to give her kids a teeny tiny taste, they'll not stop eating them either. Before you know it, the whole pan is gone and another batch has to be made before Daddy comes home from work so he can have some too.
Two-Bite BrowniesTime:10 minutes plus 50 minutes baking. Serves: 72 two-bite brownies in a mini-muffin pan, or a 9x13" baking dish. Gluten-free, sugar-free, Trim Healthy Mama friendly (S). Adapted from Low Carb Sinfully Delicious Desserts, pg. 26Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar (Xylitol for Trim Healthy Mamas!)
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups almond flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 ounces (2 squares) unsweetened baking chocolate
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Using a mixer, cream butter, sweetener, vanilla, eggs, and salt together. Stir almond flour, baking powder and cocoa together in a separate bowl using a fork. Slowly add to creamy mixture and blend on low until batter is smooth. Melt baking chocolate and add to batter. Stir until thoroughly combined. If you'd like to bake two-bite brownies, use a tablespoon to scoop the batter into a non-stick mini muffin pan. Be careful not to overfill the tins or you'll have a messy oven! Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350. For less fuss, Pour batter into an 9X13" glass baking dish and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Do not overbake! Brownies will rise while baking and sink in the middle when cooling. The sides should be crispy and the middle ooey-gooey.
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Food - 4.5 out of 5 Service - 4.5 out of 5 Decor - 4.5 out of 5 Total - 13.5 out of 15
2375 Sainte-Catherine est Montreal, Quebec 514-522-5105 restolegraindesel.ca ____________________________________________________________
If you're anything like me, TripAdvisor has become a trusted travel companion before, during, and after a trip takes you out on the road.
TripAdvisor offers more information about hotels, restaurants, and activities in almost any city than you could probably ever read. And more often than not, the information is reliable and straight-up honest.
Until recently, it had been more than seven years since the last time I visited Montreal. I was at a total loss as to where to eat, especially in a city with as many options as Montreal. So, I took the web's advice.
Do a search for restaurants in Montreal on TripAdvisor, and the number 1 result is a little bistro by the name of Le Grain de Sel (at least at the time of writing in September 2010).
Thank you yet again, TripAdvisor, for an amazing night out.
While no one visits Montreal without strolling down Sainte-Catherine Street at least once, Le Grain de Sel is on a stretch of the street that sees little traffic (about five blocks east of the Papineau subway stop).
The main dining room out front is cozy. White linens dress each table with darker colours on the bar and walls.
Staff were immediately welcoming and friendly, offering us a choice of available tables. The menu is completely in French, but our waiter took the time to explain almost every item, mostly without even being prompted.
I think Le Grain de Sel's total lack of pretension is one of its best qualities. The head chef even came out to our table to ask how the food was at one point in the meal. And he looked like he genuinely wanted to make sure we were having a good time.
We ordered the Escargots en Croute and a pair of fresh Quebec Scallops for appetizers. Both dishes were delicious. The escargots came served in a piping hot bowl covered by a thin crust of glazed phyllo dough. Beneath the doughy dome were our escargots, buttery and mixed with wild mushrooms. Mwa!
The scallops were seasoned perfectly with oil, salt, and pepper, and served with a side of corn and red pepper. Not your usual sides, but they were a perfect match for the scallops.
As for main courses, we ventured for the halibut and a duo of haddock and pork belly. The fish was truly delicious and makes me wish that I lived nearer to the ocean.
The pork, on the other hand, was extraordinarily fatty. So much so that once the fat was cut away, just a few morsels of meat were left. When our lovely waitress asked how I liked my meal, I had to confess that I wasn't nuts about the pork. But she made a good point: the fatty pork was intentionally paired with the ultra-lean haddock as a contrast. I still can't say that I enjoyed the pork, but at least the kitchen is thinking seriously about the food it serves.
For dessert, we gorged on a homemade cheesecake, and a cold raspberry and balsamic vinegar soup with fresh doughnuts on top. It was all too, too delicious.
If I had to give Le Grain de Sel a grade, it would be an F++.
Hold on now, that stands for Fresh, Friendly, and Fantastic.
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