Simplicity

Lately I've not had a lot of time to cook, but that hasn't stopped me!  As you all probably know by now that my style is slow cooking (and by that I don't mean using a crockpot because I don't even own) but from scratch home cookin' and of course my beloved Middle Eastern recipes!   Our grandma's spent most hours of their days cooking and out of their kitchens came amazingly delicate and intricate recipes like hand stuffed and rolled grape leaves, different variations of kubbah (which are doughs stuffed with filling and either fried, baked or simmered in rich stews)  and so many more beautiful dishes.

On the flip side there's a lot to be learnt from having really little time on hand when it comes to meal prep. I love Jamie Oliver' 30 and 15 minute meals and Nigella's cooking because what I've learned from watching these cooking shows is that sometimes it's OK to cut  down on steps and still make something fabulous to eat!

Whether it's cooking long and slow or quick there is always something to learn and acquire new techniques and perfect cooking skills.

I made a second visit to Country Cheese (I wrote about my first visit here) and picked up some fun cheeses.  They have these lovely fresh cheese curds on a weekly basis that are flying off the counter (literally.. so gotta get there early!) 

I also picked up an interesting cheese which was flavoured in house, they rub it with a lemon infused olive oil and then roll it in dried herbs.  I forgot the name of the cheese but if you go in there and ask them they'll know what you're talkin' about.  It's such a nice snacking cheese, I love the hint of lemon (I love lemon in everything) but find that it really cuts the richness!  Very addictive. 

I've experimented a little with it in cooking, and like a parmigiano reggiano it's perfect to just grate in last minute. The first recipe I made was a pasta in a plain cream sauce which then I shaved/grated quite a bit of this cheese onto it  A few globes of cherry tomato to garnish the plate and it was perfection!  

It's also a perfect breakfast cheese as you can see we enjoyed with an array of fruit, fresh bread and vegetables.  I put a Middle Eastern spin on this spread, which really is how I like to enjoy my cheese! Give me some bread, olives, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers and I'm good to go!

I will add that this lemony cheese is also PERFECT shaved in large curls over a plate of fresh pasta in tomato sauce.Those herbs are great especially in the dead of winter when I can't get to the supermarket to pick up fresh herbs (not to mention they're so expensive)

This cheese is a keeper!

My last favourite thing when it comes to simple meals and I've written about this before but I'm going to say it again, I LOVE those flame savours by Highliner, amazing fish fillets that cook up in 24 minutes, just so perfect! I now make them twice a week.

Back to blogging

 I've been away for a while, of course busy with my new kitties but also completed a month of chiropractic treatment which involved three sessions a week for four weeks.  I didn't realize how much of a commitment it was, or rather how busy I would be preparing for these appointments but glad to have got through it and now I can focus on cooking, baking, and everything that I love.  

With spring just around the corner it's a wonderful time of year! So much hope and anticipation for warm weather, preparing those seedlings and just getting in the fresh spring mode!

The series of photos below doesn't scream "Spring" but they're a few I had on my camera during the last month.  I've been focussing on reading, some décor too and just enjoying life and taking things "slow"  (Reading Carl Honoré's "The Slow Fix")

As you all know I love sharing products and things I love with all of you so today I'm showing off my new incense globe (or Aromatherapy Pendant)  it's by Pixie Glass works, a Canadian company who was also featured on Dragon's Den (where I initially noticed them)

Basically the pendants are made of a super strong glass and blown in a specific way where even if you tilt or jiggle it the incense (essential oil) does not spill out but because of the tiny hole (that's where you carefully and patiently fill it with an eye dropper) it emits the essence and scent which is just lovely!

I do have their basic clear pendant necklace which I will feature later on because I haven't been able to wear it (still looking for an oil to fill it with that appeals to me)

Recently Dr.Oz talked about the calming effects of Aromatherapy,  this is definitely a cool product if you're anxious or stressed.

Even though it's a necklace I hung it from the mirror in the car so now the car smells great!  Perfect for those long car rides and road trips. Maybe even selecting a calming oil and scent may help with traffic! 

It's good to be back! I have some exciting things lined up for summer as well, with fun products and recipes so stay tuned ;)

P.S I am not being paid to endorse any of these products, they're simply things I've discovered, purchased and enjoy and hope you can enjoy them too! 

Scrumptious Strawberry Almond Crumble

I'm not a dessert fan and really not a fan of crumbles so you can imagine my surprise when I LOVED this!  It's probably the almond! Or the strawberry?  Either way it's easy and SO delicious!

A fabulous recipe by Nigella! Strawberry Almond Crumble.

I love almond and try to incorporate them into desserts whenever I can so when I saw Nigella make this on tv I had to have to give it a try.
Lucky for me the food network converted the recipe to cups and tablespoons! Here it is 

It's all very simple, and you're likely to have all the ingredients at home.. basically it starts with strawberries in a pie plate sprinkled with almond meal, sugar and vanilla.


The topping comes together when you work the cold cubes of butter into the flour and baking powder mixture with your hands (so much fun!).  Then toss in the coarse sugar and shaved almonds and sprinkled over the fruit

Bakes in 30 minutes on 400 F.

REALLY easy last minute dessert! Serve with whipped cream, ice cream or even just a drizzle of heavy cream (As Nigella did!)

Tree of Hearts

This cute heart tree is a blast to make!  My cat and I made it one afternoon, we folded both red and pink tissue paper and then cut hearts out of them. 

We had hearts all over the floor and my kitty just loved playing with the leftover tissue paper. 

The most fun comes from puncturing each heart onto the branches, go wild!   A fun craft to do with children too!