Spiced Espresso

I love espresso, just in case that wasn't already obvious! All beans are not grown or roasted equally. Find out about the ones you use; are they ethically grown? harvested? fairly traded? organic? treated chemically?

There are times when I feel the need for a flavour in my coffee, something more than just the warm, welcoming hug of espresso mixed with hot water.

In those cases, I often end up in front of my spice rack, wondering what to grind with the beans. Sometimes it is whole green cardamom, other times it is cinnamon, vanilla, or oil of oregano (yep).

Have you tried herbs or spices in your morning brew? Did you like it? What have you tried?

Whole green cardamom pods that will be ground with espresso beans.

Fish For Lunch

I am often surprised by how few people around me seem to eat fish, cook with fish, or have even tried fish.

On our last trip to the grocery store, we bought one package of each of the frozen fish options, where the fish is filleted and packed as is, right after cleaning.

So yummy and simple, it hardly feels like I am actually cooking!

Portabella Garlic Mushroom Burgers

I was in need of a delicious, healthy, filling, fast dinner (on our way out the door). One that the kids would eat quickly and enjoy. Solution: Portabella Garlic Mushroom Burgers.

It's actually one of the best things I have ever put on a bun. Here is how it breaks down...

Portabella Garlic Mushroom Burger with tomato, cilantro, and caramelized red onions on a toasted ciabatta bun.

Finally... Spring?

I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. I think the cold is FINALLY gone, after six long weeks. The weather looks like it is turning for the better, and spring *might* finally be here. I can only hope.

Spring is in the air... And on my table!

It was warm and beautiful yesterday, and also at times today. So lovely in fact, that the only logical option for dinner was pasta salad.

RECIPE: Tuna Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
500 g package of small pasta noodles
500 g frozen peas
1 bell pepper, diced
other veggies, diced (tomato, cucumber, celery, onions, cilantro, green beans, corn, etc.)
spinach, lettuce, or greens of some kind

2 cans tuna, drained
1/2 cup mayonnaise or sour cream
1/2 cup sweet chilli sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp ground)
1/2 tsp ground pepper