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Category Archives: Kitchen Hacks

Tips for Kids in the Kitchen

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Watch the video below for my favourite ways to get kids to help with cooking AND eat what they make:

Mentioned in the video:

Toast Removers (not the one shown in the video): Grip & Grab

Ranch Dip: Creamy Ranch Dip Mix

Dip Container: Prep Bowls

Fruit Dip: Carrot Cake Sweet Dip Mix

Sweet Sprinkles: Tutti Fruity Whole Food Topper

Savoury Sprinkles: Everything Bagel Whole Food Topper

Spaghetti Sauce: Marinara Sauce Mix

Chicken Soup: Chicken Broth Mix

Pudding: Vanilla Bean Instant Pudding Mix

Black Bean Brownies: Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Mix

What works to get your kids to try healthy foods?

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Super Spinach Breakfast Wrap

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Watch the video for step-by-step instructions to make this deliciously filling breakfast or brunch (or even “linner” or “dunch”):

This wrap is a great way to get a mix of veggies in your breakfast and the flavours really come together with the taste of Spinach Dip (that’s why it’s super)!

Super Spinach Breakfast Wrap

Ingredients

1 TBS Spinach Dip Mix

3 eggs

1 TBS plain yogurt

1 small red onion

1 small bell pepper

2 cups fresh spinach (or however much you can fit in the pan)

cooked sausage or bacon (optional)

1/4 cup feta cheese

2 whole grain tortillas

1 small roma tomato (optional)

1 small persian cucumber (optional)

Sprinkle Garlicky Dill Topper

Method

  1. Mix Spinach Dip Mix, plain yogurt (both should be 1 Tablespoon, the TSP’s in the video are an error) and eggs in a small bowl and let sit to rehydrate the spices
  2. Chop and sauté onion and bell pepper over medium until translucent
  3. Add cooked sausage or bacon, if using, and fill pan with spinach leaves
  4. Sauté gently until spinach is wilted
  5. Add egg mixture and dot with chunks of feta cheese, if using
  6. Warm tortillas
  7. Divide egg mixture and place in the centre of the tortillas
  8. Top with diced tomato and cucumber, if using, and sprinkle Garlicky Dill Topper
  9. Wrap and enjoy

Kitchen Hack: Use a ceramic knife to prevent onion tears

I love the flavour that the Spinach Dip Mix adds, because though I enjoy full-on Spinach Dip in the classic sourdough bread bowl at get-togethers, I’m always finding ways to use it for everyday cooking. Check out more great recipes:

Spanakopita (mini spinach pies)

Creamy Spinach Pasta Sauce

Cheesy Kale Hot Dip

Spinach Dip

Hot Spinach Dip

Cheesy Artichoke Squares

SpinachDipMixNutritionIngredients

I also appreciate that there is no added salt (hence low sodium) and the inclusion of nutritional yeast for all those great B vitamins! You could also add some Kalamata Olives for a bit more salt. What are your favourite flavours to pair with spinach?

Summer Sizzle Tips and Tricks – Video

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Watch the video below to see how to keep your cool in the summer heat while making simple dishes and refreshing treats:

Mentioned in the video:

Slicing and shredding: 4-in-1 Mandoline

Steaming: Multipurpose Steamer

Grilling Fruits: Coconut Lime Sweet Dip Mix

Pudding Pops: Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix

Pudding Pie: Vanilla Bean Instant Pudding Mix

Ice Cubes: Iceberg Mold

Iced Tea: Brentwood Teapot

Iced Coffee: French Press

Veggie Noodles: Veggie Twist and Spiral Slicer

Salad Dressing: Miso & Ginger Nourish Dressing Mix

Salad Topper: Garlicky Dill

Brie Stuffed Veggie Burger: Recipe

Pickled Onions: Quickles Pickling Mix

Sauce: Big Burger Sauce Mix

I love to chill out with frozen desserts and fresh salads in the summer time. What’s your favourite treat to handle the heat of summer days and nights?

Kitchen Hack: Avocado Freshness

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I hated avocados for decades, I thought they were slimy and gross. Until, one day I had a fresh guacamole that was more like salsa with firm chunks of barely ripe avocado than the green goo they sell at the grocery store. Since then, my love affair with avocados has only deepened, to the point that I will indulge daily.

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The trick with avocados is using them in that shoe window of gloriousness ripeness that passes all to soon. I have a trick that expands this opportune time from mere minutes (OK, maybe hours) up to a WHOLE WEEK.

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I buy my avocados in bulk, for the best price (sometimes at Costco), when they are rock hard and let them ripen on the counter. To speed up this process, place them near bananas (which release ethylene gas) or to super charge it, place the avocados in a brown bag WITH bananas.

Once they are ripe, keep them in the refrigerator until YOU are ready to use them!

Avocados are a wonderful source of fibre, monounsaturated fat (the good kind) and tons of vitamins and nutrients. I love using avocado in place of may for tuna salad. What’s you favourite way to enjoy a perfectly ripe avocado?

Brie Stuffed Veggie Burger

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Brie Stuffed Veggie Burger

When I sat down to enjoy this flavour packed veggie burger stuffed with brie cheese, I did not know just how many people would share in the excitement of my creation! I entered this photo of my homemade burger, dressed with avocado sauce and pickled onions, in a burger contest and promptly forgot all about it, until my Brie Stuffed Veggie Burger won the contest.

Epic Burger Contest

I was honoured to have my beautiful burger recognized and, of course, was thrilled to win the prize (who doesn’t love winning?). I did re-prize it as I love to share good fortune (even more than winning) and it was too good to keep to myself!

Brie Stuffed Veggie Burgers

Ingredients

MAKES: 4 SERVINGS

  • 1 pkg Veggie Burger Mix (Pkg of 2)
  • 1/2 C (125 ml) hot water
  • 3 Tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice
  • 1 C (250 ml) cooked quinoa
  • 1 C (250 ml) grated zucchini (or carrot)
  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) oil
  • Brie Cheese (or other soft cheese)

Method

  1. In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. Let stand 5 minutes
  2. Use Burger Press to form 4 patties with brie cheese inside
  3. Preheat large Fry Pan or grill pan over medium heat. Add oil. Cook until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Recipe Tip: Make burgers; refrigerate or freeze. Reheat on barbecue for smoky flavour.

Avocado Burger Sauce

Ingredients

Method

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, using Piano Wire Whisk, whisk together all ingredients.
  2. Store in a sealed container in fridge for up to 1 week.

Quickled Red Onions

Ingredients

MAKES: 1 C (250 ML)

Method

  1. In a saucepan, combine water, vinegar, sugar, pickling mix, and salt.
  2. Boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Pour over sliced onion. Chill before serving.

Hack: Add pickled onion juice to Caesars and Bloody Marys or substitute it for the vinegar in your salad dressings.

Assemble with all your favourite burger fixings and enjoy! I love onions on my burgers: raw, pickled, caramelized or any combination. What is the one topping that makes your burger the best it can be?

Meal Prep Tips and Tricks – Video

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Watch the video below to see my 5 favourite foods and tools for keeping meal prep easy breezy:

Top Five Foods for Meal Prep:

  1. Mixed Greens – in the fridge for salads and in the freezer for smoothies
  2. Organic Dried Beans – cook in slow cooker, pressure cooker or on the stove
  3. Vanilla Optimum Vegan Protein Blend – in oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt and baking
  4. Salad Dressings: Miso Ginger and Balsamic
  5. Toppings:  Garlic Onion and Tutti Fruity

Top Five Tools for Meal Prep:

  1. Mason Jars with plastic lids: for storing and transporting
  2. Silicone Muffin Tray: for baking and freezing
  3. Portion Scoops: for prepping nourish bowls and individual meals
  4. Immersion Blender: for pureeing soups, dressings, pudding and smoothies
  5. Sheet Pan and Liner: for sheet pan dinners, cookings and jelly rolls!

What are your meal prep tips?

Kitchen Hack: Toast your dried herbs and spices

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img_4761A few minutes in a hot dry pan can waken up ground spices and dried herbs to give any dish a more robust flavour. Be careful to stir the spices, so they don’t burn, and give them 2 or 3 minutes in the pan. When the fragrance has intensified to a pleasant level, add the rest of the ingredients. In this case, can of organic diced tomatoes with no salt added to make spaghetti and meatballs.

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