BusyBeeBets

Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken & Rice

2014-01-30T11:59:00.000-05:00

I'm sure I've mentioned before how menu planning has changed and saved my life, and I'll say it again. Menu Planning is really such a great tool, and I know I'm not the first to realize it. Pre-kids, Matt and I were doing it on a more relaxed scale, shopping week to week, but our menu was more relaxed. I've now found it important to plan the meals ahead of time, organize the grocery list with those ingredients, and even find recipes that I can slot into limited time-frames (and yes, I have an excel file to help me accomplish all of this....).

I've been reading tons of new food and cooking blogs and having a lot of fun testing out a ton of new recipes lately. This Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken & Rice falls into my Slow Cooker Sunday meals. I know the picture is really not that appealing, but the taste of the dish is good, and it was easy to make! How can you not like a recipe that has one step?

This is a pretty blank canvas to start with, so don't be limited by the below recipe. You can easily mix up the frozen corn and replace it with peas, broccoli, or carrots, or all three. You could also switch up the cream of chicken soup with mushroom or broccoli. There's a lot of easy ways to add more vegetables to this dish. I actually think adding chopped red peppers at the end would give this a much brighter taste, so I'm going to do that next time.

INGREDIENTS

    2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
    1 large onion, chopped
    1 cup of rice, cooked
    1 cup cheddar cheese
    1 - 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup

1-2 cups frozen corn (or other vegetable)

DIRECTIONS

Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Scatter chopped onion over top. Spoon cream soup over top of that. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. A few minutes before serving, shred chicken with a fork and add in cooked rice, corn, and cheese. Stir to combine and let cook 20 minutes longer. Serve hot.

Crafty Find: Scrabble!

2014-01-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

I love crafts that can re-purpose common items into new and exciting ideas. I came across this drink coaster made out of scrabble tiles (brilliant), so I was curious to see what other crafts made use of these alphabet tiles. Any one of these would be a great gift for the scrabble lover in your life. And the best part, with so many letters to choose from, personalizing your gift is pretty simple. You could even make them bilingual.

To start, you could make your own Christmas Ornaments:

Or perhaps a magnet for your dishwasher to let you know when the dishes are clean or dirty:

The letters would always look nice spelling out a message in a nice frame:

And if you can make it work, make your own family tree:

You could use them as wine charms:

You could also use them for a bit of inspiration. How about pillows that look like scrabble tiles?

There seem to be a lot of fun variations with this versatile letter game. I just might have to book mark this for the next time I want to make a personalized gift for someone.

Book Nook: Holidays On Ice

2014-01-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

Holidays on Ice
~ David Sedaris

BBB Rating: 1 out of 5

I love finishing a book and adding it to my Read List, almost as much as I love adding books to my To Read List. Granted, the latter is much lengthier and I wonder if I'll actually ever get through them all, but adding new books is so much fun.

Holidays on Ice was a book I received as a Christmas gift, oh, maybe three years ago, from my wonderful and observant husband. He noticed a few other books on my shelf by David Sedaris and picked this one up for me as a gift. It's a collection of short stories, all holiday themed, and I started reading it shortly after I got it, but then put it down and clearly forgot about it for several years.

Well, I picked it back up over the holidays finished it not to long ago. What did I think? To be honest, I was a little unsettled by his humour this time around. I know he's a pretty quirky guy, but some of the ideas he puts out there made me uncomfortable. So I'm sad to say that this one was a miss for me. Not all the books I read can be hits, but I'm sharing them with you anyway.

40th Birthday Party

2014-01-21T12:03:00.000-05:00

So, my husband turned 40 this year. No biggie. 40 is the new 30, right? So in his honor, we got ourselves a sitter and headed out for a big night on the town. First, we had drinks and snacks with friends at a local pub. Then we headed to a bar to meet up with more friends and watch a cover band. It was a late night but a great night (and nap time the next day was enjoyed by all). We looked forward to celebrating with our closest friends, so I wanted a little something to thank everyone for coming out. I put together a little something for people to take home (yay adult treat bags!), which looked something like this:

That's not my photo (I neglected to take one), but I did put together a bouquet of Pop Rocks for our guests to take. And I have to say, it was kind of a hit. It was like a little blast of nostalgia in your mouth.

On a smaller scale, we had our own little party for Matt at home, including balloons and a very special birthday 'cake'. In general, I would say traditional cake falls at the very bottom of his dessert list. Nearing the top is Ice Cream Cake, which we enjoy when celebrating with his family, but I thought I could find something even better.

Enter the Popcorn Cake and my inspiration:

A mixture of popcorn, pretzels, and M&Ms, all coated with melted and gooey marshmallow? This combines all of Matt's most favorite things! So, I made it in secret the night before (A much smaller version than the one in the link), and after Liv had gone to bed (it wouldn't be fair to eat it in front of her, after all), I busted out the candles and presented it to Matt.

Thankfully, and not surprisingly, he really liked it. That yummy mix of salty and sweet really does hit the spot. He still talks about it, remembering fondly back to that delectable treat. I'm glad he enjoyed it, and he can look forward to this 'cake' for many birthdays to come.

Recipe: Banana Avocado Chocolate Pudding

2014-01-16T10:53:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of momables.com

I've been wanting a way to start introducing new treats to Olivia, but I am conscious of the amount of sugar that is possibly involved. I know there are tasty ways to give her a sweet treat, and the internet is full of them. And I like that it means making my own version of easily store-bought items (such as pudding). This chocolate pudding is perfect for an after dinner dessert. And you adults, you just might like it, too!

I've seen this recipe making the rounds on various food and mom blogs I visit, and one even suggested it as a morning breakfast. Heck, why not? If it means your kid will eat a good amount of fruits, then I'm all for it. Right now Olivia is eating everything in sight, so we don't have the problem right now, but so much changes so quickly that it's a good idea to have this in my back pocket.

We regularly have bananas and avocados in the house, so I just threw them in the processor, added the cocoa powder and this pudding was ready in seconds. Not surprising, Olivia seemed to dig it, as did I. This is my adapted version, but for a larger batch, HERE is the original.

INGREDIENTS

1 ripe banana

1 avocado

2 tbsp of cocoa powder

DIRECTIONS

Add banana and avocado in processor or blender. Blend until smooth.

Add in cocoa powder and blend further.

If desired, chill before serving.

A variety of other options are out there, including using Orange Juice, Coconut Milk & Dark Chocolate, even a Spiced one for those of you who like some heat.

Crafty Find: I'm in the mood for Love

2014-01-13T11:24:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and while my husband and I don't go overboard with gifts or fancy dinners, I still like to honour the day in some small way. And with a kid now, Valentine's takes on a whole new meaning, though we do have a few more years before we'll be making cards to give out at school. In the meantime, however, we'll be traveling to spend Family Day with our nieces in Ottawa this year, which also coincides with Valentine's Day, so I thought it might be fun to put together a small gift for them.

I've found so many great ideas out there for cards and treats, specifically ones that don't include a lot (if any) sugar, that I thought I'd share a few of my favorite ones. I'll share my final creations with you later.

For the Star Wars ~~nerds~~ fans in your life, how about these character or Yoda cards? I like that it comes with a fun glow stick - so creative!

Anyone who knows me well knows I'd sure appreciate a Valentine like this one:

Here's a great idea to help your kids store their cards in a bag or box. I'm a sucker for a cute robot or hipp...

As for food, this sure is a fun Valentine's breakfast - Strawberry Pancakes with Sprinkles!

There are plenty more ideas out there, and this site has a great collection of fun non-sugar themed gifts and cards. With so many choices, I'm really looking forward to February 14th, but I better get crafting!

Fat Friday - Brooklyn Tavern

2014-01-10T10:04:00.000-05:00

We love when new restaurants open up in our neighbourhood, and there certainly isn't a lack of them. When we see the paper over the windows of recently closed down shops, we look closely at the construction permit to see what might be coming, and we get excited when it says bar or restaurant.

Brooklyn Tavern was getting some good reviews and attention in the local blogs, so Matt and I decided to check it out for lunch. We had a rare day before Christmas where we both took the day off of work to finish up our shopping, and on the way back home we stopped in to grab a bite.

There menu offers a nice variety of options but isn't that overwhelming that I couldn't decide what to have. The starters/share items all sounded delicious, but we choose the Popcorn with Smoked Paprika and Manchego and the Pulled Pork Flautas with Tomatillo Salsa. Both were sensational.

For my main, I wisely chose the Spicy Chicken and Lime Tortilla Soup, now one of my favorite soups, and Matt went with the New Mexican Pork and Green Chile Stew, surely out of nostalgia. Both were so good!

I followed up that visit about a month later when a girlfriend and I went for dinner. This time around, I ordered the Giant Meatball Filled with Pulled Pork served in a Chipotle-White Bean Broth, a some-what unusual choice for me, but again, I was not disappointed. I don't know how I am resisting the Mac & Cheese, but I'm sure I'll get around to tasting it yet. Just writing this post is reminding me how good the Brooklyn Tavern is, so I'm thinking it's due time to head back there again soon.

Book Nook: What in God's Name

2014-01-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

What in God's Name
~ Simon Rich

BBB Rating: 4 out of 5

I cued up this book after finishing Simon's book of short stories, Last Girlfriend on Earth. I loved his writing style and humour in his stories, so I was excited to read his novel. I was a little skeptical from the title, but turns out this is just a good ol' fashion love story told in Heaven. And Heaven might not be how you think it is. I liked this book so much that is was the one I brought to my Christmas Book Club Mean Santa, and surprisingly, it got stolen a number of times. If you're looking for a cute love story, check out this one.

From Goodreads:

Welcome to Heaven, Inc., the grossly mismanaged corporation in the sky. For as long as anyone can remember, the founder and CEO (known in some circles as "God") has been phoning it in. Lately, he's been spending most of his time on the golf course. And when he does show up at work, it's not to resolve wars or end famines, but to Google himself and read what humans have been blogging about him.

When God decides to retire (to pursue his lifelong dream of opening an Asian Fusion restaurant), he also decides to destroy Earth. His employees take the news in stride, except for Craig and Eliza, two underpaid angels in the lowly Department of Miracles. Unlike their boss, Craig and Eliza love their jobs - uncapping city fire hydrants on hot days, revealing lost keys in snow banks - and they refuse to accept that earth is going under.

The angels manage to strike a deal with their boss. He'll call off his Armageddon, if they can solve their toughest miracle yet: getting the two most socially awkward humans on the planet to fall in love. With doomsday fast approaching, and the humans ignoring every chance for happiness thrown their way, Craig and Eliza must move heaven and earth to rescue them - and the rest of us, too.

I think I'll take a little break from this author, but I will return to read his other works again for sure.

Recipe: Thai Chicken Wraps

2014-01-02T10:33:00.000-05:00

The other night, on my way home from work, I picked up an already-cooked rotisserie chicken from the market. For only 10 whole dollars, I was able to make up three different dinner meals, all ready in under 20 minutes - BBQ Chicken Pizza, these Thai Chicken Wraps, and a Chicken & Broccoli Pasta. If you don't feel like cooking them all in the same week, just portion the meat into sandwich baggies and freeze for later.

This Thai Chicken Wrap was super simple to make and only required me to pick up a few extra ingredients from the market. I also like that Olivia could enjoy it with us. She loves broccoli and peanut butter and anything bread-like, so this was a clear winner with her, and it was just as flavorful for us adults. It's a great recipe to add into our menu rotation.

While the original recipe called for uncooked chicken, the shredded chicken just reduced the cooking time. I've included the steps in case you want to use either option.

INGREDIENTS

    12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken-breast strips (or a 1/3 of a whole roasted chicken)
    1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
    2 cups broccoli-slaw mix
    1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    Peanut sauce
    3 10-inch whole-wheat tortillas, warmed

DIRECTIONS

Sprinkle chicken strips with garlic salt. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Cook and stir seasoned chicken in hot skillet over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. Coat pan again with cooking spray. Add broccoli slaw and ginger to skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Spread tortillas with peanut sauce. Top with chicken strips and broccoli-slaw mix. Roll up each tortilla, and cut in half. Serve immediately.

For the Peanut Sauce:

INGREDIENTS

    1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (or natural peanut butter for reduced sugar)
    3 tablespoons water
    1 tablespoon sugar
    2 teaspoons soy sauce
    1 clove garlic, minced

DIRECTIONS

In a small saucepan, combine creamy peanut butter, water, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic, minced. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until peanut butter mixture is smooth and warm. Use immediately or keep warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally.

ON ANOTHER NOTE...

I've decided to drop the recipe counting... Obviously my challenge that I started more than two years ago (yikes!) to cook and post a new recipe each week has gone by the wayside. The cooking still continues, but I can admit when I'm defeated. But don't fret - I'll still be sharing the new recipes I try out.

Crafty Find: Hand Print Ornaments

2013-12-30T16:05:00.000-05:00

While this isn't technically Olivia's first Christmas, it is the first one where she is active and able to partake in the Christmas cheer. In that spirit, I wanted to make a little memento for each of the grandparents, as well as for ourselves, that would help us remember when she was this precious age. Of course Pinterest had exactly what I was looking for - hand print ornaments.

The recipe was easy enough to mix and roll out, and Olivia was game for making her little hand prints. I used a straw to poke the hole in the top, then used a knife to trace around the hand print. After baking in the oven for the 3 hours and then leaving over night to dry fully, I painted up Santa and Rudolph, two of each. Finish off with a little ribbon and you've got yourself a one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament.

NOTE: I doubled the below recipe, which yielded me enough dough for four hand prints.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup flour

1/2 salt

1/4 water (or as needed)

DIRECTIONS

Combine ingredients and form into a ball.
Divide into 2 equal balls and roll out on floured surface about 1/8 inch thick.

Place on cookie sheets and press the wee one's hand; trim excess dough from impression.

With a toothpick or straw, make a hole in the top of the ornament for threading ribbon.
Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) until hard, about 1-3 hours. Leave in oven over night to cool and harden completely.
Decorate with paint and varnish to preserve.

Fat Friday - Hogtown Smoke

2013-12-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love a good helping of meat served with a small order of beans, coleslaw and fries on the side? If you're that person, then just skip this post, because this one is for Meat Lovers!

After starting out as a successful food truck downtown, Hogtown Smoke recently opened up a shop not far from us on Queen Street near Woodbine. Like many other local spots, it's a cozy little space serving up great food and beer. A while back we tasted the meat delights that AFT Bar had to offer, so, to be fair, we had to check out what their competition was doing.

We knew to head out early as they don't take reservations, and, as mentioned, seating is limited. Friday and Saturday line-ups are out the door, and you are likely to wait over an hour for a table, but at 4:30, no problem! Equally important, they do have high chairs and are family friendly, so bring the kids. We grabbed a table at the front and ordered their sampling platter of ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, accompanied by a trio side of beans, slaw, and fries. With a variety of bbq sauces ranging in heat, we certainly did not lack for flavour. The food was served up quick and hot, and it did not disappoint. Mmmm, meat. This was only the beginning of their menu, so likely another trip will be warranted. They also do take-out, so you could call ahead to bring it on home with you.

While there is no official online site for Hogtown just yet, check out the review in Blog TO to get an idea of their menu.

Book Nook: The Last Girlfriend on Earth: And Other Love Stories

2013-12-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

The Last Girlfriend on Earth: And Other Love Stories
~ Simon Rich

BBB Rating: 4 out of 5

This little book was a surprisingly great read. The collection of short stories were witty and entertaining, and I often found myself chuckling aloud (I love when a book does that!). The author, young Simon Rich, is a talented writer with some very unique insights on dating and falling in love in New York, and the topics of the short stories are not ones I was used to reading.

From Goodreads:

In "Center of the Universe," God struggles to balance the demands of his career with the needs of his long-term girlfriend. In "Magical Mr. Goat," a young girl's imaginary friend yearns to become "more than friends." In "Unprotected," an unused prophylactic recalls his years spent trapped inside a teen boy's wallet. The stories in Simon Rich's new book are bizarre, funny, and yet...relatable. Rich explores love's many complications-losing it, finding it, breaking it, and making it-and turns the ordinary into the absurd. With razor-sharp humor and illustrations, and just in time for Valentine's Day, Rich takes readers for an exhilarating, hilarious ride on the roller coaster of love.

I've since gone on to read one of his full-length novels, "What in God's Name", which I'll be telling you all about in my next Book Nook.

READING UPDATE

I have to regrettably report that I was just 3 books shy of reaching my goal of reading 20 books in 2013. The time just got away from me. I'm going to aim to read 20 books again this year, and hopefully with some better time-management, I'll get there!

Recipe #41: Walnut Kale Pesto

2013-12-19T01:00:00.000-05:00

The kale cooking adventures continue with this recipe for Walnut Kale Pesto. After having good success with the Kale & Chorizo Soup, I was excited to find this pasta dish using kale in a different way.

I really enjoy pesto and have already learned that any greens will work just fine. I've experimented using arugula and love that it freezes well if you can't use it all up in one serving. For the kale, you have just the added step of blanching it first, but after that, it all goes into the food processor and your pesto is ready after a few spins of the blade. To save on prep time, simply cook the pasta in the same water you blanched the kale in.

INGREDIENTS

    1 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped
    1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped walnuts, toasted
    1/2 cup (125 mL) grated parmesan cheese
    1 clove garlic, chopped
    1/2 cup (125 mL) olive oil
    2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
    1 pinch each salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

In large pot of boiling salted water, blanch kale for 1 minute; drain. Chill under ice water; drain well and pat dry.

In food processor, pulse together kale, walnuts, Parmesan cheese and garlic until coarsely ground. Pulse in oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper until smooth.

Crafty Find: Felt Christmas Tree

2013-12-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

When it came time to put up our Christmas tree at home, I was fairly certain that our curious little monkey would make a bee-line to the shiny and sparkly ornaments and take them down, one by one. (I wasn't wrong.) In an effort to prevent this, or at least distract her, I found this awesome craft to make your wee one a felt Christmas tree of her own to decorate.

After a quick trip to King Textiles on Spadina I had a yard of green felt in hand, and for the ornaments, I was able to pick up felt squares at the dollar store. I used some cookie cutters I had at home for templates and cut them out. Attaching the tree to the wall turned out to be a bit more difficult, as using painters tape only held up the tree for a few minutes. I think the weight of the felt dragged it down from the tape. The furry felt just didn't keep a good bond. My new solution is to hot glue the felt to Bristol board, and then use the tape again to hold up the board.

When the ornaments were not on the tree, I kept them in an empty wipes box, and Olivia had almost as much fun pulling them out of there as she did sticking them to the tree.

Of course she did eventually get bored of her felt tree and discovered our real/fake one, so that's why all the ornaments are on the top two thirds of the tree. I have a feeling wrapped Christmas presents will also have to remain hidden until Christmas morning; she's already figured out how to unwrap things.

Fat Friday - La Carnita

2013-12-13T01:00:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of BlogTO.com

Toronto certainly does not lack for taco options, so choosing one really just depends on what side of the city you find yourself. Or, if you're like Matt and I, it depends on what's the latest one to open up.

We first tasted La Carnita after waiting close to an hour in line at an event at Brickworks, probably close to two years ago. The tacos were definitely worth the wait, so when they finally opened up shop on College Street this summer, we were excited to head on over, with mother-in-law and babe-in-stroller in tow.

It was a hot sticky day in August, but we were lucky to nab the only seat on the patio. We washed away the heat with a cold cider over ice while we awaited our meal. To start, we had the tortilla chips with guacamole, always a winner when you're out for Mexican, and a mango salad to share. Both were delicious and so refreshing.

Courtesy of BlogTO.com

We had hardly touched our starters by the time the tacos arrived - service was great that way. It's obvious they try to get as many people through to maximize profits, but the food doesn't suffer. Each item was fresh and hot and super tasty! We each ordered two tacos, and after our starters, it was more than enough, but still left room for dessert. There are just three desserts to choose from, and, while the Paletas were tasty, the clear winner was the Tres Leche Cake, served up with Ontario fruit.

Book Nook: Gone Girl

2013-12-10T08:59:00.000-05:00

Gone Girl
~ Gillian Flynn

BBB Rating: 5 out of 5

I read this book earlier this year and right from the beginning it had me hooked. I'm a fan of suspense and thriller novels, and this one had such an interesting way of telling a story of a wife gone missing that I had to power through to see how it ended. It was one of the few books that I had to talk out with my husband, even though he hadn't (nor will he ever) read it. I just needed someone to say "You won't believe what just happened!" Don't worry, I won't anything away for you, but I definitely recommend this one if you are a thriller type of person.

Here's a quick summary for you from Goodreads:

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

The story is told from the perspective of both the husband and the wife, and just when you think you know exactly what happened, well, new information is presented and you feel like you're right back at the beginning. I loved every page of it!

Recipe #40: Kale and Chorizo Soup

2013-12-05T11:53:00.000-05:00

Although the summer is long gone and our farmer's market is just a wonderful memory, we are still able to enjoy local and fresh produce through our neighborhood Winter Basket program. One of the vendors from our market sets up shop every Sunday morning at a nearby restaurant parking lot and offers a good variety of vegetables, farm fresh eggs, and usually some wild boar or pork. While we do enjoy the selection, it can become rather repetitive each week. We end up with a lot of carrots, potatoes, and kale, and so planning my weekly menu can be a bit of challenge. Time to get creative!

Luckily that's what the internet is for. When I found myself with an awful lot of kale one week, it was my goal to make a couple of different dishes. By picking up a few extra ingredients, kale turned out to be quite versatile. The first recipe I tried was a Kale and Chorizo soup.

This is a great recipe that cooks all day in the slow cooker and freezes well. Once cooled, it will also keep in the fridge for several days so you can pull it out for a quick weeknight meal. The chorizo adds a nice spice and meaty texture to the soup, and the kale is not overpowering once cooked. Plus, it made use of the potatoes we got in the basket, too!

The original recipe called for dry-cured chorizo sausage, but I substituted an uncooked sausage instead and removed the casing to cook it before adding it to the slow cooker. This meant the meat was smaller and distributed throughout the soup, so if you prefer meatier chunks, go with the cured version.

INGREDIENTS

    2 chorizo sausages, casing removed
    1 spanish onion, sliced
    4 cloves garlic, sliced
    1 lb (454 g) potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced
    2 bay leaves
    1 tsp (5 mL) sweet paprika
    1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
    1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
    4 cups (1 L) water
    4 cups (1 L) sodium-reduced chicken broth
    1 bunch kale, trimmed and shredded

DIRECTIONS

In skillet over medium-high heat, brown chorizo. Transfer to slow cooker. Drain any fat from pan (do not wipe clean)

In same skillet, cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until softened and light golden, about 8 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker.

Add potatoes, bay leaves, paprika, salt and pepper to slow cooker; stir in water and broth. Cover and cook on low until potatoes are tender, 6 to 8 hours.

Discard bay leaves. If using cured chorizo, using a slotted spoon, remove as much chorizo as possible to bowl; set aside.

Add kale to slow cooker; cover and cook on high until tender, about 10 minutes. Using immersion blender, purée soup until almost smooth with a few chunks. Stir in reserved chorizo.

Crafty Find: Book Marks

2013-12-03T01:00:00.000-05:00

Can you tell I have reading on my mind lately? And what better way to hold your place in your current book of choice than with a crafty book mark. I found a few fun ones that are also easy to make at home (or the office) with just a few simple supplies.

Firstly, how about using a zipper to hold your place? And the bonus - you don't have to worry about losing the book mark while you're reading? Click the image for the simple directions.

Next up, corner book marks seem to be quite popular. You can make them into very cute animals, or maybe a monster, or just keep it simple with some pretty patterned paper. Pinterest has tons of options for you, but here are a few of my favorites.

Or you could go simple and use a paper clip and a bit of ribbon, or some glue and a button.

There doesn't seem to be a lack of inspiration for book marks; clearly I'm not the only one out there who loves them! I'm thinking Christmas Gift for my Book Club Ladies....

Fat Friday - AFT Bar

2013-11-29T10:01:00.000-05:00

If you're in the mood for BBQ goodness and you find yourself around the Queen & Broadview area, then you should definitely check out AFT Bar. Matt and I ventured there this summer, not long after it opened up, to check out their menu.

The space isn't large and seating is limited, so get there early for a table, or take your chances and just show up, and you might find a seat at the bar. It does get busy on the weekend after 7, but luckily, we eat early now. If you're bringing a toddler along, they don't have high chairs, so you might need to bring your own. Or, call ahead - they do accommodate take-out orders.

Photo from Blogto.com

Their weeknight menu offers a few different options than their weekend BBQ menu, so keep that in mind if you're heading there. We went on a Sunday and tried their sample platter for two, which came with more than enough meat and sides for the both of us - a choice of three of each. If you like sticky ribs, smokey pulled pork, and BBQ chicken, then you'll like this. We added a side of coleslaw, roasted potato salad, and cowboy baked beans to top it all off, and washed it all down with a cool pint of beer.

Edible Snowmen!

2013-11-27T09:56:00.002-05:00

Just in time for the opening of Disney's new animated movie Frozen, I came across this AWESOME edible craft that I just couldn't resist making. I set out to gather all the ingredients and made them last night at home for Matt to take to work today for his team. The snow on the ground this morning seemed also fitting for the occasion.

As I couldn't locate any of the jumbo marshmallows, I had to make a few adjustments to the original plan. And knowing that my artistic skills are not amazing, I took an easier approach to the adding the finishing touches. I know it doesn't resemble Olaf exactly, but I think I managed to capture the essence of the funny snowman.

If you're in the winter mood already and looking for a cute, funny, and entertaining movie (for kids and adults alike!), Frozen is just that. Check out the trailer below.

If you'd like to make your own Olaf, here's how I made mine:

INGREDIENTS

    Graham crackers
    Blue-tinted frosting or blue candy melts
    Medium-size marshmallows
    Miniature-size marshmallows
    Black candy melts
    Black licorice rope
Orange Nerds

DIRECTIONS

Divide graham crackers in half.
Cut one large and one small marshmallow in half for each snowman; cut licorice rope into arms.
Melt blue candy melts (if using) and spread on graham cracker; place the body and legs while frosting/candy is still warm.
Stick arms into sides of the body.
Melt black candy melts; using a tooth pick or the flat end of a skewer, dab on buttons to body and add eyes and mouth to the face.
With a small dab of black candy melt, add orange nerd for the nose.
Let cool to allow everything to set, then enjoy!

Book Nook: We All Fall Down

2013-11-26T01:00:00.000-05:00

We All Fall Down
~Eric Walters

BBB Rating: 4 out of 5

This book was recommended to me by a colleague at work, and she got the recommendation for her 18 year old son! He had read it at school and really took an interest in it, so he told his mom that she should read it. Her and I were chatting books one day at the office, and the next day, a copy was in my hand.

It is not a long book, but it's a deep book. Told from the perspective of a Grade 9 student who goes to work with his father to the World Trade Towers on the fateful day of September 11th, what follows is their experience together as they live through one of the most memorable days in US history.

From Goodreads:

Today is September 10, 2001, and Will, a grade nine student, is spending the day at his father’s workplace tomorrow. As part of a school assignment, all the students in his class will be going to their parents tomorrow, but Will isn’t excited about it–he’d rather sleep in and do nothing with his friends. His father doesn’t even have an exciting job like his best friend James’s father who is a fireman. Will’s dad works for an international trading company and has to wake up early every morning to commute to his office on the eighty-fifth floor in the south building of the World Trade Center in Manhattan. Will doesn’t see his father very often because of the hours he puts in at the office. He doubts that his dad will bother making time for him tomorrow even when they are supposed to be spending the day together.

In this fast-paced and dramatic new novel by bestselling author Eric Walters, Will discovers a new side of his father during an event that continues to affect the world. As Will’s new teacher says, tomorrow “might be an experience that changes your entire life.”

The author, Eric Walters, is a Canadian teacher who decided to write books about the subject matter he was teaching his students as a way to make the material more accessible. Most of his books are based on real life events and are told from the perspective of a young student, and they often take place in Canada. Other works include stories about the 1954 Hurricane Hazel (Safe as Houses), a story mixed with fact and fiction about Terry Fox (Run), and his sequel to We All Fall Down, United We Stand, which continues the story of Will and his father on September 12th. I think I'll have to check that one out next. And I'll be remembering these for when Olivia is older, too.

Recipe #39: Thai Coconut Curry Simmer

2013-11-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

When Matt first introduced me to Thai food, the first dish I tried (and still continue to order) is a green curry coconut chicken served over noodles. It is easily my favorite when ordering take-out that I don't even bother to look at other items on the menu. The flavor is just a really nice mix of heat from the curry, sweet from the coconut milk, and sour from the drizzle of lime.

So when I saw the recipe for Thai Coconut Curry Simmer in Canadian Living, I had to give it a try. It doesn't have a lot of ingredients, it all cooks in one pot in a short amount of time, and if you know me, these are all winning qualities in a recipe.

I let the chicken simmer for much longer than it called for, only because we weren't quite ready to eat when it was done, but that made sure it was good and cooked, and because it stayed in the liquid, it remained nice and moist. Once the noodles were cooked, I dumped them into the sauce as well, but I think next time I would just put them in the bowl and serve the chicken and sauce over top. They absorbed too much of the liquid and ended up a little mushy. Live and learn, right?

Over all, though, it was very tasty but wasn't quite as good as the one I was used to. I did forget to add the lime juice when serving, so that might have been part of it. I would also add in a few vegetables next time, as just the chicken and noodles make for a bit of a heavy dish. Maybe a few peppers would compliment the dish or, and I can't believe I'm suggesting this, a few mushrooms, if you happen to like them.

INGREDIENTS

    1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
    1 pinch salt
    1 pinch pepper
    1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
    2 shallots or onions, thinly sliced
    1 tbsp (15 mL) minced fresh ginger
    1 tbsp (15 mL) Thai green curry paste
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 can (400 mL) coconut milk

Lime slices to serve
1 pkg of Rice Noodles

DIRECTIONS

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown chicken, turning once, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate.

Add shallots, ginger, curry paste and garlic to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and chicken; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, turning once, until juices run clear when chicken is pierced, about 15 minutes.

Crafty Find: REAL Book Nooks

2013-11-19T09:03:00.000-05:00

While I was researching ideas for names for my reoccurring book review posts, I came across a series of images that displayed a variety of little book nooks. I thought they were so clever that I would share them with you today.

I think they are a great use of small spaces under stairwells, on window sills, or stair landings, but my favorite is turning an unused closet into a comfy, cozy book nook! While I'm not sure we have the space for one, I love the idea. It just looks so inviting.

My husband and I are in the process of thinking about renovating our basement, so I might suggest to him the idea of one underneath the stairs for Olivia. I think she'd really dig it!

Fat Friday - Lazy Daisy

2013-11-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

Lazy Daisy is our local cafe, located just a short walk from our house. We pick up coffees and snacks if we're feeling peckish while walking by, or we make it a destination to enjoy their big brunches on Sundays (I recommend the breakfast burrito). The food is wonderful and the ambiance so very relaxed and charming. All ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and made into wonderful concoctions that fill your belly.

And it's super kid friendly, which we are quickly realizing is very important. With a play area at the back with trains and books, you're almost guaranteed an enjoyable meal together (spoons also are fun to play with!)

The story of the cafe is equally delightful. A mother wanted to start a place where families could come to enjoy good food and good company, and she has succeeded! I went to Lazy Daisy regularly while on maternity leave, and we've taken most of our families for their brunches on various occasions.

But it's now so much more than just a coffee place now - they serve dinner and, more importantly, alcohol. Add to that the various events they host throughout the month, like trivia nights, comedy hours, even beer and cheese tastings, and Lazy Daisy, me thinks you have turned into a place that everyone can enjoy.

The newly added Lazy Nights offers a tapas style menu for sharing Thursdays through Sunday evenings. We finally made it there last weekend and were not disappointed. We arrived around 5:30, and while dinner service didn't start until 6, the bar was open. So while Olivia played around the train table, making friends with the other kids, Matt and I were able to enjoy a pint while browsing the menu. We decided on the Organic Quinoa & Chickpea Croquettes and the Daisy's Farmstead Chili Nachos. Both were delicious, and the nachos were more than enough for us both. Served with a tasty bean chili and melted cheese on top with sour cream on the side, you can't really go wrong with nachos.

Other menu items include various naan bread pizzas, spaghetti and meatballs, mac 'n cheese, and pulled pork sliders, just to name a few. And don't forget about dessert....We look forward to going back - there are still so many options!

Book Nook: The Gun Seller

2013-11-12T01:00:00.000-05:00

The Gun Seller
~Hugh Laurie

BBB Rating: 3 out of 5

I just finished reading The Gun Seller, so while it's fresh in my mind, I'll share my review. This was one of the books I nabbed at my latest Book Club, and a big selling feature was the author - Hugh Laurie. Best known for his character "House", turns out Laurie is also a talented writer.

From the description on the back of the book, it might not have been one I chose for myself, but that's what I like best about recommendations - they introduce you to something new!

Hugh Laurie concocts an uproarious cocktail of comic zingers and over-the-top action in this "ripping spoof of the spy genre" (Vanity Fair) -- the irresistible tale of a former Scots Guard-turned-hired gun, a freelance soldier of fortune who also happens to be one heck of a nice guy. Cold-blooded murder just isn't Thomas Lang's cup of tea. Offered a bundle to assassinate an American industrialist, he opts to warn the intended victim instead -- a good deed that soon takes a bad turn. Quicker than he can down a shot of his favorite whiskey, Lang is bashing heads with a Buddha statue, matching wits with evil billionaires, and putting his life (among other things) in the hands of a bevy of femmes fatales. Up against rogue CIA agents, wannabe terrorists, and an arms dealer looking to make a high-tech killing, Lang's out to save the leggy lady he has come to love...and prevent an international bloodbath to boot.

I did find the writing very witty and laughed to myself a number of times. There was a lot of British humor, which took maybe a second longer to figure out, but I liked his style of writing. The plot, however, was a bit confusing to follow at times. There were a number of different players to keep track of, a lot of twists and turns, and the main character uses several different aliases, which added to the confusion. But, it delivered what it promised - laughter, action, intrigue, and deception. So I'd read Laurie's next one, should he write again.