Check out this worthy cause and exciting event here:

* http://LivingPink.info  or on Facebook…

* http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115128721837945&ref=ts

What else is new in the world of cooking in Niagara Falls?

Well, the M Cafe & Lounge on Lundy’s Lane is officially switching over to Mai Thai Cuisine Restaurant on September 9th, 2010.

Completely renovated and equipped with an unbelievable, authentic menu, this will be the place to go in Niagara for Thai food! I have taste tested the food myself on this menu and was wowed every time!

So, come on out to:

You’ll be so glad you did!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Niagara Falls Restaurant Review on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

Technorati Tags: M Cafe & Lounge, M Cafe Niagara Falls, Mai Thai Cuisine, Mai Thai Cuisine Niagara Falls, Thai Restaurant Niagara Falls, Living Pink Through Fashion Show

Mai Thai Cuisine Restaurant in Niagara Falls, Ontario is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

Be sure to try the “Lip Glass” Martini @ the M Cafe & Lounge on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

What I do know is that it has peach schnapps, blue curaçao, banana liqueur and cranberry juice in it – the proportions, I know too, but if I told you, they’ll never share another secret with me again…LOL

Try it! You`ll love it!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Alcoholic Drink Recipe on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Drink Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Learn to make Martinis at home by following the instructions for the 50 Best Martini Recipes:

Best 50 Martini Recipes Buy and sell [Best 50 Martini Recipes] at great prices.

Technorati Tags: lip glass, m cafe, m cafe niagara falls, martinis, martini recipes, alcoholic drinks, drink recipes, peach schnapps, banana liqueur, blue curacao

Lip Glass Martini at M Cafe in Niagara Falls is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

Now that we’re all grown up and we’re looking for some adventure and that “je ne sais quoi”, try this stellar recipe and launch your tapioca into the next century.
~ Kimberly Edwards

Type: Dessert
Serve With: After dinner beverages
Prep Time: 7 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking tapioca
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract – Please use real vanilla extract instead of artificial.
• 2 tbsp food-grade rosewater

Instructions:

1. Stir milk, tapioca, sugar and salt together in a medium saucepan.
2. Over a medium heat, bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
3. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Whisk about 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into a bowl with the beaten eggs a few tablespoons at a time to temper the eggs – this way when the eggs are added, they don’t turn into “scrambled eggs” in your pudding, which would not be what you’re looking for.
5. Stir the egg mixture into the pudding in the saucepan until it’s well incorporated.
6. Bring the tapioca pudding back up to a gentle simmer stirring it for a few minutes. At this point, the pudding should coat the back of a metal spoon.
7. At this point, remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract and the rosewater.
8. Pour pudding into dishes and serve either hot or refrigerate for a few hours and serve cold. Pudding will set and become more firm as it cools.
9. Enjoy!

* FYI: Lavender water works well too!
* For information on how to find food-grade rosewater, check out the “P.S.” below!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Dessert Recipe on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. This is the brand of Rosewater I use regularly as an ingredient for cooking, baking, and beauty products:

Rosewater 4 fl oz RosewaterFlower Water, Rose Petals Rosewater transmits aromatherapeutic qualities to enhance and revitalize daily life, useful on face, hair or linens. Experience the delicate floral scent of real roses any time of the year! Recommended in the Edgar Cayce Readings. Rose Petals Certified Rosewater. Pure, Food Grade, Natural Essence from European Roses. Satisfaction Guaranteed..

Technorati Tags: tapioca pudding recipe, tapioca, rosewater, food grade rosewater, rosewater tapioca, dessert recipe, pudding recipe, tapioca pudding

Rosewater Tapioca Pudding is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

Don’t let the name of the Niçoise salad scare you!

Yes, it’s French. No, it’s not difficult to make. No, it’s not really fattening.

Nicoise is just a combination of greens, tuna, green beans, new potatoes, tomatoes, black olives and eggs – traditionally. That’s all it means…

Okay – now that’s out of the way – let’s get cooking and create this unbelievably tasty salad you’ll make over and over again!
~ Kimberly Edwards

Type: Main Dish Recipe – Fish
Serve With: Creamy Herb Dressing & crusty, French bread
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Ingredients are per person – multiply if necessary

Ingredients: Per person

• 1 Tuna Steak – Per person
• 2 cups Salad Greens – Use torn Romaine, or baby salad greens like spinach, frise – whatever you like
• 4 small Red New Potatoes – Boiled until fork tender
• 4 small Tomatoes – Can use cherry, grape – whatever you prefer or what’s in season
• 1 dozen Green Beans – Boiled until fork tender (that’s how I prefer them) or al dente/blanched for 8 minutes, then plunged into cold water.
• 1 hard-boiled Egg – Boil in water for 8 minutes then completely plunge into cold water and let sit for a few minutes before peeling shell.
• 6 Black Olives
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper – To taste
• Healthy Creamy Herb Dressing

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Wash tomatoes, cut each in half and lightly brush with olive oil on a cookie sheet. Salt and pepper to taste. Roast in oven for 15 min.
2. In the meantime, rinse tuna steaks under cold water and pat dry.
3. Pre-heat large frying pan to medium high heat.
4. Brush tuna steaks with olive oil and sprinkle with pepper.
5. Make sure to test heat in frying pan before putting tuna in by dripping water. If it sizzles, the pan is ready.
6. Sear tuna steaks on each side for 3 minutes a side, 2 at a time depending on how many you’re preparing. Set aside.
7. Arrange salad greens that have been washed and dried in each plate or large bowl and garnish with roasted tomatoes, boiled new potatoes cut in half, boiled green beans, black olives, and quartered hard boiled egg. Top with tuna steak.
8. Dress with Healthy Creamy Herb Dressing and Enjoy!

This is a salad you will be excited to plan to make often. Try adding cucumbers or other vegetables for extra nutrients, or even capers, if desired, to switch things up, but keep the basic salad recipe intact for Nicoise. Mmm…

***

I hope you enjoyed this Salad Recipe on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Want to serve your Salads beautifully? These are some fabulous bamboo salad bowls:

Set of 4 Bamboo Salad Bowls A festive and colorful feast will brighten up your dining table when you serve salad with these modern bamboo salad bowls!  Available separately is a serving bowl which includes utensils, and a salad bowl set which includes 4 wooden salad bowls.  The eco-friendly bamboo bowls offer a fresh look, with their natural finish and interesting wood grain design.  Manufacturer recommends hand washing and occasional rubbing with oil to restore the luster and color of the wood. Bamboo is an Eco-Friendly material, easily renewable and requiring very little water to grow, making it a great choice for any home! This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable

Technorati Tags: nicoise salad, niçoise salad, tuna salad, salad recipe, healthy salad, fish recipe, fish salad, salad, fish, dinner salad recipe

How to Make a Really Tasty, Healthy Nicoise Salad is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

Did you know that?

Yes, you can grow your very own gourmet mushrooms at home over and over again.

Mushroom patches can be started by logs already prepared or with kits you purchase.

I had compiled a list of products for my new friend, Lynn Ogryzlo – author of Niagara Cooks, and figured I’d share it with the rest of the world of food lovers out there that frequent my blog.

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love mushrooms and try to figure out ways to incorporate them into dishes all the time. They’re so healthy for your immune system!

However, I find that my frequent shopping trips to the grocer can prove to be expensive when buying gourmet mushrooms.

These are marvelous gifts for food lovers, especially at Christmas, and you can keep growing mushrooms over and over again…

Here’s the list of 14 different Gourmet Mushrooms you can start growing in your home or outdoors, if preferred:

1. One 9-10″ Shiitake Mushroom Log – $19.95
   

   Shiitake Mushrooms

2. Two Large 14-15″ Shiitake Mushroom Logs with Soaking Trays (w/ Cookbook) – $65.50 – great value
3. Morel Mushroom Patch Kit – $29.95
4. Enokitake Mushroom Kit -  $24.00
5. Oyster Mushroom Kit – $20.00
6. Maitake Mushroom Patch Kit – $29.95
7. Pioppino Mushroom Patch Kit – $27.00
8. Nameko Mushroom Patch Kit – $24.00
9. Reishi Mushroom Kit – $24.00 – considered a “super-food” – (Check out my post: Health Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms)
10. Blue Oyster Mushroom Kit – $18.95
11. Turkey Tail Mushroom Garden Patch – $28.00
    

    Turkey Tail Mushrooms

12. Chicken-of-the-Woods Mushroom Kit – $18.95 – looks like a chicken face! LOL
13. Conifer Coral Mushrooms Kit – $18.95
14. King Tuber Mushroom Kit – $18.00
15. Portabella Mushroom Kit – $39.95

My list could go on and on, but I chose mushrooms that are more common or just simply really neat to share with you!

Get those stocking stuffers now. (Only a foodie could appreciate getting a log for Christmas. LOL)

***

I hope you enjoyed this Mushroom Information on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Subscribing to Cooking With Kimberly is a Delicious Idea!!!

Technorati Tags: mushrooms, mushroom logs, mushroom kits, mushroom patch, how to grow mushrooms, growing mushrooms, grow mushrooms at home, foodie gifts

You Can Grow Gourmet Mushrooms at Home is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

Just because it’s creamy doesn’t mean it has to be fattening or unhealthy…

Just because it’s healthy, doesn’t mean it has to be tasteless and no fun…

I dare you to eat healthier and more deliciously – try this dressing on your next salad…You’ll be glad you did.
~ Kimberly Edwards

Type: Sauce Recipe
Serve With: Salad,on baked potatoes or as a dip – Perfect for Niçoise Salad
Prep Time: 5 min
Yield: About 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Plain Yogurt – I prefer Balkan style; Don’t skimp here – get higher fat, organic
• 2 tbsp Kefir – Or buttermilk; Did you know buttermilk is actually low in fat despite the name.
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1 tsp Mayonnaise – Use organic or homemade; I prefer Polish mayonnaise for taste.
• 1 tbsp Chives – Finely chopped; or green onions
• 1 tbsp Parsley – Freshly chopped
• 1 tbsp Dill – Freshly chopped
• 1 clove Garlic – Finely minced
• 1/4 tsp Mustard Powder – or 1/2 tsp wet mustard
• 1 dash Cayenne Pepper
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper – To taste
• 1 pinch Sea Salt – To taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients with a whisk or fork until completely mixed.
2. Taste test and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serve over salad, on baked potatoes or as a dip and Enjoy!

* Tip: If dressing is too tangy for you, add 1 tsp honey and mix through.

This is a healthy dressing for any salad. To make it lower in fat, you may use fat free mayonnaise or no mayonnaise at all.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Homemade Salad Dressing Recipe on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Tired of chopping Garlic? Maybe you feel you can’t get the pieces small enough? Get a garlic press and solve those problems:

Progressive Housewares GIGP-93 Fresco Garlic Press Progressive Housewares GIGP-93 Fresco Garlic Press Progressive Housewares GIGP-93 Fresco Garlic Press • No need to peel garlic cloves • Handy cleaner to remove garlic skin from holes stores inside the handle • Aluminum with non-stick coating • Rust resistant

Technorati Tags: homemade salad dressing, salad dressing, how to make dressing, how to make salad dressing, creamy salad dressing, salad dressing recipe

How to Make Healthy Creamy Herb Salad Dressing is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

I’ve been reviewing a fabulous, new local, Niagara cookbook by my new friend, Lynn Ogryzlo called “Niagara Cooks“.

Niagara Cooks by Lynn Ogryzlo

This cookbook heralds in a new way of life reminiscent of days of old – getting back to eating local food, “from farm to table”.

Not only is supporting our local farmers and food suppliers good for your local economy, but it’s healthier and tastier for you too!

I’m making it out to her book signing tomorrow (Saturday, December 5th, 2009) at 1:00 pm at Chapters Book Store in St. Catharines, Ontario at Fairview Mall on Geneva St.

Lynn will be serving up her soon to be famous Niagara Biscotti for all who come out!

Come on out – Lynn will be sure to open up your culinary eyes and reveal the wonderful food you never knew you had access to in Niagara.

More information will be coming your way as I review this cookbook and share some of the gorgeous looking recipes in this beautiful cookbook chock full of tantalizing photos and creative recipes that will knock your socks off! I can’t wait to really delve into Lynn’s creations.

Eat Local, Eat Healthy!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Niagara Review on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Stay tuned for my Holiday Recipe eBook coming within a few days!!!

Technorati Tags: Niagara Cooks, Lynn Ogryzlo, Niagara Culinary Trail, Niagara farmers, local food, eating local, buying local, Niagara food, Niagara recipes, Ontario food, cookbooks, cookbook signing, book signing

Niagara Cooks Book Signing with Lynn Ogryzlo @ Chapters in St. Catharines, Ontario is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

Get yourself prepared for Coffee Heaven with the NESCAFE Dolce Gusto machine.

You can win 1 in 6 of these fabulous machines that can brew you up a latte, capuccino or fancy hot chocolate with ease!

Whether you’re an incurable gourmet bevey drinker or if you’re trying to save money not going to Starbuck’s, the Dolce Gusto can help.

It professionally prepares your hot favorites: Caffè Lungo, Espresso, Americano, Latte Macchiato, Cappuccino, Iced Cappucino, Café Mocha, and even “Chococino” or hot chocolate for kids of all ages…

This single serve machine is designed with a 15-bar pressure system that’s comparable to what coffeehouses have to make that oh-so-important, crema layer and frothy milk.

Since it’s single serve, the Dolce Gusto prepares your hot drinks on a made-to-order basis, ensuring freshness.

Not a hot beverage type of person? No problem, it also makes your gourmet cold coffeehouse drinks too!

You’ll have complete control over the heat, froth and pressure with which your drinks are prepared.

Krups and T-Fal both make the Nescafe Dolce Gusto and they’re available in three different colors: candy-apple red, sophisticated black and a creamy white. The Dolce Gusto is priced between $179-199 and seems to me to be a steal of a deal.

Just think about how much money you could save making your drinks at home, not to mention the gas money you’ll save not having to drive to your favorite coffee pub.

So, get on over to the contest by clicking on the link above and enter online at Sweetspot.ca before December 20th, 2009.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Coffee Info on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. By Subscribing to Cooking With Kimberly, you’ll never miss a thing again!

Technorati Tags: coffee beverages, coffee house drinks, coffee, Nescafe, Dolce Gusto, Nescafe Dolce Gusto, Krups, T-Fal, win a coffee machine, Sweetspot

Perk Your Coffee and Win a Prize Too is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

There’s just nothing like stew when it’s cold outside and you’re hungry!

This extra tasty classic will leave you wanting another bowl and is sure to please even picky eaters with it’s flavor, fragrance and hearty nature.

The perfect, traditional dish to learn how to make that you can build on and substitute with other meats in the future.
~ Kimberly Edwards

Type: Soup Recipe
Serve With: Fresh, crusty bread and barley, if desired
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 1.25 hr
Yield: 1 large stock pot full

Ingredients:
2 Beef Shanks – Or 4 Beef Brisket with bone in
2 cups Dried Field Mushrooms – Or any varieties of dried mushrooms; Measure before grinding.
1 large Onion – Diced
2 cups Carrots – Chopped
1 1/2 cups Celery – Chopped
1 Leek – Washed and finely sliced
3 cloves Garlic – Minced
2 small Sweet Potatoes – Peeled & 1″ dice
1 1/2 cups Red Wine – I enjoy Port with this dish, but have also used a strong red from Terra Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario in the past.
9 cups Beef Broth – Reduced sodium broth, if possible
2 cups Water
1 1/2 cups Canned Tomatoes
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp fresh Parsley – Chopped
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper – To taste
Sea Salt – To taste
3 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions:
1. Preheat a large frying pan on medium heat with 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil. Wash meat with cold water and pat dry with paper towel.

2. Grind dried mushrooms in a coffee grinder, 1 cup at a time, into mushroom dust. Put dust into a large bowl or plate and dredge meat in mushroom dust after salting and peppering.

3. Pan fry meat on all sides until browned.

4. In a large stock pot preheated with 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil on medium heat, sautee carrots and celery with a bay leaf, salt and pepper for 5 minutes. Add onion and leek and continue to sautee for an additional 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue sauteeing for an additional 5 minutes.

5. Add wine and stir on medium for 2 minutes. Add beef broth, water, canned tomatoes, sweet potato and browned beef to pot and bring to a boil.

6. Reduce to a simmer for 45 minutes.

7. Serve with boiled barley, if desired, and Enjoy with a loaf of fresh, crusty bread.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Beef Recipe on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Check out my Lamb Stew to Indulge In written exclusively for CIDA News.

Technorati Tags: beef stew, how to make beef stew, stew, how to make stew, beef soup, how to make soup, beef and barley, beef shank, beef brisket, bone in beef

How to Make Fantastic Beef Stew is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog

If you’ve never tried Bistro Crustini, then this is a great reason to do so…

…Wanna win a trip to Las Vegas for Game Day?

Stouffer’s Bistro Crustini is having a contest for you to win a trip to LV which includes: Airfare tickets for two, 5 days & 4 nights at a deluxe hotel, chauffeured limousine service, tickets to a show and $1,500 CDN spending money.

I know I do, and that’s why I’ve already entered for my chance to win that trip, since I love football! Oh yeah, don’t forget the 1 in 3 chance you get at winning a home theater system, or weekly prizes of digital cameras…

Okay, so you get one spin on the contest’s slot machine to see if you win to start with. After that, you can enter the UPCs off the boxes of the Stouffer’s Bistro Crustini you have bought and enjoyed – each one gets you a spin. You find out if you win instantly!

Where can you find these tasty treats that include 11 different flavors? In your grocer’s frozen section.

Whether you choose Philly Steak & Cheese or Meatballs & Mozzarella, you’ll have another chance to win something fabulous from Bistro Crustini.

* This contest is for Canadian residents only…

***

I hope you enjoyed this Sandwich post on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Subscribing to Cooking With Kimberly is simply Delicious!

Technorati Tags: Game Day contest, Stouffer’s Bistro Crustini, win a trip to Las Vegas, Game Day, Football, Bistro Crustini, quick sandwiches, microwave sandwich

Eat Crustini and Win a Trip to Game Day is a post from: The How To Cook Online Blog