La cuisine d'Hélène

Meat Lasagna Recipe and Olivieri Lasagna Sheets Product Review

2012-05-21T11:06:00.003-07:00

It's a long week-end in Canada and the weather is fantastic. I am reading book two of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Addicting!

For Dinner Sunday we had lasagna. Made with fresh Olivieri Lasagna sheets, that are made with natural pasta ingredients. This is a lifesaver. You all know how long it takes to prepare lasagna. But with Olivieri fresh pasta you can actually enjoy making lasagna for your family in no time. I made the Old Fashioned Lasagna recipe from their website. It's quick, simple and really good. After tasting these fresh pasta will I buy Olivieri fresh lasagna sheets again? Yes, I will. It's so convenient and delicious.

You can also have the chance to try Olivieri fresh pasta: to enter the giveaway please click this link. Good luck!

Don't forget to 'Like' Olivieri on Facebook and La Cuisine d'Hélène

Chocolate Mousse - Julia Child JC100 (Mousseline au chocolat)

2012-05-17T10:32:00.001-07:00

We are week 2 of the countdown of what would have been Julia Child's 100th birthday. To continue with the celebration this week we are making Chocolate Mousse - Mousseline au chocolat. The recipe can be found in Volume 1 - Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

I am part of the JC100 project and this project involves restaurants, chefs, bookstores, and bloggers, all celebrating Julia and her legacy. If our readers would like to cook and celebrate with us they will have a chance to access the recipe on Facebook every Thursdays.

I have made the Chocolate Mousse in 2009 and loved every bite of the mousseline. As I said at the time this mousse is one of the best I have ever made, it's decadent, creamy, chocolatey.This time I used a mix of semisweet, dark and Toblerone chocolate. It turns out to have the same creamy texture.

You can follow the JC100 Project: Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook

''Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal. - Julia Child ''

Links to more JC100 Mousseline au Chocolat Posts:

Olivieri Fresh Pasta Giveaway

2012-05-17T07:36:00.001-07:00

(The winners will be announced soon)

I have been absent from the blogosphere because I was on vacation in West Palm Beach. What a nice, relaxing week I had. My days were spent on the beach, shopping, going to movies, eating in restaurants and reading. Have you read The Hunger Games yet? I could not put the first book down. It's been a while since I have read a book that captivated me so vividly.

To celebrate my return I have a very nice giveaway for you. Four readers of La Cuisine d'Hélène will have the chance to win a coupon for Olivieri Fresh pasta or Fresh Sauce or Olivieri Garlic Bread. Your choice. All you have to do is visit the Olivieri and tell me what dish you would prepare if you win. You will also find Olivieri on Facebook.

You will get one entry for all of the following that you do:

1- Leave a comment telling me which dish you would prepare
2- Like La Cuisine d'Hélène on Facebook
3- Follow La Cuisine d'Hélène on Twitter
4- Follow Olivieri on Facebook

Let me know in the comment section that you did all of the above.

Contest will close on Wednesday May 23rd at Midnight EST. This contest is open to residents of Canada only. Good luck!

(Disclosure: "I am a member of the Maple Leaf Foods Connects Program. As a part of my participation, I have been compensated both monetarily and with free product, however, all opinions and ideas shared on this blog remain my own.")

Omelette Roulée - Julia Child (JC100)

2012-05-07T12:16:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to be part of a new project: JC100. Culinary icon Julia Child would have turned 100 years old on August 15th of this year. The project involves restaurants, chefs, bookstores, and bloggers, all celebrating Julia and her legacy. Being part of the JC100 project means that each Monday, in the 100 days leading up to Julia's birthday (starting today), we will receive one special JC100 recipe. Our readers will have the chance to cook along and will have access to the recipe on Facebook every Thursdays.

Lunch today was ready in less than two minutes today. That’s the time it took me to whisk a vinaigrette for my salad and make the first recipe from the JC100: Julia's classic Omelette Roulée (Rolled Omelette).

The two recipes go well together, especially for those crazy, busy days. I did not quite mastered the 'roulée' technique and I think that it will come with practice. The omelette had a nice buttery flavor and just the right amount of salt. I served the omelette with grated cheese on top.

You can follow JC100 on Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest and Facebook

Simplest Chicken Kebabs from The Mom 100 Cookbook (Review)

2012-05-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

Yummy chicken brochettes from The Mom 100 Cookbook. These Simplest Chicken Kebabs marinate in a Citrus-Basil sauce for one hour. Then you grill the kebabs and serve them with your favorite vegetable. Simple and delicious.

Katie Workman, editor in chief of Cookstr.com, and mother of two school-age kids, wants to help moms to get delicious meals to the table. The Mom 100 Cookbook is filled with simple, no-fuss, easily adaptable recipes. Lot's of tips for surviving in the kitchen. The formula: 20 dilemmas x 5 solutions each = The Mom 100. The book includes foolproof, crowd-pleasing, familiar recipes. You will find recipes for weekday breakfasts, weeknight dinners, bake sales, potlucks. In this book there is solutions for Picky Eaters, Vegetarians, Tips on getting your kids to eat more things. Some dishes are marked as Fork in the Road which adresses the need to adapt a recipe to suit the needs of a family where picky palates are prevalent.

The book is divided in 20 chapters that talks about different dilemmas like Breakfast, lunches, snacks, appetizers, soups, salads, main dishes, fish, comfort foods, pastas, vegetarian, potluck to name a few. You will find recipes like Manhole Eggs, The Great Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Pigs in a Blanket, Cheddar and Cauliflower Soup, Japanese Restaurant Salad, Roast Chicken, Apple Glazed Pork Chops, Asian Salmon, Tofu-Veggie Stir-Fry, Pulled Pork Cheese Rice with Broccoli, Birthday Chocolate Cake, Fudgy One-Pot Brownies.

'The Mom 100 Cookbook' is published in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son Ltd

ABOUT KATIE WORKMAN

Katie Workman is the founding editor in chief of Cookstr.com, the website that features recipes by well-known chefs and cookbook writers. She writes about food and cooking for websites and magazines, includingThe Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, AOL Food, KitchenDaily.com, AARP.com, New York Magazine, The Boston Globe, and more. She sits on the board of City Harvest, New York’s leading food rescue nonprofit, and lives with her husband and two children in New York City. Follow Katie on Twitter and 'Like' Katie on Facebook.

Watch Katie on the Today Show on youtube:

Cinnamon-Sugar-Doughnut Muffins from The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook (Review)

2012-04-20T16:23:00.001-07:00

I collect vintage cookbooks, tablecloths, silverware, china. Most of the pieces were given to me by my grandmother and my mom. Some pieces were found in thrift stores. I was excited when I received The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook to see that most of the pictures were taken using vintage pieces. I guess they love it as much as I do.

Cheryl and Griffith Day founded Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia, in 2002. We have couple things in common, we enjoy scratch baking, we are self-taught bakers and we believe that baking is an art. They are nationality recognized and locally for their homespun decadent desserts and delicious rustic breads.

To celebrate the bakery's tenth anniversary, the duo has written The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook: More Than 100 recipes From the Best Little Bakery In The South, filled with customers' favorite recipes.

The book is divided into chapters like: Breakfast; Coffee Cakes, Quick Breads, and Sweet Yeast Breads; Cupcakes and Cakes; Pies, Cobblers, Crisps and Tarts; Puddings and Custards; Cookies; Brownies and Bars; Confections; and Savories.

Flipping thru the cookbook you will rave looking at the mouth-watering pictures. You will find in the cookbook recipes like Ham and Cheese Pastry Puffs, Blueberry Muffins, Buttermilk Cornmeal Pancakes' Pecan-Chocolate-Espresso Coffee Cake, Lovely Lemon Loaf, Chocolate Bread, Cinnamon Sticky Buns, Strawberry Cupcakes, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Heaven Cake, Brown Sugar Bundt Cake, Lemon Meringue Pie, Bourbon Pecan Pie, Salted Caramel Apple Pie, Snickerdoodles, Creole Brownies, Caramel Popcorn Bars, Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Cobbler to name a few.

Being a collector of cookbooks The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook is becoming one of my favorite's. This cookbook is a must have for bakers and since I've received it I have been drooling

over it.

Since I was hosting the book club, last night, I could not resist but to bake the Cinnamon-Sugar-Doughnut Muffins. It was an instant hit. On top of that my two sons and their friends loved them. If you are craving an old-fashioned doughnut this is the recipe that you should bake first. The next time I make them I will increase the amount of nutmeg in the batter. To prepare the topping you dip the muffins into melted butter and then you dunk them in a mix of sugar-cinnamon. I added nutmeg to the topping mix and it was delicious. Instead of making large muffins I baked them in mini muffin pans, which are a perfect bite size, and we ended up with 36 mini Cinnamon-Sugar-Doughnut Muffins.

In the 'Savories' chapter I decided to try the Candied-Rosemary Pecans. I omitted the Rosemary from the recipe, just because I had none left in the house, and the pecans turned out pretty good. The pecans are mixed with maple syrup, butter, sugar, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, fleur de sel and rosemary and then baked. It is just the perfect combination of ingredients and the nuts are addictive. They will keep well for up to a week in a airtight container.

Whether you are a novice or an accomplished baker you will find in this cookbook exciting recipes that will make your family and friends happy.

''The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook'' is published in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son Ltd

Check out their trailer for the book:

Product News - Heinz Plant Bottle and Little Tikes, Backyard Barbeque Get Out 'N Grill set GIVEAWAY

2012-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

‘Guess What My Bottle is Made of?’

Canada's Favourite Ketchup(R) Now Offers Innovative, PlantBottle(TM) Packaging

***The Winner is Jessica (TheMiddleClassMom). Congratulations!***

According to an IMI GlobalPulse™ study conducted in 2010, 60 per cent of Canadians feel that it is very important for companies to offer environmentally friendly products. In celebration of Earth Day, Heinz Canada will reaffirm its commitment to the environment with a plastic bottle that is made from up to 30 per cent plant-based material. In a first-of-its-kind strategic partnership, The Coca-Cola Company has enabled the H.J. Heinz Company to produce ketchup bottles using its breakthrough PlantBottle™ packaging.

“The revolutionary PlantBottle™ packaging and our groundbreaking partnership with The Coca-Cola Company provides a great opportunity for Heinz to advance our environmental stewardship efforts,” said Peter Luik President & Chief Executive Officer, Heinz Canada. “Converting to PlantBottle™ packaging is a global initiative for Heinz and we are pleased to offer Canadians and their families products and innovative packaging options that help make a difference to the planet we all share.”

Made from up to 30 per cent plant material derived from sugarcane, the Heinz Ketchup PlantBottle™ packaging looks, feels, and functions like traditional PET plastic and has the same recyclability as the rest of Heinz Canada’s Ketchup lineup. Now Canadians can enjoy the ketchup they love and support the environment. The Ketchup in PlantBottle™ packaging was launched in restaurant chains across Canada in a 575 mL format in January 2012, and is now available in grocery stores nationally in the 750 mL size.

Heinz Sustainability Commitment

The H.J. Heinz Company is striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste, water consumption and energy usage by 20 per cent by 2015 and is on track to achieve or surpass their significant environmental targets. For more information on Heinz’s global sustainability goals please visit Heinz.com/sustainability.aspx. Also, the great tasting Ketchup that Canadians love is made from tomatoes that are grown from Heinz Seed by 45 contract growers whose fields are within 100km of Leamington.

About Heinz Canada

Established over 100 years ago in 1909, Heinz Canada is the leading processor and marketer of high-quality ketchup and condiments, infant foods, pasta sauces, canned beans and pasta, and specialty sauces and salad dressings through all retail and foodservice channels. With a host of favourite brands, including Heinz, Chef Francisco®, Richardson®, Classico®, Bagel Bites®, HP Sauce®, Lea & Perrins®, Renée’s Gourmet®, Diana®, Arthur’s Fresh®, and Weight Watchers®* Smart Ones®, Heinz Canada employs more than 1200 people across the country. Heinz Canada is a division of the H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ) based in Pittsburgh, PA. For more information about Heinz Canada products, please visit our websites: Heinz.ca; Foodservice.heinz.ca; and Heinz.com.

GIVEAWAY:

To encourage kids to get outside this Spring/Summer, enjoy BBQ and top their hot dogs and hamburgers with Canada's Favourite Ketchup,one of my lucky reader a beautiful Little Tikes, Backyard Barbeque Get Out 'N Grill Set valued at approximately $55.00. This giveaway is a courtesy of Heinz Canada in celebration of the PlantBottle packaging launch.

To Enter Giveaway:

1- Visit Heinz Canada and leave a comment telling me your favorite way to enjoy Heinz® Tomato Ketchup

2- Like La Cuisine d'Hélène on Facebook

3- Follow La Cuisine d'Hélène on Twitter

Contest will close on May 1st 2012 at midnight EST

Good luck!

Review Olivado Oils and Bean Salad recipe

2012-04-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am featuring a fabulous product on my blog today it's the Olivado Oils. It's a favorite of mine. What to look for when buying a quality culinary oil? First the container it comes in. Good oils should only come in dark glass bottles (or cans), which keep out light and oxygen and prevent the oil going rancid. Start buying Extra Virgin because the oil meets the standards of the IOOC, and is of superior quality, with no use of chemicals. When you taste the oil it should taste and have the colour characteristics of the fruit or vegetable it comes from. If you are buying Hass acocado oil is should be green, with a light subtle avocado flavor. I like vitamins in my food and a good quality extra virgin avocado oil should retain all the vitamin E from the fruit of the avocado. Olivado's extra virgin Avocado Oil is an excellent source of Vitamin E, containing 30% of your daily nutritional requirement in one serving. The extra virgin avocado oil is also perfect for cooking at high heat, is excellent in salads and vegetables, with bread, pasta. For your health the Olivado's extra olive oil contains high amounts of polyphenols (for heart health); avocado oil has the highest levels of beta-sitosterol (to reduce cholesterol and improve heart health), Vitamin E, lutein and lycopene (helping reduce prostate cancer and macular degenaration). Buy only quality oil in small quantities. As soon as a bottle of oil is opened and exposed to oxygen, it will begin to deteriorate. The Olivado family of quality oils include: extra virgin avocado, macadamia and olive oils, as well as Omega Plus, a healthy blend of extra virgin avocado, olive and flaxseed oil, combining omega 3, 6 & 9. Olivado oils represent the healthiest, most delicious and versatile oils on the market today and they deliver a premium, high quality oil with a very long shelf life. For more info watch this video on youtube.

The Olivado family of quality oils include: extra virgin avocado, macadamia and olive oils, as well as Omega Plus, a healthy blend of extra virgin avocado, olive and flaxseed oil, combining omega 3, 6 & 9.

Olivado oils represent the healthiest, most delicious and versatile oils on the market today. We pioneered the process of extracting oil from the avocado, which are cold pressed at our own purpose-built plants, utilizing a stabilization system unique to Olivado that delivers a premium, high quality oil with a very long shelf life.

I am a fan of avocados and I have enjoyed all of the oils that were sent to me. In my bean salad I used the Olivado Organic Avocado Oil and the result with a yummy, healthy lunch. This salad keeps well in the fridge for couple days.

Olivado's site lists Where to Buy (Canada), Where to Buy (USA), Where to Buy (different countries) they have an online Canadian Store, US Store, UK Store.

I hope you enjoy the Olivado oils has much as I do. Recipe

Review Martin's Marvelous Crisps - Gluten-Free and Nut-Free

2012-04-16T17:15:00.001-07:00

Are you looking for outstanding gluten-free products? Let me introduce you to Martin's Marvelous Crisps. Their philosophy is that 'life is to short to settle for second best'. They came up with some marvelous wholesome foods.

We are talking All-natural, gluten-free and nut-free gourmet products. They are located in British Columbia and are using non-GMO Pure Oats that are grown in the unadulterated Canadian Prairies on dedicated farms. The Pure Oats that they are using are gluten-free according to the standards established by Gluten-Free Certification Organization (CFCO, US) of less than 10 parts per million*.

*Although pure oats are suitable for celiac and wheat allergy diets, there is a small percentage of people who may not tolerate even the purest of oats. Please check first with your health practitioner to confirm suitability of pure oats in your diet.

Look at the beautiful package of these crisps. They come in the following flavors: Rosemary Lavender, Pumpkin Seed Cranberry, Chocolate Molé, Date & Olive Tapenade. Their marvelously all natural granola come in two flavors: Sunflower Seed Raisin and Pumpkin Seed Cranberry.

You can enjoy your crisps with a nice tapenade, a bean dip, different kind of cheeses. When entertaining they are beautiful on their own. Serve them alongside a platter of fruits and cheeses. Top the crackers with brie and a pepper jelly. My son and I ate half a package this afternoon, that's how delicious they are.

You can follow Martin's Marvelous on Twitter. For recipes, product info and to find out where to buy their products in Canada and USA please visit their website: Martin's Marvelous also watch this video on youtube

Product review Barilla Pasta and Penne a la Vodka recipe

2012-04-13T10:27:00.001-07:00

Some people say that they don't have time to feed their family a home cooked meal every night of the week. I believe that with good planning you can keep staples in the house for those nights that you are short on time and want to prepare a meal in less than 30 minutes. You should always have boxes of pasta in the pantry such as Barilla. It is so versatile and the recipes you can make with pasta are endless. Keep them in every size and shape and add them to soups, stews, casseroles, stir-fry. For ideas explore Barilla website for recipes and menus. Follow them on Facebook and try their Barilla Spaghetti Ranchero recipe that they featured on Facebook. I received boxes of Barilla pasta to taste and review. This Penne a la Vodka was the perfect recipe to try Barilla pasta. What I like about these pasta is that the cooking time on the package is right on. If the package say that the pasta is ready in 8 minutes, it really is ready in 8 minutes to my taste. Another bonus is that the pasta keeps it's shape, it's very important, you don't want to end up with pasta that lose their shape during cooking. The Penne a la Vodka is a great recipe for a quick week night. My family enjoyed this recipe and it had become a repeater in the house.

Chocolate Crêpes with Cream Chantilly

2012-04-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have the pleasure to have my first contributor on La Cuisine d'Hélène, it is my daughter Geneviève. She made those delicious Chocolate Crêpes with Cream Chantilly last week-end. Please welcome my daughter Geneviève and read her bio here.

When I woke up Sunday morning, I knew right away I felt like having crêpes. But I didn't want just the usual, and I had seen this recipe in my mom's Gordon Ramsay book that I had been wanting to try. So after sending my dad to get some whipping cream -- hey, he has to earn his breakfast -- I decided to make these chocolate crêpes with crème chantilly and chocolate sauce.

It was really fun making them in my mom's special crêpe pan, whatever it's called. They came out really nice, when I didn't leave them on too long... I arranged them like in the picture and served them to my family. Everybody was really impressed and even more impressed after they tasted them.

We even had to fight over the leftovers in the afternoon and I ended up finishing the whipped cream and chocolate sauce with strawberries because there were no crêpes left.

I really enjoy making special recipes and there's no one I enjoy sharing them with more than my family.

(Photo courtesy of Geneviève)

Chocolate Chips Cookies - Review Green & Black's Organic Chocolate

2012-04-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

Who does not like Chocolate Chips Cookies. After receiving a package of Green & Black's Organic chocolate bars I started to crave these cookies that I have seen on White on Rice Couple blog. The recipe is from Alice at Savory Sweet Life.

Green & Black's Organic make and sell premium organic chocolate. They use fine organic ingredients that are ethically sourced. The result is the perfect balance between taste and principles. They believe that every step from bean to bar is equally important - wether it's sourcing and using the finest organically grown cocoa beans or taking that extra time and care to bring out the distinct flavour that has become their trademark.

To celebrate Easter with friends and family why not offer them Green & Black's Organic chocolate. It's delicious. I'm a chocolate lover and this is a special treat.

You can follow Green & Black's Organic on Facebook

Product Review Barilla Whole Grain Pasta - Fennel and Sausage Pasta Recipe

2012-03-28T13:02:00.001-07:00

The beauty with pasta is that they come in all shapes and also some compagnies are making Whole Grain pasta like Barilla. These pasta have 2x the fiber of regular pasta. I like the nutty taste that it adds to my dishes. If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make smart food choices pick up a box next time you are grocery shopping. To reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes try eating foods rich in whole grains.

This recipe was tasted in my kitchen many times and we really enjoy it. I was impressed with the taste of Whole Grain Barilla pasta. This dish is quick enough to make for a weeknight meal. Bring leftovers to lunch the next day. Enjoy!

Fennel and Sausage Pasta

1 lb Italian Sausage casings removed

1 fennel bulb halved and sliced

2 chopped red peppers

crushed chili peppers

1 clove of garlic, chopped

1/2 -1 tsp crushed fennel seeds

1/2 cup chicken stock

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and Pepper

Remove casings from sausage. In a large pan in 2 tsps of olive oil sauté the sausage for aprox 5 mins. until no pink is visible. Remove the sausage and keep warm. Discard fat. Add some olive oil to the pan and sauté the fennel and peppers for 10 minutes or until the fennel becomes soft and caramelized. Add the garlic, fennel seeds,crushed chili peppers, salt, and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Meanwhile in a large pot boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente.

Add the chicken stock to the fennel pepper mixture and the sausage, add a bit of pasta water, add the pasta after the sauce has reduced a bit. Mix well.

Serve with grated cheese.

GIVEAWAY Sun-Maid Raisin Bread

2012-03-26T06:39:00.001-07:00

***Contest is closed. Winners are: Miss C, Rita, Jonnie (JB), Emma. Congratulations!***

Sun-Maid has re-created an old fashioned delight. They bake their raisin bread with 75 kg of raisins in every 100 kg of flour. They could use fewer raisins, and substitute less expensive ingredients, but it just wouldn't be good enough for Sun-Maid. They use only good, wholesome ingredients like wheat flour, cinnamon, and of course Sun-Maid raisins. Try it toasted, for sandwiches, as French toast, or in bread pudding.

Receive a free 100th Anniversary Cookbook with 20 raisin inspired recipes.

Sun-Maid is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year - raise a toast with a handful of fresh raisins, good tasting and good for you.

Celebrate, too, by participating in this giveaway:

GIVEAWAY:

Four lucky readers will receive a coupon for a delicious of Sun-Maid Raisin Bread.

***For each of the following you will get an entry***

Leave a comment and tell me in which province you live
Like La Cuisine d'Hélène on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Send an email to cuisinehelene (at) hotmail (dot) com

Contest will close Monday April 2nd at 11:59 pm EST.

Good luck!

Product Review - Dempster's Reformulated WholeGrains 12 Grain Bagel

2012-03-15T08:31:00.001-07:00

Did you know that Dempster's launched their new bagel formulation in February? I was contacted to try the new bagels and since I like to start my day with peanut butter I had a Dempster's WholeGrains 12 Grain Bagel this morning for breakfast. The new recipe for Dempster's Bagels ensures every bagel toasts up to be crispy on the outside yet stays soft and fluffy on the inside. Made fresh daily in bakeries across Canada, Dempster's Bagels use a special recipe and authentic baking process. The improved recipe includes premium Canadian ingredients such as real cinnamon and spice, dried blueberries, fried onions and pumpkin seeds. The result? A bagel that's perfect for toasting and topping.

My bagel was actually fluffy on the inside, crisp to perfection on the outside, and was delicious with peanut butter. This is a great way to start the day. I can't wait to try their Blueberry or Cinnamon Raisin bagels.

You can enjoy Dempster's Bagels any time of the day. You should try one of these recipes: Apple and Cheddar Bagel, Open-Faced Breakfast Bagels, Bagels with Turkey, Pear and Brie

Also take the time to visit Dempster's on Facebook and next time your are at the store don't forget to buy any kind of the new Dempster's Bagels.

GIVEAWAY Barilla Whole Grain Pasta - Valued at $50

2012-03-14T12:01:00.001-07:00

***Contest closed. The winner is Sylvia O'Brien. Congratulations!***

Barilla has taken the time and care to develop a whole grain pasta that not only provides the benefits of whole grains but also delivers the great taste and quality people have come to expect from Barilla - Italy's #1 Brand of Pasta.

Made with 51 per cent whole wheat, Barilla Whole Grain is all natural and a very high source of fibre. It offers 28 g of whole grains and 6 g of fibre per serving, which is two times the fibre of traditional pasta. It is the ideal pasta for anyone seeking to increase their intake of fibre and whole grains without sacrificing taste.

The Benefits of Whole Grains and Fibre:
Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods, and diets low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Whole grains often provide a good source of dietary fibre, which comes from the bran layer. Like sugar and starch, fiber is a carbohydrate, but with a twist: the body does not digest and absorb it, so fibre contributes fewer calories. That is one reason people lose more weight on high fibre diets: meals are more filling with fewer calories.

Barilla Whole Grain Varieties:

Barilla^TMWhole Grain Spaghetti
Barilla^TMWhole Grain Thin Spaghetti
Barilla^TMWhole Grain Penne
Barilla^TMWhole Grain Rotini

For Recipes using Barilla Whole Grain Pasta visit Barilla

To enter Giveaway:

***For each of the following you will get an entry***

Leave a comment telling me what is your favorite pasta dish
Like La Cuisine d'Hélène on Facebook
Follow La Cuisine d'Hélène on Twitter
Send an email to cuisinehelene (at) hotmail (dot) com

Contest will close Wednesday March 21 at 11:59 pm EST

Good luck!

Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe - Happy 100th Birthday Oreo!

2012-03-06T06:43:00.003-08:00

Today we are celebrating Oreo 100th Birthday.

OREO is the world’s favorite cookie, enjoyed by families and friends in more than 100 countries around the world. As one of Kraft Foods brands, OREO is the best-selling biscuit of the 21st century. The OREO cookie twist, lick and dunk ritual has become the signature way to enjoy this iconic cookie for many different cultures around the world. OREO has a Facebook community of more than 25 million OREO lovers around the globe, representing 200+ countries and dozens of different languages. OREO ranks among the top five brand Facebook pages in the world.

In honor of the Oreo 100th Birthday I baked delicious Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes using the box of Birthday Cake Oreo cookies that I received.

Glade Expressions Giveaway

2012-03-05T12:45:00.003-08:00

***Contest closed. Congratulations to Annie Mallard!***

We all like visiting homes that smells fresh. Some people use scented candles but others are looking at alternatives since they don't want candles around children.

I had the chance to try some new Glade Expressions products. The oil diffuser is stylish, and does not require electricity. That's a bonus for me. It releases a combination of long-lasting fragrances. I love the trendy holder that matches your décor perfectly. The diffuser comes in white or a light wood color.

The new Glade Expressions Collection features two new fashionable designs including a Fragrance Mist and Oil Diffuser. The collections comes in the following fragrances:

Cotton & Italian Mandarin (Fragrance Mist only)
Pineapple & Mangosteen (Fragrance Mist & Oil Diffuser)
Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice (Fragrance Mist & Oil Diffuser)
Lavender & Juniper Berry (Fragrance Mist & Oil Diffuser)

The new Glade Expressions fragrances mist comes handy in the kitchen. Use it after cooking to get the smell out of the kitchen. Just squeeze to spray; then refill the holder with your favorite fragrance. I like how great this spray looks.

Glade is offering my readers a chance to win $60 worth of new Glade Expressions products!

To win:

Leave a comment
Like La Cuisine d'Hélène on Facebook
Like Glade on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Send an email to cuisinehelene (at) hotmail (dot) com

Contest will close Tuesday March 13 at 11:59 pm EST

Good luck!

Thai Curried Noodles with Broccoli and Tofu

2012-03-01T15:15:00.001-08:00

Last night I served a Thai Curried Noodles with Broccoli and Tofu for Dinner. This dish is creamy and has just the right amount of spice. I served the curry over Zaru Soba noodles. It's a Japanese style Buckwheat noodles. These noodles cook in only four minutes and it gives a nice visual effect on the plate.

Thai Curried Noodles with Broccoli and Tofu

This dish is modeled after the Thai dish kbao soi, which combines sweet, spicy, and sour flavors in one bowl.

· 2 tsp vegetable oil

· 2 large shallots or garlic, chopped

· ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro stems

· 2 Tbs. yellow or red Thai curry paste

· 1 tsp curry powder

· 1 tsp ground turmeric

· 1 15-oz. can light coconut milk

· ¾ cup vegetable broth

· 2 tsp light brown sugar

· 1 12-oz. pkg. firm tofu, drained and cut into ½-inch cubes

· 5 oz. dry fettuccine (I used Zary Soba noodles)

· 5 cups broccoli florets

· 6 lime wedges, for garnish

Bring water to boil. Cook the Soba noodles according to package directions. Drain well.

In the meantime sauté the shallots or garlic in oil. Add the curry paste, curry powder, turmeric and cook for 1 minute. Stir in coconut milk, the vegetable broth, brown sugar and the cilantro stems. Bring to a simmer and cook at medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the tofu, simmer another 10 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking add the broccoli florets. Mix in the Soba noodles and serve. You can decorate the dish with lime wedges and cilantro.

Voilà!

Source: VT

Poached Pear with Chocolate and Liberté Vanilla Greek Yogurt

2012-02-27T11:13:00.001-08:00

This is a recipe that I developed using Liberté Vanilla Greek Yogurt 0%.

Liberté has been manufacturing milk products in the Montréal area since 1936. They have a plant in Saint-Hyacinthe where I was born and raised. They offer several certified organic products, including milk, Greek yogurt, flavoured yogurts and the Svelte line.

Focusing on health and wellbeing, Liberté is aware that consumers want products with the shortest possible ingredient lists and without any additives. You will by happy to know the Liberté plain Greek yogurt contains only two ingredients: skim milk and active bacterial cultures. Since it has a thick, creamy texture it's the perfect choice when comes the time to serve a dip for your fruits and vegetables. Also pair it with fresh fruits and mint and you have a delicious, healthy dessert to serve to your family.

Since I love the taste and the richness of their Greek Vanilla Yogurt 0%, I made a delicious Poached Pear with Chocolate and Liberté Vanilla Greek Yogurt for dessert this week-end.

This dessert is so good that you will want to serve it to your guests next time you entertain your friends and family.

Here is the recipe

Enjoy!

Pita with hummus, veggies and feta

2012-02-22T09:53:00.002-08:00

Sometimes you just want to prepare a quick lunch in less than five minutes. This will do the trick. Simply spread hummus on a pita bread, add veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers and diced feta. Sprinkle with za'atar and sumac. Decorate with cilantro. You have a yummy sandwich.

Have a great Wednesday!

New addiction: Chip It!

2012-02-19T09:02:00.005-08:00

I have an addiction to pictures, colors. Couple months ago I was invited to join Pinterest and found Pinterest to be a great place for inspiration. I love the visual format of Pinterest and in just one click you can look at pictures from great photographers around the World. Pinterest also gives me the chance to promote bloggers that I enjoy reading. If you are interested in joining Pinterest send me an email to request an invitation.

Since I love colors I found a new tool by Sherwin-Williams called Chip It! When you get inspired by an image, just enter the image URL and it will give you a customized color palette drawn from the image.

(Courtesy Maxime Charest)

(Via)

(Sherwin-Williams)

Vanilla Greek Liberté Yogurt with Raspberries and Mint & $150 Giveaway from Liberté

2012-02-02T11:33:00.005-08:00

*****Contest closed. The winner is Genevieve from Vanilla & Spice. Congratulations!*****

I received coupons from Liberté to try their Greek Yogurt 0% that comes in seven different varieties: Honey Greek, Plain, Vanilla, Wild Blueberry, Strawberry, Date & Fig & Mango Orange. Liberté has been manufacturing milk products in the Montréal area since 1936. They have a plant in Saint-Hyacinthe where I was born and raised. They offer several certified organic products, including milk, Greek yogurt, flavoured yogurts and the Svelte line.

Focusing on health and wellbeing, Liberté is aware that consumers want products with the shortest possible ingredient lists and without any additives. You will by happy to know the Liberté plain Greek yogurt contains only two ingredients: skim milk and active bacterial cultures. Since it has a thick, creamy texture it's the perfect choice when comes the time to serve a dip for your fruits and vegetables. Also pair it with fresh fruits and mint and you have a delicious, healthy dessert to serve to your family.

Liberté wants to give the chance to one lucky reader of La Cuisine d'Hélène to try their Greek Yogurt 0%. The winner will receive a basket with 10 coupons for a free 500g of Greek Yogurt 0%, placemats, bowls, forks and a reusable Liberté bag. A value of $150.

How to participate:

1- You can leave a comment
2- Like La Cuisine d'Hélène on Facebook
3- Follow La Cuisine d'Hélène on Twitter
4- Tweet the contest on Twitter: Enter Liberté Greek Yogurt Giveaway http://bit.ly/wXYQp5 @lacuisinehelene
5- Like Liberté Canada on Facebook
6- Or send me an email with Liberté Contest in the Subject Line: cuisinehelene (at) hotmail (dot) ca

The Random draw will take place on February 14 at 6 p.m. EST.

Pain aux bananes et au chocolat de Mathieu Darche - Banana bread with chocolate chips Mathieu Darche

2012-01-30T07:25:00.000-08:00

Last week Ricardo made a banana bread with Montreal Canadiens player Mathieu Darche. Mathieu said that the recipe was from his mom. I made it and it is delicious. As with any banana bread it is better the next day. The only thing that I will do different next time is to use less chocolate chips.

We had a busy week-end with hockey. My son Mathieu was in a hockey tournament and we did some volunteer hours. On Sunday my two oldest came for Dinner. It was a nice way to end the week-end.

Next Sunday we are heading to Vegas. We were there in August and can't wait to go back. We are staying at The Palazzo again. Love that place. We got tickets for Elton John, will do some shopping, try new restaurants. Any suggestions?

Dempster's Thin Bagels with Greek Yogurt and fruits

2012-01-14T10:38:00.002-08:00

Dempster's

What I like about a New Year is that we are eating healthy again. We enjoyed having company over for Christmas and visiting family on New Year Eve, sharing delicious food and wine with them but now it's time to enjoy a lighter diet.

This week I received a package from Dempster's with three different king of thin bagels: Multigrain, White with Whole Wheat and Cinnamon Raisin. Dempster’s new Thin Bagels makes portion control simple and satisfying to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions.

The first one I sampled was the Cinnamon Raisin Thin Bagel. I made this Berry 'n' Greek Yogurt Thin Bagel recipe and I assure you that if you start the day right in eating this for breakfast you will have the energy you need to stay on track throughout the day.

All you need to do is toast a Cinnamon Raisin Thin Bagel. Top it with your favorite Greek yogurt and fruits. I made a fruit compote using frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and maple syrup. Cook the fruits on high in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes and serve the compote warm with the bagel. It satisfied my appetite. Dempster's Thin Bagels are available at major grocers.