What's the best thing to happen to winter...Soup!
In particular Cauliflower Potato Soup which has quickly become a weekly ritual.
Here's how to make this incredibly tasty and easy concoction:
(Makes 4 servings, or 2 if you're like me)
What you will need:
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 large russet potato or 2 smaller ones
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tsp. fresh thyme
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2 1/2 cups caulifower, chopped
2/3 cup sharp cheddar, grated
2-4 tsp. Dijon mustard (this coarse kind- I prefer more of a mustard taste so I would go for 4)
In a medium Dutch oven or lidded saucepan, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft (about 5-8 minutes). Add the potatoes, cover and cook until they are beginning to soften (about 10 minutes). Stir in the salt, garlic, thyme and broth. Bring to a boil. Cook for 5-10 minutes and check to make sure the potatoes are tender, if not keep cooking. Add the cauliflower, cover and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion blender. Once the soup is smooth, stir in the cheddar and mustard. Serve in bowls and top with additional cheddar and a drizzle of olive oil.
On the subject of soups, there is a little place called Ravi Soups that has a variety of deliciousness. My favourite is the corn chowder with blue crab and thai basil. I could pretty much love living above that place and be in heaven with all the smells coming from it. Amazing stuff.
Salmon is one of those fish that are as amazing on their own, but when you add extras like dill! lemon! butter! mustard seeds! it becomes something to crave.
This is currently my favourite salmon recipe, it's too good not to share:
You will need:
1 large salmon fillet, cut into quarters
1/2 cup of metled butter
juice from one large lemon
2-4 tsp. coarse mustard (it depends on how mustard-y you would like it, I go for 4)
chopped dill to taste
How-to:
1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Mix the ingredients listed above together in a bowl with a whisk. Spoon some of this mixture into the bottom of your oven dish and create a thin layer with the back of your spoon (I use a glass casserole dish).
3. Place the salmon into dish. Spoon the rest of your mixture overtop of the salmon pieces.
4. Bake uncovered for 12-18 minutes. Make sure to check your salmon at the 12 minute mark as some ovens bake quicker than others. You will know your salmon is done when it is flaky and light pink inside.
Repeat as many times a week as you have cravings for!
There is a place near my house, tucked into a little side street that has quite the following. Every time I have paid it a visit, I spent more time there than I anticipated and more money as well...but it is entirely worth it!
This place is the Cheese Boutique. Not only does its atmosphere always beckon you inside, with fresh brewed tea being served in tiny glass teacups, lemonades of all kinds, as many cheese and meat samples as you can stand and displays full of cakes, tarts and pasteries, this place is sometimes more than I can handle at once.
The sweet owner and his sons run the show and somehow remember every face that ever passed through their door.
With its cheese aging room, upper level dedicated to every type of pot, pan or utensil you could imagine and wall to wall and floor to ceiling foods, this place has become one of my favourites. They may get to know me by first name.
This city is a place my family frequented often in the past several months and I had the opportunity to come along for the ride. I wish I had been able and free to do so more often, but the few times I did meant that much more because of it.
There are so many things to do, see and visit that it becomes almost overwhelming when you actually arrive. The drive down was hilarious from beginning to end and the 9 hours seem like 2 when you are with people you love.
One must see was SWEET, with 4 locations in the Boston area we had to visit each one.
These cupcakes were one-of-a-kind and something I have never experienced before. I'm only sad that they have not expanded to include Toronto locations.
This was followed by lunch at an amazing restaurant, Scholar's, located at the end of Newbury Street. From the black bean burger to the crab and beyond this food satisfied everyone's craving and then some.
The New England Aquarium is another must see. Their huge walk-around tank in the middle contains everything you would hope to see in an aquarium of its size. From sharks, eels and sting rays at the bottom to Nemo and giant sea turtles at the top (along with being privy to some awkward first dates), this place had everything.
Inbcluding sailors fresh off their boats, all lonesome and tired...
We ended one of our days with some Snappy Sushi that served the best Boston Lobster roll I have ever had and probably will ever have (I feel bad for everyone that does not eat fish).
Welcome to Bean-town.
There is always someone there to greet you (Hunter), it is quiet (once he's been taken out for a run), lively & full when family and friends are over (really it doesn't take much to make our little house full!) and has more memories then you can even remember.
Some of the early memories include eating on steps because we had no table set up yet, having to find other ways to entertain ourselves since there was no cable and the quiet before the Hunter! We never took for granted the close proximity of Bloor West Village and having High Park and Lake Ontario at our doorstep.
Up until almost 2 years ago, my home was in my parents' house. There were smells, sights and people that I love more than anything. Coming home to food cooking, family calling you in from the door and being able to drop everything and relax is something I remember well and used to look forward to. After having moved out, those are things I like to imitate.
It only helps that we live in an area that begs you to come outside, in any season.
There really is no excuse not to take Hunter for a walk, several times a day. After a night of friends, food and drinks, there's nothing like a hike to cure any hangover, and believe me, we've had our fair share!
On the other side of our home is the Lake. Beautiful in many ways and the water somehow has a different shade every time you look at it.
Although I will always miss living in my family's house, my home is quickly becoming my favourite place to be.
Besides, every time I visit my family, who can say no to having my mom come outside (in whatever weather it may be) and waving like a mad lady until the car I am in has turned the corner and left to go home.
Life is full of 'firsts', especially for someone as excited about life as Hunter is. First run, first training class, first time misbehaving and getting scolded, first time eating a shoe or a step, &c.
None were so unforgettable as his first swim.
Deanlea Beach is a place we have gone to many time; a place I remember well and I hope he will too.
Playing with frisbees stolen from children, being so scared of the water at first that a little child was pushed off their flotation device so he could get on it, falling into holes, and chasing birds..all of these were the recipe of an unforgettable moment in time.
There comes a time when you feel the need to take a day off and do something you want to. Where you forget about obligations, phones and what time of day it is. Those moments are precious and few and mean so much more when you can make them happen.
Such a day happened not too long ago and I will always remember it.
Not only did Hunter enjoy every moment of being outside, but he was sound asleep the whole ride home and we were happy.
I often think back to this day; when we put the happiness of us first.
