me like shrimpi

Hello my prittis,

So, I have this "everything but the kitchen sink" way of cooking sometimes, but this time my impromptu shrimp marinade has become famous without me trying.

I decided then, I must share this with everyone and "publish" the recipe instead of texting it to my friends all the time.

Here goes:
P.S. Don't get carried away with portions, just trust your instincts!

Curry Shrimp- Great for appetizers at party's! (P.S. This is not my picture, I have borrowed it from the net!)

1. Use fresh or frozen (with shell) shrimps. Doesn't really matter what type or size. This recipe is good for a standard bag you buy in the grocery store. I like to use the #20-30.
2. Remove the shells from the shrimp. If your shrimp are frozen, just pour hot water on them (not to cook them, but to melt them). 
3. Place the shrimp in a bowl and start your marinade, adjust it to your taste!
• 2 table spoons of olive oil (to wet the shrimp)
• 2 garlic cloves crushed, add more if you like your garlic!
• 2 table spoons of curry powder, mild or hot
• a sprinkle of red hot peppers (crushed or flakes)
• Salt and pepper
• chopped tarragon or any fresh earthy herb you have (thyme, rosemary, oregano...
4. Let the shrimp marinade in the fridge for 1-3 hours.
5. To cook- use a hot pan with a bit of butter or frying oil and grill until pink. DON'T OVER COOK YOUR SHRIMP!! It will get too chewy.
6. Another option is to BBQ them on bamboo skewers. Make sure you soak the bamboo sticks in water for a few hours before stabbing the shrimp on them, so they don't burn on the BBQ!

the grass is greener on my side!

It's that time of the year to get your green thumb out, and get it dirty!

I love this time of the year, planning the garden layout, growing my seeds and deciding what plants we will be growing this year.

To make it easier for people who are scared to get started, it's important to note that the best way to garden is with a purpose! Do what you like and what fits your lifestyle. In the spirit of all of this excitement, I decided to create a top 10 gardening trends for 2011:

1. Edible gardens- food gardening is practical, gives you a return on your investment and it's delicious! Fresh food at your finger tips! Enjoy the fruits of your labour... literally!
2. Versatile gardens- if you like certain plants that require sun and warmth all year, put it in a large pot and bring it inside for the winter.
3. Container gardens- great for people living in apartments or condos!
4. Lifestyle gardens- low to high maintenance gardens should depend on your commitment to taking care of it.
5. Lawn less gardens- for those who have a small lawn or for those who think grass is for suckers. Grass does look silly in a small patch.
6. Outdoor living room gardens- decorate your yard as you would your den.
7. Water features- adds a calming view and soothing sounds.
8. Zone friendly garden- Plants will thrive better in their respective zones. Don't mess with nature, you are not fooling anyone. Ontario plant zones can range from 8 to 0. That's a huge range!!
9. Native plant gardens- Choose plants that are native to Canada.
10. Germinated gardens- start your plants early from seed. Now that's hard work!

I will keep you posted on my garden this year. So far we have about 22 berry plants started: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberry, current, gooseberry, loganberry, tayberry, mulberry... Can't wait to make jams and pies!!!

me a foodi 4

Let's get creative!

My new routine this summer has been to experiment with my garden vegetables and herbs. I just love whipping up a meal and using the fruits of my labour to make my meal delicious!

I present to you my home made, invented in my kitchen, amazingly delicious...

Zucchini tarragon cranberry cake

It's basically the recipe for banana bread/cake but you replace the banana with 2 regular sized grated zucchini.

Here are some of the ingredients I put together:

• Zucchini (2 regular size grated)
• Tarragon (4 sprigs finely chopped)
• Rosemary (2 sprigs finely chopped)
• Cinnamon (2 tea spoons)
• Dried cranberries (1 cup)

Then your regular ingredients...

• 2 eggs
• 2 table spoons of melted butter
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1 tea spoon of vanilla
• 1 table spoon of baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 2 cups of whole wheat flour

I love this recipe, I alter it all the time depending on what I have. I guess I could have added almonds and figs. Maybe I will just keep that as a separate banana cake twist :)

Do you have any quick baking tips of recipes to share? Are you bold enough to change ingredients like I do?

A side note on tarragon: I recently discovered this herb and noticed that it had a very sweet and cinnamon essence to it when I cooked it with chicken. The dish almost smelt like it should have tasted sweet. I decided I would try it in a savory desert, and it worked!

me a foodi 3

Hello my prittis.

I wanted to show you what I have been up to in my garden and food making science project.

Basically we have about 5 hot pepper plants growing; cherry bomb, banana pepper, red chilly pepper, jalapeno... WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THIS HEAT???

I made a hot pepper oil... and I am so proud out it!

Improvisation is my favorite in the kitchen:

• garlic cloves
• hot peppers cut up with seeds
• bay leaves
  
• olive oil
• black pepper corns
• salt

The best part is that this oil serves as a double duty:

1. Deliciously flavored spicy oil, for salads or bread dipping
2. Marinated and flavored hot peppers

I'll let you know how it turns out.

me like pastry

On my last voyage to NYC, I went on a quest, a journey. I was, in search, for the best red velvet cake this concrete jungle had to offer!

I will tell this story with pictures- how else can I make you drool?

We got these cupcakes from Magnolia on Bleeker Street it was worth the wait! Although I am not eating the red velvet cupcake in this picture, I sure did have anothet serving later ;P

These cupcakes were made from a store bought package. They were still good, but not the taste I was looking for...

I tried the red velvet cupcake from Crumbs Bake Shop. It was very tasty, but too sweet from what I recall. Also the portions are really too big for a snack.

Alas! I found my one true love! The best cupcake I found was in a small little shed in SOHO. See that little red cabin behind me in the picture? That's the one! Perfect crumb, perfect taste, perfect moisture, perfect frosting. I wish I had the name and the address of this place. Basically he serves coffee, tea and snacks. This a series of pictures of me trying the cupcake...

And last but not least, my wedding cake.... it was half red velvet and half lemon poppyseed! I kept the top layer for our anniversary... it's RED VELVET!!!

I have tried the Starbucks red velvet cupcake too... let me save you $4. It was gross!! Not fresh and had a strange taste to it. Don't be fooled by it's good looks!

Note: Do not try this experiment at home. This may cause useless money being spent, diabetes, obesity and may stain your hands red.

me want lunchi

So, once again I did not bring a lunch with me.

I was so busy this weekend and didn't have a chance to do the groceries.

I wonder if keeping track of these blogs will be an indirect way of tracking how often I eat out!!! Crap :S

I was not the only one who didn't have a lunch today. I was invited to "Serious Cheese" it's a great cheese, sandwich, soup, etc shop on Bank Street in Ottawa. We took our lunch to go, and sat outside at a pic nic table :) Loves it!

I had a delicious "grilled cheese and ham" sandwich with a small macaroni and cheese with bacon. Basically the same thing served differently! I just realised that I ate a grilled cheese last week too!! What is my problem?!

Anyhow, It was delicious...

This is all that is left of my lunch.

Bon appétit!

me so hungri

So I was lazy this morning and focused on my hair instead of making a lunch. I quickly ran out of the house with a container of cut up pineapple, a box of cherry tomatoes, bulkan yogurt with blueberries and rhubarb jam thinking that was going to be enough for the day.

When lunch time approached, I thought to myself, what is aroud my work that I can take out in less than 1 hour (I have a meeting later, so I am in a rush!!!).
Well, I thought "What about the yellow chip wagon right at the corner of Bank and Sunnyside". If you haven't tried this place in Ottawa... it is a must!

B.T.W. It's called M&G!

I quickly hoovered a Bacon, Tomatoe Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It was.... DELICIOUS!!! Fresh tomatoes, salty bacon, buttery and crunchy toast... Mmmmmm.

A 365 day landmark! Rain, snow or shine, he is there feeding the folks of the old Ottawa South!
Rumour has it, he is missing a finger.

French fries anyone?
Bon appétit!

me a foodi 2

Guess what I made with the basil from my garden??? Pesto! It was delicious!

Okay, I love taking pictures of food and plants.

Here are a few pictures from my garden and a blueberry pie that I made yesterday!

Enjoy the pics!

me get readi

Last night I went out with my amazing friend "Yulia" for her 22nd birthday (for privacy purposes I have changed her name and her age.. haha). I have to say, we really looked faboulous. Sometimes you need to force yourself a little: makeup, hair, dress, pumps, clutch... the whole bit! It's worth burning your fingers on your curling iron and making a mess of your bedroom to find an outfit... the perfect outfit!

After rescheduling our reservation due to my wardrobe malfunction, we call a cab, it's starts to rain, but nothing is putting a damper on this night out.

We went out to one of the most amazing restaurants last night in Ottawa: Beckta! Now this place really isn't for everyone, and be ready to fork over a chunck of change. But I must say, every penny and every hour is worth the experience!

I will upload the images of my 5 course "Tasting Menu" on a seperate post once I get the pictures off my camera. I will try to take you on my culinary journey from last night. Good thing they give you the entire menu when you are done. I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, let alone what was on plate last night!

What a great night. We had such an amazing time. Great company, great food, great wine. It's worth the fuss.

Next event: eighteen for my birthday!!! Stay tuned.