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{Low(er) Fat} Pad Thai

Pad Thai

I grew up eating mostly meat and potatoes {Nebraska does that to a girl}.  My mom is a fabulous cook, but the closest we ever got to “ethnic” food was Chicken Chow Mein with those crunchy La Choy noodles on top (correct me if I’m wrong Mom!).

Then came my first “real job” and business travel.  And expense accounts.

At a client dinner at some swank Vegas restaurant, a colleague – eager to help broaden my food horizons, insisted I try an oyster. Let’s just say that my “pharyngeal reflex” response is seared into my memory (and probably the client’s as well), and I STILL can’t get up close and personal with shellfish of any kind.

So while I tend to stay in my comfort zone with food items {except for that time I ate crickets in Mexico}, I grew to love experimenting with different flavors and cuisines.  And one of my favorites is Thai food.

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{Trick Your Children!} Healthier Macaroni & Cheese

macaroni - plated

Moms the world over have devised some very creative ways to get their kids (or husbands) to eat more vegetables.  Today’s adaptation is one of my all-time favorites.

Years ago I discovered a couple of Diane Seed’s wonderful cookbooks.  The recipes are simple and straightforward, but unique.  And the illustrations are delightful.  When I got rid of my cookbook collection this is one I couldn’t part with. One of the first recipes I tried was her “Tagliolini with Creamed Carrots.”  Besides being delicious (and a little bit naughty) it struck me how much this tasted like homemade mac and cheese, and had that out-of-the-box orange color.  Hmmm, what if I used elbow macaroni instead of tagliolini?  Might kids fall for this sneaky way of eating more vegetables?!

Since I forgot to have children (where did those years GO!?) I needed to borrow my “victims.”  So I experimented on my niece and nephew.  While they didn’t believe for one minute that this was mac n’ cheese out-of-a-box, they loved it.  Continue Reading →

{Meatless Monday} Grilled Vegetable Sformato

sformato edited

For my sister’s birthday a few years ago, I gave her a gift certificate to a cooking class that we could do together. Since she’s not a big meat eater, I chose one that focused on great vegetarian dishes. With more and more “experts” talking about the health benefits of cutting back on meat, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to add to my repertoire either.

The class was taught by the wonderful Robin Asbell and held at Cooks of Crocus Hill.   We had a great time, and  over a few glasses of wine, learned to make a bunch of new dishes.  Robin’s “Grilled Vegetable Sformato” was our favorite.

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Hugh Grant and Beet Ravioli

photo by Bon Appetit

photo by Bon Appetit

Living in downtown Toronto was a great adventure. If a city can be credited for expanding my taste buds, this was it. For four and a half years we explored a few of its many Chinatowns, the Greek district, Little Portugal and the melting pot that was Queen Street. All within walking distance or a subway ride from our condo.

We ate out a LOT. Husband jokes that every maitre’d in the city knew us a “the couple without a kitchen.” The cooking bug had yet to take hold, but I like to think of this as my “research” phase. Continue Reading →