My number one country to visit on my bucket list since childhood is Egypt. I have tons of books on the history of Egypt, maps, culture information, sites and so on. I am so prepared to go that I've already made a schedule and itinerary for my 4 week trip to Egypt years ago. This is a dream I've been looking forward to for a long time and keep saying that one day, in the very near future, I'll be there exploring this fascinating part of the globe.
One of my pre-plan "itinerary", I dedicated a couple of days for a cooking class; one in Cairo and the other in Sharm El-Sheikh by the Red Sea. I just want to cook like they have been doing for centuries - okay I'm sure thet've evolved since but they should still have traditional dishes that haven't transformed much!
A dish that originated in Egypt is “hummus bi tahini” and apparently it was recorded as far back as the 13th century, according to Wikipedia – I personally thought it would’ve been even earlier like the 5th century… oh well! This popular dip became popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa and now you can find it at your local grocery store BUT wait, why buy it when you can make my Roasted Red Pepper Hummus at home! I love the stuff! I can eat it every week but although David likes it as well, he won’t eat it obsessively like me. I dislike buying premade food as you know therefore I knew this recipe would be easy enough to make at home so this is how this Roasted Red Pepper Hummus was created. Unlike most of them, mine is quite “moist” as David likes to say and I agree with him. When I’ve bought the ones from the store before, they were “dry”. What I mean by that is they left a dry sensation in your mouth after a few bites. You don’t want to make it too wet otherwise you won’t have a dip anymore – it needs to be just right. Depending on how I feel, I roast my peppers and add a little more oil to compensate for the liquid in the jar. One thing for sure I made myself is Tahini. Why spend so much money by buying it at the store when making it from scratch is a fraction of the cost… Other great dishes from this area include Middle East Muhammara, Falafel, Tabbouleh, Kofta, and so on, this Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is quite a tasty recipe! So the next time you have a craving for this incredible dish, simply make it at home… it’s much better! Bon Appétit! Check out these other healthy recipes… – Moroccan Couscous Salad – Mediterranean Fish Fillet with Tapenade – Jicama Mango Pepper Salad – Energy Berry Bites – German Red Cabbage – Vietnamese Summer Rolls and for even more appetizers, click on this link… Recipe category • Appetizers
January on the West Coast can be pretty “blah”. What I mean by that is the weather is gray, wet, windy, and sometimes there’s a little snow on the ground. This is one of the months (the other is February) where I desperately miss some sunshine. I’m not saying that we don’t see any sun at all but it can be, some years, just “gray”. To brighten things up, I like to prepare very colorful foods and one of the best examples is Lemon Meringue Pie. With bright yellow filling and a fluffy cloud of white meringue sitting on top of the pie, it puts a little sunshine in my kitchen. I also love the taste of Lemon Meringue Pie; tart and sweet at the same time… yum! The light meringue sitting on a nice thick layer of lemon custard filling and a nice flaky pie crust, this is a delightful dessert to enjoy. Making this pie is really not that complicated… If you have a stand mixer at home, it’s a piece of cake… well in this case a piece of pie! There is the pie crust to make and then the filling which is quite easy to achieve and finally the meringue. If you decide to make this dessert, choose your day, a dry day preferably because meringue absorbs humidity and you’ll end up with a limp meringue. Here’s a link to make the perfect meringue… Perfect Meringue. There are a few tips that I share with you to have a lovely pie. I find Lemon Meringue Pie to be an elegant dessert to serve and it’s also pretty. It’s also has a refreshing taste, perfect for hot summer days but nothing is stopping you from enjoying it all year round… Bon Appétit! Check out these pie recipes… – Key Lime Pie – Bumbleberry Pie – Silk & Satin Chocolate Pie – Pumpkin Pie – Apple Cheese Pie – Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie and for even more delicious dessert recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Dessert
Winter is yucky! I’m so not a winter person… plain and simple! I love warm, sunny days and enjoy leaving my windows open even if it is a little cool outside. I love hearing the birds, cycling, playing golf and barbecuing outside. I also enjoy wearing my open-toed sandals! What? Did you think I wouldn’t be mentioning them… lol! During the winter time, I act like a bear and also feel like one – you should ask David. I retreat to my cave and hibernate until it starts getting warmer. I remember as a kid, my parents were forcing me to go outside during the winter months. They even enrolled me for figure skating, hoping I would somehow be more enthusiastic about the season. Although I was pretty good at it, I couldn’t stand being cold. One dish that warms my spirit and soul during this time of year is soup! It’s comforting and it makes you feel good inside. I have tons of soup recipes around like West Coast Smoked Salmon Chowder, Turkey Noodle Soup, Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup, Minestrone Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Udon Noodle Soup, Carrot Soup with Mashed Potatoes, Wonton Soup and many more including this featured one… Broccoli Cheddar Soup. I desperately need them to get me through the winter. Fortunately, winter here on the West coast is not as harsh as it is in either Toronto or Québec so I won’t go on with my whining… I do feel sorry for my friends and family back East though. This Broccoli Cheddar Soup is amazing! It is not only rich but also smooth and flavorful. It is comfort food at its best! A great soup to enjoy with fresh Baguettes and butter. The beauty of this homemade recipe is you don’t have to step outside to enjoy it especially when it’s cold outside… Brrr! This Broccoli Cheddar Soup is simple to make and the results are absolutely delicious! It is just thick enough with the right amount of cheese. Give it a try, I’m sure you’ll be pleased! Bon Appétit! Check out these other recipes with cheese in them… – Pumpkin & Spice Cream Cheese Muffins – Easy Cheesy Herb Pizza Dough – Blue Cheese Dressing – Crab Artichoke Pepper Dip – Chicken in Creamy Jalapeño Cheese Sauce – Matcha Cheesecake – Pork Tenderloin Vitali and for even more yummy soup recipes, click on this lick… Recipe Category • Soups
There’s nothing more encouraging than starting the New Year off right with some “new” resolutions. Unfortunately, most of us will give up within a month or less – I know I shouldn’t say that but you know it’s usually true. One of the resolutions we should never let go of is eating properly. Although we all have crazy-busy schedules, we should never put healthy eating on the back burner. Thanks to global access, we can now eat almost any food from around the world. There are many “superfoods” out there that are very good for us. Today, I will focus on one which I use often in our diet and its versatility makes it very enjoyable. Quinoa – the “super grain” I like to call it. This South American ancient grain has been consumed as far back as 4 000 years ago. It has significant nutrient and health benefits. It is an excellent source of manganese, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, riboflavin and folate just to name a few. It is also high in protein and a great source of fiber. This amazing grain is gluten-free and has a high level of healthy fat. The list goes on; it’s an antioxidant, helps to prevent cancer, reduces diabetes risk and much, much more. For today’s recipe, I will show you how I make my Breakfast Quinoa Cereal with Mixed Berries. There’s nothing healthier than having your first meal with quinoa. It will provide you with great energy and you’ll feel good about yourself… well I sure do when I eat this delicious breakfast! With more added superfood ingredients such as cranberries, raisins, blueberries and goji berries, this is an awesome breakfast recipe to enjoy every morning. This Breakfast Quinoa Cereal with Mixed Berries is the perfect healthy & flavorful breakfast to enjoy this season… Although this cereal is quite complete as it is, there’s nothing stopping you from topping it off with other fresh fruits, seeds and nuts… If you enjoy cereals, try this Healthy Homemade Granola or if you prefer juice, try these incredible smoothies; Red Velvet Boost, Berry Fusion, Tropical Sunshine, Pomegranate Avocado Detox, and many more. Bon Appétit! Check out these other delicious breakfast & brunch recipes… – Quiche Lorraine – Tahini Mango Peanut Butter Smoothie – Soufflé Mexican Omelet – Angel Eggs on a Cloud – Marbled Chocolate Pecan Banana Bread – Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins and for even more breakfast & brunch recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Breakfast & Brunch
In one of my previous blogs in 2016, I mentioned that I find pork chops on the “boring” side. I like pork, don’t get me wrong but this particular cut of meat is okay, nothing to rave about! The good thing about this is I have to create recipes so that my taste buds are satisfied. The Asian Sesame Pork Chops recipe I’m sharing with you in this episode is so yummy! The process of marinating the chops starts either the night before or early that morning so by dinner time, you have a tasty dish to enjoy. It is just what comfort food should be… simple and delicious! The other plus for this recipe is that with the marinade you end up having a delicious gravy as well. What I like to do is to add a few sliced mushrooms and cook it down until the gravy thickens. After that, you pour this yummy gravy all over my Mixed Mashed Potatoes… OMG! So now you have some flavorful pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy on top of both… it can’t get better than that for a weeknight dinner. Of course, don’t forget to add some fresh veggies to complete this tasty Asian Sesame Pork Chops meal such as Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Rainbow Carrots or Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onions! Although I enjoy this dish during weeknights, there’s nothing stopping you from serving it to your guests. These Asian Sesame Pork Chops are so tasty, you’ll see just how much you and your family enjoys them… Bon Appétit! Check out these lovely pork recipes… – Zucchini Pork Penne – Tourtière – Meat Pie – Texas BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Pineapple-Mango Sauce – Chicken Ham Sausage Jambalaya – Sweet & Sour Pineapple Pork and for even more International recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • International
Many of us like to start the year off right with a New Year’s resolution and one of the most popular ones is to lose weight and be healthier. Besides going to the gym, eating properly has a big impact. One healthy habit to have for the New Year is juicing. Here’s one amazing juice recipe… my Red Velvet Boost! This juice is packed with goodness! It has great vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly plus the taste is fabulous! Let’s read further on why juicing is good for us… Juicing is very good for you although you should still eat whole fruits and vegetables. Why, you ask? The juicing machine extracts only the juice, leaving behind the pulp which is packed with fiber. You can always keep the pulp for later use in homemade broths. The best time to juice is in the morning on an empty stomach when your body absorbs everything you give it. Your body will absorb all the good nutrients and you’ll have all day to burn the calories & sugars. If you do it later on during the day or evening, as the natural sugar from the juice causes a rapid rise in blood sugar, this will turn into “bad” sugar. If you are diabetic or have other health issues, please consult your dietitian before you start juicing. Juicing is a good way to cleanse but if you decide to start juicing regularly, your body might react to it at the beginning (headaches, joint pain, etc.). Don’t panic, your body is getting rid of the toxins and, depending on the level of toxicity, it may take one to two weeks before these reactions go away. Are you now convinced to give “juicing” a try? This Red Velvet Boost juice is a good start! Here’s a healthy smoothie you should also try… Pomegranate Avocado Detox Smoothie. This juice recipe is quick to make and the flavor is absolutely beautiful! This is not the kind of juice where you have to plug your nose while drinking it. I like to drink this Red Velvet Boost juice when I have a big day ahead of me because it gives me the vitamins & nutrients I need plus energy. Get yourself a good juicing machine and try this recipe… you’ll love it! To Your Health! Beets are a great, healthy vegetable to add to your diet. Here’s a link on how to cook & store them… Beets ~ Prep & 4 Ways to Cook Here are more healthy beverage recipes for you to try… – Tropical Sunshine Smoothie – Tahini Mango Peanut Butter Smoothie – Kiwi-Banana-Pineapple-Orange Smoothie – Cantaloupe Smoothie – Berry Fusion Smoothie – Pomegranate Avocado Detox Smoothie and for even more beverage recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Beverages
Meringue… airy, very light dessert that is crispy on the outside and slightly chewy and soft on the inside. It can be eaten by itself or added to complete a dessert recipe. Did this lovely confection originated in France, Swiss or Italy? That we’re not too certain but we sure know that meringue is delicious… There are so many amazing dessert recipes that involve meringue. When we think about popular meringue desserts we talk about pavlova, lemon meringue pie, baked Alaska, Eton mess, macarons, sans rival, and many more. Surprisingly, meringue can also be used for savory dished which I will post one of my creations soon… stay tuned! It is very easy to make meringue. In this quick tutorial video, I will share with you my 10 tips to successfully make the perfect meringue every time! These are simple to follow and you will be more inclined to make those beautiful dessert recipes listed above. Here are the ingredients to make the perfect meringue… – 4 pasteurized eggs, room temperature – powdered sugar I don’t really give any specific amount for the powdered sugar because it all depends on your liking and also in which recipe you’ll be using meringue for. Besides sugar, vanilla or coconut and other preferred extracts can be used to flavor the meringue. FOOTNOTE: In Tip #7, I mentioned about superfine sugar but you can always use powdered sugar as well. To save money and learn how to make Powdered Sugar at home, click on this link… https://clubfoody.com/tips-tricks/powdered-sugar-make-it-dont-buy-it/ By using these 10 tips, this will prevent from failing. Just keep in mind that if the day is dry, your chance of success is high versus a humid day because meringue absorbs humidity and become limpy. I have many recipes that meringue is called for and here are a couple ones for you… – Lemon Meringue Pie and for more handy kitchen tips and tricks, click on this link… Recipe Category – Tips & Tricks Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
I don’t know about you during the Holidays but for me personally, I went to bed quite late, ate more than I should have and enjoyed my wine a lot… maybe a slight bit too much. Now that the Holidays are over, it’s time to get back to a more “normal” schedule and a healthier diet. Although going back to the gym is on my schedule, eating at regular hours, healthier, lighter, and greener is on the top of my list. Constantly creating, developing and testing my new recipes have great rewards and there’s also a part of this whole experience that provides me with a healthy eating habit. I have to be aware of what I eat and cleanse my body often. One of my favorite healthy dishes is my Julienne Salad. It is packed with fresh yummy ingredients and flavors. You can either add your leftover turkey or forget about it. Eating this salad a couple of times a week will definitely help you get yourself back on track. You can pour on your favorite dressing, vinaigrette or simply a very good quality oil such as avocado or walnut – this is what I use on mine although sometimes I like my Mandarin Orange Vinaigrette with Sesame or my Russian Dressing. In this video, I also show you how to “julienne” vegetables uniformly. After you master this knife skill, you’ll be more tempted to prep your veggies that way. Also keep in mind that this julienne salad is a meal on its own. Although salads are usually a side, in this case it is not and to be frank, I don’t mind having a meal or two of strictly salad… it’s good for us! For this year and the ones to come, Club Foody will always post a salad recipe as the first recipe of the year. It is a great way to start off the New Year and also helps us to keep our resolutions. Next year, I’ll be posting my Winter Citrus Salad. For 2019, it will be my Asian Chicken Salad and my Classic Cobb Salad in 2020. This Julienne Salad is colorful, vibrant, amazingly healthy and the combination of ingredients along with the superfood ones is exactly what we need after the Holidays! Get yourself back exercising as well as back to the kitchen with this yummy recipe… Bon Appétit! P.S. For a vegan or vegetarian version, skip the turkey and hard boiled egg. Just a quick note… if your avocado is not ripe, click here to see this kitchen trick… Speed Up Avocado Ripening • How to Check out these other great healthy recipes for you to enjoy… – Energy Berry Bites – Chilled Avocado Soup – German Red Cabbage – Ceviche de Pescado – Fish Ceviche – Easy Baba Ghanoush – Red Velvet Boost – Powerhouse Cookies and for even more salad recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Salads & Dressings
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