All posts filed under: Healthy Eating

Discover Flavors Of Syria: Zezafoun Toronto

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“We wanted to share mamas delicious Syrian culture with the people in Toronto and beyond.. says Marcelle Alexis, Co-founder Zezafoun Eid celebrations often bring back memories of our time in Dubai and the joy of celebrating with friends and indulging in the various Iftar buffets that most hotels and restaurants plan around this time of the year. I also fondly remember the foodie walks in Mumbai with my sister, that are a delightful culinary journey into the by-lanes of the city which are abuzz with food vendors and street stalls that are a delightful experience to the senses and a symphony of flavors, aromas and textures that elevate the dining experience. Whilst here in Toronto, a bunch of ladies decided to embark on a culinary journey at Zezafoun last evening. This hidden gem serves some very authentic Syrian cuisine crafted with love and warmth making our meal a memorable culinary experience  Walking into this restaurant is like stepping into the comforts of Syrian warmth and hospitality.This place is run by Chef Yola and her daughter Marcelle.The …

Harvesting Happiness: Microgreens & Culinary Inspiration

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Microgreens are young, edible greens harvested at a seedling stage stage of growth, typically before the onset of the first true leaves. These tiny greens are packed with nutrients and flavor, making them a favorite addition to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. I had been contemplating growing microgreens for awhile now, as they often come in handy for plating and garnishes. The best part of growing microgreens is that you may use some of your pantry staples such as mustard, fenugreek, coriander or sunflowers seeds. I like to grow them in some organic potting soil that I use growing my herbs. However you may try growing them hydroponically too. Here are some handy tips in growing Microgreens: Microgreens can be a wonderful and visually appealing garnish to may dishes, adding a burst of flavour and tons of nutrition too. These tiny shoots are a powerhouse of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Mustard microgreens at Day 4 of sowing the seeds. Mustard microgreens at day 11 Use Microgreens In: I have rounded up a series of some of …

Peach Picking: Summer’s Delightful Fruits & A Recipe Or Two

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Summer’s are just about the perfect time to head out to the Niagara region. While wine sipping and patio hopping are pretty much amongst fun activities to do, one of my favorite ways to spend time around this region is fruit picking. Fruit picking and vegetable farms are open through the summer across Ontario and are a great source of locally grown produce. We were out and about last weekend and whilst it was a scorching hot day here in Toronto, we arrived fairly early in the morning at The Parkway Orchards located in the Niagara region. As luck would have it, we did manage to pick some wonderful peaches that morning. They are located on 15000 Niagara Parkway on the way to Niagara on The Lake. Ideally it would be best to call them a day in advance to check on timings and availability of fruit for picking. The farm charges a small entry fee of $4 per head and a minimum $6 deposit per basket which is deducted from the fruit purchase. I …

Hello Summer

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Sometimes Simplicity Is The Ultimate Sophistication- Clare Boothe Luce Summer is the perfect time to pack in some fresh flavours and ingredients into your cooking. I love the flavours in these recipes as they are a great way to move over to lighter and brighter meals. It’s most certainly time for quick and easy cooking and these recipes here will get done in less than 30 minutes from start to table. Also a great way to use wonderful seasonal produce and locally grown vegetables and fruits. These recipes lend a sense of vibrancy to the palate and ignite one’s taste buds. From fresh Asparagus, Beets, Cilantro, Eggplants, Zucchini, Oyster Mushrooms and Watermelons, here are some of my absolute fav recipes that I often toss together. Now you could serve these up as sides or they work great as mains and appetizers too. Either way’s they make a meal complete. The roundup of recipes here celebrate summer and are primarily vegetarian , some vegan and mostly gluten free. They are easy to put together and accompany …

Roasted Hasselback Butternut Squash

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Our weekdays are fairly hectic with all of us working from home. Most mornings turn out to be busy with either my workshops or recipe trials for future ones. Yes busy is good, but then the family has to eat too! Easy lunch ideas are what I aim for most days without the monotonous repertoire of soup and sandwiches. I had been browsing for some quick and easy recipes,when I stumbled upon this one for a Hasselback Butternut Squash.I have made hasselback potatoes often which are essentially a swedish tradition. The squash on the other hand has taken various avatars, in soups and salads, but never really quite in this form. I have adapted this slightly from Nourishing Amy. To be quite honest I was totally blown away by her images and the wonderful presentation. Now when I went through Amy’s blog post I got really excited as I had a medium butternut squash that was calling to be made just this way. This recipe is just so quick and easy. The important tip for …