Cauliflower Arugula Soup

Note: the above photo is actually of a cauliflower watercress soup, but the version I made looked the same so I included it here.

Once upon a time, I hated cauliflower. NO MORE, I say. Granted, I hadn't actually eaten it for about fifteen years - but the hate still managed to stay strong inside my core. You know how rigid adults can be with the foods they hate? Yeah, we all need to get better about that. And also? This soup blew my face off. 

It doesn't seem to make any sense that a soup this creamy wouldn't actually have any cream or milk inside of it. I'm not really sure how that happened. Nevertheless, I'm now into cauliflower.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tbsp whole wheat flour
4 cups low sodium chicken broth 
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped
4 cups arugula (3 oz)
kosher salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
"In a pot (big enough for spaghetti), melt the butter over low heat. Add the onions and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and stir about 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the chicken broth and cauliflower and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over medium-low until vegetables are tender (about 20 minutes.) Add the arugula until wilted, about 1 minute and puree with a blender until completely smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste."

This recipe is totally not my creation, I adapted it slightly from Skinnytaste. That site is amazing. The original recipe can be found here. 

Two Pinterest Pins That Blow Hard

As I've mentioned before, one of my resolutions this year is to actually try the pins that I pin on Pinterest (I don't aim quite too high with my resolutions, you see) - and I vow to report on all of them, if worthy. Especially the pins that have been passed around way too many times AND ARE COMPLETE GARBAGE. No one ever talks about the garbage things they've made from Pinterest. It's weird. Anyway, please stay away from:

1. Skinny Peanut Butter Cups

These look amazing, right? Of course they do, that's why I wanted to make them. However, THEY ARE POWDERY-TASTING PIECES OF HELL. Do not try them, do not pin them. Or, you know, go ahead and try them and see for yourself, I'm not your mother. I consider myself a human who understands the delicate complexities of what a delicious peanut butter cup should taste like, and this skinny weirdo tastes nothing of the sort. Don't be fooled by the beautiful photography. It tasted horrendous. 

2. Chocolate-Banana "Ice Cream"

I don't know how on earth someone tried to classify this substance as "ice cream." Even in quotations. You can't just plop some cocoa powder in something and VOILA it's suddenly a fucking chocolatey dream. That's not how it works, internet. Adding this cocoa powder ruined what could have been a delightful banana treat. The weird powdery feeling is still lingering in my disgusted mouth. Hated all of this so much.

Kee's Chocolate in NYC

If I'm not eating these chocolate truffles or these cake truffles, I shall most likely be eating these guys. I've been wanting to try them for awhile since every chocolate-loving person existing in New York City has mentioned this place to me. 

If that picture above doesn't make them look appetizing, well, I took it - so my apologies. They're actually ridiculously tasty. 

Was it smart of me to go and buy some chocolates here three days before Valentine's Day? Nope, not at all. The ones I really wanted to try (the crème brûlée, the keylime, the balsamic and the blended pepper) were of course sold out. But thankfully, the ones above were available and sublime. 

I completely understand why people won't shut up about this place. Even the bad-sounding flavours are crazy good. Go. Eat them. You can see all the flavours they have here. 

Cracker Saver

For crackers or cookies! I don't know about you, but I feel an enormous amount of pressure when opening cracker/cookie bags to eat them all within the span of two or three days, in fear of them going stale. Am I alone here? Am I the maniac? Anyway, such a good idea. 

Are you not as excited about this as I am? 'Cause that's a shame then.

You can buy them off Amazon for $12.50 for a set of two. 

Toronto Poutine Week

As you may know, I'm in the midst of generally trying to eat better (with small indulgences here and there of course). However, the one gluttonous delicacy I will never permanently shake? Poutines. Thankfully, they aren't commonly sold around these parts, so it's easy to forget about them. But if I were in Toronto this week - from February 1st to the 7th - you better damn well know I'd be trying a least a few of these babies listed below.

La Poutine Week is a seven-day, city-wide food fest created by Montreal foodies Na’eem Adam and Thierry Rassam. Twenty-five restaurants across the city will be serving poutines, each for $10 or less. The fest is also a contest and diners can vote for their favourite dishes online, and at week’s end one Toronto poutine will be crowned the city’s best.

Here’s a list of participating restaurants, plus short descriptions of their innovative takes on the Canadian dish:

Boots ‘n’ Bourbon: The Honky Tonk
Pulled beef brisket, Quebec cheese curds, Cajun-spiced fries, gravy, horseradish mayo and scallions. $10.
725 Queen St. E., 647-348-0880

Caplansky’s Delicatessen: The Jew-Tine
Smoked-meat poutine topped with crispy onion straws. $10.
356 College St., 416-500-3852

Duke’s Refresher: Breakfast Poutine
Crispy fries, sausage, bacon, pulled pork, gravy, cheese curds, two eggs and special sauce. $10.
382 Yonge St., 416-979-8529

Fancy Franks: Fancy Schmancy Poutine
Fries, beef ribs, cheese curds, grilled onions, gravy, fried egg and scallions. $10.
326 College St., 416-920-3647

GameDay on College: Buffalo Chicken Poutine
Fries, Cajun panko-crusted chicken tenders, Quebec cheese curds and Buffalo-infused brown gravy. $10.
614 College St., 647-349-9464

Great Burger Kitchen: Bawk-Bawk Suey Poutine
Fries, Ontario cheese curds and chicken braised with soy sauce, ginger, brown sugar and chillies. $10.
1056 Gerrard St. E., 416-778-0111

Hogtown Smoke: Quadruple Pig-Pass
Fries, pulled pork, deep-fried pork-belly cubes, candied bacon, one pork back rib, Quebec curds and bone-marrow gravy. $10.
1959 Queen St. E., 416-691-9009

Holy Chuck: Love the Bone
Fries, braised and pulled veal cheek, veal cheek gravy, brie cheese, roasted and confit cipollini onions in wild blueberry juice, and roasted bone marrow. $10.
1450 Yonge St., 416-962-4825

La Société: P’ink
Fries, ham hock, tarragon, manchego cheese and squid ink aioli. $10.
131 Bloor St. W., 416-551-9929

Lisa Marie: Pad Thai Fries
Fries, secret sauce, bean sprouts, lime and cilantro. $10.
638 Queen St. W., 416-999-6822

Lou Dawgs BBQ: The Mighty Loutine
Fries, homemade gravy, Quebec cheese curds and slow-smoked pulled pork. $8.
589 King St. W., 647-347-3294

MerryBerry Café and Bistro: The Drunken Shroom
Seasoned potato wedges, French beans, mushroom–white wine sauce, goat cheese and walnuts. $10.
559 Parliament St., 647-348-0411

Rock Lobster Ossington: Lobster Poutine
Fries, Quebec cheese curds, Nova Scotia Lobster and lobster-bisque gravy. $10.
110 Ossington Ave., 416-533-1800

Slab Burgers: Poutine Double Down
Fries, house-ground beef, cheddar cheese, bacon, Quebec cheese curds, house gravy and peppers. $10.
47 Charles St. W., 647-350-5883

The Indie Alehouse: The Oxen-ator
Fries, IPA-braised oxtail, cheese curds and beef gravy on rosemary pizza crust. $10.
2876 Dundas St. W., 416-760-9691

The Lakeview: Disco Fries
Fries, melted cheddar and havarti, beef or mushroom gravy. $10.
1132 Dundas St. W., 416-850-8886

The Saint: St. Poutine
Fries, cheddar cheese curds, grilled thick-cut bacon, sour cream and bacon gravy. $10.
227 Ossington Ave., 647-350-2100

The Thompson Diner: Braised Beef Poutine
Poutine topped with ancho-braised beef short ribs. $10.
550 Wellington St. W., 416-601-3533

Toma Burger Addiction: Toma Poutine
Fries, truffle olive oil, double-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, fresh cheese curds and homemade gravy. $8.
712 Queen St. W., 416-901-1027

Triple A Bar: Texas Smoked Brisket Poutine
Fries, cheese curds, gravy and Texas-style smoked brisket
138 Adelaide St. E., 416-850-2726

Yakitori Bar: Beef Tongue Kimchi Poutine
Fries, caramelized kimchi, beef tongue and Japanese mayo. $10.
1 Baldwin St., 647-748-0083

“Tiny, crumbled up pieces of garlic bread taste amazing on pasta. Do it.”

— #lizadvice

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

 I am constantly forgetting about the existence of Indian food. I love it, but I guess since there aren't any Indian restaurants in my neighborhood, it's easy to forget. 

And keep in mind - butter chicken isn't even in my top three things that I like to order. But this butter chicken? Get the hell out of here.

I know I won't shut up about you getting a slow cooker, I'm sorry. But whether you cook a lot (oh man, you need one in that case) or you never really cook at all (ugh, you especially need to get one because it'll make you want to cook all the time) - this is one of the best chicken recipes I've ever had.

Easy Healthier Crockpot Butter Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours

Serving Size: 4

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size chunks
1/2 onion, finely minced
2 tablespoons butter (butter is totally optional, I opt to use none since I really don't think it makes a difference, taste-wise)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons curry paste
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
1/2 cup fat-free greek yogurt
1/4 cup half and half
cooked white/brown rice, for serving (I used brown rice 'cause it makes me feel better about my choices.)
Fresh homemade Naan, for scooping (homemade? I don't think so. I bought whole wheat pizza crust instead.)
 
Instructions

"In a large glass measuring cup or bowl mix together the coconut milk, greek yogurt and cream. Stir in the tomato paste, garlic, ginger and all the spices. Mix well.
Spray the inside of your crockpot bowl with cooking spray or grease with olive oil. To the bowl sprinkle the onion over the bottom. Add the chicken and then pour the coconut milk mixture over the chicken so the chicken is completely covered. Add the butter and place the lid on the crockpot. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. I like to stir mine once or twice during cooking, but it is not necessary. When ready to serve taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve over rice with a big piece of fresh Naan."

Original recipe found at Half Baked Harvest.

New Year's Day Recipes

You'll understand in a few days why I'm posting these recipes with these specific ingredients, but for now all I can tell you is that these would be extremely lucky recipes to make on January 1st. (And if you hate the following recipes? Try to eat something with these main ingredients then - if you know what's good for you.)

Crockpot Pulled Pork Chili - recipe from How Sweet Eats

Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin - recipe from Food52

Cider-Dijon Pork Chops - recipe from Epicurious

Lentil Tacos - recipe from AllRecipes

Garden Lentil Bolognese - recipe from Dunaway Dietetics

Pork and Black Eyed Pea Chili - recipe from Gourmandistan

Three Bean Salad - recipe from eNourishment

Pesto Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms - recipe from MyRecipes

Spinach, Bacon and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms - recipe from How Sweet Eats

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins - recipe from Or Whatever You Do

Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter + Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies

Want to know what's up? These cookies. THESE CHRISTMAS COOKIES. What makes them Christmas cookies? The fact that THEY GETTIN' MADE ON CHRISTMAS. And also, they are gluttonous as hell.

I have never made cookies from scratch before and these were my first attempt. And they're sort of ridiculous-tasting, I think - ie. amazing. MAKETHEMNOW.

Recipe from Ambitious Kitchen here. 

Food Matters Documentary

I really wish I'd posted this last week, since from December 1st until later on today, you can see this documentary for free on their site. Here's the link. 

Thankfully, the lovely Jenn suggested it to me and I just finished watching it. Verdict? Great. You really should see it. It's basically about nutrition, vitamins and, well, it's about so much more. If you can spare some time, just go watch it now. I'm going to try and find a streaming link for it as well if you're reading this after December 10th.

Overly Simple Thoughts After Seeing It

1. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely going to be drinking a jug of water each morning right after I wake. I'll update this in a week to report on how that went and if I felt any different/better. (UPDATE: You have to do this. It was messed up. In a good way.)
2. Cashews can help depression? Will keep that in mind.
3. I'll look into this further, but it seems like Niacin is the greatest sounding vitamin known to man. I'll try it out and, again, report back.

These are just small things that stuck in my head after watching it, but a lot of other parts really stayed with me as well. Such a good documentary. Definitely as good as Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. 

Trailer