Go figure it's nonstop rain in Vancouver!  But although its damp and gray and cold and wintery outside... I am totally craving these popsicles!  Yum!

Gluten-Free 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe
Serve 1

Ingredients

50g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons Vitarium gluten free flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract


Method

1. Melted the butter and chocolate in a double boiler. Set aside to cool.
2. Add flour and sugar to a small mixing bowl, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and mix well. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla extract, and mix again.
3. Pour the mixture into a large coffee mug. Put the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

For my pen pal Mandy! Enjoy

Jessica you've done it again!  Jessica Seinfelds recipe for home made donuts its to die for!  She has just released another great cookbook with simple, tasty and unique twists on family classics.  What fun!

Sweet Potato Donuts w/ Roasted Apple Filling

(makes 2 dozen)

Sweet Potato Donuts:

• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch-sliced
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons butter for greasing the molds
• Roasted Apple Filling:

• 2 apples, preferably Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon butter
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Steam the sweet potato until soft and mash with a fork until smooth. Set aside.
2. Sprinkle the yeast over 1/4 cup warm water and let it sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
3. Transfer the mashed sweet potato to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and add the evaporated milk, buttermilk, and 1/3 cup water. Mix about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and mix until dissolved, about 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and add the foamy yeast, then add the flour 1/2 cup at a time. Mix for 1 more minute. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, make the filling: Toss the apples with the lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Set a large skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes, then add the apples and butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are browned and slightly softened, about 30 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract and set aside to cool.
5. Generously butter two 12-cups muffin tins, then sprinkle the molds lightly with sugar. Fill each mold with 3 tablespoons of the soft, wet dough, then press a piece of roasted apple into the center of each. Gently gather the dough together to cover the apple and pinch the top seam tightly. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350′F.
7. Uncover the donuts and bake until puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

I'm missing New York like crazy and the fact that I keep finding awesome places to try out isn't helping in the matter.   I don't need anymore reasons to go back...I'm already full of so many!  However i thought i would post this really cute seafood join called Mary's Fish Camp since hopping back on the seafood boat I have been rediscovering some things like oysters that i simply love!  For the record ... I'm trying this seafood business out to see how my iron levels react... seeing how they got super low during the summer. In the mean time I will go with the flow and stick to my conscience eating only oceanwise seafood and in moderation!  

 Lucky for me BC salmon had a crazy time last spring and thus this year there was a mad amount in our local waters.  ... but back to new york there is this little place on the corner of 4th street and Charles St.  known for their lobster rolls!  Vancouver boasts alot of stellar seafood spots and so i should probs make a mention to the spot top on my person list, Rodneys Oaster house.  Damn good! This is a great place to have some cocktails and slurpe back some oysters on the halfshell with freshly grated horseradish! Or a lunch time favourite of my Dad's the Crab Cakes at their Gibsons location! So fun!

hee hee hee!

These look fantastic!  

Hot Chocolate ice-cream pops take me now. 

Its getting chilly out but these look super yummy.

I found them on the givers log.

on the half shell!

The other night I went to Monk McQueens in false creek Vancouver for some osters with my Mom!  We had a blast and ate some pretty amazing food!  I had the fish tacos with Halibut, Salmon and Scallops with corn salsa!  Yum! She had cedar plank salmon with cinnamon couscous!  Its was a really fantastic meal!

Canvas

I was in ABC carpets in Manhattan not to long ago (take me back please!) and feel in love with everything! No joke this store has beautiful... everything!  I was so impressed at this line of called Canvas they have a really great collection of household things... like this couch!

So... I'm officially insane about MadMen! I've made it to season 3 but... where is season 4?  Its impossible to find and i'm going mental over the fact!  To ease that fact I am throwing a dinner party next week and was trying to think of a theme... and what better then MadMen!  Serve it up like Betty and mix some drink suitable for a Mr.Don Draper!   I'm shuffling throw cookbooks in the mean time to think of a couple 50's  dishes that would suit such an occasion! Stay tuned

What a dashing little kitchen!  

I really like the whimsical playfulness it has with the mismatched stuff and awesome yellow counter top! kinda makes me want to get crazy with all the cups and bowls!  Throw in a tea towel and have a kitchen sock hop! haha  

HEMP MILK

Being vegetarian I often have a hard time getting in proper proteins and fatty acids, but I'd like to introduce you to my best friend the hemp seed.  Its amazing that 1 tablespoon of raw hempseeds a day provide the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to maintain healthy human life!  Wowza!  I have grow acustome to using it in my morning mix! I add 2 tablespoons into the magic bullet blender mix for 30 seconds then add water and bee pollen (for a lil sweetness) and blend!  I drink it as is or pour in over cereal or mix it into my oatmeal!  Yum!  What a great way to start the day!  A couple fun facts about this superfood:
- Whole hempseed also contains about 25% of a highly-digestible protein
- Hempseed is an adequate source of calcium and iron.
- Hemp oil has anti-inflammatory properties
There are oodles of recipes from Cakes to Lasagna dishes that use this ingredient!  Try it out!

Chai with me!

Two days in a row i went to this place for chai!  Its getting a bit chilly outside and chai to me is the perfect solution!  I am picky with my chai, having traveled to India its hard to get the same authentic taste!  I remember sitting on a train going to Goa and having the best chai in the world!   Nothing will ever be the same, however, this place nailed it!  They have 3 kinds to choose from Black (spicy and less sweet), green, and soy (masala chai with soy milk and lots of sugar).  Yum! You have to go if its chilly and you just happen to be at the top of Main street!  (4413 Main St)

PEELS

Max and I are still in New York City and among many things on the list of  'must do before leaving new york' breakfast at Peel was a must!  We had walked by this joint one to many times so we had to finally settle the rumours of it being the best!... and it was!  Super cute atmosphere!  I had the pancakes (slight weakness) and max had the Spinach omelet! Superb!   The pancakes came with real maple goodness and were hands down the best pancakes i've ever had! Fluffy and had that wicked crunchy top and bonus they came with bananas flambee!  Fuck im in heaven! ... this city is just to good!  The all-day menu offers egg dishes like omlettes, a “build-a-biscuit” program, and blueberry-and-corn shortcake, plus soda-fountain drinks and Stumptown coffee (damn good coffee!)

TUMERIC

Tumeric is one of my must have items in my life! It is classified as a perennial root herb that has magical powers!  This earthy miracle root is very similar to ginger but has a much deeper richer color.  It has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine since 1900 BC.  Not only does it have many properties that help in treating a wide variety of ailments but it makes an awesome dye! 
"Research in the latter half of the 20th century has identified curcumin (the component that gives it that amazing orange color) as responsible for most of the biological activity of turmeric. In vitro and animal studies have suggested a wide range of potential therapeutic or preventive effects associated with curcumin. At present, these effects have not been confirmed in humans. However, as of 2008, numerous clinical trials in humans were underway, studying the effect of curcumin on various diseases including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, colon cancer, psoriasis, and Alzheimer's disease. In vitro and animal studies have suggested that curcumin may have antitumor, antioxidant, antiarthritic, anti-amyloid, anti-ischemic, and anti-inflammatory properties." WOW!  
Its really an amazing thing to incorporate into your life!  I actually love to have a couple scoops of the powder in some hot water with some lemon.  

Sticking with the theme... apples

Yesterday after the landlord rang the house 7 times at the lovely hour of 8:00 AM(just when i was getting back on track with the sleep in mode) i was up! And with a basket of apples sitting in front of me i thought... why not, why not seize the morning by making apple sauce!  The apples from my market adventure are really paying off and making me feel creative with the pomme!  First things first however at this time of day no one is fully functioning with out some coffee in their system.  So i brewed a pot of JJbean coffee and began my preparations.  My go to blog for inspiration smitten kitchen  had a super easy recipe that i tweaked!  All you need is 1/2 pound Apples (peeled and quartered), cinnamon, 3 slices of lemon rind and 1/2 cup water.  I added ginger!  And let it all simmer on a low heat for about 30 minutes! Then in a food processor blend it all together (and remove the cinnamon stick and lemon rind and ginger).  Yum!  Its so tasty and with no sugar added its a sweet morning meal for an early riser like myself!  OMG then i got to thinking about things i could do with this apple sauce! And smitten kitchen to the rescue again... mini pies!  This is what i shall make today! haha stay tuned... whoever you maybe! ha

Apple of my eye! My adventure to the market turned out to be more then successful!  I came home with a WHOLE backpack filled with juicy apples and broccoli! Oh boy! What to make with all 'em apples?

Due to weather conditions being rather rainy soup was a perfect fits for this evenings feast! Soup du jour... Pumpkin, apple & fresh dill soup!  Served with hot rosemary buns! Yum! This was the easiest soup i have ever had... and not to toot my own horn but it was pretty damn good!  

what you'll need (besides hungry roomates) 

2 sm yellow onions, 3 garlic cloves, 2 sm local apples, olive oil/butter/or veggie butter, a veggie broth cube, 4-6 cups water, pumpkin puree, 1/2 pound nugget potatoes, little splash of redwine vinegar, salt, pepper, chill flakes (optional heat), and fresh dill and LOVE!  ... and maybe just a lil cinnamon action. You could also add some spinach and perhaps yams instead of potatoes... 

quick and easy: slice n dice onions, garlic and apples.  place in the pot with the butter and let it get all goldeny. Add the chili flakes+water+veggie cube & vinegar.  add potatoes. let it get all soupy looking then add the pumpkin puree and mix it good!  cut up the dill and blend it all together!  Blend baby Blend! 

Garish with some sour cream and chopped green onions! BAM! So tasty! Put on some devendra Berhart crack open that cheap wine and enjoy the harvest and hang out with the people near and dear!  

Bountiful basket of beauty!

Today Im going on a photographic adventure to Jean Talon market.  This market in Montreal is full of local merchants selling everything from pickles to pears!  With fall in grasp, crisp apples are a must!  Have a food adventure and tell me about it!  What's your local farmers market like?

banana scones

6 am and i cant sleep!  Tossing and turning i decide i cant fight it and so my day is beginning early.  So while my roomies slept i made scones!  (Yesterday I scored a deal on bananas that were over ripened... so for 50 cents i grabbed 10.  But what to do with this many bananas.... other then banana bread.)  So a quick flip through some recipies i came across a super easy Banana Scone, classic.  Perfect!  Simple, easy and a lovely thing to make for girls and boys of the house to enjoy when they wake from there slumber.  


dry: 1 cup flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 3 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt
wet: 2 tsp. butter (melted), 1 over ripe banana
I added some extras like raisins and walnuts and flaxmill, but be creative and add whatever... ginger, dates, vanilla, honey, cheese... what ever! 
Sift all the dry goods in a bowl.  Then mix together in another bowl the melted butter and bananans.
then marry the two!  Dont stir like crazy or else they will get hard. 
Roll and place on buttered baking sheet.  10-15 minutes at 425 degrees.
Wake up the roomies and serve with iced coffee!  i drizzled honey over mine!  YUM!

Dark & Stormy

Last night i had a wicked night having sips with my dear friend Claire at what is now my favourite Bistro by day... cocktail bar by night, THe Sparrow.  I've posted about this place before but it was only on the subject of the weekend brunch.  I love the atmosphere and not to mention the lovely charming staff.  Cocktails were a callin so i glanced over the brilliant cocktail menu and came to a conclusion that after a sticky hot day... a Dark & Stormy was sounding perfect! Yum!  This is my new drink! ... not that i really ever had a drink.  Dark Rum, Gingerbeer served over ice!  Refreshing and spicy!  I would strongly recommend inviting a friend to The Sparrow sitting at that bar and having a cocktail such as this!  

my turn!

This is by far the easiest bread recipe EVER!  It was my night to make dinner for the roomies so i opted to try out this beer bread and have a go at vegetarian cabbage rolls.   I was really pleased at how easy it all was and according to the feed back from the gals and boys of the house... it was 10 out of 10.  


Here is the beer bread recipe ... i used budweiser.  cheap n easy haha!  Something interesting about this bread is that you dont mix in the butter you simply pour it over the dough and let it crisp up the bread!  

For the second part of the meal i did a mean variation on the cabbage roll. Substituing the rice with Quinoa and adding in some walnuts + currants + leeks + tumeric + red pepper. These were super fun and looked like little presents!