Curry In a Hurry

Fast Food doesn't have to be burgers and fries from a chain restaurant. It can be food prepared in your own kitchen too! 

I just bought Michael Smith's new cookbook, Fast Flavours, and it's already one of my favourite cookbooks. Not only is it full of delicious recipes that can be prepared quickly, it's also full of awesome pictures. Beautiful pictures are important to me in a cookbook because if the food doesn't look good, how will I know if I want to eat it?

I changed a few things from the chef's original recipe, but not a lot. It was almost perfect for my taste buds! 

Veggie Burger Love

I used to wonder why veggie burgers cost as much if not more than meat burgers, then I learned how to make them. You might be surprised to learn, I know I was, but it takes a ton of ingredients and a fair bit of time to whip up a tasty veggie burger. Don't worry about the time though because after one bite you'll see that it's worth it. 

Today's recipe isn't something I'd try to make on a Friday night after work, but it's definitely something I will make on a weekend. The best part of the dish is that you'd never know you were eating a burger made from mushrooms and tofu, you'd think you we're eating meat. That's a truly successful veggie burger, if you ask me. 

Silver Linings

It's the Oscars tonight and I am not the biggest fan of award shows, but I do love the Oscars. I love watching the pre-show to see the amazing dresses (and the not so amazing dressing, if I'm being honest). I love seeing the stars as normal people and watching their joy as they win. And I love making appetizers for my Oscars party. 

I love appy parties and I love themed parties, so when it's Oscar time I rack my brain to get the creative juices flowing. I love to make appetizers inspired by a few of the honoured movies and today's post is one of my choices for 2013. 

Silver Linings Playbook is set in Philly, the land of cheese steaks. Philly Cheese Steaks are not the best food for a party so I made mine mini and they turned out great. Read on for the recipe!

Room for 'Shrooms

I've heard people say that mushrooms are the steak of vegetables before but I've never believed them until I made this dish. These Portobellos are stuffed full of cheesy, vegetable goodness and I have to say that I did not yearn for meat at all while I was enjoying them. But, if you're not interested in joining the bandwagon of veggie loving people, I also think they'd be a great side for a steak. 

I know that I will be making these 'shrooms again soon, I hope you give them a try too. 

Early Spring Rolls

Just like my friend Punxsutawney Phil (I call him my friend on the good years) said on February 2, spring is coming early this year. I know that after the harsh storms in the east everyone is ready for it too. And to celebrate spring coming early, I'm making spring rolls. 

Typically spring rolls are a big treat for me. I am not a big fan of deep fried food and eating it is always a special occasion for me. Luckily, these spring rolls are baked and taste almost as delicious as theie deep fried cousins. Actually, considering I don't get sick after eating these spring rolls, they're way better!

Read on for how to make them. They're way easier than you might have guessed!

Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

As I am patiently waiting for the audition dates to be released for the third season of Recipe to Riches, I am getting busy with taste testing some past season's winning recipes. I'm not making everything exactly as shown, but I am keeping the recipes similar so I can learn exactly what the judges are looking for. 

Today's recipe is based on Robert Luft's winning Pulled Pork. I didn't use much of the dry rub from the original recipe, I used my slow cooker, and because I love cherry cola, I added my own twist to incorporate cherries. Hopefully after all my taste testing is done, I will have come up with a winning idea of my own for when the audition dates are released!

Sunshine in a Bowl

Some mornings bring grey skies and snow. Those are the days that I know I will need a little pick me up to get going. Sometimes a glass of orange juice will do it, but sometimes it takes a little more and it took me a while to figure out the perfect thing.

Today's post is a Hawaiian style Carrot Cake Granola that is perfect for making me happy on a grey day. This granola has everything that I love in a carrot cake - raisins, coconut, pineapple, walnuts, and of course it's full of grated carrot! I wasn't sure how the carrot would work as it baked with the granola, but I was pleasantly surprised with my experiment. It worked on the first try!

Read on to find out how I made sunshine in a bowl.

Show Me The Love

Valentine's Day is one of those holidays where I try not to go over the top. To me it's just like going big on New Year's Eve -- you're going to get dressed up, spend a lot of money, and wait around for awhile because everyone is doing the same thing.

So instead of getting dressed up tonight and heading to a frou frou restaurant filled with roses and a $50 prix fixe menu that doesn't even have anything I like on it, we're going to the movies. I'm going to pack a few homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Hedgehogs to enjoy with the movie popcorn and we'll cuddle up to enjoy the show. To me that's the perfect Valentine's Day. 

And the best part of not going over the top with romance is that we'll save money. That's something we all can love and General Mills knows it!

Starting February 3rd, everyone will have the opportunity to get a "free movie offer" from Cineplex theatres on specially marked boxes of General Mills cereals. 

Then, from March 3 - May 30, you'll also have a chance to find a "buy one, get one free" general admission from Cineplex theatres on the same boxes of cereals. 

You'll also be able to find "buy one, get one free" child admission from Cineplex theatres if you purchase two specially marked treats like Betty Crocker Dunkaroos, "buy one, get one free" general admission from Cineplex theatres on snacks like Nature Valley bars, and free movie snacks from Cineplex theatres on specially marked Old El Paso products. These are all available to be found from February 3 - May 30. 

Want my recipe for Valentine's Day Chocolate Hazelnut Hedgehogs? Read on for it!

Loving Breakfast

Breakfast is one of my favourite times of the day. I'm an early riser and like to get a little quiet time in before the rest of the world wakes.

But as much as I love quiet time in the morning, breakfast made for me by someone I love tops my list of favourite things. Whether it's a complicated dish like Eggs Benedict or a simple tea and toast, I'm happy to be surprised with a lovingly made morning meal.

My love of breakfast has brought me the idea for today's delicious post, Valentine's Day Pancakes, just in time for you to make them for your family!

And if you're looking for something fun to bake this afternoon, try Life Made Delicious's Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies, I know I'm going! If you like them, you should definitely try the new Peanut Butter Cheerios!

Oodles of Noodles

Today marks the year of the snake as the Chinese New Year begins. And since long noodles symbolize long life in Chinese culture, it seems only fitting to revisit my delicious post on BBQ Pork Buns.

Except today will be a little different. Today I'm making dinner, not dim sum. And as much as I love dim sum, I don't want to eat it for dinner. So instead of making the whole BBQ Pork Bun recipe, I'm going to double the amount of marinade and stop after slicing the meat.

After you get that far into my recipe, read on to find out how to make this long life inspiring dish. Or you could buy some Char Sui in your China Town after watching the Lion Dance and save yourself a little time!

It's All Gravy

I don't make gravy very often, but when I do, it's gone in a flash. I guess you could say that I'm a bit of a gravy snob because I don't like canned gravy. I don't even want know what's in it. 

My gravy is made with just turkey stock, corn starch, and water. I know that doesn't sound very special, but it's the stock that's the key. Every time I make a turkey, I save the juices from the baking dish I cook my turkey in for the next time I make gravy. 

I pour the hot stock in a container, I let it cool in the fridge and scrape the fat off the top, then I label it as "gravy stock" and put it in the freezer for the next special occasion I have when I'll make gravy. All that work makes my gravy special and all that work makes it taste amazing. 

Then all I do is heat the rich stock up, mix a tablespoon or so of corn starch in 1/4 cup of water, stir it into my stock, and let it boil. Voila, gravy. 

I know that I'll want to make Valentine's Day special and what better way to do it than by making Yorkshire Puddings with gravy? I don't know what I'll be serving with them, but I know the meal will be special. 

And don't worry, there's still time to make a turkey so you can make Yorkshire Puddings and gravy for Valentine's Day too. :)

Pork Wrapped Pork

Today's post may not be one for the side of me that is trying to eat more vegetarian, but even the phrase "cold turkey" has meat in it and I think that means you can't stop eating meat in on a whim. Sometimes have to cheat. 

And if I have to cheat, I'd cheat with this delicious Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. There's something decadent with eating a crispy piece of bacon on top on a succulent piece of pork tenderloin. And when the bacon is maple bacon, it's even more decadent. I love maple bacon. 

Want the recipe? Keep on reading...

A Peanut Butter Giveaway!

I have always loved peanut butter. I love peanut butter in a curry, peanut butter in a sandwich, peanut butter in a dipping sauce, and peanut butter in pretty much everything else too.

Peanut butter is one of the only things that can keep me full until lunch, but peanut butter on toast is only so satisfying every single morning. That's why I was super excited when I heard that General Mills was going to be making Peanut Butter Cheerios.

Starting today, on the Life Made Delicious Facebook page, there will be a free bogo coupon for the new Peanut Butter Cheerios. You buy Chocolate, Banana Nut, or Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and you'll get the new Peanut Butter Cheerios for free! The delicious new limited edition Cheerios will appear on shelves on March 4, 2013 and you can redeem your bogo coupon on March 16-17, 2013.

Since the new Cheerios haven't hit the shelves yet, here's a wonderfully easy peanut recipe to tickle your taste buds - Peanut Butter Ripple Brownies!

Super Appy

I will admit that I am not the biggest Football fan, I choose my favourite team based on who has the best looking players. But I am a fan of enjoying appetizers on a Sunday afternoon and that's why I love the Super Bowl.

Today's recipe is a super easy appy that may not be typical Super Bowl fare, but I think that it could quickly become a favourite. Or at least it could quickly become a favourite for ladies like me who watch the games for Tom Brady-esque players and the half time show!

Here's my two ingredient recipe for homemade Cumin Flatbreads, perfect for serving with smoked salmon and cream cheese. 

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Chicken noodle soup always makes me feel comforted, but this winter I seem to have more sniffles than normal and I am getting bored with my typical soup recipe. It's not that I don't like my usual soup, it's just that Sometimes I need something a little spicier than normal. Luckily, today's recipe is the perfect solution. 

This soup is full of Asian flavours and a little heat, but it's still a comforting hug on a cold day. Read on for my Asian Chicken and Rice Soup recipe!