Spanish Chicken Stew

Since being home, I have had some time to focus on catching up on my previous years magazines subscription. Yes, I have numerous bundles of unopened magazines!

Can you tell that reading my one magazine subscription, hasn't been at the top of my list these past few years.

No, those hours were better off spend doing other things including naughty things! 

I found a simple recipe, something almost right out of my childhood - Spanish chicken stew.

I browned the chicken thighs and added some paprika and seasoning, similar to a fajita seasoning.

Than I sweated out the leeks and garlic.

Once the leeks are soft, I added back the chicken and then added tomato paste, canned tomatoes and roasted red peppers. I roasted the peppers in the oven.

After 15 minutes, add boiled potatoes, frozen peas and flat leaf parsley.

It was a very tasty meal and I will have many more out of it.  Easy to pack for the freezer and take out for a single meal when the fridge is empty.

And so it begins - spring Revolution

Now with the warmer weather and sunnier days, the ground is ready for seeds and seedlings.

Today I planted carrots, green onions and beets from seeds.

I also planted the Zinnia's and Marigolds. These are new this year so I will see how it goes. I read Marigolds help keep insects away from Tomato plants.
I also found some info about putting fish heads 3 feet down...lots of calcium.
Next time I go to the grocery store, I will stop by the fish monger and ask for a fish head! It can't hurt to try.

The last few pictures are of my front window greenhouse and the trellis I made last week.
I decided to include the early stages of my process.

Soon enough everything from the front windows will makes it's way back to the garden.

Memories...of fruit?!

Things have been a little busy this past week at home and at work.  Not feeling well can really put a damper in your routine, your mood and your health.
Recently I was reading an article in a Health food/product related magazine - one I found in the lunch room at work that was brought in my granola eating friend, Suzelle. The article mentioned that scientist believe the Cavendish banana will only be around another ten to fifteen years. Due to Panama Disease the crops are being wiped out. An aletnative that is apparently healthier is the Red Banana.

Thursday we went to the local Fruit & Vegetable depot and I picked up some Red Bananas

My dad had bought me some Baby Bananas a few days earlier...I seem like I have a Banana obsession! And recently, I received an email pertaining to the health benefits of bananas LOL they come in threes

As I child visiting Italy in the summer time it was rare to get bananas. I remember a lot of cherries, apricots, melons, peaches and my all time favorite, Fresh Figs!

Oh, how I still adore fresh figs to this day. Even their colour is appealing to me! My sister used to say they looked like red blood cells once you remove their outer skins and peel into two halves. I also recall my Nonna slices peaches pouring sugar over them and adding white wine sometimes a few sprigs of fresh mint. I am severely missing the good ol' days.

Psychology says that the earliest memories we have come from our 5 senses...so whether it be a colour of something we saw and associated with good or bad or to a familiar smell that brings us right back to our memory.

Reminiscing can be enlightening and yet somewhat sad knowing you cannot really relive the same events over again. At least we can attempt at making new 'senses' memories!!

Kiss My Fiesta Lime Chicken

As in my title, yes this post will be mentioning food.  I am a foodie. I can admit this. I am not ashamed. I am also addicted ( on weekends) to the Food Network. Hush! That is a different topic to be discussed later, moving on!

Okay, so I have established that I like food, scratch that I love food.  Sadly, I cannot cook the foods I so desire.  I have burned steaming vegetables, not my fault Facebook was keeping me glued to my chair ;-). I have forgotten about the boiling water pot and only once did I forget about something in the oven - never did establish what I put in the oven to begin with.

To my credentials I can cook a few wonderful Italian meals made from scratch and a few other goodies however, Kiss My Fiesta Lime Chicken can kick your Chicken recipe's ass anytime - oh yeah!!!!!!!

 Pictured above is marinating chicken breasts in lime juice, olive oil, freshly chopped cilantro, chopped garlic, ground black pepper and for an extra kick I add chili flakes. Marinated 1 to 3 hours.

Once your salsa is made, you grill the chicken and top with salsa and fresh avocado.

Pictured right is the salsa ( or pico de Gallo) tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, pickled yellow peppers, lime juice, olive oil, garlic and black pepper. Chop all veggies into small cubes and pieces and finely chop the cilantro and pickled peppers. Add all other ingredients.  Set in the fridge for a 2 hours take out when chicken breasts have been cooked. Add a sliced avocado as desired.

A little runny this time around but still as awesome as ever. I read once that by marinating with lemon or lime juice you are preserving the protein within the meat. And I find the meat is very very tender by using lime juice.

Every time I make this meal, no one walks away unhappy - that's for sure. It really is a summer time dish but we get all the veggies here year around so why not have a bit of summer in the harsh cold weather of winter.
Enjoy my fellow foodies!!


P.S. Yes, the quality of the photos are pretty bad. A purchase of a new camera is on my list - trust me

Tastebuds a Gushin'

I am a cupcake whore! What can I say, I want them and they need me. 

My favorite type of cupcake from Isobel's is Green Velvet - Green Tea....Hot Chocolate is my second favorite.

Lemon Curd....OMG this is delicious

On Thursday, I was told that they had finally after 5 years perfected their Red Velvet recipe...so guess who is going soon for Red Velvet?!  How many should I get you?!

;-)

Isobel's Cookies & Cupcakes on Beechwood