I love lentils.

…and I’m not just saying this because it’s Canadian Lentils’ Love Your Lentils month!

Lentils are nutrition powerhouses. Most people know them as a vegetarian source of protein, but they’re also rich in fibre, folate, iron, potassium, magnesium and manganese, just to name a few.

They’re great from a culinary standpoint as well. Unlike other dried legumes, lentils do not require soaking before cooking, perfect for poor planners like me, especially when you’re looking for some protein to round out a meal.

Green, brown and black beluga lentils can add texture to salad, soups, stews and other side dishes, while red lentils (which are actually green and brown lentils with the outer “skin” removed) cook down into a neutral-tasting mush, meaning that they readily take on the warm spices in daal or can be thrown into soups, stews, or even pureed into bread and cookie batters for a nutrition boost.

Of course, the fact that 97% of all lentils in Canada are grown in neighbouring Saskatchewan means they’re a local choice! Continue reading →

Cross-posted from Calgary is Awesome.

Happy Mother’s Day! Where are you taking your mom to brunch today? For some reason, Mama T associates the word “brunch” with “buffet”, so I’ve taken her to Belgo a couple times now to avoid the hotel buffet crowds (and prices!) Mama T is out of town, so I’ll be celebrating with her in Hong Kong next week, but if you’d like to do something a little less traditional with your mom, give Mango Shiva‘s brunch a try. Continue reading →

Finally! It’s warm enough to dine al fresco again! I’m typing this to you from my “other office” (aka a lounge chair on my deck). B. and I loved spending time out here last summer, whether it was working away on our laptops (powered by a giant orange extension cord) or relaxing with some snacks and a cider.

Continue reading →

Disclosure: I received a pair of complimentary tickets and sampling tickets to the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival, as well as a pair of tickets to give away. I was not obligated to write this post. Opinions are 100% my own.

The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is returning to the Fairmont Banff Springs this Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11. I know the Calgary event is very popular and well-attended, and what better excuse to make the trip out to the Rockies than being able to sample some food from the best restaurants that Banff has to offer, paired with international, world class wines. As proof, the Saturday evening session is already sold out! Continue reading →

Me. #fbc2013. A cookie as big as my face.

 
This month, I snuck off for a weekend with some of my friends and fellow bloggers, Dan, Steph A and Steph E to the GTA (specifically, Hockley Valley) to experience the first-ever Food Bloggers of Canada conference!

Dana McCauley says that what would set Canadian food bloggers apart is to “Choose to be different”, so unlike every other blogger who has written a recap, I’m not writing one. Maybe I’ll write one in the future, but only when I’m sure that it’ll be different… and still relevant.

So, let’s talk goals. Continue reading →