So this sandwich is the s***. I have always been a huge fan of sandwiches but due to a sluggish metabolism I can’t eat nearly as many as I would like. I can however dream…..and that is what this beauty started as. I eat roasted veg every week. I love roasted vegetables and toss them in with most of my weekly dishes. Because I eat so many roasted vegetables I’m always thinking of new ways to incorporate them into my meals. The idea of this sandwich was just too good not to bring to life. Enjoy. serves 4

• 1 large head of cauliflower, sliced in slabs (remove the leaves, then leaving the core intact cut into 1/2 inch slices)
• 2 large red peppers, sliced
• 2 cooking onions, sliced in rounds
• 1 head of broccolini
• 2 small zucchini, sliced length ways
• 2 avocado, sliced
• 8 slices of jalapeño havarti cheese
• 8 slices of light rye bread
• safflower oil

Spice mix for veggies:

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 1/2 smoked paprika
• 1/2 – 1 tsp salt
• pinch of pepper
• 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder

For the sauce:

• 4 tbsp mayonnaise or vegenaise
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1-1/2 tsp sriracha, adjust to taste
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
• splash of worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp honey (more or less depending on how sweet you like it)

To make -

1. preheat oven to 425.
2. brush oil on both sides of the sliced veggies (minus the onions and red peppers)
3. season both sides with spice blend.
4. lay on baking sheet. Bake for 25 -35 minutes flipping half way through (the broccolini and zucchini will cook a little faster, remove when nicely charred)
5. while the vegetables are baking drizzle some oil in the bottom of a medium sized pan and toss in the onions and peppers. Cook on med-high until caramelized, about the same amount of time as your other vegetables will be roasting for. Stir often.
6. make your sauce. Toss all of the sauce ingredients in your food processor and pulse until fully combined. set aside.
7. when your roasted veggies are done, remove from oven and set aside.
8. place your bread directly on the rack of your oven. 4 of those slices should have 2 slices of havarti each. remove from oven when toast begins to brown and cheese is beautiful and bubbly.

Assemble - first cover the bottom of the non cheesy rye with cauliflower. Now place in layers the zucchini, broccolini, peppers and onions and avocado. Slather the cheese covered rye with a generous amount of sauce and sandwich those beauties together. Devour.

I made this quiche for my beautiful bestfriends birthday potluck brunch. Sadly we had to leave before the party was over, to put Poppy down for her afternoon nap. Later that day I got a text saying both quiches were devoured! and as if that wasn’t enough of a compliment the birthday girl herself then told me it was the BEST quiche she had ever had!! along with a request to PLEASE post the recipe on my blog. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we did.

Recipe makes 2, 24cm round quiche tins

2 tbsp olive oil

5 medium cooking onions, chopped into half rings

16 oz crimini mushrooms

150ml  Guinness

2 cans of seamless dough sheets ( 1 can per quiche )

1 package of bacon, cooked and cut into bite sized pieces

300 ml double cream

3 cups cheese, shredded ( I used a mixture of swiss, sharp white cheddar and parmesan )

Pre heat oven to 395. In a large pan heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms, cook until softened but not browned. Add the beer and cook for about 20 minutes stirring frequently ( do not let the mixture dry out ) turn heat down if needed.

Roll out the dough and line two 24 cm round quiche tins. Use your fingers to close up any holes that may have appeared when placing the dough in the quiche tins…Make sure there are no holes in the dough!

Cover the bottom of the quiche with a thick layer of bacon. Cover the bacon with the mushroom and onion mixture.

Mix together the eggs and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cheese.

Pour over the quiche. Make sure the cheese is evenly spread out.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. If you notice the dough or cheese is browning too fast lightly place a piece of tinfoil over the quiche to prevent burning. Remove from oven. Let sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

There is nothing like a big bowl of comfort. Quick easy and delicious. This will fill you up and make your tastebuds happy all at the same time!

1-2 tbsp olive oil

2 medium onions, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp thyme

1/8 tsp savory

2 cups crimini mushrooms, chopped

3 cups green cabbage, chopped

1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock

1 19 ounce can of white kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes, with juice

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

fresh parmesan cheese, for serving

*additional ingredients: quinoa or brown rice, cook according to package

In a large pot heat the oil over med-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, thyme and savory. cook for about 5 minutes, stiring frequently until the onion has softened. Stir in the mushroom and cabbage and cook stirring frequently for another 5 minutes. Add the stock and simmer, covered, for 6 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, parsley and cilantro. Cover and simmer over med to med-low leat for 12 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve: Enjoy served over quinoa and topped with a generous grating of fresh parmesan. Enjoy.

Caitlin is my oldest friend. We grew up on the same street and were pretty much inseparable for much of our childhood. We lost touch after high school but reunited by chance years later. Since then we have remained close.

Last year Caitlin moved to the UK with her partner Owen. This past Christmas to my delight they came home for a visit. I decided to take advantage of the little time we had and asked Caitlin if she would come cook with me.

Caitlin is a life long vegetarian and a wonderful cook; I was more than eager to learn one of her regular dishes. The night Caitlin was supposed to come cook with me just so happened to be one of the coldest days this winter has offered us here in Toronto – so of course our pipes decided it was as good a time as any to freeze. Thankfully Danie lives next door and graciously offered her home for us to cook. In the end it worked out to my advantage – I got my cooking lesson and enjoyed an amazing meal along with great company, minus the clean up and dishes! Thank you Caitlin (and Danie) for such a wonderful night.

6 large portions 

1 tbsp coconut oil or ghee

2 medium onions, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

1 tbsp curry paste, hot or mild depending on how much heat you like.

1 tbsp ground coriander

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground

1 tsp garam masala

1 can of diced tomato, with juice

2/3 cup water or veg broth

2 cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Heat the coconut oil or ghee in a large skillet. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until browned. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the curry paste, coriander, cumin, cumin seeds and garam masala. Cook the onion mixture with the spices for a few minutes then add the tomatoes with the juices making sure to scrape up any bits that may be sticking to the skillet. Now add the water or veg broth and chickpeas. Simmer for 30-45 min, the longer the better.You may need to add a little more water or broth, depending on simmer time ( don't let it dry out )

Rice, cook according to package

Topping:

2 ripe tomato, chopped

1 red onion, diced

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 lemon, juice of

salt and pepper, to taste

In a medium bowl mix together the tomato, onion, cilantro, lemon, salt and pepper.

To serve, On a plate add some rice, dish up the channa and top with a heaping spoonful of tomato, onion and cilantro. Finish it off with a dollop of organic plain yogurt. Oh and don't forget the super easy to make and delisious naan bread! Enjoy.

SQUASH:

1 spaghetti squash

Preheat oven to 375. Prick the spaghetti squash all over with a fork or knife making little holes/slits to allow for the steam to escape while it bakes (this will prevent a not so fun, super messy, squash explosion). Bake in a shallow baking sheet for 1 hour. Once the squash has cooled enough to handle, cut it length wise with a serrated knife. Remove the seeds and fibrous strings from the centre of the squash using a spoon. Once you have removed all the seeds, gently scrape the squash with a fork shredding the pulp into nice spaghetti looking strands. Set aside.

While the squash bakes make the sauce.

SAUCE:

- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups crimini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 large cloves of garlic

- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp chopped rosemary
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of organic vegetable broth

- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 280z can organic crushed tomatoes, with their juice
- chunk of good parmesan cheese, for grating

Warm the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaves and rosemarry. Cook over med-high heat for about 5 minutes, stir often. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 more minutes. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup vegetable broth and cook until completely reduced, making sure to scrape the pan lifting any bits that may begin to stick. When the pan is dry mash the tomato paste into the mushroom, onion mixture. Add the canned tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 cup of vegetable broth. Turn heat to medium low and simmer for 30 or so minutes.

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR THE LASAGNA:

- ricotta cheese
- bag of shredded cheddar and mozzarella or cheese of choice

 

Spread a generous amount of sauce covering the bottom of your roasting dish. Cover with a layer of spaghetti squash followed by another layer of sauce. Spread a layer of ricotta and cover with a layer of shredded cheese. Repeat the process one more time. Top it off with a layer of grated parm. Transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Turn the oven to broil and bake for 3 minutes or until the top begins to brown and bubble. Remove from oven, let sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!