Currently… [August Edition]

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Lately, I’ve been seeing these really fun lists showing up around the blogosphere. I first saw the idea for a “Currently” post on Sometimes Sweet. It’s a neat snap shot as to what a particular blogger is thinking about, enjoying, planning etc, at any given point in time. And since I’ve had nearly NO time in the kitchen the past 2 weeks, I thought I’d share something a little different. 

The past two weeks have been incredibly busy preparing for my little sister’s wedding which was held this past weekend. It was amazingly fantastic! But, I will write more about that later. And don’t worry, I will have time this week to share some new recipes and finally get a start on the new features I have been planning. 

If you create your own “Currently” post, please add a link to it in the comments section. I would love to read what you have to say :)

 Currently, I’m…


 Dreaming About: Travelling! I cannot stop thinking about planning a trip and going on a great adventure. Lately, Jesse and I have been discussing going to Iceland next spring. Fingers crossed we can pull it off :) Where are you dreaming of travelling to next?


Reading: Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda. I’m 100 pages into the book and am finding it to be a really good read. The story switches between a young couple in the US and a woman in India who has recently given up a child for adoption. I can honestly say I’m already interested in the storyline and anxious to see what happens to all of the characters. What are you reading this summer?

 Loving: Meatless Mondays Cookbook. It has an awesome selection of recipes and simple, quick ideas for seasonal breakfast, lunches, dinners, snacks and desserts. Plus, the foreword is by the one-and-only Sir Paul McCartney! :) The photography is also extremely impressive. I love a good cookbook with stunning photography. It makes my heart happy. *hehe*


Watching: Big Brother 14. I don’t normally watch a lot of reality television, but I watch BB every single summer. My guilty pleasure! Have you been watching it this season?


Anticipating: The fall. I adore the fall months so much. I love the milder weather, warm, comfy sweaters, cuddly blankets, pumpkin flavoured anything, hot cups of cocoa, and all of the fall-related foods! Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday, with Christmas a very close second. I need roasted sweet potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie ASAP. 


Listening To: My Head is an Animal by Of Monsters and Men. The album is fantastic! I cannot stop listening to it. Of Monsters and Men is a group from Iceland with two lead singers. I adore the voices of both the male and female vocalists. The music is somewhat reminiscent of Mumford and Sons. Speaking of which, I cannot wait for their new album coming out in late September!!! Do you have any music recommendations? I love checking out new music.


Planning On: Seeing the new Woody Allen movie To Rome with Love. I love Woody Allen movies and cannot wait to check out the latest one. Although, I am debating on also seeing the new Batman movie. I’ve heard that it’s really good. I’ve also been planning on going on some picnics before the end of summer and hopefully a quick camping trip at the end of the month with Jesse.


Working On: Eating more consistently. I have a tendency to eat healthy, but not regularly enough. I let too much time go between meals and am finding I am not feeling well at points throughout the day. I’ve started seeing a dietician to help me get back on track. 


Wishing: I felt less self-conscious about blogging. As much as I love blogging, I often feel very self-conscious about the content and the photography. It’s a battle to tame my inner critic sometimes. Do you ever have that problem? Sometimes I wish that I could just be okay with being “new” at something and accept that everyone has to start somewhere – that everyone will improve with hard work and practice. My goal is to start enjoying the process and focus less on the end product.

 Reflecting On: My sister’s wedding this past weekend. It was a truly lovely event. She looked so happy, so beautiful. The ceremony was touching and the reception wonderful. My sister had every single detail perfect and so reflective of her tastes. The flowers were stunning, the cake beautiful, and the centrepieces truly elegant. The speeches were very sentimental, yet funny. I somehow held it together during my speech – although, I did declare to the guests that I thought I was going to throw up half way during my speech. Oops! The food served at the wedding was beyond yummy! The vegetarian entree was roasted butternut squash ravioli with brown butter sauce and toasted hazelnuts. Wow! I also had a great time dancing the night away at the wedding with friends and family. My grandma danced up a storm! It was great! 

 Enjoying: Recipe testing for A Couple Cook‘s new cookbook! I cannot tell you how excited I am for this cookbook. I just love how the cookbook revolves around raising funds for such a fantastic cause. Check out their website for more info! Please help out in any way you can :)

 Pondering: New recipe ideas and features for the blog! So many thoughts and ideas, but so little time as of late. It’s wedding season right now, so I’ve been busy photographing weddings and editing shoots. After mid-August, I plan on spending a lot more time in the kitchen. Cannot wait :)

Wishing you all a fantastic week! Looking forward to posting a recipe-related post toward the end of the week. I am planning a trip out to my friend’s huge garden in the country tomorrow to pick some fresh veggies. I am certain an abundance of fresh produce will be plenty to inspire a few new dishes this week.

Green Goddess Guacamole Dip

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Before I met Jesse about 5 years ago, I had never had an avocado nor ever ventured trying guacamole. Guacamole just seemed like something I would despise. Do you have any foods that you just KNOW you’ll despise? *hah*

Turns out I was very, very wrong. One evening, Jesse and I went to share a plate of nachos and glasses of sangria on the patio of a local restaurant called Carlos & Murphy’s. Jesse ordered a side of guacamole for himself. He sat there enjoying the bright green dip when curiosity finally overtook me and I gave in. I dipped a chip in the guacamole… And it was amazing! How did I go so long without knowing the deliciousness of avocado!? 

Now, I’m an avocado convert and am making up for lost time. I spend a good portion of our grocery budget on avocados each week. I adore avocado slices with lime juice and salt as a snack after work a few times per week. I’ve added avocado to salads and soups. And I’ve finally perfected homemade guacamole.

 Even though I’ve perfected a guacamole that Jesse and I love, I’m always still looking for other ways to dress up the delicious dip. I recently stumbled on this recipe for Green Goddess Guacamole and I was immediately smitten. It’s a really nice spin on a regular, simple guacamole. The fresh herbs add such fresh flavour to the dip. The lime brightens up the rich avocado and the shallots add a nice gentle bite. The small amount of sour cream bring this dip to the next level. So creamy and so utterly delicious!

During my most recent book club meeting, I served the guacamole as a dip with tortilla chips. However, as the dip was so delicious, it also doubled as a condiment for burgers. I have definitely found a new way to whip up guacamole and had to share it with you. If you love guacamole, do yourself a favour and make this ASAP. You won’t be disappointed! :) I promise!

ps. double the recipe….you’ll thank me later. *hehe*

Here are a few of my favourite ways to use avocado:
Ingredients
  • 2 avocados, halved, pitted and diced
  • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped basil
  • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoon of finely chopped tarragon (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons of sour cream (or vegan sour cream)
  • juice of half a medium lime
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 and 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
  • pepper to taste
  • tortilla chips to serve

Method

1. In a medium bowl, mash the avocado with a potato masher. Allow the mixture to remain somewhat chunky. 

2. Add the parsley, basil, chives, tarragon, sour cream, lime juice, shallot and salt. Mix well.

3. Serve dip with tortilla chips, fresh raw veggies or as a condiment on veggie burgers, sandwiches or tacos/burritos.

Source: Tasting Table Test Kitchen

Mojito Fruit Salad

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This fruit salad is yummy. So yummy in fact that every time I bring it to any event, someone inevitably licks the bowl clean after all the salad is polished off. *hah* That is a sign of a real winning recipe! This salad is summer at its best. Fresh berries, crisp grapes and sweet nectarine – all of summer’s best fruits. The lime and mint syrup makes this fruit salad irresistible! You can easily substitute peaches for the nectarines. And, I recommend adding in some honeydew melon chunks. They are always a nice touch. Feel free to add in any of your favourite summer fruits. If you add in watermelon, be sure to add it right before serving. I find it can become a bit soggy and water down the salad.

 This recipe makes more syrup than is needed for one bowl of this salad, but it keeps well in the fridge. You’ll be able to whip up a second serving of this salad in no time. This salad is wonderful served on angel food cake and topped with fresh whipped cream. It’s also great over top coconut milk ice cream. Yum!

Hope you are all having a fantastic week. I’m thrilled, as today (Tuesday), is my Friday! I have the rest of the week off to enjoy the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. The Fringe Festival is like Christmas for me. I LOVE Fringe! It’s 10 days where the entire downtown area comes alive with live theatre and performances. I try to attend as many plays as possible each year and take in some of the free concerts in the Old Market Square. Thursday, my sister and I will be having our annual Fringe Festival lunch date where order falafel sandwiches, fresh lemonade and watch all of the extremely interesting people wandering the fest. 

Happy Fringing to my local readers! Be sure to check out as many plays as possible! Let me know if you’ve seen any particularly good shows :)


Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup of granulated sugar or 1/4 cup of agave syrup
  • 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons of lime juice (or lemon juice)
  • 2 cups of seedless grapes, halved
  • 2 nectarines, cut into 1 and 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup of fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries

Method

1. Bring sugar and 1/2 cup of water to a gentle boil in a saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes , remove from heat and stir in the mint and lemon juice. Steep for 15 minutes and strain out the mint.

2. Combine the grapes, nectarine, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in a large bowl. Stir in the sugar/mint syrup. Cover and chill for 2 hours, or overnight.

Source: adapted from Vegetarian Times July 2009