Thursday Things

1)  Last Friday we went out for dinner for my work Christmas party, and we ate a pretty greasy appetizer platter:



The lobster fritters and taco bites were really good, but the butter chicken poutine wasn't great.

This was way more than an appetizer, and we probably shouldn't have ordered meals as well.  When my beef dip and soup came out I was already pretty full.



The beef dip was also fantastic, but I took most of my meal home, and felt painfully full for the rest of the evening.  I didn't really eat the soup because it was narrrrsty.  This meal was at Birmingham's.

2)  Home Alone is one of my all-time favourite movies.  Sunday was our "Christmasy" day (where we eat snacky foods and watch Christmas movies all day),  and we watched Home Alone 1 and 2, as well as some Christmas TV specials.  We still have a bunch on our list to watch before the 25th.

3)  My dad took Christopher and I out for supper to Red Lobster on Monday.  After the rich dining on Friday, I was not feeling heavy food and stuck to salmon with a baked potato and broccoli.



4)  Speaking of rich dining ... Christopher introduced me to the way he used to eat Pizza Pops as a kid.  He would microwave them, then open them up and put some more cheese inside, then microwave them a little longer.  We just shared this one for lunch a while back:



5)  Dinner today consisted exclusively of raw veggies.  I felt the need to share that after posting the photo above, ha ha!  We're Libras ... it's all about balance.

6)  Another dinner from this week was baked tofu and salad:



7)  I'm pretty excited that tomorrow is Friday!  It's my last day of work before Christmas, I get a pay raise tomorrow (I'm on year 9 of an 11 year increment scale at work), and we have a nice little weekend planned.

What are your Thursday things?

Christmas Gathering

It's quite unusual, but my closest friends today are friends I've had since elementary school.  One of these friends (middle of the couch), happens to be married to another one of our friends from elementary school (left on the couch), who happens to be Christopher's older brother.  

The rest of my closest friends I met when I was fifteen, and we've been close ever since.  For the past 10 years, I've gotten this old group of friends together around Christmas for a little gathering.

On Saturday morning we slept in a bit and then started preparing food etc..

Yummmmm!

The festivities carried on into morning.  

We were both pretty tired on Sunday, but a day of rest, Christmas movies and leftover goodies was just what the doctor ordered.

What did you do on the weekend?  Anything Christmasy?

 

Holiday Baking

This year I decided that I wasn't going to do any holiday baking.  I told myself that for about two weeks ... but then I changed my mind.  I didn't do as much as I have in previous years, but I did bake three kinds of cookies. 




Someone was happy that I changed my mind:



I made double chocolate merlot cookies using this recipe.  Yes, they are as good as they sound.



I also made soft, chewy oatmeal cookies.

Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup margarine, softened
2 cups light brown sugar
2 cups regular rolled oats
2 cups flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all the ingredients.  Roll into small balls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Press with a fork slightly.  Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes.

Finally I made a holiday staple, shortbread.  These are the softest, most buttery, melt-in-your mouth shortbread around.  I make them every year.

Perfect Shortbread

3 cups flour
3/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup icing sugar
1 lb salted butter

Whip the butter very well.  Add the rest a bit at a time.  Whip very well.  Roll into balls and press slightly.  Bake at 325 F for 20 minutes.

All the cookies turned out perfectly.  Homemade cookies are definitely my favourite dessert.



I also made a double batch of caramel corn:



Christopher woke up on Saturday morning and saw it cooling, and thought an elf had made him breakfast.  I tried to explain that caramel corn is not breakfast ... but I was too late.

Have you done any baking this holiday season? 

Puffed Wheat Cake

I have done a lot of baking in my life.  I have also lived in Saskatchewan my whole life.  Considering these two facts, it's quite bizarre that have never made puffed wheat cake until now.



Anyone who has grown up in Saskatchewan has had puffed wheat cake (or squares as non-Saskatchewanian's might say).  When I was a child, I don't think there was a day that this dessert was not in my house.  My mom always had puffed wheat cake, rice crispy cake, chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon buns on hand ... at. all. times. 



For some strange reason, I did not make puffed wheat cake until yesterday.  Everyone thinks they have the best recipe for this, but they don't.  My mom does.  Her recipe is below:

Puffed Wheat Cake

3/4 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup margerine
1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
6 T cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
12 cups puffed wheat

Bring all but puffed wheat to a boil.  Boil 3 min..  Pour over puffed wheat and stir well.  Press into 9x13 pan with waxed or parchment paper.  Let cool, then cut into squares.

Have you had puffed wheat cake?  Squares?  What do you call it?  Did your mom make this?  Are you wondering, "What the heck is this girl talking about? What is puffed wheat cake?  Has she gone crazy?"

Ten on Tuesday

1)  Dinner on the weekend at Beer Bros. was so good!  I had the cheddar ale soup, and avocado frites.

I had no idea that avocado would be so good fried.  It was served with a sriracha aoli.  Christopher had the veggie burger & salad.

2)   On Friday night we ordered in from China Doll.  

3)  On Saturday morning we were up early.  We had some fruit, coconut water, and tea before heading out to run errands.

4)  When we got home we ate a more substantial breakfast.

5)  Our Christmas tree and other decorations are up!  It looks so much prettier in the house with the lights and other ornaments.




6)  This is pretty funny.  And kind of awesome. 

7)  We roasted a little chicken the other day and made some gravy and mashed potatoes to go with it.  Mmmmmmm, gravy.






8)  We then made chicken stock, and used it for chicken soup, which was perfect after Christopher's long, frigid, 10 hour day of delivering.



9)  This week is moving sooooo slowly!  The next two weekends are quite busy with work Christmas parties, etc., then it's Christmas, and then we're going into hibernation for a solid 2-3 months.

10)  I've always struggled with getting up in the morning during the week, but that has gotten a lot easier since I started going to bed waaaayyy earlier.  Most nights it's around 8:30/8:45!!  This morning when the first alarm went off at 5:00, I was pretty wide awake and couldn't fall back asleep.  I feel a lot more awake throughout the day, which is nice.

What are your Tuesday things?  How's your week going so far?

Guest Post: How to Experience Chicago

As many of you may know, I love to travel.  Chicago is one place that I have not been to yet, but it is on my list.  Actually, I have been in the airport in Chicago ... but that doesn't count!  Please welcome Kendra who lives in Chicago, and has put together a post on her city to share with Everyday Foodie readers:

How to Experience Chicago

I love living in Chicago. As a travel enthusiast, it’s important to me to live near interesting destinations. While I love to explore corners of the world where I don’t make my home, it’s also nice to be able to take a spontaneous stay-cation nearby. The Windy City is a place everyone should visit at least once, and there’s enough to do and see here that once really isn’t enough.

1. Shopping in Chi Town

Lots of folks come here to shop. You’ll probably spend a little time or several days exploring the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. One block north is Oak Street, which runs perpendicular to Michigan Avenue and holds plenty of treasures. Many of the boutiques here are located in converted brownstones. This gives the district a historical, intimate feel. Jimmy Choo, Barney and Kate Spade all have shops here.

2. Diving in Chi Town

Okay, it’s actually a safe version of skydiving, but this is a thrill you don’t want to miss. From the SkyDeck in Willis Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, you’ll feel like you’re floating free above the city. The SkyDeck, located on the 103rd floor is a glass box that extends away from the building. Three layers of half-inch-thick glass make up the sides of the deck, making it a safe, sturdy place to get a bird’s eye view. I wouldn’t, however, recommend taking the stairs to get there.

3. Historical Hotels in Chi Town

There are plenty of places to stay in the Windy City. I personally like the ambience of the old hotels here. Places like the Drake are full of regional history. Who doesn’t like staying in a place with a story to tell? Chicago offers a number of hotels new or historic catering to both families or for couples on a getaway. Many of these hotels are within the city limits, which is a great, added convince.

4. Food in Chi Town

My city has some of the best cuisine in America. Of course, eating out while on vacation can pose issues if your family contains a picky eater or two. Try the cuisine at South Water Kitchen. This restaurant, located just inside the Chicago Loop, serves a wide variety of dishes to please any palate. They open at 6:00 a.m. and stay open through the dinner hour, so you’ll be able to get a good meal here any time of the day.

Whether you’re coming to see the sights, shop or taste the food, I hope you enjoy your trip to the Windy City. This is just a sampling of all the great things my city has in store for you. Don’t forget to catch a ballgame, visit a museum and spend some time on Navy Pier as well. If you don’t have time to do it all, just come back as soon as you can.

How to Experience Regina

Regina is the capital city of the Saskatchewan, a prairie province near the middle of  Canada.  It's not the biggest tourist city ...actually, it's not even a very big city, but it does have a lot of heart.  If you want to see the prairies, you can't beat Saskatchewan.

1)  Shopping: 

Regina's shopping is all about hidden gems.  There are a few shopping malls that have the usual retail places, however the best shops are the little boutiques and locally owned stores in and around downtown.  13th Avenue is the best walking street in town, and you'll find great clothing shops such as Uforia and Muse.  You can also stop at an old school candy and ice cream shop called Dessart.  Just down the street on Albert is Coda Clothing, which sells quality, trendy pieces.  If you're downtown check out Scarth Street Mall, then grab a coffee from Atlantis.  There is also good shopping in the east end of Regina, and in Harbour Landing in the south.

2)  Transportation:

It's very easy to get around Regina, and nothing is too far.  The city is small enough that you can reach most destinations in under 20 minutes.  The public transportation is not overly convenient for tourists, so your best bet is to rent a car.  If you visit Regina in the winter, be prepared for frigid temperatures and icy/snowy winter driving.  Regina is not known for being a walking city, although you should walk around Wascana Lake, and wander around downtown during the day. 

3)  Hotels:

Regina has many hotels, but I'd recommend staying downtown.  The best hotels downtown are the DoubleTree by Hilton, and the historic, Hotel Saskatchewan.

4)  Food:

Saskatchewan is a meat and potato province, and you'll find a lot of steakhouses in Regina, many of them quite generic.  The best dining places are not overly fancy, but they do have quality, fresh food.  These are some of my favourites:

Indian - Bombay
Vegetarian - 13th Avenue Coffee House and Food
Thai - Siam
Chinese - Peking House
Pub Food - Bushwakker
Mediterranean -  Regina Kebab House
Breakfast - Fireside Bistro
Upscale - Creek in Cathedral Bistro
Korean - Korea House
Japanese - Sake

5)  Saskatchewan Roughriders:

If you come to Saskatchewan during the summer/fall, you must check experience Rider Nation, and catch a Roughrider (CFL) foodtball game.  Wear green, and be prepared to see the best and craziest football fans around!

6)  Pubs:

Regina's pubs are a great place to hang out day or evening.  Some of the best include Bushwakker and O'Hanlon's.  All of the best night clubs for dancing are in the Warehouse District on Dewdney Avenue.

8)  Live Music:

Regina has a great music scene with a lot of awesome, local, original bands, including my favourites:  Screaming Daisies, Day Trip, Grain Report, Kory Istace vs. The Time Pirates, The Fortunate Isles, and PandaCorn.  Check out the websites of the following places to see their events calendars:

The Exchange
The Artful Dodger
O'Hanlon's
Bushwakker
The Artesian
Lancaster

We also have a lot of festivals and other artsy events in Regina.  You can read more about them here, here and here.

Where are you from?  Tell me something fun to do in your city!