The "Not So Perfect" Macaron

This past week I braved my baking fears and attempted to bake the french macaron. These cookies are so delicate and beautiful and look super impressive when served on a beautiful platter. Mine... were not so delicate. They cracked and browned too much and never grew "feet".

After my failed macaroon attempt, I decided to make some meringue cookies to make me feel better. These little fluffy wonders were delicious and easy to make. Yum!

I do promise that I will give macaroons another try. I will not let them defeat me! But for now.... I am going to enjoy one or two of these delicious little guys.



S

Brave Baking

I think I may get brave this week. Our annual Christmas dinner is this Saturday and although my schedule this week is insane, I am determined to make french macarons for dessert. I know.... insane. French macarons are notoriously difficult to get right. I have had multiple dessert fails in the last week so I have no idea what I am thinking. Wish me luck! I hope that I can get it done without freaking out too much.



Best Butternut Squash Soup

This is the BEST butternut squash soup hands down!

David and I are massive fans of Indian food so I often try to integrate Indian flavours into other dishes. Butternut squash soup combines with the warm falvour of Indian spices perfectly. It is also a very easy soup to put together and uses very few ingredients.

The Necessities:

~ 1 Large Butternut Squash (Peeled and Cubbed)

~ 1 Large Onion (Chopped)

~ 4 Cloves of Garlic (Crushed)

~ 1 Tbs of Olive Oil

~ 6 Cups of Vegetable Broth

~ 2 Tsp of Garam Masala

~ 2 Tsp of Dried Cilantro

~ Salt & Pepper to Taste

The Prep:

~ In a large soup pot heat olive oil.

~ Add onion and garlic and cook until onions are clear.

~ Add all other ingredients.

~ Bring soup to a boil.

~ Once soup is boiling set temperature to low, cover and allow to simmer until squash is extremely soft.

~ Transfer soup into a food processor.

~ Blend until smooth and transfer back into the pot to warm.
~ Serve with a sprig of cilantro on top.

S

Southwest Soup

The other day I sat down to think of a few meals that I could put together for Syd. Lately I have been trying to make "grown up" versions of Sydney's meals for David and I. I means that I can hit two birds with one stone and make a mountain of pre-made meals for the whole family.

I decided to put together Chicken, Black Bean & Butternut Squash soup for Syd, so I had to come up with a recipe using the same ingredients for David and I. The Southwest Soup was the perfect solution.

- 6 Cups of Cooked & Mashed Butternut Squash

- 1 Can of Rinsed Black Beans

- 1 Can of Corn Niblets

- 4 Chicken Breasts Cubed

- 2 Cups of Mild Salsa

- 4 Cups of Vegetable Broth
- 1 Tbs Chopped Cipotle Peppers

- 4 Tbs Fresh Chopped Cilantro

- 4 Crushed Garlic Cloves

- 1 Onion Chopped

For Tortilla crisps:

- 2 Tortillas

- Cooking Spray

Add a small amount of olive oil to medium sauce pan. Cook cubed chicken through. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside. Peel, boil, and mash the butternut squash. In a large slow cooker combine all ingredients. Set to cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8.

To make the tortilla crisps to top the soup, slice the tortilla into thin strips. Lay the strips on a cookie sheet and spray with cooking spray and season with a bit of salt. Bake in the centre of the oven at 350C until crisp.

Spoon soup into bowl. Top with a spoonful of sour cream, a few tortilla crisps and a sprig of fresh cilantro.... Enjoy!

Freezer Option

Once soup is cooked allow to cool. Spoon into silicone muffin molds and freeze. Once the soup is frozen, pop out of molds and store in freezer bags in the freezer. Soup can be stored up to three months.

Baby Food Option

In blender or bullet combine:

- 3/4 Cup Cooked Chicken Breast (unseasoned)

- 3/4 Cup Rinsed Black Beans

- 3/4 Cup Cooked Squash

- 1 Cup Vegetable Broth

Blend to desired consistency. Freeze in smaller portions

Minestrone Soup

With winter on it's way, I have been craving warm, hearty soups. This last week I was able to put together a massive batch of homemade minestrone soup. It is pretty basic so feel free to add some spice or meat to it ( I don't eat meat so I don't add it). You might try adding some spicy Italian sausage to the mix!

The Necessities:

~ 1 Large Can of Crushed Tomato

~ 5 Cups of Vegetable Broth

~ 2 Cans of Kidney Beans with Juice

~ 2 Cups of Zucchini (Diced)

~ 2 Cups of Carrot (Diced)

~ 1 Cup Onion (Diced)

~ 1 Cup Celery (Diced)

~ 3 Cups of Potato (Diced)

~ 4 Cloves of Garlic (Crushed)

~ 1 Cup of Green Beans (1/2 Inch Pieces)

~ 1 Cup of Barley

~ 1 Cup of Cheerio Shaped Pasta (Uncooked)

The Prep:

~ In large crockpot combine crushed tomato, veggie broth, kidney beans, zucchini, carrot, onion, potato, garlic. green beans and barley.

~ Mix well and set to cook on high for 6 hours.

~ When soup is almost finished, cook the pasta until al dente.

~ Mix pasta into soup before serving.

Freezer Option:

~ Allow soup to cool completely before mixing in the cooked pasta. This will ensure that the pasta will not become soggy.

~ Divide pasta into silicone muffin pans.

~ Freeze overnight,

~ Store in labeled freezer bags.

Our 9 Month Old Little Girl

So far we have managed to raise a beautiful little girl. Sydney is absolutely perfect in our eyes. At nine months old she is incredibly smart and is developing an amazing personality. She has filled our lives with perfect moments and stories we will never forget. We have captured every moment on camera and plan to continue to re-live everything for years to come.

Sydney is definitely on the move. She zooming around the house in a full out crawl and can pull herself up to a standing position on almost anything. This has meant quite a few bumps and bruises for our poor little one, but she is learning how to stabilize herself better.

At nine months, Syd is in the ninetieth percentile for height and weight. She is weighing in at over 21lbs and is about 74cm tall. She is wearing 12 month old clothes comfortably and is actually getting use out of all of her shoes.

We are quickly moving into toddler hood!

S

I Can Cook Anything!

The Necessities:
~ 1 Whole Chicken
~ Potatoes (Chopped)
~ Carrots (Chopped)
~ Onion (Chopped)
~ Garlic (Minced)
~ Salt & Pepper to Taste
~ Butter Mixed with Thyme
~ 350C
~ 1 Hour 40 Minutes

The Result:
An amazing, perfectly tender and juicy chicken dinner. Delicious. And so easy!

S