Cheaters Handbook: Roasted Asparagus & Blistered Cherry Tomato Couscous

Cheater, cheater, couscous eater! Here's an easy little cheat that comes in handy in the midst of those manic, weeknight rushes to get a well balanced meal on the table. Sometimes it can be a challenge to prepare a well rounded meal complete with a protein, a good serving of vegetables, and a carb when you're rushing home from work and the only thing on your mind is "I AM HANGRY!" The trick is to try and prepare yourself in advance. It's a great idea to take a bit of time out of your Sunday evening to prepare a healthy and flavourful side that will carry you through to mid-week, but let's face it, as simple as that sounds, sometimes planning ahead just isn't a reality. For those times when your hunger and lack of time forces you to think on your feet and come up with something ASAP before your hangry temper gets the best of you, here is a little trick to make a satisfying, tasty, and healthy side dish that provides you with both your serving of vegetables and carbs all in one! 

Couscous is insanely simple and fast to prepare when armed with a cheat. When time doesn't allow me to stir up a dressing, sauce, or flavouring of my own to season my couscous with, I like to go to the convenience section of my fridge which features an array of salad dressings for moments just like this. A few tablespoons of salad dressing can add a big hit of flavour to your couscous or even quinoa and takes all of 2 seconds! When matching your salad dressing to your couscous or quinoa dish, think of complimenting flavours. What vegetables are you putting into your couscous? What dressing will compliment those flavours as opposed to overpower them? Putting a bit of thought into the dish doesn't require much time, and will make a world of a difference in the final dish. 

Tip: Keep in mind that as your couscous sits, some flavour will dissipate, so make sure to over season just a touch so your leftovers will still have all those big bright flavours. 

Ingredients:
olive oil for cooking
1 cup cherry tomatoes
a handful of asparagus
4-5 tbsp Italian, Greek or other salad dressing of your choice
zest of 1 lemon
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
salt and fresh ground pepper
about 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped fine
1 cup couscous
1 cup vegetable broth (may substitute with chicken broth)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Place the couscous in a tupperware container large enough to fit both the couscous and water. When the broth comes to a boil add to the couscous-filled tupperware container, stir, and close tightly with a lid. Let sit for 5-minutes, fluff with a fork and set aside.
2. In a small skillet set to medium heat, warm about 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until blistered. Don't worry if some skins start to burst.
3. Set a grill-pan on the stove at medium heat, drizzle with olive oil and lay out the asparagus in one layer. Season generously with salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook until tender but still has a bit of a bite. Remove from pan and set aside. When asparagus is cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2-inch pieces. 
4. Stir 4 tbsp salad dressing into the couscous along with the cherry tomatoes, asparagus, lemon juice and zest, and basil. Taste and season with salt and pepper and additional salad dressing, if needed. Taste again and season one more time, if needed. Can stay in fridge for 1-week. 

Listening To:

Glass Animals - Gooey

{CONTEST} Summer Fresh Mother's Day Prize Pack

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and along with the panic of what to get or do for the most important woman in your life comes a flood of memories (for myself at least!) of many joyous Mother's Days of years past. My family always does something special for Mother's Day, but the Mother's Day memory that definitely stands out the most was from when I was probably in grade 5, right in the midst of my Spice Girls craze. My mom had invited over both of my grandmothers (my Oma and Baba) for a relaxing, home cooked meal, and my sister and I decided to contribute to the occasion by blaring Spice Girls "Mama" and forcing our mom, Oma, and Baba to dance around our living room with the song on repeat. Although this sounds like some cruel form of torture now, it was actually one of the most cherished memories I have of my two grandmothers, dancing and posing around my living room like the total glamazons that they are, while my sister, my mom, and I danced along with them, giggling up a storm. It was a moment that I will never forget.

This year Summer Fresh wants to celebrate all the lovely mama's out there with a special giveaway that will extend the day that brings attention to all the hard working mothers out there. Summer Fresh has gifted a lovely prize pack valued at $50 featuring $10 worth of coupons for free Summer Fresh products, a "Let's Get Fresh" apron, a professional spatula, and a $25 gift card to Terra Greenhouses to keep the Mother's Day love going after the big day on Sunday. So how can you win the Mother's Day prize pack? This contest is open to all GTA mama's and anyone who has a mama they would like to share the prize pack with! All you have to do is comment on this post telling me about your most memorable Mother's Day experience. The names of those who commented will go into a blind draw to select the winner and your prize pack will be delivered right to your front door! So what are you waiting for? Take a moment and share your favourite Mother's Day experience with me, and this awesome prize pack could be yours! 

Follow Summer Fresh on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest seasonal products!

Contest ends Monday May 12 at 12:00AM. No purchase necessary. No cash equivalent. Greenhouse gift card is for Terra Greenhouses. Gift card can not be substituted. Must be a resident of Toronto/GTA to enter. 

Listening To:

Albert Hammond Jr.  - St. Justice 

Borough Market AKA That Time I Fell In Love With A Market In London, England

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Borough Market signage; An assortment of gorgeous wild mushrooms; Beautiful green produce everywhere; Huge vats of freshly prepared curries.

When I came home from my incredible trip to the UK almost two months ago all I wanted to talk about was my last few days in London, England, which were filled with some of the most mind-shifting, sensory overloaded experiences of my life. I was so eager to share these unique experiences that my words would turn into a jumble of chaotic nonsense that only my boyfriend Chris, with whom I got to experience my UK adventure with, could understand. I was sure that writing would be the avenue that would allow me to properly articulate the feelings, sights, smells, tastes, and sounds that so pleasantly overwhelmed me in those last few days, but to my dismay, each time I sat in front of my computer, fingers poised at the keyboard, the words refused to come. Instead I would slip into a foggy, dreamy state, full of nostalgia as I took myself back into the vibrant Borough Market, with a cone full of cured meats in my hand; through the dark and eery rooms of Temple Studios, with my heart racing; squeezed into a corner in the incredibly packed Maple Leaf Bar, watching our Canadian women's hockey team take home the gold; perched on a couch sipping a bone marrow bloody mary at Lounge Bohemia; and surrounded by brute Brits, shouting inaudible chants at the Arsenal game. 

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Artichokes, and green onions, and parsnips OH MY; Mustard heaven; Olive heaven; Lord London cheese.

With back-to-reality-induced writers block, I kept putting off writing the entry I had previously been so fired up to write, to the point where I sit here now, over two months later, wondering where all that time went, and how I could possibly find the words to write anything of value about it now. So rather than wrack my brain to attempt to piece together all these memories, I give you a simple photo diary of my experience at the absurdly wonderful Borough Market, AKA where I publicly foodgasm'd for two hours. Despite National Geographic donning my familiar St. Lawrence Market with the crown of "top food market in the world", there is no doubt that London's Borough Market takes the cake...and the doughnut...and the spelt almond croissant...and the cheese...and the meat...and the fresh shucked oysters...and the hand-made gnocchi...and the fresh-pressed juice...and the-ok, you get the point. 

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Chicken, duck, and quail eggs; Fresh oysters; Cheese, glorious cheese; Olive heaven.

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Incredible dried meats; 4 pounds for meat cones? You had me at meat cones!; So much cheese; Meat cones, best idea! 

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Fantastic selection of unbelievably delicious and pillowy freshly-made stuffed pastas; Olive oil for days; Hope you're not a vegetarian; Fresh and light as a feather potato gnocchi in tomato sauce.

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Everything is better with burrata; Fresh-squeezed juice in every flavour imaginable; Melted cheese! MELTED CHEESE!; Look at the buffalo mozzarella oozing out of those sandwiches! JUST LOOK AT IT!

The best doughnut in existence! Why oh whyyy did the three of us split only one?! WHYYY?!?!

Listening To:

The Strokes - Reptilia

VOTE! Dairy Goodness Stuffed Pasta Challenge: Butternut Squash Cannelloni

Heeere we go again! I've enjoyed taking part in the Dairy Goodness Cream Challenge so much over the past few years, I decided to go out on a limb and compete in three challenges this year! For my second challenge I had to create a stuffed pasta recipe featuring the key ingredient, cream! From the moment I was confirmed to take part in the stuffed pasta challenge I knew exactly what I wanted to make, Butternut Squash Cannelloni! 

A few years ago I came up with a super quick version of a butternut squash cannelloni inspired by a whole bunch of leftovers in the fridge that needed to be used up, including roasted butternut squash, lasagna sheets, tomato sauce, and cottage cheese. That quick butternut squash cannelloni recipe was so simple and delicious, it's stayed with me all these years. As much as that quickie cannelloni was tasty, I wanted to take it up a notch with the addition of fresh cream, which I knew would transform this dish, giving it an even creamier flavour and texture. Although cannelloni seems like it would be very time consuming and requires many steps, this cannelloni recipe is actually very simple thanks to a no-cook cream sauce and a little day-prior prep. To save time the day of serving, I like to roast and puree my butternut squash and whirr up my cream sauce the day before, so all I have to do is assemble and bake for a comforting and delicious homemade stuffed pasta dinner that I would be proud to serve my friends and family. 

Please take a moment to check out my recipe and VOTE for a chance to win an 11-piece stainless steel Paderno cookware set! I was fortunate enough to win the Comforting Mac & Cheese Challenge this year with my French Onion Mac & Cheese recipe and received the gorgeous Paderno set, so I can vouch for how incredible the cookware set really is! Thanks to my new Paderno set I feel like I have so much more control over cooking my product, making the time I spend in my kitchen all the more enjoyable. 

Click here to VOTE for my Butternut Squash Cannelloni! 

Listening To:

Fleet Foxes - Battery Kinzie

Spring Clean Your Routine!

Though it may not seem like it, thanks to these chilly temperatures and stubborn snow, Spring is here! Before you can even think of spring cleaning your closet (because let's face it, there's no point putting away those boots and winter coat quite yet) take the time to spring clean your routine! Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, so what better time to take the opportunity to clean up your daily routine by introducing some positive changes that will leave you feeling spectacular inside and out!

1) Start each day with warm water with lemon & positive affirmations

Enjoying a mug of warm water with lemon every morning before your coffee or breakfast is a great way to boost your metabolism and flush toxins out of your system, not to mention kick start your hydration for the day. While you're waiting for the water to boil, make a point of looking in the mirror and talking to yourself (yup, I said talk to yourself!), look into your own face and remind yourself what you are grateful of about yourself and your life. Starting your day with positive affirmations will allow you to start your day on a positive note, and will help you keep that positive energy grooving through you all day long!

2) Resist technology

It's easy to get sucked into the vortex of emails and social media first thing in the morning, especially with so many of us using our phone as our alarm clock. I understand the feeling of wanting to get caught up with what is going on in the world right when you wake up, but this is also a way of stressing yourself out right smack at the start of your day. Resist. Allow yourself to enjoy the first half hour to an hour of your morning. Try starting your day with a few sun salutations, play music, sing (even if you fear driving your neighbors insane), think about what you are looking forward to about the day and not what you fear.

3) Go green

It's amazing how many vitamins and minerals are packed into dark green leafy vegetables, but with a busy and on-the-run schedule, it can sometimes be tricky to find a way to make those green wonders apart of your daily diet. To make sure that I am getting enough dark green leafy veg in my diet each day I always make sure to keep my fridge stocked with lots of fresh spinach, whatever berries I can get my hands on, and fresh or frozen bananas. Making a green smoothie is super quick, easy, and will leave you feeling energized and invigorated! No time to make one during your busy day? Whirr one up the evening before to have ready in the fridge before you head out the next morning. I like to make my green smoothies with one or two big handfuls of fresh spinach, one banana, 3-4 strawberries, a tablespoon of chia seeds, and about 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup orange juice or coconut milk. I promise, you will hardly taste the spinach but it will do wonders for your body!

4) Take time to write

Keeping a diary isn't just for schoolgirls with heart-wrenching crushes. Keeping a journal is a great way to get to know yourself, vent, keep your goals on track, and understand what the heck is going on in that complicated head of yours. Don't let yourself feel silly about writing in it, remember that this is just for you. It's about the process of writing not about re-reading past entries (which we all know can feel incredibly embarrassing). 

5) Sweat

Force yourself to get active in an activity that you enjoy. Dance, run, do yoga or pilates, take a kickboxing class, go cycling, hike, whatever! Just do something that you find fun and allows your body to move and sweat out the toxins trapped within it. Taking part in physical activity will not only help your overall body health, but the health of your mind as well, raising your endorphins and self confidence! How much activity is enough? For lower impact activity you will have to put in more time (60-minutes), for moderate activity you should be putting in anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, and for high impact activity you can do as little as 20 to 30 minutes. Make sure to get that 20-60 minutes in at least 3 times a week for the best inside and out results. 

6) Scrub-a-dub-dub 

With shorts, skirts, dresses, and bathing suits on the way you want your skin looking its best, so take the time once or twice a week to scrub your body to reveal silky and glowing skin. More and more research is coming to light about the positive effects of dry skin brushing such as its detoxifying effects, how it can help prevent and get rid of cellulite, stimulate your circulation, and more! So how does one skin brush? It's easy! Invest in an all-natural skin brush from a health store, and in the morning before you step into the shower lightly brush your dry skin in a circular motion, starting from your feet and moving all the way up to the top of your neck. If you're not into the idea of skin brushing, why not use an exfoliating scrub. My favourite is an all-natural Olive Wash & Exfoliant that I brought home with me on my trip to Israel a couple years ago. Though you can purchase this scrub online and have it delivered to your home, I bought mine in the olive oil mill where it is made. The scrub, which is made primarily from olive pulp, smells fresh and delicious, leaves my skin incredibly soft and glowing, and has also helped to get rid of my acne (yup, you can even use it on your face as this product is an exfoliant, cleanser, and toner all in one!). If you're on a budget, it's easy to make your very own customized scrub right at home! Simply combine coffee grinds, sea salt, coconut oil, brown sugar, and baking soda to scrub all over your skin while showering. 

Listening To:
Broken Bells - Holding On For Life