"Absolute Best" Liver & Onions

Not!!!!  I really wanted to like liver, as it is high in iron and extremely cheap.  All of this meat was only $2.18.  It looked and smelled delicious, and I couldn't wait to try it.  However, I did not enjoy it one bit.  In fact, I can't think of a food that I dislike more, and I like most foods.  I am pretty sure I was gagging.  So unfortunately this one is not for me, however the reviews of this recipe rave about it - even for non-liver lovers.  Enjoy at your own risk!

Recipe from allrecipes.com:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/absolute-best-liver-and-onions/detail.aspx

Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

Almost forgot to post this one.  This is definitely my favourite creamy dressing recipe (coincidentally, it is also the only creamy salad dressing I have made).  The more garlic the better!  Sometimes there is so much garlic in there that it hurts.

The recipe is from my "Cook's Bible" cookbook:
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1.5 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
8 canned anchovies in oil
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp lemon juice
2/3 cup olive oil
4 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese

Using an electric hand blender (or normal blender or food processor), blend together garlic, mustard, worcestershire sauce, anchovies, egg yolk, and lemon juice until foaming.  Keeping the machine running, very slowly add the olive oil until mixture begins to thicken.  Stir in parmesan cheese and season with pepper.

Also great with homemade croutons which you can make with old bread, cut into small cubes, tossed with olive oil and minced garlic and baked in the oven.

Farmers' Market Treats

Nathan Phillips Square has a really nice farmers' market every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm.  Some of the more interesting things we picked up today are 2 kinds of fancy shmancy mushrooms (I can't remember what type they are), and sheep cheese in ash. I also like cucumbers from the market, as I find I can really taste the extra freshness and crunch!  The romaine lettuce will be used to make a caesar salad with homemade dressing - coming soon!

Spicy Red Lentil Soup - Iron Rich!

Well, this was going to be a spinach and lentil soup, but then I just started throwing leftovers from the fridge into the pot and now it's only a semi-iron rich soup.  I found out today that my iron is a bit low, so for the next few months I will be trying hard to make iron-rich foods.  Sounds like a fun challenge and excuse to make new recipes!
I started off following this recipe:  http://www.soscuisine.com/en/recipes/view/spicy-red-lentil-soup?sos_l=en

But then ended up throwing in things like a leftover salad and peas.  It will be interesting to eat the lettuce and cucumbers in there.  I think the coconut milk makes the soup taste great, reminds me of a Thai type of soup. 

Winning a Long-Standing Debate

My partner and I have had a long-standing debate about who is nerdier - I argue that he is nerdier, and he argues that I am.  He recently took this book out of the library, and I think it is suffice to say that I have won.

Hummus and Homemade Pita Chips

I made this hummus in my magic bullet - which also kindly minced up the garlic for me.  It is topped with za'htar - a Middle Eastern blend of oregano, thyme, basil, savoury, sesame seeds, and salt.  These pita chips are made from pitas cut into wedges, brushed with olive oil, and baked in the oven for a few minutes.  Yum!

Birthday Breakfast!

June 6th (night)

A:  What time are you waking up tomorrow?
B:  When my birthday breakfast is ready.