For me, the best part of celebrating Lunar New Year is hands down the food (the lucky red pockets are a *very* close second). My extended family gets together at my grandma's house and we all dress in red (a colour that signifies good luck—it's supposed to scare off the bad spirits!) to celebrate. Every…
Author: Lara B
Lara Jean’s Cake Batter Cookies
To All the Boys: Always and Forever officially arrives on Netflix today, and *of course* I had to bake a signature Lara Jean recipe to celebrate! I can't host an in-person viewing party this year, but I plan on dropping these off to my friends so that we can all eat and enjoy them as…
Seared Scallop Pasta with Parsley & Burst Tomatoes
Lately I’m really trying to make dinner recipes that feel special. Now that I’m cooking pretty much every meal at home throughout quarantine, it’s so easy to make the same pantry meals on autopilot without putting any creativity into it. Even as someone who loves cooking, the monotony is cooking every single meal, every single…
Continue reading ➞ Seared Scallop Pasta with Parsley & Burst Tomatoes
Carrot, Apple & Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk
Times of distress call for soup, but there’s only so much chicken noodle one can consume, so I created this bright, inviting carrot soup to inject a little more happiness into my quarantine days. I’ve been subscribing to a local Toronto produce delivery box and it’s amazing (check out Foodshare Toronto), but since the box…
Continue reading ➞ Carrot, Apple & Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk
Forbidden Rice with Sweet Potatoes, Bell Peppers and Scallions
This is one of my favourite recipes of all time (and I don't say that lightly!) As someone who grew up eating exclusively jasmine rice, I was completely shocked when I first tried forbidden rice (also known as black japonica rice). The texture and flavour are subtly different, and I love its slightly sticky consistency.…
Continue reading ➞ Forbidden Rice with Sweet Potatoes, Bell Peppers and Scallions
Mini Spanakopita Triangles
Lately I’ve been looking for my cooking projects that can keep my hands (and my mind) busy. I find endless crimping and folding really soothing (dumplings are also great for this). I decided to whip up some spanakopita with pre-made phyllo dough that I had in my freezer. While there's a special place in my…
Bacon, Cheese & Scallion Scones
Social distancing is officially the phrase of the week, and I’m doing everything I can to make my extended time at home as cozy and comforting as possible. My favourite local bakery is closed for the foreseeable future, so I stocked up on baking supplies and decided to whip up these scones with some leftover…
Gingery Soba Noodle Salad with Crispy Salmon
Soba noodles were a big discovery for me - they’re made with buckwheat so they’re way higher in protein and vitamins than your average noodle, plus they’re gluten-free and have a super satisfying texture and a rich, earth flavour that goes with just about everything. This is one of my go-to meals when I’m craving…
Continue reading ➞ Gingery Soba Noodle Salad with Crispy Salmon
Lemony Mussel Linguine with Garlic & Parsley
One of my food goals for 2020 is to cook with more sustainable seafood to a) get out of my comfort zone in the kitchen and b) eat a more sustainable diet (because the planet is burning, you guys!) This Mussel Linguine is a direct result of that goal, and I’m *so* happy with how…
Continue reading ➞ Lemony Mussel Linguine with Garlic & Parsley
Roasted Cauliflower & Mushroom Soup
I think this is my favourite soup I’ve ever made (and that’s saying something, because I really love my Creamy Mushroom Kale Soup!) The texture and flavours of the mushrooms, thyme and roasted cauliflower compliment each other so well. It’s rich without being too heavy. It’s the perfect soup to have with a crusty piece…