Tomato Bocconcini Salad

I’m a steadfast believer of making simple dishes found in restaurants at home for a fraction of the price. This definitely rings true for one of my favourite kinds of salads the Caprese salad. With it’s simplicity, even someone like me can make it. Serves 3-4 3 medium roma tomatoes, sliced (you may like different [...]

Photo 2012-05-13 17 46 14 Photo 2012-05-13 17 46 14

Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries

I adapted this recipe from The Kitchn. Obviously not as visually appealing as hers but still delicious. I halved the recipe since it was for Mothers Day and even half the recipe is a lot. I spent about $8 (however, I used organic ingredients which tend to be more expensive) for the entire batch of [...]

Photo 2012-05-13 17 54 05 Photo 2012-05-13 17 54 05

Soirette

Soirette is a little macaron shop open in the heart of Coal Harbour about 3 months ago. They specialize in macarons and tea (although they have two or three desserts like tiramisu available as well). My parents came down for a meeting and so I had some time to kill and took a stroll down Pender. This [...]

Photo 2012-05-10 14 59 26 Photo 2012-05-10 14 59 26

Potter’s Garden

It seems to me the best way to experience another culture’s delicious food is to either a) invite someone of that culture out for dinner or b) ask their opinion on what they think is the best place to go for an authentic experience. Since my list of Korean friends have been dwindling (since they’re [...]

Photo 2012-04-18 19 28 32 Photo 2012-04-18 19 28 32

Burger Heaven

On a spontaneous whim, I ended up here a couple nights ago. I was out with a friend and said I was craving a burger – he immediately said we’d be going to Burger Heaven. Okay! Burger Heaven is located in New West, it’s fairly close to the skytrain station but it’s probably best if [...]

Photo 2012-04-23 8 00 26 PM Photo 2012-04-23 8 00 26 PM

5 Foods to Eat While Gaming

May 16th, 2012 dee

Gamers! We all know a certain Blizzard game has touched down and a lot of time will be devoted to levelling up. It may not be like running a marathon but you may be sitting in front of your computer for a long length of time – which means you’ve got to keep hydrated and fed. And unfortunately, there are no super sweet desk setups where this may be possible! So I’m rounding up my 5 Foods to Eat While Gaming so that you can have healthy snacks and not stray too far from your game.

1) Coconut Water

(Photo from Core Performance)

If there are such things as ‘miracle’ foods, this would be my pick. Not only does it contain 2x-3x more electrolytes than energy drinks, it keeps you hydrated and has a sweet flavour that can substitute for pop. In some third world countries, coconut water is used for transfusions!

2) Popcorn

(Photo from EMA)

Popcorn can be a good snack if you cut out the butter and salt. But no fear, if you get plain popcorn there is plenty of ways to spice it up. Use salt and seasoning but not too much of it! My favourite is sprinkling wasabi powder in the bag and shaking it up. Yum.

3) Peanut Butter Cookies

(Photo from Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe Now)

You may be too involved to step off and make a peanut butter sandwich – so make these super super easy peanut butter cookies in advance (you only need sugar, peanut butter and 1 egg). Peanut Butter, although higher in calories curbs hunger and keeps you fuller for longer. Nosh on a couple of these and you should be set for a couple hours!

4) Kettle Potato Chips and Alternatives

(Photo from Nearof)

Of course, chips are not exactly the healthiest option but sometimes its the easiest to reach and simplest go to. If you’re craving chips, I recommend kettle made chips (as the way they are prepared is the most ‘healthiest’). Hardbite Potato Chips are pretty delicious, natural and made locally. You can also try making your own chips at home or having sweet yam or taro chips!

5) Frozen Grapes

(Photo from Stylish Cuisine)

If you’ve ever ventured to places like Kingyo or Suika – you’ll know this is the last part of your meal. Frozen Grapes are perfect for your sweet tooth and give a great crunch when you eat them. Rinse, dry, put on a cookie shoot and freeze. Transfer into a ziplock bag or airtight container and pop them back into the freezer if you’re not eating them right away.

Do you have any other healthy snacks you like to nosh on while gaming?

 

 

Happy gaming!

 

Photo 2012-05-13 17 46 14

Tomato Bocconcini Salad

May 14th, 2012 dee

I’m a steadfast believer of making simple dishes found in restaurants at home for a fraction of the price. This definitely rings true for one of my favourite kinds of salads the Caprese salad. With it’s simplicity, even someone like me can make it.

Serves 3-4
3 medium roma tomatoes, sliced (you may like different types of tomatoes depending on their sweetness)
2 big balls of boccocini, sliced
10-12 Fresh Basil leaves
Arugula leaves
Balsamic Vinegar, to taste
Olive Oil, to taste
Pepper (freshly ground pepper is better), to taste
Salt (coarse sea salt is better), to taste

Arrange a bed of arugula and sprinkle some olive oil and balsamic. then line up tomato slice, cheese slice, basil and repeat. Sprinkle sea salt and pepper on top and add some more olive oil and balsamic vinegar to your liking. Enjoy fresh!

Photo 2012-05-13 17 54 05

Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries

May 14th, 2012 dee

I adapted this recipe from The Kitchn. Obviously not as visually appealing as hers but still delicious. I halved the recipe since it was for Mothers Day and even half the recipe is a lot. I spent about $8 (however, I used organic ingredients which tend to be more expensive) for the entire batch of 20 strawberries.

4 ounces, good quality dark chocolate (I used Whole Foods’ Organic Dark Chocolate made especially for baking/melting)
1 pound fresh medium to large strawberries, rinse and pat dry (I used organic strawberries that were insanely huge and so sweet)
2 ounces good quality white chocolate (I used Whole Foods’ Organic White Chocolate made for melting)

1) Line a baking sheet with wax paper (my parents had none, so I used foil).

2) In the original recipe it says to melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set over a sauce pan of barely simmering water and then remove – but this gave me a lot of grief and I ended up using the saucepan with a tiny bit of water and melting it on low.

3) Dredge the strawberry (holding it by the stems) into the chocolate and place on the baking sheet. Put into the fridge for 15 minutes for chocolate to harden.

4) Melt the white chocolate. Use a small zip lock bag and set it in a drinking glass. Open the edges so you can pour the white chocolate into them. Seal the bag, pressing out any air.

5) Remove the strawberries from the fridge and condense them onto a plate or single baking sheet. Snip a tiny corner of the zip lock bag and squeeze gently over the berries.

6) Set the berries back in the fridge and take them out when ready to serve. Enjoy!!

Photo 2012-05-10 14 59 26

Soirette

May 14th, 2012 dee

Soirette is a little macaron shop open in the heart of Coal Harbour about 3 months ago. They specialize in macarons and tea (although they have two or three desserts like tiramisu available as well).

My parents came down for a meeting and so I had some time to kill and took a stroll down Pender. This place is literally nestled in Coal Harbour without much business around it.

I ordered six ($11.50, $22 for a dozen and $2 for one): Earl Grey Cassis, Rocher, Pistachio, Malibu, Caramel Fleur de Sel and Chocolate.

I tried the Rocher and Caramel Fleur de Sel immediately when I sat down. The Rocher had gold dust sprinkled on it so it was quite fancy. These macarons are quite different than the Thierry version- being crunchier and denser than fluffy and big.

The Caramel Fleur de Sel had a great taste- sweet caramel in the middle with a slight salty taste on top. This was probably my favourite of the bunch.

My parents enjoyed the rest. The lady at the counter was helpful and genuinely nice. I couldn’t see this place get very busy so it’s a nice quiet place to come with a friend if you’re around Stanley Park or Coal Harbour. There are three tables of two at this cafe and a little patio set outside as well, so on odd occasions, it might be hard to find a place to sit. I also heard that their lattes are great – including a lavender one (which seems to be getting very popular here in Vancouver), I didn’t have time to try it out but maybe if I’m down here next time!

 

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Soirette Macarons & Tea on Urbanspoon

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