Chucks Burger Bar

This new little gem popped up on Locke Street, this year, as soon as the weather turned warm. It is a trendy little spot with exposed brick walls and chic urban seating, but the FOOD is what is worth talking about.

I honestly didn't even look at their menu beyond Veggie Burger and sweet potato fries. I heard they had a mean burger so I had to try it, and I wasn't disappointed. Biting into the patty, I saw fresh vegetables like zucchini sprinkled throughout the mix. I think they deep fried the patty, to hold it together, because it wasn't like a traditional veggie burger, it had softer texture. I will have to ask them next time!


The Burger was wrapped in butchers paper with a cool little sticker to keep it closed, I love those little touches. I topped my burger off with micro-greens, a lime BBQ sauce, and all the usual toppings. Next time I will try more because they have about 30 different toppings to choose from. The bun was classic with sesame seeds and everything. We got our little to-go bag and happily returned home to enjoy it over an episode of Hero's.

And delicious sweet potato fries, but who can mess that up!

Whole Wheat Bread

Steve and I attended a Bread Baking coures at a local college today. I thought we would be guided through the proper skills and techniques of kneading and creating beautiful bread. I had dreamed about it. It was actually more like home economics in High school, just a few photocopies and little direction.

The result was rather pleasant... once we escaped from class!

I am not just saying this because its our bread, because i've made quite a bit of bread in my day, but this is the most amazing bread I have ever tasted. It is just perfect. We even improvised by sprinkling oats over the top right before baking. With 3 slices across the tops for good measure.

As soon as I got home, I started making split pea soup with quinoa. We ate the soup with slices of fresh bread we kneaded ourselves. We didn't even toast it, just a thin layer of butter.

We are so proud!

If anyone is looking to do a bread trade, I think that would be fun

The alien : Brussel

Oh the little cabbage head known as the Brussel Sprout.

Everyone knows this little green alien, kids hate them and some adults even fear them! But there is nothing to fear because they are so tasty. Ok, Ok, I know some of you have been tormented by Brussels boiled for so long that they are more grey than green and turn into baby food in your mouth, so I understand. But the time has come to learn how to make these little cabbage heads yourself!

Step #1: Buy brussel sprouts, Take them home, read this post

Step #2: Wash brussels, trim ends and peel off any sad looking leaves.

Step #3: Roast or Steam until fork tender (which means as soft as you'd like)

Step #4: Eat them and be amazed that they taste as good as they look





I tossed these in some oil, dropped them on the pan, seasoned them with a little sea salt and pepper (not sea pepper). Then I roasted them at 400F for about 15 mins. Roasting them gives them deeper flavour with some crispy leaves on the edges. When they were done I put them in a bowl with some Teriyaki tofu cubes and some Daiya cheese. Mmmmmm

Salad at Dueling Pianos

This was such a busy day. We brought our little kitty in to be spayed, and me being the nervous Mom who has never brought an animal in for surgery, I was stressed all day. Then upon bringing her home and seeing her big stitched incision, it was hard for me to think about anything else but her. So I ended up being really really hungry by dinner time.

It was also my best friends Birthday, the big 25! So I hit the shower and drove through torrential rain to get to Dueling Pianos in Oakville. We didn't end up eating until about 8:30pm, so that might have had some influence on my taste buds, but this was THE BEST SALAD! Just think of a Lion devouring a Zebra on the African plains, and that was me eating this salad. The presentation was beautiful and the dressing, a simple balsamic, was incredible.

The rest of the night was laughs, clapping and a pomegranate martini.

Fiddle Heads

These are a very illusive food group. The moment you see them in the market you have to grab them because they are only available for a few days a year. I can't believe it but this past week was the first time I have ever eaten fiddle heads. I filled a big paper bag and excited marched to the cash register.

I already knew how to make them, from all the stories I have heard from friends and family... "sauteed in butter they are the best" . It sounded like a plan. I trimmed the ends just a little, gave them a rinse and then threw them into the cast iron pan with a little butter and vegetable oil. They only take a few minutes. What do they taste like? Smell like? Steve and I both agree, they taste like GREEN. We love Green so they were as impressive as they have always sounded.

If you see Fiddle Heads... BUY THEM AND EAT THEM QUICK!

The B.L.A.T

This day was perfect. It was a Saturday.

I drove to work which meant I had to car to drive around at lunch + I had a gift certificate for KIND Food + It was a beautiful sunny day

I stopped for lunch at Kind Food which is conveniently right down the road from where I work. This is their B.L.A.T and its vegan. Yep! Vegan bacon bits, with avocado, vegan mayo, tomato, and lettuce on sour dough bread. It is one of the best things I have ever eaten. I paired it with a Cesar salad a kombucha soda and a huge brownie, which I brought home to share with Steve.

I always bring my lunch, but once and in a while it is nice to have a surprise lunch in the middle of the work day.

If you are in Burlington, Ontario. Go to Kind Food on John street, almost at the corner of Lake shore.

Ginger Carrot Rissotto

Did Easter go by incredibly fast for anyone else? I didn't even eat an Easter egg! I haven't sat down in front of milk and beans for a few days now and its terrible. Where does my time go when I am not watching it, into the sink, I think. I have had so many delicious meals over the last few weeks. Birthdays and dinner parties are the best way to share food and try new things.

Most of the time we eat simply. I am extra happy when I have leftovers from a meal, so I can eat them the next day at work. This risotto is the best day-after meal you can have. I add a little splash of water and toss it in the toaster oven in a Pyrex dish.


I love to cook, but sometimes I look at the dirty dishes in the sink, the clutter in the fridge and the time on the clock, and I just want to get take-out, so I can wait for it while I am laying on the couch. I don't know why some days just take it out of me more than others. Risotto is one of those meals that I can whip up with barely anything in the fridge and it always tastes great.


1 cup arborio rice
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup white wine
1 inch nub fresh ginger
6 carrots, grated
1 small onion, about 1/3 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 handful fresh baby spinach, chopped roughly
1 tbsp butter
salt & pepper to taste

• In a large saute pan heat a few tbsp of vegetable oil
  
• saute ginger garlic and onions on medium until soft.
• Add rice and continue stirring for 1 minute
• Add wine and stir until liquid is gone
• Add grated carrot and 1 cup of stock
• Continue stirring until stock has reduced. Add 1 cup of stock every time it looks dry until rice is tender, about 25mins.
• When rice is a few minutes away from perfect add spinach, butter and salt and pepper to taste.

Dig IN!

Cupcakes from KIND Food

Steve turned 32 today! So I picked up a few of these treats from KIND Food in Burlington, for the party.

They are vegan and gluten free!
Coconut macaroon, Chocolate mint, Red Velvet, Mexican hot chocolate, Dulce de leche, Raspberry Lemon, Chocolate cream

They taste exactly as good as they look and sound. We were all so happy to share these, everyone could eat them which is important to me, when food allergies are in play.