HAPPY EASTER .. Deviled Egg Chicks 🐣

April 1, 2022May 8, 202220 Comments

Classic Deviled Eggs Plus+ Baby Yoda and Dragon Eggs !

We are bringing back the Classics: Deviled Eggs. Here is the 2022 version. Trending avocado and veganaise deviled eggs brings us right into the 21st century. Kids and adults embrace these healthy sides!

In this video, substitute dried black currents for the pepper corn to make the eyes.

Classic Deviled Eggs

Servings: 6
Time: 20mins
Difficulty: easy
Print

INGREDIENTS
6 large eggs
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or veganaise)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or Keens mustard powder)
1 Teaspoon of butter
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salt, to taste
Optional: 1 to 2 dashes Tabasco sauce, to taste (cayenne pepper/ chili powder)
Garnish: Paprika & Chives
Whole fresh chives, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:

Gently place room temperature eggs in boiling water and boil for 10 minutes. Remove and place in ice cold water.

Prep the eggs:
Peel the cooled eggs. Slice each egg in half, lengthwise. Gently remove the yolk halves and place in a small mixing bowl. Arrange the egg white halves on a serving platter. Slice a small amount of white from the bottom of the egg to steady the egg half -if you need it.

Make the filling:
Using a fork, mash up the yolks and add mustard, mayonnaise, soft butter, salt, pepper OPTIONAL: Add heat – tobasco, cayenne pepper, etc.. Add more mayonnaise, yogurt or sour cream as necessary to get to the creamy consistency you want.

Pipe or spoon mixture into egg white halves:
Pipe through a piping bag (star tip) or simply use a spoon to put the egg yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Sprinkle with paprika.

FAMILY FUN in the kitchen!

Suggestion: Poppy Seeds, Black Sesame Seeds, Dried Currents ( in place of pepper corns), Celery, Red, Yellow, Green Peppers And Black Olives For Decoration.

Recipe start 1/3 into the video -One version of Yoda Deviled eggs ..and a good one!

You can make these Deviled Egg “Chicks” with your kids.
Add dill, wheat grass, chives or curly parsley for CRAZY looking hair.

Use your imagination with veggies and herbs to dress up your egg-y chicks!

EGGS are a great food to include in family meals. They are an inexpensive form of protein and they contain fat, which is essential for brain development in little ones. Try Greek yogurt [ or half mayo and half yogurt or sour cream] instead of 100% mayonnaise. Other healthy additions are spinach purée, mashed sweet potatoes, beets and avocado!

What are Organic Eggs? These eggs use chickens that are fed no animal byproducts and do not live in cages.

VARIATIONS

PICKLED TURMERIC -DEVILED EGGS

To get the yellow eggs, PICKLE cooked and peeled eggs in a jar with of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water and 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder for 1 hour or overnight. Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric and a dash of cumin ( 1/8 tsp) to the recipe when you mix the yolks. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Pickled BEET JUICE – Deviled Eggs

Peel The cooked eggs and marinated in beet juice & vinegar (half and half) for all 6 eggs for 3 hours or overnight. I have made these eggs and they have a very small hint of vinegar. If I make pickled beets, I always save the juice for my pickled eggs.

Dragon Eggs….GOLD MEDAL WINNER! 🥇

DRAGON (Deviled) Eggs – No Mayo!

My favourite way to make deviled eggs is to substitute the mayo with 1/2 large or one small avocado plus about one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to prevent the avocado from turning brown too quickly. Avocado will start to brown (oxidize) after it is exposed to air. Serve immediately. The result is a gorgeous colour, and it tastes delicious. I call them Green Dragon Eggs instead of Deviled Eggs.

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, dragon eggs are a hit! Get your kids involved to help make Harry Potter’s Dragon Eggs! You can read “Philosopher’s Stone” together ~when Hagrid won a dragon’s egg from a stranger he met down at the Hog’s Head pub in Hogsmeade. Great fun!

For adults: **Sriracha and cayenne pepper** will put fire 🔥 in your mouth! ♥️ Red gel adds a flaming colour! 🔥

FOOD TIP: Mayo-less deviled eggs are perfect for guests with raw egg allergies. VEGANAISE or AVOCADOS cream up the yolks. Boil or steam eggs with a tablespoon of vinegar or baking soda for best results. Peas and mint adds another dimension to the eggs. Natural dragon dyes: beet juice & blueberry juice. Add 1 tsp. of juice to the yolk mixture. For lighter shades, adding water to the beet juice gives a lighter pinkish color; same for blueberries.

How do you like My Easter Baskets (Stabilize the eggs by cutting a small slit at the bottom of the cooked egg before placing on the platter)

Easter Sunday ⛪ April 17, 2022

SUPER BOWL Super Snacks! Super Tasty!

February 5, 2017April 9, 202017 Comments

MEXICAN SHREDDED CHICKEN
This is a perfect snack while watching SUPER BOWL LIVE on Sunday.
I used the spice mix featured in my HOLIDAY GIFT Spice Jars that Is used in this Mexican shredded chicken recipe from Always Hungry? ..by renowned Harvard endocrinologist Dr. David Ludwig. See the full story on Ambition Nutrition. Dr. Ludwig returned to Toronto where his wife Chef Dawn demonstrated some of the wonderful recipes from his book . The Mexican chicken dish was a big hit! I have already made it four times because it is so fast and ‘very’ easy to make! Bonus: kids love it!
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INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 pounds)
spice mix:
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin (grind you own in a mortar and pestle)
1/2 teaspoon powdered red chili i.e. Ancho, chile de arbol or New Mexican
Dash of Cayenne pepper ~ or ~ to taste
1 teaspoon salt (use Kosher or sea salt )
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix the spices together in a plastic bag. Add the olive oil and combine. Add the chicken and evenly coat. You can refrigerate this overnight.
Film the frying pan with 1/16″ oil and set over moderately high heat. When very hot but not smoking place the chicken in the pan in one layer without crowding.
Cover; cook turning regularly especially in the beginning, until the oil and juices from the chicken begin to make a sauce. Add water as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, to keep the mixture from burning or sticking. Cook until the chicken is cooked throughout, 15 to 20 minutes. Using two forks, shred the chicken in the pan, pulling along the grain to create thin strands. Shredding the chicken disperses more flavour.
Continue to heat the shredded chicken, stirring frequently, until the liquid and spices have been absorbed and thicken, another 3-5 minutes.

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Total time: 25 to 30 minutes
Makes 6 servings (about 3 cups)
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze for longer storage.

A VARIETY OF SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Chicken is so tender, juicy and versatile. You can serve it in a myriad of ways.
(1) A filling for tacos
(2) Casseroles, Mexican lasagna
(3) Tortilla or quesadillas (topped with guacamole or sour cream)
(4) Mexican Shredded chicken on pita bread
(5) Chicken salad with tortilla chips, avocado and red peppers
(6) Pizza

FOOD TIP: After removing the cooked chicken from my pan, I added cream (or use water) to the hot pan along with pink peppercorns and started swirling the pan to loosen all the tasty bits in the fry pan. I poured the cooled mixture into a glass mason jar. After a day in the fridge, I stored the sauce in the freezer. If you use chicken thighs with the bone in then toss the bones into a pot of water with leftover vegetables like carrot tops or the core of a cauliflower (save it all ) for a healthy, home-made chicken stock.

DID YOU KNOW?
WHAT GIVES MEAT ITS COLOUR ? The reddish colour of dark meat comes from the myoglobin, a hemoprotein (an oxygen-carrying protein) The more myoglobin, the darker the meat and the richer the nutrients. Myoglobin provides muscles with the oxygen they need during exercise or movement. The flightless chicken use their ‘myoglobin’ legs to get around pumping those muscles into a red ‘myogloben’ frenzy. I bet some of you didn’t know that.

100 g (3.5 ounce) of skinless chicken thigh = 7 g of fat.
100 g (3.5 ounce) of skinless chicken breast = 3.6 g of fat.
100 g (3.5 ounce) of chicken wings = 8 g of fat. A raw chicken wing weighs approximated 3 ounces, or 89 grams

DARK MEAT IS RICHER IN NUTRIENTS THAN WHITE MEAT: CHICKEN THIGHS contain protein, niacin, phosphorous, Vitamin A, K, D, B6, B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc (protects immune system) and iron. Niacin helps to build and maintain healthy skin, and aids in the digestion and absorption of food. Vitamin B6 is needed for protein metabolism and amino acid synthesis. Keep in mind that the darker the meat the more nutrition in the meat.

A Night to Remember

September 24, 2016September 28, 201611 Comments

THE 3rd ANNUAL FOOD COURT SOCIAL
Presented by the Slaight Family Foundation
A fractured arm while sailing in Newport, Rhode Island did not stop me from attending this star-studded event last night. Our chefs today are stars! Budding Michelin stars that is. We have to partly thank the Internet for connecting so many ‘foody’ connoisseurs around the world and share some great food! Our blogs open the window to these talented chefs. George Brown College has great culinary courses with the talented Chef John Higgins (Director) at the helm. This evening of extraordinary food made by extraordinary chefs was held in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for education and training new chefs at George Brown Chef’s school!

“Appetite for Change. One bite at a time”

Thursday September 22^nd 2016
7:00pm – 11:00pm
George Brown College Waterfront Campus, 51 Dockside Drive, Toronto

The Canadian Chef’s Menu is mouth-watering!

What’s best at the waterfront is seafood. Chef Anthony Rose, Rose and Sons prepared this feast.

I eagerly tasted the culinary treats from most of the chefs that night!

Chef John Higgins (first chef awarded the Toronto Arts Culinary Award) believes in the FORMULA: Passion + Hard Work = A Very Good Chef! You have to love food. Only a true foody need apply. Otherwise, it is not fun because of the long hours in the kitchen, chopping, simmering and arranging fresh market delights.

Chef John Higgins and Eva, with my broken arm

Chef John Higgins and Eva, with my broken wing

Chef John Higgins and G.B. Chefs in the Making

The environmentalist Chef Michael Stadtländer was one of the great chefs that night. Chef Stadtländer promotes and believes in farm to table dishes. Take a pilgrimage to his Eigensinn Farm where the freshest dishes are available for your dining pleasure. An internationally celebrated destination for gourmets.

Chef Michael Stadtländer and Eva

Chef Stadtländer made a butternut squash soup just in time for thanksgiving celebrations. The pickled beet garnish was the pièce de résistance that really did it. Also, the meatball stuffed with cheese which came gushing out was divine .
I have been wined and dined this evening. Now it is time to hobble home.
Bon appetite!

Better Than Swedish Meatballs

October 23, 2015February 21, 201610 Comments

Another great comfort food for game day and those cold winter nights! Everybody loves meat balls! Swedish meatballs are famous possibly because of IKEA . Better than Swedish meatballs are Finnish meatballs. I make them in quantity, serve them or make ahead and freeze until the big event! Deeeelicious!

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INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup cream or milk
1 pound lean ground meat
1/2 pound ground pork
1 onion, minced
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons butter for frying
1 tablespoons minced parsley
1 cup milk and 2 tablespoons flour (optional for sauce)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak the bread crumbs in cream.
2. Mix together the ground beef, ground pork, minced onions and soaked bread crumbs.
3. Mix together the beaten eggs, salt, allspice and minced parsley. Add to the meat mixture and combine well but do not overwork.
4. With about 1 teaspoon of the mixture, form meatballs avoiding “packing” the meat, which makes for tough meatballs. Melt butter in a frying pan and put in the meatballs a few at a time. Shake the pan to swirl the meatballs, cooking them on all sides.
5. After all the meatballs are fried return them to the pan and cook another 25 minutes or alternatively place in a 300F oven for 25 minutes.

It’s all in the SAUCE!
WHITE SAUCE: You can add a few tablespoons of flour to the drippings in the frying pan, cook and then add a cup of milk to make a white sauce to serve with the Finnish meatballs*.
BROWN SAUCE: is served with Swedish meatballs.
*The single addition of the ground allspice is what really elevates the Finnish meatballs.

These Finnish Meatballs Are Rough Looking Because They Are Soft And Tender As Any Tenderloin Steak!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS ( TIPS ): As a main course, Scandinavian MEATBALLS are classically served with lingonberry preserves, cucumber salad and dilled or mashed potatoes. For a crowd of people, you can serve these savory meatballs as a snack or an appetizer. You simply leave the meatballs in a slow cooker for hours and let people help themselves. Place shish kabob fine wood skewers in a glass next to the meatballs. Let people help themselves. Include assorted raw vegetables as finger food; sticks of raw celery, carrots, bell peppers (not ghost peppers), cucumbers and green beans (slightly blanched). If you make the meatballs ahead of time, they are just as tasty reheated on game day! These meatballs are high in protein and will keep you going for hours.
VARIATION: Mix chopped spinach into your meatball mixture before constructing the meatballs. Once I tried it for fun and I got future requests. It’s actually quite good!

YOUR FOODIE TIP
Do you have garlic smell on your fingers when you have finished handling garlic while cooking? Or, onion odour on your fingers after chopping onions?
You can either:
1) Scrub your fingers
2) Purchase a stainless steel bar and wash your fingers gently with this bar.
3) Rub your fingers along the back of your stainless steel knife.

Pick no 3. Rub your fingers along the back length of the knife! Grasping the knife with all 5 fingers ~ see diagram . You’ve got a knife in your hand anyway. You will save on the cost and having to store the stainless steel bar or won’t be scrubbing your skin until it’s red. Your fingers will be immediately wonderfully odourless! It only take a second.

Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust ~ Healthy Back to School Snack!

September 11, 2015February 21, 20168 Comments

Your hungry kids need a snack when they come home from school. Surprise them with gluten free CAULIFLOWER CRUSTED PIZZA! I tested a few variations for a cauliflower pizza in my foody lab (kitchen). In one version, I used ground almonds in the crust. It had a grainy consistency. Perfect for a base as an appetizer or an hors d’oeuvres. Thumbs down for a kid’s pizza. In another version, I combined eggs and cauliflower plus my magic flavorings. My friend’s kids eyebrows went up on the first bite. Mikey likes it! A home run!

Here is the healthy, yummy RECIPE
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INGREDIENTS
1 cauliflower medium head about 2 lbs.
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup shredded part-skim milk mozzarella
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375F
2. Wash and cut the cauliflower into florets and place in your food processor along with the garlic cloves. Pulse until fine, like rice.
3. Place cauliflower in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out all liquid until very dry.
4. Place the cauliflower in a clean bowl and combine with mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, eggs, thyme, oregano, pepper and salt.
5. Place the cauliflower mix on a pizza pan (or baking sheet) lined with parchment and spread evenly with fingers or a rolling pin.

6. Bake in the oven until the crust is crisp and the edges are golden, about 25-30 minutes.
7. Allow the cauliflower to cool slightly while you assemble the toppings.
8. Add your favourite sauce and toppings. I used my baked tomato sauce as a topping.

9. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly; about 15-20 minutes longer.

I left the kitchen and came back to take a picture of a slice and the pizza was all gone! The kids said the pizza monster was here . I enlarged part of the whole pizza to show you the added ham -for all you Carnevours. This veggie+(ham) powered pizza needs to make its way into your kitchen. Kids learn about gluten and grains from school. They may look forward to a gluten-free pizza. Today’s food buzz is “cauliflower” crusted pizza. Even though it has been around for a few years, there are still some people that have never heard of it. What’s neat is that it doesn’t taste like cauliflower.
FOOD TIP: Place a piece of parchment on top of the cauliflower mix and move a rolling pin over it. This will give you and even crust guided by the edges of the pizza pan. Make this crust in advance and refrigerate (up to 4 days). You can add the sauce and toppings later on. Use Asiago cheese in place of the mozzarella. Toppings: Add prosciutto, crushed red pepper flakes and basil (my favourite). YUM!

How do you fit parchment into a circular pan? First measure the diameter of the pan. Fold the parchment several times like you did when making a snowflake cut out in school and then cut to half the diameter of the pan. The parchment will now fit your pizza or cake pan.