Eggs with Tomato Sauce on Toast - Breakfast in Italy

Eggs are a weekend staple for breakfast and most of us have made the usual omletes, benedicts, fried, scrambled and everything in between. I remember seeing this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network a few years ago and have made my version of it many times since.

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Chicken in Coconut Mango Salsa Verde Sauce - The 4 S's

I came across this recipe while purusing Pinterest and it is featured on a great food blog called Carlsbad Cravings.

This looked like a great fusion of Thai and Mexican flavours and seemed to hit a variety of taste notes like sweet, sour and spicy. Best of all, you basically throw a bunch of ingrediants into a blender to make the sauce and fry the rest in a pan, combine and plate with your favourite grain.

So how did mine turn out?

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Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Hummus - 7 minute dinner!

My apartment is unbearably hot right now. When I arrived home from work yesterday, there was no way in hell that I was going to turn on any appliance that generates heat. But a girl still needs to eat so you know what they say:

"Necessity is the Mother of invention"
                                                        - Plato

Now some of you may have tried lettuce wraps before and they are definitely a heathly option where you can really play around with the filling. You could get really fancy and cook up a Thai  or Greek version, but I was not down for that so I came up with the easiest, laziest recipe for lettuce wraps on the entire Internet! * This may not be true

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Easy Ricotta Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach - First try, first impression

I have been YouTube obsessed lately and I have the data bill to prove it! I am actually really into Beauty vloggers even though I am pretty basic with ma face. They do wonders with makeup and I love seeing all of the products they try out. I do subscribe to a few "Lifestyle" vloggers and I came across THIS vlog from Youtuber Nikki Phillippi, on some healthy lunch ideas. I think she does a great job putting these "What I Eat" type vlogs together as she always packs in the healthy stuff and the meals inspire me to try something new...... Which I did today!

So, I have never made this before but I attempted the Italian Pasta Salad which is one of the dishes that Nikki tested. I made it as a hot dish for dinner, then the leftovers I ate cold the next day for lunch. I also added a few spices because spices are.... the spice of life? Ugh lame.

So was it easy? Did it taste like slop? Will I ever make this again? Answers will unfold as we dive in....

So here we go!

Along with YouTube, this pasta is also a new obsession. I love the texture of it and it really just cradles whatever sauce you use to perfection!

Had to get in some Nikkie Tutorials while my pasta was cooking

Taking the tip from Nikki P to make sure to add the spinach while the pasta was still hot, I added it right back into the hot pot to whilt nicely. I just drained the pasta, placed it back in the pot that is still super HAWT and then added the spinach and ricotta so they melt into a gooey goodness.

The verdict...........
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SO GOOD! This turned out really well; it was creamy but light and anytime tomatoes and cheese are in the mix, you have me at hello. I will say, you will have to like the texture of ricotta cheese to like this dish. You could omit the ricotta if you find it goopy, no judgment!

I would definetly make this again and the only thing I would change is I would add a little EVOO before I add the spinach and ricotta as I think it would smooth out the sauce a bit.

I also made the Mexican Quinoa bowl that Nikki enlightened me to in her vlog; that post and my thoughts coming soon! 

Follow me on Snapchat (mm96bj) and Instagram for more food!

print recipe

Easy Ricotta Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach

by Nikki Phillippi / Melissa MacKenzie July-26-2016

Found on YouTube, made it my own. Its so easy, you will want to make it and eat it on the daily. You can eat this hot or cold.

Ingredients

• 2 Plum tomatoes (diced)
• 1/2 pkg Pasta (any kind you like)
• 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesean Cheese (shredded)
• 2 large handfuls Baby spinach
• 1 tsp Oregano (dried)
• 1/2 - 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

- Cook the pasta according to package directions- While pasta is cooking, dice the tomatoes and watch a YouTube video or two- Once pasta is cooked, drain quickly (leaving the pasta a little wet), place back in the pot you cooked it in, quickly throw in the baby spinach and ricotta. Leave the lid on for a minute to heat up the ricotta and whilt the spinach. I left the pot over the hot but turned off burner.- Place the tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder to the pot and stir thoroughly.- Sprinkle the parmesean in the pasta and stir lightly.- Add some shaved parmesean over top, serve and enjoy!

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 20 mins Yield: 2 meal, 4 side

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Spinach Summer Salad with Sweet Potato - Winging It!

I came across this super old Pin of mine and was keen on making this salad for dinner this week. Great, so I clicked the link and it turns out that instead of a recipe, I am taken to a blog post outlining a festive Christmas event, where the food was CATERED! So no recipe.    
Pushing past my disappointment, I decided to create my own recipe for a similar salad; so off to the grocery store I went. I picked up baby spinach, real maple syrup, pecans, goat cheese, Dijon mustard and sweet potatoes.

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Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad: Living for it!

It has been a minute since I have posted. I wish I had an excuse that my life has been so fabulously busy leaving no time but that's not the case. Just plain laziness!

This recipe has been a staple the last month as it just screams summer and I love these flavours; basically anything with Mediterranean in the title is my jam. It is inspired by Closet Kitchen's Mediterranean Pasta Salad, but I have adjusted it just a bit to make it slighter easier to make.

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Review: MTR's Tasty Delights

This post is not sponsored.

Okay, I know that pre-packaged food is basically marketed as the devil in our Facebook feeds and in the media in general. That's fair, processed foods can contain very shitty things like:

• GMOs
• Excess sugar
• Excess sodium
• Preservatives

And the list goes on....

But the reality is, schedules get crazy, life gets busy, kids need to get to soccer practice and there are times where planning your meal, getting to the grocery store and preparing said nutritious meal is just not in the cards.

For those times, ready-to-eat products are just, you know, EASIER! As long as it is on a rare occasion, it's not going to kill you.

So with all that said, I came across these pre-packaged Indian sauces at the grocery store in the ethnic aisle. They were only $1.89 CDN and all that is involved is heating up the sauce and serving it over either rice or Naan bread. I loves me some Indian food and was skeptical that this sauce would live up to any expectations I had. However for those busy times, these might be an option. 

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15 Minute Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Cream - Seriously 15 mins

On an unusually hot day in an apartment with no A/C, I decided to make a hot a spicy plate of these shrimp tacos. They were delicious, despite me sweating profusely while eating them.

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Coconut Red Curry with Shrimp - Sweet with Spice

This is one of my favorite meals, ever. Like, of all time. If I am lucky enough to have a last meal, I think this would be it. The first bite you taste rich sweetness, then the heat hits you and it's glorious! 

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Sweet Potato Fajitas - Twist on a Favourite

This is a recipe of my own creation and is by no means my way of pushing vegetarianism on anyone. I have been reading a lot on plant based diets and have tried to incorporate a few of these meals into my weekly meal planning. 

After eating shredded pork most of last week, I just needed a break from meat and decided to whip up these super easy, filling and seriously scrumptious Sweet Potato Fajitas.

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Tuna Melt - Sans Onions

Tuna melt is a classic lunch (or dinner) that can be made dozens of ways. I think everyone has their own take on this sandwich and that's what is so unique about it. No one makes a tuna melt like your Mother and eating one will take you back to childhood.

I have a thing about tuna melts, and that is I don't like onions in them. I love cooked onions. Raw? Hmmmmm not so much. And if I can be real, I think the raw onion in a tuna melt ruins it. Yep I said it! Those true to onion in their tuna can move along if you wish but try this version out and see if you really miss it.

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Cuban Sandwich - Slow-cooker StylZ

This recipe landed in my inbox from the Closet Cooking for Lechon Asado, I knew a Cuban Sandwich was in my future.

I had my first Cuban Sandwiche at Chez Piggy, in Kingston, Ontario. If you happen to ever be in that neck of the woods, it is an excellent restaurant with charm and great food! I have their cookbook and will use it for a post here in the near future.

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Hearty Turkey Chili - When winter happens in May!

We are enduring a major cold snap in Ottawa right now. Like wearing your winter coat, snow in some areas, freezing cold! This motivated a craving I had for chili and while I would rather be making a more summery meal, this chili really hit the spot and warmed my icy soul.

Chili is one thing you should learn to make, anyone can do it, I swear. You chop some shit up, you throw it in a pot, add some spices, meat and beans.... that's it!

Chili itself is super versatile; you can make it with any meat you like, or go vegetarian. Make it spicy, make it bland (if you're spicy, you and I can definitely be friends). You can use up any veggies you have on hand before they go to waste and use that can of beans that's been sitting in your pantry since forever.

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Spaghetti with Baby King Oyster Mushrooms and Arugula - Oh and Wine was there

If I ever find myself on Death Row, pasta will likely be my last meal. I love it and could eat it until I burst - but try not to!

This is a relatively quick meal that will make you feel like you are eating at a ristaurante in Italy. You can easily substitute the canned diced tomatoes for fresh, this is just what I happened to have. You could also add chicken or sausage, I kept it meat free just for a change. Parmesean cheese spinkled on top would also go nicely, I opted not to but next time.

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Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas - The Way of the Lazy

Oh Mexican, how I love you! Of all of the cultural cuisines from across the globe, Mexican is one that I have been fortunate enough to really explore. From dining on lobster tacos in Cabo San Lucas to Carnitas in Texas, from luscious burritos in Colorado to homemade guacamole prepared table-side in Puerto Vallarta; I have been lucky enough to experience, Tex-Mex, Mex-Mex and everything in between.

Mexican is so packed with flavour, it's an easy way to a crowd pleasing meal - it just calls for celebration. Pass the margarita and make it a double!

So this meal is what I would call a lazy white girl from Canada's version of chicken enchiladas. This meal is quick, easy, no fuss, with all the taste of Mexico that we love.

Let's begin.....

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Snapchat - Follow Me!

Want more food? We all do.....

Follow me on Snapchat to see more recipes, dining experiences and all of those fun filters!

New to the world of Snapchat? No idea what this fandangled app can do? No problem!

My insanely talented blogger / vlogger friend A.Co has created a tutorial that will teach you all you need to know.

Here's my snap account, user name is mm96bj (don't ask why I have such a weird name)

Here's A.Co's video. Enjoy and happy Snapping!

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Chicken Strips with Sweet Potato Fries - Make Your Own

When I was a youngster, chicken fingers were my thing. Anytime our family dined at a restaurant, I was all about them chicken fingers. So my childhood love of this scrumptious meal inspired these chicken strips that you can make at home and are much lower in fat and calories. But we didn't compromise on the taste!

Also, I must apologize for the lighting of these pictures, but here's why.....

I made this recipe a while ago, in the dead of our Canadian winter, when it is dark. All. The. Time. Just looking at this picture gives my the shivers. It is now spring in Ottawa and it is high time I posted this recipe so let's get to it.

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Braised Spinach in Lemon Coconut Milk - Vegan Delight

I found this recipe on Facebook, have made it three times since and it's safe to say, I am totally obsessed. I have made a few additions including couscous (another current obsession) and sweet potatoes in the sauce. This meal is great for a weekend, weeknight and to eat as leftovers. It is warm, comforting and above all, good for you!

First things first, I am not a vegan. When someone mentions "vegan", it conjures up thoughts of pretentious, dirty hippies or violent, radical PETA supporters. Also, vegans are just kind of a downer: "Do you know how cows are killed? Chickens tortured? Here, watch this deeply disturbing video that will haunt your dreams forever...." Ugh, sweet Jebus!

However, I have been reading a lot on plant based diets and there are undeniable benefits. Some of which are:

• It's better for the environment including reducing CO2 emissions
• There are many health benefits
• Probably the biggest one for me, reducing harm to our animal friends

I also encourage you to check out the documentary, Forks Over Knives. Very interesting film on how consuming meat increases our chances of heart disease and cancer dramatically. 

Do I think living a "vegan lifestyle" is realistic for me? Nope, not really. But incorporating a few vegan meals from time to time is completely doable, and above all delicious. Can't deny that kind of logic.

One of the things I love about this recipe so much is that you can change it up by adding couscous like I did, or serving it over just a baked sweet potato - which I have also done and was also hella good! It is super flavorful and rich tasting, making even a regular meat eater happy to dig into this vegan meal.

Okay enough of that, let's get to the food......

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Coconut Curry Soup with Prawns - Hangover Remedy

It's the middle of winter, you need to eat and you're hungover as hell. What do you crave? 

McDonald's? 

A greasy breakfast? 

A little hair of the dog?

All very good hangover cures, but my favorite is a spicy curry soup. Something about the spice makes my hangover seem a little less brutal; still require an Advil or two.

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Perogies with Bacon & Cabbage - First Post!!

Okay, here it is my first post and recipe - let's dive in!

Perogies (or pierogis) with cabbage; how many of you think of this meal as comfort food? I certainly do because it has the hearty carbs we all crave, it's warm and filling, and if you grew up with an Eastern European heritage, this was your bread and butter.

Strangely, I never think to make this meal and I don't know why. It's very easy, great for families and inexpensive.

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