The Lake of Dreams | Review

This is the story of a woman's homecoming, the discovery of a family secret and a family's legacy.

After traveling and working abroad for a few years, Lucy returns home to that things have changed. Her mother has a boyfriend, her brother has taken up working with disagreeable uncle Art, and her high school sweetheart has a child. On top of all the changes, her father's death, nearly a decade ago, haunts Lucy while she visits her childhood home. 

Late one night, restless, Lucy discovers a locked window seat with a collection of objects that first appear to be random objects, but soon reveal their ties to a portion of the family tree many knew nothing about.

This novel deals with a myriad issues including women's rights, finding one's self, love, and family, which make it accessible to a range of readers. I found the story-line a little slow at times, but overall I was eager to continue reading in order to put the pieces together in the hopes of resolution, which, for the most part, is what I was given.
____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 8/10 and here’s why:

Text: The imagery in this book is decent. I found it easy to visualize what the characters saw, the beauty and calmness of the untouched land. It was reminiscent, for me, of going to my hometown in Muskoka.

Dialogue: Speech in this book was average, for the most part believable, but nothing extraordinary.

Plot: While sometimes slow-moving, I enjoyed the forward momentum of the plot. Edwards ties the protagonist's family discoveries to her personal development very well.

Characters: Well-developed and realistic, Edwards' characters were easy to relate to. I found myself rooting for Lucy and feeling shock and heartache alongside her.

Corpse Bride | Review

Corpse Bride is very reminiscent of Burton's Edward Scissorhands; both involving a simple love story with Gothic visuals.

Set in a small European village in the 19th century, this animated film tells the story of a young man named Victor (Depp) who is taken away to the underworld when he mistakenly proposes to a mysterious Corpse Bride (Bonham-Carter). Meanwhile, his real bride is left in the land of the living, wondering where her love has gone.

Burton mixes the most unlikely genres: fantasy, drama, romance, and musical, which culminates into a whimsical but meaningful end product. For you non-musical lovers out there, don't let this element scare you away. My boyfriend, Mike, hates musicals, yet he thoroughly enjoyed this film. In reference to the musical sections he said, "I thought it was okay in Corpse Bride. They didn't over do it, so it wasn't annoying."

This recognizable tale appeals to children and adults alike; it has a core bittersweet truth that makes the best fairy tales travel through generations.

___________________________________________________

I give this movie a 10/10 and here's why:

Plot: While the story is old (unrequited love), the way it is presented is entirely new.
Characters: I instantly connected with the main character, Victor, feeling his emotions alongside him. I also came to understand the Corpse Bride as well. Character development is very much present.
Visuals: Burton manages to captivate once again with the contrast of light and dark as well as pain-staking work on the details of the visuals - wonderful end product.
Genre rating for Animation/Fantasy: The film is wonderfully creative; Burton excels at creating entire worlds within his work. Two thumbs up for originality!

Trailer courtesy of IMDB.

Pina Colada Cupcakes

*singing* "If you like pina coladas..." give these a whirl! I made these cupcakes for a long-time friend's birthday. They are summery and reminiscent of so many great parties had. Enjoy! Makes 12 cupcakes with leftover icing.


Ingredients for cupcake batter:
1 1/3 cup all purpose or cake flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup white sugar
2 large eggs, room temp.
1 large egg yolk, room temp.
1 - 8oz can crushed pineapple (about 1/2 cup), well drained, reserve juice
1/3 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Ingredients for icing:
8 oz cream cheese, room temp. (1 pkg)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp.
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp coconut extract
4 cups icing sugar
about 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions for batter:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Place liners is cupcake pan.

2. In a med-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, or stand mixer, combine butter and sugar. Beat on med-high speed until fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition.

4. Add crushed pineapple and mix on low-speed.

5. Beat in flour mixture and pineapple juice, adding alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

6. Fold in coconut.

7. Fill cupcake liners about 1/2-3/4 full.

8. Bake 20 min or until inserted toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean.

9. Allow cupcakes to cool before applying icing.

Instructions for icing:
1.  Beat together cream cheese, butter, and extracts until smooth.

2. Add sugar on low speed a bit at a time; mix until combined. Increase to high speed and beat until light and fluffy.

Instructions for toasting coconut:
1. Place coconut into skillet on med-low heat for 5-10 min, or until some flakes are slightly browned.


Finally, I stuffed the cupcakes with the icing, then topped them.
Here's how.  Using a serrated steak knife, cut a cone shaped hole into the top of each cupcake about the diameter of a quarter and not quite deep enough to go through the bottom of the cupcake. The cone of cupcake should fall out when you tip the cupcake over. (These inside bits are a treat for the baker!)
ice the cupcakes and sprinkle with toasted coconut! Next time I may try filling the cupcakes with coconut flavoured vanilla pudding - yum!


*cake recipe credit goes to: http://iheartcuppycakes.com/2010/01/31/pina-colada-cupcakes/

In A Pinch Chocolate Pudding Cake

This is one of the easiest desserts I have ever made and it requires very common household ingredients. I made it to satisfy an after-dinner sweet craving Mike and I had, but it would be a great quick meal-ender for company, too. Vanilla frozen yogurt melting over chocolate pudding cake - pure awesome! Serves 9, unless you take Mike-sized portions, in which case it serves about 6.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup flour
1/4 cup Skor bits (optional)
1/2 cup almond (or regular milk)
1/2 cup applesauce
2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa

Instructions:
1. Lightly coat a 9"x9"x2" (or 8"x8"x2") pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a large mixing bowl combine 1/4 cup cocoa, white sugar, baking powder, Skor bits and flour. Stir in applesauce, milk, and vanilla.

3. Pour cake mixture into prepared pan.

4. Using the same mixing bowl, combine hot water, brown sugar, and 1/4 cocoa powder.

5. Carefully pour liquid mixture over cake batter in prepared pan.

6. Cook for 45 mins. Serve while still hot with ice cream or frozen yogurt!

Let Me In | Review

A young bullied boy befriends a vampire. Don't be fooled by this simple storyline; the movie is dark in its examination of bullying and morality.

For main character, Owen, not a day goes by where he feels safe - until he meets Abby. At home, Owen's mother is a wreck and while at school he lives in constant fear of the boys that continually threaten and cause him bodily harm.

Upon meeting Abby, Owen's eyes are opened to an entirely new world. Time spent with his new-found friend causes him to question the definitions of good and evil, to realize that a grey in-between area exists.

If you thought the trailer for Let Me In was intriguing, be prepared for something a little different than what it seems. In the trailer, the movie appears to be a fast-paced action; however, I found the story-line a little slow.

___________________________________________________

I give this movie a 7/10 and here's why:

Plot: While I enjoyed the plot, I found it moved a little slow.
Characters: I related to the main character almost instantly, feeling pity and pain for a child without a responsible parent who is the victim of school bullying.
Visuals: Graphically, this movie was decent. In typical thriller/horror fashion, gory details were shown and were, for the most part, believable. The lighting and sound create a very gloomy world.
Genre rating for thriller/drama/love story: In the moments of suspense, this movie had me riveted; during the in between non-tension portions, it lacked momentum. While certainly not conveyed in the trailer, the element of drama/love-story is a focal point. The two young actors perform well in their roles.


Trailer courtesy of IMDB.

Avocado topped Tilapia with Asparagus

Jump start your summer with this light and tasty meal! This recipe can easily be altered according to your tastes. I mildly flavoured the tilapia in order for the guacamole to take centre strage.

Ingredients:
2 tilapia fillets
2 tbsp  & 1 tsp lemon juice
2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp parsley, dried
1/2-1 avacado
1 cup diced tomato (any type works)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp Tabasco sauce or use half a finely diced jalapeno
10-12 spears of avacado

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 F.

2. Toss asparagus in 1 tbsp oil and fresh ground pepper to taste.

3. Pat dry tilapia fillets with paper towel then cover with 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 tbsp oil, parsley, and ground pepper to taste.

4. Bake asparagus and tilapia in oven for about 20-25 min (checking and flipping asparagus after 15 min), until tilapia flakes and asparagus is cooked to your desired consistency.

5. Meanwhile, mix avocado, tomato, garlic, pepper, Tabasco, and remaining lemon juice in a bowl. (If you have fresh cilantro, add some to the guacamole as well.)

6. Top tilapia with guacamole and serve with asparagus on the side. I used the leftover guacamole as a dip!

Drowning Ruth | Review

This is a haunting story of two sisters and their children growing up in rural Wisconsin between WWI and WWII. The plot jumps between past and present, nearly always relating back to the tragic day of the drowning.

In the winter of 1919, Mathilda Neumann mysteriously drowns beneath the ice of a lake, leaving behind her husband Carl and 3-year-old daughter, Ruth. Aunt Amanda, Mathilda's sister, promptly assumes the role of guardian and housekeeper at the Neumann house. The tension is thick as the reader struggles to determine what really happened the night of the drowning. 

Amanda spends her life drowning Ruth with secrets and lies in an attempt to "protect" her from the truth. I was often angered by Amanda and her choices and am interested to find out what others think about her character.

While I did not particularly enjoy the way Schwartz, the author, went about feeding me clues, I will admit that I had a tough time putting the book down. The resolution is rather satisfying after much speculation.

This novel is character-driven. If you enjoy stories rich in character development, you may appreciate what this book offers; however, if you are more interested in a plot woven in a thick straight line, you may become too frustrated to read on until the end. The novel includes several smaller side-stories, which only stall the progression of the main story.

____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 7/10 and here’s why:

Text: The writing is just okay. I encountered run-on sentences, which only added to my dislike of character Amanda's withholding of information.
Dialogue: I found the dialogue to be realistic.

Plot: The story is great, but the way it is told is weak. Writing from the niece, Ruth's, point of view throughout would have been more effective since she was too young to remember the night of the drowning. The events, secrets and lies leading up really were a mystery to her.

Characters: The characters were well established. I connected with Ruth immediately, craving the truth right along side her. In contrast, I could hardly stand Aunt Amanda.

Still Alice | Review

Unlike other similar novels, Still Alice is written from the view point of the Alzheimer sufferer rather than the carer. I found this particularly terrifying and heartbreaking.

The protagonist, Alice Howland, is a brilliant Harvard professor, mother, and wife who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Genova writes with such realism that readers are able to look through Alice's eyes, seeing the progression of the disease and the changes it brings to both Alice and her family.

On a run in the neighbourhood where Alice has lived for the last 25 year, she comes to a point where she is unable to determine her whereabouts and can not find her way home. This is just the beginning of her heartbreaking deterioration.

I encourage you to read this book if you are hoping to understand Alzheimer's disease a little better, are looking for something to relate to (perhaps you know someone with the disease), or can appreciate a dramatic work of fiction, which is not far from the mark.

____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 10/10 and here’s why:

Text: Genova does such a great job of creating a real sense of panic and anxiety in her writing by using meaningful words and creating vivid images.

Dialogue: Genova write a realistic dialogue with plenty of contractions used in order to mimic true speech.

Plot: The novel is written from a very personal perspective. Alice's story is insightful and devestating at the same time. It is real and it is raw.

Characters: It was easy to connect with protagonist, Alice, as I feel like I was struggling along side her to hold on to reality. An instant connection is made the first time she struggles with something, but neglects to tell anyone aside from the reader(s).

Bacon and Egg Cups

Sure, bacon fits into all meals, but there is something magical about the bacon and egg combo. Try this visually pleasing brunch next time you have company! Makes 5 cups.

Ingredients:
8 strips bacon
approx. 1 1/2 cooked spinach (or one package of fresh spinach, the amount need not be exact)
1 tomato, diced
5 eggs
1/4 cup grated cheese (I used cheddar)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 F.

2. Heat oil over med-high heat in skillet; add garlic and fry until fragrant.

3. Add spinach and cook until warmed. If fresh spinach, cook until wilted.

4. Meanwhile, fry bacon. Cook until they have released a little bit of fat, but are still very soft (max. 5 min).

5. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray, line the sides and bottoms of the cups with bacon, cutting some of the bacon to line the bottom as you see fit.

6. Sprinkle some of the cheese at the bottom of the cups, atop the bacon, reserving the rest for the top of the cups.

7. Add a tablespoon to 2 tablespoons into each cup, then crack an egg into each cup.

8. Add tomato to remaining spinach mixture, stirring occasionally on low-heat.

9. Add remaining cheese to the top of each cup.

10. Put cups into oven for about 8 min or until the whites turn white. Leave them in longer if you like firm yolks.

11. Serve cups wit a side of spinach and tomato. Enjoy a meal that is a delicious as it looks!



*Adapted from http://republicofbacon.com/2011/05/10/the-ultimate-bacon-and-eggs-recipe-bacon-cups/

The Rite | Review

Here is another fantastic performance by Anthony Hopkins. The man is phenomenal! This thriller tells the story of a young seminary student who travels to Italy to take a course on exorcism.

When student Michael Kovak (debut for Colin O'Donoghue) admits his skepticism during the first few days of the course, he is sent to Father Lucas Trevant (Hopkins). It is not until Michael faces the darkest forces that he discovers the true power of his faith.

The Rite reminds me vaguely of The Last Exorcism, but is actually a decent movie.

___________________________________________________

I give this movie a 9/10 and here's why:

Plot: Although the main plot is much like most movies about exorcisms, it has a few surprises up its sleeve, which more than kept me interested.
Characters: The acting is fantastic. O'Donoghue's first gig is successful indeed. The growth in his character is crucial to the plot's forward motion. Not only does he pull it off, but he manages to develop the character completely.
Visuals: The effects are nothing short of awesome. From dripping embalming fluid at the beginning to cameras taking an above everything angle, this movie turns Hopkins into a horrifying demon and back again.
Genre rating for thriller: As far as thrillers go, this is a winner. I found myself wide-eyed with fists clenched in anticipation throughout the movie.

 Trailer courtesy of IMDB.

Stir-Fried Pork and Peppers with Quinoa

This was a throw-together meal - quick, easy, and quite tasty! Some staples in my pantry include: quinoa, tomato paste, canned beans, and canned tomatoes all of which can be used for quick meals. Serves 3-4 people.

Ingredients:
1 pork tenderloin
1/2 red bell pepper, cut in strips
1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut in strips
1 1/2 cup cauliflower small florets (or use broccoli florets or a combo of the two)
1/2-1 tsp red chili flakes (less for mild, more for spicy!)
1/4 tsp ginger (dried)
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 1/3 cup water
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1 large or 8 baby carrots, grated
1 cup quinoa
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp fresh chives (optional garnish)
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
1 tbsp rice vinegar (optional)


Instructions:
1. Cut pork tenderloin into strips.

2. Pour quinoa and 2 cups water into a medium-sized pot. Add 1 clove garlic. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 12-15 min, then remove from heat. (I always set a timer.)

3. While the quinoa is cooking, heat olive oil in skillet over high heat until oil is shiny and moves around the pan easily. Add chili flakes and ginger; stir-fry for 1-2 min until you can smell the chili and ginger.

4. Add pork and stir-fry 3-5 min med-high heat. Add peppers and cauliflower; cook 2 minutes.

5. Add tomato paste, 1/3 cup water, 1 tbsp soy sauce, honey, and grate carrots over the stir-fried pork
and veggies. Stir to combine. Add a little more water if the sauce sticks to one ingredient.

6. Fluff quinoa with a fork and stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce and rice vinegar. Serve stir-fry over quinoa and garnish with chives and sesame seeds.

The Green Hornet | Review

When his father dies suddenly, Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) - a slovenly and careless sod - is left with his fathers multi-million dollar media empire. Rogen plays the role of irresponsible, lazy drunk well, though this is no surprise since he has played the same role in most of his other movies.

Soon after his father's death, Britt forms an unlikely alliance with one of his father's favourite employees, Kato (Jay Chou). The pair forms a plan to get close to the city's most dreaded criminals by posing as villains themselves. Britt is the "face" of the duo, calling himself "Green Hornet" and Kato is the man behind the awesome weapons, devices, and impressive martial arts moves.
Kato's ingenuity reminds me vaguely of Alfred, Batman's right-hand man, though not nearly as lovable.

The plot follows the two masked villains as they encounter blunder after blunder.

Bottom line: I would not pay to see this in the theatre let alone in 3D.

___________________________________________________

I give this movie a 5.5/10 and here's why:
Plot: This was typical; I have very little to report here.
Characters: I formed no attachments to any of the characters and, more often than not, hoped Rogen's character would fail. The acting left much to be desired. There were a lot of bad attempts at one-liners.
Visuals: Although totally unrealistic and ridiculous, I did enjoy Kato's moves and the ridiculous stunts the duo was able to survive.
Genre rating for action comedy: The action portion of this movie was decent, until the last half-hour or so. I found the movie dragged on at the end. The comedy, however, was brutal. Attempted hilarity only sometimes elicited a groan from me, but other times only a straight poker face.

 Trailer courtesy of IMDB.

Skyline | Review

Hungover from a party, a group of friends is woken in the night by a mysterious blue light whose source is unknown. The light seems to have a magnetic power, drawing all who look at it in causing them to disappear. They soon realize that the source of the light is not human and is very quickly working its way through the human population. The group must stick together to try and stay alive.

I will admit, after I watched the trailer, I was eager to see the film. Sadly, the movie did not live up to my expectations. The acting lacks all but awkwardness and the story-line leaves much to be desired.

___________________________________________________

I give this movie a 3/10 and here's why:
Plot: The story line is typical - humans must try to stay alive while aliens take over. Nothing original here.
Characters: The characters were hardly believable; the acing is cause for eye-rolling.
Visuals: The way the movie presented the blue light beams, that was unusual and, I think, well done. For what I have read was a small budget, the graphics were not bad.
Genre rating for sci-fi action: Since the story is an old one, I expected a bit of ingenuity in some aspect of the movie. Instead, I was bored after about 20 min in - the mystery of the blue beams of light wore of pretty quickly. Granted, some of the visuals were good, these days awesome graphics is not enough. 

Trailer courtesy of IMDB.

Smoked BBQ Chicken, Green Beans and Sweet Potato Mash

This is the first use of the bbq smoker Mike got for Christmas. You could easily substitute regular barbecued chicken in this meal, although it would not be nearly as delicious! Serves 4.

Ingredients for Smoked BBQ Chicken:
4 chicken legs - back attached, bones in and skin on (I only used these as they were on sale. You can use any part of the chicken, or the whole thing in pieces. My only recommendation is to get bone in and keep the skin on, both keep the chicken from drying out.)
salt, pepper and olive oil to season
bbq sauce (your choice) to brush over chicken
Instructions:
1. Preheat bbq to 250 F, turning on only one burner.
2. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
3. Brush chicken with bbq sauce.
4. Place chicken on grill bone side down, ensure it is not over direct heat.
5. Cook chicken for about 4 hours or until the liquid in the chicken runs clear. (On my bbq, which is relatively new, it took about 3.5 hours. I know it sounds like a long time, but fear not, my chicken was moist and delicious!)

Ingredients for Green Beans:
about 30-40 green beans
1 tbsp honey dijon mustard
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
sprinkle of fresh chives
Instructions:
1. Mix together mustard, vinegar, syrup, and olive oil.
2. Steam green beans for about 12 minutes.
3. Pour mixture over green beans; sprinkle with chives.

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Mash:
2 med-large sweet potatoes
2 tbsp milk (I used almond milk)
1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions:
1. Poke fork into potatos several times before microwaving for 10-12 min, checking half way through by poking potato with a fork. If the fork slides easily into the potato, they are ready.
2. Scoop potato flesh out of skin and into a bowl.
3. Mix milk and syrup into potatoes while mashing. I usually leave them partially mashed as I like chunks of potato, but this is personal preference.

This is the smoker. The ends come off in order to stuff the tube with whatever wood chips you would like. In this particular recipe I used hickory. I soaked the hickory chips in water for about an hour, then put them inside the smoker. The smoker goes in the bbq under the grill and remains there until  you are finished barbecuing.

Battle: Los Angeles | Review

Stay in, switch off your inquisitive mind, and enjoy a cheesy action flick. Major cities around the world are bombarded with large meteors, which appear to slow in speed just before entering the earth's atmosphere. Aliens have landed near L.A. and are killing whomever they encounter!

Recently retired Staff Seargent Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) is called back into military duty. A team, including Nantz, is flown into Santa Monica Airport to complete a mission where they must rescue civilians who are trapped at a police station. Time ticks as the team struggles to complete their mission before the Air Force wipes out the area into which they have entered.

In the fashion of typical action movies, Battle: Los Angeles provided an abundance of cheesy lines and close-calls. I found the camera rather jerky and while I can see a link between a shaky camera representing an unstable time, I found it was overdone.

____________________________________________________

I give this movie a 7/10 and here's why:
Plot: The storyline is rather predictable - standard for the average action film.
Characters: I found the characters exaggerated and often unrealistic.
Visuals: This movie is, without a doubt, visually pleasing.
Genre rating for action: This movie was packed with action! To quote Mike, my boyfriend, "They came up with great new ways to blow things up!" He speaks the truth here. One instance is when a grenade is thrown into a pool where an alien is hiding and another includes a decoy to a petrol station where a sergeant then fires shots causing a massive explosion and death to all nearby invaders.

Trailer courtesy of IMDB.

Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Skor-bit Cookies

This recipe is a serious crowd pleaser! I have also used a mixture of semisweet, milk and white chocolate chips as well as butterscotch chips. They were also very delicious, though the original recipe is my favourite.

Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup)
2 1/4 cups pre-sifted cake & pastry flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp milk (I used almond milk - your choice)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
3/4 Skor chips

Directions:
1. Melt butter in saucepan over med-heat. Cook until browned (approx. 5 min). Make sure you set a timer and watch it, butter changes from brown to burned very quickly. Set aside and let cool.

2. Mix together flour and baking soda.

3. Pour melted butter in large bowl (or in stand mixer bowl). Add sugars; beat med-speed until combined and smooth.

4. Add egg, egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.

5. Slowly incorporate flour mixture until thoroughly combined.

6. Stir in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and Skor chips.

7. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough for up to 36 hours. (I recommend cooling for at least a couple of hours. This time in the fridge creates a thicker cookie when they are baking, versus a runny dough which yields a thinner cookie.)

8. Heat oven to 375 F.

9. Scoop approx. 1 tbsp dough and roll into a ball. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, about 12 cookies per sheet.

10. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 min and rotating baking sheet for even browning if your oven is a bit older.

11. Let cookies sit on baking sheet at least 5 min before trying to remove, then allow to completely cool on wire racks if you have them. Store in an airtight container.


* Credit to a fellow blogger for the back bones of this recipe http://www.underthehighchair.com/2011/02/browned-butter-triple-chocolate-chunk.html

Spicy Sausage Tomato Pasta

Consider making your own tomato sauce. It is much less work than you think. Not only does it taste better, but it is healthier! Tip: This is a great make ahead meal as the sauce reheats well.

Ingredients:
1 can diced tomatoes (I use salt-free - healthier and no loss of flavour)
4-5 hot sausages
1 cooking onion, chopped
1 container mushrooms (approx. 8-10)
sprinkle of fennel seeds
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried basil
1/2-1 tsp chili flakes
3 cloves garlic, crushed
4 cups uncooked penne pasta (fusilli would work as well)
2 tbsp olive oil
fresh ground pepper and parmesan cheese to taste

Instructions:
1. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to large pot; heat over med-high heat. When heated, add sausages to pot. Brown sausages on all sides; remove from pot to a cutting board (8-12 min). Cut sausages into bite-sized pieces and return to pot.

2. Add onion and mushrooms; stirring frequently, saute until tender and brown (about 15 min).

3. Stir in oregano, basil, chili flakes, and garlic; saute 1 minute.

4. Add tomatoes; simmer med-low heat for about 15 minutes until flavours have combined (stir occasionally).

5. Meanwhile, if you are serving this meal immediately after, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water (add second tbsp olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking) until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well; add to pot with sauce and mix well.

6. If you plan to serve this meal later (can be made 1 day in advance), cool sauce slightly. Chill in fridge until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to a boil before serving.

7. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and ground pepper to taste.

Cheesy Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms and Hot Peppers

This hearty brunch for two is one of many scrambled egg concoctions I have created in the last couple of years. Mike has decided that it's his favourite so far; I hope you enjoy it too!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
6 eggs
a splash of milk (Any kind will do. I used almond milk in this particular photo, but it makes no difference which you choose.)
6 mushrooms finely diced
10-12 pieces of pickled hot peppers
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tbsp dried Italian spice
1 handful of diced bacon (pre-made bacon bits work here too)
swiss cheese (I used half-fat swiss) about a handful, grated

Instructions:
1. Preheat olive oil in a large skillet at medium-heat.
2. Whisk eggs and milk until combined; set aside.
3. Dice mushrooms and hot peppers; add to preheated skillet and stir often.
4. Add parsley, Italian spice, and bacon to mixture in skillet; cook until mushrooms have reduced by half their size.
5. Add egg and milk mixture to skillet; scramble until cooked (no longer runny).
6. Grate as much cheese as you would like over top of the cooked eggs. Turn off the element; the leftover heat will melt the cheese. I usually fold the cooked eggs over to incorporate the melted cheese.
7. Add fresh ground pepper to taste. (You will notice that I add fresh pepper to most savoury dishes - I love it!)

Baked Tilapia with Bean Salad

Tilapia is one of my favourites; it is such a mild and versatile fish, which is so easily paired with a variety of flavours. This is a great meal when your time is limited. In addition to the tilapia and bean salad, there are some steamed vegetables. Serves 4 or keep the leftovers for lunch, that's what usually happens at my house!

Ingredients for this Bean Salad:
1 can salt-free mixed beans or black beans
1 cup corn (I used frozen)
1-2 tsp chili powder
1/2-1 tsp cumin
fresh ground pepper to taste
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
(Try adding a stalk of finely diced celery for a great crunchy texture.)

Instructions:
Mix ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to serve. The salad can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours prior to serving.

Ingredients for Tilapia:
4 tilapia fillets
1 1/2 tbsp butter, margarine OR oil of your choice (I used butter and find it is the most flavourful.)
1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp paprika
2 tbsp capers drained

Instructions:
1. Place tilapia in a greased 13-in x 9-in baking dish. In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic powder, oregano, and paprika; pour over fillets. Sprinkle capers over fish.

2. Bake, uncovered at 425 F for 10-15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Dry by Augusten Burroughs | Review

After reading and enjoying Burroughs' first memoir Running with Scissors, I discovered that he had written a sort of sequel, which continued with another section of his life entitled Dry.

Dry is a memoir depicting, main-character, Augusten's struggle with alcoholism.

"I was addicted to Bewitched as a kid. I worshiped Darren Stevens the First. When he'd come home from work, Samantha would say, 'Daren, would you like me to fix you a drink?' He'd always rest his briefcase on the table below the mirror in the foyer, wipe his forehead with a monogrammed handkerchief and say, 'Better make it a double.'"
(Burroughs, Augusten. Dry. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2003.)

After a most unsettling upbringing, Burroughs appears to excel in his professional life, earning a fortune working for a top New York advertising agency. At the same time, his personal life is in shambles. He stays out each night excessively drinking, which leads to massive mouthfuls of mints, additional dabs of cologne in multiple attempts to hide his drunken or hungover state at work. His actions lead to his co-worker to intervene and demand that he attend a rehabilitation facility before returning to work.

Upon returning from rehab, Burroughs recounts the state of his Manhattan apartment as "squalor". He manages to detoxify his living space while battling a barrage of emotions and urges to return to the drink. I was impressed by Burroughs' ability to portray his psychological state of mind. His honest and raw emotions create vulnerability, which makes his character all the more real. The agony Burroughs goes through when his best friend suffers the symptoms of AIDS is heartbreaking. This memoir is a testament to the strength of a young man with a turbulent past.

I thoroughly enjoyed the memoir. I especially liked the way Burroughs lets all of himself hang out. He creates a text to which addicts can relate and gives great insight into the life of an addict. It is an inspirational piece for addicts, recovering addicts, and/or anyone with one in their life.

____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 10/10 and here’s why:

Text: The language Burroughs uses is clear and unique. The story is told as only an alcoholic can tell it, but is surprisingly accessible to non-addict readers as well.

Dialogue: I found all of the speaking very accurate in further portraying the main character's persona.

Plot: Burroughs tells the plot in such a way that the reader is able to enter the mind of an addict.

Characters: Such a strong sense of character. In reading this memoir, I feel like I have a better understanding of what an addict is up against.

Move over rice, quinoa is in the house!

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), while cooked and eaten like a grain, is actually a seed. It is related to spinach and beets and is considered a complete protein, which means it contains eight essential amino acids. It is high in iron and calcium and is a good source of fiber, among other things.

Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and I have found that it is a great alternative to rice. In fact, I have come to prefer the slightly nutty taste and fluffy texture over most rices and risottos. I have used it as a warm side dish with random slightly cooked veggies thrown in (broccoli, carrots, peas, corn, etc.), as a bed for curried chicken, as a cold salad (with pepper, tomato, cucumber, goat's cheese, fresh herbs, etc.), as a main course with shredded chicken and veggies as well as in a burrito. I have also recently read that it can also be eaten for breakfast, like porridge, with cinnamon and raisins or used for sushi. What a versatile seed!

Easy to prepare, for every one cup of quinoa add 2 cups of liquid (water, broth) and bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. The seeds become translucent when it is fully cooked.

Try my Parmesan Quinoa. Look for the *s in the recipe for the quinoa alone.

I encourage you to try it. Let me know how your creations turn out!

*Some information found on this site: http://www.livestrong.com/article/4695-need-health-benefits-quinoa/

Garlic Tomato Chicken with Parmesan Quinoa

A great complete meal for a date night or a regular weeknight that will impress whomever you are cooking for. (Serves 4)

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced
2 tsp olive oil
1/3 cup water
2 tbsp flour
fresh ground pepper to taste
*1 cup quinoa
*2 cup chicken broth
*1/4 garlic powder
*1/2 cup cooked spinach
*1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
*1/3 cup parmesan cheese
2 cup broccoli florets

Instructions for entire meal:
In a small non-stick skillet, heat olive oil on medium. Cover chicken in flour; shake off excess. Place in skillet; cook until lightly browned on one side (about 3 min).

Turn chicken over. Add fresh pressed garlic, grape tomatoes, water; season with pepper.

Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 12 minutes.

*Meanwhile, add quinoa, chicken broth, and garlic powder to a medium-sized pot. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 min, then remove from eat.

Add broccoli to chicken; cover and cook until broccoli is crisp and tender and chicken is cooked through (4-5 min).

*Stir spinach, parmesan, and nutmeg into quinoa and add fresh ground pepper to taste.

Transfer to a plate and spoon tomato mixture over the chicken breast.

Enjoy!

*Starred ingredients and instructions are ingredients and instructions for Parmesan Quinoa alone.

Vinegar Cabbage Slaw

This is a great alternative to traditional coleslaw for those of you who dislike mayonnaise. Try adding some of this delicious vinegar cabbage salad atop your next pulled pork sandwich or serve as a picnic side dish - delicious! This recipe makes about 4 servings.

Ingredients:
2 cups shredded cabbage and 1-2 grated carrots
or 2 cups packaged shredded cabbage with carrot (coleslaw mix)
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tbsp honey
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions:
In a medium bowl, combine cabbage and carrot mix, vinegar, honey, pepper and toss to combine. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours, stirring occasionally. (I have served this promptly after preparing and it's still tasty.)

*My take on "Vinegar Slaw." Recipe. The Ultimate Slow Cooker Book. New Jersey: Wiley, 352.

Banana Ketchup

Yes, I know this sounds sort of strange, but it's quite tasty if you're willing to put in a little time! Banana Ketchup comes from the Philippines and tastes somewhat similar to plum sauce only it has a bit of a kick. It goes really well with jerk chicken and is also a great hot dog condiment! 

Please note in advance, this recipe makes 3 cups and it can be kept in sealed containers for about 2-3 months. 


Ingredients:
3 tbsp onions chopped
2-3 garlic cloves
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 tbsp corn syrup
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp clove (powdered)
3-4 cups water
1/2 cup brown sutar
4 big bananas (I used mushy bananas with brown skin, the kind you would use for making muffins.)
1/2-1 tsp cayenne powder (depending on how spicy you would like it)
2 tsp all spice
3/4 tsp nutmeg
2 tbsp dark rum

Directions:
Combine onions, garlic, tomato paste, and 1/3 cup vinegar in food processor or use a hand-held mixer (that's what I used).

Remove from processor and place in a sauce pan. Place chunks of banana and 1/3 cup vinegar into processor.

Blend then put in pan and add 2/3 cup vinegar, 3 cups water, sugar, and cayenne powder. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

Reduce to low, cook uncovered for 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours. If it sticks to the pan, add water.

Add spices and syrup, cook 15 minutes. Stir in rum.

Remove from heat and let ketchup cool. Force ketchup through a sieve (press hard on the solid pieces).

Store ketchup in the fridge for about 2-3 months.

Jerk Chicken

While I have had jerk chicken many times, for some reason I assumed it was difficult to make. I was wrong. All you need are the following ingredients, a food processor (or one of those hand mixers - that's what I use), and an oven.

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
1 onion chopped
1/2 cup green onions (I usually leave these out since Mike is not a huge onion fan.)
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp all spice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1-2 jalapeno pepper(s) (or scotch bonnet if you like your jerk really spicy)
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Directions:
Combine all ingredients but the chicken in your food processor (or with your hand mixer) to make a puree.

Put chicken in a large bowl, pour marinade over top and mix. Let it sit for 6 + hours for best flavour. (If you don't have this kind of time to marinade, don't worry; it will still taste good. However, I do recommend a longer marinading time for maximum enjoyment.)

Put jerk-covered chicken into a greased pan and into a 350 F oven for 45-50 minutes. Move the chicken to the top rack and broil for a few minutes at the end to blacken.

Yum!

Stuffed Mushrooms

These are one of my go-to recipes when I am hosting parties or dinners. They are easy to make and are always a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:
12 whole mushrooms
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 8oz cream cheese softened
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray baking sheet with Pam. Clean mushrooms with paper towel (Do not use water because the the mushroom will absorb the water and cause them to leak out on the tray and make make them rather watery.) Break off mushroom stems and chop them extremely finely, discarding the tough end of stems.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chopped mushroom stems. Fry until all moisture is gone, careful not to burn garlic. Set aside to cool.

When cooled, stir in cream cheese, parmesan cheese, pepper, onion powder, and cayenne powder. Mixture should be very thick. Using a small spoon, fill mushroom caps - generously.

Bake on cookie sheet 20 minutes, until liquid starts to form under caps.

The Girl in the Green Raincoat | Review

Lippman's crime fiction novel The Girl in the Green Raincoat follows the story of pregnant and bed-ridden P.I., Tess Monaghan. Bored and overly curious, Tess uses binoculars to begin spying on a well put together woman who walks her dog at a park. One day when the green-coated lady fails to make her daily appearance, Tess assumes the worst and begins enlisting the help of her partner, friends, and colleagues to investigate what she thinks is a mysterious disappearance. Following the typical crime-novel formula, Tess' hunches are indeed correct and in the end she is able to solve the mystery.

While the plot of the story has potential, I find the lack of character development diminishes the overall value of the novel. Lippman fails to use imagery and in my opinion, the story-line falls way short of exciting. When I read a crime novel, I want to feel anxious and excited about the finale where resolution is found; this novel did not meet my expectations in that area.
____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 6/10 and here’s why:
Text: The language is informal and to me, sounds like it was just thrown onto the page.
Dialogue: This part was believable since much colloquial language is used.
Plot: While at first I was mildly interested, I did not see any growth or development in the characters, which is crucial to my enjoyment of a story-line.
Characters: They lacked depth of personality, which left me without any reason to like or hate them.

My New Favourite Dessert: Red Velvet Cookies

There's nothing like homemade baked goods. Mike, my boyfriend, and I both have major weak spots for sweets and I often enjoy experimenting with recipes I come across or are recommended to me. Pictured above is the Valentine's Day version of the cakes, same recipe as below but the edges are dipped in heart-shaped sprinkles!

Red Velvet Cookies
Ingredients for the Cookies:
1 1/3 cups flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup butter, room temp.
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tbsp buttermilk (which can be made with 2 tbsp milk and about a 1/4 tsp of vinegar - white or cider)
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp red food colouring (I have done without, which means the cookies are dark brown in colour.)
Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pkg (8 oz) light cream cheese
1 sticks (1/2 cup) butter (I have used salted and unsalted and it doesn't seem to matter.)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions for the cookies:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda in a small bowl.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time. Then beat in the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and red food colouring. Once creamed together, add the dry ingredients to wet. Mix until completely combined.

Drop batter using a tablespoon onto a parchment lined baking sheet, forming 1.5-inch round circles.

Bake for 10 minutes, until baked through. If you're not sure, test with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, they are ready. Cookies should be light and cake-like. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.


Directions for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until well-mixed. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Spread the cream cheese frosting between two cooled cookies.

This recipe makes about 24-28 cookies.

Mint Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
1/4 above made icing
1/4-1/2 tsp mint extract
3 drops of green food colouring
Mix well.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
1/4 above made icing
1-2 tbsp pre-made raspberry jam
Mix well.

Maple Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
1/4 above made icing
1/4-1/2 tsp maple extract
4-6 drops blue food colouring
Mix well.

I have made these cookies on several occasions now. They always come out perfectly and are enjoyed by all those who try them! For Easter, I created theme-coloured and flavoured icing. I divided the icing above into four equal parts and created the flavours below. The measurements are not exact, as it is up to you how potent you would like the flavourings and how bright you would like the icing colours. Let me know how your experiments turn out.

Happy baking!


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/red-velvet-sandwich-cookies-recipe/index.html

It's Kind of a Funny Story | Review

I recently borrowed Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story from a friend and I loved it! Yes, it's another young-adult novel, but a perfectly good read for all ages.

The plot follows the narrator, Craig, who is a depressed teenager who checks himself into a psychiatric hospital after contemplating suicide due to the pressures of his academic high school. He meets a wide range of patients with a variety of ailments with whom he bonds with and from which he learns. Craig spends time with a female patient, Noelle, who has self-inflicted scars on her face as a result of her inability to cope with sexual abuse in her past. Relieved from his school and peer stresses, in the company of his new found friends in the ward, and the support of his family, Craig is able to identify and confront his anxieties and recover.

The novel tracks Craig's progression through his struggles and his ability to work through them with the help of others. He discovers his talents, which are different than his peers' and realizes that there is hope for his future.

I recently saw the movie based on this book, which was also quite good. I am happy to report that the movie closely followed the written story. If you liked the book, check out the movie, too! Also, I have recently learned that the author, Vizzini, has written other novels and am eager to get my hands on them. His style of writing is very conversational and easy to read. I will let you know what I think of his other work(s) if I read them!

____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 10/10 and here's why:

Text: The language is informal and conversational, which lends itself nicely to the overall feel of the journal-like flow of the book.

Dialogue: Vizzini uses appropriate and up-to-date language, which adds to the readers understanding of the characters.

Plot: Protagonist, Craig, makes a huge shift through the course of the story allowing readers to connect and root for him.
Characters: Almost immediately, I was compelled to cheer for Craig. I believed in him as well as other characters living in the ward.

The World According to Garp | Review

I love books with strong character development, which brings me to one of my favourite authors, John Irving. When reading his novels, I feel as though I really get to know his characters and for me that is a crucial part of a great book.

The World According To Garp is about the life strange life of T. S. Garp (Technical Sergeant Garp). He is named by his mother, Jenny Field, after his father, a dying gunner injured in battle. Jenny (a nurse) cares for the brain-damaged sergeant, which includes comforting him through sexual means ultimately impregnating herself.

Growing up, T.S. Garp and his mother have little in common and find it difficult to connect. While he is interested in sex, writing, and wrestling, his mother becomes a best-selling feminist extremist. Garp goes on to have a family, but is unable to protect them from the dangers, violence, and pains of the world. Irving explores the topics of sexuality, death, and gender roles in this novel.

If you enjoy this novel, you should check out some of Irving's other works, including:
The Fourth Hand
The Hotel New Hampshire
A Widow for One Year
Until I Find You

____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 9/10 and here's why:

Text: Irving's writing is creative, original, and well-written. His text reads as if it was written with ease and mastery.

Dialogue: The dialogue is realistic and effective.

Plot: At times, the story-line takes on a "second fiddle" role as the themes of feminism and violence move to the front of the stage. The plot is unique and captivating.

Characters: Irving is a master in character development. Furthermore, the unusual relationships between his characters are intriguing.

Anne of Green Gables | Review

I first read Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables as a young girl and then again in a Women's Literature course in University. As a youngster, I enjoyed relating to the adventures and mishaps of Anne (with and "e") and her bosom-buddy Diana, while as an adult I came to appreciate this coming of age story in many new ways.

The story begins with a nosy-neighbour's need to know why Matthew Cuthbert is taking his carriage into town in the afternoon wearing his best suit. Montgomery's ability to weave words and develop characters is immediately evident. Busy-body, Mrs. Rachel Lynde, soon finds out that brother and sister, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, are adopting an orphan boy to help out on their farm (Green Gables). After a series of mishaps, the Cuthberts end up with the spunky red-headed orphan, Anne Shirley.

The plot follows Anne's misadventures in the small town of Avonlea where her imagination runs wild and her mischievous ways often lead her into trouble. As both a young and adult reader, it was easy to relate to Anne as I saw some of myself in her. Some of her adventures include: playing with friends, accidentally getting her friend Diana drunk, and in an attempt to change her hair colour, dyeing her hair green then hiding under the covers in a fit of utter embarrassment.

This novel is comedic and heart-warming. I recommend it to young girls and older alike.

Enjoy!

____________________________________________________

I give this book a rating of 10/10 and here's why:

Text: The imagery is magical and the style paired with the level of vocabulary makes this novel accessible both younger and older readers.

Dialogue: The speech is realistic and brilliantly linked to each character's personality.

Plot: The protagonist constantly encounters problems, but is able to overcome them and grow as a result.
Characters: Montgomery creates deep, interesting characters who are, from start to finish,  characters so easy to love (especially Matthew Cuthbert) or dislike.