Tip of the Day #34: Burning Rice

Burned a pot of rice? Just place a piece of white bread on top of the rice for 5-10 minutes to draw out the burned flavor. Be careful not to scrape the burned pieces off of the bottom of the pan when serving the rice.

Tip of the Day #33: Tupperware Organization

Organize your Tupperware by placing lids in a dish rack--it will help keep them neat & easily accessible! Always remember to go through your 'inventory' every few months to rid any that are missing containers, or are damaged--this will ensure you only have what you need!

Tip of the Day #32: Washing your 'Greens'

The best way to remove dirt from greens like spinach, arugala and kale, is to leave them in a salt water bath for a few minutes!

Tip of the Day #31: Grease Removal from Walls

Use cornstarch to remove cooking grease from a wall--just pour some on a rag and wipe spot until it is gone!

Tip of the Day #30: 'Layer' while you Cook!

BE BOLD in your cooking! Don't be afraid to spice things up with lots of flavour!! Layering with salt & pepper is KEY to a delicious meal!

Tip of the Day #29: Living Frugal!

If you love living a frugal lifestyle, go all the way by making a lot of your everyday products--like, laundry detergent, cleaning sprays & dishwasher detergent! There are a variety of resources online that can teach you how!

Tip of the Day #28: Bacon in the Oven

Stop cooking your bacon in a frying pan...it is much easier & TASTIER in the oven! :)

Tip of the Day #27: Organizing Canned Goods

Space Saver--use magazine holders to store your canned goods and free up room in your cupboards!

Tip of the Day #26: Lemons and Limes, oh my!

Do you have lemons and/or limes you must use up? Cut into halves or slices and place in a vase with water as a centrepiece as we await Spring! Not only does it look beautiful, but it will fill your home with a fresh scent!

Tip of the Day #25: Small Items in Dishwasher

Happy Family Day!!!!!!!!

Keep mini Tupperware lids, baby-bottle caps, and other small items from falling through the dishwasher rack by placing them in a laundry bag!!!

Tip of the Day #24: Cleaning & Disinfecting your Cutting Board

To remove tough food stains from wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing. The bonus is that your kitchen will smell wonderful as well!

Tip of the Day # 23: Kids--Transitioning to adult cups

If you have little ones who may be transitioning to a 'big' cup, try putting a few rubber bands around the glass for a better grip to avoid any accidents!

Tip of the Day #22: Removing Stuck on Food

Here is how to get rid of stuck on foods or yucky 'burnt' stains on your pots & pans without hassle!!!

Instructions
1. Fill the bottom with about 1 cup of water

2. Add the 1 cup of vinegar.

3. Bring the pot or pan to a boil. It should be looking a bit cleaner already.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and add 2 tbsp of baking soda and watch it fizz.

5. Empty the pan and scour as normal, if necessary add an extra bit of dry baking soda.

**** If there are any super stubborn marks that don't come off with scouring, make a paste of baking soda and a couple of drops of water. Leave the paste on the marks for a while and return to clean as normal.

Tip of the Day #21: Sticky liquids

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Tip of the Day #20: Quality Time for Couples!

Spend quality time with your man by preparing & cooking a meal TOGETHER! :)

Tip of the Day #19: Date Night

Date Night Idea - enroll in a cooking class with your significant other; they can be lots of fun!

Tip of the Day #18: Kids in the Kitchen

Teach your children in the kitchen!! Kids are like sponges and absorb information quickly--instill cooking skills at a very young age! They will love to help!

Here is my little assistant :)

Tip of the Day #17: Learning New Recipes

Expand your recipe base! Plan a potluck with friends or suggest a soup exchange!

Valentines Day Meal Idea--Beef Wellington

Have you ever watched "Hell's Kitchen" and wondered how to make that 'oh-so-yummy-looking meat, covered in a pastry dish?' Well, I used to think the same thing and so I decided to research a recipe and alter it into my own! On the show, it always looked so difficult to master, but honestly, although a bit time-consuming, it is quite easy!

This is perfect recipe to produce a delicious Beef Wellington for your significant other, on what better day than the one you celebrate your love for one another!

What you need:

2 lb Beef fillet
1/2 lb Portobello mushrooms (chopped)
1 large onion (chopped)
handful of finely chopped flat leaf parsley
2 eggs
1 sheet of dough (President's Choice has a great boxed one that contains 2 sheets)

Instructions:

1.  Sautee mushrooms and onion in large frying pan. Once browned, remove from stove top and let cool.

2. Sear beef on ALL sides; make sure to NOT cook beef while searing for too long--ensure all sides are just lightly browned then remove from pan.

3.  Take sheet of dough and flatten out, ensuring to stretch out VERY lightly as to not tear.

4. Place meat on top of dough sheet, then place mushroom & onion mix in a generous line on top of meat.

5. Carefully take one side of the dough and bring up over top of the meat, then repeat with ALL sides--smooth down creases in dough where sides meet.

6. Whisk 2 eggs in bowl until thin, then brush over dough.

7. Place in oven at 400 degrees until temperature reaches 125. Wait approximately 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Serve with a nice mixed green salad or potatoes.

Tip of the Day # 16: Cooking w Wine

Remember to keep a bottle of both white & red wine under your sink--they make a world of difference in your cooking!

Check out our Chicken Carbonara recipe below that incorporates wine into its recipe!

Chicken Carbonara

To make Alfredo Sauce:

1. Heat in a pot: - 1/4 cup oil, butter or bacon grease (any type of fat)
                         - 1/4 cup flour
                         - 2 cups milk (any %)
                         - splash of WHITE WINE
                         -  dash of garlic powder
                         - dash of dried parsley flakes
                         - grate parmesan cheese into mix or add the powdered cheese

2. Stir until sauce is thickened--if it becomes too thick, you can add a splash of water to thin out.

Remainder of Recipe:

Boil Penne pasta noodles

Dice chicken, sprinkle with a dash of Thyme & cook in skillet

Cook bacon in oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then dice and place in skillet with chicken

Once bacon is crispy, you will see tiny crumbles stuck to bottom of pan--add a splash of WHITE WINE and watch it boil. Add Alfredo sauce to pan and cover all chicken & bacon.

Place cooked pasta on plate and spoon out sauce and meats over top.

DIG IN! :)

Tip of the Day #15: Picky Eaters

Picky Eaters? Serve foods with a variety of colour as kids are attracted to them the most!

Try these Rainbow Shish Kabobs!

Tip of the Day #14: Recipe Swap Showers

Planning a wedding shower? Suggest a Recipe Card swap theme!

Tip of the Day #13: Clean as you Cook

Do you hate all the dishes that pile up when preparing and making a meal? Wash them while cooking! You wont believe the time you can save!

Mexican Style Mushroom Pizza

These are SO delicious!! They only take a few quick steps to complete and are only 90 calories!!!!

What you need:

2 large Portobello mushrooms caps
Salsa
Shredded cheese (mixture of your choice)
Dried cilantro
Spinach leaves

Instructions:

1. Line mushroom caps with baby spinach after thoroughly cleaning mushrooms and removing stems
2. Top with a 2 tbsp of salsa
3. Layer with shredded cheese
4. Sprinkle with dried cilantro
5. Place in oven for 20 minutes at 350 or until cheese is melted.

Tip of the Day #12: Introducing Variety at a Young Age

Picky eaters? When your baby is ready for solid foods, introduce a variety that contain unique ingredients--it helps develop a great palette from early on!

Tip of the Day #11: Steaming Veggies

When steaming vegetables, add a bouillon cube to the water instead of salt--it will give the veggies a great taste. You can also throw in a few cloves of garlic for a wonderful change as well!

Chicken Quesadillas

This recipe is such a crowd-pleaser and takes little time to prepare!

What you will need:

1. 2 chicken breasts
2. 2 cups shredded cheese (I use both Mozarella & Cheddar)
3. 3 green onion stalks (chopped)
4. 1 Roma tomato (diced)
5. Salt & pepper
6. Small sized tortilla shells

Instructions:

1. Bake chicken at 375 degrees for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl and toss with salt and pepper.
3. Lay all tortilla shells out, then lauer mixture on one half of each shell.
4. Once chicken is cooked, dice into small cubes and toss in Buffalo Wing sauce. Place on top of mixture on shells. Top with a bit of shredded cheese.
5. Fold empty side of shell over on top of full side to make a half moon shape.
6. Bake for a few minutes in oven to crisp shell. SERVE.

Homemade Burgs

I love to make everything from scratch, especially my hamburgers! This way, you know every ingredient that is going into your food, and it is much healthier as well.

What you need:

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
2 tbsp barbecue sauce
Salt & pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 egg
1 tsbp bread crumbs
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Once mixed, form tennis size balls of meat, then lightly flatten.
3. Heat frying pan, sear both sides of patties on medium heat (3 minutes each side).
4. Place patties on baking sheet and cook in oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
5. Toast buns if desired and SERVE.

***These hamburgers go well with a side of homemade french fries:

1. Cut 4 large potatoes into 1/2 inch wide strips, while trying to maintain round shape of potato (leave skin on).
2. Heat pot of oil on stove and place potatoes in oil when ready (as stated in previous recipe, test oil by placing tip of fry in oil, if it sizzles a bit, its ready!)
3. When fries rise to top of pot and turn golden brown, remove and place in large bowl.
4. Sprinkle with salt and toss. SERVE.

Tip of the Day #10: Resources for Inspiration

Need Inspiration? Make sure to visit your local LCBO to grab a copy of their latest "Food & Drink" magazine--it is loaded with a variety of food ideas!

Tip of the Day #9: Spruce up Sides!

Tasty Tip- add a mixture of fresh veggies to otherwise boring cooked ones--for example, spruce up a bowl of corn with colourful red and green peppers!

Crock Pot Potatoes

Here is yet another EASY slow cooker recipe, but this time it's a side dish!

What you need:
3 large red skin potatoes (diced)
1 package of Ranch dressing mix
3/4 cup of sour cream
1 can of cream of chicken soup

Directions:

1. Spray your crock pot with cooking spray as it will prevent ingredients from sticking--this is an ESSENTIAL step!
2. Mix all ingredients (except potatoes) in a large bowl and stir well. Add potatoes and stir until the potatoes are completely coated. Add a dash of salt & pepper.
3. Pour into crock pot, cook on low for 4-5 hours or until potatoes are tender. 4. Stir occasionally as cream and potatoes start to stick to the sides.

Enjoy!

Tip of the Day #8: Squeeze Bottle Alternatives

Start saving old squeeze bottles so you can find other uses for them!! Ex: For pancake mix!!!

The Ultimate in Veggie Dips

There is a vegetable dip that has become a huge tradition in my family--every Holiday occasion brings a request for this one-of-kind dip! I do not really know the age of its existence, but I am aware that it has been around since *I* was born and it has always been a hit wherever it goes! Try it out and I am positive it will be a success with your close ones as well...and maybe it can be another idea for a Superbowl snack?

It's as simple as mixing all the following ingredients together:

2 cups WHOLE EGG Mayonnaise (preferably Hellmanns)
2 cups REGULAR sour cream
2 tbsp minced onion flakes
2 tbsp parsley flakes
1 tbsp of dillweed
1 tbsp accent
1 tbsp season salt
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Place in fridge until ready to serve

**This recipe makes close to a large bowl, so if only looking for a smaller portion, cut all ingredients in half.

Pulled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

This is not only a delicious recipe, but one of the easiest as well, since it is all done inside the convenience of your slow cooker!

What you need:

1. 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast (or to save money you can use thighs or drums)
2. One package of Ranch dressing powder
3. 1 bottle of Buffalo Wing sauce (President's choice has a great one)
4. 2 tbsp butter
5. Kaiser or sesame seed buns (or any of your favourites)

Recipe:

1. Place your chicken in the crock pot.

2. Sprinkle with 3/4's of the Ranch dressing pack

3. Pour and drench chicken in Buffalo sauce.

4. Close lid and let bake on high for 6-8 hours.

5. After 5-6 hours, pull chicken apart with 2 forks, and place back in crock pot. ( If you used chicken with 'bone-in,' this is when you will remove all bones)

6. Smother again in more Buffalo sauce and add 2 tbsp of butter.

7. Continue cooking for 1-2 hours, until you feel it 'looks ready.'

8. Pile chicken on bun and drizzle with Blue Cheese and SERVE!

***This recipe is suitable for children by substituting the Buffalo Wing sauce for any Barbecue sauce of your choice, and omitting the Blue Cheese at the end.

Tip of the Day #7: Growing Herbs at Home

Instead of buying your herbs, make the move and grow your own at home!