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!