@zimmysnook
Rotisserie Jerk Pork. I love Jerk all year round, but there is something about the warm spices of Jerk that makes me appreciate it even more in the fall. The complex flavours are a well-balanced marriage of warm spices, a touch of heat, sweetness, and acidity. There is no shortage of ingredients for the dry…
Roasted Cauliflower with Hummus Yogurt Dip. Elaine and I got hooked on a version of this appetizer at department store bar during their happy hour(s). There we would be innocently shopping away, when we would walk pass the bar, stop for a glass of wine, and inevitably order their crispy cauliflower with olives & hummus….
Homegrown Tomato Confit Toast. Elaine loves to grow tomatoes and this year she grew 17 heirloom varieties that all ripened at the same time! Although we share as much as we can with friends and family, we always end up with an over abundance, and we are always looking for new ways to enjoy them….
Greek Chicken and Orzo Skillet. A quick, easy, and very flavourful one skillet meal that is sure to please the entire family. Perfect for meal planning too! The lemon zest and lemon juice bring a pop of brightness to the meal, so do not forget to finish each plate with some! Watch how this one-skillet…
This Mediterranean Grilled Mushroom Salad recipe was created in partnership with Mushrooms Canada. Opinions in this post are always my own. Transport your lunch guests to the Mediterranean with this flavourful, affordable & nutrient packed grilled mushroom salad. Three varieties of mushrooms are marinated in olive oil, lemon & dill. Grilled with red onion, red…
Chicken Coq au Vin Blanc. (Chicken in White Wine Sauce) Comfort food at its finest, this easy and succulent chicken dish is perfect for a casual family dinner or for entertaining a couple of friends. In the summertime we prefer using this white wine recipe because it’s a lighter version of the traditional recipe which…
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken “Take-Out” Date-Night. Easy to prepare, easy to clean up, more affordable and better tasting! What is not to like about this date-night alternative to hopping on your mobile device and scrolling through a restaurant delivery app? The preparation is minimal, so one individual can surprise the other or make and it an…
Turkey Burgers Stuffed with Stilton Cheese. Turkey burgers can be just as flavourful and delicious, as any other burger out there! These turkey patties are given a flavour boost with spicy pickled garlic, sweet onions, and Dijon, before being stuffed with stilton cheese. While they grill, they are topped with Spicy Grape Jam, that beautifully…
Coronation grapes (also called blue or concord grapes) are available for a brief time in Ontario from mid-August to September. So run, don’t walk to pick some up and make this spicy grape jam! Yes, it goes without saying that this jam is delicious on toast, but this slightly spicy, zesty jam really shines in…
Twice-Baked Potatoes with Cauliflower and Cheese (Made in the Joule™ Oven Air Fryer Pro) As someone who is still relatively new to the world of Air Frying and the concept of a Smart Ovens, I must admit, I have really enjoyed testing and cooking with the Breville Joule™ Oven Air Fryer Pro!At first glance, it…
Southwestern Skillet Hash. This one skillet breakfast is loaded with all the fixings. Bacon, eggs, sausages, pepper, onions, sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes, black beans, then finished with avocado and cilantro for a pop of freshness. Try it for a very satisfying breakfast or lunch for four, or dinner for two. Watch how easy this was…
Our garden cucumbers are growing out of control, and we are not mad about it! This refreshing cucumber salad with a red wine vinaigrette is so simple to make and is the perfect side for a casual BBQ or an elegant dinner party. A mandoline is recommended to slice the cucumbers, onions, radishes, and jalapeño…
Sous-Vide Carrots with Hummus. Perfectly cooked carrots, flavoured with a hint of spice, a pop of freshness and drop of sweetness. Whether served as an appetizer or a side, this dish is sure to impress. The sous-vide carrots retain their natural sweetness, while soaking up all the flavours of the other ingredients. The slight spiciness…
Reverse Sear Filet Mignon There are many ways to cook a filet mignon, but the tried-and-true method of a reverse sear is always my choice for a thicker cut of meat like a filet mignon. A reverse sear is an ideal way to ensure consistency of your finished cook and avoid that terrible feeling of…
They say we eat with our eyes first and these gorgeous Beef Ribs with Salsa Verde alongside a loaf of crusty, garlic bread is meal that will bring joy from beginning to the very end! The secret to these tender, mouth-watering ribs is to start with local Canadian Beef, then cook them lowand slow in…
New Potato & Bean Salad. A perfect side dish for cooler summer evenings when it doesn’t feel too hot to boil the potatoes and beans. Delicious served warm as soon as it is made, but it continues to develop deeper flavour if left to marinade for a few hours. Serve alongside your favourite barbecue dishes…
I am pretty darn confident that this ooey, gooey, rich and chewy chocolate chip skillet cookie recipe will put a smile on your face. It’s rich and decadent, but if you are looking to indulge, you should totally feel happy while doing it. Consider this skillet cookie a judgement free zone, grab a piece of…
Crockpot™ Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil. A summertime seafood boil always tastes better when picnicking next to a large body of water. There is something about the location that stimulates all your senses (smell, sight, touch, taste, even sound) and creates the ultimate experience to enjoy this classic meal of well seasoned potatoes, sausage, shrimp, corn,…
Grilled lemon-oregano chicken served with a village salad. It is one of our all-time favourites and tonight I think it tasted better than ever because it feels like forever since we’ve made it! This recipe is easy and the bright flavours of the sauce will leave you wanting more! We typically make extra for leftovers…
Thai Red Curry Ontario Beef Kabobs When Ontario Beef invited us to participate in their Ontario Beef BBQ Battle – Crazy for Kabobs, our first stop was a quality local butcher who is always stocked with the best cuts of Ontario Beef! Nothing but the best to create this mouth-watering kabob recipe. BATTLE IS ON! Tender Ontario…
Mushroom, Pancetta and Asiago Burgers. For these loaded burgers, it’s not the quantity of toppings that matters, it is the quality! These patties and their toppings are LOADED WITH FLAVOUR! The lean ground beef, roasted garlic & charred jalapeño patties, are grilled, then placed in the skillet to soak up all the mushroom flavour. Each…
Chili-Lime Corn on the Cob. Fresh corn of the cob is no doubt delicious, but fresh corn on the cob with a chili-lime butter, crumbled feta and chopped cilantro takes corn to the next level! Whether you are celebrating Canada Day, Fourth of July or having a backyard BBQ I highly suggest you treat your…
This dill pickle potato salad has quickly become a favourite around our home. Slightly creamy, a little tangy, with a hint of spice. Make it ahead of time and pull it out when it’s time to eat. Perfect for casual get togethers and ideal for summertime barbecues. Delicious paired alongside your favourite grilled dishes. Try…
Wedge Salad with a Gorgonzola Dressing. Damn, this was good! Cucumbers, bacon, tomatoes, radishes, chives, chive flowers and lotza Gorgonzola! This crisp and refreshing steakhouse classic is delicious and so easy to assemble. It’s the perfect side to any grilled meat or as is on its own. Steak is obviously a perfect pairing but adding…
Pork Chops & Apple Slaw (with Creamy Polenta) True story… I grew up eating “Pork Chops & Apple Sauce.” It was one of the meals my dad would cook when mom wasn’t home. Thin boneless pork chops, pan fried until they were cooked right through! Unfortunately, this process left them quite dry and out of…
Grilled Chicken Skewers Chicken skewers, with plenty of veggies, rice, pita & tzatziki is my summer go-to recipe for a quick and delicious meal! My simple marinade includes these basics – fresh garlic, rosemary, oregano, zest of a lemon, Dijon mustard, white balsamic and olive oil. Watch the process video here Hope you enjoy this…
Fiesta Chicken Chili. Fresh vegetables, chicken thighs, butter beans and spices combine to create a light, flavourful meal, perfect for a midweek dinner, meal planning for lunches or taking on a road trip. Use the Crockpot™ Lunch Crock to enjoy a hot lunch at the office or on the road. Add cilantro, jalapeños, guacamole, and…
Sizzlin’ Smokies with Kimchi, Pickled Veggies & Crispy Shallots. Fire up the grill! Pour a cold beverage and take a few minutes to enjoy a good conversation, a few laughs and an incredibly tasty Sizzlin’ Smokie hot off the grill. Preparing the quick-pickled vegetables and crispy shallots ahead of time, will ensure a treat for…
Charred Green Onion-Jalapeno-Lemon Lamb Chops. A frenched rack of lamb, well seasoned or marinated, then seared over a hot grill until barely medium-rare, is one of my favourite treats. The charred bits of fat, the melt-in-your-mouth morsels of meat, combined beautifully on a bone, is my perfect lollipop! Now, when I cook a full rack,…
Niçoise inspired salad with oven roasted Coho salmon. The salmon was surrounded with asparagus, potatoes, cucumbers, celery, red onions, tomatoes, pickles, olives and hard boiled quail eggs. Served with a dressing of white balsamic, Dijon, honey, s&p and olive oil. Watch the salmon bake and sizzle here Niçoise Salad with Oven Roasted Coho Salmon: Frequently…
These Individual Ground Beef Wellingtons are made with ground beef instead of the traditional beef tenderloin. Making them a delicious yet cost effective way to serve a special meal to your family and friends this Easter (or any day you want an excuse to feel fancy!) The ground beef is seasoned well, topped with Duxelles…
Grilled Peruvian Inspired Spicy Chicken Drumsticks with Creamy Green Sauce. Shake things up on game day, spice up your next barbecue with friends or make family dinner something to remember. These charred Peruvian inspired drumsticks are perfect on their own but absolutely explode with flavour when coated with the spicy, creamy green sauce. Move over…
Easy Bolognese with a Spicy Twist. This Bolognese inspired sauce is the perfect way to spice things up with your special someone. The hot Italian sausages and crushed chilies build on the flavours of the classic Bolognese and bring joy to your tastebuds. For a meal requiring little preparation, you will be amazed how much…
Mussels & Squid in a Spicy Tomato-Sausage Broth When it comes to “comfort food” this ranks right up at the top! A pot of rich, flavourful, somewhat spicy broth, hot fennel sausage, mussels, squid and fresh crusty bread. An easy, affordable meal that will warm your heart & soul, while satisfying your hunger and tantalizing…
Linguine and clams (or linguine alle vongole) is a classic worth revisiting, over and over! Simple, inexpensive ingredients, shown a little love in preparation will deliver a soul satisfying meal every time. Buy the freshest clams from a reliable source and look for an artisanal dried pasta… the rougher the surface texture the better it…
Roasted Garlic Hummus. This recipe can be substituted with raw garlic, but when roasting the garlic, it caramelizes and adds a deliciously sweet and mellow complexity and depth to the hummus. The prep is minimal and is so worth the effort! I use this hummus as a dip on its own, in my Roasted Cauliflower…