tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80235305893022916122024-03-14T04:19:36.475-04:00Heavenly PalateHeavenly palate is a life journal about detailed step by step recipes around the world including international and exotic ones, food and restaurants, travel and tennis, and activities of/with/for kids.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-54903219441610379312015-03-04T17:44:00.000-05:002015-03-04T17:45:23.472-05:00[Basic Butter cookie] A perfectly buttery and crumbly cookie to boost your morning~
I know cookie is not the best thing to have for breakfast.
But, it's also true that it boosts my mood on monday morning and gives me something to look forward to when I have baked some delicious cookies the night before. Yes, I admit that having one or two big butter cookies is my secret guilty pleasure I'd like to keep to myself.
Nonetheless, I must share this butter cookie Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-27608477709231641842014-05-27T22:51:00.005-04:002014-05-27T22:51:58.629-04:00[Sweet pea & shrimp pasta] A wonderfully easy and quick dinner in 15 minutes
A few weeks ago, Remi and Mr. D went to a local supermarket for a quick grocery shopping, from which Remi brought a recipe card and presented to me as an "ordinary-day present." :)
It was a Jamie Oliver's pasta recipe~ Remi knows well that I love Jamie Oliver's recipes especially because his recipes don't disappoint. They usually turn out great and this quick sweet pea & shrimp Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-9607236188453575092014-04-08T00:35:00.002-04:002014-04-08T00:35:41.513-04:00[Stuffed Mushrooms] Red Lobster style mushrooms stuffed with shrimp, rice and broccoli
A couple of weeks ago, our team had a lunch at Red Lobster to celebrate a colleague's retirement. I ordered "Fresh Tilapia roasted with crab-and-seafood stuffing" and was hesitating whether to order an appetizer or not. Then a couple of people recommended this dish called "seafood stuffed mushrooms". As it looked delicious in the photo already, I placed an order for the stuffed Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-76153794900106802032014-03-31T23:51:00.002-04:002014-04-06T20:49:22.553-04:00[Braided Chocolate Ganache (Nutella) Bread] An Easy-to-make bread with a beautiful star shpe
When somebody showed me a photo of this beautifully twisted bread at work, I already was decided to bake this bread on that night. And, of course, I did. I must have said before that baking is, for me, not only for eating the end result, but more for enjoying the process of baking. I enjoy piping macarons, shaping bread, and decorating cupcakes.
Therefore, it was only natural Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-58293397021501188132014-03-23T23:23:00.002-04:002014-03-24T06:34:28.438-04:00[Irish Beef Stew] Hearty Irish beef stew enhanced by Guinness
Who said that March 20th was the first day of spring? Well it could be... somewhere else, but not in Ottawa, for sure. Today must be the fifth day of Spring according to the norm, but it's now -11 degrees Celsius, or 12 degrees Fahrenheit in Ottawa. So please don't tell me that spring is right here since I wouldn't have an idea what you are talking about !! :( We had a 4-inch snow just yesterdayUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-34199612713083499382014-03-16T22:13:00.000-04:002014-03-17T21:59:43.370-04:00[St. Patrick's Day Cupcake] Perfectly fluffy and soft treats to celebrate St. Paddy's day
As you might have easily guessed, I'm not Irish :). Still I feel like celebrating St. Paddy's day on March 17th. I went to an over-crowded Irish pub on every St. Paddy's day with Irish friends when I didn't have dependents. I gave up the idea of going to an Irish pub on St. Paddy's day since I was pregnant with Remi in 2004. Therefore, it has been already 10 years that I had a can of Guinness atUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-29436035317675111552014-02-21T06:51:00.001-05:002014-02-21T16:18:16.601-05:00[Two winter activities in Ottawa] where you have 6 months of winter - skiing and skating
In Ottawa, winter starts about at the end of October and can last until mid April. (give or take a couple of weeks) So, yes. It's pretty much cold, very cold, or freezing cold, for almost a half of the year.So you'd better like it, to have a happy living in Ottawa. If you can't avoid it, enjoy it! One good thing about having a long winter is that you don't complain much of a very hot day in Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-33686176826832175622014-02-11T06:54:00.004-05:002014-02-11T07:01:16.720-05:00[Pork Fried "Rice" from Wheat Belly] No Carb Fried "rice" only with healthy ingredients
It was for this Pork fried "rice" recipe that I bought another Wheat Belly - 30-minute cookbook, recently released.
I know that I have more than enough cookbooks on my bookshelves. But, unfortunately, it doesn't prevent me from buying a new cookbook. As I wrote a couple of times before, I'm not following this no gluten, no carb regime. It doesn't sound do-able or totally Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-28492105656614765602014-02-07T06:38:00.001-05:002014-02-07T19:14:02.993-05:00[Meatballs with Sweet and Sour sauce] Delightful main dish on a bed of rice
To be honest, I had never been a big fan of sweet and sour sauce.... until I encountered with this oh-so-easy-and-tasty sweet and sour meatballs. Some time ago, I was cramming for an exam and Mr. D went out and bought some assorted dinner at a deli. One of the items he bought was sweet and sour meatballs, probably for kids. But, we all liked the bite size meatballs coated with sweet and sour Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-35489036785596625232014-02-03T00:30:00.000-05:002014-02-03T20:29:13.877-05:00[The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane] A heartwarming children's book every adult must read!
Don't pass this book by because it sits in the children's section...this book is for everyone. I regret that I encountered with this book, only recently. I should have read this beautiful story in 2006 when it was first published.
It's a beautiful story I already read more than three times from the first to the last page, twice by myself and once with kids. When I started the book, I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-73374967247661079802014-01-29T07:18:00.002-05:002014-01-29T21:10:52.498-05:00[Chocolate Black Bean Cookies] Unconventionally Delicious Cookies with loads of healthy ingredients (Gluten-free)
When a friend told me about the cookies using black bean, actually I laughed it off, only because it didn't sound tasty. Don't get me wrong. I am a totally open-minded person and willing to try new stuffs. Also do I like using black beans for cooking. (See my yummy veggie burger recipe here) But, tell me, how could you use black beans for baking to make sweet treats? But, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-41047410960685403752014-01-23T06:49:00.000-05:002014-01-23T06:53:36.339-05:00[Mulled Cider] A warm treat for kids, grown-ups and family on a cold winter day
If you think about it, there wouldn't be many things better than a cup of hot mulled cider after an outing on a cold winter day. The temperature in the car started to plumping down as soon as I started the car and got out of the garage yesterday morning. And in a matter of a couple of minutes, it hit -10 degrees Fahrenheit (or -25 Celsius). The temperature didnt' go up much this morning so far, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-69347217899641584062014-01-20T00:18:00.000-05:002014-01-20T00:25:21.691-05:00[Zucchini & Sausage Lasagna] The easiest lasagna with lots of fresh vegetables
What is your favourite comfort food?
Out of all sorts of comfort food out there, mine is lasagna, especially cheesy lasagna with lots of vegetables. Probably it's not an usual pick for a comfort food. But, a big dish of bubbly mozzarella cheese on top of rich sauce and ingredients comfort me immensely :) Melting cheese and wonderfully overcooked lasagna noodle stacked with delicious Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-24793583466885278452014-01-12T15:09:00.002-05:002014-01-12T16:54:19.369-05:00[2014 Australian Open] Draw Analysis and Picks (Men's Singles & Women's Singles)
I'm so excited about the coming fortnight of the Australian Open. Well, technically, I do follow most of the ATP tournaments of ATP 250 and up. Sometimes I do even check the daily results of ATP Challengers if there's any young Canadian player playing . Still, any of those tournaments is not even comparable to a grand slam tournament. So, I've been snoozing for the past two months since 2013 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-22642910646946437962014-01-08T06:34:00.001-05:002014-01-08T06:36:23.923-05:00[Roasted Cauliflower] Wonderful Roasted Cauliflower with capers
Even though I realized that I wouldn't ever be able to become a vegetarian a long time ago, I still do love vegetables. Vegetables taste healthy and crunchy when they are fresh, transform into a nutritious meal when they are mixed into a salad, and highlight a haute-cuisine when they accompany the main dish. They can be a popular snack, too, can't they? :) It's really hard to discuss the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-66228875931319519402014-01-03T23:32:00.000-05:002014-01-03T23:53:08.371-05:00[2013-2014 Feux sur Glace] Montreal's winter sky lighted up by Fire on the ice
We drove to Montreal last Saturday to see the fireworks at the Old Port of Montreal which is known Le Vieux Port de Montréal.
It actually was the second time of the year we went to see the fire on the ice or Les Feux sur Glace. You can see our last visit here.
(Marché Bonscours de Montréal (Bonscours Market) opened in 1847)
It was amazingly cold here during the Christmas week Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-49599135337446872072013-12-29T23:03:00.002-05:002014-01-01T17:08:36.924-05:00[Canadian Hamburger Soup] A family favourite soup that warms up a cold winter day
Like most people, I also make chili, stew, and soup more often starting from late autumn til the end of winter. One of our recent favourite soups is hamburger soup.
It's a very Canadian soup, so it is not surprising that you've never heard of this oddly-named soup. Please don't let the name of the soup fool you. You only need perfectly normal healthy ingredients to make this hearty Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-71287704221358055502013-12-24T15:31:00.002-05:002013-12-24T15:31:29.856-05:00Merry Christmas!
I wish you a very merry Christmas and a superb new year!!!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-14337064465030023302013-12-23T06:57:00.000-05:002013-12-23T11:07:34.130-05:00[Vacherin mont d'or] A baked holy grail of French/Swiss raw milk cheese
We've not always been successful to buy Mont d'or for the past few years. It's all because of such a short period of time in December during which you can buy the cheese. Mont d'or is made with in the winter months when the cows come down from Alpage, petits Alps and there is not enough milk to make Comté cheese. It is packaged in round boxes and baked in its original packaging and eaten like Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-31047771361496228392013-12-18T06:13:00.003-05:002013-12-18T06:46:35.077-05:00[Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookies] Versatile Cookies for Any occasion - Easy to make
I was asked to bring some treats to share at the refreshment after the kids' Christmas recital of their music school. There were different things you could bring, but I obviously picked baked goods as I love baking. :) I baked my signature eggnog cake and made a couple dozens sugar cookies. I know that I call so many things my signatures. But, I can't just pick one! You can see my 'signature Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-59058441637552602852013-12-12T23:12:00.003-05:002013-12-12T23:14:42.961-05:00[Gingerbread house] Yearly Family Tradition + new balls for Christmas tree
Every December, we, or rather they, decorate two gingerbread houses, or one gingerbread house and a gingerbread train. We've been doing it every year since Remi was two, to make this year the 8th consecutive year to decorate a gingerbread house. Since Remi and Pablo have two different personalities and style, they cannot share a gingerbread house. We realized it already a few years ago when Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-59640144814748787982013-12-09T05:57:00.003-05:002013-12-09T06:19:04.102-05:00[Walnut Lemon Biscotti] A Simply Delicious Treat for a Tea/Coffee Time
How many cups of tea or coffee do you drink a day? I drink about four cups of tea a day. They are usually black tea with milk. But, the last cup can be either peppermint, lemon, or Egyptian licorice tea. I make tea in my red tumbler in the morning just before I leave for work. And I drink it while I drive. I love having tea in the car. :) Then, my second tea bag is used around 10 in the morning.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-51511480381664634192013-12-01T21:59:00.000-05:002013-12-02T19:06:58.271-05:00[Gnocchi with Blue Cheese Sauce] Easy way to make potato gnocchi
I make gnocchi a few times a year mostly upon Remi's request, who loves gnocchi, especially with blue cheese sauce. He has always liked it since he heard that one of Roger Federer's favourite foods were gnocchi with Gorgonzola cheese sauce. Did I say before that Remi and I were the two die-hard Federer fans? :)
Since kids liked gnocchi very much, I bought and tried frozen gnocchi Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-13508205313806518262013-11-24T23:09:00.000-05:002013-11-24T23:21:31.406-05:00[The Secret Keeper] Memorable and fascinating tale of love and yearning with superb twists
Kate Morton has written another winner with wonderful characters, great narrative and twists and turns you won't see coming. I've read all four books written by Kate Morton, and the Forgotten Garden was my favourite before I read this latest one, The Secret Keeper.
She always surprises me. I enjoyed the history that the author brings to life along with very interesting Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023530589302291612.post-30258996067818959782013-11-17T22:39:00.001-05:002014-04-28T00:37:15.441-04:00[Peruvian Style Rice] Easy and tasty rice: A great main dish accompaniment
I got this recipe from a friend's husband a few years ago, when he cooked a lunch for his wife and me when we were cramming for an exam. He made a delicious lunch. I liked the main dish very much, but the rice was so impressively delicious that I couldn't help but ask for the recipe.
Gonzalo readily gave me his secret(?) recipe to make tasty rice in Peruvian style. It was easy Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6