Author: Melissa

The Lazy Mojito

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Happy first day of Summer! I have been crazy busy the last few weeks and I haven’t found enough time to do any recipes for you guys! I’m sorry! But you will probably forgive me when you find out why I have been so busy…. I’m going to Europe for a month! I am BEYOND excited! My first stop is in jolly old London- where I will be a bridesmaid in my best friend, Anita’s, wedding! I met Anita in my second year of undergrad at UofT on Halloween. Up until the end of our fourth year we were inseparable. Anita moved back to Iran and later studied interior design in Italy and we haven’t seen each other in person since that last day of undergrad when she flew home 😦 It will be quite the reunion! And my other bestie, Tyler (who moved to Australia after undergrad and who I haven’t seen in 2+ years) will also be joining so it is going to be even better! After London, I will be traveling to …

Frosé All Day

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There has been a very strong obsession with rosé wine lately. The phrase “Rosé All Day” has become a mantra of many millenials who enjoy sipping on this tasty pink beverage. This phrase has been emblazoned across shirts, phone cases, and even swimsuits (lol) and everyone is just drinking it up! While it’s a little obnoxious, and basic AF, there truly is a lot to celebrate with this delicious type of wine. Rosé is produced in three ways. The first and most common way to make rosé is through maceration. In this process, red grapes are placed into the white wine and are left so sit and macerate for a period of time. The red colour from the grapes bleed out into the wine, producing a pink colour. It’s basically like letting a teabag steep in a cup of water. The longer the red grapes sit in the wine, the darker the colour gets. The second way to make rosé is to blend the wine. In this process, red wine is simply added to a …

Herb-Stuffed Pork Loin (almost Porchetta)

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You guys, I’m literally crying. I just created this recipe for Herb-Stuffed Pork Loin and I am just over the moon. This salty, porky, herby roast is heaven and you definitely have to try this this spring! We picked up a large pork loin at Costco a few weeks ago for a really good price (I know, I know….Costco isn’t always local…but for this price, we couldn’t pass it up). We sliced the loin up into various pieces, making sure to save 2 large portions for roasts. Typically, I make pork loin in the fall with stewed apples and onions and various fall spices such as cinnamon and cloves, but I was just inkling to make a tasty summer pork loin roast for us. When I think of spring, one of the first things that comes to mind is herbs. Parsley definitely comes first, followed by oregano and basil (more of summer herbs). But then out of the blue came sage (a fall/winter herb) and I knew I was on to something. Herbs + pork…maybe …

Patio-Perfect Red Wine Sangria

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Looks like we are 2-0 for sunny Fridays this month! How perfect is that for my #PatioSeries?! For this weeks post, I present the patio drink of all patio drinks: sangria. Let’s be real…I couldn’t do a #PatioSeries without my recipe for Patio-Perfect Red Wine Sangria! I love everything about sangria: First, there is red wine involved- enough said. Second, there is some Triple Sec in there which gives the sangria a nice orangy and boozy kick. Typically, most sangria recipes also call for the addition of brandy. I decided to omit it in my recipe since brandy is not really my favourite flavour, and with the addition of orange juice and sparking water (also a much cheaper alternative) you still get a great tasting sangria. Third, sangria is the perfect drink + snack combo. If you happen to get a little hungry while sipping away on your sangria, simply snack on the alcohol soaked fruit. It’s just like in university days when you added gummy bears to a vodka drink, only much healthier with …

Rhubarb Collins

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Patio season has finally arrived in Vancouver! After the long and rainy spring that we had this year, I think that everyone is the city is happy that the sun and warm weather is back. I know I sure am! To celebrate the start of Patio Season (and to start pre-gaming for summer!), I have come up with a special “Patio Series” theme for my blog this June! Every Friday, I will be posting a special cocktail that you can make to kick off the weekend. These recipes feature local and seasonal ingredients- right down to the alcohol. Yes, you read that right! Vancouver has a wonderful distillery and craft beer scene which I am going to take full advantage of 🙂 As a bonus, I will be posting a few extra cocktail recipes in throughout the month of June (i.e. not just on Friday’s) so keep your eyes open for them! To kick off the start of the series, I present my Rhubarb Collins, a spring-like play on a Tom Collins. A regular Tom Collins …

Spot Prawn Festival

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The weather did not stop Vancouverites from coming together to celebrate the opening of BC Spot Prawn season at the 11th Annual Spot Prawn Festival. Held annually at False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf on Granville Island, this is a festival that is not to be missed! Not only can you taste the first BC Spot Prawns of the season at the Spot Prawn Boil, you can purchase these sweet and succulent prawns that have just hauled up from the ocean from the fishermen who caught them right off their boats. You can’t get much fresher prawns than that! Now, spot prawns are some creepy little buggers, but they are incredibly delicious and are one of the prized delicacies of the sea in BC. From looking at them, you can tell they are spot prawns from their white spots on their tail and their thin white stripes on their shells. They are also quite large in size- actually the largest from all prawns from the BC coast. In terms of taste, spot prawns are definitely sweeter than …

Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote

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Lots of people wonder where I learned to cook so well. Here’s the truth: I got it from my mama!… and my grandma too! My mom and my grandma are two of the best cooks that I know. They have always cooked the most amazing, and most flavourful food. One of their secrets is to buy the best ingredients available. So even if this means spending a bit more money, they will do it because they know the food will be that much better and they know people will remember them for it. Another one of their secrets (and one that works so well that it is the main focus of this blog) is to buy local food wherever available. I remember going to pick strawberries as a kid just outside of Mississauga, Ontario to make jam, or driving through Niagara to get fresh peaches and plums in the summer to make a fruit pie, and going to Hazel Ontario to get smoked pork chops, corn, and lots of cheese for a hearty fall meal. …