Eat Drink Read with DK Canada

The holiday season is fast approaching. And if you're looking for some books to help plan or some great gift ideas, DK Canada has some great suggestions in their Eat Drink Read Boutique.

The one that caught Gramma and Little Guy's attention? Children's Cookbook: Delicious step- by-step recipes by Katharine Ibbs, edited by Catherine Saunders. The cover is colourful, appealing and the pictures caught his attention. Notably the muffin. Little Guy loves muffins.

Inside you'll find over 50 recipes covering Breakfast, Light Meals, Main Meals, Desserts and Baking. An introduction covers how to use the book and there's a nice illustrated 'tool' page as well as a glossary of cooking terms.

The recipe pages are well laid out, with lots of colour, actual pictures and white space. Each is coded 1, 2 or 3 for difficulty with pictures of the ingredients needed, length of prep and cooking time, a tool checklist, techniques used, ideas for variations and a caution when adult help is required. And yes, step by step photos of  the 'how to'.

We had a good look at every page, picture and recipe the first time through, making a list of what we thought we would like to make from this book. And no surprise, Little Guy is all about the desserts and baking. Although he thought he might like the breakfast smoothie and frozen yogurt as well.

Little Guy's mom had a look at the book as well and mentioned that she found a number of recipes she would absolutely make for family meals. (As did Gramma) Easy, quick and yes, nutritious.

What did Gramma and Little Guy tackle first? You got it - the muffins. Cooking or baking with a child is a fantastic learning opportunity. Even if they can't read, there are so many teachable moments. Looking at the pictures - what do we need? Ingredients and equipment. Measuring, mixing and more. The step by step instructions in Children's Cookbook really do illustrate the process to a finished product. As adults, we've most likely done these steps so many times, we don't really think about them. With a little one, it's all new again.

He had such a sense of accomplishment when they came out of the oven. And was so proud sharing them with others. (and accepting the compliments!) And for Gramma? The time spent with Little Guy is priceless.

Children's Cookbook would be an excellent addition to any family's cookbook collection or make a great gift for the small person in your life.

Superfood Breakfasts with DK Canada

I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But for years, I just skipped it, either too rushed, too lazy or not hungry.

I've changed my ways and now try to get up and eat breakfast before I head to work. And yes, I've noticed a difference.

So Superfood Breakfasts: Quick and simple, high-nutrient recipes to kickstart your day from DK Canada's Great Tastes Boutique definitely caught my eye. And so did the line ...."the recipes have been compiled with busy, modern lifestyles in mind." Quick, nutritious and all the planning already done for me? Umm, yes please. The other must for me was gluten and refined sugar free. Check.

What is a superfood you ask? From the opening chapter: "These are foods that are nutrient-dense, with vitamins and minerals for the perfect functioning of our bodies." There's a great pictorial index of the superfoods along with each one's benefits.

There are 25 recipes included with lots of choice in both content and time. Me, I like the good to go ones - take it with me and eat it when I get there. Included are recipes for something I've always wanted to try, but hadn't gotten around to - Overnight Oat Jars. Well, I don't know why I haven't done it - it was really easy and only took a few minutes the night before. Or taking it with me. Smoothies are easy to drink on the drive to work.

But there are some great make aheads too. I've made the quinoa and buckwheat granola and it was really, really good. I tried it as a breakfast bowl, but found I also liked it on yogurt and as a snack in midafternoon. The quinoa superseed bread is next up for a make ahead.

With more time on weekends, the Rainbow Vegetable Frittata and Blueberry Oat Pancakes have been enjoyed by my husband as well. The breakfast parfaits would appeal to kids for a fun looking (and good for them) breakfast.

As with all DK books, the layout is great - clear and easy to read alongside great colour photos. And the bottom line? Always packed with great, useful, up to date information. Superfood Breakfasts hasn't made it to the bookshelf yet - it's been in constant use on the side kitchen counter. Recommended! See below for some sample pages.

Summer Living Boutique with DK Canada

It's finally here to stay - warm weather and summer living!

DK Canada has put together a great selection of books in their Summer Living Boutique - books "full of fun activities and pastimes from firing up the barbeque or prepping your trusty bicycle, to checking out what is growing in your backyard or happening in your local park, our Summer Living boutique has lots of books to inspire you to make this summer your best ever."

For me, summer means spending as much time outside as possible - and not in the kitchen! So, Cook Healthy and Quick is the perfect cookbook for me. Over 300 recipes. Check. Nutritious meals in 30 minutes or less? Even better!

Breakfasts, lunches, mains, sides and desserts are all covered. The cheese and bacon muffins were a healthy and easily transportable breakfast on an early morning road trip. I can't wait to try the buckwheat pancakes with cherry almond sauce on a Sunday morning.

There are so many salad recipes, all unique and using fresh vegetables and herbs that are readily available in the summer. The swiss chard and sweet potato is so colourful and looks so good. (and good for you!)

Make up some almond and apricot energy balls to take on your hike. Picnicking? Upscale your sandwiches from peanut butter. How about stuffed ciabatta buns with grilled veggies? Zucchini and pea mini tortillas? And my fave - turkey, avocado and greens. And of course quick brownies for dessert. ;0)

The pad thai recipe was great and literally took twenty minutes start to finish. There are many more mains - lots to put into play in the winter as well. (When I still strongly dislike spending more time than I have to in the kitchen)

I was delighted to find vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free selections as well. Big plus - the nutrition information per serving is included.

As with all DK books, there are gorgeous full colour photos on lovely glossy stock accompanying each recipe. See below for an example. For some reason, I don't mind cooking so much when I can see what the dish will look like. And a picture kinda makes your mouth water too. Here's an extended peek inside Cool Healthy and Quick.

Giveaway - Pen and Palate - Lucy Madison and Tram Nguyen

I've a got a great giveaway today for anyone who can connect with food - and friendship!

Pen and Palate: Mastering the Art of Adulthood, with Recipes by Lucy Madison and Tram Nguyen. (Releases May 31/16)

From Grand Central Publishing:

"From the writers of acclaimed blog Pen and Palate, a humorous coming-of-age (and mastering-the-art-of-home-cooking) memoir of friendship, told through stories, recipes, and beautiful illustrations.

Getting through life in your twenties isn't easy--especially if you're broke, awkward, and prone to starting small grease fires in your studio apartment. For best friends Lucy Madison and Tram Nguyen, cooking was an escape from the daily humiliation that is being a twenty-something woman in a big city. Pen and Palate traces the course of Lucy and Tram's devoted friendship through miserable jobs and tiny apartments, first loves and ill-advised flings, successes and setbacks--always with a shared love of food at the center of the narrative. A modern take on Laurie Colwin's classic Home Cooking, this coming-of-age memoir for the Girls set weaves together comical (mis)adventures and recipes meant to be shared with a best friend and a bottle of wine." Read an excerpt of Pen and Palate.

You can connect with Lucy and Tram on:  || Website  ||  Twitter  ||  Facebook  ||

And if you'd like to read Pen and Palate, I have two copies to giveaway! Simply enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Ends June 4/16.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Prairie Girl Cupcake Cookbook by Jean Blacklock

There's much to be said for the cover of a book. Does it make you look twice? Make you want to open it to see what's waiting inside you to discover? Make you hungry? For a cupcake?

The Prairie Girl Cupcake Cookbook by Jean Blacklock does all of the above! And I love the tagline....Living Life One Cupcake at a Time.

Prairie Girl Bakery is a sought out bakery, known for having the best cupcakes in Toronto. Prairie Girl is a scratch bakery - they use real eggs, real chocolate and real butter, milk and fresh ingredients - no premade mixes or shortening. And if you can't make it to TO to pick a sweet treat from Prairie Girl, here's the next best thing - their recipes have been compiled into a just released cookbook.

The first few chapters explains those basic ingredients - and why they make a difference as well as tools.

PGB uses five basic recipes for their fifteen everyday cupcakes. Same for the icing recipes. Honestly, I was kind of stunned when I realized how easy they were. And that the PGB mantra works - good ingredients and follow the recipe - you can't mess up. And I didn't!

The treats of the week are a little more involved, but look so very good. I haven't managed to try them yet, but the Lemon Cheesecake Cupcakes are calling to me. There are so many choices in this section - perfect for holidays or special occasions. I know what I'm taking to the next pot luck, birthday, office celebration!

Blacklock has included gluten-free versions AND vegan versions of all the basic recipes - cake and icing. The last chapter touches on presentation and gifting cupcakes.

Each recipe can be used to make either 36 minis, 18 regular or 12 large. The one thing not included is the nutrition information. But really, just go ahead and enjoy one without worrying about calories - or two.....

The Prairie Girl Cupcake Cookbook is printed on lovely, heavy stock and is filled with lovely colour photos that will have you salivating. The layout of the book is great and recipes are clear and easy to follow. Blacklock's love of baking and engaging personality shines through all of the chapter introductions and tips in each recipes.

If you love cupcakes, this is definitely a cookbook you want to own.

Oh, and the name? " The owner, Jean Blacklock, is from Saskatoon and proud of her Prairie roots even though her former careers in law and banking took her to Calgary and Toronto."

Turn Over A New Page With DK Canada!

So...did you make any resolutions for 2016? I prefer not to call them resolutions - instead I like to look at it as changes I'd like to make - or continue. I made some major changes to my diet at the end of last year - and it's still a work in progress....

DK Canada has put together a great selection of titles in their Turn Over A New Page boutique to start off 2016. "The prescription for joy is to learn something new! Start the new year by stirring up your brain juices - tackle a craft project, master a new skill or enrich an existing talent."

Energy Bites: High Protein Recipes for Increased Vitality and Wellness is one selection that immediately caught my eye. I've given up sugar and am working on processed foods as well. "All natural, plant-based, no refined sugar, superfood" is what I want I'm looking to eat. My afternoon snack has been granola bars, but I think these little protein balls would be a better alternative.

Many of the twenty top ingredients that form the basis of the bites are ones I had already had in my cupboards - quinoa, oats, almonds, walnuts, chia etc. The properties of these ingredients and why they're so good for you is also listed. The next few pages include another fifty items that can be incorporated into the basic energy bite formula.

And that formula is easy- simply choose one ingredient from each category, pop in the food processor, shape into balls and chill. "Nuts+Dried Fruit+Powder+Sticky Stuff+Coating=Energy Bite!" These are the basic no bake bites. Recipes are also included for savory bites made of veggies and lentils that require a bit of cooking. Each recipe has a different target - nutrient booster, instant energy, anti-oxidant etc.

I had all the ingredients on hand for Superfood Granola Balls, so I tried those first. They were easy to make, tasted great and the DH liked them as well. Nutrition information is included for each recipe - pay attention to these - the bites pack a nutritional punch in a small package. The Granola balls were 125 calories each. Next up for me in the Tropical Immune Boosters - mango and cashews at 55 calories each.

The recipes are indeed vegetarian, gluten and dairy free and free of refined sugars. Have a look for yourself - here's an excerpt of Energy Bites.

***DK Canada's I Love DK promotion started on January 1st as well. This is DK's annual tradition where they ask readers use the #ILoveDK hashtag to nominate a favourite DK book on Twitter or on DK Canada's Facebook page about their favourite DK book of all time and why you love it. Submit your fave by January 31/16.***

The Tea Book - Linda Gaylard

I've been drinking tea as long as I remember. Some of my fondest memories are having tea parties with my grandmothers when I was young. We used a tiny china tea set (that I still have) and very milky tea! I'm still a tea lover and drinker to this day.

DK Canada has a great Food and Drink Boutique with a selection of food and beverage titles for the foodie in your life. One of their newest titles - The Tea Book  by Linda Gaylard - definitely caught my eye!

Gaylard is a tea sommelier - " the tea sommelier has the challenging task of convincing tea drinkers that there is much more to tea than a mug and a tea bag. Beyond the bag there is mystery, history, travel, industry, culture and ceremony: a whole new world to explore." 

I have tried some loose teas, but I do generally use the same brand of bag and a mug, so I was up for learning something new and venturing beyond my usual fare.

Gaylard's book starts literally from the ground up, detailing the anatomy of a tea plant, the growth and  harvest. (From seed to plant ready for plucking can take 5 to 7 years) I truly had never thought to consider the process of plant to cup before - up to nine processes!  I drink quite a bit of tea - and am happy to report there are quite a few health benefits to tea, including stress relief and higher bone density. Who knew? Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal properties. Gaylard has included a 'wheel of wellness' - matching an ailment (headache, cough etc) along with a tea that might help.

I loved this fact - tea bags were an accidental invention. In 1908 a tea merchant sent his clients samples in a silk drawstring bag. They clients brewed the tea in the bags instead of removing the leaves. And tea bags were born! I've discovered while travelling in the US to say 'hot tea' - which is sometimes met with puzzled looks. This stat explains those looks - "80% of tea consumed in the United States is in the form of iced tea."

Brewing and infusing techniques, including equipment such as infusers, water temp, type of water, infusion time and measured amounts to use are covered in meticulous detail, accompanied by charts, coloured pictures and drawings.

Just as tea with my grandmother was an occasion, so is it across many cultures. Gaylard explore ceremonies and traditions in numerous countries. (The British afternoon tea was familiar and a favourite)

A large chapter on tea recipes was an unexpected bonus! There are cold, hot and alcoholic tea recipes, using all types of tea. How about making your own bubble tea?

The Tea Book is a complete, comprehensive guide to the world of tea from start to finish - seed to sipping. Gaylard knows her tea - and I now know a lot more. And I think I'm ready to supplement my bag and mug with some loose tea! The Tea Book is another great reference book from DK - filled with great clear, concise information, complemented by colour photos and drawings. Here's a peek inside The Tea Book.

"Linda Gaylard is the author of The Tea Book. Linda is also a Certified Tea Sommelier located in Toronto, Canada. She graduated from a comprehensive program of study developed by George Brown College in conjunction with The Tea Association of Canada. During her training, Linda experienced more than 350 hours of focused tastings and workshops as well as training in tea and food pairing, social history of tea and tea garden management.

Prior to her tea studies, Linda achieved renown as a wardrobe stylist and influencer within the fashion world. Her experience provides a unique perspective for readers who are seeking a diverse approach to tea appreciation." You can keep up with Linda Gaylard on her website and well as on Twitter.

Eat St. - James Cunningham

The local city council for the city I work in has been debating for the last few months on whether or not to allow mobile food trucks in the city. Their initial proposal was to allow three trucks at three specific sites between eight am and nine pm. In a city of over 350,000 people. That recommendation didn't pass and this hot potato issue is back on the table. (pun definitely intended)

 

But perhaps City Council should investigate a little closer - either by watching Eat St. on the Food Network or by picking up the companion book -Eat St. from Pintail Books. (There are quite a few Canadian entries)

 

Comedian James Cunningham is the host of Eat St. "It has been a wild ride traveling all over North America and the U.K. to find the most daring, delicious, and inventive street food around." And now fans can have the "recipes from the Tastiest, Messiest, and Most Irresistible Food Trucks"

 

Of course there are fries - a staple of the wagons found nearly everywhere. But these are not your ordinary greasy spoon fries. Next time I'm in Calgary, I'll be looking up the Fries and Dolls truck and their 'Farrah' fries - garlic, parsley, pink sea salt and Padano cheese......yum.

Burgers and dogs are also taken to a new level. Burgers with crushed pineapple as the secret ingredient.  Peanut butter with that burger? Japanese fusion hot dogs. How about a side of beet home fries to go with that?

Sandwiches - oh man, I was drooling through this chapter - The veggie melt from The Grilled Cheese Truck looks so delicious (and healthy) A little far for me to go (they operate in LA) but I've got the recipe bookmarked.

There's a separate chapter on tacos and wraps.... cones. Yes cones - and not filled with ice cream, but mac and cheese with bacon topping. Those of you in Baltimore can stop by the Gypsy Queen Cafe for a taste.

Soups, noodles, seafood, salads, pasta and so much more. Truly - every food imaginable can be had on a food truck somewhere. Ohh - and the last chapter - sweet stuff....smoothies, donuts, cookies, donuts and cupcakes (maple-bacon anyone?)

There are so many wonderfully different trucks represented, each featured along with the recipe of their signature dish. Eat St. is a fabulous exploration of a wildly creative, talented bunch of chefs who just happen to operate on wheels. Have a peek inside Eat St.

(There are some very cleverly named trucks out there - I Dream of Weenie, The Dogfather Diner and The Rolling Stove to name just a few)