Food for Thought: Roasted Chickpeas

Hello lovelies!

I have a great recipe for you today. It's simple, healthy, and really say to make! Roasted chickpeas make a great snack or even a side dish.

Here is how to make this delicious treat:

Ingredients:
- 1 can of chickpeas
- 2 Tsp of Garlic Powder
- 2 Tsp of Italian Spice Blend
- 1 1/2 Tbsp of Roasted Garlic Olive Oil
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste

Cookware Needed: 
- 1 baking tray
- two medium sized bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Colander
- Whisk


Step 1:

Start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees. Next, open your can of chickpeas and pour them into the colander. Rinse well, then put the washed chickpeas into one of your bowls. Then put the bowl
aside.

Step 2:

Next, take your garlic powder, Italian spice blend, roasted garlic olive oil, and lemon, and whisk them in your other bowl. It should look something like this. **Keep in mind, you can substitute for other spices. I know that thyme, and paprika work well too!

Step 3:

Then, take your chickpeas and pour them into the mix from step number 2. Make sure the chickpeas are coated well. They should look like this. **Keep in mind, you can add more spices or lemon if you feel it is lacking in flavour. This is just my preference.

Step 4:

Place your coated chickpeas on a baking tray and place in the oven for 30-40 minutes, depending on how crispy you want them. I usually put mine in for 35 minutes, so they are still slightly soft, but have nice outer crunch!

Step 5:

Add salt and black pepper to taste! Do this as soon as they come out of the oven. This way, the salt and pepper absorb into the hot chickpeas.

And last but not least..... ENJOY!!!!!


I hope you've enjoyed this quick little recipe. Fast, easy, simple......what's not to love!

<3

Food for Thought: Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Hello lovelies!

This has to be one of my all time favourite recipes. "Greek Style" Lemon chicken and potatoes are a staple in my household and is the perfect meal for anytime of the year! It's really easy, requires minimum prep and tastes delicious.

Let's get started! 

Ingredients: 

- Small bowl of mini golden potatoes
- 4 Chicken Breasts
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/2 Cup of Water
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons of Oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste

Utensils: 

- Large caserole dish
- Cutting Board
- Small mixing bowl
- Knife to cut potatoes
- Knife to cut the chicken breasts
- Measuring cups
- Teaspoon

Step 1: 

Before starting, you can set your oven to 475 degrees celsius so it can preheat while you prep your ingredients.

To begin, start by washing your potatoes.

Once you wash them you can move them onto a cutting board and cut them into halves. This helps them cook more evenly and they are end up being more bite-sized.

Step 2: 

Next, take you four chicken breasts and cut off any excess fat, and cut each breast in half, so you end up with eight smaller pieces. This helps when distributing the portions when it is fully cooked.

Step 3: 

Put your chicken and potatoes into the large casserole dish, and spread them out evenly.

It should look something like this:

Step 4: 

Set aside your casserole dish and bring out your small mixing bowl. In this bowl, put your olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt. Stir well.

Next pour your mixture onto your chicken and potatoes. Make sure that they are evenly coated. Once you coat your chicken and potatoes, grind a pinch of fresh black pepper as the finishing touch!

Step 5: 

Bake in the oven covered for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Then remove the lid from your casserole dish and continue baking in oven for 10 min.

The final product should look like this:

I love to eat my lemon chicken and potatoes with a side salad. I just did a very simple vinaigrette that consisted of oil and vinegar, and I put some dried onion croutons to top it off!

This is honestly one of the most delicious dishes ever and is great for family get togethers, parties, and everyday dinners! This dish was inspired by the Three Greek Sisters! They make amazing food and you should definitely consider purchasing one of their cookbooks if you want to learn more about greek cooking.

Hope you enjoyed this food for thought, and I will talk to you soon! Let me know in the comments if you try out this dish!

<3

Valentine's Day: Chocolate Covered Pretzels!

Hello lovelies!

I have a fun post for you today! I love Valentine's Day. It's a day filled with love and yummy treats! This recipe for chocolate covered pretzels is so delicious and super simple.

What you need:
1) Pretzels (you can choose which ever size you want)
2) White Chocolate Wafers
3) Red Chocolate Wafers
4) Festive sprinkles
5) 2 baking sheets covered with parchment paper
6) 2 small bowls
7) A squirty bottle (don't know if there is a better term for that!)

Step 1:

Get all your ingredients out. Next melt the white chocolate in a bowl. This can be done in the microwave or in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water. Heat until the chocolate is completely melted. While this is melting you can put your sprinkles in a bowl! (*Note: you may need to reheat your chocolate as you are doing the pretzels because it hardens quite quickly!)

Step 2:
Take your pretzels and dip the upper half into the chocolate and then gently shake the pretzel to get off any excess chocolate. Then take your chocolate covered pretzel and cover it with sprinkles!

Another alternative for decorating is taking the white chocolate covered pretzels and drizzling them with the melted red chocolate. You would use the squirty bottle for the red chocolate. (Use the same process as the white chocolate to melt the red chocolate)

Step 3: 
Place your pretzels on the parchment paper to dry and harden. They harden fairly quick, so this is a fun and fast Valentine's treat!

Step 4: 
ENJOY!!!! They are so delicious and I have gotten so much positive feedback! I made them for my friends at school and put them into little cellophane bags and tied them off with a ribbon. They make for perfect gifts and are seriously tasty!

They are the perfect combination of sweet and salty!

Let me know if you like the pretzels and I hope you have a great Valentine's Day!

<3 

Food for Thought: Vegetable Rigatoni in a light pesto sauce

Hello lovelies!

I am coming at you with a new recipe! I love cooking and I had a chance to cook a healthy dinner with my dad the other night!

I am always looking for healthy alternatives, and this recipe is so delicious and simple. All I can say is YUM!

Ingredients:
1) Cremini Mushrooms        7) Light, or low-fat Butter or low-fat Becel
2) Green Onions                  8) Crushed Garlic
3) Cherry Tomatoes             9) Fresh Lemon
4) Broccoli                          10) Pesto Sauce (make this by hand or use a store bought sauce)
5) Carrots                           11) Roasted Garlic Olive Oil (could use virgin olive oil, sunflower oil)
6) Asparagus                       12) Mediterranean Salt mix

Steps: 

1) Start by cutting up all your veggies using a cutting board. I cut the carrots in small circles, and cut then cut the mushrooms into slices (not too thin). Then I cut off the stem off the broccoli head, and proceeded to chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Finally, I chopped up 3 green onions (scallions). While you are doing this, you can start to heat up your burner for the pan.

2) Next, make sure your burner is at medium heat. I used a stir-fry pan for this recipe. Then throw the carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and green onions into the pan. Let them cook until they are still a bit crunchy, and not too mushy. You are also going to want to add a table spoon of butter, a table spoon of garlic, and a splash of lemon. This takes about 7 minutes.

3) While your veggies are cooking away, you can put on your pot of boiling water for your pasta. I chose Rigatoni, but you can choose whatever floats your boat! Once the water comes to a boil, let it cook for about 7 minutes. This will time perfectly with your veggies!

4) Next, while you are boiling the pasta, and cooking your veggies, you can start on your asparagus. First, you are going to pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees Celsius. (You might want to do this before you start any of your cooking, depending on how long it takes for your oven to pre-heat!)

Then you will want to cut the ends off your asparagus. Next you want to find a casserole dish of some sort to put your asparagus in. You give them a little drizzle of olive oil, a nice crack of pepper and I used a Mediterranean salt mix (but normal salt works just as well). Make sure all of the asparagus are covered in your olive oil, and salt mix. Then place them in the oven for 15-20 min. This is the part that probably takes the longest! If you are in a hurry, you could always cut out the asparagus. They should be tender, but still have a bite to them!

5) Next you are going to want to bring your veggies to a simmer, and add your pesto sauce. Lightly toss and stir the veggies so they get covered in your sauce. Once the veggies are coated in the pesto sauce, let them simmer for 1-2 minutes. Then you are ready to add your pasta to the pan!

6) Mix the veggies and the pasta together until there is a good balance. Once you are happy with your pasta and veggies, it is ready to plate.

7) I like to finish off this pasta recipe with a few sliced cherry tomatoes, and asparagus on top! They make for some great flavours, and compliment the dish.

8) Finally, enjoy your Vegetable Rigatoni in a light Pesto Sauce!! Trust me, it tastes delicious and is fairly healthy. Be adventurous! You can always sub in other ingredients, or pastas to make this dish!


I hope you enjoy this recipe!

<3