Grilled Sausages with Balsamic Caramelized Onions and Sauerkraut

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. And, as usual, I will only write about products that I really love! 

And just like that I'm writing on the second last day of August. Seems like only yesterday we were  brushing off our patio furniture and planning what we wanted to plant in the garden. Now I'm wearing woolly socks in the house and turning on the lights much sooner. The fans, which came in handy for the few heat waves we had this summer, are now collecting dust and have to be put away this weekend. Yep, summer is darn near over, and I hope it was a good one for all of you. Mine had moments that were super good, and not so good, and if I'm being honest, I'm kinda ready for the new start that fall always seems to hold. But first, one must send summer away with a last hurrah, and with that hurrah always comes excellent food, right? 

Smokin' Hot: Grilled Corn & Black Bean Salad with Pepperoni

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. And, as usual, I will only write about products that I really love! 

Those mid-August days are creeping up on us, and while it's easy to think that in a few weeks summer will be winding down, I'm firmly planted in the here and now. There are still so many things I want to do before the nights get cooler and the leaves start turning yellow. Road trips! Picnics! Backyard barbecue feasts! These are the days that need to be sucked of all their marrow. Go out there and live your best late-summer life! And bring snacks!

Tiki Time: Barbecued Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs with Pineapple

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. And, as usual, I will only write about products that I really love! 

Raise your hand if you've eaten a hot dog this summer. Of course you have. Now, have you had one wrapped in bacon, grilled until it's perfectly crispy, slathered in barbecue sauce, and snug in a bun with grilled pineapple and diced red onion? If you haven't, then you've come to the right place for a little tiki-inspired hot dog! This recipe is the third installment of my partnership with Grimm's Fine Foods this summer, and I'm so pleased I get to bring you the very best ideas on how to use their excellent products. They are always gluten, lactose and soy free, with no MSG added and contain no fillers or sketchy bi-products. And, they are made in Canada! Grimm's uses a trusted family recipe for the European Wieners and they start with selecting premium cuts of pork and beef and blending them together with the perfect amount of spices & seasonings. It doesn't get better than that. 

Sweet and Spicy: Pepperoni Pizza with Basil and Honey

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. And, as usual, I will only write about products that I really love! 

You guys. I just made the best pizza. I know, I know, we all think we make the best pizza, but this really is the tops. I mean, just look at it! The golden, chewy, whole wheat crust, saucy sauce, basil pesto, loads of mozzarella - fresh and shredded, thinly sliced jalapeno pepper, heaps of pepperoni, fresh basil leaves that I grew myself, and a good drizzle of honey. If you like your pizza with a bit of heat and sweet, then this recipe is for you. It's the second installment for my partnership with Grimm's Fine Foods this summer, and I'm so pleased I get to bring you the very best ideas on how to use their excellent products. They are always gluten, lactose and soy free, with no MSG added and contain no fillers or sketchy bi-products. And, they are made in Canada!

Get Ready: Banh Mi All Beef Smokies

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. And, as usual, I will only write about products that I really love! 

Those coveted summer days are finally upon us and I couldn't be happier! Oh how lovely it is to just sit in the sun, feeling the warmth on my face, lighting me up from the inside out. I can't believe how it's already the middle of June, and there are only a few months of these glorious days ahead of us. Time, it goes. So, promise me that you'll make these next few months the best ever, okay? Eat things that make you happy. Get outside and do something that makes you sweat. Travel places you've always wanted to go but never had time. Make the time. You won't regret it. Invite your pals over for food off the grill. Drink cold drinks. Tell stories until the stars come out.

Get Ready: Penne with Tomatoes, Basil and Bacon

This is a sponsored post. I was compensated financially by Barilla Pasta to write this blog post, and they sent me product to try. All opinions are my own.

Long before the kind folks at Barilla Pasta wanted to work with me, their pasta was what I reached for when I was in the grocery store. This partnership is a natural fit for me and I’m so pleased to be working with them and creating all kinds of fun recipes with their pasta. First out of the gate is Ready Pasta, and it’s just in time for a busy summer season when you want to be outdoors pretty much all the time, right? The cool thing about this pouch of pasta is that it’s already cooked, making it an ultra-convenient pasta option to anyone who needs a quick meal solution or snack. You can microwave it for one minute, then stir in  your favourite ingredients. And, don’t fret if you don’t have a microwave. I don’t either, and the pasta is fabulous just warmed up in a skillet with a little olive oil. Heating up the pasta allows you to enjoy the al dente texture without sacrificing taste. And no, there are no wonky ingredients in the Ready Pasta. It’s crafted with high quality semolina (wheat), durum wheat flour, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. There are no preservatives. You could eat it straight out of the bag, but heating it up for just a minute or two allows for that perfect al dente texture and delicious flavor you’ve come to expect from Barilla.

Good Times: Pizza Party

You know it's going to be a good night when your whole entire kitchen counter is covered in pizza.  That was the scene just last night, as five of my friends and I tried out Panago Pizza's six  new/featured fall pizzas.  It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.  Don't get me wrong - there are a couple of places in the city where I love popping in for their thin-crust, wood-fired artisanal pizzas, but every now and again I want to stay home, wear my pyjamas and have food come to my door.  Preferably pizza.