The Distraction: Chicken, Lime & Tortilla Soup

Whenever I'm in need of a distraction; something to occupy my mind other than anxiety, I head to my kitchen.  And lately I've been in the kitchen a lot.  You see, tomorrow morning, I check myself into the local hospital for a minor day surgery.  Well, that's what the physicians call it.  I call it ohmygodyouaretakingmygallbladderoutofmybody day.  I've known for quite some time that the surgery was impending, but given that I've never even had a tooth pulled, tomorrow holds a whole bunch of unknowns for me, and I'm kinda sorta freaking out a lot.  Don't get me wrong, I know I'm terribly lucky to have never before needed an extended hospital stay.  In my almost 40 years of life I've only sprained ankles, had the occupational cuts and burns and bruises, a couple of root canals and a broken heart.  Oh, if only there was a bandage for the latter.  I've gone through life fairly unscathed, and tomorrow that record is up.  Tomorrow I get an IV and anaesthetic for the first time.  That alone is giving me the heeby jeebies.  The procedure itself sounds short and simple and I can kind of wrap my brain around that bit.  But then there is the recovery and the pain and reduced mobility for awhile.  I have no idea what to expect from this whole situation and for a control freak like me, it's scary as all heck.  I've been tempering my fear with bouts of yoga and cooking, and find both processes meditative and soothing - something to steal my brain away from worst-case-scenario-land. But if you've ever had a gall bladder attack, you know of which sweet hell I speak.  Having that knife-stabbing pain gone for good is going to be quite awesome.  I just have to get through the next several days and my over-thinking ways.  And now I'm rhyming.  Let's move on to the soup!

Leaping Forward: A Shy Girl Goes to a Food Bloggers Conference

When I was in junior high, I spent a great deal of time in the school's bathroom.  No, I didn't have a wonky bladder.  I was just terribly, terribly shy.  Every day I went home for lunch, and I would try to make it back so I was just in time for the first bell.  That way I wouldn't have to hang about by myself, or worse yet, walk down the hallway lined with the cool kids, who (I felt) were scrutinizing the big dorks and geeks.  Me.  Alas, if I didn't manage to meet up with my one pal, or if I was just a minute or two early, I sought refuge in a bathroom stall.  Not one of my shining life moments, but when you are thirteen and incredibly insecure, hiding out in the bathroom is sometimes a lifesaver.  With the trill of that first bell I was released.  If there is hell on earth, I'm a firm believer that junior high is it.

Roasted Mushroom Tart with Goat Cheese & Onion Jam

Wow.  Feels like I've been gone forever - okay a week - but I missed you!  My trip to Ontario was brilliant.  There's more to share about that later this week, once I unpack and do about 20 loads of laundry and settle back into life and all of the accumulation that tends to happen when one is on holiday and having fun.  But for now I have a real treat for you.  Mushrooms Canada asked me to create another recipe for their blog and I'm really, really excited to tell you about this savoury tart, using two varieties of mushrooms, goat cheese and a fabulous onion jam. 

Braised Chicken and Kale with Paprika & White Wine

 

You know you are having a good day when a box of gorgeous cookware arrives on your doorstep.  What makes it even better is when the cookware is complimentary.   See, in a few short days I'll be on my way to the first ever Food Bloggers of Canada conference, and the kind people at Nordic Ware are one of the generous sponsors.  So generous they sent each attendee 3 pieces of their prime stuff.  Pretty cool, hey?  I can't tell you how excited I am to go to this conference!  Finally meeting fellow food-obsessed bloggers, face to face, is going to be nothing short of mind-blowing.  Plus I'll get to reconnect with those I've met before, and have a good ol' catch up.  It's going to be all kinds of awesome.  This conference couldn't come at a better time - I'm ready to be inspired, entertained, and educated.  I'm ready to shake out the winter cobwebs, see another part of this great country, and make new friends.  This is the breather I've been waiting for.  And seeing as there is still a massive amount of snow (yes, in April!) in the yard, I think if I don't see green soon I may just scream.

Real Simple: Cocoa Brownies with Fleur de Sel

We all think our brownie recipe is the best ever, don't we?  So if I tell you these brownies are the best! ever! you may believe me, or you may not, and that's cool.  There's lots of room in the brownie-verse to handle such claims, and how fun is it exploring this chocolaty territory?  I can think of worse things to do on a Friday night.  It was either make brownies or brush the cats and the poor things are still bitter about their inadequate grooming.  C'est la vie!  Mama needs her brownies.

Saskatoon Berry Spelt & Honey Scones

 

Do you believe we are easing into Easter weekend...already?  Holy man, a quarter of the year done.  Just like that.  Easter is one of my favourite holidays.  Being a chef, the Christmas season is too stressful and chaotic to really enjoy.  Easter is more my style - the snow is (finally!) melting, the birds are singing and the earth is letting out a long sigh, preparing to begin again.  Winter's bulk and baggage is a distant memory.  Easter is about fresh starts and new beginnings and eating countless mini eggs because it's impossible to just stop at one or one handful.  It's about dipping eggs in dye and braiding bread and oh my, the hot cross buns.  Easter is about forging forward - eyes bright, gazing ahead, wondering where life's journey will lead to next.

Ready: Raspberry & Cream Filled Angel Food Cake

“Spring drew on . . . and a greenness grew over those brown [garden] beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.”  ~ Charlotte Brontë

Let's usher in spring with a pretty cake, shall we?  Well technically it is spring, but in my neck of the woods there are still five foot snow banks in the front yard and flakes of snow not willing to give up just yet.  And so while we are waiting for warmer temps and the Great Spring Melt - my spirit doesn't care.  It has launched into the new season with abandon.  Many of you know that the last few months have been rather difficult for me, to put it mildly.  I am more than ready to kiss this season of the brokenhearted goodbye - along with all of those heavy, dark, sad days.  I'm ready for the fresh starts and bright hopes that springs brings with it.  I'm ready for rubber boots and rain showers.  I'm ready for longer days and a lighter heart.  I am ready.