The 'How to Cook' Blog

A healthy, unbelievably flavorful and different salad, quick and easy for a weekday night dinner or lunch! Absolutely fantastic! Type: Salad Serve With: Olive oil and balsamic vinegar Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 10 min Yield: 3 servings Ingredients: If you would like to buy me some new and unique ingredients, or just help me supply my pantry so that I can come up with new and inventive recipes  [ Read More ]

This is hearty, fabulously delicious, easy to make, and very impressive! It’s well worth the wait… You’ll crave this stew over and over again! Type: Soup Serve With: Fresh, crusty bread or rice and topped with freshly chopped parsley Prep Time: 17 min Cook Time: 2 – 3.5 hrs total Yield: 1 large stock pot full, serves 4-6 people Ingredients: If you would like to buy me some new and  [ Read More ]

If you’re in Niagara Falls or nearby, like in St. Catharines, here’s a great place to buy your fresh and fabulous produce from. Lococo’s Fruit & Vegetables 4167 Victoria Niagara Falls, Ontario (905) 358-3281 Not only do they have fabulous, fresh produce, they also have a deli there, frozen but homemade meals and other treats they make themselves there. You can order fruit baskets for all occassions there, which we  [ Read More ]

That’s not a typo…LOL There is a restaurant in St. Catharines, Ontario called “Itt’s Thai“! My mother and sister wanted Thai, but didn’t feel like driving from the Pen Center (a mall in St. Kitt’s) over to Spicy Thai and heard there was one over on Hartzel Rd. They told me it was super clean and very nice inside. The waiter was helpful and friendly too. Most importantly, the TASTE!  [ Read More ]

I must admit…when I order Pizza in Niagara Falls, Ontario, I usually resort to Pizza Hut – I love their crust. If I’m looking for cheap, Little Caesar’s has the $5 Hot N’ Ready – then you “doctor it up” at home yourself! I was craving pizza the other night and wanted to order Pizza Hut…However, they told me their delivery guy went home sick. Glad they did that as  [ Read More ]

I love the coconut chicken soup from Spicy Thai in St. Catharines, Ontario. Since I loved it so much, my husband adapted a recipe that we can now make at home and it’s sooooo good! Yum! Thanks Babe! Type: Soup Serve With: Freshly chopped cilantro for garnish Prep Time: 8 min Cook Time: 25 min Yield: 6 bowls Ingredients: If you would like to buy me some new and unique  [ Read More ]

Cooking Tip: If ever you try to search for banana extract in the stores, it’s not an easy product to find. So, if you are in need of banana flavoring, without using mushed up bananas, and want it in liquid form, use banana liqueur… It’s delicious! If you’re using it for baking, the alcohol will evaporate, leaving you with great flavoring. Try If you would like to buy me some  [ Read More ]

I love brown rice and the fact that it’s healthy for us, but it can be bland if you don’t know how to ‘doctor’ it up! So, I love to add interesting and flavorful ingredients to kick up the flavor! This is a great recipe! * Tip: To make this a complete meal in itself, add either tofu or some fabulous cooked beans to make it a complete protein!!! Awesome!  [ Read More ]

When it’s raining – pouring outside – it’s time to stay in and make some warm, homemade Chai Tea at home! Find out how I prefer my Chai and how to properly brew loose leaf black tea. 5 minutes only for steeping or it will turn bitter. Check out my video made today: This is a real treat for me. Plus, it’s so much cheaper than driving up to If  [ Read More ]

If you’re a foodie like I am, food photography is marvelous to you. There’s nothing like a food photo to get those gastric juices flowing… Not only that, you instantly start to get creative about what you’d like to eat, cook or bake too! Food can bring back memories or spark you to create new ones of food. To me, food unites families, reminds you of your grandmother or of  [ Read More ]

This recipe was written for serious endurance and professional athletes in mind…like my hubby! Even if you’ve promised yourself, or loved ones, that you would take a “break” over the holidays with your athletic training, I know you…You’re sneaking in a “little” bit of practice in anyway. So, for those “sneaky” days, you need your carbs! Here is a great, but low-fat, pasta dish that will knock your socks off  [ Read More ]

Do you have a Rice Cooker? They’re wonderful for cooking rice, aren’t they? …But is that all? NO WAY!  I like to cook lentils and small beans in the rice cooker as well as barley too. Just make sure what you want to cook is of similar size to rice. Find out how on my video: I hope this is a If you would like to buy me some new  [ Read More ]