Corey and I have been so busy adjusting in our new city, new jobs and temporary home that we have not been spending much time creating in the kitchen. Although we love dining out and experiencing all Winnipeg has to offer, we wanted to stay in and create a wonderful Sunday dinner that will not only satisfy our taste buds but also bring us closer to my family that seems so far away at times. With the perfect dish in mind, we headed out to the grocery store and picked up some chicken breasts, potatoes, and a few other ingredients. My mother would make this dish often and would alternate between chicken, rabbit, quail and Cornish game hen. This dish was never given an official name, she always referred to it as "Rabbit in the Oven." So I am calling it "Chicken in the Oven." This is a great Sunday meal because it only takes 10 minutes to prep and the rest of the work is done by the oven, giving us an hour and a half to indulge in some Sangria and enjoy the last few hours of our weekend before gearing up for another busy work week.

The potatoes and onions were slow cooked under the chicken and absorbed every last bit of delicious flavor. If you are looking for a dish that requires little effort and ingredients but still boasts full flavor, this is the meal for you. 

Chicken in the Oven

2 large Chicken breasts - skin on, bone in

2 potatoes- sliced into 1/2 inch disks

2 yellow onions- chopped into half moon shapes

1 cup of chopped parsley

1 cup of white wine

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp chili flakes

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 large tomato - diced

1. Line a baking pan with sliced potatoes
2. Cover the potatoes with the onions
3. Place the chicken on the onions
4. Evenly distribute chopped tomato over the chicken
5. In a bowl add salt, pepper, chilies, parsley, oil, and wine and whisk together.
6. Pour over the chicken
7. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour. 
8. Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

I hope that you enjoy this dish as much as we do!

Buon Appetito

On the Road....Vermilion Bay BBQ Day

On our final day of driving, we decided to go to the famous Busters BBQ, in Vermilion Bay for dinner.

It is 2 hours outside of Winnipeg and came highly recommended by the food network TV show, You Gotta Eat Here, and our friend Perry, Owner of PetrideHalifax.ca. Corey and I were very excited about this stop because we both LOVE  authentic BBQ restaurants. We entered the restaurant and were greeted by the owner, Natalie Welniak, who is very enthusiastic and passionate about her restaurant and the food. Immediately after being seated our server, who was equally passionate, came over and greeted us as well. She took us through the menu and shared with us the "must have" items. She also mentioned, with conviction, that the ribs were just taken out of the smoker and were as fresh as can be. We took her advice and decided to have the pork back rib dinner for two.

It was accompanied by two sides of our choice.

A large rack of ribs painted with their signature blueberry BBQ sauce, cornbread and sweet potato fries were delivered to our table in minutes. The food exceeded our expectations and the award winning sauce, which I initially thought sounded strange by description, was the best I have ever had.

It is always a treat when a casual restaurant exceeds your expectations with both the service and the food. This restaurant embodies the old saying that "when you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life." The staff and owners obviously love what they do and that passion can be felt as soon as you walk in the door. If you have the chance to visit Busters BBQ, do not let it pass you by. We look forward to our next road trip to Vermilion Bay for more award-winning ribs.

We are excited about our arrival in Winnipeg where we will embark on our house hunting adventure.  We will be guest blog writing, for the Globe and Mail, sharing our house hunting experience, and the scorching real estate market in Winnipeg. In the meantime, I look forward to preparing meals in our tiny rental with limited appliances and space. Let the adventures continue...
 

On the Road....Thunder Bay is a great place to stay!

Even before we started driving toward Thunder Bay, we began to get super pumped after receiving several emails, tips and calls about all the MUST eat foods and places to dine in the city. With high expectations, we got in the car and started the adventure. We stopped at a few scenic lookouts on the way and I was amazed by the natural beauty that Northern Ontario had to offer.

We arrived in Thunder Bay at 6pm after a leisurely drive, and immediately showered and primped up for our first food adventure at Lot 66. After hearing many great reviews about this hot spot, the anticipation was at its max and we could not get there fast enough. We arrived early to have a cocktail at the bar while we waited for our table. As we scoured the room, we watched many amazing dishes being delivered to other patrons, and studied their reaction to their first bites. Everyone seemed so satisfied that we could not wait to order. When we arrived at our table, the ladies next to us were receiving their meals. I must have looked so envious, because one of the ladies offered to share her mushroom risotto. At first I couldn't believe I was considering tasting a complete stranger's meal. That soon changed to me not being able to believe how good it was when she put a few forkfuls on my plate. It was amazing and I knew that whatever we ordered would be, as well.

When the food arrived, we were extremely pleased with its presentation and flavor profile. We started our tour of Lot 66 with their Wild Forest Mushroom Gnocchi and the Pear and Blue Cheese Salad. I immediately placed some of the Gnocchi onto a plate and shared it with our food neighbors to return the favor. They were very pleased. For our next course we had Wrapped Pork with a chipotle cheddar risotto and 16oz Rib Steak with a horseradish butter and frites.  Both of these items were not on the online menu but came highly recommended.

For dessert, we had a coffee caramel cheesecake and a chocolate lava cake with mint chip ice cream. The atmosphere, service and food were all stellar and, again, these pictures do not capture how delicious the food was. While discussing Thunder Bay with our food neighbors, they confirmed the other food recommendations I received from readers of this blog, so the next morning we couldn't wait to to try the other Thunder Bay "musts."

We were told that the Hoito is the place for breakfast and everyone we asked said we had to have the pancakes. Period. Our pancakes came out with crispy edges, just the way I like.  Not just any normal pancake, these were large, flat, crepe-pancake hybrids and it seemed everybody had their own way of eating them. Some roll them with bacon or sausage in the middle to make a wrap, some just cut and eat. I took inspiration from one of the other patrons and put syrup between each of my three pancakes, before folding and cutting off multi-layered bites of syrup filled heaven.

Our last stop, as if we needed any more food at this point, was at The Persian Man for a couple of oval-shaped, frosting covered delicacies apparently known to everyone but us as a Thunder Bay must. At first, it seemed like a large doughnut, but it is actually a cross between a doughnut and a cinnamon roll. The first one was delicious, but the second one in the car a few hours later was even better.

I can't wait until the next time I have an excuse to head to Thunder Bay and I will definitely plan more time to digest all that this hidden gem has to offer.

On the Road...Man vs Food...in the Sault.

I emailed a friend yesterday who is from Sault Ste Marie and asked her for some recommendations on places to eat in her home town. We took her suggestion and went to Ernie's Coffee Shop. Corey and I wanted to find a hidden gem in the city that would be different from any other place we have ever been and it certainly was different from any coffee shop I have ever witnessed. After a full afternoon of eating we definitely achieved our goal.

The best way to describe the food at Ernie's is simple....Man vs Food meets Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It has huge portions for little money, while providing home cooked meals to loyal patrons since 1950. They also have coffee.


We arrived at 4pm and we noticed that there were only a few others in the diner. Minutes later, it was bumping with guests, most of whom were greeted by name upon arrival, making for a very welcoming atmosphere.



I decided to take the servers recommendation and have the Chicken Parm. Actually, truth be told she was very insistent that I order that exact dish, so I went for it. When I received my meal, it looked delish but was a platter fit for two or three, but the server happily packed most of it up.

After perusing the menu, Corey decided that he was going to challenge himself to the "Big Ernie's Burger". It is a  FULL POUND burger with 6 slices of bacon, 4 slices of cheese and all the fixings. The menu made us aware that the burger takes 30 -40 minutes to cook, but would be worth the wait.  I have never seen a burger that big in person.

As the server brought out our meals, all the regulars in the joint were staring. It became very obvious that we were out-of-towners. Apparently, locals know better than to attempt the "Big Ernie". We were watching them and they were watching us with every bite. Kids kept coming over to our table to observe Corey eat his mammoth burger. It was at that point that I saw a glint in his eye and I knew he was going to try to eat the whole damn thing.  It was almost as if I could hear him thinking "challenge accepted".

Instead of simply relying on giant portions at a good price, this diner really executes delicious, quality food with great service. Thanks, JB, for sharing your local secret!

P.S Corey finished the burger.

On the Road....Simplicity in Sudbury

Arriving in Sudbury for the latest leg of our Halifax to Winnipeg food trip, I scoured the internet and studied numerous menus online, finally picking out a place that seemed perfect for a dinner and a blog post.  Unfortunately, when we finally found it, it was closed. Neither Corey or myself have ever been to this town and we began driving around, searching for something that would jump out at us as we drove by. That didn't happen for quite a while, until, just when we were about to give up, we found The Peddlers Pub.  It was a local spot filled with happy guests and an extremely welcoming bartender.  When we are at a new place, we will ask the staff what we should eat, especially if I haven't studied the menu online (which anyone who has dined with me can tell you, I do regularly). She suggested what we should drink and eat and made our early evening dinner a really relaxing experience after a long day of driving. We had a Guinness and the new Keiths Cider, which she prompted us to order, and which may just be my patio drink of the summer.  As we relaxed into our chairs our pub food arrived.  She said the deep fried pickles, dry ribs and wings were the appetizer choices that would never disappoint, and she was right. Although I love diving into different foods and culinary treats, I also love the occasional pub food experience, especially when it is prepared properly. Sometimes when you are travelling, you end up in unexpected locations and find them to be among the most memorable parts of the adventure.

On the Road.....Chez Piggy is Chez Delish!

We stopped in Kingston, Ontario for our third food adventure.  I have always had a special place in my heart for this gorgeous town and was determined to find the perfect spot to make our next meal a memorable one.  I called my friend Ashley, who has lived in Kingston, for suggestions on the best place to stop.  I will forever be grateful for her recommendation, as we had a SPECTACULAR meal and service experience.  Chez Piggy was a beautiful building inside and out, and had a menu that offered a myriad range of food that would introduce us to new things.

Duck  Confit Poutine

Wild Boar and Smoked bacon Paparadelle

My hubby and I couldn't decide, so we over ordered to make sure we had a wide selection of flavors and choices.  Embarrassed to share with you the actual number of dishes we had, I have decided to share our favorite items.  Unfortunately, these pictures do not do justice to the amazing flavors of these dishes.  I will have to ensure I save space in the car for proper camera lighting on future road trips.

Grilled Ostrich Loin

If you are ever in the Kingston area and you love to try new things, then this is a great restaurant to visit. If you have the pleasure of living in this great town then this restaurant should already be in your dining rotation.

Chez Piggy was CHEZ DELISH!

On the Road.... Aventures avec Fromages

Food adventure "part deux" made our stop in Quebec a very memorable one. We wanted to experience the taste of Quebec and Aux Petits Délices  helped us achieve our goal. We walked into this market and were immediately greeted with a smile and warm welcome. We explained to the lovely gentleman behind the counter, let's call him Jacques, that we needed cheese only made in Quebec and we wanted a range from hard to soft, mild to strong. Jacques knew exactly what we needed and what cheeses would make our taste buds dance with pure joy.  He had us taste all of his favorites that were made in Quebec and made it a very easy process to select only the best that the province had to offer.  He placed all of our cheeses in a basket and sent us over to the next counter, where he explained we would receive all the meats and treats that would compliment our cheese platter.

We ended up leaving the store with enough cheese, meats, condiments, crackers and fresh baguette to have hosted a party in our hotel suite. Fortunately for us, we didn't end up sharing any of it. If you are ever in Quebec and you want to experience local cheeses, don't forget about this local gem of a market. It will not disappoint.

Victor et Berthold
A semi-soft cheese with a washed rind, made from thermized milk. Its light fruity flavour is coupled with a buttery and earthy aroma.


Jersey du Fjord
A firm cheese made from raw Jersey cow's milk, interior ripened for 10 months. It is known for it crumbly interior, a result of the way it is produced - curds are milled into small, differently shaped pieces.


Le Gré des champs
Organic raw-cheese from the Montérégie region, Quebec, Canada. This firm cheese with a nutty flavor contains 35% fat.


Blue d'Elizabeth
Organic, semi-soft, raw-milk farm cheese with blue-veined interior. A natural rind with coloured spots and an interior with lovely blue veins, sometimes with a tinge of green due to the presence of Penicillium Roqueforti. Balanced salty flavour.


If you love cheese as much as we do, give these decadent flavors a try. 

On the Road....Culinary Adventures from Halifax to Winnipeg

My hubby and I are moving from Halifax to Winnipeg and we are hell bent on finding some great food adventures along the way. Some of you may remember our vacation in British Columbia, where we discovered Salmon Jerky at the Coombs Market and visited the wharf in Sydney, BC where the fisherman steamed some freshly caught dungeness crab while we fed some seals.

Our first stop on this adventure was in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. We stopped at a local restaurant, The Lobster Bay Eatery, where we indulged in a seafood feast.  The owner came to the table and described their specialty, "The Mucket Bucket". It included a lobster,  a pound of mussels, a pound of clams, oysters, potatoes and corn on the cob. It was all steamed and served with garlic butter in a large metal pot. This was the largest seafood feast I have seen, aside from Christmas Eve dinner with my family. This meal was an appropriate last supper in the Maritimes and a great way for us to enjoy a few of our favorite things.

We are off to Quebec, where the adventure continues......

Mamma's No-Bake Easter Pineapple Cheesecake

Mamma's No-Bake Easter Pineapple Cheesecake

It has been over three months since my last blog post.  As many of you know I recently lost my mother otherwise known as "Amazing Grace," to pancreatic cancer on February 12, 2012.

I am slowly finding my way back into the heart of my home, with her in mind, and have been searching for the perfect recipe to share with my husband's family over the Easter weekend.  This is the first holiday since she has passed and being away from my father, three amazing sisters, nieces and nephews makes it even more difficult for me.



I have been thinking back to all the Easter meals that my mom made and one recipe in particular was a staple in our home at Easter time. This recipe was, and still is the perfect dessert to welcome spring, enjoy with as many loved ones as possible, and create a perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Her Pineapple No-Bake Cheesecake.

This decadent yet refreshing dessert choice will bring mom a little closer to me over the holiday weekend and hopefully inspire you to make a dish that reminds you of happier times. It brings me comfort knowing that I can keep her memory alive through recipes to which I attach many wonderful times and stories.  Although this has been a very trying time in my life, I must keep living making sure never to forget all that my mother has taught me over the years.  If she really is with us in some way, I want her to know that I plan on living every moment as though it is my last, not only for me but for her as well. If you have lost someone, I encourage you to take this weekend and create a dish that reminds of that person. Surround yourselves with as many loved ones as possible and eat and celebrate with passion and conviction.

If you have a story and  recipe that reminds you of a lost loved one, I would love to hear it! I welcome you to share your stories and recipes below in the comments section.

Hope that you have an amazing Easter weekend everyone!

Buona Pasqua!


No-Bake Pineapple Cheesecake

1 package of graham wafer crumbs
1 package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1/4 cup of melted butter (unsalted)
19oz  can of crushed pineapple (drain juice and reserve)
1 small package of lemon jello
1 cup of boiling water  (to dissolve jello powder)
250 ml whipping cream (mom used sealtest)
1/2 cup icing sugar

1. Mix jello powder and boiling water and stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
2. Blend butter and wafer crumbs (set aside 1/2 cup crumbs for garnish) and line a large spring form pan with the mixture, pressing down to form a solid crust.
3.Blend cream cheese.
4.Slowly add jello mixture and pineapple juice, alternating slowly.
5.Add crushed pineapple to mixture and mix by hand.
6.In a separate bowl whip the whipping cream and icing sugar.
7 Fold the whipped cream in with the cream cheese mixture and blend until well incorporated.
8. Pour filling into spring form pan and top with remaining wafer crumbs,
9. Refrigerate cheesecake for 24 hours. (This will allow the cheesecake to set properly)
10. Enjoy!