Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet Chef John Bishop, from the famous restaurant Bishops in Vancouver. He was teaching the food service staff at the Vancouver School District how to make some uncomplicated, and yet very healthy and delicious, food for their students. I left inspired to take a serious look at my local farmer’s market, and armed with his cookbook, ready to tackle some local eating. The dishes this week all give me the feel of spring, with ingredients like leeks, asparagus, lamb for Easter, a light pasta toss, and easy turkey meatloaves. Wherever you live, go take a look at your local farmer’s market. Buying right from the farmer allows you to get the best product possible-and the most delicious!
| MONDAY |
Take some plum or cherry tomatoes, slice them in half, toss with a little olive oil and salt, then slow cook them-and you end up with the most amazingly delicious tomatoes EVER. Get the how to and then a fantastic pasta recipe over at The Perfect Pantry, which pairs slow roasted tomatoes with shrimp and artichoke hearts. I’m just waiting for BC spot prawns to be in season before I try it!
Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts and Shrimp
Photo copyright The Perfect Pantry, used with permission
| TUESDAY |
If ham isn’t your think for Easter and you prefer lamb, Dinner with Julie has got you covered-with a lamb recipe that you do in the crock pot! Talk about fixing and forgetting! The photos made me want to lick the screen and immediately find a lamb leg at my local grocer. The slowcooker will leave you lots of time to cook other things, like maybe some hot cross buns?
Slow-cooked Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Lemon and Rosemary, and Lemon potatoes with Garlic and Oregano
Photo copyright Havankevin, used with permission
| WEDNESDAY |
The only thing wrong with this stew I blogged about at Chasing Tomatoes last week is that it didn’t make enough. At four servings we were fighting over the leftovers because it’s creamy broth, tender pieces of chicken and sweet carrots made it the best stew we’ve had yet. (I know, I always say this but this time I mean it). Serve it with some flaky baking powder biscuits and a green salad, and you’ll have a delicious meal.
Photo copyright Karen Humphrey, used with permission
| THURSDAY |
Are you hosting an Easter brunch? Anticipating some ham leftovers? Simply Recipes has a wonderful recipe for ham and asparagus quiche. If you are worried and think it might be a challenge to make, there’s lots of great instructions and photos to make it easy to follow. Quiche would make a delicious brunch dish with some warm biscuits and fruit salad, after all that Easter egg hunting, of course!
Photo copyright Simply Recipes, used with permission
| FRIDAY |
Does meatloaf sound boring to you? Even fattening, possibly? I spent a Saturday morning watching Cook Yourself Thin on Food Network Canada, and these turkey meatloaves caught my eye. I like the fact that they are pre-portioned, and they are really very tasty!