WHERE HAVE I BEEN

Yes, it's been awhile a whole year in fact. I apologize. A lot has been going on in my life. Most importantly a baby boy, and now a new city. I am eager to discover what this city has to offer, food wise. I will try and be more regular with my posts and get out and take some pics.

Bubie Rose's CHEEZIES

It is ironic that I come from a family so entrenched in food.
Yet my Bubie can't cook.
She would be the first to admit it.

To her credit she can make
3 things really well.
Popeyes
Roasted Chicken
and Cheezies.

A few weeks back, all I wanted for dinner was some Cheezies with Tabasco sauce (sorry Bubie) and some fresh tomato slices.

The secret is Great Bread, lots of real Canadain Cheddar and a broiler.

The Secret to Great Nachos

There is nothing worse than eating Nachos
and ending up with a pile of dry chips.

The secret is in the layering.
You have to put down a thin layer of chips
followed by lots of cheese and toppings of choice.
This process must continue 3 or 4 times.

I also suggest using a non chunky Salsa
as one of the layering adgents.
This adds flavour and moisture.

Buen Suerte 

Food is Back, I'm Back

It has been a long while since I blogged. Over 3 months!!

I found out that I am going to have a food loving little one.
Needless to say that the first 3 months I could not stand the sight or smell of food.

All of that is over, bring on the

FOOD 

MAC AND CHEESE

Here's to the Hub!

A few weeks back he made

Mac and Cheese

in a beautiful clay pot

that he made.

Talk about comfort food.

I am spoiled sometimes!

MAC and CHEESE anyone? 

Chili's On

I am not a comfort food kinda Gal. I find that comfort food screams heavy. It shouldn't, but it has that reputation. Then suddenly today I felt like Chili. I have never made chili before, so I was excited to try something new. I decided not to look at any recipes just make it with the ingredients that I thought should be in Chili. Right now it's simmering away on the stove.

Aura's First Chili

Chili Powder Blend (coriander seeds, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, chili flakes, paprika, fennel and bay leaves)
One Diced Onion
Four Cloves Garlic pureed
One pound lean Ground Beef
One cup Crimini Mushrooms sliced
One Red Pepper diced
One Can Kidney Beans
One Can Diced Tomatoes
Salt and Pepper

Grind Up spice blend. It came out to about two Tablespoons. Heat Oil in Large Pot, add spice blend and toast off for 3 to 4 minutes. Be careful not to burn the spices. Add the onion and saute until golden. Add the garlic and stir. Add the ground beef, mushrooms and red peppers. Cook until beef is completely browned. Add the beans and tomatoes. Add salt and pepper and reduce heat to simmer. Leave for one hour or until liquid has evaporated.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, grated cheddar and fresh cilantro.

ENJOY!!

Bagels, Babkas and Rugelah

I went shopping on Main street a few days ago.
After walking up and down the street going into antique stores, and clothing stores. I found my wallet was still full, and my arms empty.
I stopped at the REEF for a terrible lunch. It must have been the worst Roti I ever ate.
Heading back to the car I was feeling discouraged, I had nothing to show for my Saturday afternoon of shopping until BAM there it was on the side street. SOLLY's. I got so excited. Comfort food. I could have bought everything in the store, but I held back. I grabbed a box of their home made Rugelah, and a package of Blintzes from the freezer. I passed on the package of poppyseed oatmeal cookies, even though they remind me off my Bubie Goldie's moon cookies. As I headed up to the counter to pay, I noticed that there was only one chocolate Babka left. I waited patiently in line praying that no one would buy it before me.
What's the big deal you ask?
Imagine a giant soft cinnamon bun, but instead of cinnamon it's full of chocolate. Every bite is soft and moist and chocolatey. Words can not describe Solly's Babkas. I was in luck, the people ahead of me had not had the Babka experience, they were not in the know. My eyes grew wider as I moved up in line. The Babka would be mine, and it was. My day turned around, the trip to Main street was worth it. Which reminds me, I have two blintzes left......

Solly's Bagelry has three locations. Their contact information and hours are listed below:

368 West 7th Ave
(Yukon & 7th-1 block East of Cambie)
Phone: (604) 675-9750

Mon -
7:30am-6:30pm
Tues - 7:30am-6:30pm
Wed - 7:30am-6:30pm
Thurs - 7:30am-6:30pm
Fri - 7:30am-6:30pm
Sat - 8am-6:30pm
Sun - 8am-6:30pm

2873 West Broadway
(1/2 block West of MacDonald)
Phone: (604) 738-2121

Mon -
7:30am-6pm
Tues - 7:30am-6pm
Wed - 7:30am-6pm
Thurs - 7:30am-6pm
Fri - 7:00am-7pm
Sat - 7:30am-6pm
Sun - 7:30am-6pm

189 East 28 th Ave.
(1/2 block West of Main street)
Phone: (604) 872-1821

Mon -
Closed
Tues - 7:00am-6pm
Wed - 7:00am-6pm
Thurs - 7:00am-6pm
Fri - 7:00am-7pm
Sat - 7:00am-6pm
Sun - 8:00am-6pm