Broccoli and Dried Cranberry Pasta Salad.

 Pasta salads are definitely summer staples. But there is no mythical crazy recipe rule book out there that says you can't make a summer dish in the coldness of fall. So I did it. I made a pasta salad for a potluck!

Everytime I think of pasta salad, I think of the type my family always made - italian dressing, chunks of cheese and some veggies. Good? Yes. Over done? For me? Yes. Want to try something different? YES. 

How To: Bedazzle your Veggie Tray

Tired of your boring veggie platter? Carrots, celery, broccoli and maybe some peppers. It is definitely easy I'll give ya that. And its a healthy tid bit to your party spread. You can even buy them pre-made at the grocery store (although it may cost you an arm and a leg). 

How many times does this happen to you. 

-You decide to host a party. 

- You think of some awesome snack ideas

- Day of, you go pick up all the ingredients at the grocery store and realize - crap there is nothing good for me on the menu, lets throw in a veggie tray

Bah ...always an afterthought. 

1 Year Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to me! 

The Gourmet Student!

My BF celebrating my birthday one year - and why yes, she did know at that time she would be celebrating a 1 year  blog anniversary with me. Smart cookie that girl is. 

It has been 1 year (give or take a day or 2 - oops) since my first post! And what a year it has been! A lot has happened to the blog as well as my personal life. Let me fill you in.

Mussel Marinara

It's date night again and instead of going out we are staying in for a romantic meal and a good movie. Now usually we up our budget a little and get ourselves something special, but the reality is, mussels are NOT that expensive. For a 2lb bag here in Ontario, it is only around $5... ya thats right... FIVE BUCKS! Which means there is room in the budget for dessert. Best day ever.

Pita Pizza

As most of you know by now, pizza is a staple in my house. A staple in my life. I truly believe pizza is what makes the world go round. Isn't that why pizzas are typically round? Like the EARTH.

Lemon Mushroom Bruschetta

I know bruschetta is typically toasted bread topped with tomatoes and onions and garlicy goodness.

Well I am breaking the rules today.

I am putting something else on top of toasted bread. Mushrooms. And cream cheese.

I feel a bit naughty.

Go ahead and try to stop me.

Potato Leek Soup

October. Besides halloween, there is not much to look forward to. And for those of you who are in school up here in good ole Canada (eh?), October seems to be the month of....dum dum dum duuuummm.....midterms.

Studying and writing midterms, completing assignments AND still going to class all at the same time seems to make my head spin. No to mention the expansion of my waist line due to all the late night pizza orders and sugar rush from candy and pop.

Determined NOT to fall into my usual pattern of sugar highs and hard core crashes, I needed to stay on top of my eating habits (at least TRY to) and eat some REAL food. And if that means taking a study break to make some food then so be it. Some people would call that procrastination, I call it .....who are we kidding... it is procrastination. Just like how I am procrastinating from studying right now to write this blog post... dam.

Grilled Veggie, Chicken and Goat Cheese Pesto Sandwich

I thought I had to say goodbye to summer a few weeks ago. But it seems like summer has been trying to creep back into my life. And I am going to let it. Windows are open, jackets are off and the BBQ is ON!

I felt like I didn't do enough BBQing this year, so I am glad I get one more chance to make up for it.

Whole Wheat Yogurt Banana Blueberry Pancakes

Man, I just love pancakes. People think I am crazy when I walk down the hall munching on a cold pancake as a snack.... not crazy, just love.

I've posted about pancakes before (and will again and again and again). But this time I thought a healthy twist may be in order. That way I don't feel so bad about scarfing a second helping.

Peanut Butter Stir Fry

Sounds crazy doesn't it. Peanut butter stir fry? Ya I thought my friend was nuts when she told me about this. Her boyfriend's mother's friend's sister (or something like that haha) told her about this recipe. Well if her boyfriend's mother's friend's sister said it was good, it MUST be worth a try.

Eggplant, Hummus and Feta Cheese Pita Sandwich

It was my first day back at school today. Only 2 more years and I will have completed my masters degree and be forced to face the real world of responsibilities and business casual clothes. But until then, I am completely happy in my sweatpants and my delicious dinners for 1. After a long day of classes (and I mean long) I needed something super easy and quick before I pass out on my couch. 

Yes that is a glass of wine in the background...I needed it!

Eggplant, Hummus and Feta Cheese Pita Sandwich

Time: 10 mins.                              CPS: $1.05                  L of D: Undergraduate

- 2 slices of Eggplant

- 2 slices of Tomato

- Handful of Spinach

- 2 Tbsp of Hummus

- A wee crumble of Feta Cheese

- 1 large Whole Wheat Pita

- Olive Oil

Grill the eggplant on your BBQ or fry it in a frying pan until it is soft and cooked through. 

Assemble sammie. Drizzle with a little olive oil. 

Happy first day of school!

Creamy Pesto and Garlic Scape Potato Salad

Ahhh... potato salad. A staple at any family bbq/picnic. I don't know about you, but when I think about potato salad, I think of KFC, grocery store sides, Mom's recipe with chunks of celery, and a whole whack of mayo. Bring back memories? Ohhh yaaa. Actually not that many for me since I do not particularly like chunks of celery in anything. So I typically stayed away from it... or picked the celery out (my mom hated that!)

New Food Challenge #4: Garlic Scapes

We have all heard of garlic (well I hope at least). But has anyone heard of garlic scapes? Not me, not until this summer I have not. Well guess what, they are the flowering stalk that comes FROM garlic. Ever leave garlic on the counter to long and a weird green looking stem starts to grow out of it? Yep, garlic scape. And they are edible! And delicious at that.

Grilled Eggplant, Tomato and Basil Salad

Its hot. Wicked hot. So unbelievably hot that I have barely left my bedroom in 2 days because I have a tiny little air conditioner jammed in the window.

My one bedroom apartment has begun to melt. The doors won't close properly because the wood has expanded due to the humidity, the floors have begun to sweat. Whether to open or close the windows is in constant debate.

The thought of turning on my oven, or even a burner on the stove top just makes me sweat. Last night I went to Subway for dinner just so I can sit in an air conditioned building for half an hour.

But I can't live off Subway (Well ya I could, Jared did it).

Which leads me to -  salads and bbq.

Oatmeal Orange Crusted French Toast with a Citrus Yogurt Glaze

Oatmeal for breakfast. It is so boring. I eat it like everyday in the winter. Sometimes for lunch too. I am certainly over it. 

Gnocchi with a Pesto Cream Sauce, Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

A little while ago I wanted to make one of my good friend a birthday dinner. And even though I know she loves me and would be grateful if I fed her a can of beans, I still wanted to do something a little extra special. Birthdays are a time of celebration! Especially those quarter of a century ones .... haha

Lime, Shrimp, Avocado and Cilantro Salad

Summer is here! Oh baby oh baby! Well technically it has been here for a while, but lately.. the temperature.. wooo ...sky rocketing! The weather is warmer, the sky is clearer, the produce is more vibrant and the stove becomes my enemy because it heats up my apartment to a million degrees celcius. Solution? Befriend my BBQ and learn to cook without the use of heat. Can we do it? I am sure as heck going to try.

This salad is so incredibly fresh and jam PACKED with flavor. No seriously, the flavor just explodes with every bite. I kid you not. 

Bacon and Avocado Breakfast Pizza

Breakfast pizza? Whhaaaa???

That's right folks, yesterday I got a bit crazy and put my breakfast ON A PIZZA. 

Only crazy people do this. 

Yellow Chicken Curry ... with a Ton of Other Stuff

In my experience, a stir fry has been a staple in the student kitchen. It is an easy and quick way to get a whole meal that taste great. But there are only so many stir frys you can handle in a week. So, I turned my attention to curry! Same concept, cooking up a bunch of veggies, tossing it with a sauce and serving on rice. But since I was completely new to the world of curry, I often stuck to the jarred sauces (such as this one which is quite delicious in my opinion). 

Turkey, Brie, Apple and Honey Mustard Sandwich

This is a quick sandwich I like to make when I want to spice up my everyday turkey sandwich. And of course when I have leftover Brie Cheese - because I never buy brie just to stock my fridge, I had this leftover from a gathering I had the night before. I am actually surprised it lasted through the night.

I am a cheese thief.

Shrimp Pasta with Garlic White Wine Sauce

Do a little dance, make a little love, cook yummy food tonight...uh yea... cook delicious food tonight woo!

Yep that is exactly what I was singing when I was making this dish. Booty shakin and all. 

Poached Egg, Salsa, Avocado/Steak and English Muffin Breakfast

I love breakfast, I really do. However, I don't often have time to make an amazing meal. Usually on the menu is cereal, yogurt, toast, fruit, oatmeal...BORING. I want sparkle! I was glam! I want FLAVOUR!!! Wouldn't you feel the same if you were condemned to tiresome breakfast food? Well here it is folks, a reason to break free! (Pun intended muahaha)

How To: Poach an Egg

Eggs.

I say the skill of cooking eggs is a pretty basic one to have.

Hard boiled? - Hot water, drop, wait, take out.
Over easy? - Hot pan, crack, flip.
Sunny side up? - hot pan, crack, don't flip.
Scrambled? - Hot pan, mix with fork, flip a bunch of times.

But then there is poached eggs....

Thai Eggplant, Mushroom and Parmesan Sandwich

Recently I posted all about Thai Eggplants as a New Food Challenge - the what, the when, the how.. and I followed up with Basil Thai Eggplants. But clearly that is not enough. Nope, not for this girl. 

Besides my ravenous hunger pains and my determination to cook a hole in my frying pan, I actually just had a bunch of  my Basil Thai Eggplants left over that I didn't want to waste. So with some sauce, a bun, a whooole whack of cheese and a friend to put heads together with, we came up with - ooey gooey THAI Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich!

Basil Thai Eggplant

A few days ago I introduced a new food: Thai Eggplant. Now I get to tell you what the heck I did with them! Like I mentioned before, the most common recipe that I found was Basil Thai Eggplant. So I decided to give it a whirl and make my own little version.

I thought it would be simple and quick and still allow me to taste the pure flavour of the eggplant. And it was just as I suspected... it tasted like eggplant... with some basil.

New Food Challenge #3: Thai Eggplant

Recently I wrote about the United Supermarket that opened in London, Ontario. I told you about all the fabulous produce that I saw! The longbeans, fresh horseradish, bittermelon, sugar cane and so on and so on. I made a decision right then and there - I need to buy something new and share it with you!

United Supermarket

In London, Ontario a new grocery store has opened a few months ago called the United Supermarket. Primarily Asian inspired with some South American flare, this store definitely offers something different than the traditional Loblaws and Metros we tend to see at every corner. So a foodie friend of mine and I decided to check this place out one day and let me tell you we were in for a treat.

At first glance, this just looked like any ordinary grocery store - rows of produce, isle of packaged food, people all over the place with carts ramming into your backside. But with further investigation ... a hidden gem was discovered. The produce section was filled with fruits and vegetables completely foreign to me. Some I have only heard about on the Food Network (you know, when they use an ingredient and say you can find it at specialty stores or now most grocery stores carry it - and you think "I have never seen that anywhere near me!" - dam). Now you can. Actually there was a TON of stuff I have never even seen before!

Trails End Market - Correction!!!

Attention everyone! It appears I have made a mistake. When I first discussed a Hidden Gem of London, Ontario, the  Trail's End Farmer's Market, I distinctly said that the market was closed for the winter.

Well guess what, I was WRONG!!! I was informed that the market is open all winter long!

I just assumed that the outdoor market where all the fresh produce stood would be closed because of...well the snow. But apparently the market stands tall all year round. I am not sure if the produce moves inside, or the brave soles stand out in the cold. I have no idea, I didn't go check it out because I thought it was closed!

Well - next year we will have to find out. But for now, summer is upon us and since it is Saturday, I will be heading on over to Trail's End Farmer's Market to experience all that our local farmers have to offer us!

Maybe I will see you there?

Eggplant Pizza Version 2.0

Ready for Eggplant Pizza Version 2.0? If you recall, Eggplant Pizza Version 1.0 was not only easy on the taste buds, easy on the wallet as well as easy on the eyes. Version 2.0 meets all the same qualifications but takes things up a notch. In more traditional pizza format, this pizza is hearty enough for the winter yet fresh and light enough for the summer (contradicting no? Whatever - I eat it all the time and hopefully you will too!)

Kale Chips

Sweet tooth? How about a SALT tooth? Ya that is more like it. Icecream? No thanks. Cookies? Maybe later. Crackers? Oh ya. Popcorn? Oooh baby. Chips? YES!!! Salty foods are a weak spot for me and when I get my hands on something, there is no stopping me. But obviously eating bags and bags of chips is clearly NOT healthy in any way shape or form. And I have stressed this point before because I know there are more like me out there! Don’t worry peeps! I feel your pain!

Maple Apple Cheddar Tart

Final recipe from my crescent roll collection and I must say, this is definitely one you need to keep an open mind about. Apples and cheese may be a classic combination but adding the element of maple syrup? Hmmm... even I needed a bit convincing on this one. It all started when I was trying to find a recipe that combined apples and cheese while using a "tart". I immediately stumbled upon Anna Olson's Maple Apple Cheddar Tart. It looked pretty and intriguing...then I saw it. The ingredient "maple syrup". Huh? Seriously? No way. Okay Anna, what were you thinking here? But since she IS a superstar, I have to give her the benefit of the doubt and plus since I am revamping the recipe to make it my own, I can always just leave it out.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Switching things up here with my third crescent roll recipe. This time I use the pastry in a savory way by using them in a casserole. This recipe actually comes from a friend of mine who grew up in Sault St. Marie. The Sault is known for their very cold badass winters - and when its cold outside, there is nothing better than something warm and delicious to heat your belly. When she made this dish for me I was floored, it was so good yet so incredibly cheap and easy to make. Ever since then I have been making this dish for friends everywhere and there is yet to be a belly unsatisfied.

Strawberry Cheesecake Crescent Roll

Next up on my crescent roll adventure is the Strawberry Cheesecake Crescent Roll. I LOVE cheesecake, one of my fave desserts by FAR. But sometimes it can be a bit labour instensive - except for those no-bake cheesecakes which are equally awesome. But I thought I would be a little creative and use what I had on hand.

Chocolate Banana Honey Crescent Rolls

 I am a sucker for a deal. Actually sometimes it is those deals that allow me to eat well on my iddy biddy budget. Lets take a look at crescent rolls for example. They are super easy to work with and quite versatile. So when I saw them for $1.00 a roll (regular $1.99) I snatched them up! Which leads me to my crescent roll chapter of this blog. In the next few days you will see a collection of recipes that I have created that are all based on crescent rolls!

Pizza Party

 It's that time of year again. We all know what I am talking about. When the weather sucks the big one; I personally get to tired of dealing with it so I end up staying in most of the time dreaming about the day when I don't have to scrape off my car. Midterms and projects pile up and stress is at an all time high. And my social life seems to be on hold until the sun comes out again.

But how to kill the winter blues? Well I decided to do what I do best and throw a dinner party! But not just any dinner party - a pizza party. I gathered up my girls, divided up the grocery list and the result? One friggan amazingly delicious dinner. 

Ultimate Taco Salad

Holy taco salad. Love em. Filling, easy to transport and CAN be super healthy. With all the components to make a darn good taco, or excellent nachos, lets make a healthier version and add a whole lot of lettuce to it. Haha, why does everything seem healthier if it is on lettuce? With a combination of protein, calcium, vegetables and carbs, you have a complete meal in one bowl.

Sweet and Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

I am a huge snacker. I admit it. I love to snack. But more than that, I love a crunchy salty snack. Yep - I have a salt tooth. Eating chips/popcorn/pretzels can be considered one of my hobbies. Oh man, ESPECIALLY during exam time. A little studying, a little crunching. Come oooonnn ya'll know what I am talking about, we have all been there.  But clearly this isn't something I should be doing everyday (although I want to). So when I stumble on a healthy way to cope with my snack craving, I jump all over it.


Okay so chickpeas. How does that solve anything? Chickpeas are mushy. Well, let me tell you something, magic happens in that oven of yours. When you roast chickpeas, they actually become crunchy - like nuts! Seriously, it is insane. Another awesome thing about this is, chick peas are like a blank canvas. There are so many spice combinations out there to use, I guarantee there will be something to please everyone. A healthy, protein-rich quick and easy snack. Wicked.

Baby Bok Choy and Tofu Stir Fry

A stir fry is recipe that should be a staple in every student's kitchen. But really the beauty of a stir fry is the fact that you don't need a recipe. You can use whatever vegetable, whatever protein, whatever sauce in an combination you like. So what am I even doing here? Just going to provide a few suggestions.

This stir fry is nothing spectacular - it is the sauce that makes it special. It is a classic stir fry sauce that has been used in my family for years. It is simple and quick and is awesome with any vegetables. In honor of the New Food Challenge #2: Baby Bok Choy, the star of this stir fry is - you guessed it - baby bok choy. I have also been experimenting with tofu lately. It is extremely cheap and packed full of protein-goodness.

New Food Challenge #2: Baby Bok Choy

With Chinese New Year happening last week, I was in the mood for some cooking with an Asian flare. So why not use one of my most favourite vegetables: bok choy! I grew up on this veg and it is hard for me to envision a stir-fry without it. As I was about to post my bok choy recipe, I realized that not everyone has some Chinese family members, and not everyone knows what the heck bok choy even is!

But now you will  muahaha...

Banana Nut French Toast

I have always viewed French Toast as a blank slate for flavour. Which means, you can start with a basic recipe and add whatever spices or ingredients you want to change the whole dish around. Well today I was craving some really good banana bread. But my bananas were ripe, I didn't have the time to make a batter then wait for it to bake and I was out of flour. Sigh. So, why not take the flavours of my fave banana bread recipe and put it into some french toast.

How To: Toast Your Nuts

Toasted nuts? Everyone likes toasted nuts. And for some people like me, its the only way to eat them without getting an allergic reaction. Its a very simple procedure, but your nuts can go from toasted to burnt in no time flat. An NOBODY likes burnt nuts.

This method can be used for any type of nut, but make sure you don't try to toast nuts of different sizes at the same time because bigger ones take longer than smaller ones.

Okay, there are 2 ways to do this: In a frying pan and in the oven. Both methods require your 100% attention.

Balsamic Steak Sandwich

Who likes a good steak sandwich? Greasy tender beef, loads of cheese, crunchy vegs all topped on a soft bun. Oh ya. You can find them at any local pub, and I  hear Philly is the place to get a good one ( ha ha). Some foods are meant to be greasy, cheesy and extremely unhealthy for you, and most people could agree that a steak sandwich is one of those things. Especially with a side of fries, a big ol glass of beer and friends at sleezy bar (at least...those are my memories of a steak sandwich!)

But alas, uber fattening food is no longer part of my everyday anymore. So how to compensate? Try to make one at home. But it will never be the same, I can never get it to taste just right (but then again, I am making healthier choices, so how could I ever make it taste the same). So .. lets swap fat for flavour. Be BOLD. Sounds like a plan. Instead of using pounds of cheese, I choose to use a type with big flavour, but just less of it. Instead of using gallons of butter, I used spices. See the pattern?

Warm Spinach Dip

Spinach Dip!!! Wooo! Yes, spinach dip is incredibly exciting, at least it is with my group of friends! Definitely a party staple and probably the most requested recipe I have. Which makes it an obvious addition to the Ultimate Student Collection. Its ooey, its gooey and soooo tasty! Even though it is packed with cheese, (and I mean seriously packed), I use light/low fat versions to help out a bit, but surprisingly it does not sacrifice flavour.

Now I know there are a gazillion spinach dip recipes out there, but I add a little something extra that sets mine apart. That secret is slivered almonds. It adds an element of crunch to the creamy dip. Trust me, once you have the dip without them, you will miss them.

So next time you have a girls night, or you are invited to a potluck, try bring this super easy spinach dip, its sure to please the masses.

12 Tips and Tricks to Eating on a Student Budget

There are a million and one budget tips and tricks out there but these are mine that I try to live by. I am a living, breathing, extremely poor student and these are from my own experiences!

You can always find these under my Tips and Tricks Tab posted above. 

Tip #12: Don't forget to splurge every once in a while. 

Eating on a budget doesn't mean you have to make sacrifices, just compromises. So every once in a while, it is okay to make a special meal that includes a great cut of meat, or a really fancy cheese or whatever. Being able to treat yourself here and there will allow you to stay on budget the rest of the time a whole lot easier. Whether it is for a special someone, or even just for yourself, splurge! Life is about living and enjoying food is one component of that. 

New Food Challenge #1: The Pomelo

Welcome to the first new food challenge! I have decided I really need to broaden my horizon and start trying some new foods. More specifically, simple ingredients. Just things you may walk right on by in the grocery store, or things you wouldn't look twice at at the market. Some foods I may try are actually ordinary to some people, and vice versa. But what the hey, we are taking this journey together right?!

First up...the pomelo. Pomelo pomelo pomelo. What the heck is a pomelo? Well it is interesting because I first heard about a pomelo from my mother. But not while growing up, only recently after I have moved out. I was home for the weekend and there she was, eating one at the kitchen table. "What the heck is that?" I asked. "A pomelo!" she replied as if she has been eating them forever and I am a nutball for not knowing hahaha....oh mom what a hoot.

Curried Sweet Potato Soup with a Honey Drizzle

Cold outside? Need to warm your belly? I have the perfect trick - a big ol hearty bowl of soup. Its sweet, savory and spicy all at the same time. I love soup, but I'm not a big fan of the kind with broth and stuff in it ... I like the pureed type, so you will begin to see a lot of these types of soup in the future! 

A really good thing about this soup is that it is extremely healthy for you! (Always a plus). In the past sweet potatoes may have been given a bad rap because they are a carb. You know, the whole "carbs are evil" thing that was floating around for awhile. However, sweet potatoes are actually extremely good for you and should be a part of everyone's diet. It is full of dietary fiber (apparently more than oatmeal) and Vitamin A and C and beta carotene (when eating with the skin on). Sweet potatoes also have a really low glycemic index score - wait what is that? Well all you need to know is that it means that sweet potatoes are digested slowly, which keeps you fuller, longer.  

I also just like to make a note that I chose to leave the skin on my sweet potatoes. Most of the antioxidants found in sweet potatoes are actually in skin. I just scrubbed them real well before using them. Plus... I am lazy and skipping the step of peeling was right up my alley. But if you choose to skin the potatoes, the color of your soup will be a lot more vibrant (just something to keep in mind). 

Holiday Party

Every year, a bunch of my friends and I get together around the holidays. We drink some wine, share some laughs, exchange gifts and eat some really good food. This year is was no different except for the fact that I am sharing it with the world!  Well the blog world at least. Our holiday parties are always pot-luck style. We all try make sure there isn't a burden on one particular person and it ends up being a lot more fun this way. I wanted to share some ideas my friends have come up with, especially since no one is confined to making these just around the holidays!

Naomie's Cranberry and Pistachio Cheese Ball 

Jen's Taco Dip

Lindsay's Mini Potato Skins with Avocado Mousse

Meagan also contributed with delicious meatballs and a Spinach Salad with Pecans and Pomegranate Seeds. I am really sorry for not having any pictures of those, but trust me they were fantastic!

Holy moly everything was so amazing, and everyone was so impressed with everyone else! I guess no one expected to be eating as well as we did. I ate so much cheese... I think I felt that more than I felt the wine. 

Last but not least, I was in charge of dessert! In true Gourmet Student style, I needed to make something quick, easy and affordable, but still amazing. Which lead me straight to chocolate fondue! The combination of chocolate and cream makes for a delicate treat. I stocked up on fruits, marshmallows, peanuts, cookies and sprinkles to dip with and there wasn't an empty belly in the house!

All in all, we all had a great time, especially me because I think I landed the best gift during our gift grab ;) lol. 

So next time you are thinking of having a holiday party, or any type of party, try having a potluck! It keeps the cost down  for the host and it is a great way for your friends to share some personality through their food!

For recipes of any of the dishes made by my friends, please email me at thegourmetstudent@hotmail.com