And the KitchenAid Food Processor Winner is....

A little while ago the generous KitchenAid Canada team contacted me to offer one of their latest, top of the line KitchenAid 13 cup food processors as a giveaway to one of my Canadian readers.

Thanks so much, everyone, for all the great entries.  It was a tough decision since everyone deserves one of these , but Jenn A, a Nova Scotian living in Edmonton with her 4 young children and a story of her grandmother's million dollar relish, wins the day.   Here's her story....

"I should be the lucky winner because I love to cook, and being a mother of 4 young (infant-6 years) children, I need all the convenience I can get!! I've never owned a food processor. The thing that I would be most excited to make would be my grandmother's "Million Dollar Relish". She just passed away in September, and I asked my dad to save me some utensils and tools from her kitchen. My sister and I have made her relish in the past, but to make it we have to borrow a food processor from a friend."

Jenn, just email me your mailing address and phone number for me to forward on to the awesome folks at KitchenAid.  Send it to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.  Oh... and, since it's a lot to ask you to send everyone a jar of your grandmother's relish, perhaps you could share the recipe and a photo.

The Best Reason to Roast Hot Hot Hot

I knew it was going to be a crazy week... so crazy it's taken me almost another whole week to write about it.  Not the prettiest picture, I know, but it really does show off just how easy and hap hazard this is to make.   Prep takes less time than to preheat the oven, it's so easy.

A while back I watched a Jamie Oliver Meals in Minutes show and he was making a roasted chicken dinner in under 30 minutes.  Impossible you say... not when you cut out the spine, flatten it and blast it at 500°F/260°C...

Check it out... Roasted Herb & Garlic Spatchcock Chicken which has become my go-to chicken dish.  I've done it with different spice blends from around the world, and they're all lovely.  But this one is my little black dress version when I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing with it.

And that roasted butternut squash that usually takes an hour or more to caramelize and cook... just popped in at the same time and check after 10 minutes or so, turn and remove when done. It varies, sometimes the chicken is ready first, sometimes the squash, but all in all a quick and easy  combination to prepare while you're chilling out or rushing about doing other things (I prefer the former).

During the week there was naturally, the roasted chicken, squash & sauteed greens, as well as some tasty chicken and pickled ginger sandwiches and, my favorite dish....

Roasted Chicken & Butternut Squash Fusilli

I'm sharing it with Presto Pasta Night, which is being hosted this week by Simona of Briciole also for the THIRD time! Send your entries to simosite (at) mac (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday 

And for my Canadian readers... don't forget the fantastic KitchenAid Food Processor giveaway.  Check here for details.   Deadline is Saturday and all you have to do is leave a comment as to why the winner should be you!

The Great KitchenAid Giveaway

The Holiday Season is just around the corner... actually, it seems like we're in the feasting season from September through January, depending on your culture and your religion.  Regardless of your background, celebrating holidays means feasting and feasting means cooking.... lots of cooking!

 The next holiday at our house is Hanukkah - festival of lights and potato latkes.   In the "olden days".... days of my mother and grandmother and all those mothers before them, that meant grating BY HAND at least ten pounds of potatoes to transform them into the lacy - crispy on the outside, tender and soft on the inside latkes that are always the central dish in any Ashkenazi Jewish home.

That's my grandmother, Auntie Rita and my Mom serving up some delicious dishes for some do or other.  Check out the fancy "party" aprons.   The tradition, for our family at least, meant that upon entering the house, the guests would sneak into the kitchen for "JUST ONE" hot latke right out of the frying pan and forget to leave!  Before you know it, one platter of latkes would be devoured before the meal was served!!!

We've come a long way since then... not from the eating part - that tradition of sneaking into the kitchen is still alive and well.  Now, I couldn't imagine making latkes without a food processor to speed things up dramatically.

The very generous folks at KitchenAid Canada have offered a fantastic giveaway of their latest 13 cup deluxe food processor that is truly spectacular for one of my Canadian readers... sorry about the rest of you.    


Just check out some of the key features:

• New external adjustable, stainless steel slicing disc provides ultimate versatility

• Dual shredding disc easily flips the disc from 2mm to 4mm to achieve ideal slicing thickness

• Large 13-cup (2.75L) leak-proof work bowl, plus chef’s bowl and mini bowl to efficiently

• Ultra Wide Mouth Feed Tube™ adjusts to 3 different sizes to accommodate foods of varying sizes, including whole potatoes and cucumbers

• 17 precise food processing options for speed-controlled slice, shred, chop & puree functions plus three maximized slice, shred and puree/chop blades and bonus dough, egg whip & Julienne blades

• 4 speed-controlled functions

• Comfort design side handle allows easy viewing while the food processor is in use

Even if latkes are not on your holiday menu, I know there are lots of dishes that can be prepared in a jiffy.  The Holiday Slaw - from the folks at KitchenAid - took me less than ten minutes to prepare!  With the addition of cranberries and a dressing of maple syrup and balsamic apple cider vinegar, it's perfect for a buffet or a side for that turkey dinner.

All you have to do to receive this awesome gift is to write a comment below about why that lucky person should be you.   Share a funny or heart wrenching reason and I'll choose one lucky reader WHO LIVES IN CANADA.  Deadline to enter is November 26th.   Check back after that to see who the winner is.  

It's Friday & That Means Pasta

The week just zipped by and I didn't get a chance to make any pasta myself... as weird as that seems even to me.  That said... this week's Presto Pasta Night Roundup hosted by HoneyB of The Life & Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch is a comfort food addict's Heaven on earth.  

Next week we're lucky to have Simona of Briciole also for the THIRD time! Send your entries to simosite (at) mac (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday 

Food & Wine Pairings

Normally, I write about food, and mostly about cooking it... sometimes, I expand that to writing about my adventures, travels, meeting with food producers and proud shop keepers... all focusing on the food.   I don't think I've ever written about wine.  Mostly because I don't really know anything about it and, when entertaining, I ask others for pairing suggestions.  If left on my own, it's usually hit or miss.

But I was sent a copy of Unquenchable, by Natalie MacLean, who is an award winning author, including four time James Beard Foundation Award winner and I'm glad I agreed.  Check out my review here.  Great stories, interesting insights for those of us who are not true aficionados, lots of reasonable options for those of us who don't want to spend a fortune on wine.

As usual, when reviewing a book, I head over to the author's web site.  Natalie has an awesome one with tons of information about the wines, the pairing options, videos, books, articles...naturally my favorite section is recipes...and she even has a few apps to share.

She's now touring Canada promoting her book and I encourage you to head out to meet her if you can.  There's still time to get your tickets to a dinner at Seasons Atlantica November 27th   The menu has me drooling.    She even has a free - and very cool wine pairing app for your smartphone to take with you.  I just downloaded it myself!

Now I just have to figure out which pasta dish (and which wine to pair it with) to make for this week's Presto Pasta Night Roundup, hosted by HoneyB of The Live & Loves of Grumpy's HoneyBunch  Send your entries to grumpyshoneybunch (at) yahoo (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

Catching Up on Cookbooks & Recipes

Finally out of the fog called the flu and into the fog outside that's accompanying the wind and rain, I thought I'd catch up on sharing a couple of the new cookbooks to come my way and recipes.  This time the focus was on eating healthier.  You could tell I wasn't feeling well, when I turned to them for my cure.  That said, all the recipes were delicious for any time - sick or well.  

There was a time when the thought of any brown rice, or "weird" grain I couldn't pronounce (like quinoa, for example, which by the way - keen wah) had me at best, turning my nose up and at worst, running in the opposite direction.   I've matured and so have my taste buds.  And there are still times and dishes that I wouldn't dream of making with whole grained anything...

Like my mother's Creamed Salmon on Toast which is all about the comforting memories of my childhood.

While it's true that some grains are firmer, or have a distinctive flavor and you do have to find a balance for the flavors, it's easy to find great cookbooks to guide you through the learning process.   And I've written about two...

The Complete Whole Grains Cookbook, even sickly had me whipping up the gorgeous and oh-so-delicious Saffron Scented Shrimp over Chile Shrimp and some Oatmeal Shortbread Squares that we inhaled even before I got to take any pictures.

Then there's Joy Bauer's Food Cures with recipes for whatever ails you... seriously!  From weight loss to migraines, diabetes, cancer... you'll find delicious recipes like...

Skinny Shepherd's Pie

Gingery Pumpkin Muffins

or some Tuscan Bean Dip

Feel free to roam around and see which other great finds of mine I forgot to share here.

Slow Motion Food Film Festival

I am a member of Slow Food Nova Scotia and volunteered to play a part (however small it was) promoting the  Slow Motion Food Film Fest that takes place this weekend in Wolfville NS.   


Imagine - 

• 29 films over three days
• 4 major events - The Slow Motion Barn Dinner (Thursday night),  Amazing Food Race (Saturday morning), Harvest Gallery South American Wine Tasting (ASaturday evening) and the Slow Motion Awards Ceremony (Free - Sunday afternoon 6:30 pm) with Hosts Ann MacKenzie (Film NS) and actor Jason Priestley
• Filmmakers attending from Manitoba, Ottawa, Quebec, Georgia, Nova Scotia, Italy and Brazil!
• The Canadian premieres of Perfect Sense (Ewan MacGregors newest film) El Camino del Vino ( Argentinian sommelier loses his sense of taste) and Blood Into Wine (Rock Band Tool frontman opens winery in Arizona desert). 
• The World Premiere of Land Awakening (Beautiful movie that explores PERMACULTURE)
• Contentious films that expose whats wrong with our current systems (DIVE! Milks Wars, Planeat, La Reine Malade)
• Inspiring films that give us hope (GROW! And This is my Garden, Voices of Transition).
• Foodie Favorites (El Bulli: Cooking in Progress, Chocolat, Big Night)
• And riveting films held over from The Atlantic Film Festival due to popular demand (Cooking History)

Please visit www.slowmotionfilmfest.ca for a complete schedule of events. Make it a weekend and catch a couple of films.



Chef Michael Howell, chef owner of The Tempest restaurant and President of Slow Food NS, is offering an Homage to Hollywood menu.  And other local establishments will be showcasing wonderful Food Film Fest related goodies.  


If you're in the neighborhood,  check it out.  I know you'll have an awesome time experiencing the films, the food and  the beautiful Annapolis Valley.  

On the Mend Quick Fettuccine Bolognese

I always know I'm feeling better when I start craving some meaty dish.  And nothing has me salivating more than a hearty Spaghetti Bolognese.   Several paths aligned over the past few days...

• finally craving some Food TV.  The first few days of a flu have me mindlessly watching and reading mysteries.  The thought of food... well... not front of mind.   I had recorded a Jamie's Meals in Minutes where he made a quick version of Spaghetti Bolognese.  He actually added a dash of balsamic vinegar! 
• a hunt from my archives for easy pastas included Bucantini Bolognese from 2008 (to inspire everyone to take part in the Presto Pasta Night Roundup I was hosting. 
• the last of my Lazy Marinara Sauce and one frozen, raw beef burger in the freezer, some mushrooms - fresh & dried in the pantry

And in the time it took to boil the water and cook the fettuccine, my awesome Bolognese was perfect!  

So I'm sharing it with Tandy of Lavender & Lime, hosting Presto Pasta Night for the third time!  Send your entries to lavenderandlimeblog (at) gmail (dot) com and  ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday to join the party yourself.  

Hunger Hurts

I rarely stand on a soap box, especially here. This is my place to share all things I love... mostly food related. But then, everything in my world revolves around food. Certain dishes evoke memories of a place, others of an event or person. All of them happy.

And because I love food - not just the eating, but the sharing it with those I cherish, my heart is always torn when I see images of hungry families... especially the children. It's easy to understand how that happens in war torn or weather ravaged countries.  What's not easy for me to grasp is that hunger happens right here at home. Food Banks Canada's Annual Report on Hunger, 2011 (data collected in March and shared in November ) which, last year, showed a rise of 28% over 2008 and another 9% over 2009, was just released....  and although the good news for 2011 is that for most of the provinces, the numbers haven't increased. The bad news... they haven't really decreased by more than a smidgen either.

Here in Nova Scotia, we are fortunate to have an organization like FEED NOVA SCOTIA with over 150 member organizations - food banks and kitchens;  They advocate for ...I couldn't say it any better than they do...

"FEED NOVA SCOTIA is a respected voice in the fight against hunger and poverty. It's a reputation we are proud to have earned and one we are committed to upholding. But one voice is never as impactful as many. We are eager to equip groups and individuals who wish to join us in being an agent of change.

Through collecting and analyzing data, we provide an accurate picture of hunger in Nova Scotia and give context to the historic and evolving need for food support.  We use this knowledge to inform businesses, government, affiliated organizations and individuals about the issues, and to be an active participant in planning processes that help shape the future for those who struggle with food insecurity."

They also created and run a fantastic program called The Learning Kitchen,  a 16-week culinary training program where individuals facing barriers to employment learn a variety of skills that equip them for a job in the food service industry. Almost 80 per cent of graduates have maintained employment or educational activities one year after completing the program, successfully breaking the cycle of poverty in their own lives. 


This summer I was fortunate enough to be involved with another awesome pilot project for kids called The Kidz Magic Cupboard.  You can read all about it here.   There are many ways we can each make a difference in the war (and it is one) against poverty and hunger.

• Contact your local, provincial (or state) & federal government encouraging them to create better poverty reduction programs and more affordable housing, allowing more of a very limited budget to be spent on food;
• Share and participate in local food drives;
• Become a volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen near you.

On a very positive note here in Canada, Kraft Canada is introducing a wonderful cross-Canada charitable initiative for the holidays...

Introducing Kraft Food for Families  "Imagine if your holiday wish list had items like food, a freezer, shelves for your storage room, or a truck to deliver food to others?  Many food banks across Canada are putting these items on their wish list so they can meet the needs of their community year-round.

To address this need, Kraft Canada is launching Kraft Food for Families, a program designed to enable food banks in Canada to better serve their communities".  

For every signature on this special website, Kraft Canada will donate $1 on the person’s behalf to one of thirty local food banks participating in the program.  People can sign their name once a day, every day, until January 31.  Each food bank will rally their local community to raise as many online signatures as possible.  In addition to all the $1 donations they raise, the food bank with the most signatures will receive a $10,000 donation gift which will be used to address their long-term resource needs.   I encourage you to do your part

• daily signature at KraftFood4Families
• tell your friends and families to do the same
•  tweet & facebook about it using #KraftF4F to get the word out.

I've been invited to be an ambassador for the initiative here in Nova Scotia so I'll be mentioning it often and telling you a little about some of the food banks on the list..    For those of you who don't live in Canada, use this as an incentive to seek out a wonderful sponsor like Kraft in your neighborhood.  After all, hunger is a world wide issue and, more importantly, we can each make a difference..

Presto Pasta Night #238

Weather-wise, it's been an up and down week around here - from serious storms to sunny and bright, but as for pasta... it's all good.  Thanks everyone for all your awesome dishes and joining in Presto Pasta Night fun with me.   I particularly love the escape to Hawaii, South Africa, the Cook Islands...  okay, that's just me staring out at drizzle.  So let's get on to the good stuff....

First in this week is Joanne who Eats Well With Others with a Vegetarian Butternut Squash Carbonara.  She's one of my all time favorite bloggers with a perfect mix of story telling, glorious photos and droolingly delicious dishes.  She might make a vegetarian out of me yet.

Another favorite blogger of mine is HoneyB of The Life & Loves of Grumpy's HoneyBunch and she shared this terrific Chicken Tenders in Garlic Tomato Sauce and Buccatini.  I love slurping through long hollow noodles.  It brings out the kid in me. 

Gilli of So So Simple Food has me green with envy.  She hails from New Zealand, a place I've always wanted to visit,  and spends much time on travelling the seas.  This time in Raratonga (of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific) whipping up a delicious dish of CousCous & Roasted Prawns.  

Tandy of Lavender & Lime ( who will also be our host next week... for the THIRD time!)  shares the joy of cooking with her five year old niece.  There is nothing more delicious than cooking with little ones.  Here's the Sasha Pasta they whipped up together. 

Colleen, Browniegirl first time PPNer, shares another butternut squash dish, this time with arugula or rocket...depending on where you live.  Butternut Rocket & Parmesan Pasta. 

Deb of Kahakai Kitchen another PPN regular, has another exotic name for rocket - rucola.  And I love her Hawaiian version of Pistachio & Rucola Pesto Pasta.  

Alicia, The Foodycat shares this droolingly delicious Pork Miso Noodle Stir Fry.  Nothing like pasta to create a whole new meal out of left overs.  

Helen of Fuss Free Flavours and frequent PPNer shares an insanely delicious dish of Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Harissa Sticky Onions.  The heat and the sweet together is amazing.  

It's been a long time since Alisha of Cook, Craft, Enjoy has shared some tasty pasta treats with us, but she's back with this Angel Hair Pasta with Clams.  It even pleased her kids, surprised her.  But then, that's exactly what kids do.  Hate something you're sure they'll love or...better still, try something new and love it.

Libby, mom of The Allergic Kid shares a great story, great new product and delicious dish of Vegan Baked Mac 'n "Cheese".  I really admire those of you who need to pay such close attention to what goes into a dish and to create a "normal" dish, especially for allergic kids who so want to be just like everyone else.   

Michelle of Ms enPlace definitely had me drooling with her Penne alla Senese... I mean... sausages, walnuts and cream?  Who wouldn't drool.

Mansi of Fun & Food Cafe is back with a dish fit for a crazy day.  Like Mansi, I like to have some "helpers" in my pantry and freezer that I can quickly tweak and make my own.  Don't you love her Spaghetti with Vegan Meatballs? 

And lastly, there's me, with some pastas for "sickies".  Personally, I'd love to have someone else around to prepare my meals when I'm not feeling well, but sometimes that's not possible and that's why God invented pasta.   Like the Cheesy Herb Pasta above that took very little effort... 

or some Pasta with Olive Oil, Garlic & Fresh Herbs (this time basil) or some Buccatini Bolognese, 

if you have more energy..  


Next week Tandy of Lavender & Lime is back, hosting Presto Pasta Night for the THIRD time and I couldn't be happier.  Just write a post (if you don't have a blog, just email your recipe to me and I'll post it for you), mention Presto Pasta Night Roundups & Lavender & Lime with links to both.  Send your entries to lavenderandlimeblog (at) gmail (dot) com and  ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday


Once again, thanks everyone for a truly scrumptious pasta feast this week!

Perfect Pasta for Days Like This

Of course today is actually sunny and lovely, but we had a terrible storm a few days ago when I was feeling equally drippy and chilled.  And even though the tag line for the recipe in one of my favorite Italian cookbooks Pasta Et Cetera a la di Stasio read "this summer dish bursts with freshness", it also brightens up the dreariest of days.

Here's my take...  Cheezy Herb Pasta

Don't forget that tonight is the deadline to submit your favorite pasta creation to tomorrow's Presto Pasta Night Roundup.  Just write about it, mention Presto Pasta Night and email to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.

What DO Sickies Like to Eat

That's my little grandson Dov, doing what he likes to do when he doesn't feel well... besides sharing his bug with his grandma... sitting perched on the top of the chaise lounge... well... where else would Spiderman sit?... sucking on a freezy... or three and watching a favorite show.

I, on the other hand like to snuggle up with a book and eat something more nourishing for both body and soul like...

Moroccan Harira

A wonderful soup with North African herbs and spices and served with lemon wedges and dates.  Or...

Skinny Shepherd's Pie

for a modern, healthier version of my childhood favorite.

What makes you feel better?

Pasta Makes Me Sing

I woke up this morning groggy from a night of coughing and generally in poor spirits. Two nights of little sleep has me grumpy.   But still it was time for my morning ritual... showering, teeth brushing and even before breakfast... checking email.  I often receive requests to promote one thing or another and sometimes I do... if I really love it, but mostly I pass... especially if I feel crabby.

But I was sent an email from David Rees with a link to his YouTube video of I Believe in Pasta and one to an audio of all the songs on the I Believe in Pasta album.  (Give it a minute to load - it's worth it)  It had my feet tapping, head bobbing and most of all, a huge smile on my face.  So I definitely had to share with all my pasta friends out there.   I liked the songs so much I had to check out the app on iTunes.  It's an educational app for kids 3 and over and I'm definitely downloading it when my Honey gets home with my iPad.  Apparently the burp-o-meter is spectacular.  Here are some of the reviews on iTunes

• Apple featured as “What’s Hot” and “New and Noteworthy” in the App Store Books category.
• “Reminiscent of the Dr. Seuss stories we know and love, The Truly Great Noodle is entertaining and fun to read.”-PadGadget
• “The Adventures of Nate, is the latest example of how Seussian writing can be evolved with multimedia content”- iLounge
• “…will have instant appeal to any child who has tried a plate of spaghetti.”-Children’s Technology Review
• “The special Burp-O-Meter will be worth the price of admission for most kids.”-Habitual Apper

I think my grandsons will love it, I know we'll be humming along with the songs.

So all you pasta lovers out there... this is just to get you thinking about which pasta recipe you'll be sharing with Presto Pasta Night Roundup this week.  Send me your entries by Thursday to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.