Bijoux................

Finally full

2008-06-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I've been hungry since we started this diet. As yummy as carrot sticks and rice cakes are they just aren't very satisfying.

Good news is I've found a pasta that we can eat, it's made with nothing but rice and water. So here's the best recipe I've been able to come up with so far that meets the requirements of our allergy exclusion diet.

Pasta sans allergies

Ingredients:
- rice pasta
- chicken
- carrots
- parsley (minced)
- olive oil
- salt (I use fleur de sel, but any nice salt will do)
- pepper

Start by cooking the chicken, I grill my chicken, but prepare it as you like. Next I start the pasta as it usually takes about 10 minutes to cook. While your pasta is boiling away julienne your carrots then cook them. I usually add mine to the pan my chicken is cooking in, but they will turn out quite nicely sautéed in a bit of olive oil over a medium heat until lightly brown and tender.

Strain the pasta and return it to the pot, add olive oil, parsley, carrots, salt and pepper and mix it all together. I like to chop up my chicken and add it to the mix, but it is also quite nice served on the side.

Pears

2008-06-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

So 5 days down on our little experiment. We've stuck to the diet and I've begun to notice some changes. Les foggyness and more energy, but we're both hungry all the freakin' time! It's not really hunger though, more desire for variety. I have come up with a few lovely meals to help us get bye. Even more importantly we've been making lots of pear smoothies.

If you plan on trying an elimination diet I strongly suggest that before you begin you prep the pear for this smoothy, you'll be so glad you did.

Pear smoothie:

Ingrediants
- pears, pealed and frozen (we pealed, cubed and froze lots of pears, stored them in zip locks so we would have them on hand whenever we craved a treat)
- water or rice milk (depending on what version of the diet you are on)

Throw ingrediants in a blender and puree until smooth. I prefer mine without the rice milk, but it does have the benefit of keeping you full for a longer period of time.

I'm back!

2008-06-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

From vacation and starting up on etsy again. I'll be posting regularly there and here.

Leif and I have started a new diet. I know, I know we are yo-yo dieters, but this one is doctor recommended (for me at least). We are doing an allergy exclusion diet to find out if I have a food trigger for my migraines. I have a somewhat valid paranoia that I'm going to end up a vegan who can't eat wheat or soy.... or citrus fruits, EEP! But at this point anything would be better than my migraines.

What we can eat:

- pears
- rice
- carrots
- parsley
- lettuce
- chicken
- lamb
- olive oil
- salt and pepper

All of these ingredients must be organic, the chicken and lamb must be free of antibiotics and hormones. We eat only these things for 14 days and then slowly reintroduce other things into our diet.

I'll post a few recipes, but seriously, I'm not a miracle worker!

So fresh and so clean

2008-04-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

Leif loves soap, for my birthday once he bought me seven different kinds of soap. I thought "Oh my gosh, I must be super stinky". He reassured me that it wasn't because I smelled, but because he felt that soap was the most luxurious of gifts. Thanks to Bonghi Natura we're both feeling pretty luxurious lately.

We just received our order of soap from this amazing Etsy seller. Her soaps are made from tantalizing ingredients; almond oil and shea butter anyone?

My favorite so far is the Mattino bar, because it smells like my mom's almond biscotti. Leif is using the Bay rum spice soap and smells wonderful. I would also highly recommend the Puro (tea tree and shea butter) for facial soap and the unscented Semplice for anyone who has trouble with scent - we've both been using it when I have migraines and can't handle smells at all.

This Etsian has an amazing product and fabulous communication check out Bonghi Natura here:
http://bonghinatura.etsy.com/
http://blog.bonghinatura.com/

To sum up, we smell super nice! Thank you Bonghi Natura.

Brunch!

2008-04-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

It's my favorite meal, always has been. I hosted a lovely brunch which my friend Sarah photographed. She's lovely.

I'll post the most interesting recipe first, it's gluten free as well. Savory polenta bowls! This recipe is simple, hearty and delicious.

The first step is simple, find yourself a good quality polenta and cook it up in larger heavy bottomed pot. Just follow the instructions on the package, I usually add chicken or vegetable stock.

Once the polenta is finished cooking, serve it in your loveliest bowls and then let your guests go at it with the toppings!

Toppings pictured in this photo:
- spiced black bean dip
- guacamole
- sour cream
- salsa fresca
- cheddar cheese
- toasted pepitas
- cilantro

Other sugggestions:
- poached eggs
- chevre
- feta
- sun-dried tomatoes
- fresh basil
- olive oil
- olives
- pesto

Ick!

2008-04-11T21:19:00.001-07:00

We are cleaning. I haaaate cleaning. It's for a good reason though.

I'm having a girly brunch, recipes will be posted afterwards along with a photo or two.

This photo is my mock grumpy face, only because I couldn't find one with a real grumpy face. If I find one, I will let you know!

Rustic tomato bread soup

2008-04-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

This soup is yummy and super filling, small portions trust me!

4 pounds ripe tomatoes - roughly chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion - diced
4 cloves garlic - sliced
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup of torn basil
2 tsp agave nectar or sugar
1 cup parmesan - grated
1 medium loaf of artisan bread - crusts removed, bread pulled apart into chunks
salt to taste
cracked black pepper
extra olive oil - good stuff
extra parmesan

In a large, heavy bottomed pot heat the oil and add onions, cook for about 2 minutes then add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes, cover and simmer over medium heat for about 30 mins or until they break down. Add the stock then stir in the tomato paste, basil, agave (sugar) and parmesan. When the cheese has melted add the bread, let stand for about 5 minutes.

Serve with extra olive oil and parmesan as a garnish and crusts on the side for extra dunking.

Coffee, yum.

2008-04-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Sarah came over and we roasted coffee. It smelled so good and actually tasted pretty darn fine. Roasting was surprisingly easy, we tried both the stove top and oven methods suggested by the amazing Merchant's of Green! I think we'll stick with their coffee as it tastes lovely, home roasting means its always fresh and their fair trade policy is the best I've encountered. I'm excited for summer and the free time it will allow me to hang out in Merchant's beautiful cafe space. If you're in Toronto you should come hang out!

Egg-hunt!

2008-03-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

Leif gave me an Easter egg-hunt.... it was so much fun! I was completely surprised and had a wonderful time scouring our studio for colourful little eggs.

We also set a new easter tradition as it was the first Easter we've spent without other family members. We went out for hotdogs. Not gross ones, don't worry. They were lovely local, organic beef hotdogs: one with sweet pepper jelly and one with sun dried tomato pesto both on a homemade bun. Yum!

Happy Easter (or Eggday)

My favorite artist, ever.

2008-03-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

I'm home with a headache so I thought I would quickly post about an artist who's work always makes me feel better. Peter Taylor.

He's a Canadian artist who creates these amazing Buddha men. He is truly gifted.

Check out his stuff here: http://www.handmadefeat.com/

When we were gluten free.....

2008-03-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

I missed toast and I was not too big a fan of rice bread. So every Sunday I would make a ton of baked potatoes and pull them out every time I had a hardcore toast craving. After cutting them up into thin disks and crisping them in the oven I could smother them in butter or dunk them in soup, it really helped. This is my favorite version of "potato toast".

Ingredients:
-Baked potatoes sliced into thin disks
-Feta
-Olive oil (good quality stuff please!)
-cracked black pepper

Preheat your oven to 400° (Fahrenheit). Put your potato disks on a baking sheet or dish. Cover the potatoes with feta, I like to use thin slices, but crumbled works too. Bake until cheese sizzles.
Remove from the oven, plate, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with cracked black pepper. Eat!

Organic Martha Stewart......

2008-03-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

That's what our favorite cheese vendor called me at the market. I'm taking it as a compliment.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day:)

PS

Bought these lovely 1950's never been used pots and the pussy willows at the market, yay Saint Lawrence!

Broccoli, yum!

2008-03-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite meal. Simple, healthy and delicious. We eat steamed veg and brown rice at least three times a week I try to vary the dipping sauce, but I gravitate towards peanut cilantro or sesame chili. The only special tool you need is a bamboo steamer which you can purchase for about $3.50 at your local China town or perhaps even dollar store. I use an extra large stackable one with two levels.

Ingredients:
(the amounts are up to you for this dish)

Brown rice - I usually make about half a cup per person

Assorted veg chopped into small/medium pieces - I like to use carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and peppers - sometimes I add leftover potatoes (must be precooked)

Cubed tofu

Sesame chili sauce:

3/4 cup dark sesame oil
1/2 cup - 3/4 cup soy sauce (to taste, check health food stores for gluten free brands)
1 - 3 tsp chili oil (depending on how hot you like your sauces)
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp honey or agave nectar
1 tsp mirin or rice wine vinegar
2 tsp chopped cilantro
cracked black pepper to taste

Start your rice first.

While your rice cooks chop all your veggies and the garlic and cilantro for your sauce. Place all your veggies except the peppers in the steamer with the slowest to cook ones (carrots, broccoli) at the bottom and fast cooking ones at the top (tofu, pre-cooked potato).

About 7 minutes before rice is finished cooking bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a large pot (which ever sized compliments your steamer).

Put your covered steamer on top of the pot of boiling water, leave it for about 5 minutes, you may have to experiment with time to figure out what works for you, everyone likes their veggies cooked differently I find.

DON'T forget about your rice;)

While your veggies steam whisk your sauce ingredients together and set aside.

Once your veggies have been steaming for 5 minutes add the peppers to the top level of your steamer and steam for 30 seconds then remove steamer from heat (of course if you decide on a shorter or longer time adjust this step accordingly).

Top the rice with veggies and then add sauce to taste. Some times I sprinkle on crushed peanuts or cashews as well.

Enjoy!

PS

Let me know if I should post a peanut sauce recipe as well, I have an awesome one.

Tea time

2008-03-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

For my birthday I received a collection of Tea Forte teas. Today I threw myself a little tea party to inaugurate my etsy shop's grand opening: petitsbijoux.etsy.com

The tea I chose to indulge in was white ambrosia. It was divine. These teas are encased in silk diffusers and then elegantly packaged. I felt like a princess sipping from my gorgeous hand-thrown ceramic mug.

Heaven.

Etsy shop exists!

2008-03-12T08:18:00.001-07:00

Finally I've listed things!

Feedback appreciated, I hope you guys like it.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
Petitsbijoux.etsy.com

Le Plateau

2008-02-18T15:24:00.001-08:00

I just got back from Montreal, one of the loveliest cities I've ever visited. On this particular trip I found the most amazing shop where you could select types of fiber and colours to create the perfect yarn. Needless to say I returned to Toronto with as much yarn as I could carry and now my head is full of project ideas.

I love traveling!

Je n'avais pas mangé du poison en Nice

2008-02-03T22:15:00.000-08:00

C'est dommage!

Salade niçoise is one of my favorite dishes. It always looks beautiful and impressive when served on a nice dish. It's perfect in the summer as it is cool and light, but it is still filling and nutritious. Here is my version of this classic dish. Please keep in mind while reading this that all the measurements are approximate and you should pick and choose, add or subtract to your own taste.

Salad
1 - 2 cans of tuna, marinated in olive oil - I use 2 cans, try to use the good stuff from Italy if possible
3 large handfuls of fresh green beans (that's right, I'm not sure of the weight as I always measure them by the handful - I'm crazy like that)
10 baby potatoes - I like to use red ones for colour
2 fresh vine tomatoes, choped
1 small red onion diced or 4 shallots, diced then cooked for a few minutes (I like the shallots!)
1/2 cup of olives, pitted - use your favorite kind, but please no canned olives
4 eggs
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/8 cup fresh thyme, chopped
salt and pepper

Optional
Parmesan cheese, to taste

Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar - you should add this to taste, I love balsamic so I like to use a lot of it
1 clove garlic, minced
1tsp mustard - flavored mustards taste quite nice with this salad, I use a fig flavored one, I wouldn't use a wasabi mustard though so choose wisely

Have your strainer on hand as you will need to be quick to strain the beans.

In a medium - large pot boil enough water to thoroughly cover the potatoes, add all the potatoes and boil until tender. Remove the potatoes and set aside. Add the green beans to the boiling water and blanch them, about 2 minutes, strain them and run cool water over them. Place both the potatoes and green beans in a cool spot, I prefer not to put them in the fridge, but if you are under time restraints go for it! Put your eggs in a small pot, cover them with water and bring them to a boil, reduce the heat to medium/low, cover and let simmer for 6 minutes, set them aside to cool.

While these ingredients are cooling down prepare your tomatoes, olives, onions, herbs and dressing. To make the dressing I usually just whisk all the ingredients together, not the best form, but it works for me.

Ones the other ingredients have cooled halve the potatoes and quarter the eggs. Arrange all the ingredients on a pretty serving dish. I like to place the potatoes, beans, eggs, tuna, tomatoes and olives separately on the plate, sprinkle with the herbs, salt and pepper and parmesan, then mix it all just before serving. It looks super pretty this way

Finally! Gluten free muffins.

2008-02-03T21:23:00.000-08:00

We've been trying our darnedest to cut out gluten. It's tough, I love Italian pasta dishes, but rice pasta simply doesn't do! I also love croissants and French bread with butter and bagels. Oh well, good health is pretty rewarding too, although the reward is much less tangible than a freshly baked cinnamon bun.

This recipe is ridiculously complicated compared to wheat-based muffin recipes, but using intricate combinations of flours is the only way to go when cooking gluten free. These muffins do turn out quite nicely and I much prefer them to most of the gluten free muffins I've had at health food stores. This is probably because most of those muffins are vegan and these have butter and eggs in them. This base is great with any combination of fun stuff so go nuts........ walnuts, banana and chocolate chunk perhaps?

Dry ingredients
1 cup rice flour
¼ cup tapioca flour
¼ cup arrowroot flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
¼ teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients:
2/3 cup agave or sugar
1/3 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup - 1 tbsp of either (sour cream, banana, yogurt, apple sauce) I used yogurt for these
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

Extras:

1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1 tbsp lemon rind

1 cup chocolate chips and 2 tbsp orange rind - use 1/4 cup fresh orange juice and 3/4 cups yogurt or sour cream for this version

1 cup pears, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 pinch nutmeg and 1 pinch allspice

Preheat your oven to 350° (Fahrenheit) then line or butter your muffin tin.

Mix together all of your dry ingredients. If you are using cinnamon or any similar spice it belongs with the dry. Mix all of the wet ingredients in a large bowl, then add the dry ingredients to the wet. Be careful not to over-mix!

Last add your fruit, rind and/or chocolate chips and fold them into your batter.

Scoop them into your muffin tin and bake for approximately 25 mins or until what ever sharp object you prefer to use to test your baked goods comes out clean. I use a knife because I never have toothpicks handy!

Now, gorge on muffins as they always taste best when still warm.

Butternut squash soup

2008-02-03T17:33:00.000-08:00

This soup has become a staple for us. We usually make it at the same as Heidi from 101cookbooks' faro and butternut squash recipe. This recipe is a perfect base for experimentation, we never make it the same way twice. The version in this photograph shows a twist on the base recipe using curry powder, chevre, fresh chives and toasted pepitas and sunflower seeds with a side of soft boiled eggs for protein. I've also created versions using coconut milk, feta, yogurt, apple, peanuts, walnuts, almonds......... I've even ditched the butternut all together and replaced it with pumpkin! They've all turned out beautifully so don't be afraid to experiment with new ingredients or toppings.

Enjoy!

Simple butternut squash soup base:

2 tbsp butter or grapeseed oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 medium yams, chopped
1 small - medium carrot, chopped
1 medium butternut squash or the bottom half of a large squash
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tetra pack (900 ml) chicken or veggie stock
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp fresh thyme
2 tbsp fresh oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 375° (Fahrenheit)

Prick your squash all over with a fork, and bake it in the oven for about 45 mins or until tender. This will make it much easier to peel.

While your squash is cooking prep the rest of your ingredients.

After the squash is cooked, peel and chop it into 1 - 2" pieces.

Heat the butter/oil in a large pot over medium heat. Then add the onion, garlic, yam, carrot and squash then cinnamon and cook until they are lightly browned, 5 - 10 mins. If you are planning to add cumin or curry powder this is the time to do so!

After the veggies are browned add your stock and herbs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 45 mins or until all veggies are tender. If you are planning on adding coconut milk do so after the stock has been brought down to a simmer - one can should suffice.

Remove the bay leaves!

Transfer the soup to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Return the soup to your pot. Season with salt and pepper. You may also add more stock or coconut milk to reach desired consistency or add more spices! Yum.

Just a photo or two!

2007-11-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

The move went very well, thanks to our wonderful friends and family. We are just in the unpacking stage so things are much more organized.

The kitchen is looking wonderful. I will most definately have some lovely recipes up as soon as I have a spare moment. Hopefully we'll take a trip to Whole Foods and procure some wheat flour substitutes so I can start baking again. I've a few recipes floating around in my head for the last little while that really must come out. Blueberry cream cheese muffins with lemon rind anyone? Gluten and sugar free of course!

As I have no new photos, I will post some oldies. These are of Leif and my engagement day of fun. We had a lovely time. We spent most of the day in Leslie ville at Darkhorse coffee for lattes, then the artisanal cheese shop for a fancy grilled cheese sandwich with four kinds of cheese and lovely sausage (This was before we went off the wheat!) We topped everything of with a beautiful dinner at Swan Restaurant on Queen West. Our absolute favorite place, if you are in Toronto and crave fancy food Swan is a must.

Hope you like the photos.

Best,

Samara

We have paint!

2007-10-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

We do have paint, Benjamin Moore: Yew Green. It's quite lively and bright, perfect for a studio/living room. Leif will commence painting tomorrow morning, and I'll be able to lend a hand in the afternoon after work so it will be all finished by the time we move in on Tuesday.

I'm still picking colours for the kitchen and the chairs and tables. They are all a little out there, but gorgeous. I'm leaning towards raspberry, orange and egg shell blue in the kitchen. For the chairs purple, and more eggshell and raspberry.

We just bought some lovely milk glass mugs and a sweet little tea cup (for my collection) and we are scouring the goodwill and rummage sales for plates, storage units, and tables/desks. We're hoping to make our apartment somewhat intuitive to organize - we can fall into the messy trap so storage that is very accessible is a must! So lots of shelves that are easy to access and look smart and nice extra hidden storage spots under desks, and behind curtains. We'll have a screen printing area all set up and several sewing machines so adorable curtains won't be a problem, thank goodness.

I've made a new necklace and put it up on etsy. I love it, it's called a Sukey necklace, it's long, it's super cute, and I made one for me! I've been very good about posting lately, but not so good on keeping up with consignment orders, although wholesale always gets done, hehe.

I think this is enough for now, but I promise to post a lovely recipe next time - no gluten or sugar of course!

My first blog...... our new apartment.

2007-10-24T17:41:00.001-07:00

A new apartment for me means a clean slate. Quite literally, as we (Leif and I) are leaving behind a tiny dark basement bachelor for a lovely second floor apartment, in a cute house, on a quiet street.

We couldn't be happier.

As this weekend is moving time, I have been scouring flickr for apartment ideas. Colour pallets, storage ideas and cute fabric have been consuming my thoughts and dreams for the past month. Which is why I think it will be somewhat of a relief to finally let them out onto walls and into rooms.

I've also been pouring through Craig's list posts to find furniture, as we recently realized, we have none. I'm exaggerating a bit, but a couch would be a very nice thing to own.

My jewelry project are getting a bit behind. Hopefully I can catch up after the move. We are hoping to turn the entire front room into a studio space where we can sew, paint and silkscreen to our hearts content.

Craig's list is calling, but I'll post more soon(ish)

xo,

Samara