Tag Archives: Breakfast

Sweet Sugar Bean

Avocado for breakfast? Yes, please!

Like with everything else in life, everyone has a pet peeve when it comes to food. A friend of mine can’t stand having her food garnished with chopped parsley, while my best friend’s toddler gets upset if different food groups are touching. My food pet peeve doesn’t involve food itself, but people’s reactions to food. I roll my eyes whenever someone says how much they hate what I’m eating: “You’re eating onions? Gawd, I hate onions!” That’s just bad manners, don’t you think? However, I absolutely, down to the core of my being, hate it when I’m eating avocado and someone says, “Do you know how much fat is in avocado?” How obsessed, how unhealthy, is your relationship with food that you think eating an avocado is bad for you?! I mean, it’s nickname is “the alphabet fruit” because of all the vitamins it contains, for goodness’ sake! Luckily for me, it’s avocado season, and I’ve been in avo-bliss, eating my happy little heart out with the help of some great recipes.

It’s impossible to have a bad day when you start off with a Breakfast Taco with Avocado Salsa from Sweet Sugar Bean, a delightful blog filled with recipes, photos, and stories by Renée Kohlman, a catering chef from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The tacos are fresh, healthy, and a good way to fuel up for the day. I like mine with scrambled eggs, which goes nicely with the smooth, buttery texture of avo. Finish off with a splash of hot sauce and you’re good to go. I’ve also made it for lunch, except I added sausage, and my husband swore it was the best “breakfast” taco he’d ever had.

This creamy dip is chockfull of nutrients and vitamins.

Sweet Sugar Bean has been featured in The National Post as one of Canada’s best food blogs. That’s quite a recognition for Renée, who started by posting pics of her food on Facebook until friends eventually convinced her to start a blog. Good thing, or else this Creamy Kale & Avocado Dip would’ve never been dreamed up. It’s all things good for you: kale, avocado, cottage cheese, and lemon. I was drawn to this dip because it’s so different from the usual types of dip out there. You can snack on it with crackers or veggies, or like me, you can even spread it on your toasted BLT (which I highly recommend).

Did someone say bacon…in mac & cheese?

You know when you come across a recipe that calls itself “magnificent,” you gotta try it. It’s a big word to use, but it suits this Magnificent Mac & Cheese perfectly. I guess when you’re a formally trained chef you know how to take something as everyday as mac & cheese and take it up a notch, especially if you add bacon to the mix. And then you cook the onions and garlic in the bacon fat. Mmm… I halved the luxe, bacon version for my husband and I, and then made it with Renée’s healthier suggestions (no bacon, add butter and veggies) so my son could have some, too. Both were a hit; it was Z’s first time having mac & cheese and he loved it! You’ll enjoy reading Sweet Sugar Bean; the writing is honest, quirky, and funny. The recipes aren’t fussy at all, either. There’s a reason why Renée’s considered one of Canada’s best food bloggers. Take a look for yourself and enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Sweet Sugar Bean

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Sugar Friday: Cherry Hand Pies

Cherries are the quintessential summer fruit. 

I almost didn’t make this Sugar Friday. This week was my husband’s birthday and I had made a chocolate cake with a Bavarian cream filling that I had used before in these lovely éclairs. It was delicious, and just as I was finishing off my third slice, I began feeling a little sugar overload.  How was I ever going to find the strength to bake and eat another sugar-laden treat? I guess it is possible to have too much of a good thing. The next day, I went to my local produce store and they had the plumpest, reddest, most tantalizing cherries that I just had to buy. An hour later, I was popping them into my mouth like candy and wondering what I could make with them. Like Martha Stewart, I like good things, and there was no way I was going to miss Sugar Friday when  Cherry Hand Pies awaited me.

I found the perfect recipe on My Baking Addiction, a fabulous baking (there are non-baking recipes, too!) blog run by Jamie, who also happens to be a teacher. Her blog is one of my greatest finds this year; there are handy tips, advice on blogging, giveaways, and personal essays to keep you coming back for more. Jamie suggests eating the cherry hand pies for breakfast, which is a great idea. A cup of coffee alongside a buttery, flaky pie filled with juicy cherries is the perfect way to start a warm summer day. Heck, it’s perfect any time of day. The pies are made with store-bought puff pastry, and can be made with or without the sprinkling of coarse sugar on top (I left that step out). The only difficult part of making these pies is not eating all the cherries before you even start baking.

Photo via My Baking Addiction

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