Harissa Spiced Chickpeas

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When I come home late from work after a hard day, I try to make something quick and satisfying. This usually translates into something simple like pasta. But I am also trying to limit my pasta intake and making leaner choices.

This one has quickly become one of my go to recipes as of late. It is so easy to make and the flavours are so different from what I typically make - which just makes me crave more!

Before trying the Knorr Harissa spice mix, I really wasn't sure what to expect. But it is a delicious blend of earthy spices, with a bit of a kick to it! I'll be honest, my pepper tolerance isn't very high, (I usually don't order anything over medium spice level!) so if you do want more of a kick to it, feel free to add chili flakes or more hot sauce!

I love this recipe even more because you can easily omit the meatballs if you are vegetarian or making this as a "meatless Monday" meal. Because of the chickpeas, the protein levels are already really high in this recipe. It's also perfect for those post-workout meals when you are looking for an extra dose of protein!

To make this healthier, I personally like to serve this recipe over brown rice for dinners, but you can easily swap the brown rice for white rice, couscous or even quinoa .

I personally love this recipe because it’s full of protein and has tons of flavour! You can also take leftovers into work as part of a bowl - just add some vegetables and you're ready to go!

      Harissa Spiced Chickpeas and Meatballs  

Makes: 4 servings

Preptime: 10 minutes

Cook time:20 minutes

 

Ingredients:

2 lbs lean ground beef

1 can chickpeas, drained and washed

2 tbsp Knorr  Harissa seasoning (divided)

2 tablespoons oil

250 ml (2 cups)  beef broth or vegetable stock

1 teaspoon tomato paste

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, finely diced

1 tsp italian seasoning

1 egg

1 tbsp worcester sauce

salt to taste

black pepper to taste

  

 

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, worcester sauce, 1 tsp Knorr Harissa seasoning, onions, garlic, salt, pepper  and Italian seasoning together. Mix well and form 1 inch diameter balls
2. In a skillet with 1 tbsp of oil, and place onmedium-high heat
3. Once hot, place meatballs in the skillet, browning on all sides for 8-10 minutes. Set aside. 
4. In the same skillet add chicken or vegetable stock, tomato paste. Simmer for approximately 8 minutes or until it reduces to about half. 
5. add 1 tsp Knorr Harissa seasoning and stir well. 
6. add 1 can of drained and washed chickpeas to the sauce and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Eggs Florentine with Spinach

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Kiss your avocado toast goodbye and wave hello to Eggs Florentine! 

Brunch. There is something so much more decadent about it than regular breakfast.

Brunch always seems so much more classy and elegant. But let’s be honest it’s a little overpriced, especially given that we can make it at home for a fraction of the cost. (Mainly because I was sick of paying $15 for avocado toast when loaf of bread and a few avocados don’t cost nearly that much!) Since I'm cheap, ahem, I mean, ...fiscally (somewhat) responsible(?), So, that’s what I started to do..  It is so much easier on your wallet, and there's complaints that you can't find what you're currently craving on the menu.

Now, I do like easy recipes. But I also like different things (move over avocado toast! We've got more fun stuff (and just as easy) on the horizon.

I started with Eggs Florentine.  (Sounds fancy, doesn't it?) This recipe involves puff pastry, which is the easiest thing in the world to use. Buy it frozen, turn on your oven and you're pretty much good to go.  

Even better, if you are making brunch for a crowd (or just your bestie or significant other) this dish will make them think you spent hours in the kitchen.  realty is, it only took 20 minutes! (shh! I  won't tell!) Just tell your guests to bring the mimosas and you'll take care of brunch!

Eggs Florentine with Spinach

4 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 package puff pastry, defrosted
• 4 large eggs
• 1 bundle fresh baby spinach
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 quarter onion, chopped
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
2. unroll defrosted puff pastry sheet and cut into 4 squares
3. in a large skillet, saute onions in the oil over medium heat
4. Add the spinach and cook until the spinach has wilted but still maintains colour. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. After 10 minutes, remove the puff pastry from the oven and with a spoon, push down the centre, so that the edges form a wall
6. Spoon the spinach into the centre of the puff pastry. (Try to form a wall with the spinach to keep to eggs in the centre).
7. Carefully, break an egg into the spinach.
8. Very carefully, place the puff pastries back into the oven for another 10 minutes or until the egg whites are opaque. (The eggs will be cooked but the yolk will be runny.)

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Elegant Madeleines

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Today, I thought I would share one of my favourite recipes with you.  I personally love madeleines.  These are so easy to make (I mean, less than 15 minutes prep time!) and they look so elegant, they are sure to impress your guests.

If you’ve never had them, madeleines are little French butter cakes. They are perfect for so many occasions – bridal showers, Easter brunch, Mother’s Day or your coffee in the morning on a random Tuesday.   

Seriously though, these little bite-sized cakes look so pretty on a dessert table.

I personally like to add cinnamon to this recipe because I will eat almost anything if it has cinnamon in it! (Except carrot cake – stop trying to put vegetables in my dessert!!)

The last time I made them, the Mister and I finished the entire batch in one day!!  They are so good, you just can’t stop yourself from eating them! Plus I usually make the mini madeleines so it feels like you only had two bites, and so you reach for another.  And another…. Before you know it, the entire batch is gone!

I’ve tried various ways of dressing them up by dipping them in chocolate or dusting them with cinnamon sugar - even though they are so pretty on its own.

You can get some really good deals on the pans at places like Winners, Marshal’s and even <Kitchen Stuff Plus http://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/trudeau-structure-silcone-madeleine-pan-fuchsia-grey>. I personally bought the mini pans from Amazon because I feel like eating 20 mini madeleines are not as bad as 10 full sized madeleines. (Yes, my logic is flawed. No, I don’t care).

Here is the recipe that I like to use.

Elegant Madeleines

Makes: 24 madeleines

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• 2/3 cups sugar
• 2/3 cups flour
• 2/3 cups softened butter
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease the madeleine pan with butter.
2. Using an electronic hand beater, beat the eggs and sugar until thick and foamy. Add nutmeg and cinnamon into the egg mixture and blend well. Fold in the flour and use a spatula to mix well. Fold in the softened butter and blend.
3. Transfer the batter into the madeleine pan and fill about 3/4 of the way. Bake for 10 minutes or until they turn light golden brown.
4. Remove the madeleine pan from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.

30 Minute Sausage Pasta

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Oh winter. The time of year when I just want to hibernate at home while escaping the cold weather threatening me on the other side of my window.

Like most people, I fill up on carbs during winter.  There is something comforting about eating a bowl of pasta in your pajamas while the snow accumulates outside. (Bonus points – I live in a condo and never have to go outside to shovel snow!)

This recipe is also perfect for those cold nights after work when you have nothing prepared.  It only takes a total of 30 minutes to make and will definitely keep you warm. Best of all, you probably already have all of these ingredients in your fridge already. You’ll be on your couch eating this under a nice warm blanket in no time!

Paired with a great full bodied red wine, this recipe is also great for date nights.  Your s/o will never know you were in the kitchen for only 30 minutes. (I made this for the Mister and added some fresh spinach just before serving and he was a happy man.)

30 Minute Sausage Pasta

Makes: 4 servings

Cook time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of uncooked pasta of your choice
• 1 ½ cups of tomato sauce
• 2 uncooked sausages (any variety will do, but I do recommend sweet italian sausages)
• 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1/2 onion (finely chopped)
• 4 oz mushrooms
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ground black pepper
• freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. In a medium pot, add pasta to boiling water.
2. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil and brown onions and garlic for 1 minute.
3. Remove the meat from the sausage casing and add it to the skillet. Cook until golden brown. Add chili flakes and italian seasoning.
4. Add mushrooms and sauté until softened.
5. Add the tomato sauce and cooked, drained pasta.
6. Top with some freshly ground pepper and parmesan cheese before serving.

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