hot and sour soup

This soup just tasted ok. Something was missing but I can't put my finger on what. I think it just was not sour enough or something. If I knew how to fix it I would. I don't think I will be trying this one again.

SERVED WITH: We ate it as a meal all on its own.

COOKING TIPS: It is quite neat to add in the egg and watch it cook while you stir it.

RATING: 6.

Homemade Jam - Less Sugar

So I found this recipe for making QUICK strawberry jam. This is jam that does not involve the complicated canning procedures of sterilizing jars and such but there is a catch. It only lasts about 9 days in the fridge, you can't keep in the pantry for an extended length of time like regular jam.

So because I am on the GI diet and always looking for ways of cutting back my sugar intake I have been playing around with this recipe a bit. I basically cut the amount of sugar in half to see if it would still taste good and still gel together like a jam should. And I am happy to report that yes it still worked out and yes it still tasted good.

I also experimented by using different types of berries. One week I just happened to have some blueberries and blackberries left over so I popped them in with the strawberries and came up with a yummy three berry jam.

If you are a fan of Splenda I am sure you could use that as a sugar substitute but as I mentioned in the past I prefer to use less sugar then play around with sugar substitutes.

A Cooking/Baking Fest in the Kitchen

Yesterday I spent the majority of my afternoon in the kitchen. Taking care of my health by staying on the GI Diet and cooking almost every meal of the week for my husband and I is a lot of work. In order to get ready for the week I took advantage of some time alone in the house to get prepared for the week so that I would have less work to do when I get home from work.

So my marathon of baking and cooking included making:

2 batches of Chocolate Zucchini Muffins - which we will eat as a snack each day and will last us at least two weeks

2 batches of Blueberry Rock Cakes - again to have as a snack here and there over the next few weeks.

1 batch of strawberry jam for on our toast in the mornings

1 pot of Ham and Split Pea Soup for dinner on Monday night (and leftovers for lunch on Tuesday)

1 Chicken and Rice Casserole for dinner Tuesday night (and leftovers for lunch on Wednesday)

1 batch of basic spaghetti sauce for dinner on Thursday night (and left overs for lunch on Friday, the rest to be frozen for dinner next week)

Every Wednesday we go for a run and sushi with our friends so we are covered for food until Friday night. I have planned something that is quick and easy to make for dinner on Friday because who wants to spend an hour in the kitchen after a long week.

Broccoli and Caulifower Salad

I made this dish with high hopes that it would be a flavourful way of getting more veggies into my diet. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it all that much and doubt that I will try it again. It is not often that I am disappointed with a recipe from this GI Diet cookbook but unfortunately I was this time. If you want to give it a go and see if you get better results click on the link below for the recipe.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

SERVED WITH: I took this as my lunch and didn't have anything else with it. Perhaps it would have tasted better as a side dish instead of a salad.

COOKING TIPS: Make sure to steam the broccoli and cauliflower to your desired tenderness. I would even suggest steaming them separately as I find the cauliflower takes a little longer in the steamer.

RATING: 5. I just was not impressed.

Chicken Rice Casserole

I have made this dish two or three times already. You have your vegetables, meat and grain all in one dish so making it is a snap and there are plenty of leftovers. At first I was not used to working with ground chicken and I was hesitant to try it out but now that I have worked with it I am ok with it and not as quick to dismiss recipes with ground poultry in them.

SERVED WITH: Nothing else is needed.

COOKING TIPS: I cook the rice before I add it to the casserole. The first time I didn't and it took way to long to cook it through. Even though I pre cooked the rice I still put it in the oven for the full hour suggested in the recipe.

RATING: 6. It is a good stand by recipe because it is easy to make and filling but not the most exciting dish flavour wise.

Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula

This meal is so super easy I just had to share it with you. But I warn you it has a dreaded red light item in it - GOATS CHEESE. On the good side it is made with whole wheat pasta, nutricious spinach, red onions, and white kidney beans - all of which are allowed on the GI diet
Basically you take some cooked pasta and toss it with the remaining ingredients. I actually enjoy eating this meal warm for dinner and then eat it cold the next day for lunch. Below is the recipe. Try it out if you are allowing yourself a small splurge.

Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula


SERVED WITH: This is a full meal all on its own.

COOKING TIPS: It is so easy to make, just throw it all together, mix and serve.

RATING: A 9 for flavour, but only a 6 if you consider the red light item in it.

Spinach and Meatball Soup

For a soup this was quite delicious. The soup broth and the mini meatballs are flavoured with cumin so I find I have to be in the mood for a dish such as this. By adding in some white kidney beans this soup becomes quite hearty. As the recipe suggested we ate ours with a dollop of yogurt cheese stirred right in. This gave the soup a creamy texture even though is was made with chicken broth. It may not be the most attractive looking soup but its flavour made up for its appearance.

SERVED WITH: A slice of whole grain toast and a glass of water

COOKING TIPS: Before I made this soup I just assumed I would cook the meatballs before putting them in the soup but that is not the case. You simply throw the meatballs into the broth and let it simmer for 20 minutes. By then your mini meatballs will be cooked all the way through.

RATING: A solid 8 as long as you are in the mood for Indian flavorings.