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Christmas & Thanksgiving, Dinner ideas

Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry

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These Turkey pot pies made with puff pastry and are my go to recipe whenever I have leftover turkey. 

These pot pies are absolutely delicious and a bit different then the average pot pie recipe you will find.

So read along if you want to learn how to make them! And trust me it is easy as pie 🙂

WHAT’S IN TURKEY POT PIES

  • DICED CARROTS
  • CORN
  • PEAS
  • GREEN BEANS
  • LEFTOVER CURRY
  • SPICES

ARE TURKEY POT PIES GOOD FOR YOU

Yes, they are packed with vegetables and lean protein (leftover turkey meat)

TURKEY POT PIES WITH PUFF PASTRY

  • You will want to start by making the pie crust. You can pre purchase the “puff pastry” which is that crust you see on the top of these pies” or you can make it from scratch yourself. I really encourage you to try making it from scratch as it tastes best. 
  • The crust recipe I have provided is also foolproof. I have tried many pastry puff recipes in the past and this one is the winner folks.
  • Then ONCE the pie crust has been made. Simply defrosted some frozen vegetables and add to the turkey mixture to make the filling.
  • These pot pies can be ready in under 45 minutes. As long as you pre-make the puff pastry one hour in advance you can have this on the table in under one hour. If you would prefer to make one big large pie, you can do that with this recipe as well.

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY POT PIES

  • The main difference with my recipe and all the others is that I like to use my leftover “Turkey Gravy” instead of heavy cream in my pies.
  • It does the same thing, keeps the pies moist yet adds that extra level of flavor.
  • You will want to start by making the pie crust recipe. Once the pie crust has been made you will roll it out on a clear kitchen counter that has been sprinkled with flour.
  • Place your bakeware over top and with a knife cut around the bakeware to create the pie crust as seen below.

  • Then you will prepare the filling and place that in the bakware before folding over the pie crust.
  • Brush the crust with butter and bake. 

Also, I like to use a frozen vegetable mix, that contains green beans, peas and carrots to fill the pies.

The more veggies the healthier right?

Plus all three go so well together and make these pies AMAZING!

So if you too are wondering what to do with all that leftover turkey, then look no further because this recipe is not only simple to make it’s absolutely delicious!

CAN TURKEY POT PIES BE FROZEN

Yes, as long as the turkey was not frozen to begin with.

Don’t want to make individual pies?

No problem, simple place the pie filling inside a large pie baking dish and make a large one with the same recipe.

Totally up to you 🙂

So instead of placing the ingredients into four smaller dishes place it into one large and cover with one crust. I hope you enjoy!

Notes: If you don’t have any leftover turkey gravy, feel free to use canned or cream in replace of.

Recipe Inspiration: Easy puff pastry recipe

See below for more inspiration!

Also check out my roundup of Thanksgiving & Christmas Recipes from around the World or my 10 delicious stuffing recipes! for more inspiration!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

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Date Night, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood

Sole Meuniere Julia Child

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Sole Meunière is a classic French dish that is super easy and quick to prepare. Julia Child made this dish famous Worldwide, I’m certain you have heard of her before? 

However, in case you have not. Then let me tell you she was an amazing American cook.

Who happened to stumbled upon Le Cordon Bleu, an World renowned French cooking school. She was living aboard at the time with her husband who traveled often for work. 

How do I know? Well I watched the movie of course, no less than a dozen times. Crazy how fast time flies and that blogging now is nothing what it was then.

Now it takes much more work, however I won’t get into all that. 

is sole meuniere healthy

IS SOLE MEUNIERE HEALTHY

Yes, it is healthy. It does have a lot of butter in it. However, everything in moderation is okay. Now for my recipe, I have cut the butter in half. So it makes this dish much healthier than the original recipe calls for from Julia Child. 

This recipe here is inspired by her recipe from her Cookbook “THE WAY TO COOK” and the movie that inspired many. 

Personally, I don’t like to use as much butter as she calls for so this recipe calls for half. But trust me it’s more than enough, but if you insist on following her recipe to the tea.

Just double the butter for the original version. Either way you can’t go wrong with this simple yet flavorful dish that is sure to make you a french food lover. Bone appetite!

WHY IS SOLE MEUNIERE SO EXPENSIVE

Well, if your going out to the Restaurant’s to find this. Then that is why! Have you ever heard of an inexpensive French Restaurant? Nope, neither have I.

WHAT DOES SOLE MEUNIERE MEAN

Sole meunière is a FRENCH recipe, sole is the fish used that is then Meuniere by way of flour, lemon juice and parsley.

J’aime la cuisine française

HOW TO COOK SOLE MEUNIERE

This recipe is simple and can be made in under 15 minutes. all you will need is some flour, clarified butter, lemon, parsley and salt and pepper. And a hot non stick skillet, for frying.

Oh yes of course the fish too!!

If you don’t have clarified butter on hand regular butter will do the trick. serve with some fresh lemon wedges and a side of your liking and your will have yourself a great meal. 

“I suddenly discovered that cooking was a rich and layered and endlessly fascinating subject. The best way to describe it is to say that I fell in love with French food- the tastes, the processes, the history, the endless variations, the rigorous discipline, the creativity, the wonderful people, the equipment, the rituals.” ~ Julia Child, My Life in France

Note: Switch out the traditional parsley for mint and you will be surprised at how great it pairs too.

 


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Bread, Date Night

Tomato and Basil Focaccia Bread

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This Tomato and Basil Focaccia bread is simply delicious, and pretty easy to make. Give it a try, I promise you will never go back to the store bought kinds. 

Bake it in a dish like mine below, and you will have the most light and fluffy focaccia bread.  

Focaccia bread can be eaten alone or served alongside any Italian dish that you are to make.

This recipe is one of the more popular versions of focaccia bread, as it highlights the basil and cherry tomatoes so well. Nothing beats homemade bread, I hope you enjoy! 

HOW TO MAKE FOCACCIA BREAD

    1. Place the flour, salt into a large bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil.
    2. In another bowl prepare your yeast, empty your package into a bowl and slowly add in your warm water and give it a light stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes or until the yeast dissolves.
    3. Now add your yeast/water mixture to your bowl of four and mix together with a spatula till it comes all together. 
    4. When it gets to hard to mix with the spoon, add a bit of flour to your hands and place the dough on a clean surface and knead it for about 5-10 minutes. You can also use a dough mixer if you prefer, but I prefer this method. Basically you want to pull and put back a dozen or so times, and make it elastic in consistency as much as possible because you want to stretch the gluten in the dough.
    5. Once this is done, form into a light ball of dough and cover with a large bowl allowing it to rise underneath for 45 minutes. Drizzle the outside of the dough with more olive oil before covering!
    6. Now in the baking dish and add your Semolina to the bottom of the dish.
    7. Lifting your dough onto the baking dish, spread it along  the bottom of the dish to cover.  
    8. Make finger holes with your fingers all throughout the bread, just don’t pierce through to the bottom basil .
    9. Next place whole basil leaves and whole cherry tomatoes on top those leaves, stuffing the holes you created.
    10. Season with salt, and add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil all over the top of the bread. 
    11. Finish by drizzling over 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkling with a tiny sprinkling of sea salt.
    12. Cover with a clean tea damp towel and leave to prove again for a further 40 minutes.
    13. Lastly bake for around 20-25 minutes, you want it to be crispy on the outside soft on the inside.
    14. REMOVE from oven and drizzle once again with more olive oil (very important) now allot it to cool down for  at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes: If your using dry herbs, soak them prior in olive oil and put them use them on the bread.

Also this goes amazingly well served with a plate of red wine vignette and olive oil, mixed together for serving.

If you want a thinner style focaccia, try using a baking pan rather than a dish.

So flavorful there really is nothing like fresh bread!

I’m thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Appetizers & Sides, Bread, Desserts

Chocolate Chunk Nut Banana Bread

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I have been told on numerous occasions that my Chocolate Chunk Nut Banana bread is Amazing. I will let you be the decider on that though!

This bread is kind of like eating a cake and a cookie all at once, but way more healthier than a cake or cookie.

Because are omitting the oil and using 3 ripe Bananas (the riper the better) + Macadamia & Walnut pieces that makes this a very nutritious and satisfying snack.

Soft and Moist on the inside, and slightly crunchy on the outside. This is the stuff dreams are made of if you ask me 🙂 I hope you give it a try!

Note: You can substitute chopped pecans, hazelnuts or almonds if you prefer.

 


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Chicken, Date Night, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Orange Chicken (tso’s)

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Orange Chicken has a combination between sour and sweet flavors. The rice vinegar gives it the tang, while the honey gives it the sweetness. 

Orange Chicken tso’s has some heat to it from the addition of the red chilies, typically we make the spicer version of this dish since we like a like a little heat. You probably have tried this before as its pretty popular in many Asian restaurants across North America.

Typically in the restaurants it’s made with boneless chicken breasts and mixed with onions, red peppers or other vegetables.  Today I’m making it with boneless chicken thighs, since this is what we have on hand. 

Keep in mind Orange Chicken tso’s is slightly spicier than regular Orange Chicken. If you prefer no spice to this dish, simply omit the chilies. 

 

Notes: You can use fresh oranges if you prefer that to orange juice in this recipe.

OR if you want to buy the Orange Sauce, which is not as healthy but just as good. I would recommend this brand, LEE KUM KEE it tastes most authentic!

 


I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe id love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

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Christmas & Thanksgiving, Desserts

Elf Cookies

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Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! If you have not tried Elf Cookies you are in for a treat. 

Right about now, Santa is up in the North Pole working hard in his workshop to ensure all the good boys and girls receive their toys on time. 

These cookies are very similar to the cookies Mrs. Claus would serve the Elves in Santa’s workshop during the Christmas season.

Mrs. Claus is baking up the most delicious foods  that will help to sustain everyone during this busy time of year. Ever wonder how the elves get their energy? It’s by eating elf cookies of course.

Not only are these cookies super moist and tasty they’re also very healthy for you.

Packed full of  antioxidants, from the The Matcha powder which also known to enhance a calming effect because of the amino acid L-Theanine, which helps with the production of dopamine and serotonin. 

These two chemicals serve to enhance mood, improve memory, and promote better concentration something that can benefit everyone! This offers just the right amount of sustainable energy that helps to keep the elves going all night long. Serve with a light cream cheese topping, and some green sprinkles, just make sure you allow the cookies to fully cool down before hand. Otherwise the cream topping will melt and drip down the cookie.

We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Wishing you and yours a joyful, peaceful and warm, holiday season!

 

Serve them with a pre-made or homemade whipped cream frosting!

 

Super easy to make, you can have these done in under 30 minutes.

Notes: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled, before placing the whip cream topping on.

 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

 

 

Bread

Easy Homemade Pita Bread

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This is my favorite recipe for Homemade Pita Bread. It is light, fluffy and simply delicious. Once you learn to make this at home you won’t ever want to buy the pre – packaged stuff again.

Serve with some homemade Beef Koftas and Tzatziki sauce and you will be in Business for a great dinner tonight!

Trust me, this is the good stuff.  I made this pita bread a few years back.

And it still holds true to being an excellent recipe for this Greek bread. 

Not to mention healthy and super easy to make. But don’t tell my family I said that because they think I’m a culinary genius ha!  

You too can be a culinary genius in your family and skip the bakery this week by impressing them with a batch of homemade Greek Pita Bread.

I like to make my Pita bread in batches, so I tend to double this recipe to make either 16 small pitas or 12 large, but that’s up to you.

This recipe will make 6 “thick” pitas or 8 “thinner” pitas, it all depends on how you shape them. The smaller “thick” are best for stuffing and the “thin” are best for dipping.

I encourage you to try both,  for this recipe I made thinner ones, either way it’s just as delicious, so let’s get started.

WILL PITA BREAD MAKE YOU FAT

Unless your eating tons of it.

You should be fine, since Pita Bread is a lighter bread than most.

Also it is low in calories.

IS PITA BREAD HEALTHY

Yes, it contains a rich source of protein and carbohydrate and a good amount of vitamin B, and other vitamins. 

HOW TO MAKE PITA BREAD

  1. In a large bowl dissolve the yeast in your warm water, and then add 1 cup of your flour in. Mix it all together and let it stand for 15 minutes to rise. You will notice a gooier mixture with some bubbling once step 1 is done.
  2. Now add 2 tbsp of olive oil and salt into your pita mixture, and the rest of your flour. Mix again slowly, until the dough is soft and smooth (and slightly sticky) if the dough sticks to the bowl you can then add in more flour slowly but not to much.
  3. Using your hands knead the dough for about 10 minutes in the bowl and then remove it and place on a lightly floured surface, form into a ball and then place back in the bowl and drizzle olive oil over the bread. Before covering with a dry towel and allowing to rise for 2 hours.
  4. Now take the dough out of the bowl and knead a little bit with your hands. Split in -6-8  evenly sized pieces on a floured surface and form into pita bread shapes, either with your hands or use a rolling pin.
  5. Make about 1 cm thick pitas and let them rise for 30 minutes covered with saran wrap before cooking.

To Cook the Pita Bread.

  1. Heat a non-sticking frying skillet to medium-high heat with a (little bit of oil) and fry each pita bread for about 3 minutes on each side and turn over and repeat x2, until lightly browned and air bubbles appear. 

Note: If your placing food inside the pitas, allow them to cool before taking a sharp thin knife and cutting it down the side. Pita Bread can be frozen easily by placing in a ziplock bag. Just place parchment paper in-between each one. This will seal in the freshness and allow you to remove each piece, one at a time as needed.

I’m so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

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Breakfast, Chicken, Vegetarian

Garden Tomato Pie

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It’s that time of year, where our gardens are bursting with tomatoes. So why not make a tomato pie? I love tomatoes, don’t you? I also have a pre-made pie crust in the freezer, so I thought why not make this delicious pie and share it with my readers. You can make your pie crust of course, or just buy a pre-made one and have this on the dinner table in under 45 minutes. It’s great for breakfasts or dinner and you can add any kind of tomatoes you like. Looking for a more vegetarian type tomato pie, simply omit the eggs and add some sauté asparagus it will be just as good.  I hope you give it a try, I’d love to hear how you liked it in the comments below!!

What you will need:

To make the Garden Tomato Pie:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheeses, sour cream, eggs, chopped green onion, mayonnaise, and whisk together till blended.
  2. Next, on cutting board slice garden tomatoes, pat dry with a paper towl to remove excess moisture
  3. Season generously with salt, pepper, thyme, basil.
  4. Pre-heat oven to 425F.
  5. Sprinkle a little flour on the pie shell, to ensure the shell.
  6. Then pour your cheese mixture into the pie shell and then top with you garden tomatoes, drizzle a little olive oil on top and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes until crust has completely browned and the tomatoes have roasted.
  8. Serve immediately, enjoy!

Note: You can pre-cook some bacon and crumble it over the pie if desired.

 

 

 

 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe id love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!