Spicy Peanut Soup for the Soul

Spicy Peanut Soup for the Soul

 Every person who has ever worked at Out of the Blue is obsessed with the Spicy Peanut Noodle Soup from the Spicy Noodle House. When Out of the Blue was in its old location down in the basement, it was next door to the Spicy Noodle House. The owner of SNH, affectionately called Mr. Noodle by the Out of the Blue gals, is a lovely man. Whenever we would run over from next door, he would look up and say “Hi girls! 7 plus 1?” which was our special order – the Spicy Peanut Soup combined with the Cantonese Noodle Soup (menu items 7 and 1). It is a delicious, noodley, spicy, peanuty soup that deserves to be as legendary as it is. It is absolutely worth running across the street for (now that we’re no longer right next door), but if you live in Ottawa like me, the best you can do is make it at home. I’ve been tweaking my at home version for about four years now, and this is pretty darn close to the real thing. Grab a friend and share your spicy delight – this is what your soul needs on a cold winter day!

Spicy Peanut Noodle Soup

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

½ teaspoon sesame oil, plus 1 teaspoon

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1 Tablespoon minced ginger

½ Tablespoon sugar

2 Tablespoons rice vinegar

¼ teaspoon chili-garlic paste (or Siracchia)

2 cups chopped vegetables (I like baby bok choy, carrots and celery)

4 cups vegetable broth

½ cup peanut butter

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more or less to taste)

½ package rice noodles or Chinese egg noodles, prepared according to package directions

2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves

Directions:

(1)   In small bowl, combine soy sauce, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sugar, rice vinegar, and chili-garlic paste.  Set aside.

(2)   In medium pot, heat reserved 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Add vegetables and cook stirring for 1 – 2 minutes.

(3)   Add vegetable broth and reserved soy sauce mixture to pot. Bring to a boil.

(4)   Whisk in peanut butter and red pepper flakes. The peanut butter will melt into the broth, but you need to vigorously whisk to avoid any peanut butter clumps in your soup.

(5)   Divide prepared noodles among soup bowls. Divide soup among bowls, garnish with cilantro leaves.

(6)   Enjoy!

Love,

Dayna

Healthy Almond Joy Bars

 

 Over the last year health issues have meant that I have had to go gluten free and sugar free. Let's take a moment and feel sad for all my losses-jonnies sticky buns, pavlova,fococcio bread,really great wine-crying. While it's true that there's alot of products on the market alot of them just don't have that same yummy factor.

Luckily i found this recipe at whole new mom's blog and have been whipping up batches for friends and family over the last week to thunderous rounds of applause .Yes the applause was that loud:) The recipe is also super simple,pretty darn healthy  and has the added bonus of being vegan friendly.

With Valentine's Day coming up i thought i would share it.

Hope you enjoy-love to hear your favorite recipes.

Healthy “Almond Joy” Bars 

Ingredients
Chocolate / Carob Base:

1/2 cup coconut oil (palm would work well too, or butter)
1/2 cup almond butter (any nut or seed butter would work, but almond is especially nice.)*  See Homemade Nut / Seed Butter.
1/4 cup granulated sweetener or appropriate substitute ( xylitol -the birch variety and erythritol work well.  4-6 scoops stevia extract is a good alternative))**
6 Tbsp carob or cocoa powder
3 Tbsp honey or other sweetener ( xylitol, erythritol or any combination thereof.  Using a granulated sweetener is OK too.)
1 tsp vanilla

Coconut Topping:

1 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
7 Tbsp coconut oil
1/3 cup granulated sweetener (or 2-3 scoops stevia extract powder.   I use NuNaturals.)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp additional flavoring (optional.  Almond or coconut are good choices)
2 tsp arrowroot powder (cornstarch may be substituted)
Almonds halves or slices (optional)

Method:

Base:

1.  Melt oil and nut / seed butter over low heat.

2.  Stir in carob (sifted if you like, but I have never bothered with this) and granulated sweetener and combine thoroughly.

3.  Mix in remaining ingredients except for vanilla.  Continuously stir until it slightly thickens, then remove from heat.

4.  Stir in the vanilla.

5.  Pour the mixture into an 8×8 pan and place in freezer to harden while you make the topping.  If you don’t have room in your freezer, the fridge will get it solid enough to work with.

Topping:

1.  Melt oil in small pan and add coconut flakes.  Stir.

2.  Add remaining ingredients.  Simmer and stir until it thickens a bit.

3.  Once the chocolate is hardened, gently smooth the coconut mixture on top.

4.  Place slivered or whole almonds on top.  Place bars back in the freezer until hardened.  Again, the fridge will work, but it will take longer.

5.  Slice into squares of desired size and enjoy!  They’ll probably be too hard to cut right out of the freezer so you may need to let them thaw a bit first.

6.  Store in the refrigerator.

If life throws you a a Magic Bullet....

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January is a month of resolutions. At the start of every new year, after all the gravy, sugar cookies and egg nog of December, we look deep within ourselves and solemnly promise ourselves: “I will go for a run three times a week” or “I will drink less wine” or “I will eat more vegetables” or maybe, very simply “I will be healthier.” I’m not sure how I feel about all this resolution business (life is for living! Why be so hard on yourself?), but I have noticed that healthy smoothie recipes are all over the internet this year. Food trend 2013?

Coincidentally, my boyfriend and I were given a Magic Bullet for Christmas. So, I decided to try the trend on for size. I have discovered two things: (1) smoothies are delicious (2) green smoothies are the most delicious. I make a green smoothie every night and take it to work for breakfast the next morning. I get a lot of strange looks and questions along the lines of “what the heck are you drinking?” but I’m too busy with my tasty smoothie to notice. Plus, I’m fulfilling a “be healthy” resolution that I never even made!

After about a month of experimenting, I have realized a few things: (1) I like using either baby spinach or green kale for the base of my green smoothie (2) Greek vanilla yogurt is the perfect counterpart for the hearty leafy greens (3) a citrus juice or acidic fruit cuts through the bitterness of the greens (4) a chopped banana is the perfect thickening agent.

My favourite recipe is below, but you really don’t need a recipe. Follow the guidelines above and you’ll come up with some delicious green smoothies. Try using different fruits – green apple, pear or mango are all delicious with the greens. I bet it would be fun to try blood orange, grapefruit or pomegranate, too. Instead of juice, try freezing coconut water in ice cube trays and use the coconut ice.

Ingredients:

A big handful of baby spinach

A splash of good quality orange juice

A couple big spoonfuls of Greek vanilla yogurt

A drizzle of honey

1 banana, chopped

Directions:

Whir all ingredients up in your blender until well combined, then enjoy! If you’re having trouble blending, add a tiny bit more juice or yogurt.

What are your favourite smoothie combinations?

Valentine Picks

Oh hello everyone.It's been a while since this blog has seen some love.Is it just me or does everything seem harder to do in the winter!! But with Valentine's Day coming up  here's a few things that's got me inspired!

1-The perfect frock for a Valentine's day out.Wear it with flats for day and heels for night.
2-Infinity scarf with feather print makes everyone believe that spring is just around the corner.What's not to love about that!
3-You're little black dress will swoon with delight when you add these fuchsia tights with lily print.
4-For the girl who needs to be prepared -a vintage red boot necklace with pocket knife.
5-Yes you can hang your keys on this 5 hook holder but with all the long necklaces out there we often sell this as a perfect way to keep your jewelry from getting tangled.
6-Make some memories with these heart shaped measuring spoons.
7-Strawberry,Minted Rose,Original??? These decisions have just got alot easier with rosebuds mini trio set of their top selling lip balm.
8-A perennial favorite and we are so happy that it is back in stock-Love Who You Are art panel.
9-I "Heart" my stuff pouch made from 95% recycled post consumer material is just too cute and helpful not to love!
10-Tie a big red bow around some organic carrots and this lipstick peeler and have yourself a kiss and peel kitchen party!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone !
The out of the blue gals