During summer months and especially now with this scorching heat, I’m leaning towards quick ‘n easy recipes that don’t skimp on flavor.
Photo: d. king
Usually a side dish when ordering sushi, edamame is super easy to make at home and to serve as part of a Japanese home style dinner or as a snack or in a salad (with pods removed from shell).
I borrowed this simple and savory recipe from the unfortunately now defunct Jazz Cellar club in Vancouver. Along with listening to the best jazz musicians in the city, it was always a staple on their menu. It was also an elevated taste to what you would normally get in any Japanese restaurant where they serve up plain edamame with salt.
This recipe is a little different because I first steam the pods on their own then sauté them in a mix of toasted sesame oil, fresh chopped garlic + ginger, chili flakes and *soy sauce. Then mix everything together in a bowl and sprinkle generously with course sea salt.
Photo; d. king
Ok; well I guess that IS the recipe. Since the bulk of the flavor is on the outside…make sure to lick the pods.
*Unless you have a soy allergy, edamame is likely safe to eat. There are several health benefits of Edamame:
In addition to being a decent source of soy protein, edamame is rich in healthy fiber, antioxidants and vitamin K.
It’s official. I read somewhere that the goal is…to create a life you don’t need a vacation from. I’m taking that to heart. Here are a few recent photos to keep the mood:
Ahhh…picnics are pure pleasure. This is Vanier Park in Kits Point – short steps from where we live.
We’re like mice with our love for cheese. We’re so cheesy!
Sunset Beach.Gather and Co.
Kits Beach Coffee Company
I don’t know about you but I’m on my way to the beach with a picnic basket.
Whether you dress it up for a polished put-together look or wear it casually with jeans or shorts, you can never go wrong. Especially with so many versions to choose from. Tucked in, left out, or worn halfway…this fresh looking closet staple is certainly nothing new. It has been in style forever. The only rule is to make sure it’s clean. On this page some random photos of crisp button downs with a few people you might recognize.
SJP
Cindy Crawford
Every woman should own at least one. Do you have a favorite?
Everyone Likes Good Food and everyone likes convenience right?
Sun-Dried Tomato & Ricotta Grilled Flatbreads with Fresh Herbs & Balsamic-Dressed Salad – Good Food Meal Delivery Kit.
No one will disagree that the year 2020 altered us in ways we never saw coming. Food wise, the flexibility of being able to go to any restaurant was definitely challenged. It even changed the way we shop for food. We had to do more planning. Even now people still have to quarantine for two weeks when returning home from another country. At least here in Vancouver. Which means either having to order groceries or have a friend or family member drop groceries off for you. Sometimes it’s much simpler to order directly from a store, especially if said friend forgets that one important ingredient that will complete your menu. But we won’t name that friend. The inconvenient truth.
Which brings me to the booming business of the Meal Delivery Service. While many have been around for some time now, more and more new ones have been popping up and have become very popular in the past 15 months. They’re a good solution for busy people or if you want to try something different. Some companies deliver fully cooked meals and other ones deliver only the ingredients.
A friend recently shared with me a Canadian online grocery subscription service called GOOD FOOD – inspired by the freshest ingredients, their chefs create eighteen unique recipes each and every week. They deliver meal kits, read-to-cook meals, and grocery products to your door each week. The ingredients for whichever recipe you choose are in the exact amount for dinner for two people. It might be fun to try something new. The photos look inspiring for sure. They target anyone from the novice cook to the seasoned chef. Makes it easy to follow. It can help to save time in the kitchen, and reduce unnecessary food waste. They let you know what they’ll be sending, what you need to cook it (like what size pan, if it requires parchment paper, etc.) and info like how many calories, total carbs, sodium, saturated fat, sugars and protein in each recipe. That’s pretty great.
Vietnamese-Style Pork Chop Bún Bowls with Rice Vermicelli, Asian Greens & Toasted Peanuts
You can pick and choose from an extensive list of awesome looking recipes.
They say that by cutting out the middlemen, they’re able to offer fresher, higher quality food than traditional retailers at up to 15% lower than super market prices. I realize this is beginning to sound somewhat like an infomercial…however the prices seem reasonable so might as well share the info.
It sounds great and I might try it although these days I don’t like to plan too much ahead of schedule. I’m one of those who, except for certain kitchen staples, I shop for what I need when I need it, which many times means on a daily basis, or every other day.
However if you’re very busy or live in an area not so close to shopping it might be an excellent choice.
I’m curious to know how many of you have tried something like this before… and if so, how did it work out?
MONDO TRADING COMPANYis a striking new store in Vancouver located on Granville Island which immediately drew my attention. Their handmade and one-of-a-kind products from over 30 countries brought me back to travelling to far away places.
Beautiful Handmade Baskets from Kenya and Ghana
Whenever I’ve travelled I always look for well made artisan products that are unique and specific to the region to bring home. I have many pieces around my home that always bring me back to a particular time and place. Everything from African Zulu baskets to pottery and artwork. I flew home from Brazil with seven large original oil paintings that were on wood canvas. I refused to remove them from their frames so my friend had to order a limo to meet me at the airport to bring them home. I brought 8 large hand painted Armenian pottery dishes back from the old city of Jerusalem, among other breakables. From Jamaica, a large wood carved fish and a carved rasta stick – a fish and a stick! I’ll leave it at that. You get the picture.
So I can relate to Carolyn Hopkinson who is the owner.
Carolyn’s mission is to improve the lives of makers by supporting their craft and providing a fair and sustainable income.
Carolyn’s passion for travel started from her childhood days, growing up in Guyana, South America with a father who travelled the world on business.His gifts represented a world that she wanted to explore. I understand the feeling.
After following her passion and exploring countries around the world for the past 40 years, she discovered some of the most beautiful handiwork from local artisans with no resources to market their handicrafts outside their communities.
She would fill her suitcase with their treasures and return home with the promise that one day she would make a difference in these artisans lives. Now she is.
Oh…to travel again!
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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