Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. (Part Three )

Part 3 – Culinary Delights Fit for a Princess

I slept in on Sunday morning as Katie and Brian prepared an outstanding breakfast.  I sadly didn’t take any pictures as the previous nights beer had clouded my ability to document properly. 

Even though I was a little slow to get going, I enjoyed Brian’s signature bacon and pancakes.

The Pancake Lesson: Add a dollop of olive oil to the batter. 

After breakfast Katie decided to make Banana Bread to use up some bananas that were taking up space in her freezer.  She whipped up a loaf of banana bread flawlessly and gracefully in her Kitchenaid.  

Banana Bread Lessons:

This is the greatest baking website ever: use it and use it often.

www.joyofbaking.com

Also:

• Vanilla makes things sweeter
• Salt brings out the flavor
• Always make sure you taste the chocolate chips, they might be bad
• Be sure to thaw the frozen bananas before adding to mixture
• Brown eggs are free range and have less by products

 

Following Breakfast, Katie and I went for drive on the Icefields Parkway and went shopping.  We also  picked up supplies for a Cranberry Apple Pear Crumble. The Crumble we made was found at the joy of baking site and was very easy to make. 

Brian's Excellent Dinner

Brian made an amazing dinner.  The highlight being and overstuffed twice baked potato as featured in the cook book “Hot Sticky and on Fire”.  The roast was also exceptional.  

Thanks to my wonderful friends Katie and Brian for the royal treatment at your home in Jasper.  Congratulations on all your accomplishments and I look forward to seeing you again soon. 

Bon Appétit!

Chef Brian

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. (Part Two )

Part Two - Better Late than Never

Sorry Blog Universe I have been rather busy lately with cheerleading,  conferences, and fun times with friends.   

Better late than never, here is the continuation of my cooking adventures in Jasper.  I am so happy that I took notes, or  I never would have remembered all of the detail and exceptional hospitality. 

On Saturday afternoon we returned from our ice walk and Katie prepared a unique and vegetarian inspired salad.  It was new and exotic to me. I felt very healthy and energized after eating it.  She served a Quinoa salad with fresh ground oregano.  It had a different texture and was favourable.  To complement the salad, Katie served a deli platter.  It had deli cuts, a variety of cheese, and fresh buns.   It was a very refreshing energetic lunch. 

Quinoa with fresh Oregano

 The Lunch Lesson:  This is what I learned about Quinoa:

It is a grain like crop grown for its edible seeds.  As a chenopod is is closely related to species such as beets, spinach and tumbleweeds.  In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), and like oats, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source among plant foods.[10] It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa)

I should eat more Quinoa!!

We topped lunch off with some champagne to celebrate some big news that Katie and Brian were celebrating.  It was bliss.  

 I enjoyed it so much that it sent me into a glorious three hour afternoon.  What a classy house guest I am.  My parents once told me that when you are in the care of people you love, you will sleep like a baby.  So the proof is in the champagne and company.  

Another spectacular spread from my wonderful hosts.

After I woke up from my “sick and epic” afternoon nap, we went for dinner to Miss Italia.  I was boring and had spaghetti and meat sauce.  I loved it.  The restaurant had a wonderful Italian atmosphere.  The server gave me a hard time for too much talking and not enough eating.  Miss Italia is worth checking out if you are in Jasper.  

 We ended the evening with several pitchers of beer at Tent City; great beer, great conversations and great friends.  It was an incredible second day in Jasper

A New Addition to Kerri's Kitchen

In honour of two successful months of blogging I welcomed a new apron into my life.  I am now eagerly awaiting all of you to come visit.  I will gladly wear this apron with heels and parade around my kitchen.  The apron was purchased on etsy. com .  I also bought the Joys of Cooking to add to my collection.  I feel as though I am becoming a domestic diva delight!

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. (Part One)

There is nothing quite like fabulous friends on a long weekend!  I had such a great time that it will need to be written in 3 blog segments, enjoy Part One below. 

 I had the great pleasure of spending the family day weekend with some close friends in Jasper.  I hate to bore you with sappy quotes and sentimental propaganda; however Katie and Brian deserve a sappy Kerri shout out.   

So here goes: Albert Schweitzer writes; in everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  

A visit with the Calder’s always sparks my inner fire. This inner fire encourages me to:dance, sing, blush,laugh, be adventurous, cook often, eat well and partake in champagne celebrations.   The scenery near their home in Jasper isn't to hard to take either.

What a beautiful place, I love the Jasper Mountains!

Apron Fashion Show in the Calder Kitchen

This was a field trip of sorts as  I picked up some great lessons in the Calder Kitchen.

In keeping with my goal of learning to cook,I spent the weekend observing two great culinary artists in action.   

Please enjoy the pictures and notice the immaculate attention to detail. Even their aprons have flare, particularly Brian’s.    

Day One – Friday Evening

My first lesson of the weekend:

I discovered what a butternut squash was!! (A very interesting looking vegetable) 

Did you know that Butternut squash not only makes excellent soup but also French fries? I am nowhere near having the ability to make butternut squash fries, but I look forward to hearing the outcome of Katie’s.  

 The second lesson of the weekend:
Red Peppers cost upwards of $7 in Jasper (That’s crazy). 

Clearly every kitchen needs wine, butternut squash and a pineapple!

 

 Day Two – A "Blue Bird" Saturday





Fresh Maple Granola



A yummy Breakfast

Katie prepared an awesome home cooked breakfast.  It started with a yogurt parfait with freshly toasted maple granola followed by a warm tomato scallion melt.  Both were absolutely delicious.  This warm hearty Breakfast gave us plenty of energy!

We needed the energy as it was -28 out and we were off for a three hour tour of Maligne Canyon. 



A Frozen Waterfall: The Queen of Maligne



The hike was unique as we wore ice clamps and actually walked on the frozen water of the Canyon.  A little slippery at times, but the scenery was spectacular.  If you are in Jasper in the winter, this is a must do!

Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3!  Lunch,Champagne, Dinner, Beer, More Breakfast and More Dinner! 

"Blue Bird" is skier lingo for clear blue skies. I thought the phrase went well with the Jasper experience. 

A Random Pearl of Wisdom..brought to you by my day planner of quotes

"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part. "
 Shirley MacLane

Somebody call 911... It's a Chocolate Emergency!

When your in a rush, there's no need to fuss:
This little microwave cake was easy peasy and delicious! I highly recommend it for last minute desserts or when you just need some thing sinful and sweet!

I used skim milk instead of whole milk so the cake might have been a little flat. It still  fulfilled my chocolate desires! Degree of Difficulty 3, Execution 2.8

Dry Ingredients

 

The addition of the milk and egg

Sexy Chocolate Time  - I added some whipped topping for effect! 

 

Bon Appetit,
Kerri 

A Sunday Sheppard's Pie

Hello Blog Universe,

  It was a beautiful spring like Sunday in Edmonton.  I spent the morning sitting in a sun beam enjoying the magic that is Sunday.  After some time in the sunshine I had brunch with a great friend and then headed to the dreaded Wal-Mart.  Wal-Mart ruined that Sunday magic, but I had to get a passport photo taken so I took advantage of the cheap prices and dealt with the crowds. 

Today’s kitchen lesson was an overdue Sheppard’s Pie and Emergency Chocolate Cake. 

A busy prep cook, peeling potatoes

The Sheppard’s Pie was the most challenging dish that I have made thus far.  It had multiple steps and required significant preparation. Peeling, chopping, shredding, Oh My!  In the end it tasted great, and I only set off the smoke detector once. 

A little black and toasty

The most challenging part of the recipe was the preparation of the vegetables.  It required that you multi task and think on your feet.  I was busy peeling potatoes, slicing carrots, and finely chopping onions.  I had a trying time with my new frying pan when I was frying the onions; I burnt them a little! As my apartment with smoke I noted that the lesson here was that you don`t need to turn the burner to to max, medium heat will suffice.   

Prepped Veggies..Ready to Go

I don't think my onions were fine enough, any advice for chopping?

The most rewarding part of this recipe was mashing the carrots and the potatoes.  It was also great to see how great the pie looked when it was all together. 

Mashed Carrots

Other kitchen lessons:

• Onions really do add flavor.  They gave my mashed potatoes the edge they needed.  Mom, you were right, again! 
• Adding Philly Cream Cheese to the mashed potatoes gives it’s a very fluffy texture. This is a trick I observed last Thanksgiving from Marion’s Mom, Sandy, who makes the best mashed potatoes of life. 
• When I make the Sheppard’s Pie again I am going to add corn, and peas.  I enjoyed the mashed carrots but it needed a little more of a vegetable component.  

Degree of Difficulty: 7

Execution: 6 (I did set of the smoke along after all )

Bon Appétit,

Kerri 

Yum, Yum, Yum..This will feed me for months! Thank goodness for Ziplock freezer bags