Kale Caesar Salad (and other great uses for Caesar Salad Dressing)

Who doesn't like caesar salad? Even if you aren't an anchovy fan, the rich and creamy taste of caesar dressing is just addictive!

I used the Rebar Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe, which is absolutely fantastic and flavorful, made even better with roasted garlic, capers, and dijon. Then I made it a little healthier by using non-fat yogurt in place of some of the oil.

Besides having a great dressing, having fresh salad ingredients is also important. I personally love to make caesar salads with chopped kale. I find that it makes the salad heartier and the salad stays crisp and crunchy. In the picture above, you can see I used a mix of kale and romaine. Or of course, you could use the classic romaine if you wish (or really any other salad green you like).

Sweet and Sticky Grilled Chicken Wings

Everything seems to taste better on the grill. And chicken wings, although fantastic baked in the oven until sticky, are no exception.

What I love even more about this recipe is that there aren't piles of dishes to clean up afterwards, and on a hot summer day, the house doesn't get heated up with the oven. Oh, and did I mention that the grill just intensifies the amazing flavour of the marinade while keeping the wings nice and juicy?

You can marinade these wings for as little as an hour or overnight. Just take them out of the fridge for about 30-45 minutes before cooking so that they come up to a more ambient temperature (you should do this for everything you put on the grill or in the oven for even cooking).

And one more thing... make sure you have a ton of napkins or wet wipes to clean yourself up after devouring a pile of these!

Fresh & Filling Asian Lettuce Wraps

As the warmer weather hits, I am always looking for delicious recipes that are filling and fresh. I have lots, but most of them are some form of salad. Here are some of my favorites in case you missed them...

Blue Cheese, Walnut & Quinoa Chopped Salad

Panzanella Salad (Italian Bread Salad)

Couscous Salad

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Four Bean Salad

Kale Salad with Dried Cranberries, Walnuts and Boursin

Summer Quinoa Salad with Chicken and Apple

Chunky Greek Style Pasta Salad

Lentil & Chickpea Salad with Dried Cherries and Creamy Lemon Yogurt Dressing

Anyway, as much as I love summer salads, this time, I wanted to do something different. And I have found the perfect recipe--- Asian Lettuce Wraps.

Beef Dip with Rosemary Garlic Butter

There is something about beef dip that is so comforting. And in times like these, when the summer whether hasn't quite kicked in yet; when spring showers and grey skies push you into sweats and winter behaviour, a beef dip seems like the answer to life's problems.

The great thing about making a beef dip is that it requires very little effort and makes enough food to get you through the rainy day blues. Served with great bread and a rosemary garlic butter, this sandwich just cannot be beat!

In this recipe, I use a slow cooker for the first time. I borrowed this slow cooker from my sister to see how it works. To be honest, I still don't have any inclination to get one for myself. I find that it's another appliance that I need to store and that takes up counter space. If you are like me and don't have a slow cooker, this recipe works just the same in a large casserole covered and put into the oven and left to cook low and slow (at about 250-275 degrees Fahrenheit) or on a low stove top.

Homemade Chicken (or Turkey) Noodle Soup

The ultimate comfort food. Who doesn't like Chicken Noodle Soup?

I was  sitting in my office at work the other day when one of my staff walked into my office with a cup of instant chicken noodle soup. The smell was so comforting and I instantly wanted some.  So on the weekend, I went to the grocery store and wandered down the soup isle until I found the cup-a-soup. But I just couldn't bring myself to buying it. I knew if I wanted tasty, satisfying Chicken Noodle Soup, that I would need to make it myself.

As I was buying all the ingredients, I noticed that there were turkey parts available in the poultry section, so I thought I would put a little twist on the classic, but of course, you could make it with a whole chicken or chicken parts as I usually do.

The result was so delicious, and honestly, it is quite simple to make. You could make a whole stock pot and then freeze the stock for later use as well.