Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut and Curry

Minoo shared 3 recipes in the South Arm Multicultural Community Kitchen in the week leading Chinese New Year.

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Minoo chosed a Thai theme for this kitchen. The first recipe is a Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut and Curry.

Ingredients

  • 1 x 4 pounds buttercup or butternut squash
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (large flakes)
  • 2 large leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • 1/2 jalapeno chili, seeded and minced
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 x 13.5 ounce can coconut milk
  • juice from 1/2 lemon or lime
  • fresh cilantro leaves for garnishing

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Source: South Arm Community Kitchen

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Lemon Loaf with Poppy Seeds

Minoo shared a Lemon Loaf with Poppy Seeds to complete a meal of Caldo Verde and healthy Rice and Spinach Croquettes.

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These Lemon Loaf with Poppy Seeds is great for tea break.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • rind (finely grated) and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • poppy seeds

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Source: South Arm Community Kitchen

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Healthy Rice and Spinach Croquettes

I am back in the South Arm Multi Cultural Community Kitchen led by Minoo.

As usual, three recipes were shared in the kitchen. The first recipe was Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup with Chorizo) which I had blogged before.

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Minoo’s recipe is very similar with the one which I had blogged here, with the addition of fresh parsley.

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The second recipe is a great way of using leftover rice. This healthy Rice and Spinach Croquettes makes great snacks for the lunch box.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter , melted and extra butter to grease muffin pan
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
  • 12 oz thawed frozen chopped spinach, squeezed to remove excess water
  • 1/2 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups cooked rice
  • salt, pepper and dill to taste
  • Parmesan cheese for topping

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Source: South Arm Community Kitchen

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Blueberry Yogurt Parfait

Minoo shared a dessert recipe to complement the Chicken Rice Casserole and Carrot Salad in the South Arm Multicultural Community Kitchen.

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The dessert is Blueberry Yogurt Parfait.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, about 1/2 large lime
  • lime zest from the lime
  • 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups drained low-fat yogurt or low-fat Greek style yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped nuts or unsweetened shredded coconut

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Chicken Rice Casserole

The main dish made in the South Arm Multicultural Community Kitchen was a one pot dish.

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This Chicken Rice Casserole serves 8 to 10 people.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 medium or 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 large carrots, grated on the large grater
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat and cut into 1″ pieces
  • 2 teaspoons of salt, or lesser to your taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay
  • 5 cups hot reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups medium grain rice such as Basmati or Brown rice
  • 1 head garlic
  • 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped, plus more to sprinkle before serving
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to sprinkle before serving, optional

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Carrot Salad

I had the opportunity to return to the South Arm Multicultural Community Kitchen led by Minoo on their last meeting in December. The opportunity came when I introduced a new friend to the community kitchen.

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Minoo prepared three recipes for this kitchen. The first recipe is a Carrot Salad.

Ingredients

  • 4 carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1 apple – peeled, cored and shredded
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup blanched slivered or slice almonds
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • finely chopped Italian parsley, optional
  • 1 or 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped, optional

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Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins

With the local strawberries in season, Michelle shared a Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins recipe in the South Arm Community Center’s Older Adults Community Kitchen.

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These lightly sweet muffins with fresh strawberries and a delicious coffee cake crumble can be frozen for enjoyment later.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter (softened)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Crumble:

  • 1/4 cup butter (cold)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 granulated sugar

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Yield: 18 muffins

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Tortellini Salad with Pesto and Broccoli

Michelle shared a pasta salad recipe in line with the summer theme in the South Arm Community Center Older Adults Community Kitchen.

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This pasta salad can be served warm for dinner and cold for lunch the next day or two.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 pound broccoli florets, cut into short length
  • 250g (about 1/2 pound) fresh tortellini
  • 3 tablespoons pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (we used red wine vinegar)
  • 8 cherry tomatoes, halved

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Source: bbcgoodfood.com

Serves 2
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Chilled Cucumber Soup

It’s summer; Michelle shared some recipes which are great for the summer heat in the South Arm Community Center’s Older Adults Community Kitchen.

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This Chilled Cucumber Soup is very refreshing and filing too due to the Greek yogurt component.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 English cucumbers
  • 4 green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • salt and pepper to taste

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Source: from countryliving.com

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Orange Earl Grey Iced Tea

The South Arm Hungry Men Community Kitchen served Orange Earl Grey Iced Tea for the drink of the day.

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This Orange Earl Grey Iced Tea can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup loose Earl Grey tea, or 12 Earl Grey tea bags
  • Peel of 1 orange, plus orange wedges for garnish
  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 4 cups cold water
  • ice

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