The Case of Split Pea Soup

My girlfriend gave me some pansies for a hostess gift the other day. She wasn't the least bit surprised when I told her I ate them.

Split Pea Soup

2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
8 cups water
8 rounded tsps (for 8 cups) vegetable bouillon powder
2 cups split peas
2 tbsps soya sauce
6 bay leaves
2 tsps oregano
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp pepper
salt

Cover and simmer the first 11 ingredients (onions to pepper) for 45 min. or until the split peas are tender. Remove the bay leaves. Blend. Return to pot. Add more water if necessary. Salt to taste. Serves 5.


YOURS, BECKI GREEN. TO LEAVE ME (AND CYNTHIA) A MESSAGE, CLICK ON THE COMMENT BUTTON BELOW.

The Case of Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad

When the number on the scale goes up, I know I need to exercise. When the cost of food goes up, I feel the need to stretch. Now you know what I do all day—exercise, stretch... Seriously, by manipulating a few of the measurements in my Tomato Cucumber Salad, and adding some al dente rigatoni, I've created an equally delicious, value-minded pasta salad that's ideal to take on a summer picnic. Especially if Karl and I leave the gas guzzling Blackmobile behind and pump up the tires of our bikes. 

Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad

1 cup seeded, chopped cucumber
1 cup grape tomatoes, the larger ones halved
2 cups rigatoni, cooked and rinsed under cold water
1/2 cup Greek olives, pitted
1/8 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsps olive oil
vegetable seasoning

Toss together all the ingredients, including vegetable seasoning to taste, then chill. Serves 2.


YOURS, BECKI GREEN. TO LEAVE ME (AND CYNTHIA) A MESSAGE, CLICK ON THE COMMENT BUTTON BELOW.)

The Case of Curried Tofu Kebabs

Curried Tofu Kebabs

2 tbsps ginger root, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsps lime juice
4 tbsps soya sauce
4 tsps turmeric
2 tsps curry powder
1/4 tsp chilli pepper flakes
1-1/2 lb tofu (cut in squares)
2 red, yellow or orange peppers, cubed
4 zucchinis, thickly sliced
1/8 cup olive oil

Soak at least 8 wooden skewers in water. Mix together the ginger, garlic, lime juice, soya sauce, turmeric, curry powder and chilli pepper flakes in a large bowl. Add the tofu and vegetables and marinate for an hour or more. Because the marinade will stain your fingers, wear rubber gloves to thread the tofu and vegetables onto the skewers. Baste with the olive oil, and grill on the BBQ or broil on the middle rack of oven. Serves 4.

The Case of Back Cover Copy

Imajin Books just released back cover copy for A Purse to Die For. That's the book I'm in! Because they can't talk about everybody on the back cover, you won't see my name there but I'm in the book, promise.

What’s more treacherous than navigating a pack of society matrons at a designer sale? 

 

Stalking a killer…

When fashionista and television celeb Gina Monroe goes home to attend the funeral of her late grandmother, the last thing she expects to encounter is murder. And the reading of the will is anything but fashionable as unanswered questions arise. Who is the dead woman in the woods behind the family house? And why is she dressed in Milano designer clothes?

With help from her cousin Tony and Detective Rob Dumont, Gina investigates the not-so-model citizens around her. When another murder occurs, a pattern slowly emerges and Gina wonders if her grandmother's death wasn't so natural after all.

The Case of Strawberry Shake

Early still for Ontario field strawberries but you can bet it's harvest time in California! This week I so wanted a refreshing jump on spring that I put aside all thought of the local food movement and bought a whole bunch of California strawberries. Then I made Strawberry Shakes for Karl, and me, and all of our friends.

Strawberry Shake

1/2 cup strawberries
2 scoops vanilla frozen yogurt

Purée the strawberries in a blender. Add the vanilla frozen yogurt and blend again. Serves 1.

The Case of Braised Baby Bok Choy

Have you ever wondered how to prepare some of the less familiar vegetables on Canada's market shelves? Me too! So I experimented. I had some ups and I had some downs. Okra didn't end up a big winner. But tender-crisp and juicy bok choy is a big hit!

Braised Baby Bok Choy

8 heads baby bok choy, trimmed, and halved lengthwise if large

1 tbsp canola oil 

3/4 rounded tsp (for 3/4 cup) vegetable bouillon powder
3/4 cup water

Sauté the bok choy in the canola oil for 2 min. Add the vegetable bouillon powder and water. Cover and simmer 5 min. Serves 4.

The Case of Rigatoni and Neatballs

Like everyone on planet Earth, I often wish my life were more laid back than it is. There's my decorating store to run, my home to manage, and the occasional murder to solve. Sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day to make meals from scratch. In that case, I boil up some pasta, simmer some jarred tomato/basil pasta sauce with some frozen vegetarian meatballs, toss everything together, and grate Parmesan on top. Works for me!