ninaj's Profile

Display Name:	ninaj
Member Since:	2/3/10

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When I was a kid my mom used to make baked chicken wings with hoisin sauce. Not sure if this is the exact recipe but it looks pretty close. http://www.canadianliving.com/food/sesame_hoisin_wings.php Can You Suggest Some New Uses for Hoisin Sauce? Good Questions Flag this comment	4/12/13 10:03 PM
We had Shakshuka for the first time at Tasty 'n Sons in Portland. It was so good!! I make it at home now and I think my boyfriend would be happy if I made it every day! Meet Shakshuka: My Favorite Saucy Eggs Flag this comment	3/6/13 8:27 PM
We're going through the same thing in Vancouver. Even the "cheaper" parts of the city are ridiculous. I've managed to get myself into a career that only exists in larger centres but doesn't pay enough to match the housing prices so the debate now is, do I make a career change in order to move to a smaller place? and what would that be? It's an endless discussion here. At least every month, there appears another article analyzing the problem. Living In The Most Expensive Cities: How Long Can We Keep This Up? Flag this comment	9/20/12 2:48 PM
I put a leaf of basil on each side of the slice of halloumi before I grill it and then put it on a bed of mixed greens with cherry tomatoes and torn up mint leaves. I do a really simple dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar and cumin. The cumin makes it so tasty! Cheese on the Grill! Halloumi Ingredient Spotlight Flag this comment	6/11/12 10:21 PM
This is great! I have always hated the "boob" light fixtures that are everywhere!! How To Make a DIY Drum Shade Apartment Therapy Design Evenings Flag this comment	4/12/12 5:07 PM
What timing! I happen to have 2.5 lbs of mussels in the fridge that I bought at the farmer's market on the weekend. I was going to do Moules Marinieres but this looks amazing--I just might change my mind!! Recipe: Thai Red Curry MusselsRecipes from The Kitchn Flag this comment	4/9/12 9:07 PM
I'm a daily steel cut oats eater. I always freeze tons of blueberries when they're in season (we have loads of blueberry farms near Vancouver) so I always put a handful of frozen blueberries on my oatmeal. I don't usually put any sweetner on my oatmeal, but when I want some sweetness and for a little indulgence I put a little maple syrup on it. I also put a little sprinkle of cinnamon. My boyfriend's mother just introduced me to this cereal that's made in BC so now I stir in a tablespoon of it as well, it has chia seeds, bulgur and other stuff--easy added crunch and protein. http://holycrap.ca/product/skinny-b-cereal/ Make Deluxe Oatmeal: 10 Awesome Mix-Ins Flag this comment	4/2/12 5:22 PM
My mom has been the cheesecake queen for almost 30 years and now I've taken over. We always make the same recipe and whenever I make it, it gets raves and requests for the recipe. I've never actually let the cream cheese rise to room temp and it seems fine--I always use the blocks of cream cheese too, not the spreadable kind--it seems to help with the cracks. My other hint that I always am careful of is, if you want a lovely creamy texture, DON'T OVERBAKE!!! Although this is a lemon cheesecake, it's neutral enough to put with almost any other flavour--strawberries, blueberry sauce, you name it. I found a copy of the recipe online! http://mommyof1andcounting.blogspot.ca/2011/08/recipe-of-week-famous-lemon-cheesecake.html Yum!! The Perfect Cheesecake: 5 Tips and Tricks Flag this comment	3/26/12 4:16 PM
I did an Asian version last week with halibut. Ponzu, a little sesame oil, fresh ginger to flavour the fish and then bok choy, thinly sliced carrots, matchstick zucchini under the fish. So easy and tasty! Easy Dinner Recipe: Baked Fish, Spinach, and Tomatoes in Foil PacketsRecipes from The Kitchn Flag this comment	3/19/12 2:08 PM
Um...70s macrame, anyone?? Just like my mom used to make!! Simple Stylish Project: DIY Hanging Planter Song & Dance Flag this comment	3/8/12 4:17 PM
My mom decided to make creme brulee for the first time this Christmas. She didn't go out and buy a creme brulee torch because my dad was a professional jeweller and had a blow torch that was perfectly fine!! (Think plumber's torch.) As soon as it got lit, I left the kitchen. I heard a lot of "Holy s**t that's hot!" and "I'm not doing it, you do it!!" and "Aacckk!!" In the end, we had melted sugar but no crust because it was too hot to keep doing it for very long. I'm just glad we didn't burn the house down. Three Ways to Create a Sugar Crust on Homemade Crème Brûlée Flag this comment	2/13/12 8:31 PM
I used to so disorganized and then I got tired of not knowing what I had or having everything in bags instead of jars. So I started collecting the small marinated artichoke jars and then printing labels on my computer. I was so proud of myself! I actually showed my cupboard to people when they came over. I think some people may have rolled their eyes at me!! The jars stack so nicely and most of the spice bags are the perfect amount to fit in those jars. Anything that doesn't fit into those jars goes into the two Rubbermaid containers next to the jars. I keep a list on the inside door of the cupboard with dates of purchase. I'm always picking up things when I run into them at little stores that I wander through, with the goal to find something to do with them. On another topic, I totally reorganized my rice, nuts, legumes, grains and pasta collections last year and can now find everything! Sometimes I just open my cupboard doors to congratulate myself. :-) Just don't ask me about my canned goods cupboard!! (eyes rolling) Spice Cupboard Style: What Do Your Spices Reveal About You? Flag this comment	1/11/12 7:55 PM
What a wonderful post! I love these photos! I too looked for pictures of me in the kitchen, but the only one I could find was one of me having a bath in the kitchen sink at 9 months or so! But I was the official Sunday morning pancake maker and from the age of about 5 I made them completely by myself except I needed help with the cooking (and especially the flipping!) Maybe that's when the kitchen became my happy place? The Kitchens Where We First Learned to Love Food Flag this comment	12/8/11 2:55 PM
I'm making Nar Eksisi (Pomegranate Sour) for all my co-workers this year. I'm including a couple of recipes to use it as well. Weekend Project: Start Making Edible Gifts Flag this comment	11/25/11 12:57 PM
It's not just for Thanksgiving but for all family dinner events--my mom's Lemon Cheesecake. No other cheesecake is the same. I eat other people's cheesecake only out of politeness. ;-) Family Recipe: My Dad's Legendary Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Flag this comment	11/16/11 10:14 PM
After travelling to Turkey this year, I discovered Nar Eksisi--Pomegranate Sour. It's so versatile! I also finally bought some Zatar spice--it's wonderful on salmon. What's the Best New Ingredient You Discovered This Year? Flag this comment	11/16/11 10:09 PM
Last year I made Rosemary Lemon Salt. Bought sea salt in largish containers, fresh lemon zest and fresh rosemary from my plant. All in the food processor. It was cheap enough that I made some for all my co-workers (I only have 12) Good Ideas for Yummy Food Gifts for the Holiday Season? Good Questions Flag this comment	11/7/11 1:12 PM
When I was planning my trip to Turkey I had said I wasn't going to buy a carpet because it wouldn't go in my house (a mix of mid-century and contemporary but not ultra modern) but when I got there I discovered the kilims. I came home with a 4'x6' that I love and I think it looks great with my furniture on my parquet floor! I just wish I'd made the leap and gotten a bigger one!! Kilims in Contemporary Homes Flag this comment	10/21/11 9:05 PM
I was in Instanbul last month and walked right past the Culinary Institute. I really wish I'd gone in!! What it Means to Learn to Cook: A Peek into the Istanbul Culinary Institute Flag this comment	9/22/11 2:12 PM
I leave in 3 weeks for Turkey! So excited to see your post today! A Few Brief Moments From Istanbul's Food Markets Flag this comment	7/21/11 2:26 PM