suzette roberts

// Jamaican Ackee Rice

Good morning, and hello August! This could be the month where things like this begin happening with overly-maximizing on our slower-living days. #guilty! The good thing about this (we gotta' find that good in it) is that since life is a process, everything has a way of balancing itself over time. We are doing a little switcheroo this week, and bringing a touch and taste of the islands forward for Jamaica's Independence Day on August 6th. Jamaican Ackee Rice made with the island's ackee fruit is a dish that can be served all by itself as a delicious and filling complete meal, thanks to the protein component within the ackee. But of course, can be paired with fish, and many kinds of, and even with chicken. I've done both of these in the past and our loved ackee always has a way of holding her own...

// Sweet Thai Chili Beef

Given the choice: chicken, fish, or beef (famous on-repeat words), our testosterone-fueled coffin-dodgers (his words, not mine), would without hesitation say, "Beef baby," while we ladies slowly savour our well-done grilled salmon in greater attempts to keep up with our wonder boys. This is true, and I'm still trying to keep up. A little beef once weekly is always a great idea to boost the bod with heading into and through our winters, and especially when most grains and beans are best left on the shelf in your world. A beef burger usually does the trick for us, but sometimes it's nice to take the scenic garden route with a more 'involved' and full of happening flavour dish, giving the serious steak a little time-out. This warm and indulgent Sweet Thai Chili Beef is a loved go-to every other month or so. 'Hope you had a good week, and here's to a delicious weekend. ~xx

// Whipped No-Churn Orange Ice Cream

'Light and mousse-y with a definite above the clouds silver lining and all that summer jazz is how I'd describe this Whipped No-Churn Orange Ice Cream dessert. Two months ago while browsing through one of my favourite food blogs: Nigella, for a holiday pudding recipe actually, I stumbled upon this lovely! It was, of course, irresistible, with its four ingredients, no heat, no eggs, and no-churn layout. That weekend I got to it and well, it's become quite a luxurious thing. It's National Ice Cream Day this Sunday. Please don't miss it. We all need a little bit of it. I've been thinking and praying for our moms and dads with young children and having to balance so much extra in the right now and with looking ahead to our new school year and new supports being put in place to lighten the journey forward. Good things are in progress... Have a very very restful and loving weekend. ~xx

// Yukon Gold Baked Potatoes

Summertime-easy cooking moments in the kitchen with the season in full swing these days right in our backyards. The Yukon Gold is a versatile go-to for simple and truly delicious baked potatoes with its slightly crisp edges and soft, buttery bite each and every time. These were ready to be enjoyed in 40 minutes, no fancy seasoning needed, and the oven did all (okay, most) of the work. Ready-made fries, you will not be missed. Round II above. And I'm thinking we may be the last ones just getting into this series. Here's to our slow-living weekend. We're here for it and letting it all hang out. ~xx

// Pineapple Olive Oil Summer Cake (Gluten-Free)

Hello July!, where many little summer adventures gain their wings. Although I was beyond-ready to go after the beginnings of this rustic cake very early last month, I waited — on purpose — for our first summer weekend, so it would 'feel' authentic, and perhaps even float my boat a bit more? It did. I wanted three things with this Mediterranean countryside dessert: 1. whisk only (no electric mixer), 2. olive oil (no butter), and 3. adding fruit in its own juices (avoiding milk of any kind). The end result... a deliciously darling and moist gluten-free cake with a warm pineapple bite that can be enjoyed as a summer spoon cake on a lazy Sunday morning when staying in bed with coffee and a movie feels just right. Have a sweet weekend. ~xx