Vegan Pot Pie

Pie Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup ice water (approx.)

Filling

• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 unit onion, diced
• 2 small Yukon Gold potatoes (about 320 g), peeled and diced
• 2 unit carrots, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups plain soy beverage
• 4 unit meatless chicken breast portions (about 450 g), chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas

Pie Dough

1. Place flour, baking powder and salt in food processor; process until combined. Add oil; pulse on and off until combined. Pulsing on and off, gradually add ice water through feed tube until soft dough forms. Form into a ball. Flatten into disc. Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill at least 30 minutes.

Filling

1. Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
2. In saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in potatoes, carrots, garlic, sage, thyme, salt and pepper; cook for 2 minutes longer. Stir in flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in soy beverage and ½ cup (125 mL) water, stirring constantly. Add meatless chicken breasts and peas; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer; cook for 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to 11 x 7-inch (2 L) glass baking dish. Cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, on lightly floured surface, roll out pie dough to scant 13 x 8 inch (33 x 20 cm) rectangle. Place over filling, pinching to form decorative border around edge. Cut out 1 inch (2.5 cm) circular vent in centre. Bake in centre of oven until golden brown on top, about 40 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

Corinne~

Grilled Chicken Grenades

• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle chili pepper powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 unit boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 500 g
• 1 package sliced Havarti cheese 170 g
• 1 package sodium-reduced bacon 500 g
• 1/2 cup drained pickled jalapeño slices
• 2 tablespoons apple jelly
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper jelly

1. In small bowl, stir together paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, chipotle powder, oregano, thyme and garlic powder. Measure out ¼ cup (50 mL) to use in grenades. Store remaining in tightly covered jar.
2. Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil.
3. Cut chicken breasts lengthwise into thin slices, about 1/4 inch (5 mm) thick. Set aside. Cut cheese slices into strips the same width as bacon slices. Lightly dust another baking sheet with 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the spice rub. Place half of bacon slices on baking sheet, side by side. Top each bacon slice with a chicken strip and a cheese strip. Place one jalapeño ring at one end of each; roll into pinwheels. Secure each with a toothpick. Redust baking sheet with another 2 tbsp (25 mL) spice rub and repeat with remaining bacon, chicken, cheese and jalapeño rings.
4. Stand grenades up on foil-lined baking sheet (not on their sides). Bake in centre of oven for 20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in 1 cup (250 mL) glass measuring cup, combine two jellies; microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds or until melted. Remove grenades from oven and brush with jelly mixture. Either return to oven for 10 minutes longer or transfer to barbecue preheated to medium heat to crisp for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Serve warm.

Corinne~

Recipe To Riches

The Food Network has a new show called Recipe to Riches. This show gives one Canadian a chance to win $250,000.  Each week there is a different food category and one winner is chosen from that episode and that winner takes home $25,000.  After all the finalists are chosen it is up to Canada to vote for the Grand Prize Winner of $250,000.  Not only do they win the $25,000 their recipe is featured as a new product for Loblaw Grocery stores across Canada.  If first heard of this show two weeks ago when my daughter and her boyfriend were talking about Chicken Grenades on facebook.  My first thought was shooting dead chickens out of a potato gun, so I figured I best ask what Chicken Grenades were.  My daughter and her boyfriend told me about these tasty morsels and how good they were, which made me want to try them.  They were also confident that they could re-create them as they made notes as they watched the show. 

So the next time I was in SuperStore I picked up a box of Chicken Grenades and all I can say is YUMMY!! If you like spicy you'll enjoy these.

Earlier in the day I was reading the latest copy of President's Choice Insider Report that is packed with lots of ideas for entertaining and noticed that there was a website for a recipe in the report.  So after checking out the Presidents Choice website I found the recipes from the show Recipe To Riches. 

Week 1 winner is Luscious Lemon Pudding Cake created by Glo McNeill --- her recipe can be found HERE

Week 2 winner is Peach Bliss created by Jacqui Keseluk --- here recipe can be found HERE

Week 3 winner is Chicken Grendes created by John Grass --- his recipe can be found HERE

Week 4 winner is Hazelnut Stew With Sweet Potato Bannock created by Melaney Gleeson-Lyall --- her recipe can be found HERE

I have my PVR set to record all new episodes of the show so I don't miss any more of the episodes.  There are only 4 more left.


Corinne~

Up Close with a Coyote

 On our trip back home from Meadow Lake we came across what I believe is the same Coyote that we seen a couple of days earlier.  He was in the same area and the markings were very close to being the same.  Once again I was provided the opportunity to get some really nice close shots of this beautiful guy.

 I love how this photo below catches him in the start of a what looks like a pounce.

 Was so lucky to catch this beautiful close up of him.  He was not afraid of me that is for sure, more curious than anything.  Especially with every noise he heard from the camera focusing.

Corinne~

Flying G Alpacas

A friend of mine raises Alpacas.  On my recent trip to Meadow Lake, she invited me out for supper and a visit.  I was thrilled as I really wanted to see her place and her Alpacas.  So with camera in tow I was off for a visit.

Their hair is so soft and warm when you put your hands inside their coats.  The colors are beautiful.  The sun was setting fast so I was limited on light.  Definitely want to go for another visit with better light and get some more pictures.  They sure move around fast but beautiful animals. 

So upon my departure I left with 6 skeins of Lopi yarn - 70% Alpaca 30% Merino in different colors to make myself and my two girls a pair of mittens for the winter. 

For more information on Flying G Aplacas click HERE  

Corinne~

Meadow Lake Pulp Mill

On our recent trip as we got closer to Meadow Lake the sky was darker and darker with rain, the sun was setting and it provided for a great opportunity to get some shots of the mill as we were coming into town.

I love the darkness of the trees in the foreground and the contrast of the exhaust against the sky with setting sun on the horizon. 

Corinne~

Coyote

We ran across this beautiful Coyote between Green Lake and Meadow Lake.  So glad that we stopped so I could get some photos.

Checking both ways for traffic before crossing the highway!

Safe to cross!

 I really like his coloring with the black and white on his back.  Enjoyed watching him watch us.


Corinne~

White Tail Deer

Last week I had the opportunity to travel up to Meadow Lake for work for 3 days.  The timing was both good and bad....the bad was I was fighting off a bad cold and probably should have stayed at home and the good is that it was a few days after the photography workshop I took the weekend before going to Meadow Lake.  I was excited about the drive up as there is usually a variety of wildlife along the way.  As it turned out we did see some wildlife which provided opportunities for me to get some good photographs.

Was very lucky to get some great shots of some White Tail Deer that didn't run off to the bush as soon as we stopped along the edge of the road.

When I captured this photo of the 2 yearlings grazing I didn't realize I had the front deer in the frame until after I snapped this photo.  I do like the perspective it gives.

This one of the two deer is one of my favorite shots of the trip.  I like how the light is soft and lightly blurred in the foreground and how I caught the back deer as he was grazing just inside the tree line.



Corinne~