KrisNeely, Author at Ant & Anise • Page 5 of 15

Quinoa chocolate cake in the spotlight

When Eve and I started this blog, we saw it as a chance to share recipes and ideas. It was also a chance to get to know each other a little better, outside of a few family get-togethers throughout the year to mark birthdays and holidays.

Ant & Anise started off as a conversation between the two of us. In the very first posts, we make essentially the same recipe with different variations — like slow roasted tomatoes (here’s Eve’s version and mine made into a pizza sauce) and crostini topped with caramelized onion, gorgonzola and pear (here’s Eve’s version and my canape-sized interpretation)….

Sweet Potato Latkes

It was good timing for me to see a film called Happy this week. November has always been one of my least favorite months, mainly because of the soggy grey days in Vancouver. Between that and the darkness that descends on the late afternoon, every day a little earlier, November makes me mostly want to crawl back under the covers and sleep until spring.

So it was encouraging to learn from Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor featured in the film, that only 10% of our happiness is dependent on our life circumstances (like where we live or how much money we make). Turns out a full 40% can be changed by intentional activities….

Coconut Curry Squash Soup

I wouldn’t say I hate winter squash, as in the way former president George Bush famously hates broccoli.

It’s not something on my regular grocery list either.

Is it the texture I don’t care for? Partly, yes. I also find winter squash to be, well, stodgy. My tastes in vegetables, even on the dreariest winter day, run to lighter flavors and greener colors. Give me some stir-fried beans or kale any time, especially with a smashed garlic clove and a squeeze of lemon….

Kale Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks. Long days at the computer to meet a series of deadlines. And then, to take advantage of the unusually dry weather lately, getting outside on the weekends and going on hikes.

One hike in particular, the Stawamus Chief, has a certain appeal to Bob. It’s a challenging hike, a steady 600 meter elevation climb, and the views are spectacular at the top on a clear day….

My Famous Aunt, and Broiled Salmon Misonese

When I was growing up I had a famous aunt.

That’s what it felt like to me. Eve wrote for the Vancouver Sun newspaper for years, before the days when anyone with a computer could publish to the world. When there were more filters on what made it to print. Manual ones, like editors.

We subscribed to the daily paper, and I never tired of seeing her byline. My aunt, the author. Cool!

Occasionally, Eve would weave personal vignettes into her articles and refer to her sister or parents. When I’d read these I would always feel a rush of excitement, as if anyone reading the article would naturally realize the family connection to know it was my mom or my grandparents she was talking about. It made me feel a little famous, by extension….

Five-Spice Sweet Potato Purée

It’s Thanksgiving weekend here, and I’m thinking of turkey. More specifically, since Bob is in charge of roasting the turkey, I’m thinking about all the dishes that round out the dinner.

Like what to have as a before-dinner snack that won’t be too filling? Shall I stick with my tried-and-true Brussels sprouts with garlic and lemon or try something different? And oh yes, I need to get on with the cranberry relish today so tomorrow will be a little less hectic. Oh the things I daydream about.

Also, the gorgeous weather outside is making me want to go out and do something other than putter around in the kitchen. We won’t have many dry, sunny days left in the year, I know. It’s a great afternoon for a slow walk down South Granville street, with a stop for a cappuccino.

Okay, let’s cut to the chase then….

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