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What’s In Season

January 23, 2017 By Jess Leave a Comment

What' In Season - January Favourites | cookinginmygenes.com
I’m so fortunate to live only a short drive from the gorgeous Rocky Mountains.  While January has brought us here in Calgary a ton of very cold days, I have been able to take advantage of some of the warmer Winter days to get outside.

I went with a friend on a cross-country skiing adventure one day which included copious amounts of hot chocolate before and after our our outing.

I also enjoyed hunkering down inside on super cold days (I’m talking -30C with the wind-chill) and cooking tons of seasonal and comfort food.

This month I’m sharing with you some of the recipes I’ve been cooking, books I’ve been reading and other favourites from January.

We participate in a farmer’s share where we get local produce every other week and currently I’m obsessed with parsnips! Martha Stewart’s recipe for Roasted Parsnips is pretty much how we prepare them at home – I cannot stop eating them!

And along with roasting a ton of parsnips, we’ve also been into roasted broccoli. One of my fav recipes for this is from Killing Thyme where she roasts broccoli with garlic & parmesan.

I’ve been cooking a lot of recipes from Donna Hay’s cookbook, ‘Life in Balance,’ which I received for Christmas. Two of my fav recipes so far are the Tomato & Roasted Quinoa Soup and Chicken, Zucchini & Feta Meatballs. Both recipes include simple ingredients but also have massive amounts of flavour!

My curiosity gave in to find out more about a Danish lifestyle trend ‘hygge’ which translates roughly to mean ‘coziness.’ This book was just too beautiful not to read so I downloaded it to find out more about how to incorporate this into my own life – I will report back!

I also got a library card so I’ve been borrowing books like crazy, making my way through a massive booklist I have on my phone including ‘A Modern Way to Cook,’ by Anna Jones. She divides the book into 20 minute, 30 minute etc meals which is wonderful for weeknight dinners. Last week we made the Smoky Pepper & White Bean Quesadillas which were absolutely delicious.

And, not to be forgotten my husband’s and my birthdays are coming up!  We started a tradition a couple of years ago where we pick a cake recipe that we make for ourselves.  A couple of years ago we almost took it a bit far when we made this insane Bobby Flay Toasted Coconut Cake that legitimately took almost 3 DAYS to make! However, it was SO worth it.  This year we’re keeping things a little more simple. We’re going to make this classic Vanilla Cake with Caramel Pastry Cream from Anna Olson so stay tuned to my Instagram feed & Facebook page for updates on our birthday cake!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

Cookinginmygenes.com participates in select affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms, Cookinginmygenes.com may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own, and all brands featured represent what I personally like and support.
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Filed Under: What's In Season Tagged With: cookbooks, donna hay, favourites, hygge, january, martha stewart, recipes, seasonal

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INSTA-GRATIFICATION

If you want to escape to the tropics, try my TROPI If you want to escape to the tropics, try my TROPICAL SLUSHIE! Easily made as a mocktail or a cocktail, it’s perfect to brighten things up this winter. 

All you need is:
*frozen mango
*frozen pineapple 
*maple syrup
*lime
*ice
*rum (if desired)

Get the recipe on the blog! Linked in bio above. 

https://www.cookinginmygenes.com/tropical-rum-slushie/
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#cookinginmygenes #yycfoodblogger #mocktails #mocktailrecipe #drinkrecipes #happyhourathome #wintermocktail #cocktailrecipe #tropicaldrink #foodphotographyandstyling #easyrecipes
You need this Quick Asparagus Gnocchi in your life You need this Quick Asparagus Gnocchi in your life! Made in under 25 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight meal - save this post for the recipe!

Here it is:

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb store bought gnocchi
3 tbsp butter, divided
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed ends and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 lemon
2 tbsp pesto sauce
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
kosher salt and ground pepper
Extra garnish: red pepper flakes

INSTRUCTIONS
1. If required by the instructions on the gnocchi you’ve purchased, boil and drain the gnocchi then set aside.
2. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tbsp butter. Add the gnocchi and sauté 5-8 minutes, until starting to turn golden brown.
3. Add in asparagus pieces, 1 tbsp butter, juice from half a lemon and a big pinch of both salt and ground pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the asparagus is fork tender and still has a bit of a bite, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and stir in 2 tbsp pesto plus half of the parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with more pesto, salt and pepper and red pepper flakes if you choose. Use the rest of the parmesan cheese as garnish. Serve immediately. 

https://www.cookinginmygenes.com/quick-spring-gnocchi-with-asparagus/
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#30minutemeals #gnocchirecipe #weeknightmeals #cookinginmygenes #yycfoodblogger #recipeshare #dinnerrecipes #damnthatsdelish #makesmewhole #eatyourcolors #vegetarianmeals #onepandinner #meatlessmonday #quickdinner
Friends, I’ve got another deliciously easy dip f Friends, I’ve got another deliciously easy dip for you! It’s so easy to make AND simple to add in your fav ingredients too. 

Here’s how to make it:
150-200g softened goat cheese (or cream cheese or even hummus!)
1/3 cup chopped cucumbers
1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes 
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2-4 tbsp pesto 
Toppings: drizzle olive oil, chili flakes, fresh basil

Spread softened goat cheese on a plate. Swirl pesto into the goat cheese. Sprinkle over the cucumbers, sundried tomatoes and walnuts. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch chili flakes. Top with fresh basil. (Other delicious add-ons could be olives, capers, balsamic glaze drizzle). 
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#goatcheese #cookinginmygenes #easyappetizers #fingerfood #cheeseplate #cheeseboards #crostini #creamcheese #toasties #toastideas #damnthatsdelish #meatlessmeals #recipevideo #entertainingathome #cheesedip
This is one of my favourite ways to make salads in This is one of my favourite ways to make salads in the winter - ROAST some fav veggies together and then add them to salad greens, topped with feta, walnuts and a balsamic dressing. 

The best part is you can mix and match what you like so carrots would be delish, chopped almonds or goat cheese are great substitutes. 

Here’s generally how I make it:

1 large sweet potato, cubed
4 golden beets, peeled and cubed
12 Brussels sprouts, quartered 
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
Salad greens
Chopped walnuts
Feta 

Dressing: Mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1x garlic clove minced, salt and pepper 

Toss the vegetables with a couple tablespoons olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast at 415 F for 30-35 minutes or until done to your liking. Add veggies to your favourite salad greens and top with nuts, cheese and dressing. 
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#easysalad #saladrecipe #cookinginmygenes #yycfoodblogger #roastedveggies #wintersalad #dinnerrecipes #healthyinspo #plantpower #recipereels #mealprepideas #saladbowl #healthymealprep #iamwellandgood
You neeeed this CREAMY POTATO SOUP WITH CHIVES & C You neeeed this CREAMY POTATO SOUP WITH CHIVES & CHIPS on your Winter menu!

It’s creamy, cozy and tastes like the best baked potato you’ve ever had topped with cheddar, chives and chips (my fav is Ruffles Sour Cream & Onion!) for the perfect crunch.

Here’s the recipe friends:

INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp salt
Ground pepper
Pinch chili flakes
1x 340mL navy or cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
4 cups chopped & peeled yellow potatoes
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese plus more for garnish
Toppings: Minced chives & Sour cream or plain ruffle chips

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a large pot, add oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. 
2. To the pot add minced garlic, dried thyme, coarse salt, a couple turns of ground pepper and a pinch of chili flakes. Stir and cook for 2 more minutes. 
3. Add the potatoes, beans and broth, stir and bring the soup to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn down to medium-low heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes have softened / are fork tender. 
4. Remove the pot from the heat. 
5. Use a hand blender to blend the soup right in the pot. Or transfer 2 cups at a time to a stand blender to blend until smooth then return the soup to the pot. Adjust seasoning to your liking with more salt and pepper; add more broth if too thick; and then stir in 1 cup of shredded white cheddar.
6. Serve topped with crushed ruffle sour cream and onion chips, minced chives and shredded cheese. Enjoy!
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#souprecipe #potatochips #potatorecipes #creamypotatosoup #potatosoup #yycfoodblogger #grilledcheese #recipereels #bakedpotatosoup #onepotrecipe #meatlessmeals #soupfordinner #comfortfood
Can’t think of a better treat for the weekend th Can’t think of a better treat for the weekend than these ONE BOWL CHEWY OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!

So simple and so delicious. Recipe is linked in my bio friends!

https://www.cookinginmygenes.com/one-bowl-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies/
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#chocolatechipcookies #weekendbaking #easycookies #cookiesofinstagram #onebowlrecipe #bakingtherapy #cookinginmygenes #chocolatechip #cookieshomemade #yycfoodblogger #imsomartha #chocolatechips
I’m alll about the citrus right now so this CITR I’m alll about the citrus right now so this CITRUS CRUSH MOCKTAIL is definitely on my list for happy hour. You’ll make a simple citrus juice in a blender and then add that to a cocktail glass with ice and ginger soda. It’s that simple!

Easily made into a Low ABV or full cocktail too by adding and ounce or two of vodka or gin. 

Here’s how to make it (enough juice for 2ish cocktails):

INGREDIENTS:
1 blood orange
1 cara cara or navel orange
1 tangerine orange clementine
1/4 cup water
1/2 tbsp honey
4 oz citrus juice
2 oz ginger soda or ginger beer
ice
garnish with extra citrus slices & mint

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. To make the citrus juice add all citrus, water and honey to a blender. Blend until smooth and strain if desired. 
2. To make one mocktail combine citrus juice, ice and ginger soda in a cocktail glass and enjoy!

https://www.cookinginmygenes.com/citrus-vodka-crush-cocktail/
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#mocktailrecipes #lowabv #happyhourathome #citrusseason #cookinginmygenes #yycfoodblogger #mocktails #wintermocktail #craftcocktail #dryjanuary #alcoholfree #drinkrecipes #citruscocktail #nonalcoholic
You’re going to want to save this WINTER CHOPPED You’re going to want to save this WINTER CHOPPED SALAD recipe! With 5 main ingredients and an easy lemon dressing, it comes together simply for any weeknight dinner or a meal prep lunch.

Recipe for 2 servings is below (or head to the link in my bio for the recipe for 4!)

Here’s the recipe friends:

INSTRUCTIONS:
1 cup cooked grains (brown rice, quinoa etc)
2 cups thinly chopped brussels sprouts
2 oranges, segmented & chopped
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese 
1/4 cup chopped almonds 
Optional: serve with your fav protein 

For the dressing:
4 tbsp olive oil, juice of half a lemon, 1 garlic clove minced, 1/2 tsp honey, pinch of salt & pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mix together all of the dressing ingredients, shake it well and set aside.
2. To assemble the salad mix together the grains, brussels sprouts, orange pieces, parmesan cheese, almonds. Add the dressing and mix until combined. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed.

https://www.cookinginmygenes.com/winter-citrus-chopped-salad/
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#choppedsalad #veggierecipes #cookinginmygenes #yycfoodblogger #saladrecipe #citrusseason #iamwellandgood #easyrecipes #whatsfordinner #easydinnerideas #mealpreprecipes #saladbowl #nourishbowl #saladsofinstagram #recipereels #wintersalad
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