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Friday, November 23, 2018

Chicken a la Ramen King

This tastes much better than the ingredients might lead you to think, and it can be on the table in under 20 minutes.

1 package chicken flavoured ramen noodles
1 354 gm tin chunk chicken breast, drained*
1 cup frozen peas
2 or 3 tablespoons ranch dressing (to taste)

Cook ramen noodles according to package directions, but do not add seasoning yet. Drain and put in skillet. Sprinkle with seasoning, stir in chicken, peas, and ranch dressing. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbling.

Serves 2


*Costco has these in six-packs. Or you can just use a couple of smaller tins, or a precooked and cut up chicken breast. Great for using up leftovers.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Faux Pho

I recently had the chance to experience Pho for the first time in a Vietnamese restaurant in Halifax. I really liked it, but there was something very familiar about the taste, which is why I decided to try to recreate it when I got home. This is the result. Not quite authentic, but very easy to throw together.

2 packages beef flavour ramen noodles
4 cups water
few drops sesame oil (optional—don’t use if someone has a nut allergy)
150 gm (1/2 package) thin-sliced beef for Chinese fondue, thawed, and cut into strips*
4 green onions, chopped
fresh cilantro for garnish

In a large pot, put the water and the seasoning mix from the ramen noodles on to boil. Add a few drops of sesame oil if you like the taste. Once the water reaches boiling point, add the beef a few strips at a time, then the onions, then the ramen noodles. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Pour into bowls, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

SERVES 4



*In my neck of the woods, you can find this in the freezer section, but if it’s not available in your area, just substitute sliced roast beef from the deli counter.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Old Fashioned Date Pie

Adapted from The Canadian Family Cookbook, a Volume of Tried, Tested and Proven Recipes by Prominent Canadian Ladies, 1914

1 ¼ cups chopped dates
1 1/3 cups milk or cream
1 egg
unbaked 8 or 9 inch pie shell

Combine dates and milk and let sit in the fridge overnight. Heat dates and milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until dates are soft. Cool.

Preheat oven to 400°. Zap date and milk mixture and egg in a blender. Pour into pie shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake for 35 minutes.


Not dissimilar to mincemeat in taste and appearance, but a lot cheaper to make and you can find the ingredients year round. If you like date squares, you'll love it.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Super Absorbent Inexpensive Pet Carrier Liner

I’ve always used old towels in the bottom of our pet carrier while taking the cats to the vets. They’ve never worked very well, however, as they always get bunched up in a corner, and aren’t as absorbent as you would think.

I recently discovered (you don’t want to know how) that the microfibre dish mats you place under your dish rack to catch the drips from your drying dishes can absorb A LOT of cat pee. They’re also inexpensive, are the right size to line a medium carrier, lie flat, and can just be tossed in the washing machine once used. I’m guessing that two of them would be the right size to line the bigger carriers.


They also come in a range of colours, so if you or your pet are fashion-conscious, you can colour-coordinate with the carrier or their fur. I’ve found them at both my local pharmacy and the bigger dollar stores.