I’ve heard of a lot of non-traditional foods being grilled on an open flame, but nachos? 

Turns out, you can slap them down on the ol’ BBQ too.

Here’s a super-easy recipe for vegetarian nachos that go from grill to picnic table in just minutes. Simply assemble the ingredients in a foil pan, cover – and 10 minutes later, you’ve got munching perfection. A great way to keep the party outdoors, especially on those lazy summer evenings.

Grilled Picnic Taco Nachos

5 cups tortilla chips
1 can black beans, drained
1 can Old El Paso Chopped Green Chilies, drained
2 tsp Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix (from 35 g package)
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 cups finely shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese

Heat gas or charcoal grill. Spray 12×18-inch foil pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread tortilla chips in pan.

In medium bowl, mix beans, chiles and taco seasoning mix; spoon evenly over tortilla chips. Top with tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover pan with foil.

Place foil pan on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Carefully remove foil. Serves 4.

I was part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I received special perks as part of my affiliation with the group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Alas, nope. I am SO sad right now. Satisfied, but sad.

Here’s the scoop: this past weekend, my husband joyfully announced that he had found a recipe online that claimed to be a dupe of Harvey’s hamburgers. Mmm… Harvey’s. Flavourful, juicy beef… charbroiled to perfection on an open-flame grill… yes, it’s a beautiful thing.

Gleefully, he sent me a link to the site – a Canadian food blog, holla! – Kalofagas.ca.

(In Greek, Kalofagas means “Gourmet”.)

Since the photo posted by Chef Peter Minakis (see right) immediately had us wanting to reach through the computer and take a bite, I happily conceded that this recipe was indeed a must-try. And since the good Lord had bestowed a sunny, beautiful day for my birthday last week, I decided to celebrate by passing the mealtime responsibilities to my resident grillmaster.

Of course, I did help with the prep-work; thanks to a very simple recipe incorporating easy-to-find, staple ingredients, the burgers were ready for the flame in about 5 minutes (though we did rest them for an hour in the fridge, as suggested). Visit Kalofagas.ca for the complete recipe and grilling instructions.

The verdict? While the final product was a tasty, über flavourful and incredibly moist burger, it just was not a homemade “Lena Burger”. Close… but no Harvey’s.

(That being said, the recipe is a keeper for us. It’s a guaranteed trip to flavourtown and the recipe can be followed by anyone. Try it; you’ll like it.) (more…)

Okay, Easter is over.

And you ate chocolate.
And more chocolate.
More…. and more…. chocolate.

So now it’s time for a reality check: An all-chocolate diet does not a supermodel make. Looking for some inspiration to kick-start a healthier way of life? I’ve selected these recipes from Life Made Delicious, my favourite source for easy recipes:

Grilled Margarita Chicken and Fruit Salad
Chicken gets a lime juice and tequila-coated toss in this flavour-packed salad. Olé!

I love mixing salad greens and fruit, especially when I can sneak in some goat cheese or toasted, spicy pecans. Substitute baby spinach for lettuce and you’ve got a splendid, nutrient-packed meal!

Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Quick-cooking couscous lends to the 20-minute prep time of this Greek-style salad.

I will seriously eat anything Greek – especially salad. The mixture briny Kalamata olives, salt feta and fresh cucumber is always a winning combination in my books. Control the amount of fat by scaling back on the cheese.

Grilled Fajita Salad
No need to turn on the oven to enjoy this colourful and oh-so-delicious summertime salad.

Guaranteed to be filling – and delicious – I love Mexican-inspired flavours with beef. To add some creamy texture, consider thinly sliced avocado tossed in a simple olive oil and lime juice dressing.

Salsa Turkey Meatballs
Salsa and ground turkey makes this new twist on the traditional meatball both healthy and tasty.

Who says you have to stick to salad? Pair these meatballs with whole wheat pasta or brown rice, and you’re in flavourtown! A bonus: kids will have fun helping to prepare this dish.

For these recipes, and more delicious ways to eat right, visit Life Made Delicious.

I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Humour me for a moment.

Reach over and grab a food item – one that has the nutritional information printed on the package. Now tell me – what do you look at first?

The calories? Fat? Serving Size? Sugar?

What interests you most – or, by force of habit, what are you drawn to?

I’m a calories kind of girl – I’m always trying to keep snacks below 200 calories, and meals under 400 calories. Everything else usually sorts itself out; if the fat is too high for my liking, I’ll cut the portion size down by 30%; if the sugar is up there, I’ll skip my after-dinner square of chocolate; and, if the carbs are astronomical, I’ll simply put the food back and choose something else.

But riddle me this: how many of y’all actually pay attention to the % Daily Value of a food? They’re the figures on the far right, always displayed as a percentage. Are you familiar with how to interpret these numbers?

Essentially, the % Daily Value is a quick and easy way for you to know if a packaged food contains a little or a lot of a nutrient. As a rule of thumb, remember the following numbers:

This applies to all nutrients. Hence, if there’s less than 5% – you can pretty much surmise that you’re getting nothing (which I suppose is a good thing when it comes to saturated or trans-fats). And over 15%? Yup, that’s a whole lotta good stuff – especially fibre, iron or calcium, three ingredients that Canadians never seem to get enough of.

Bonus: You can use the % DV to compare two different food products and make a better choice for you; plus, the Daily Values used in nutrition labelling are not developed for any specific gender and age category. For example, an active man will not have the same daily nutrition needs as a six year old girl. However, both of them can still use the % DV to see if a food product has a little or a lot of the nutrients that are important to them.

Curious to find out more? Visit www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/dailyvalue.

So, how do some of your favourite foods stand up to the % Daily Value? I’m extremely happy to report that my beloved Cheerios give me 45% of my daily iron, 50% of folic acid and 0% saturated fat. Holla!

I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

While I’m normally down for a good ol’ Oscar fest, this past weekend I was under the weather and overly cranky. In fact, given the option of just lying in bed all day with the shades drawn, I would have gladly secluded myself in my bedroom sanctuary. Alas, kids. And laundry. And life. And so, it was just Brad, Angelina, her right leg and me – among others – on Sunday night.

Halfway through the red carpet, my husband suggested that we put together a little Oscar appetizer to munch on throughout the 2-hour fashion parade and 3.5 hour awards ceremony. (Now that I think of it, that’s a LOT of television!) Thank goodness I’ve always got the ingredients for my favourite 7-layer Mexican Dip on hand. I’ve served the dip at almost every party I’ve thrown over the last 10 years, and why not? It’s easy to make, delicious, and there are never leftovers to worry about. NEVER.

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chili sauce
2 cups salsa
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 bunch chopped green onions
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Grab a 13×9 inch glass dish. Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth, and spread a layer at the bottom of the dish (1). Follow up with a thin layer of chili sauce on top – I prefer “A Taste of Thai Chili Sauce” (2). Next, spread on the salsa (3), green peppers (4), green onions (5) and black olives (6). Finish by sprinkling the cheddar cheese on top (7). The dip should be refrigerated for about 30 minutes before serving. It serves about 8-10… or 6 ravenous party guests. Oh, and serve with tortilla chips, of course.

I found a similar recipe for Tex-Mex Layered Dip from Life Made Delicious, and while I would have tried it on Sunday, I didn’t have Old El Paso Refried Beans or guacamole on hand. Next time! And, if you’re looking for more party food ideas, do check out the site –  I’ve saved some pretty yummy-looking appetizers that I’d love to try!

I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

I don’t have a romantic bone in my body.

(Wait, that’s not strictly true. I bawl like a baby every time I watch A Walk to Remember.)

Let’s just say that I’m less about the “stuff” and more about “substance”. For example, I would scream if my husband ever spent $97 on Valentine’s Day roses, but at the same time, I expect to spend the day with him and cuddle together at scheduled intervals. So maybe I am romantic – I’m just not commercially romantic. Or maybe I’m just cheap.

Regardless, I’m a huge fan of homemade treats for Valentine’s Day. Breakfast in bed; hand-drawn cards, heart-shaped cookies, and of course, a large supply of cinnamon hearts. This year (just like every year) I’ve left Valentine’s Day until the last minute, so I’ll be baking up a storm tomorrow to show my love for my husband (and cake).

Since we already indulged in pie last week, I’m thinking these Valentine Parfait Cupcakes are just the ticket. And because the special day is celebrated by our two little guys as well, I love that the cupcakes are a kid-friendly option!

1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist Devil’s Food cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 tub Betty Crocker* Whipped fluffy white frosting
1 cup (250 mL) semisweet or milk chocolate chips
2 tsp (10 mL) shortening
Valentine’s decorating sprinkles or candies

Heat oven to 350ºF (325ºF for dark or nonstick pans).

Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Bake cake batter as directed on cake mix box, using water, oil and eggs.

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about 2/3 full). Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre come out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Spoon frosting into decorating bag fitted with large round tip. Pipe dollop of frosting on top of each cupcake. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring once halfway through heating. Drizzle melted chocolate over frosted cupcakes; sprinkle with hearts.

I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

With Super Bowl 2012 just around the corner, there’s no shortage of recipe ideas for game day. From chips and dips, cocktails and coolers, and of course… NACHOS!… it’s quite simple to put on an enviable spread.

When I first found this Big Batch Chili-In-The-Oven recipe from Life Made Delicious, I had fully intended to go double duty – chili in a bowl for dinner, leftover chili on nachos for Super Bowl Sunday. I had high hopes for the recipe as it currently has 34 thumbs up, and I figured a few dozen people can’t be wrong.

Do you want the good news or bad news first?

Okay bad news. The bad news is that even though I pretty much followed the recipe to the letter, the texture of the chili is completely unsuitable for nachos. There is just SO much rice in the dish, I’d venture to say this is more like Cuban Dirty Rice than chili. There is just rice, rice and more rice everywhere. Yikes!

Good news. Whatever the heck this dish is, it is BEYOND FREAKIN’ DELICIOUS. We can’t get enough! I absolutely adore all the vibrant, pungent flavours that come through; smoky cumin, tangy tomato, fresh cilantro. And, the earthiness of the ground beef and beans. It’s like Chili 2.0: The Wrath of Rice. I will make this dish again, but I’ll either severely cut down on the white stuff or omit it altogether. (more…)

“There’s nothing to eat.”

The four most annoying words uttered by husbands and children… and sometimes mom (though we always say it in our heads and never out loud, right?). There’s NOTHING. to. eat.

And so those words are usually followed by the rustling of takeout menus and the husband asking “what do you feel like tonight?” And those actions are usually followed by a bill for $25.98 and the realization that if you do this just twice per week you’ve lost over $200 per month on absolutely nothing tangible. Yikes.

Good thing I learned how to stock the perfect pantry a long time ago. If you’re a decent cook, and have a few versatile ingredients on hand, you can always nip the takeout craving in the bud – and make a healthy, delicious, home cooked meal before the delivery man arrives.

In addition to easy recipes, Life Made Delicious offers a plethora of valuable tips, including a list of what you need for last minute meals. Here’s what they suggest:

In Your Pantry

Bread (buns, loaves, pitas and Old El Paso tortillas)
Bread crumbs (for stuffing and breading fish)
Pasta
Rice
Cereal
Canned beans
Canned meats (chicken, salmon, tuna)
Canned tomatoes
Pasta sauce (Alfredo and spaghetti)
Tomato paste
Canned broth (beef, chicken and vegetables)
Soup (canned or dry)
Peanut butter
Pickles and olives
Ketchup, mustard and mayo
Salsa and chips
Soy and marinating sauces
Hamburger Helper
Vegetable oil (canola and olive)
Vinegar (more…)

It’s hard to believe that this is my fourth (4th) Christmas blogging on Listen to Lena! If you were here with me for the first, raise your hand if you feel old.

Yeah, me too.

Nevertheless, years ago I published “The 12 Recipes of Christmas”, which was a compilation of my favourite tried-and-true holiday recipes. The following year, I re-published the list, based on Google Analytic’s theory that only about 14 people would have seen it the first time around.

(Are the original 14 still reading? Sadly, my real-life friends aren’t inspired to comment on my blog anymore. Except @shaunamackenzie, whom I adore! Muah!)

Last year, I skipped posting the recipes, thinking that twice was enough. But the e-mails came through all season… “I need your Homemade Irish Cream Recipe, where can I find it?” and “Do you have your Eggnog Cheesecake recipe handy?”

This year, I’ve decided to just post them all together so it’s an entire page of holiday goodness. And if you don’t find anything you love here, be sure to visit Life Made Delicious for deliciously festive treats and homemade food gifts that will make the season brighter. I’ve got my eye on these Peppermint Crunch Cookies – they look delish!

So without further ado, here we go… The 12 Recipes of Christmas. (more…)

I am 33 years old. And, my favourite cereal is Lucky Charms.

Oh, I know.

I’ve always been slightly obsessed with the brand, most likely because it was the first “treat”-like cereal I had the pleasure of tasting. After seeing endless commercials featuring the fun-loving Lucky the Leprechaun, I pleaded with my parents to let me sample the sugary goodness. My dad obliged, and the very next week I had a bowl to call my own. I’ll just come out and say it: it was the single best thing I had ever tasted in my life up to that point (no offense to my mom and her fabulous cooking).

And so my love affair with the cereal continued, and it was replenished in my home box after delicious box. Alas, after my eighth grade graduation, I decided it was no longer “cool” to eat food endorsed by a leprechaun, and so I stopped adding it to the weekly grocery list. And for the better part of 15 years, my obsession lay dormant.

Fast forward to my first pregnancy. My iron levels were consistently low, and my obstetrician counselled me to eat more iron-fortified breakfast cereals. Now I’m quite certain he had something like Cheerios in mind, but sitting there in his office, only one thought permeated my mind: Lucky Charms. And we all know what happens when a pregnant woman starts thinking of food.  (more…)

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor! (… WOW!)

I just received the heads up on an awesome little section of Life Made Delicious – Pillsbury’s 3 Steps to Wow. And just in case it’s not self-explanatory, here’s the low down:

In 3 simple steps, you can turn an ordinary recipe into an extraordinary holiday treat. Ergo… WOW!

Flip through the online booklet here.

Thanks to a little creativity and help from our good friends at Pillsbury, it’s never been easier to get into the holiday spirit. And, if you’re vying to be crowned “Hostess with the Mostess”, try turning out some of these yummies – in 3 easy steps!

However, the one recipe which has me wanting to run out and make it NOW has to be these Chocolate Chip Tree Cookies: Adorned with candy-coated chocolate pieces, these cookies make a great treat for Santa, as well as your little elves! (more…)

Every year I tell myself that I’m going to find the time to make a super cool Halloween-themed treat.

(At least I consistently tell myself that I’ll do it. However, even more consistent is the fact that I never do.)

Well, that WILL change this year, because thanks to these spooktacular easy recipes from Life Made Delicious, I really think that I’ve finally found the right inspiration… and all the ingredients in my pantry.

These are just a few of my faves:

CHOCOLATE MUMMY COOKIES

CREEPY CRAWLERS

CHOCOLATE GREMLINS

CHEESY CRESCENT GHOSTS

I’m actually quite looking forward to making the Cheesy Crescent Ghosts, because with two little guys who’ll be sure to be buzzing from all the excitement, they can actually double as dinner :) I’m also loving the tip posted on the site: “Cook 1 clove garlic, finely chopped, in 1 tablespoon butter, and brush over dough before topping with cheese.” YUM.

And, don’t forget to check the Life Made Delicious blog for more easy recipes – including spooky snacks!

As a Life Made Delicious Connector (#LMDConnector), I’ve been sharing easy recipes, tips and offers to help make your life a little more delicious. After all, would you rather “live to eat” or “eat to live”? Place me firmly in the former camp, sister.

But other than whipping up a tasty new treat (we tried the Asian Soup Bowl With Chicken two nights ago – quite yum!) what are some of the other ways you work at making your life delicious? Do you make time for yourself, spend more time with your family, or perhaps simply enjoy the finer things in life? Or are you on the flip side – constantly trying to inject that “wow” factor into your day? (more…)

This lady needs no introduction. It’s Betty, b*tch!

One of the most iconic and trusted names in the food industry – and your kitchen – Betty has been helping North American families to dish it up for over 90 years. In fact, leafing through a well-loved Betty Crocker Cookbook is one of the first memories I have; no doubt igniting a life-long love of cuisine.

Do you remember selecting your first recipe to try? Skimming down the list of ingredients; figuring out measurements, and saying a quick prayer that it’d turn out alright? I do. And Betty was right there with me. In fact, Betty Crocker has released over two hundred cookbook titles (!!!) and sold millions of books throughout the world.

Chances are, you’ve had your own “Betty Moment” too. (more…)

It’s no secret that I’m a Life Made Delicious Connector – or, in other words, a brand ambassador for healthy and delicious food. But I just realized that maybe y’all aren’t completely familiar with how awesome the site is, so I thought I’d provide the necessary deets to get you started!

1) Easy Recipes – It kind of speaks for itself, doesn’t it? If you are short on time but would rather bypass take-out for a nutritious, homemade meal, click on over and search through thousands of recipes and quick & easy ideas. The recipes are even broken down into Most Popular, Top-Rated, Today’s Tasty Recipe and more! Or, if you have an ingredient/occasion in mind but need further inspiration, you can also search by Main Ingredient, Meal Type, Occasion, Special Diet or Brands. It really is SO easy to find the perfect recipe!

2) Videos – Are you a show & tell kind of person? Take advantage of numerous videos to help you master different cooking techniques that’ll make your life easier and more delicious. Also, be sure to check out the recipe videos for drool-worth meals you’ll want to make tonight!

3) Blog Made Delicious – Since food bloggers are our friends, get real advice and fresh recipe ideas that have already been tested in their kitchens – and approved by their kids! (I’m a big fan of Jennifer, the Domestic Goddess, but they’re all awesome!)

4) Tips & Ideas – Everything from how to plan the perfect Pirate P-aaar-ty to breathing life into leftovers. Some fabulous tricks that every mom should know! My Faves: Bake the boredom away, Don’t lose sleep over your kid’s sleepover, Packed lunches that pack a punch, Put down the phone; pick up a recipe.

5) Offers – Hello! Saving money is always in style! This week, save 50¢ on Bisquick Shake ‘n Pour.

6) Product Pantry – Get to know the family of General Mills products. Explore the brands, find out what’s new and check out the featured recipes that will have to rushing to your pantry.

Et voila! The perfect website to make life delicious.

“When you register for the Life Made Delicious website and email program, you open the door to exclusive recipes, offers and perks from your favourite General Mills brands.”