Category: Recipes

My Favorite Pancake Recipe – Lemon Ricotta!

Recipes

My Favorite Pancake Recipe – Lemon Ricotta!

 

 

Happy Sunday!

To celebrate a successful Saturday night out or a slow Sunday, what better way to ring in the end of the weekend with a hearty breakfast? As much as I’ve tried to improve this recipe from Epicurious, it just can’t be done! The combination of lemon and ricotta with fluffy pancakes is just too delicious! With all the fruit in this recipe it feels a little more healthy than regular pancakes – right? Right??? Also my favorite thing on top of these pancakes is real maple syrup – fresh from the farmers market!

Cooking tip: you can get chestnut flour at most food stores!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups ricotta
  • 2 cups mixed fresh berries
  • 1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chestnut flour
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • Melted unsalted butter for brushing

PREPARATION

  • Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth; set over a small bowl. Add ricotta to strainer and let drain for 15 minutes; set aside.
  • Gently combine berries, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let macerate, tossing occasionally, until sugar dissolves and juices are released, about 15 minutes.
  • Whisk both flours, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. Gradually beat in 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until peaks form. Whisk the egg yolks, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and zest in another medium bowl to blend. Whisk in milk. Add the yolk mixture to dry ingredients; whisk just to blend. Add half of the egg white mixture; fold just to blend. Fold in ricotta, then remaining egg white mixture.
  • Heat a griddle or large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-low heat; brush with melted butter. Using scant 1/2 cup batter for each pancake and working in batches, ladle batter onto griddle and cook until bottom is golden brown, edges are dry, and bubbles form on top of pancake, about 1 1/2 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until browned and just cooked through, about 1 minute. Transfer pancakes to plates. Serve with berries and their juices.

 

Happy #Friyay – Here’s a #CincoDeMayo Cocktail

DIY Holidays Lifestyle Recipes

Happy #Friyay – Here’s a #CincoDeMayo Cocktail

I love any excuse to get together with friends! So this weekend, it’s time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Cinco de Mayo is held to celebrate Mexican army’s victory over the French army in the Battle of Puebla. Even though we’re a far ways away from the Mexican border, it’s a lovely excuse to sip margaritas, eat tacos, and listen to Mariachi.

No matter what kind of Margarita you’re making, here are some tips courtesy Bon Appetit for how to get the best Margarita EVER!

1. Squeeze it
The single most important ingredient is fresh lime juice. Use any gadget you like–just please don’t twist open a screw cap. For parties, juice the limes ahead and fill a squeeze bottle to keep at the ready.

2. Sweeten up
Notice there’s no triple sec in our recipe? That’s not a typo–and no, you won’t miss it. We prefer light agave syrup for its complementary flavors (and shared origin) with tequila.

3. Go for silver
Always drink tequila made from 100 percent blue agave. It just tastes better. In Margaritas, use only blanco (a.k.a. silver or white) tequilas, which have a peppery, vegetal kick that won’t get buried when mixed. Save your aged reposados for sipping.

4. Take it with a grain of…
Salt brings out the flavor in everything, but too much can be overwhelming. So we only salt halfway around the rim and are careful not to get any in the drink.

Espolon Tequila Blanco

This silver Espolon tequila from the LCBO has always been one of my favorites to make cocktails with. What’s yours? I would love to try some new ones but this is such an old classic I never branch out!

What kind of Margarita are you making? One of my favorite variations on the classic cocktail is to add a little pomegranate juice – it makes it less acidic and more refreshing. For the brave ones – jalapenos! The LCBO stocks some Jalapeno-infused tequila or you could put a pepper in at the end.

How are you celebrating Friday? Let me know how these tips go by commenting below or tweeting to me at @ShesInfluential

The New #AngryWhopper is Here!

Recipes

The New #AngryWhopper is Here!

 

You know what’s better than a juicy whopper? A juicy whopper with LOADS of  spice. Hot sauce, jalapenos, anything with a little kick,sign me up!

When I heard about the new Angry Whopper, I knew I would immediately fall in love.  It’s a furiously delicious sandwich atop a fiery red bun, baked with hot sauce. The Angriest WHOPPER® sandwich packs a punch in every infuriating bite with crispy angry onion petals, spicy angry sauce and zesty jalapenos piled high atop flame-grilled beef and layered with crispy bacon, melted cheese, iceberg lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mayonnaise between the red-hot bun. Is your mouth watering yet??

The man behind the meal? BURGER KING® brand invited volcano specialist, and co-creator and host of “Angry Planet” George Kourounis, to guide four of the biggest ANGRY WHOPPER® sandwich enthusiasts from around the world on the adventure of a lifetime — the opportunity to flame grill the brand’s signature 100% beef patties over the angriest fire of all: fire retrieved from the depths of the raging Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala. That’s him in that photo above – now THAT’s a selfie right? You can view the full video of their adventure on their Facebook Page.

 

Are you going to try it? If you do – let me know how it is or tweet me photos @ShesInfluential

Virginia Black in the 6ix

Lifestyle Recipes

Virginia Black in the 6ix

With Drake‘s new album dropping any day now (fingers cross!) everyone wants a little bit of the 6God. If you can’t wait for the album drop, then swing over the LCBO for a different Drake product!

Virginia Black Decadent American whiskey is coming to North America! You can be one of the first people to try this exclusive recipe as they take the 6ix.

You may know the man behind the label. A certain Toronto-born rapper, actor, and songwriter often known by the moniker The 6ix God is the mind behind the label. Yes, Virginia Black is a collaboration between Drake, and Brent Hocking, the founder and creator of DeLeon Tequila. Drake isn’t the first celebrity to have his own alcohol line; Justin Timberlake owns 901 tequila, while Dan Akroyd has Crystal Head Vodka.

On Tuesday, April 12th, 100 LCBO customers were invited into the LCBO Summerhil location to taste and pre-order the new spirit of the year. The feedback was phenomenal!
As much as the Toronto-born rapper is all about the big-money spending, the whiskey itself is on the lower-end of the price range; retailing for just $39.95. You can pre order it at the LCBO here 

 

Indigo’s #LiveinColor Spring Collection – Outdoor Decor

Recipes

Indigo’s #LiveinColor Spring Collection – Outdoor Decor

Indigo

With spring weather on the horizon, I’m dreaming of days on my patio! Sipping on a rum punch with my feet up in the sun? I can hardly wait!

Whether your dream summer locale is a cottage dock or just your city patio, it’s always magical to create a little getaway right in your backyard! Indigo is offering up some great options to transform your outdoor space, including adorable decorative planters with sayings like “Staying Alive” and “Wild and Free’. For the grill master in the family – Indigo has a finger-licking-good selection of BBQ tools like condiment caddies and grill baskets

See the full outdoor decor collection here

a9 a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 a6 a7 a8

Indigo #LiveInColour – Drinkware

Decor Recipes

Indigo #LiveInColour – Drinkware

Indigo

I thought I had enough glasses in my arsenal as summer approaches but boy was I wrong! I took a look at all the incredible pieces Indigo’s new Spring collection and I can’t wait to get my hands on all of it! From cute coolers perfect for punch on a warm summer day to cute canteens perfect for the girl on the go, Indigo has everything you need to host an adorable spring soiree!

My personal favorites are the wine glasses and beer stein with cheeky little labels. They’d be the perfect addition to a girl or guys night in! And how adorable are the pineapple shot glasses?

Check out the full catalog here

d5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D1 d2 d3 d4

 

Happy National Margarita Day!

Recipes

Happy National Margarita Day!

MargaritaHappy Monday! Although Mondays are definitely not  my favorite day of the week, this Monday is a little different. Why? It’s National Margarita Day! While there’s no real reason or rhyme behind National Margarita Day, who’s going to complain about a day that celebrates such a deliciously tropical tequila beverage?

Here’s a simple but sumptuous recipe for a perfect-every-time Margarita. If you want to jazz it up, try adding a little fruit juice or cucumber slices! The sky is your limit! Comment below or tweet me at @Shes_Influential and let me know how you’re celebrating!

Ingredients

½ Cup Lemon Juice

½ Cup Lime Juice

1 Cup Tequila

1 Cup Triple Sec or Grand Marnier

4 cup ice cubes

2 Tbsp Honey

2 Whole Limes, 1 Sliced into Rounds

Instructions

Place all the ingredients including just one of the limes into a blender and blend until ice is crushed and drink is smooth.

Pour into 4 margarita glasses and garnish with a lime round

Enjoy!

The Cantina by Campbell’s in Toronto

Recipes

The Cantina by Campbell’s in Toronto

the-cantina-campbell-soup-toronto

Looking for a new restaurant to try? Why not check the latest pop-up restaurant in Toronto, The Cantina, starting February 2. Chef Matt Dean Pettit (from Rock Lobster) will be cooking up some all-new soup recipes using Campbell’s soups and broths. And once served up visitors can add their own flare by topping their soup with a selection of fresh garnishes.

Matt’s goal with these recipes? Delicious recipes that can be recreated in your own home. And with such diverse cultures in Toronto, there are plenty of flavours to mix and match to create something unique.

While you’re at The Cantina, don’t forget to add your sticker to the pop art mosaic wall. Campbell’s Canada will make a donation for every sticker placed, to the Daily Bread Food Bank.

The restaurant is at 501 Queen Street West and will be serving lunch and dinner Monday to Friday 11am to 8pm and Saturday & Sunday 11am to 7pm. It’s only around until February 21, so make sure to check it out!

Share your soup creations and spread the word by using #weallsoup

Frothy Eggnog Recipe

Recipes

Frothy Eggnog Recipe

Eggnog is a classic holiday drink! The frothiness is perfect and makes the drink uber-rich. Eggnog is always a classic holiday hit – it just tastes like the holidays! It’s sure to be a hit with any family or friends who walk through your door. This recipe is one of my favorites, it doesn’t just taste like sweet milk like many eggnog recipes!

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 large eggs, separated
  • 3/4 cup superfine sugar
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups heavy cream, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup bourbon, preferably Maker’s Mark
  • 1/4 cup dark rum, preferably Mount Gay
  • 1/4 cup Cognac, preferably Remy Martin Grand Cru
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, for sprinkling

DIRECTIONS

  1. Beat yolks in a very large bowl until thick and pale. Slowly beat in sugar. Whisk in milk and 2 cups cream. Mix in bourbon, rum, and Cognac. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

  2. Just before serving, beat whites until stiff peaks form. Fold whites into eggnog. Whisk remaining 1 cup cream until stiff peaks form, and fold into eggnog. (Alternatively, you can fold half the whipped cream into eggnog, and top with remaining half.) Sprinkle with nutmeg.

The Perfect Holiday Cocktail #CTChristmas

Recipes

The Perfect Holiday Cocktail #CTChristmas

Honey

There are only 23 days left until Christmas – can you believe it?

On a cold winter’s day, nothing is better to warm you up then a toasty cocktail! This Hot Toddy is one of my family’s favorites – the dashes of cinnamon and honey just taste like the holidays!

Ingredients

SERVINGS: MAKES 2

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 6 tablespoons bourbon or Apple Bourbon (see below for recipe)
  • 2 3×1/2′ strips lemon peel
  • 2 cinnamon sticks

Preparation

  • Stir honey and water in a 2-cup measuring cup until honey dissolves. Add bourbon (or better yet, Apple Bourbon, in which case you’ll use 1 Tbsp. honey). Divide between 2 Toddy glasses. Twist a strip of lemon peel over each drink, then add to glass. Stir each with a cinnamon stick and serve.
  • To make Apple Bourbon, combine a 750-ml bottle of bourbon, 4 cored, sliced Fuji apples, and 4 cinnamon sticks in a pitcher. Cover; chill for 3 days. Strain and sip of use in recipe above.

CVEdJIoUYAQovPK