Category: Recipes

  • Sunshine Coast Pizza Dough

    Sunshine Coast Pizza Dough

    Thin Crust Pizza Dough Recipe

    [perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]On a hot stone this pizza dough puffs up with air bubbles in the most  delicious and rustic way…[/perfectpullquote]
    Parents of a great friend recently retired to the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.  It is a stunning rain forest peninsula just a short ferry ride from Vancouver boasting evergreen forests, lakes, and towering mountains, all surrounded by the blues of the Straight of Georgia.  Rumour was they had built a master wood-fired pizza oven and were accepting visitors…

    Timing was perfect, as we were on the hunt for the perfect pizza dough recipe.

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  • Parsley & Basil Pesto Sauce

    Parsley & Basil Pesto Sauce

    Parsley Basil Pesto RecipeThe combination of garlic & parsley in this pesto brings to mind French cooking and delicious dishes like beurre à la Bourguignonne. Ooh la la.

    However unlike parsley butter or beurre à la Bourguignonne, this sauce is based on a traditional Genoa pesto, and the richness in the dish comes from pine nuts, olive oil and a shaving of parmesan (optional). A handful of basil balances the flavors nicely.

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  • Coconut & Cherry Granola

    Coconut & Cherry Granola

    Coconut and Sour Cherry Granola | www.sailsandspices.com

    Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week. It’s a little pause to enjoy home, family, friends, and good food. I like using the slower Sunday pace to think about the week ahead and get some wholesome food organized.  This healthy granola fits the bill and makes a great quick breakfast once your schedule returns to full speed.

    Coconut and Sour Cherry Granola | www.sailsandspices.com

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  • Hearty Tuscan Farro, Kale, & White Cannellini Soup

    This hearty tuscan soup is the perfect remedy to a chilly afternoon. Farro is a mighty ancient whole grain.   Once serving as fuel to the Roman empire’s troops, it is definitely worth getting to know.  Here, it relaxes beautifully into this delicious and hearty warming vegetable soup as the perfect remedy to a chilly afternoon.  The best part?  A home full of delightful smells and fantastic leftovers for a mid-week lunch.

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  • Georgia Peach & Spelt Berry Risotto with a Pecan Chili Crumb

    Georgia Peach & Spelt Berry Risotto with a Pecan Chili Crumb

    Peach & Spelt Berry Risotto with Pecan Chilli Crumb | Sails & Spices

    If you are anything like us, it feels like summer has truly arrived once fresh peaches are in season. Traditionally relegated to pies, compotes, desserts, or even a pizza, this risotto redefines the juicy Georgia peach as a must-use ingredient for a savory summer dish.

    Combined with a couple squeaky cheese curds and a crunchy pecan chili topping this risotto is just delicious. Trust us on this one; we think your taste buds will agree.

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  • Italian Heirloom Tomato Pasta al Pomodoro

    Italian Heirloom Tomato Pasta al Pomodoro

    Vegan Gluten-Free Tomato Pasta Pomodoro | www.sailsandspices.com

    A well prepared Pasta al Pomodoro, Italian for pasta with tomato sauce, is a timeless and delightfully light dish.  Ranking as one the best vegan dishes for beginners, lip-smacking success lies in the absolute simplicity and freshness of the ingredients.  Only a little technique and an eye for a ripe juicy tomato is required, and thanks to the whole-grain quinoa pasta it’s delicious, healthy, and gluten free.

    This is our go-to recipe for a mid-week meal when we’re short on time and have a handful of farmer’s market tomatoes reaching their peak ripeness.

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  • The Secret Side Salad

    The Secret Side Salad

    Side Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil

    At one of our favourite Italian restaurants, there is a secret.  The food is absolutely stunning.  The only problem is that the appetizers and salads are very large and topped with meats or cheeses that we find too heavy to accompany a main course.

    One evening, while contemplating a starter the waiter commented “Sir, while not on the menu, perhaps you would enjoy the Secret Salad?”.  He described it as perfectly simple.  Consisting of the very freshest greens of the day, a super premium olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper, he assured me it would be the perfect light accompaniment to a full main course.

    We agree, and have since adopted it as a house-favourite side salad which pairs well alongside pastas, casseroles, and risottos.

    Give it a try tonight, and let us know what you think of the secret… but please… don’t tell!

    The Secret Side Salad

    This simple “secret” side salad brings light and fresh citrus and crisp greens as a great accompaniment to a full meal.

    • 3-4 handfulls of garden-fresh greens
    • 1 tbsp super premium extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2-3 lemon wedges
    • 1 good pinch of sea salt
    • 1 good pinch of cracked pepper
    1. Thoroughly wash and dry the greens, tear into pieces
    2. In a mixing bowl, toss the greens with the olive oil, juice of one lemon wedge, and a pinch of sea salt
    3. Plate, and top with cracked pepper
    4. Serve, and squeeze the remaining lemon to taste

    Best Gourmet Olive Oil Portugal Spain

    Secret Side Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil

  • Greek Super Green Spanakopitas

    Greek Super Green Spanakopitas

    Super Greens Spanakopita | Sails & Spices

    These crispy, flakey, delicious Super Greens Spanakopita triangles are bursting with nutritious greens and seeds, making them one of our favorite savory pastries! To feel your best, aim for two servings of dark leafy greens per day.   These little parcels, easily made vegan, are healthy and a great way to pack those greens into your diet. They’re so delicious, good luck resisting to eat them all at once!

    Super Greens Spanakopita | Sails & Spices (more…)

  • Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

    Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

    Greek Lemon Potatoes with side Tzatziki | Sails & Spices

    Greek lemon potatoes are a truly delicious way to eat your spuds, and the bright citrus notes bring a distinctly tart freshness.

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  • Coco Loco Cocktail

    Coco Loco Cocktail

    Coco Loco CocktailThis delicious cocktail was created while we were island interviewing the tiny Salt Cay, Turks & Caicos.  Perhaps a take on a skinny pina colada, we’re big fans of the coconut water which is packed with electrolytes to keep you hydrated.

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