Recipe: Sriracha-honey-lime Tofu Power Bowl

Getting Back to Eating Clean

Post Superbowl Sunday and we're all probably thinking about getting some more veggies in our diet.
Today I vowed to stop dreaming about nachos and wings and to get back into my meal prep and regular healthy eating.

Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well

Luckily, I had the perfect inspiration! I recently attended Canola Connect -  a culinary workshop, held at the beautiful Luxe Appliance Studio , with fellow foodies where we cooked a little and ate a lot! The theme was brunch and the special guest chef is definitely an expert on the matter. Chef Matt Petit of Rock Lobster led the way through the evening.

Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well

We tasted a lot of his delicious dishes and truly brunched our hearts out, but when I saw "Matty's Workout Power Bowl" I knew I'd be recreating something similar at home. It was love at first sight, and then - it was love at first bite!

Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well

Chef Matt really layered the delicious flavours in this bowl with his dressing and the tofu marinade. He also had baby kale, quinoa, carrots, pea shoots, Crispy Maple Glazed Tofu, avocado, flax seeds and a canola- soy-lime-ginger vinaigrette.

The tofu was fried to a perfect golden brown and the veggies were nice and crunchy. When you took a bite, you got all the taste plus a healthy dose of veggies. For me, that's a perfect combo!

Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well

So how did he get that perfect texture on the tofu and all the flavours in his dressing? The secret is Canola oil. He used it to fry, marinate, saute, sear and dress his dishes.

Trust me- if you're not using Canola oil at home, you are seriously missing out. Why?

Canola is:

• healthy
• affordable
• versatile 
• local/sustainable
• accessible

Health Benefits

I was surprised to learn that canola is one of the oils with the lowest amount of saturated fat. If you need numbers, I'll share that per 100g, it contains only 7g of saturated fat compared to olive oil's 14g and coconut oil's 87g.

It's high in unsaturated fat (the good kind) and contains vitamin E and vitamin K. It also contains omega 3, an anti-inflammatory which protects us from heart attacks and strokes.

This means if you're getting back on the health-wagon like I am, this is the oil you want to reach for.

The Go-to Oil

Canola is also versatile- It's perfect for frying and can be used a few times. It also is a great oil to take on the flavours of other foods, which means it would be perfect to use for salad dressings, dips and marinades.

Canola is definitely one of my go-to oils now for the long list of benefits but mostly because it's healthy, local and versatile.

Salads and Dressings

Making your own dressing can be fun and it also helps when it comes to keeping the calories and sodium from sneaking up on you.

Chef Matt says he loves healthy options and he's often turning to salads to keep the calories at bay. Tofu has become one of his go-to ingredients.

Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well

I like it too, but as a woman, I definitely try to control how much soy I'm consuming. (Many health experts say it's an ingredient women should enjoy in moderation due to some of its effects on female hormones). Once in awhile, I do decide to pick some up from the grocery store and I use it as a meat alternative to get some veggie protein.

You can also use this marinade recipe on a fermented soy product like tempeh which would have a similar taste or you can use it on some lean protein like salmon.

Tip: When I do buy tofu, I, like Chef Matt, always buy the extra firm kind and give it a rinse before using it.

"I find the texture of extra firm tofu is just right to give me something to chew, especially on top of a salad. " Chef Matt Dean Petit 

Today I'm sharing a recipe inspired from Chef Matt Petit's Power Bowl to fuel you through this Meatless Monday.

Like his fresh Workout Power Bowl, this one also has some leafy greens, lots of colour, crunch and a seriously delicious flavour punch with the dressing.

Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well

Sriracha-Honey-Lime Tofu Power Bowl

Tofu
1 tbsp Sriracha
1 1/2 tbsp honey
lime zest
juice of half a lime
Extra Firm Tofu, cubed
Canola oil to fry

1) Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat with canola oil
2) Add the tofu to the pan and let it fry until it is a light golden brown
3) Remove from the heat and pat off excess oil with a paper towel
4) Combine the remaining ingredients and mix with a fork
5) Toss the tofu in the marinade

Salad
carrots, shaved or cut into matchsticks
romaine lettuce, chopped
spicy chickpeas
half an avocado, sliced
quinoa (cooked)
pea shoots or cilantro (for added colour, taste and texture)

1) Prepare all the ingredients and arrange them in a bowl, on a platter or in a to-go container

Tip: try to arrange them so all of the ingredients are visible - you eat with your eyes first and colour is huge!

Dressing
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp soy sauce
a bit of grated ginger
1/4 tsp seasame oil

1) Combine the ingredients and whisk them together
2) Adust the seasoning to taste and serve with your power bowl

Tip: If you are taking this salad to go, keep your dressing in a separate container and combine before eating.

Hope you enjoy prepping this make-ahead healthy meal at home too. Let me know what you're adding to your Power Bowl in the comments below!

Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well

Thank you so much to my friends at Canola Eat Well for sponsoring this blog post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Travel Guide: Prince Edward County

Weekend Escape in Ontario 

It's always nice to sneak away for a few days in the middle of a season just to recharge. I love exploring my beautiful Ontario as it always amazes me to see just how amazing our province really is.

On a spiritual level, travel is such a great way to reconnect with yourself, and getting a chance to see the incredible places that exist just outside my front door, always gives me a sense of gratitude.

Our country is so beautiful and I always feel lucky to get to explore parts of it that I've never seen before. 

Prince Edward County

I've been wanting to visit Prince Edward County for awhile so it was an obvious choice when I had a weekend to get away.

It has a reputation of being a great wine and food destination as well as a place with historic charm and lots of character. In short, it sounded right up my alley.

If you haven't heard too much about the county, I'll share that Maclean's magazine said it is one of "Canada's Top Ten Places 'You've Got to See'!" and in 2015, Time Magazine called Prince Edward County "one of the best places in the world to visit". 

The county is in the South-east and sits on Lake Ontario between Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal. It is close to Kingston and is made up of a group of small towns - the largest two are Picton and Belleville. 

PEC is also home to one of the largest communities of Loyalist architecture (second to Williamsburg) and there's lots to see and do - especially for a history buff. 

Getting There

The drive from Toronto was about two hours and I visited from Friday night- Saturday evening. While it was a short visit, I had a great time and felt it was the perfect quick getaway and reset. I do think a full weekend here would be lovely and in the summer, you could easily fill a week with visits to Sandbanks Provincial Park for a little beach time.

Where to Stay

I stayed in Wellington at a lovely Bed and Breakfast called Tangela's Gate Suites. It opened in June 2016 and has just a few rooms so you really get a sense of the small-town feeling while staying here. The owner, Tangela is so sweet and friendly. She's done a great job mixing new age luxuries (they have a rain shower!) with vintage decor. 

The room was spacious and the king size bed was super comfortable. They also had a kitchenette so you could prep a few things for breakfast. Tea, coffee and cereal were also available in the room.
I thought the location was perfect as it was just a few minutes drive from the main street. It is located in the midst of farmland, so it really was a very picturesque and relaxing place to stay.
                         

the view from my room at Tangela's Gate Suites

                           

Where to Eat

There is no shortage of great places to eat in PEC and if you are staying in Wellington, I'd suggest checking out a few local gems.

Drake Devonshire - For brunch, make a reservation at the Drake Devonshire. It's right on the lake and the dining room consists of ceiling to floor glass windows. To say the view is spectacular would be an understatement. You can actually see the waves breaking just below you as you enjoy your meal.

On the menu, they have classic options like Fried Chicken and Waffles as well as Pancakes.

I ordered the Mushroom Eggs Benny with sauteed kale and a side of sausage to share - it was the perfect hearty breakfast. To drink, I had their special blend of Earl Grey tea - I'd highly recommend trying it if you're a tea drinker.

Note: If you have some time, grab a coffee from the dining room after your meal and head out to enjoy the view. It's always so calming to be around nature and the Drake's beautiful lakeside view paired with the fire pit and abundant seating would make this the perfect place to relax for awhile. Price Edward County is all about that slow living after all - you should definitely take it in while you are here. 

The Courage - I arrived into town late at night and most restaurants had closed their kitchen (the kitchens shut down at 10pm during the off-season). We went into the newly opened The Courage and were greeted so warmly. They made us feel comfortable and whipped up whatever they could for us regardless of the fact that their kitchen was closed too.

For "dinner" we had popcorn with pecorino cheese and truffle oil as well as a delicious cheese plate with local artisinal honey and apple butter.

While it wasn't what we'd normally eat for a meal, the warmth and kindness of the owners definitely filled our hearts. This is a great place to enjoy a drink and I've heard they do a great brunch or lunch also. We will be back.

Pomodoro- A cute Italian restaurant with lots of ambience and mood lighting. I didn't get a chance to eat here but I've heard from some excellent sources that this is a great place for dinner. I loved the atmosphere and will have to visit next time I'm in the area.

East and Main- East and Main also came with high recommendations. It's a few doors down from Pomodoro and is a casual restaurant that features local ingredients in a home-cooked style. This is another one that I missed this time but will definitely dine at in the future.  I did get a chance to peek through the window and found that it looked like a very charming spot with a great date night vibe.

What to Do

There's lots to do in PEC and if you ask me there's something for everyone, whether you're there to spa or to sip and sample the famous wines. 

Shopping

I spent some of my time shopping for some antiques and later picked up some homemade goodies at a local farmer's market. 

I had some luck with great vintage finds at Dead Peoples' Stuff, a well-known local antique store in Bloomfield. 

Scenic Drives

Driving around the small towns was also a lot of fun as I went during the peak time for fall colours. While PEC is a year-round destination, I really think the bright golds and oranges added a certain magical ambience to the vintage homes and shops.

Wellington Main Street

I drove over to Belleville to run an errand and was in awe of the beautiful scenes when I crossed the main bridge. It really was a beautiful moment and looked just like a postcard. For me, Autumn was the perfect time to visit.

The spectacular November sunset as we left Karlo Estates Winery

Farmer's Markets

I made a stop at Hagerman Farms for some fresh produce to take home. I left with quite a little goodie bag, including a freshly baked, cheese and jalapeno scone and some spicy orange and pepper jelly. 

Meeting the cows at Hagerman's farm

Note: This would be a great place to visit if you have kids, since you can stop and meet their farm animals which include chickens, pigs, goats and cows.

Wineries

To say the wine is one of the main reasons tourists come here would be a bit of an understatement. A younger wine scene than Niagara, Prince Edward County's wineries seem to be smaller operations that are family owned and run. To me- this means they are full of character
.

I stopped at Karlo Estates Winery which is located in a 250 year old barn. It has been beautifully restored and decorated with reclaimed wood furniture and soft golden lighting.

Photo courtesy of Karlo Estates Winery

If you come here, make sure to look up! When the sun peeks through the rafters just right, it's a beautiful sight to see.

Karlo is an artisinal winery and well known for its unique way of using old world techniques to produce new world wine. They are also the world's first vegan winery! 

The owner Sherry Karlo and her late husband Richard Karlo decided to open their winery when their car broke down at the Danforth Road location. While waiting for help, they realized it was the perfect place for their passion project and in 2010, they opened the doors to the winery. Talk about fate. After hearing that story, I couldn't wait to taste the wine!

Sherry made us feel right at home. Her partner, Saxe led us through a guided tasting and we honestly felt we were over at a friend's place; chatting about wines, enjoying some food pairings and taking in the beautiful view of the vineyard.

They have lots of seating and the tasting room was lively as some big groups enjoyed a girls' night out as well as family-style tastings.

The restored barn from 1805 at Karlo Estates

Note: If you visit, you must taste their signature red wine Triumvirate which is made with old world techniques. I also loved their delectable Red Port and Cabernet Sauvignon and purchased a bottle of each to take home for later.

Photo courtesy of Karlo Estates Winery

Confession- After tasting their port, I've actually found myself craving it regularly after dinner. It's the perfect not-too-sweet dessert wine. You need to try it!

The winery trail is full of some great vineyards and I also made a stop at Black Prince Winery. I had come to meet Pete Bradford, the maker of some delicious Canadian Vinegar.

He makes his homemade specialty vinegars in peach-melon. black current and cranberry flavours and trust me- it's like nothing you've ever tasted! Worth a stop to buy some especially if you love salads and cheese boards.

Final Thoughts

I had heard a lot of hype and PEC did not disappoint. I found it was the perfect place to enjoy a quiet, relaxing weekend away from home with delicious local food and wines.

A quaint, peaceful place with all the rustic charm and character of the 1800s as well as the sensibility of the 21st century. I will definitely be back to explore more of this beautiful county.

Thank you to Branding and Buzzing as well as Karlo Estates Winery and Tangela's Gate Suites for sponsoring this blog post. As always, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Dining: Smell that Sweet Aroma...

Lately, I’ve been working from home more and I’ve found heading to my local coffee shop has been one of the best ways to get a change of pace and a little extra dose of inspiration. It was literally the most perfect timing when a brand new Aroma Espresso Bar popped up within walking distance from my home.

Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich with Arugula

I’ve been a fan of Aroma since I first walked into their Shops on Don Mills location a few years ago. I love the area, I love the ambience and the lighting. But mostly I love the way the café feels. It’s warm, bright and cozy and I’ve often chosen that location for work lunches or to meet with a girlfriend for coffee.

Aroma Espresso Bar, Unionville location

                                                                                                                                                                          

The café was founded in Jerusalem and features a healthy Mediterranean-inspired menu with made to order salads and sandwiches as well as a variety of hot and cold beverages. The first Canadian location opened in the Annex but there are now over 30 locations in and around the GTA with more on the way.

Now that Aroma Espresso Bar is my new neighbour, I love taking my laptop and hanging out from my mid-morning matcha almond milk latte until well after lunchtime. The perks? Amazing service and delicious food, but it doesn’t end there.

The real reason I often visit Aroma for a quick pick me up or a longer work session is because no matter who I’m meeting, the café is super comfortable and the menu always has something that intrigues everyone. They have portion sizes to suit the hungriest and the lightest eaters too.

From delicious pastries (I love the coconut orange cake and have heard great things about the date pastry) to savoury soups (I love the Butternut Squash and Red Lentil) and fresh salads, 
there is literally something for everyone.

Coconut Orange Cake 

If you’ve been following along with the Lifestyle File, you’ll know I often like to change up my diet and workout plan to make sure I am hitting my goals and focusing on wellness.

Recently, I started a new diet plan that consists of mainly protein and vegetables with small portions of healthy carbs added in on workout days. You can read about my nutrition plan here. While on this plan, I often prepped my meals in large batches but on really busy days I was pressed for time and had to eat out. 

At these times, I was especially grateful to be in such close proximity to an Aroma Espresso Bar.

Here’s why:

Sweet Potato Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese, Lemon Dressing

Aroma prides itself on using fresh ingredients and lots of whole, healthy foods. Think- kale, lentils, lean proteins, premium veggies like roasted eggplant and portobello mushrooms, and super-grains like quinoa and freekeh. As such, I could easily find options on their menu already which worked with my super clean diet. Additionally, the dressings and sauces are served on the side so you can add as much or as little as you want. But with healthy options like balsamic, lemon/olive oil and tahini you likely won’t be passing on the dressing. 

Chocolate Almond Croissant

At Aroma, fresh produce is delivered each morning and bread/pastries are baked on site all day using natural ingredients. Salads and Sandwiches are made to order every time. That means, there is no one mixing salads ahead of time or re-heating an egg for your breakfast sandwich. Instead, Aroma chefs will make your omelette just the way you like it, right before you eat it.

Date Pastry

Breakfast is served all day, which means you can take advantage of their super healthy “Power Breakfast Combo” (two eggs, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, olives, feta cheese, cream cheese and avocado with any kind of bread and a hot drink) at pretty much anytime.

But here’s the very best thing… Did I say that already? Aroma is very aware of the many dietary restrictions that people may have. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are readily available and with the focus on customization, Aroma staff is very understanding when you want to change or substitute something in your order. 

In fact grilled tofu can be substituted for any meat or cheese free of charge. If like me, you are avoiding tofu too, they will help you figure out something that works for you. (Recently, I substituted eggs for a combo of chickpeas and sweet potato with absolutely no problem. Talk about accommodating.)

After reading all this I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re on your way to the nearest Aroma Espresso Bar right now.

NEW: all-natural Chicken or Veg Broth is a seasonal fave

                                                                                 

If so, here are some of my #aromafaves:

Warm Chickpea Salad, Chopped Salad, Organic Kale and Portobello salad and the Sweet Potato and Lentil Salad

*Bonus: you can add proteins like smoked salmon, albacore tuna, steak, sliced turkey or tofu if you like

Drinks: London Fog, Cappucinos, Matcha Green Tea Lattes, Kale and Mango 100% real fruit        Smoothie

*Bonus: all the teas at Aroma are locally sourced and organic from the Toronto-based company, Pluck

Natural Vegetable or Chicken Broth, Vegan Red Lentil Soup, Vegetarian Forest Mushroom soup and Vegetarian Butternut Squash Soup

And if you are on your way to an Aroma location…I might just see you there. 

As we approach office party season, it’s worth it to note that Aroma brings its fresh approach to your door with catering for parties, small family dinners and larger corporate events. You can find out more here: Aroma