Operation Restock

this week i wasn't preoccupied with 37 cakes so i took the time to restock my freezers in a big way.

i started off the week replenishing soups. i made three flavours and they are all vegan, gluten free & paleo!

first up was beet, parsnip & pear:

the sweetness of the parsnips & pears really rounds out the beets. i add some fresh dill at the end just to liven things up a bit.

then it was curried butternut squash:

this batch is not nearly as spicy as i typically make it. there's lots of warm spices, a touch of heat, coconut milk, lime & cilantro.

and finally, i made chai spiced cauliflower soup:

this soup features fennel seed, cardamom & star anise. it's nice and creamy - without using any dairy - with a touch of citrus to brighten it up.

then it was on to meals.

i've had a ton of requests for brisket & blue & it's finally back on the menu this week.

it's red wine braised beef brisket from getaway farm with caramelized onions, turnips & whole grain mustard. it comes with a side of creamy, blue cheese gnocchi, roasted beets & kale. there is also a paleo version with glazed parsnips & carrots in place of the gnocchi.

then it was on to my absolute favourite dish - chile pork & cornbread.

it's big chunks of braised pork shoulder stirred in to a thick chili with blacks beans, bell peppers, corn, chipotle, lime & pickled jalapenos. then it's topped with cheddar cornbread crumbles & green onions. these are most of my favourite flavours combined in to one dish.

then it was time for chicken parmesan - another all time fave!

it's buttermilk marinated chicken breaded with panko & parmesan. it's served over a robust tomato sauce with roasted red peppers, basil & swiss chard and comes with buttered pasta & a generous helping of cheese.

there's also a paleo version with mushrooms, bell peppers and zucchini in place of the pasta & no panko on the chicken.

and with that, the freezers are full once more.

i have another big week planned for next week and then my menu should be completely back to normal...just in time for the cold weather to set in :(

i have 3 salads for the weekend too - broccoli, beet & potato. there are lots of vegan, gluten free & dairy free options for folks to choose from.

and of course i will have loads of sweets.

7 flavours of cupcakes

gluten free cupcakes

breakfast cookies

lemon shortbread bars

maple walnut bars

hello dollies

snickers brownies

goat milk fudge

and since it's friday night, of course i just made another cake:

it's been a pretty busy week in the kitchen. it's time for me to get some rest.

this will be the first weekend in a very long time that i will be at the market both days. word on the street is that sundays are getting slower & slower. i'm really hoping that heading in to the holiday season, things turn around a bit. i'm looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces this weekend & getting back in to the swing of things.

a demain.