Food Revolution Toronto October Contest-- Soups!

Resharing from Food Revolution Toronto:

This month's Food Revolution Toronto contest, share a photo of your SOUP with our team on social media and you will be eligible to win a Jamie Oliver cookbook courtesy of HarperCollins Canada! We are featurng Jamie Oliver's Super Squash Soup with the best Parmesan croutons for inspiration “A totally delicious spiced squash soup, served with mega cheese on toast for dunking.”- Jamie.

Here are some of my own inspirations with our orange friends this fall. This is my twist on butternut squash soup with the addition of apples and fresh dill.The apple's tartness livens up the squash and balances its natural sweetness. So simple to do with little ingredients, and just a little blender magic at the end, you'll have a smooth, velvety soup ready in less than an hour. Fresh dill and bits of red onion adds texture and a refreshing dimension of flavours.

Butternut Squash Apple Soup with Dill

In this Thai-Style Pumpkin Soup, the mellow pumpkin off-sets the richness of coconut milk and a gentle blessing of spicy Thai curry paste makes the soup really delightful to sip and savour. Pumpkin can easily be substituted with butternut squash. But the key to taking this soup from good to great is the cilantro lemon garlic pesto you swirl on top.. it truly elevates the taste to another dimension of flavours-- one with tang and bite!

Thai-Style Pumpkin Soup with Cilantro Pesto

How to Enter:

Show us your soup! Snap a photo of your soup and tell us a little bit about it!

You MUST use the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO AND tag us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. That's it! Then you'll be entered to win a cookbook!

Eligibility and Contest Rules:

– Contest begins on October 1st 2017 at 6am EST on and closes October 31st 2017 at 6pm EST.
– Prize consists of one (1) Jamie Oliver cookbook.
– Open to readers of the age of majority with a Canadian mailing address.
– No purchase of any product necessary for entry.
– Winner will be chosen randomly (using random.org) from all qualified entries on October 31st 2017 after 6pm EST.
– Winner will be notified via email November 1st 2017 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email.
– Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.

Food Revolution Toronto August Contest-- Show Off Your Salads!

Resharing from Food Revolution Toronto:

Happy August! This month's #CookwithFoodRevTO challenge is all about SALAD! Each week we'll be showcasing an idea for you to use your produce - this week, how about these twists on Jamie's simple green salad?

This is my kind of salad! Toasting almonds to just short of being burnt gives an interesting slightly bitter dimension to this unique salad dressing. Balanced with the sweetness of honey, sourness of red wine vinegar, piquant Dijon mustard, and salt, this nutty vinaigrette strikes a harmonious chord in fresh green salad mixed with the juiciness of grape tomatoes, licorice crunch of fennel and the creaminess of avocado. The results are gloriously addictive- full of flavour and textures, and easily a star at any gathering! What's yours?

Mixed Green Salad with Fennel and Avocado in a Burnt Almond Vinaigrette

And hey, just by showing us your seasonal fruit, you could win a Jamie Oliver cookbook thanks to HarperCollins Canada!

How To Enter:

Show us your salad! Snap a photo of your seasonal salads and tell us a little bit about what you made and how.

You MUST use the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO AND tag us on FB, or at @FoodRevToronto on Twitter or Instagram. That's it! Then you'll be entered to win a cookbook!

Eligibility and Contest Rules:

– Contest begins on August 1st 2017 at 6am EST on and closes August 31st 2017 at 6pm EST.
– Prize consists of one (1) Jamie Oliver cookbook
– Open to readers of the age of majority with a Canadian mailing address.
– No purchase of any product necessary for entry.
– Winner will be chosen randomly (using random.org) from all qualified entries on August 31st 2017 after 6pm EST.
– Winner will be notified via email September 1st 2017 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email.
– Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.

Food Revolution Toronto July Contest-- Show Off Your Fruit!

Resharing from Food Revolution Toronto: 

Happy July! This month's #CookwithFoodRevTO challenge is all about FRUIT! How do you like to show off your gorgeous seasonal fruits? Each week we'll be showcasing an idea for you to use your produce - this week, how about Jools Oliver's smoothies and ice lollies?

Jools says... “These are two of my favourite recipes, but feel free to have fun experimenting with different flavours.” 

And hey, just by showing us your seasonal fruit, you could win a Jamie Oliver cookbook thanks to HarperCollins Canada.

My Summer Berry Fools and Raspberry Cheesecake Popsicles
(my patriotic version to celebrate Canada's 150th!)

How To Enter:

Show us your fruit! Snap a photo of your seasonal fruit and tell us a little bit about what you made and how.

You MUST use the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO AND tag us either on FB, or at @FoodRevToronto on Twitter or Instagram. That's it! Then you'll be entered to win a cookbook!

Eligibility and Contest Rules:

– Contest begins on July 2nd 2017 at 6am EST on and closes July 31st 2017 at 6pm EST.
– Prize consists of one (1) Jamie Oliver cookbook
– Open to readers of the age of majority with a Canadian mailing address.
– No purchase of any product necessary for entry.
– Winner will be chosen randomly (using random.org) from all qualified entries on July 31st 2017 after 6pm EST.
– Winner will be notified via email August 1st 2017 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email.
– Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.

Food Revolution Kids Can Cook Brunch...

It's that time of year I always look forward to... Food Revolution Day, an annual themed good and real food celebration taking place world-wide the third Friday in May. However, the official Food Revolution Day on a global scale has been postponed until later this year. The UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, called a snap general election to take place on June 8th, just two weeks after our intended Food Revolution Day. For many political and press reasons, we know this timing isn’t right to have the impact we (ambassadors) want and for Jamie Oliver to make big noise about child obesity policies that best benefit children's health. As our Food Revolution campaign is year-round, many of us still held events while postponing some others until we get the new date. 

For me, while I do enjoy large events to have a greater reach with our universal message (eat real food, get back in the kitchen to cook and food education), I believe intimate, smaller-scale ones are just as if not more impactful. There is better engagement and personable interaction which is harder to come by in a big event. This year, I'm deferring a few school events and held a kids cooking session with my three young boys and their cousins. They did everything from washing, prepping, slicing, chopping, and cooking for the most part with us parents supervising. We made brunch with recipes inspired by Jamie Oliver-- blueberry pancakes and customized omelets. Instead of fruit juice or vitamin water which are loaded with sugar and other stuff, we made real fruit-infused water for a refreshing drink. Now let the cook-off begin! :D

I asked the kids, "What are you cooking with today?"

Instructions first. Ready set go... 

Washing...

Chopping and slicing...

IKEA has an amazing SMABIT kid-friendly knife and peeler set.

These five-year old cousins were in charge of measuring, pouring and whisking up blueberry pancakes.

It's all about breaking the eggs and whisking. Taking turns to make a big batch!

Wiping the earth off mushrooms, while explaining why you must never wash them-- 
gets water-logged that diminishes flavour and texture. The adults were surprised at this too.

It's a whole family affair!

How to cook pancakes...

Lay cooked pancakes on a heightened rack to keep crisp and not soggy.

Grate that cheese- but carefully!

My dad imparting safety chopping techniques.

Customizing omelets from a selection of meat and veggie fillings! 

Individual omelet making! Cooking the selected filling and then encasing in cooked egg crepe.

Mom and Uncle Quan getting in the action! Quan put banana slices 
in his omelet, and he said it was different and sweet-good at the end. Why not? :D

Preparing a variety of fresh fruit for real fruit-infused water.

I just love seeing kids build knife skills confidence holding a real but safe sharp knife.

Make-your-own real fruit water station with tap & carbonated & coconut waters or combo as a base.

Beautifully vibrant, fresh and delish!

To make the most of the fruits' flavours in cold water, crush the fruits in glass or pitcher with spoon or fork, and/or let meld for two hours before serving.

Much better than sugar-laden commercial soda and fruit drinks.

Enjoying the fruits of their labour- literally!

Omelet served with hot salsa sauce, and a yummy real mixed fruit beverage. YUM!

What a great day with the family cooking together and forgetting all else for a while. Hearing that the kids had so much fun, and some saying that they don't usually eat omelets but will now because they really liked making and eating it, or liking the fresh fruit water was music to my ears. We will definitely be doing this again with the extended fam. Cooking is a necessary life skill, a rite of passage and opens up a whole world of eating healthily and discovering new tastes. Starting them young is key. The core of cooking is the knife-- get your kids in the kitchen early, teach them how to use it and they will never lose it! 

It's been proven, that kids enjoy cooking given the chance. Throw caution in the wind, let it go and let your kids cook with you. Before you know it, they will be trying new foods, getting creative and helping to bring a positive and healthy attitude to the family table.

You guys were Super Awesome! So proud of you all! 

Food Revolution Toronto May Contest-- Mexican Omelette Wrap

Resharing from Food Revolution Toronto:

Happy May! This month's #CookwithFoodRevTOchallenge is all about healthy #breakfast! How do you like to start off your day right? Each week we'll be showcasing a healthy breakfast idea from Jamie Oliver right here to give you some inspiration - this week it's Mexican-style omelette wrap.

Jamie says, “Zingy with a bit of a kick, this silky omelette will really get you going in the morning. Plus it’s packed with good stuff: tomatoes are a source of Vitamin C, which we need to keep our teeth and gums healthy. Delicious! ”

My Smoked Salmon Capers Omelette inspired by Jamie Oliver's simple omelette 

And hey, just by showing us your healthy breakfast ideas, you could win a Jamie Oliver cookbook thanks to HarperCollins Canada

How to Enter:

Show us your breakfast! Snap a photo of your healthy breakfast and tell us a little bit about it (how you made it, what makes it healthy).

You MUST use the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO AND tag us on Facebook, or at @FoodRevToronto on Twitter or Instagram. That's it! Then you'll be entered to win a cookbook!

Eligibility and Contest Rules:

– Contest begins on May 1st 2017 at 6am EST on and closes May 31st 2017 at 6pm EST.
– Prize consists of one (1) Jamie Oliver cookbook
– Open to readers of the age of majority with a Canadian mailing address.
– No purchase of any product necessary for entry.
– Winner will be chosen randomly (usingrandom.org) from all qualified entries on May 31st 2017 after 6pm EST.
– Winner will be notified via email June 1st 2017 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email.
– Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.

Food Revolution Toronto April Contest-- Eat More Fruits and Veg!

Resharing from Food Revolution Toronto:

Hello April and gorgeous spring produce which will soon be hitting our markets! For our #CookwithFoodRevTO challenge this month, we've chosen a really simple task: EAT MORE FRUIT AND VEG!

In today's edition of Sunday Times Food, Jamie Oliver says:

"Embrace and challenge yourself to up your intake of colourful, vibrant and exciting veg and fruit. Any improvement — however small — is a step in the right direction. My personal goal is to eat meat less often (quality over quantity), and find as many ways as possible to enjoy delicious seasonal produce. Good luck."

(read more of the article by creating an account - super simple, no credit card required and you'll be able to read two articles a month from the Food section - well worth it!)

I personally can't wait to explore the farmer's markets and take in all the beauty, vibrant colours, greenery and discover new finds and tastes! YAY to fresh Spring! 

In Belleville's Farmer's Market

So, let's up our fruit and veg intake this month and hey, just by showing us your fruit and veg, you could win a Jamie Oliver cookbook thanks to Harper-Collins Canada!

How to Enter:

Show us your fruit and veg! Snap a photo of how you get your fruits and veggies in each day - it can be as simple as your daily apple or your lunchtime salad!

You MUST use the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO AND tag us either on Facebook, or at @FoodRevToronto on Twitter or Instagram. That's it! Then you'll be entered to win a cookbook!

Eligibility and Contest Rules:

– Contest begins on April 2nd 2017 at 9am EST on and closes April 30th 2017 at 6pm EST.
– Prize consists of one (1) Jamie Oliver cookbook
– Open to readers of the age of majority with a Canadian mailing address.
– No purchase of any product necessary for entry.
– Winner will be chosen randomly (using random.org) from all qualified entries on April 30th 2017 after 6pm EST.
– Winner will be notified via email May 1st 2017 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email.
– Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.

Food Revolution Toronto February's Cooking Contest...

Resharing from Food Revolution Toronto:

Hey #Canada - come join us and #CookWithFoodRevTO this February and bake up Jamie Oliver's chocolate pots with clementine syrup for your chance to win a Jamie Oliver cookbook thanks to Harper Collins Canada! It's a perfect recipe for both Family Day and St Valentine's Day which both fall in February but we also like the idea of baking up a batch of these and sharing them with colleagues, friends and family who might be in need of a little extra sweetness this month.

“Crispy on the top, but super-gooey in the middle, rich and an utterly mind-blowing chocolate experience, these pots are an honest and delicious expression of chocolate – they really celebrate the quality of the chocolate you choose.” Jamie Oliver

Photo Credit: Chocolate Pots

How To Enter:

Make Jamie's chocolate pots, snap a picture and share it on social media using the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO and tag us on FB, or at @FoodRevToronto on Twitter or Instagram and you'll be entered to win a cookbook!

Eligibility and Contest Rules:

– Contest begins on February 1st 2017 at 9am EST on and closes February 28th 2017 at 6pm EST.
– Prize consists of one (1) Jamie Oliver cookbook
– Open to readers of the age of majority with a Canadian mailing address.
– No purchase of any product necessary for entry.
– Winner will be chosen randomly (using random.org) from all qualified entries on February 28th 2017 after 6pm EST.
– Winner will be notified via email March 1st 2017 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email.
– Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.

Spinach Pici With Pancetta, Tomatoes and Artichokes...

Food Revolution Toronto is holding a fun contest underway this month of November. Cook up a plate of Jamie Oliver's made-from-scratch Spinach Pici Pasta from #FamilySuperFood for your chance to win one of five Jamie Oliver cookbooks. You have until Wednesday November 30th 2016 to submit a photo of the version you/your family cooked and share it on social media using the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO or at @FoodRevToronto on Twitter or Instagram-- and you'll be entered to win a cookbook! Please see contest rules.

Tonight in this spirit, my three boys helped to create our customized spinach pici for a most delicious Italian-inspired dinner. I told them we were making our own homemade pasta, and their faces lit up with delight. Such a cinch to do with just two-ingredients and loaded with spinach nutrition. Pici is a thick, hand rolled pasta, similar to fat spaghetti usually made from just flour and water and cooks up with a pleasant chew. The result with fresh spinach mixed in the dough resemble that of green beans. The final dish full of vibrant colour and tasty flavours was just as enjoyable to eat as it was making it together. 

Spinach Pici With Pancetta, Tomatoes and Artichokes

The dough has a playdough consistency making it fun to get your kids involved.

To make the Spinach Pici:

Makes about 4 cups to serve 4 to 6

4 cups baby spinach or regular spinach, washed and chopped
2-1/2 cups plain or all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

water

In a food processor, blitz the spinach and flour until a ball of dough forms, letting the machine do all the work. Touch the dough – it shouldn’t be sticky, you want a playdough consistency, so add if needed, a bit or water (if too dry) or a little more flour (if wet). To make the pici, simply tear off 2 cm balls of dough and roll them out into long thin sausage shapes – think fine green beans – on a clean surface (the beauty is that they’re all different, so get little helpers involved, if you can). Cook the pici straight away, or leave them to dry out for a few hours, or even overnight (read on for more details).

Measuring flour and spinach to get ready for the food processor.

Blitz the mixture until a ball of dough forms, adding water if needed. 

It's pasta-making time! My kids loved working with the green dough-- pulling apart pieces, rolling, shaping, adding water when needed to create many, many perfect imperfect pici.

Take a small 2 cm ball of dough and roll into a very thin sausage. You can also roll it long and thin, and pinch off the tube in about 2-1/2 to 3-inch pieces.

Another technique I discovered was to take very small pieces of dough and rub it back and forth rapidly in the palms of your hands. This creates individual pici that tends to taper at the end that looks just like green beans. Cute!

Spinach Pici With Pancetta, Tomatoes and Artichokes

4 cups prepared spinach pici (as above)

125 g pancetta (Italian-style bacon), diced 

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup spinach, chopped

1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (quartered), drained

Garnishes:

Grated parmesan cheese, or freshly grated Parmigiana Reggiano

chopped basil leaves

jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

lemon for splashing

Pancetta releases a lot of fat during cooking. Olive oil is not required.

Add the pici to a pot of boiling salted water. If it’s freshly rolled, cook about five minutes, but if you’ve let it dry give it 8 to 10 minutes, checking to make sure you get al dente pasta. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking water.

YUM-- what lovely bright Italian ingredients!

Sauté pancetta in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon and remove pancetta into a bowl. Drain fat, keeping three Tbsp. in skillet. Add garlic and tomatoes; cook for about one minute. Add artichokes and spinach, toss then stir in spinach pici and reserved pasta cooking water. You can add some Parmesan cheese to create an emulsified sauce with the oil and water, otherwise leave the cheese for garnishing at the table. Cook another minute until heated through. 

How beautiful, vibrant and full of mouth-watering Italian flavours! 

Served with toasted baguette slices!

My kids were excited to tell their dad how they accomplished making pasta for the first time. They were all over the pasta's chewy taste and thought the overall flavours was just delicious! I can see this easily becoming a family favourite! I find when my kids are involved the cooking process they were more likely to eat and enjoy it. And this can be a superb way to motivate fussy eaters to try new tastes and gain confidence with a variety of foods. I highly recommend giving this recipe a whirl with your family!

So what are you waiting for? I hope you give this fun recipe a try-- make is as simple or elaborate as you wish using your favourite ingredients. Snap your food photo and enter it in our contest cookbook giveaway! 

Buon Appetito and Good luck!