A recipe for a quick and easy dilly baked salmon. 

I was recently invited to try out Litehouse Foods dressings and dips. I had the opportunity to do so when looking for ingredients for a baked salmon. This baked salmon recipe is not only quick to put together but tastes so good! It was the day before Mother’s Day and we knew that Dan’s Mom wanted dinner to be simple and not too heavy. I knew that I wanted to have a meal that could be quickly prepped and ready to eat within 20-30 minutes. We bought a big fillet of salmon from Costco, a lemon and a bottle of Litehouse Food Dilly of a Dip.

Recipe for Dilly Baked Salmon

Directions:

1. Pat dry salmon. Spread dip on both sides of salmon.
   
2. Cut lemon in half and liberally squeeze lemon juice on both sides of salmon. Slice pieces of lemon rind off and scatter on top of the salmon. After squeezing the lemon, place the pieces under the salmon.
   
3. Bake at 475F for 20 minutes.
   
4. Serve salmon with salad, lemon slice and additional dilly dip as desired. 
   

I’m happy how quickly this meal came together. I find it helps to bake the salmon at a higher temperature as it adds some caramelization to the fish and intensifies the flavours. As for the dip, I was pretty happy that I could use it not just as a dressing but as a ingredient for marinating the salmon.

I’m pleased to announce that LiteHouse Foods has offered one of my readers the chance to try the dips for themselves. Enter your information into the Rafflecopter for a chance to win 3 vouchers from Litehouse Foods. 

You can enter to win by commenting below. Giveaway only open to Canadian residents (except Quebec). Just remember to log your info into the Rafflecopter widget so I can keep track of your entries. Here’s how to enter: 

1. Comment on this blog post (below) about what you would like to see me blog about. (mandatory)
2. Join my mailing list 
3. Visit my Facebook page and comment on the link to this post.
4. Follow me on Instagram (@beyondumami) and comment on the photo I’ve put up about this recipe.
5. Tag a friend on the Instagram post about this giveaway (more friends = more chances).
6. Follow me on Twitter and tweet at me (@beyondumami).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway opens Sunday June 4, 2017 and closes Tuesday June 20, 2017. I’ll email the winner on Wednesday June 21. Winner will have to answer the following skill testing question: (2+3) X 25 +25=___.

Now that we live in an actual house, I get super excited when it is mail day. I’m pretty sure I get even more enthusiastic when it just so happens that I am home when the packages arrive. With that being said, I was super excited to receive a copy of Dorie’s Cookies from Raincoast Books a few weeks after moving.

Dorie Greenspan has written a number of cookbooks over the years and Dorie’s Cookies is her latest book which focuses just on cookies! In fact, there are more than 160 recipes in this cookbook and the size and thickness of the book is impressive. In the first section, Dorie includes a guide on cookie techniques, ingredients and gear followed by brownies, bars, high tea cookies, bake sale cookies, squares and of course, holiday cookies. There are so many recipes in this cookbook, you might not even know where to start! When that happens to me, I grab a stack of sticky tabs and go through the entire cookbook tagging whatever recipe catches my eye. Certainly, like in the case of Dorie’s cookies there are so many mouthwatering recipes that it is hard to not tab the entire cookbook!

In this cookbook, Dorie uses a number of different techniques with her cookie dough including rolling the dough into logs, and then cutting them like the World Peace Cookies, dredging the rolled through icing sugar like the Snowy-topped Brownie Cookies, rolling the cookie dough flat and then cutting it into neat shapes after baking or simply baking them in a muffin tray to get equal sized and beautifully shaped cookies. I made a few of the recipes from the cookbook so I could test them out for myself. 

What caught our attention with the Double-Buckwheat Double-Chocolate Cookies (below) was the use of buckwheat groats to add crunch to the cookies. It was slightly tricker to roll out this cookie dough, as this particular dough is a bit drier due to the addition of the buckwheat. Then, a mixture of maldon salt and coarse sugar is sprinkled on top.

Right after the Double-Buckwheat Double-Chocolate cookies are baked, they are cut into whatever shape you desire. I cut these ones in a diagonal pattern to match the picture in the cookbook. I did find these particular cookies slightly on the drier side; mostly because the buckwheat in the recipe absorbs so much moisture. They would be a perfect match with tea or coffee.

The dramatic picture of the cookies with a cracked surface in the Snowy-Topped Brownie Drops looked amazing. I’ve always seen these types of cracked cookies in snicker-doodles and wanted to make them. Rolling each ball of cookie dough lightly in icing sugar gave them a very Christmas-y feel to them. They also crack wonderfully due to the ratio of melted chocolate to butter and eggs.

Lastly, I made the World Peace Cookies – which is the cookie that is featured on the front of Dorie’s Cookies. These cookies are a roll and cut style cookie so each cookie ends up being the exact same size. For the World Peace Cookies (pictured below), I made them gluten free using a cup-for-cup gluten free flour from Costco. The cookies still held up nicely and weren’t too crumbly or dry. They also had a nice satisfactory crunch and bits of chocolate chunks in each bite.

World Peace Cookies – Visit her website for this recipe.

I am certain that you will find a few recipes from Dorie’s Coookies to make in your own kitchen. There are classics and new cookie recipes that you will enjoy and challenge you. There are some recipes that require a bit more planning and preparation. The instructions in each recipe provide plenty of guidance so you almost feel as if she is guiding and teaching you every step of the way. She even describes what the cookies should look and feel like when they come out of the oven. This is great as ovens are all so different; hence why you can’t just follow the baking times. If you want to get a sneak peak into one of the recipes, Dorie Greenspan has the recipe for her World Peace Cookies up on her website. 

Now the fun part! Raincoast Books has been gracious enough to offer a copy of Dorie’s Cookies to one of my Canadian readers! Enter to win the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Remember to complete the mandatory entry to be entered into the giveaway; otherwise your entries may be disqualified.

*This giveaway is open to residents of Canada. You must have a Canadian mailing address. The winner will be required to answer the following skill testing question: (5×7) + (10×3) – 40 =___. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. We hereby release Instagram of any liability. The Winner will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Entrants must provide a valid email address where they can be reached. The Winner must respond to the email announcing their win within 48 hours, or another winner will be chosen. No purchase of any product is required. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send us an email!

The Edmonton Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is back for its 15th year. Sponsored by Sobeys Liquor and Safeway Wine & Spirits, this year’s tasty event happens in Edmonton for two days on November 4-5, 2016. If you have a chance to attend this year, you can taste the limited edition Taylor Fladgate 1863 Single Harvest Port or if you enjoy port the Aegusa 1941 Marsala Superiore Riserva (which apparently there are only 400 bottles of this port available in the world!) is also available to be tasted.

Once again the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival takes place at the Shaw Conference Center on Friday November 4 and Saturday November 5. If you want to attend, you can purchase tickets online. 


Now for the exciting news! I have a pair of tickets to give away to one winner for the afternoon session on Saturday November 5 from 12-4pm in Edmonton!


To be entered into the contest you need to complete the mandatory entry of leaving a comment on this blog post (below) about which exhibitor you are looking forward to seeing at the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival. Just be sure to track your entries on the Rafflecopter below! There are also more ways to increase your chances of winning in the Rafflecopter. 

Please note that the tickets are just for entry into the Festival and have no monetary value. Food & drink tickets need to be purchased separately on arrival. Must be over 18 to attend. The contest closes November 1, 2016 midnight. I will email the winner on November 2, 2016 so be sure to check your email or check this blog post for the winner’s name. 

It’s that time of the year where the Fall Home Show comes to Edmonton on October 21-23, 2016! I know that it certainly does not feel like Fall here in Edmonton, and like you, all I want to do is stay indoors. However, this is the perfect opportunity to talk to experts, find some inspiration and get some practical information. I have been to the show several times over the years and there is always something to see, do or learn at the show – even if you don’t own a house or live in one (like us). Aside from having the opportunity to ask designers about a home renovation, finding more information about doing a brand new build or a DIY project that you have in mind, there is also the Food Stage. Certainly, this is a part of the show that is particularly interesting for me. This year there are a number of Cooking Stage Guests throughout the weekend, including the opportunity for you to be an amateur cooking partner with either Chef Shane Chartrand (from Sage) or Chef Doreen Prei (from Get Cooking) on Sunday October 23.

Regardless of what you are interested in, I am sure you will find something exciting at the Fall Home Show. If you want to attend you can purchase your tickets online or in person. You can also try your luck at entering to win two tickets for the Edmonton Fall Home Show from me! Just enter your information into the rafflecopter below and following the instructions. The winner can choose any of the days to attend the show (Friday October 21-Sunday October 23) and will be picking up their tickets at the show office at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Contest starts October 13, 2016 and ends at

Hasselback Potatoes

Disclaimer: For the upcoming movie – Burnt starring Bradley Cooper, Castello® asked me to come up with a recipe using one of their cheeses. I received a package in order to inspire me to develop a recipe and Castello has offered readers of my blog a prize pack (keep reading to find out more!). This recipe does not hinge on only using Castello cheese, you can use any cheese you like.

Dan and I have been wanting to make this style of potatoes for a while! I love how they look and more importantly how crispy each slice is after they have been baked in the oven. Having bits of melty cheese on each slice is a huge bonus too! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Try not to burn your fingers on them as they come out of the oven sizzling with melted cheese!

Hasselback Potatoes RecipeThis recipe makes 4 servings

1. Wash and dry 4 potatoes. Do not peel as the skin adds flavour. Rub olive oil over the skin of the potatoes.
   
2. Using a knife make thin vertical slits 3/4 of the way down the potato (don’t cut all the way through the potato). Try to cut as thin as possible. Use the same method on all the potatoes.
   

3. Slice the cheese you want to use for your hasselback potatoes. In this particular version of the recipe I used Castello’s Brie cheese; approximately half the circle cut into pieces.
   
4. Insert pieces of cheese into each slice of potato. The potatoes will start to accordion out.
   

   

5. After inserting cheese into every potato, drizzle more olive oil onto the potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 400F for 45 minutes in an oven proof dish.
   

These hasselback potatoes make an excellent addition to any meal as a side or even as a main dish. Experiment with different cheeses and potatoes to see what works best for your family and palate. For our testings, we used two different potatoes for this recipe. One was the Colomba potato and the red potato.

For the upcoming movie Burnt (opening this Friday October 30, 2015), Castello wants to send one of you readers the below prize pack consisting of a bottle of olive oil, brie cheese, coupon vouchers, recipe ideas and a great escape movie pass to watch the movie Burnt. It will look just like the one below!

Mandatory Entry: To enter, write a comment about which recipe, other than the Hasselback Potatoes, from my recipe list you would like to make OR what types of other recipes you would like to see me blog about. Please leave a valid email address in the Rafflecopter widget as this is how I will be contacting you regarding details of the prize. You must leave a comment (in the disqus widget) matching your rafflecopter name or your entry will be disqualified. Winner must answer a skill testing question before receiving the prize. Sorry, this contest is only for Canadian residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is the last course that we had – Pumpkin Spice Muffin paired with a Vanilla Rooibos Latte.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who loves sushi? If you love sushi as much as I do then you will certainly appreciate today’s giveaway! Today (Thursday June 19) is International Sushi Day and Edo Japan wants to celebrate it with you!

Edo Japan has its roots in Calgary, Alberta but now has expanded to many locations across Canada. If you haven’t had your chance to try their food, here is your chance! Enter in the rafflecopter below!

Please note, there is a mandatory entry to complete. You must comment (located below the rafflecopter) to be entered into the giveaway. Share what is your favourite sushi memory.  The more details you give the better! You must log your info into the rafflecopter otherwise your entry will not be counted.  Also, this giveaway ($50 giftcard to Edo) is limited to areas where Edo Japan is located. Good luck! Contest closes midnight Wednesday June 24, 2015.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Phyllo pastry with crunchy pear and pear soup (left from Evert), buckwheat noodle with yellow asian pear and a cumin coconut pancake (right from Alexei of S’wich Food Truck).

The pasta is made with 100% whole grain Canadian wheat and five ancient grains: quinoa, amaranth, millet, sorghum and teff. 

We also learned how cooking times could affect the firmness of the pasta. However, the firmness depends on preferences as well so there can be a lot of variety in cooking times.

One of the exciting parts of the evening was watching Chef Lynn Crawford demonstrate a simple but delicious dish of pesto–dressed spaghettini and marinara rotini with fresh shavings of cheese on top. 

Then all of us food bloggers and the media (after taking photos) cleaned our plates!

After all the demos, we divided into groups to make our own Chilled Noodle Salad with Ginger Wasabi Dressing to take home and of course photograph.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Paris Brest Pastries from Duchess Bake Shop.

Duchess Bake Shop is our favourite place for fine French baked goods and pastries in Edmonton. Dan and I have visited since Duchess opened, and have brought many friends, family, and out of town guests for a taste of France in Edmonton.

Back in 2009, Dan and I had been attempting unsuccessfully to make macarons in my small galley kitchen. When Duchess opened in October 2009 to great fanfare, we were very keen on visiting specifically because of their macarons. We learned that one of the owners, Giselle, had become fascinated with macarons while in Japan and had spent time perfecting the homemade macaron. This inspired me in my pursuit of the elusive homemade macaron. If you’ve followed along in my journey, you would definitely see all the different macarons I’ve baked.

Behind the counter at Duchess Bake Shop in 2010

Even though we visited Duchess many times over the following months, it played a special part during a memorable day in May of 2010. We were invited to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what happens in the kitchen before the doors opened. Little did I know that the invitation was just part of a series of special surprises Dan had planned before he proposed to me!

Behind the scenes in Duchess’ kitchen in May 2010.

Dan & I in Duchess in 2010 (we look so young!)

As many of you may have heard, Duchess released their self-titled cookbook last Wednesday (November 12, 2014). This cookbook resonates with me not only because there are beautiful pictures accompanying the step-by-step instructions, but also, this is the first cookbook where I’ve tried every item!

A tower of croquembouche at the cookbook launch!

A tower of Macarons.

Giselle Courteau at the Duchess Bake Shop cookbook launch.

Giselle has generously given two signed copies of Duchess’ cookbook as a giveaway for two lucky readers! This giveaway is only open to readers who live in and around Edmonton or in Calgary. If the winner(s) resides in Calgary or area you must be able to meet with me in Calgary on either Saturday November 29, 2014 or on Sunday November 30, 2014. Arrangements will be made if the winner(s) live in Edmonton or greater area.

You can also purchase their cookbook in Edmonton at Provisions or online. Good luck to everyone and I look forward to reading your bake shop memories.

It’s that time of the year again! The Rocky Mountain Food and Wine Festival is back and I have a pair of tickets to give away to one winner for Saturday October 25 afternoon tasting (12-4pm) in Edmonton.

To be entered into the contest you need to do ALL of the following:
1) Live in Edmonton or vicinity.
2) Be able to attend the Saturday October 25, 2014 12-4pm session
3) Like my Beyond Umami Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/beyondumami )
4) Check my Beyond Umami Facebook page for more info. (https://www.facebook.com/beyondumami/posts/478640338944379).

Contest closes Thursday Oct. 16, 2014 midnight MST, please check my Beyond Umami Facebook page on Friday Oct. 17 to see the results!

One randomly selected commenter will be chosen to win the tickets.

Please note, that the tickets are just for entry into the Festival and have no monetary value. Food & drink tickets need to be purchased separately. Must be over 18 to attend.