Creating a Viking Appetite with Highland Park

Did you ever wonder if you had any Viking ancestry in you? Well if you just so happen to be living and reading this from Orkney, Scotland you very likely could be part Viking! In fact 1 in 3 people living on Orkney today have Viking ancestry, and the Highland Park 12 Years Old Viking Honour Single Malt Scotch Whisky perfectly reflects the unique culture of the remote island home.

Highland Park is a premium and unique singe malt Scotch Whisky that honours the spirit of the Viking ancestors. It shares the pride, integrity and fierce independence of the Vikings and is distilled with the same rigorous standards introduced in 1798 by the founder, Magnus Eunson who was a descendant of the early Viking settlers.

There are five keystones that separate Highland Park from other distilleries: hand turned floor malting, aromatic peat from Hobbister Moor, sherry oak casks, cool maturation, and cask harmonization. No other distillery uses all 5 of these benchmarks, so it's safe to say there is no other whisky out there that tastes like Highland Park.

Viking Honour features the perfect harmony of aromatic smoky peat, sweet heather honey, and rich fruit cake. The full Highland Park 12 Years Old Viking Honour Tasting Notes (43% abv/750 mL) are below:

Colour: Natural, glowing amber
Nose: Heather-honey sweetness, gently peaty smokiness
Palate: Rounded smoke and honey sweetness, full malt delivery, oak, alongside equal amounts of dried fruits and spice
Finish: Sweet and lingering with heathery notes and subtle smoke right at the end

With a recent update to its aesthetics (box & bottle design) and name, Highland Park has teamed up with The Healthy Butcher, a local Greater Toronto Area butcher, to create some unique infusion and pairing recipes that will no doubt stir up our Viking Appetites. The Healthy Butcher is focused on craftsmanship, providing only the best quality 100% grass fed and Certified Organic meat to their consumers. This partnership brings the smokey and sweet notes from the Highland Park Whisky to rustic and or gamey meats from The Healthy Butcher, so today I am going to share with you all a delicious Meatball recipe that will surely be the show stopper at your next family meal.

These meatballs can be eaten two ways. You can incorporate them in any classic pasta dish or better yet pair it off with the Highland Park Scotch Whisky Sauce (the recommended way of eating it)!

Below you will find all the ingredients you need for the Meatballs and Highland Park Scotch Whisky Sauce. Simply combine all the ingredients together.

Meatballs

• 2 1/2 ounces breadcrumbs

• 2 pounds ground beef

• 1 1/2 pounds ground pork

• 1 large egg

• 1 1/2 tbsp salt

• 2/3 tbsp pepper

• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

• 1/2 tbsp coriander

• parsley

• 1/2 diced onion

Highland Park Scotch Whisky Sauce

• 1 diced onion

• 1/4 cup Highland Park Scotch Whisky

• 1/2 cup beef broth

• salt to taste

• pepper to taste

• 1 oz roux (butter/flour)

• 2 sprigs rosemary

• 2 cloves garlic

There are also select products that are already infused with the Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky that can be bought at any of The Healthy Butcher store locations in Toronto and Kitchener. So the next time you want to fire up your grill or have some mad cravings for some delicious meats, don't forget to bring out the Viking in you and pair it off with some Highland Park, The Orkney single malt with a Viking soul!

Summer Fresh Perfect Pairings - Grilled Portobello with Pesto Chicken Topped with Bruschetta & Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers Topped with an Artichoke Dip

Summer is slowly fleeting away as another month has come and gone. It seemed just like yesterday where we shared our Canada Day long weekend recipes featuring some of our favourite Summer Fresh dips and salads that could easily be grilled and assembled with less than 10 minutes to prep. In case you need a refresher the Canada 150 celebrations were kicked off with our Greek Burger topped with Tzatziki Feta & Cucumber sauce, and also a Roasted Red Pepper BBQ Pizza on Naan. If you haven't tried these recipes it's not too late to do so!

With another long weekend looming just around the corner, we've developed two new recipes perfect for another summer barbecue for this Civic long weekend using more of our favourite Summer Fresh products. They craft healthy, preservative-free gourmet salads, hummus, and dips using real and simple ingredients you can find in your own kitchen. They are a Canadian based, family run company with a manufacturing facility based in Woodbridge, Ontario. It's there where all the magic happens to package their products in their iconic containers with the bright green lids you'll find in your local grocery store.

Below you will find two of our original recipes that are easy to prepare, fun to grill, and even sweeter to eat. Both of these recipes can be deliciously paired off with the Summer Fresh Greek Couscous Salad.

Grilled Portobello with Pesto Chicken Topped with Bruschetta

Recipe:

1) Marinate some chicken breast and place it on the grill
2) Grill the portobello mushrooms whole on the grill
3) Once chicken breast is fully cooked, cut into small pieces and mix in 1/3 cup of prepared pesto
4) Place the pesto chicken on top of the portobello mushrooms, sprinkle Mozzarella cheese on top, and grill again for 2 more minutes or until cheese has melted
5) Top it off with Summer Fresh Brushetta

Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers Topped with an Artichoke Dip

Recipe:

1) Place some Italian sausage on the grill
2) Cut the peppers in halves, take out the seeds, and place it on the grill
3) Chop up the grilled Italian sausage in cubes and stuff it inside the grilled peppers
4) Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese on top, and grill again for 2 more minutes or until cheese has melted
5) Top it off with Summer Fresh Artichoke & Asiago Dip

For even more recipe ideas with Summer Fresh, visit HERE to check out Summer Fresh's current Perfect Pairings guide to get even more grilling inspiration. This is real food you can feel good about everyday. Let us know how you like these recipes by sounding off below. Have a great long weekend everyone!

Summer Fresh Perfect Pairings - Greek Burger & BBQ Pizza on Naan Recipe

The official day of summer has come and gone which means it's time to fire up the grill for barbecue season! Summer is meant for backyard get-togethers, cold drinks, and great food with family and friends, so we have partnered this year with Summer Fresh to bring you some simple recipes that you can simply grill, assemble, and enjoy! It's summer entertaining made easy that will allow you to spend less time cooking and more time spending it with your guests.

If you have stepped inside a grocery store lately you may have seen the many products from Summer Fresh on the shelves in their iconic green lids specializing in gourmet salads, hummus, and dips. Their Canadian story started over 25 years ago in a family kitchen where recipes were developed using real ingredients that can be found in anyone's kitchen. These products are always used with clean ingredients, with no added preservatives, and made with a belief of super fresh quality and uncompromising flavours.

I've created two simple recipes here showcasing some of my favourite products from Summer Fresh, perfect for that summer barbecue this weekend to celebrate Canada Day and our nation's 150th birthday! With less than 10 minutes to prep, these recipes are delicious and a breeze to make.

Greek Burger topped with a Tzatziki Feta & Cucumber Sauce

Recipe:

1) Cut up your favourite hamburger toppings such as lettuce, onions, and tomatoes
2) Mix together Summer Fresh Tzatziki, Greek yogurt, feta cheese, dill, and chopped cucumbers
3) Grill your hamburger patties on your barbecue. Optional: If you're making your own patties from scratch, you can also mix in some crumbled feta with the meat
4) Half way when grilling your hamburger patty, place a layer of Provolone cheese and let it melt
5) Assemble your hamburger and top it off with the Tzatziki Feta & Cucumber sauce
6) Pair it off with a Summer Fresh Greek Pasta Feta Salad

Roasted Red Pepper BBQ Pizza on Naan

Recipe:

1) Spread Summer Fresh Roasted Red Pepper Hummus on naan
2) Cover with Provolone cheese and sprinkle with shredded Mozzarella
3) Cut up cherry tomatoes in halves and place on top
4) Grill for 5-7 minutes
5) Top it off with prosciutto, arugula and/or spinach
6) Pair it off with a Summer Fresh Pad Thai Salad

If you need even more ideas for your Summer barbecue, check out Summer Fresh's current Perfect Pairings guide to give you some more recipes and inspiration by clicking HERE.

Would love to hear If you end up trying either of these two recipes at your next barbecue! As always feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below, and even how you personalized these recipes to fit your own barbecue style.  Keep checking back here next month as I will be creating some more recipes for you all with some new Summer Fresh products for the next long weekend in August.

Natrel's New Lactose-Free/Organic Butter - Date Squares Recipe

An undisputed dairy market leader across several categories, Natrel is continuing to innovate with the launch of Canada's first lactose-free butter in addition to an organic butter. This is an absolute must for anyone who loves authentic taste as nothing beats the flavour of real butter. I'm sorry margarine, I'm looking at you.

With a passion for authenticity, this is exactly why Natrel is launching two new butters which are both available in a 250g format aimed to please lactose-intolerant consumers as well as the ever-growing organic food category. That friend or family member that you know who is 1 of 7 million lactose intolerant Canadians can now find satisfaction that there is no need anymore to avoid their favourite baked desserts, or that buttery casserole on the dinner table that everyone else was able to enjoy except them. 

To discover the joys of cooking with Natrel's new organic and lactose-free butters, we are going to share a delicious dessert the whole family can enjoy and make together. These Date Squares perfectly showcase the creamy texture and rich taste of Natrel's newest butter with a delicious filling enclosed by light, golden layers.

Date Squares

Serves: 16 Squares
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the date filling

4 cups pitted dried dates
1 cup (250 ml) water
1 tsp (5ml) vanilla

For the crust and crumble

1 1/8 cups cold Natrel Organic or Lactose-Free Butter, cubed
2 1/2 cup oats
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

To prepare the date filling

1) In a medium saucepan, heat the dates and water on low to slowly soften the dates.
2) Cook the mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every so often. The dates will absorb all the water and form a chunky, soft paste. Let cool.
3) Transfer the date paste to a food processor. Add the vanilla and then process the mixture into a smooth paste. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

To prepare the crust and crumble

4) Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Butter a 9" x 9" brownie pan and then line the bottom with a square of parchment paper. Set aside.
5) In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the oats, light brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Drop in the cold butter and pulse to form a crumble.
6) Take two-thirds of the mixture (roughly 1/3 lb or 600 grams) and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan with your hands or a flat-bottomed glass baking dish to create a very firm base.
7) Smooth the date filling over top, from edge to edge. Evenly sprinkle the last third of the crumble mixture on top of the date filling. Press it gently into the date layer.
8) Bake the date squares for about 40 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Let the squares cool completely in the pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and chill overnight in the refrigerator. Once thoroughly chilled, cut into 16 squares to serve.

Milk Calendar's 40th Anniversary - Eggs Benedict With A Twist Recipe

Holy cow! I just had to do it.

Dairy Farmers of Canada's Milk Calendar which has been an integral part of many Canadian families from coast to coast is celebrating their 40-year milestone with their 2017 edition. Like many of us, every year we eagerly wait for the new Milk Calendar to hang up on our walls, providing us with easy, innovative, and delicious dairy related recipes for every meal and occasion.

The majority of Canadians do not consume the recommended servings of milk and dairy products, so the Milk Calendar was created 40 years ago to help Canadian families get their recommended daily servings using 100% Canadian milk in its recipes. This year of course is no exception and the 2017 edition reflects the milestone with a "How Far We've Come" theme that is also intended to honour Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017.

As soon as you turn to the first page of the 2017 Milk Calendar, you'll notice they've included some of their favourite recipes from their four decade old collection such as the Piquant Potato Salad from 1974, the Beef Ring with Seasonal Vegetables from 1981, and the Apple Berry Cobbler from 2000. All of these nostalgic recipes have been updated with flavours and ingredients using the current culinary tastes that anyone will come to love and enjoy in today's times.

Breakfast/brunch is absolutely my most favourite meal of the day so it is quite fitting that I will be sharing with you all the December 2017 Milk Calendar recipe, Eggs Benedict With A Twist. Fast forward a year from now, many Canadian families will be serving this up for the whole family to enjoy during the Holiday season. But for now you all get a sneak peak into this take on eggs benedict that includes the fresh and creamy taste of avocado.

Eggs Benedict With A Twist

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook: 3 Minutes
4 Servings

Ingredients

2 tsp (10 mL) butter
4 tsp (20mL) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250mL) milk
1/2 cup (125mL) finely grated Canadian Parmesan
1/2 tsp (2mL) mustard power
1/4 tsp (1mL) each, hot sauce and salt
4 small slices olive, cheese, or crusty Italian bread
4 eggs
4 thin slices Black Forest ham
4 slices tomato
1 avocado, peeled, and thinly sliced
Chives for garnish (optional)

Directions

1) Melt butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in flour. Gradually whisk in milk. Stirring continuously, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently 1 min. Whisk in Parmesan, mustard powder, hot sauce, and salt. Remove from heat; sauce will thicken slightly while preparing remaining ingredients. 2) Toast bread. 3) Poach eggs in simmering water about 3 mins. Fold ham to fit on each slice of bread, followed by a slice of tomato, avocado slices then egg. Drizzle with sauce then sprinkle with chives if using.

Cooking Tip

Add about 1 tbsp (15mL) white vinegar to eggs' poaching water; this helps eggs to hold their shape. Gently pat eggs dry with paper towel after cooking to prevent bread from becoming soggy.

Variation

Try fried eggs instead of poached and prosciutto instead of ham. 

Per Serving

Energy: 344 Calories, Protein: 19 g, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Fat: 21 g, Fibre: 4.6 g, Sodium: 694 mg, Calcium: 267 mg

All Milk Calendar recipes since 1974 are also available online at MilkCalendar.ca. Visit MilkCalendar.ca to see how you can pick up your copy of the 2017 calendar!