By Sharon Charles BSc Nutrition (Candidate)
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
In our everyday busy routines, Western culture seems to be shifting towards food on-the-go. Especially for the younger generations, cooking has become a skill that is slowly disappearing. More often, people are reaching for on-the-go foods and take out meals.
Cooking is a wonderful skill that is meditative and peaceful. It is an opportunity to connect with our foods, to nourish our bodies and to heal ourselves with the foods we eat. By cooking our own foods, we can choose healthier options, develop the breadth of our knowledge of foods and nutrition, and open up a wider variety of foods to incorporate into our meals.
On my hunt to hone my skills in cooking, I decided what better way than to pick up a cookbook! The cook book that caught my eye was “Canadian Living: The Ultimate Cookbook.” Resembling the ethnic mosaic of people in Canada, this cook book hand picks a plethora of delightful recipes that anyone can enjoy.
During this winter season, a hearty soup jam-packed with flavor is a great way to fight the chills. For those who love seafood and all things shrimp, the shrimp bisque recipe, would satisfy all your cravings! My personal favorite is the cozy chicken and rice soup which would be prepared by my mom as a way to warm ourselves up from playing outdoors in the snow as a child. Another savory recipe is the Hearty Thick Turkey Barley Soup.
If you find yourself with some leftover turkey after celebrating the holidays, why not whip up a batch of some hearty turkey barley soup? With some carrots, celery, potatoes, turnips and a few other vegetables, this mouth-watering soup is simple to prepare and will be devoured within seconds!
Though it may seem like a more daunting task, making bread from scratch is a tasty reward that will have you feeling more confident to take on more complex recipes. Personally, I love the smell of sweet, fresh bread baking in the oven. The scent would rise up to my bedroom and beckon me to come sit by the oven awaiting a hot, fresh bite of freshly baked bread. Included in this cookbook is a wide variety of breads you can make confidently from scratch by following the detailed instructions that are very beginner-friendly (trust me on this one!).
Offering a wide variety of recipes, this cook book has selected and presented an interesting blend of foods that will have your taste buds craving for more! Some of the recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less, many are for those who are vegetarians, and include meals that are balanced with proteins, starch and vegetables. If you find yourself wanting to pick up the truly life-long skill of cooking, this cook book is a great way to open up the doors to healthy eating and cooking!