The Vegan Butcher

I did some research on the history of chili for this post and I need to start by saying that the chili purist community is fairly snobby about what they consider to be “real” chili. Well, they are not going to like this recipe in the slightest, I’ll tell you that much for free. I don’t care though, because this is chili as I know it and it’s delicious. So they should just chill…..i out. (more…)

Let’s start this post with some music and a confession. Let’s make it a couple confessions, actually (it is Lent, after all): a) I love pasta, probably more than a person should. I love it in soup, I love it in casseroles, I love it straight up with just ketchup on it. b) I love anything and everything tomato based. Growing up I was attracted to red foods because of my red hair (there’s a deep connection there, all right?!) and to tomatoes in particular because my name starts with T. (Ever play the game “Going on a Picnic”? Where you state that you’re going on a picnic and you say what you’re going to bring along with you? The key [SPOILER ALERT!] is to name something that starts with the same letter as your name. So guess what that always left me with? “I’m going on a picnic…my name is Tracy…and I’m bringing a tomato…” Every. Time.) Keeping confessions A & B in mind, you should immediately recognise how wild and crazy I am bound to be for this dish. And I am. Oh boy oh boy oh boy, am I ever. (more…)

Today it has been two years since my Opa died. He was a nomadic Mennonite man that was born in the Ukraine, and spent time in different parts of Europe before heading to South America after World War II. In Paraguay he met my grandmother, in Brazil they had my mother, and in 1958 they immigrated to Canada. He and my Oma helped raise me from a young age. (more…)

As I have previously bitched blogged about, in preparation for my move to London in 6 months, I am working two jobs. By day I sell group health & life insurance. By night (and weekend) I work in a tollbooth at a hospital parking lot. As far as second jobs go, it’s pretty sweet. For example, I am writing this blog post in my booth right now. I have tonnes of downtime, it’s not strenuous or stressful in the slightest, and I just cooked a grill cheese sandwich while on the clock. If I have to spend an extra 33 hours of my week working, this is a pretty good place to do it. (more…)

Toad in the Hole? Bubble and Squeak?! ONION GRAVY?!?!? British foods have the best names! In preparation for my move to jolly ol’ England in 6.5 months, I am continuing my British culinary education tonight with some awesomely-named British food.

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March 15: The Ides of March, or THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR! Why? Because it’s my birthday! (And since I’m the birthday girl, I’m going to make you listen to my favourite song of all time.) Time to get our cake on.

Strawberries were always my favourite when I was growing up because my red hair was described to me by my Mama as “strawberry blonde”. I figured if it was good enough for my hair, it was good enough for me. (What? Just roll with it.) Strawberries were my thang. This year for my b’day I made strawberry chocolate cake. (more…)

Let me start this post by saying that the word “roll” has lost all meaning to me. It looks all wrong and I can’t even tell if I’m spelling it correctly anymore. Have you ever done that with a word? Looked at it too much and it suddenly becomes meaningless? It happens a lot to me, but never with “roll” before. It’s usually “lunch” or “basketball”. But seriously, say the word “lunch” over and over and over. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!?! Okay, “roll” has come back to me, so let’s roll out.

Last night my darling omnivore, Jerri (or as I fondly refer to her, Jerr Bear, Baby Girl, or even more cleverly, BG), and I made dinner from scratch. I was flying by the seat of my pants. Spices and vegetables were soaring hither thither around the room and my Baby Girl, bless her, was along for the whole ride. A dedicated co-pilot of the kitchen, she was. This is how it all came about. (more…)