Pork Chops with Cranberries and Swiss Chard

I have to start by apologizing for not posting sooner. We had dinner on Sunday night at La Favorita and unfortunately I didn't feel the experience was worth talking about. Luckily the company was good! Quick side note, if you ever do have to go, don't waist your time on the pizza, no matter how good it looks on the menu.

This week was laid out to be a food week. I was signed up for the East Coast Kitchen Party on Monday at the Urban Element, was to have dinner in Montreal with my brother on Tuesday, and had reservations at Fraser Café tonight. I didn't think anything in the world could affect my appetite, ever. But some news concerning my dog's health shocked me on Monday morning and quickly eliminated every little bit of excitement I had for all of these food pleasures. So I cancelled everything. By this morning I had mentally sorted things out – thankfully. So my appetite this evening was back to normal. Just in time for this amazing dinner from my husband.

He got the recipe off epicurious.com. The only thing he changed was port instead of wine. What a beautiful dinner. First off, the swiss chard cooked in garlic is genius. Anyone who is not a fan of greens (why you wouldn't be is beyond me), would quickly fall in love with them after having them cooked this way. And the pork chops! Wow! This entire plate is just an amazing combination of flavours, and colour! I know it's not Christmas time but I'm always up for that warm feeling that comes with the holidays. Cook this meal and the visual of it alone will make you feel happy and cozy. The sauce is to die for and the cranberries were not tart at all.

We even used local cranberries (from Greely! Céline...).

Can't rave enough about this dish.

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Squash, Walnut and Pomegranate Salad

This is by far one of those “wow” meals. From the smells that filled the kitchen when my husband was cooking the sausage, to the popping of the pomegranate arils in the salad, every single thing about our dinner last night was outstanding.

The salad was filled with textures and flavours that complemented one another amazingly well – fresh arugula, toasted walnuts, tasty autumn squash, crumbled blue cheese and juicy pomegranate arils. Literally the perfect fall salad. The tender pork, stuffed with spicy Italian sausage and cilantro, was heavenly.

It's tough not to overeat when you're eating so well. My husband really knows how to wake up our taste buds and make the most of every single meal. I love it.

Fuschian

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This is by far my favourite Vietnamese restaurant in Ottawa. The entire experience from start to finish leaves me completely satisfied. Their dishes have tons of flavour, the price is more than right and the service, exceptional. I feel like I'm at a friends place for dinner they are so happy to have us there.

Of course I went with my usual, rice paper shrimp wraps with peanut sauce. Always fresh, always perfectly done.

And Vermicelli with tasty meatballs and crispy spring rolls.

Tonight my husband went for the pho. Also a great choice.

It took me a while to warm up to this place after the loss of Cam Kong. But this past year they've officially become my second home again. I'm really not sure how else to describe this place except that it is perfect.

Fuschian

Crêpe Complète

My husband used to eat these daily when he lived in France. Tonight he decided to make them for dinner – YUMMMMM. I love these kinds of dishes for dinner! It's deceiving though, they look all light and fluffy, but you get filled up pretty fast, especially with the cheese and ham.

My husband whisked together 1 cup of flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup of whole milk, 2tbs butter and a bit of salt. We don't have a crepe pan so my husband used a wok. Cook the batter while turning it to coat all sides of the wok. Continue turning it until it's all thinned out. Add one egg and scramble it in the pan, then spread it out thinly over the crepe. Add sliced ham and mozzarella. Fold over twice. He said it was easy. I don't think I'd ever attempt it without a crepe pan. My husband's so great at stuff like this, the crepe was perfectly golden and the cheese just oozed out the end. I couldn't ask for anything better.

We even used the best eggs – Bekings Farm eggs that we picked up at Aubrey's.

Tomatoes

My father-in-law is visiting this week. He brought us some tomatoes. You can never have too many tomatoes!

Chicken on Hummus with Peppers and Swiss Chard

This has got to be the most colourful meal yet. It is so simple, yet so satisfying. If you're like me and really like sauces and dips, this is a great (and healthy) way to add pizazz to regular, everyday chicken. Barbecuing the chicken helps a great deal too.

My husband stir fried some swiss chard, peppers and whole garlic cloves and set them alongside the chicken that rested beautifully in the swirl of hummus. Yes, there was enough hummus for every bite of chicken AND peppers! Love it!

French Onion Soup and Veal Stew

As soon as I heard Dino's voice when I answered the phone today, I got excited. He will often call us on a Sunday afternoon to invite us over for dinner. The anticipation alone makes my mouth water. But now, as I write this after having eaten everything, I can barely keep my eyes open as I am so full I could fall asleep.

The smells when we walked into his house were enough to make you so thankful for just being alive. And then the appetizer was set in front of us – a delicious french onion soup, the bread still slightly crusty on top as it slowly sucked up all the juice below it. Soft slivers of onion filled the rich broth along with melted Gruyere cheese, crisp and golden on the top.

The veal cooked for two hours in a pot of mixed vegetables and water. The vegetables were then removed, saving only the meat and broth which was then added to some butter and flour to make it creamier.

Fresh parsley completed the mixture and it was set on a bed of German egg noodles. This comforting dish was exquisite and the veal just fell apart in your mouth it was so moist.

We drank one of my favourite wines with the meal, Duque de Viseu from Portugal.

Thanks so much Dino, for yet another fantastic meal!