Canada Land Of Freedom

Respect, Freedom and Belonging this is what every individual all over the world wants. These are values that come with a being Canadian. Not only are these values cherished by all citizens, they are values that make Canada a very attractive place to live and start a family. this is one of the main reasons people come here from all over the globe. Canadian society is said to be a safer United States of America, though this is true we as Canadians want to be known for our own traditional values and beliefs along with those of the people who have moved here and the ones who were here before us, the aboriginal community. 

For many people who immigrate to this country, They see Canada as the almost a winter wonderland of hope in their lives, a country that holds the promise of a new life and a new beginning. By continuing to open our doors and our hearts to newcomers of all ethnicities and backgrounds, we tell the world that we are committed to being flexible, open and willing to accept one another no matter the race or religious views we are all Canadians.

Boston Pizza

I recently visited a Boston Pizza restaurant in Ottawa, I must say the food was undoubtedly good. the service was mediocre and at times poor due to the amount of people in and out of the restaurant. it is very hard to hold a conversation in there due to the fact that the bar is very loud and there are many intoxicated men watching sports.  I like Boston pizza because it is not your average pizza place it has the more of a restaurant type feel than a place where you just go pick up your pizza then leave. the food was very hot and tasted great. i ate the slow-roasted pork back ribs which were better than I expected from a pizza place and it cost me a bout $25. which i think is not bad for a full rack of ribs. you can view their menu here: http://www.bostonpizza.com/en/menu?sid=433 the large pizzas are a little overpriced in my opinion but i guess that what you pay for a gourmet pizza. The only bad thing was the noise level, it was a bit hard getting the waitresses attention when it was time to get the bill. But all in all this is a great restaurant I would recommend others to try their food. The Restaurant is located on: 1681 Greenbank Road Ottawa, ON            
Phone:(613)825-1414 - Working Hours:Mon - Thur: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

•                                                            Fri - Sat: 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
•                                                            Sundays: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Christmas Lights Across Canada

In case you missed it heres a recap of this winter's Christmas Lights Across Canada illumination ceremony that took place in ottawa ontario,December 2,2010 to January 7, 2011.

Christmas lights across Canada is an event that takes place in capital cities all over our nation. The Christmas lights program was launched in 1985 as a way to brighten the cold winters we experience here in Canada's capital. At first you were only able to view the lights on Parliament Hill, but as the years passed and the program got bigger, lights have been set up all through the city. now these lights can be seen at 60 locations from Ottawa to Gatineau.                                        

Seen Here in this photo is the Parliament Building dressed in its Christmas attire.

The Christmas Lights Across Canada has really grown over the past few years expanding to include 13 capital cities nationwide instead of just Ottawa. Throughout the country, Canadians are coming together each year to brighten their snowy capitals with thousands of lights for the holidays.

This is said to become a major tourist attraction in a few years.                                 

Cheeseburger Soup

Cheeseburger Soup


Ingredients
4 tablespoons Butter, divided
3/4 cup chopped White Onion 
3/4 cup shredded Carrots 
3/4 cup diced Celery 
1 teaspoon Dried Basil 
1 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes 
3 cups Chicken Broth 
4 cups diced peeled Potatoes (1-3/4 lb.) 
1/4 cup Flour 
8 ounces Velveeta, cubed 
1-1/2 cups Whole Milk 
3/4 teaspoon Salt 
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Pepper 
1/4 cup Sour Cream


Directions


1. Add ground beef to large skillet. Brown over medium heat.
2. Break up ground beef with wooden spoon during cooking. Set aside.
3. Add 1-tablespoon butter to stockpot. Sauté chopped onion, shredded carrots, diced celery, dried basil, and dried parsley flakes about 7 minutes to soften vegetables.
4. Stir in chicken broth, diced potatoes and browned ground beef.
5. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
6. Reduce heat to low. Simmer 12 minutes.
7. Add remaining 3-tablespoons butter to small skillet. Melt over medium heat.
8. Add flour and stir constantly for 3-5 minutes.
9. Add flour and butter mixture (roux) to soup.
10. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
11. Reduce heat to low.
12. Stir in cubed Velveeta cheese, whole milk, salt and pepper.
13. Stir constantly until cheese melts.
14. Remove soup from heat.
15. Blend in sour cream


This is a unique sounding recipe, cheeseburger plus soup? I wonder what that tastes like…

Banana Crumb Muffin Recipe

Banana Crumb Muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 bananas, mashed

3/4 cup white sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. 

3. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

4. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

• This is an important recipe because it ties into the course I am taking this year. I have also tried a banana crumb muffin and they are delicious. This recipe ties into my cooking course because this is a quick bread recipe, made using the muffin method which i learned this semester.

http://allrecipes.com