To kick off the multi-day celebrations, friends from work took me out for lunch at Dessert Sinsations on St. Mary behind the Winnipeg Art Gallery last week Wednesday. I chose the poutine with mushroom gravy and it was fantastic... once I picked the mushrooms off! Too bad I don't like mushrooms because they did look very 'meaty' and delicious. I have also never had poutine with sweet potatoes. I've been missing out!
Since Dessert Sinsations are famous for their sinful desserts (haha!), I chose their almond and pumpkin pie cheesecake. It was phenomenal. I don't even want to guess how many calories there are in one slice... Too bad that this particular dessert is only offered this time of year. I really like to go to this particular restaurant because they update their menu and desserts frequently so it's a way of forcing you out of your comfort zone and try some new each time you go. It is a little more on the pricey side but the food is excellent and the desserts are superb.
Then, this past Friday night I invited a few friends over and they brought over tons of decadent goodies!
A long time friend A. (who is one of the best bakers i've ever met) made my favourite banana and chocolate chip banana bread but in a bunt cake form instead of a loaf. It tasted delicious, and I loved the extra chocolate chips.
Another friend offered to make me this melted brie concoction she had once at a party and kept saying how amazing it was with the gooey-ness of the Brie cheese, sweetness from the apricot jam, heat from the jalapenos and crunchiness of the pecans. It sounded like a great combo so I offered to buy all the ingredients, and all she had to do was assemble it.
She layered the jam, jalapenos and pecans between the brie that she cut in half. This is the picture before we put it in the oven to melt. It was a crowd pleaser! I will be posting the recipe shortly.
We finished off the evening by M. and I inviting all of our friends to attempt to climb through the hole that is between our kitchen and hallway. We still don't know the actual purpose of the hole but it sure is entertaining to watch people climb through it. Here is a friend making his way gracefully through...
For birthdays, M. and I have a tradition that the birthday girl (or boy) gets to decide on whatever meal they would like for the other person to make for them on their special day. I love breakfast and I asked for him to make me the following:
- Steph- Egg's Benedict?
- M.- Ummmm....
- S- How about Egg's Florentine?
- M.- Well....
- S.- Can you pick up some croissants from The French Bakery?
- M. -Done!
There ya have it! Birthday breakfast!
Raspberries, multigrain croissant with homemade saskatoon and cranberry jam and birthday cake.
For dinner, we went to my parents house and while everyone else dined on steaks, I made my black bean and corn burgers and served it with vegetables roasted on the BBQ. I don't have pictures from the night of but here is a shot of the leftovers we had tonight for dinner. The burgers were a hit with all the vegetarians! Click here for the recipe.
For dessert, I picked up some treats from Lilac Bakery - chocolate chip cheesecake, brownies, dream bar, millionaire shortcake, imperial cookies and red velvet cupcakes. Unfortunately, when I went to grab my camera, everyone had already started grabbing the sweets!
I was also spoiled with some gifts...
My favourite flower in this colour.
A really awesome print made by a local artist to put up in the kitchen.
M. took me to Oliv which is a specialty vinegar and oil store to pick up a few bottles. (Post will follow shortly about my experience) I also received some red wine vinegar, an olive board and a reusable shopping bag that is perfect for when I go shopping at Farmer's Markets.
I felt very special, stuffed and spoiled this past weekend.
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