Chocolate Banana French Toast with Gay Lea's Newest Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Spreadable Butter

As an avid baker and cook, you can only imagine my elation when I received notice that I was selected as one of the newest Gay Lea Brand Ambassadors!

Gay Lea has been a staple brand in our family kitchen for the longest time!

I remember making many of my grilled cheese sandwiches during my college years using Gay Lea Butter to my first attempt making a cake! As there were some hits and misses among the successful attempts, one thing's for sure -- licking the spoon was always a must! 

Fond Gay Lea memories, indeed.

Their dairy products are not only known because of the brand name but because they simply taste wonderful!

Their latest product to hit shelves is their Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Spreadables Butter with Canola Oil.

Check out that buttery, brown sugary and cinnamon goodness!

The first thing that popped into my head when I saw this product was FRENCH TOAST!

French Toast was not only a childhood favourite of mine but now it's a family tradition for us to serve French Toast on Sunday mornings in our home. 

It's much requested for breakfast but also for dessert after dinner too!

As much as I love the original way of making the beloved French Toast, I like to take it a notch higher for my family by including a couple of their favourite things.

For us, it's bananas and chocolate (nutella!).

CHOCOLATE BANANA FRENCH TOAST 

This is a truly decadent treat that your family and especially the kids will enjoy!
It's also a nice treat for you too. Go ahead, indulge!

Ingredients:

• 10 Slices of Bread
• Gay Lea Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Spreadables Butter
• 4 Eggs
• 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Cup of Milk
• 1 Tsp Sugar
• Nutella
• Bananas
• Icing Sugar
• Canola Oil
• Strawberries and/or Blueberries (optional)

Method:

1) In a shallow bowl, beat eggs with fork and stir in vanilla, milk and sugar 

2) On Medium Heat, heat up a tablespoon of oil in griddle or skillet

3) Butter both sides of one bread with Gay Lea Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Spreadables Butter and the one side of another bread with nutella
4) Add sliced bananas on top of nutella bread and then close together with the buttered bread

5) Dip in liquid batter so that entirely coated and then add to griddle
6) Transfer bread slices to griddle or skillet, heating slowly until bottom is golden brown. Turn and brown the other side.

Serve French Toast with chopped strawberries and/or blueberries with a sprinkling of icing sugar and/or maple syrup.

Yes, it's as delicious as it looks!
(Please refrain from licking the screen).

One of my readers will WIN a One Year Supply of Gay Lea's Newest Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Spreadables with 12 FPC's (that's a whole lotta butter and French Toast!)

To be eligible to win, leave me a comment telling me what you would make with the new Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Spreadables Butter and enter via rafflectoper below for more additional entries.

Open to Canadian Residents only (excluding Quebec).
Contest ends 10/25.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.” 

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Repose Amongst the Shuffle with Yopa!

Taking time to sit, relax and kick back is not really part of my agenda these days.

In between taking my daughter to and from school, caring for a very vigourous 12 month old, preparing meals, cleaning, running errands, blog posts, work and personal on-site reviews, oh and also making the time to have a quick lunch or coffee with a friend, ME time is always put on the back burner.

This is why those special times that I get to sit in a bubble bath or even just a nice warm shower uninterrupted or have a warm, fresh cup of coffee with a book or even a nice glass of wine catching with popcorn and chick flick calls for celebration.

Celebrations for me usually involve dessert (I'm a total dessert devotee) and recently I discovered a new delicious Greek Yogurt called Yopa! from Yoplait that includes decadent dessert-like flavours such as Ooh-la-la! Strawberry Cheesecake, Va-Va Vanilla Bean, Mmmm Mango Tango, Very Berry Lush! and Lotta Pina Colada.

Yum! How does one choose?

My grocery store runs usually include Yopa! 

The answer is simple, you don't choose and you bring all home! Which is what I did of course. 

And you want to know why I didn't feel the least bit guilty? Because there is only 80 calories per serving! 

Hooray to that! 

And each serving has double the protein than regular yogurt, no gelatin, artificial colours/flavours and 0% fat.

You're welcome.

I really enjoyed them all but my ultimate favourite is the Strawberry Cheesecake and the Mango Tango! I unfortunately could not find the Pina Colada one anywhere but I know it would probably be part of my ultimate faves considering I have a penchant for anything coconut.

I want to give my readers a chance to experience these ambrosial delights so I am giving away a Yopa! Prize Pack valued at $100.

That is a lot of deliciousness right there. Yopa!

Contest is open to Canada only.

Ends October 14, 2013.

1) Leave me a comment below telling me how you celebrate those special little moments in your life

2) Enter via rafflecopter for additional entries 

You can also follow along on all the Yopa! Licious action on Twitter or Facebook at #OpaYopa.

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Disclosure: I am part of the General Mills Canada Yopa! Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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#Wrap It Up with Dempster’s® Tortillas: Easy Fish Tacos & Tortilla Snickerdoodles #Recipes

There are few things that thrill me more than being able to whip up new and delicious recipes that take up only a few minutes of your day and with very little mess. I have enough clutter and too little hours in a day already.

It is truly amazing how much one can create using Tortillas.

You're going to want good quality and tasty tortillas though and of course that comes with Dempster’s® Tortillas and they recently just rolled out some new ones!

I had to try their new POM 100% Whole Wheat Tortillas and incorporate them into some easy-to-make recipes that my family loves.

I've got two scrumptious recipes - one savoury and one sweet - made using Dempster’s® Tortillas that will have your family wanting more!

And of course it's quick and easy to make so that leaves you, mom, with a lot more time on your hands. Perhaps an uninterrupted bubble bath

We love fish in this home and one evening while contemplating what to make that was quick and efficient for the family while rummaging through my fridge, I decided to make a favourite that we love using all the ingredients we already had - Fish Tacos!

EASY FISH TACOS

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

- Dempster's/POM Tortillas

- Frozen Battered Fish (I love using Jane's Battered Fish Bites - perfect for fish tacos!)

- 1 cup Black Beans

- 1 cup Corn

- 1/2 Diced Red Onion

- Chopped Cilantro

- 1 Tomato Diced

- 1 Lime cut in half (1/2 for toppings, 1/2 for taco sauce)

- Lettuce

- Taco Seasoning (We love Old El Paso!)

- 1/2 cup Hellman's Mayonnaise

Method:

1) Bake Frozen Fish Bites as per directions (usually about 15-20 minutes depending on how much you are making)

2) Once Fish is baking, prepare Toppings and Sauce

Toppings: Combine Black Beans, corn, red onion, tomato, cilantro and squeeze half a lime and mix.

Fish Taco Sauce: Mix equal parts Mayo with Taco Seasoning and a nice squeeze of half a lime.

That's it! And believe me, it's yummy!

3) Final Step is to put together your Fish Taco (any way you want!)

This is my layer: Tortilla, Fish, Lettuce, Toppings and then sauce.

Wrap it up and you're good to go! 

Enjoy!

If you're looking for dessert or just a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth that's easy to make, you'll love my Tortillas Snickerdoodles!

TORTILLA SNICKERDOODLES

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients:

- Small Dempster’s® Tortillas (less than 8 inch or if you have larger ones like I did, just cut them in half)

- Cream Cheese

- Strawberry Jam (or any other flavour jam you prefer)

- 1/2 cup of sugar

- 1 Tbsp Cinnamon

- Frying Oil

Method:

1) Spread a layer of cream cheese on tortilla and then spread about 1 tsp jam on top of cream cheese.

2) Roll up tortillas and secure each with a toothpick.

3) Heat 1 inch of oil to 350 degrees or until you add a drop of water and it starts to sizzle

4) Fry the wraps until golden brown on both sides 

5) Drain on paper towels for about 15 seconds.

6) Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow plate and roll the wraps in the cinnamon/sugar combination.

Enjoy!

I can dedicate an entire blog post alone to how much you can create with Dempster’s® Tortillas, but Dempster’s® made it easier for you by sharing their Dempster-licious ideas here: www.WrapItUp.Dempsters.ca.

More Info

They're also Social! 

Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

And right now, you can also snag yourself some coupons here.

If you visit them on their Facebook page, you also have a chance to win yourself $5000 with Dempster's Wrap & Win Game.

Play the Game here!

If you do end up winning that $5000, just remember who shared the 411 with you? *wink*wink*

Enter below to win Eight Dempster's Coupons redeemable for any Dempster's Product.

Ends September 9th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclosure: I am part of the MLF Connects Blogger Program and receive perks and compensation as part of this program however all opinions expressed are my very own.

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And the Oscar for Delicious Ice Cream Creations goes to...

... Cold Stone Creamery! *Huge applause with standing ovation*

Red Carpet-worthy indulgence available at your local Cold Stone Creamery with their Cold Stone Creamery Oscar Creations.

I know it's a little chilly out there but that should not stop you from heading over to Cold Stone Creamery and picking up some of their yummy creations to delight in while tuning in to the Oscars today!

They've got a great line-up of Oscar Creations ready for every "A-lister" in your home.

Amour – The universal language. Try the Strawberry Passion ice cream cake with layers of moist yellow cake, Strawberry ice cream, a graham cracker pie crust and strawberry puree, all wrapped in a creamy strawberry frosting… because nothing heals heartache like ice cream!

Life of Pi  - Chocolate ice cream, OREO cookie pieces and orange Gummi Bears. We like to call this one the ‘Richard Parker.’








 Beasts of the Southern Wild –  Step out of the world’s harsh realities and take a moment to dream with the Oh So Dreamy ice cream bar: French Vanilla ice cream, surrounded by a chocolaty and almond shell.









 Silver Linings Playbook – Mint ice cream, chocolate chips and fudge, the unofficial sweet treat of The Eagles football team. We’d bet that eating a cup of this before the big game will help with their juju!

Zero Dark Thirty – It seemed appropriate that we temporarily change the name of our Midnight Delight ice cream cake to Midnight Thirty Delight. Layers of moist devil’s food cake and chocolate ice cream are wrapped in a rich fudge ganache. It’s perfect for sharing at an Oscar party!

 Django Unchained – If Django and Dr. Schultz are going to remain focused on finding Broomhilda, they’re going to need a snack that will put an extra kick in their step. Tim Hortons’ Double Double Coffee ice cream for a dollop of energy, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for a pinch of protein and topped off with a sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings.




Argo –  How about a red and white ice cream cake to celebrate the Canadian Embassy’s contribution to this declassified true story? Cake Batter Confetti is made of layers of moist devil’s food cake and Cake Batter ice cream, wrapped in creamy white frosting and topped off with delicious sprinkles.







Les Miserables – French Vanilla ice cream, strawberries and yellow cake. Our quick, easy and delicious version of a traditional French Crepe.  Moral of the story:  Just don’t try to take it without paying!








 Lincoln –  Strawberry ice cream, blueberries and whipped topping - an appropriate red, white and blue creation to honour an American legend.









How amazing do they look?
Well, they taste even better!
After much thought and deliberation from my panel of judges, the Oscar Creation award in our home went to...
Amour! 

Truthfully, we have more than one favourite from these creations -- they were so good! But strawberry is a favourite so we had to take the Amour home with us to jazz up and sweeten up our Oscar Party!

The REAL Oscar Award for total sweetness, delight, cuteness and overall charm goes to...

We are rooting for Django Unchained, Les Miserables and Silver Linings Playbook to pick up some awards tonight! Who are you hoping will win?

For a list of Cold Stone Creamery locations near you or more information, visit them online at: www.timhortons.com/ca/en/menu/cold-stone-creamery.html

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(Hotel) Gelato, Wine, Mac & Cheese... Oh My!

I remember trying gelato for the first time at a close Italian friends home during a hot summer day way back when.
Being the dessert (and especially ice cream) enthusiast that I am I was all over it although a tad leery after finding out that it was lower fat than ice cream.
Who cares about lower fat when it comes to ice cream! I thought.
These are one of life's indulgences where calories should not matter at all.
It was the pistachio that I tried for the first time...
that is when my love affair with gelato began.

Photo courtesy of Herkin, Langer & Castle.

Tucked away in the lovely neighborhood of Eglinton Avenue West and Chaplin, sits a charming gem of a café called Hotel Gelato.

The name basically says it all.
Upon entering, it looks like a luxury boutique hotel with it's aristocratic and contemporary interior decor yet still possesses a lot of demure and a classic gelateria character.
I love it!

Hotel Gelato is the creation of Dan Hoffman and Christopher Borowski.
As veterans of the luxury hotel industry, they bring their experience and passion for exceptional guest service to their unique, beautiful establishment.

I already knew I was going to enjoy my experience here from the initial phone conversation to make reservations.  First impressions are so important to me and how you are treated, even on the phone is a big reflection of your business.  The gentleman was so polite, accommodating and friendly.
Of course, reservations are not really needed because it's still a very casual vibe and many usually just walk in and out for their gelato.
However, if you plan to eat in for their new dinner menu, a reservation may be required because the place definitely gets packed on a Friday night!

The best seats in the house are definitely right by the window beside the beautiful fireplace where we were seated.  
It's a smaller establishment but that does not take away from how cozy and lovely it is.

Even the washrooms are pretty!

Loving this mirror in the ladies room!

I admit, initially I was a wee bit skeptical about the new dinner menu seeing that this was mainly a gelataria/café; boy was I pleasantly surprised.

The first item we ordered was of course drinks. 
They've got a fabulous wine menu.

My husband got a glass of sauvignon blanc ($13/6oz) and I opted for a cocktail so I tried out their raspberry popsicle cocktail ($8).
It was refreshingly delicious with fresh raspberries in it too!

Their dinner menu consists of what they call 'Plates for Sharing' items as they are usually enough to feed two (potentially 3 at the most but 2 is already cutting it as the servings are not that big).

We started with the Orange Cumin Steamed PEI Mussels with a side of crunchy ciabatta slices ($10).

Amazing!
The marriage of cumin with orange and mussel broth was so delectable! Dip with your ciabatta bread and oh my gosh!
I loved this as I am a big lover of mussels and the new flavours in this dish was a big hit for me.

The next dish we tried was their Hotel Gelato Mac & Cheese ($11).
I do love cheese but this is where my husband had the biggest say as he loves a good mac and cheese.

 

"This is the best mac and cheese I've had so far."  From the mouth of my dear mac & cheese aficionado himself.  

Considering the small portion, it was very gratifying.

The Hotel Gelato Mac and Cheese consists of spaghetti squash, cauliflower, kale, cherry tomatoes and aged cheddar.

We highly recommend trying this!

We didn't get enough of our mac & cheese fix, so we decided to try something new with the Jerk Chicken Mac and Cheese ($12).

This dish was a combination of lightly-seasoned jerk chicken, spinach, roasted sweet potato and asiago.

With a nice sweetness from the roasted sweet potatoes with just a little punch from the jerk chicken, this was a subtle thrill to our senses.  It wasn't what I expected -- it was even better!

Onto the next one; I had my eyes set on the Warm Prosciutto Flatbread ($12) the moment I saw it.  I love prosciutto! Paired with plum tomato sauce, baby arugula, grana padano and truffle oil, this was a winner for us as well!

There was nothing that we had that we did not like or even find to be just okay -- they were all delicious!

Had we not been so full after this, we would have kept on going. 

I've got the Braised Beef Short Ribs, Maple Glazed Salmon and Warm Duck Confit Flatbread on my next Dinner must-try's at Hotel Gelato.

Also look forward to their salads and panini's for a nice lunch!

Oh and before I go on about the gelato, I have to mention that they also carry other desserts as well which I will try on my next visit.  Desserts like Warm Bread Pudding, Chewy Nut Bars, Cupcakes and Mixed Berry Crumble Tarts. Mmm!

And the great thing too is that they offer gluten free, vegan and organic treats.

There`s something for everyone.

Okay back to the gelato! They've got a scrumptious selection of flavours including:Wild Strawberry Cheesecake, Pistachio, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Hazelnut (with real pieces of Ferrero Rocher), Coconut, Avocado, Classic Vanilla, Vanilla Sponge Toffee and more!

They also offer Sorbet which is made of water instead of milk and fat-free (usually the fruitier variety and taste like a refreshing frozen juice!).

They also always offer sugar-free and lactose-free options.

Remember when I mentioned how on earth anything could taste just as good as ice cream but healthier? This is the case with Gelato. Why? Because gelato is made with milk instead of cream, it is much lower in calories and fat than ice cream.

We decided to take a litre of Gelato home so we can share with our little girl as well and to savour throughout the week (this only lasted a couple of days...).
We chose pistachio (my ultimate fave), vanilla sponge toffee and chocolate hazelnut.
They were all amazingly good!

Next time you're in the area (or even if you're not in the area), I am recommending you stop off at Hotel Gelato for either some of their delicious gelato or for a glass of wine paired with some of their delicious food.
Tom Cruise did!

For more information on Hotel Gelato, you can visit them here at: www.hotelgelato.com.

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