‘Tis the Back-to-School-Season!!

If you’re looking for delicious and economical weeknight supper solutions, Walmart Canada has you covered with simple to prepare recipes featuring Great Value Pasta Sauces.

  Cheesy Chicken Nachos *click here for the recipe*

Powerhouse Pizza Rollups *click here for the recipe*

Shakshouka Goes to Italy *click here for the recipe*

Charmaine is a regular guest on Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live, Breakfast Television , What She Said Radio and food writer for Running Room Magazine sharing her love and enthusiasm for
all things food, cooking and running.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active (and always hungry) teenage boys, Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

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Twitter @runnercharb                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Peaches, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Corn and Garden Fresh Herbs….

What to do with all your fresh local produce you ask?

I’ve got you covered with some healthy, delicious and simple to prepare recipes!

Click here to watch my CTV Morning Live Ottawa segment.

Click here to learn more about the health benefits of Gay Lea Nordica Smooth (yes, you read that correct – no lumps!) Plain Cottage Cheese.  Follow along on social media using the hashtag #NothingPlainAboutItTomato, Peach, Olive and Herb Salad

This foolproof salad is a perfect pair to any grilled meat or fish off the bbq.

3 tomatoes, cut in wedges

2 ripe peaches, pitted and cut in thick slices

1/2 cup (125 mL) corn kernals

1/3 cup (75 mL) sliced pitted olives

½ cup (125 mL) chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as: mint, dill, basil and parsley

drizzle of avocado oil or olive oil

1/3 cup (75 mL) crumbled feta or goat cheese *optional

Toss together all ingredients.  Drizzle salad with oil.  Garnish with cheese if using.  Serve immediately.  Makes 4 servings.

For summer salsa (omit cheese): finely dice tomatoes, peaches, olives and toss with chopped fresh herbs.  Toss and serve on grilled chicken, salmon or beef, or serve with nacho chips for dipping.

Layered Summer Dip

No backyard party is complete without a go-to layered dip!

1 (450 g) tub Gay Lea Nordica Smooth Plain Cottage cheese

1 cup (250 mL) chopped mixed herbs (such as: dill, parsley, basil, chives and mint), divided

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp (5 mL) hot sauce (optional), or to taste

zest and juice of one lime

pinch cumin

1 ½ cups (375 mL) tomato peach ‘salsa’ (recipe above) or prepared salsa of choice

1 cup (250 mL) grated Ivanhoe cheddar

Stir together smooth plain cottage cheese, ½ cup (125 mL) chopped mixed herbs, garlic, hot sauce, lime zest, juice and cumin.  Place on bottom of glass pie plate or trifle dish.  Layer with salsa and grated cheddar.  Garnish top evenly with remaining ½ cup (125 mL) chopped fresh herbs.  Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or up to one day.  Serve with pita wedges or nacho chips.

Garden Stuffed Sandwich *click here for the recipe

Rosemary & Vanilla Bean ‘Cream’ with Peaches and Blueberries

1 cup (250 mL) Gay Lea Nordica Smooth Plain Cottage cheese

3 tbsp (45 mL) maple syrup (*or honey)

½ vanilla bean, scraped (or 1 ½ tsp (7 mL) pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) finely chopped fresh rosemary

4 ripe peaches, pitted and chopped

½ cup (125 mL) blueberries

Garnish (optional) maple flakes (found at bulk food stores) or finely grated dark chocolate

Stir together plain cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla bean (or extract) and chopped fresh rosemary.  Divide chopped peaches and berries evenly between 4 glass dessert bowls.  Garnish evenly with vanilla rosemary ‘cream’ and garnish evenly with maple flakes or chocolate.

Charmaine is a regular guest on Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live, Breakfast Television , What She Said Radio and food writer for Running Room Magazine sharing her love and enthusiasm for
all things food, cooking and running.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys, Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram Charmaine_Broughton

FB Charmaine Broughton

Twitter @runnercharb                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

What to do with all that summer produce you ask?

I’ve got you covered with some delicious and healthy summer recipes!

Layered Summer Dip

No backyard party is complete without a go-to dip!

1 (450 g) tub Gay Lea Nordica Smooth Plain Cottage cheese

1 cup (250 mL) chopped mixed herbs (such as: dill, parsley, basil, chives  and mint), divided

1 tsp (5 mL) hot sauce (optional), or to taste

juice of one lime

Pinch cumin

1 ½ cups (375 mL) tomato peach ‘salsa’ (recipe below) or prepared salsa of choice

½ cup (125 mL) corn kernels

1 cup (250 mL) grated Ivanhoe cheddar

Stir together smooth plain cottage cheese, ½ cup (125 mL) chopped mixed herbs, lime juice and cumin.  Place on bottom of glass pie plate or trifle dish.  Layer with salsa, corn and grated cheddar.  Garnish top evenly with remaining ½ cup (125 mL) chopped fresh herbs. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or up to one day.  Serve with pita wedges or nacho chips.

Tomato, Peach, Olive and Herb Salad

This foolproof salad is a perfect pair to any grilled meat or fish off the bbq.  It’s also a healthy and delicious way to use up all those garden fresh herbs.      

3 tomatoes, cut in wedges

2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced

¼ cup (60 mL) sliced pitted olives

½ cup (125 mL) chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as: mint, dill, basil and parsley

quality Olive Oil

Salt and pepper

Garnish (optional): Crumbled Feta and/or Goat Cheese

Toss together all ingredients and garnish with Feta or Goat cheese if using.  Serve immediately.   Makes 4 servings.

For summer salsa: finely dice tomatoes, peaches and olives and toss with chopped fresh herbs, oil, salt and pepper.  Toss and serve on grilled chicken, salmon or beef, or serve with nacho chips for dipping.

Smooth and Creamy Low Cal Alfredo

Click here for Alfredo recipe made with Gay Lea Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese.

*Tip: add a variety of chopped mixed fresh herbs, and diced tomatoes for a summer inspired supper.

Rosemary, Maple & Vanilla ‘Cream’ with Peaches and Bluberries

½ cup (125 mL) Gay Lea Nordica Smooth Plain Cottage cheese

1 tbsp (15 mL) maple syrup (*or honey, or stevia)

½ vanilla bean, scraped (or 1 ½ tsp (7 mL) pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) each; finely chopped fresh rosemary

4 ripe peaches, pitted and chopped

½ cup (125 mL) blueberries

Garnish (optional) Maple flakes (found at bulk food stores) or, very finely chopped 70% dark chocolate

Stir together plain cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla bean and chopped fresh rosemary and thyme.  Divide chopped peaches and berries evenly between 4 mason jars or martini glasses.  Garnish evenly with vanilla herb cream and sprinkle evenly with maple flakes (or chopped dark chocolate).

Charmaine is a regular guest on Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live, Breakfast Television , What She Said Radio and food writer for Running Room Magazine sharing her love and enthusiasm for
all things food, cooking and running.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys, Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram Charmaine_Broughton

FB Charmaine Broughton

                                                                                                        Twitter @runnercharb