Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

Last night, I felt an acute pain on my right ear and I probably have an infection there. After Mass, we went to Downtown Vancouver to visit the two walk-in clinics open on Sundays and they're already both at capacity for the day. I sucked up the pain as we walked across Granville Bridge going home. I told my husband I want ramen for comfort so we stopped by Masa Japanese Restaurant so I can get a bowl of ramen. Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen Pork tonkotsu flavoured soup base with chashu and egg For sharing, I ordered Atlantic Salmon Oshi Sushi. I had Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen while my husband went for Tofu Teriyaki Platter. Atlantic Salmon Oshi Sushi Seared Atlantic salmon with special oshi sauce If you're vegetarian and still want something delicious, the Tofu Teriyaki will definitely hit the spot. It's so good!...

It's my favourite day of the month. It's Costco grocery day! Yay! Before going inside, we enjoyed their All Beef 1/4 Pound Hotdog and French Fries. Then, I ordered their Vanilla Ice Cream Cone, which came on a waffle cone. Vanilla Ice Cream Cone  from Costco Food Court It's creamy and surprisingly delicious. The temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius today, so this is a perfect treat. View from Cambie Bridge on our walk to Costco on Expo Blvd.

We went to the Richmond Night Market on opening night and got in as soon as it opened because of our Zoom Pass. Last year, I made a note to myself to go earlier into the season to write about all the food stalls, which I am attempting to do here . Below are the food items we enjoyed from the different available food vendors. We decided not to get the same things last year (even though it's really tempting), and we just went for what looked good or anything we hadn't tried before. F69. Momo's Considering these premises, we started our food night with Deep-Fried Beef Momo from Booth F69 Momo's The Himalayan Dumplings. This is our first time trying Momo. Deep-Fried Beef Momo  at Richmond Night Market I have a new favourite dumpling. Their Momo is packed with pure beef and seasoned perfectly, and it goes really well with the spicy sauce. Can I have another servi...

Happy Friday! For lunch today, we cooked the Smart Moroccan-Style Shrimp with Cilantro Yogurt Dressing and Couscous  from our HelloFresh box. Smart Moroccan-Style Shrimp with Cilantro Yogurt Dressing and Couscous HelloFresh Description: "Get cozy with this delightfully fresh and warming dish! Juicy shrimp and a medley of veggies are seasoned with our fragrant Harissa Spice Blend, then topped off with a bright and dreamy herb-yogurt dressing and crispy shallots for layers of texture and flavour. It's the smart choice in more ways than one! Smart is based on a per serving calculation of the recipe's kilocalorie and carbohydrate amount." The shrimp has a spicy kick thanks to the harissa spice blend. The heat complements the crunchy and sweet veggie combination of tender zucchini, juicy Roma tomatoes, and sweet bell peppers. Couscous is a beautiful side dish because it absorbs the broth's flav...

Thai cuisine is well-known for its bold flavours and unique blend of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy tastes. One dish that perfectly embodies the essence of Thai cooking is the Thai Sweet Chili Chicken with Fragrant Cilantro Rice which came with our HelloFresh box this week. Thai Sweet Chili Chicken with Fragrant Cilantro Rice  from HelloFresh Thai Sweet Chili Chicken with Fragrant Cilantro Rice HelloFresh Description: "This sweet and savoury dish will take you back to the busy streets of Bangkok without the long haul flight! The fresh cilantro brings a punch of Thai flavours and fragrance!" Thai Sweet Chili Chicken with Fragrant Cilantro Rice  from HelloFresh Canada Yummy! I can't believe how much I enjoyed this dish. The chicken ...

The Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Shrimp with Sweet Peppers and Pearl Couscous is a perfect combination of rich and creamy flavours with a burst of tang with the sun-dried tomato pesto that will take your taste buds on a ride. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Shrimp with Sweet Peppers and Pearl Couscous HelloFresh Description: "Tonight, we're serving up the crave-worthy dish you've been dreaming of! A garlicky sun-dried tomato sauce studded with onions and peppers is draped over shrimp and buttery pearl couscous. Each bite will have you going back for more!" Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Shrimp with Sweet Peppers and Pearl Couscous  from HelloFresh Canada The juicy and succulent shrimp were cooked in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomato pesto, making them a perfect complement to the chewy and sli...

Happy Tuesday! For dinner, hubby and I prepared the Cal Smart Chipotle Turkey Burrito Bowls with Veggies and Guacamole from our HelloFresh box. Cal Smart Chipotle Turkey Burrito Bowls with Veggies and Guacamole HelloFresh Description: "Tonight's dinners packs in all the flavours of a turkey burrito into bowl form, from the charred veggies and zippy guac to the spicy pickled jalapeños and smoky turkey! No tortilla? No problem!" Cal Smart Chipotle Turkey Burrito Bowl with Veggies and Guacamole  from HelloFresh Canada This meal is so delicious! The rice cooked in butter, garlic, enchilada spice blend, and chicken broth is the perfect fluffy base for the other components of the dish. Meanwhile, the veggies (red onions, sweet bell pepper, and corn kernels) are slightly caramelized, providing sweetness and a satisfying crunch. The star of the...

Meatless Monday just got much more exciting with the delicious Veggie Chili with Tortilla Chips from our HelloFresh box. My husband and I cooked it for lunch and enjoyed half for dinner. The hearty and flavourful chili is packed with beans, vegetables, and a zesty Mexican seasoning blend that satisfied my cravings for spicy and comfort. Veggie Chili with Tortilla Chips  from HelloFresh Canada Veggie Chili with Tortilla Chips HelloFresh Description: "This delicious chili is simple but fantastic! Each bite is tender and comforting. We suggest using the tortilla chips to scoop up and enjoy every last drop!" Veggie Chili with Tortilla Chips from HelloFresh Canada One of my favourite features of this dish is the texture. The beans provide a creamy, meaty texture that is complemente...

Happy Sunday! We discovered this morning that one of the light bulbs in our lamp no longer works. So we decided to go to Ikea after Mass to get one. Exterior of Ikea in Richmond, BC Ikea is a Swedish multinational company best known for its affordable flat-pack furniture. Most of our household items are from there! However, many people may not realize that Ikea also has a restaurant that serves various delicious and affordable dishes. So it made sense that we enjoyed lunch at the Ikea Restaurant before buying a light bulb. Swedish Meatballs There must be something wrong with me because the meatballs weren't as good as I remember, which made me sad. However, the gravy and mashed potatoes are the usual, and the green peas are cooked and seasoned perfectly. My favourite part of the lunch is the lingonberries sauce. Swedish Me...

A blessed Sunday morning to you. Before going to Mass, we decided to grab breakfast at Tim Hortons. They introduced an Everything Croissant Breakfast Sandwich. I know. It sounds weird, so I had to try it. I am familiar with their Everything Bagel and Croissant, but adding the 'Everything' to a croissant? Sounds crazy! For comparison, I ordered a Sausage & Bacon Breakfast Sandwich and chose Plain Croissant as Breakfast Bread instead of our usual Homestyle Biscuit. It's so soft and buttery. Of course, it's not as flaky as freshly baked croissants from Beaucoup and similar bakeries nearby, but it's surprisingly good with the sandwich. Sausage & Bacon Breakfast Sandwich with Plain Croissant  from Tim Hortons Let's compare this with the new Everything Croissant. The "Everything" portion of a bagel is typically covered in a mixture of sesame se...

Happy stew Saturday! Today, we enjoyed three different types of stew for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast: Leftover Smart Turkey and Mushroom Stew with Roasted Potatoes and Spinach from Tuesday's dinner Lunch: Leftover Cal Smart Moroccan-Style Beef Stew with Lentils from Wednesday dinner Dinner: Cal Smart Harissa Shrimp and Chickpea Stew with Buttered Ciabatta Cal Smart Harissa Shrimp and Chickpea Stew with Buttered Ciabatta HelloFresh Description: "Smoky and complex North African spices are combined with chili-garlic sauce to infuse this dish with intense flavours. Ciabatta points are perfect dippers for this visually appealing and wholesome stew! " The Cal Smart Harissa Shrimp and Chickpea Stew with Buttered Ciabatta from our HelloFresh box, which arrived today, is a filling and comforting meal. The shrimp are coated in a deliciously spicy and fragrant Harissa spice ...

For dinner tonight, hubby and I prepared the Savoury Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry with Cashews and Garlic Rice from our HelloFresh box. Savoury Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry with Cashews and Garlic Rice HelloFresh Description: "For those who don't shy away from spice, this pork stir-fry packs a flavour punch and plenty of heat thanks to our Szechuan-style sauce! Toasted cashews finish off this dish for a culinary home run!" Savoury Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry  with Cashews and Garlic Rice from HelloFresh The Savoury Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry with Cashews and Garlic Rice is a yummy and hearty dish that perfectly balances sweet and spicy flavours. The lean ground pork is seasoned with soy sauce and Szechuan sauce, which gives it a bold and savoury taste. Meanwhile, the sweet bell peppers and zucchini add a mild sweetness to the dish. Lastly, the c...

For dinner, hubby and I prepared the Savoury Beef Bowls with Garlic Rice and Veggies from our HelloFresh box. It's my favourite HelloFresh meal we've had this week. Savoury Beef Bowls with Garlic Rice and Veggies is a hearty meal perfect for breakfast (when you add egg), lunch, or dinner. The dish features tender ground beef, fragrant jasmine rice, and a variety of fresh vegetables seasoned with a delicious blend of sauces and spices. Savoury Beef Bowls with Garlic Rice and Veggies HelloFresh Description: Oyster sauce and sweet chili sauce combine to add a flavourful kick to these bountiful beef bowls. Taking a pic for the 'gram? #putaneggonit! Savoury Beef Bowls with Garlic Rice and Veggies from HelloFresh Canada The garlic rice adds a subtle garlic flavour that perfectly complements the bold flavours of the ...

Moroccan-style cuisine is known for its bold and exotic flavours resulting from a blend of spices and herbs. One of the most famous Moroccan dishes is Beef Stew with Lentils, which we have in our HelloFresh box this week. This hearty and comforting dish is packed with flavours and aromas that will transport you to the colourful streets of Morocco. Cal Smart Moroccan-Style Beef Stew with Lentils HelloFresh Description: Beef and lentils are sweetened with carrots and stewed with warm Moroccan spices in this comforting bowl. It's a perfect dish for a cozy night in! Calorie Smart is based on a per serving calculation of the recipe's kilocalorie amount Cal Smart Moroccan-Style Beef Stew with Lentils from HelloFresh Canada Combining ground beef, lentils, and vegetables creates a delicious and nutritious meal that will ...

There's nothing quite like a hearty bowl of stew on a cloudy windy Vancouver day, and this Turkey and Mushroom Stew with Roasted Potatoes and Spinach from our HelloFresh box is the perfect meal to warm you up. It's our first time cooking a HelloFresh meal for lunch on a working weekday. Smart Turkey and Mushroom Stew with Roasted Potatoes and Spinach HelloFresh Description: "This hearty dinner has all the flavours of a traditional stew, but on the lighter side. Turkey, potatoes, thyme, mushrooms and spinach are featured in this dish that's sure to warm your soul and your stomach." Smart Turkey and Mushroom Stew with Roasted Potatoes and Spinach  from HelloFresh Canada This hearty dinner has all the flavours of a traditional stew, but on the lighter side. Turkey, potatoes, thyme, mushrooms and spinach are featured in this dish tha...

Looking for a satisfying and delicious meatless Monday meal? Look no further than this Creamy Cheese Tortellini and Mushrooms with Spinach and Pine Nuts from our HelloFresh box for a hearty and healthy dinner perfect for any occasion. We enjoyed toasted whole wheat bread and Kirkland Signature Mixed Nuts Butter for breakfast today. Afterwards, we finished leftovers from the Savoury Braised Chickpeas last night to complete our Meatless Monday meals. Creamy Cheese Tortellini and Mushrooms with Spinach and Pine Nuts HelloFresh Description: "Creamy, indulgent and quick to prepare: What more could we want from a fuss-free weeknight meal? We guarantee you'll scarf down this beautiful bowl of al dente tortellini that's tossed in a luscious mushroom sauce and topped with toasted pine nuts." Creamy Cheese Tortellini and Mushrooms  from HelloFresh ...

A blessed Sunday to you. For dinner, hubby and I prepared the Savoury Braised Chickpeas with Feta and Garlic Toum from our HelloFresh box, which arrived yesterday. Savoury Braised Chickpeas with Feta and Garlic Toum HelloFresh Description: "Protein-packed chickpeas get a flavour boost from warm curry paste in this hearty and fragrant stew. You'll want to scoop up every last bite of this veggie-filled wonder!" Savoury Braised Chickpeas  from HelloFresh Canada Protein-packed chickpeas get a flavour boost from warm curry paste in this hearty, fragrant stew. You'll want to scoop up every last bite of this veggie-filled wonder! To start, the bulgur wheat is cooked to fluffy perfection. It provides a nutritious and satisfying grain that is perfect for filling you up without weighing you down. Afterwards, you cut and cook ...