A Taste of Sweden: My Food Coma Lunch at Ikea Restaurant

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 Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Cream Sauce, and Lingonberries from Ikea

Salmon with Vegetable Medallion

My husband chose the 'New' Salmon with Vegetable Medallion. The fresh salmon is perfectly cooked, and the salt brings out the fish's natural sweetness. I love it!

The salmon is topped with a red pepper relish sauce which has a tangy yet slightly sweet taste with a subtle spiciness.

Salmon with Vegetable Medallion with Peas, Corn Mix Veggies, and Red Pepper Relish Sauce from Ikea

The salmon is served with Vegetable Medallion on the side. I surprisingly liked it. It's savoury and creamy, with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, smooth interior. There's a subtle sweetness from the broccoli and leek, but the cheese and herbs add a surprising depth of flavour.

Soup of the Day: Hungarian Mushroom

The Soup of the Day at Ikea Restaurant is Hungarian Mushroom, a type of mushroom soup popular in Eastern European cuisine. It has a rich, earthy, and savoury flavour. It's not as creamy as other mushroom soups I have tried,   and the focus is on the nutty undertone and subtle sweetness of the mushroom. It's comforting.

Hungarian Soup from Ikea

Vegetable Spring Rolls and Vegetable Samosas

This feels like a fan service to the local market in Richmond, BC, with a large population of East Asians and South Asians. Both items have a crunchy exterior, but the interior is acceptable for the price. So if you want mind-blowingly good samosas or spring rolls, go to restaurants that are experts in both.

Vegetarian Spring Rolls and Vegetarian Samosas from Ikea

DAIM Cake

A visit to the Ikea restaurant won't be complete without having a slice of their DAIM Cake. It is one of their popular dessert items, made with layers of almond cake and caramel buttercream, covered with a chocolate ganache and pieces of DAIM candy. The cake has a rich, sweet flavour and crunchy texture from the candy pieces.

DAIM Cake from Ikea Restaurant

After lunch, we walked around Ikea. We got the light bulb we need and so much more. It's such a dangerous place for your wallet.

Regular Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

After shopping and paying for our items, we grabbed a Regular Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, which tastes like soft-serve ice cream. No hint of sourness is expected from a yogurt.

Regular Vanilla Frozen Yogurt from Ikea

I plan to try their $1.00 hotdog next time to see if it can compete with a great deal from Costco.

Everything Croissant Breakfast Sandwich from Tim Hortons

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 seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. On a croissant, the texture changes quite dramatically. Instead of soft and flaky, the croissant becomes heavier and denser. However, it's okay because the inside of the croissant is still soft, and the seeds outside provide a crunchier texture, especially when toasted. The addition of 'Everything' also made the croissant more savoury than just butter and salt.

Sausage Everything Croissant Breakfast Sandwich with Extra Bacon from Tim Hortons

Overall, it's not something I'll order again but worth a try. Meanwhile, a Plain Croissant on our breakfast sandwich is worth the additional $0.80.

Harissa Shrimp and Chickpea Stew with Buttered Ciabatta from HelloFresh Canada

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

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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! "

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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 blend, then cooked in butter.

Cal Smart Harissa Shrimp and Chickpea Stew with Buttered Ciabatta from HelloFresh Canada

A rich tomato sauce base is the starting point of the stew. Next, chickpeas are added for a satisfying crunch texture and protein. Moreover, baby spinach, carrot, and yellow onion add extra nutrition and a pop of colour to the dish. Lastly, ciabatta rolls slathered with a generous amount of butter are served on the side for the perfect finishing touch. Yum!

This Harissa Shrimp and Chickpea Stew with Buttered Ciabatta from HelloFresh is a delicious and satisfying meal for any time of year. It's easy to make, packed with flavour and texture and will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

About HelloFresh:

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that provides its customers with pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards to make cooking at home both convenient and enjoyable.

Savoury Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry from HelloFresh

For dinner tonight, hubby and I prepared the Savoury Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry with Cashews and Garlic Rice from our HelloFresh box.

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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

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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 cashews offer a nutty flavour and satisfying crunch that complements the tender pork perfectly.

A bowl of Savoury Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry with Cashews and Garlic Rice from HelloFresh

The garlic rice is a wonderful side dish to stir-fry. It offers a subtle garlic flavour that enhances the overall dish. In addition, the chicken broth concentrate adds depth and richness to the rice.

This dish is a beautiful combination of savoury, sweet, and spicy flavours, making it an excellent choice for those who love bold and flavorful dishes. The cashews and vegetables add a great texture to the plate, while the garlic rice perfectly complements the stir-fry.

However, the buttery garlic rice and fatty pork made the whole dish too oily for my liking. It was delicious, like Chinese take-out, but my lips were covered with oil afterwards. Something sour or tangy will make the dish better.

About HelloFresh:

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that provides its customers with pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards to make cooking at home both convenient and enjoyable.

Savoury Beef Bowls from HelloFresh Canada

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.

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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

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The garlic rice adds a subtle garlic flavour that perfectly complements the bold flavours of the beef and vegetables. The aromatic blend of celery and onions provides a savoury base for the dish, while the sweet bell peppers and green onions add a pop of colour and a mild sweetness to balance the savoury flavours.

Savoury Beef Bowls with Garlic Rice and Veggies from HelloFresh Canada

The combination of sweet chilli sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, and spicy mayo creates a mouthwatering blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavours that will tantalize your taste buds. This dish is perfect for anyone who loves bold and flavourful meals with protein and healthy veggies.

About HelloFresh:

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that provides its customers with pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards to make cooking at home both convenient and enjoyable.

Moroccan-Style Beef Stew from HelloFresh Canada

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.

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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

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Combining ground beef, lentils, and vegetables creates a delicious and nutritious meal that will satisfy any appetite. The lentils add a rich and earthy flavour to the dish, while the beef provides a hearty and meaty texture. The Moroccan spice blend, which includes cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, and paprika, adds a depth of flavour and a touch of warmth to the dish. The carrots and zucchini add a subtle sweetness and a pop of colour to the plate, while the garlic and onion create a savoury and aromatic base.

Cal Smart Moroccan-Style Beef Stew with Lentils from HelloFresh Canada

To make this Moroccan-style beef stew with lentils, start by browning the ground beef in a large pot. Next, add the vegetables and cook until they are tender. Then, add the lentils, crushed tomatoes, beef stock reduction, and the Moroccan spice blend. Let the stew simmer until the lentils are tender and the flavours have melded together.

Garnish with cilantro and serve. This stew is perfect for meal prepping, as it can be made in large batches and reheated throughout the week for a quick and easy meal. We even have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

If you want to add a touch of exoticism to your dinner table, this Cal Smart Moroccan-Style Beef Stew with Lentils is the perfect recipe. It's a hearty and flavorful meal that is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling warm and satisfied.

About HelloFresh:

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that provides its customers with pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards to make cooking at home both convenient and enjoyable.

Comfort Food Classics: Turkey and Mushroom Stew from HelloFresh Canada

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.

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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 that's sure to warm your soul and your stomach

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Tender chunks of ground turkey, earthy mushrooms, and fragrant thyme are simmered in a rich and savoury broth until they're melt-in-your-mouth tender. Potatoes, aromatic blends (carrot, celery, and onion), and spinach are added for a satisfying meal.

Smart Turkey and Mushroom Stew with Roasted Potatoes and Spinach from HelloFresh Canada

About HelloFresh:

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that provides its customers with pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards to make cooking at home both convenient and enjoyable.