A bowl of soup on a table.

When chicken noodle soup just won’t do

By on July 4, 2013

Well my friends there is nothing worse for a person like myself than to be sick…yes, I should be grateful that I don’t have some life threatening disease or some other catastrophic black cloud over me. But when you have a passion for food like I do and just the mere thought of cooking let alone trying to find the energy to go grocery shopping seems like someone has just asked you to climb mount Everest, well it becomes for the lack of better words…overwhelming and daunting.

For the last couple of days I have been battling a pretty bad chest cold that has been sucking all desires to do anything food related, that for tonight I needed to find a solution! I really shouldn’t complain, I survived the winter months with hardly a sniffle and of course Murphy’s Law likes to pop into my life from time to time (just to annoy the crap out of me) and throw me a energy consuming virus right in the middle of summer. Go figure. Well I decided that I would fight fire with fire – literally. For me, the tried and true has always worked…I needed some spicy food to sweat this poison out of my system. Spicy food has always been my ‘old school’ remedy for colds. It hasn’t failed me thus far (fingers, legs and toes crossed).

I decided to go to one of my favorite Thai restaurants here in Ottawa, Singha Thai. This quaint and ever so charming restaurant has been serving patrons in the Ottawa region for several years (it recently closed its sister restaurant, Wang pad Thai in Hull,Quebec which was in business for over 15 years). Singha Thai’s consistency where food is regarded has been stellar over the years and that is why I knew I would be able to count on them to provide me with some savory, spicy and gratifying delectables that would no doubt kill this bug that I have become a host too.

I figured that I would first order a soup (now anyone that personally knows me, knows that I typically avoid soups at all costs. I’ll explain my reasoning behind this logic…I see soups as fillers and appetite suppressants. Fillers that can be replaced by what I consider ‘real’ food – which is basically anything other than soup. All kidding aside, I just find that soups cut my appetite in half which in theory isn’t a bad thing but when you are craving for some heavy protein and starch – a soup will just kill that dream). But when you’re sick, you do things that you normally wouldn’t typically do. So alas, my order of Tom Kha (a hot and sour soup with shrimp, lemongrass, mushroom, galangal and coconut milk) came to my table piping hot and ready to be consumed. This soup literally gave me goosebumps…not sure if it was the hot temperature of the soup or the fact that I was reawakening my senses but it was all good. The spicy flavors started to stimulate the taste buds..and this was just the beginning.

Tom Kha

Next up were my some of my favorites, I ordered a spicy Pad Bai Gra Prow (chicken with fresh chili peppers and basil leaves) and some Pad Thai (Fried rice noodles with chicken, egg, peanuts and bean spouts). I ordered the Pad Thai strictly for comfort reasons…how can you go to a Thai restaurant and not order this dish? Under any other circumstance, I would typically also order (don’t judge…leftovers are always good) some Gaeng Kheav Warn, a wonderful rich dish that consists of chicken or beef with some green curry, coconut milk and eggplant to which I absolutely love but I was trying to not go overboard on the dairy since its counter productive when you have a cold or at least that’s what they say.

The heat from the chili peppers in my Pad Bai Gra Prow was exactly what the doctor ordered. It instantly warmed up my core and got me reaching for the water right away. I had forgotten how much I love to eat the vegetables in this meal, especially when they are immersed in their own juices and sprinkled with chili peppers and basil leaves. The rich licorice taste of the Thai basil leaves was the true essence of this meal. As for my Pad Thai…sheer comfort noodles with its ever so flavorful sauce.

Not sure if this meal will help shorten the recovery time of this chest cold but at least it got my ever so precious taste buds back in working order and for a short time it gave this Food Tease her bounce back in her step.

Pad Bai Gra Prow
Pad Thai

The perfect marriage - garlic escargots and @moetchandon Ice Imperial Champagne 🍾 🥂😍😍

If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting this incredibly refreshing Champagne, then I'd suggest you do it and do it now!! You'll thank me for it😉😋

What is unique about this Champagne is the fact that it was created to be served over ice, hence its name - Ice Imperial. It is the perfect accompaniment to any dish or simply alone...sheer perfection!!

Here's to more 'occasions' or 'simply because' 😉

Cheers🥂

#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodphotography #foodporn #champagne #champagnelover #icechampagne #moet #moetchandon #anyoccasion #justbecause #escargot #luxelife #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #tmacontario
"Cook with love always, and people will feel it" - Chef @antonyannick70

It was a pleasure and honour to witness Chef Yannick Anton from @lecordonbleuottawa receive the Chevalier de L'Ordre du Mérite Agricole. 

This award, bestowed by the French Ministry of Agriculture, recognizes his contribution to promoting French culture in Ottawa and across Canada through his work as a chef and culinary instructor. 
🇨🇵 🇨🇦🧑‍🍳

Read about his extraordinary career in my article published in the Fall issue of @luxeottawamagazine 

A lifelong passion for his craft - Congratulations again, Chef!!🏅🤩

#travelblogger #foodblogger #travelwriter #foodwriter #chef #cheflife #chevalier #meriteagricole #prestigious #accolades #frenchculture #promoting #published #luxelife #tmac #tmacontario #ifwtwa1 #frenchchef
The @brookstreetott hotel is a dreamy setting for couples embarking on their marital journey, especially with their all-in-one location. 🤩🤩

Discover their exclusive curated services in my recently published article featured in the Fall/Winter issue of the @ottawawedding magazine.

● Premiere wedding venue 💍✅️
● 18-hole championship golf course ⛳️✅️
● Exceptional cuisine 🍽 ✅️

Make your next stay a memorable one with the Brookstreet Hotel! 

#foodblogger #travelblogger #traveldestination #weddingvenue #ottawa #championshipgolfcourse #golfcourse #curated #awardwinning #getaway #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #travelwriter #ottawaweddingmagazine #published #lovemyjob #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #tmacontario
Those who know me know I'm weak for tasty popcorn and @fromfarmtotablecanada
 spoiled me with theirs!! 🍿 😋

Proudly Ontario-made and woman-owned, From Farm to Table Canada has debuted their limited-edition CNE Kettle Corn in collaboration with the Canadian National Exhibition @letsgototheex for the 2024 season.Their beautiful package illustrations captures the fun that we have, when at the CNE 🎢.

It's the perfect blend of sweet and salty - my favourite!! 😍

They are available in two sizes: Family Bag and Grab & Go. Sold online as well as in retail chains and many independent stores.

This must-have snack for the summer is available until Labour Day. 

Get yours today and enjoy!!🍿🍿
A couple of evenings ago, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by my alma mater, @lecordonbleuottawa to witness Chef @antonyannick70 be awarded France's L'Ordre du mérite agricole, the highest civilian honour from the embassy @franceaucanada 😃

This distinction recognizes the contributions of Chef Yannick to promote French culture in Canada and Ottawa specifically - through his work as a chef and instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Ottawa. 

Special moments of the evening included Ambassador of France to Canada, Michel Miraillet sharing with guests the numerous accomplishments that Chef Yannick Anton has accomplished over the years. Simply remarkable!!👏👏
A very touching and inspiring moment came when Chef Yannick Anton gave praise and gratitude to his mentors, who helped him attain his dream in the culinary industry. He also reminded the graduating class of chefs to always have a vision and to never let it go.👨‍🍳👩🏼‍🍳😍

And it wouldn't be a celebration without some tasty treats that exude French flare! They even had chocolate graduation hats - very cute and apropo 🎓🎓

Bravo Chef!!😊
Muy Caliente!!🔥🔥🌞🌞

With the insanely hot weather, nothing is more refreshing than this tasty Brazilian lemonade with some @bacardi Gold
Rum for the win!!🤩😋

And let me tell you, a pitcher was made...as it's THAT delicious!!

At this rate, I will finally start to enjoy the summer heat...providing I have my 'special' lemonade!😉

Cheers!

#foodblogger #travelblogger #cocktails #cocktailporn #brazilianlemonade #braziliandrink #summerdrinks #bacardi #rum #summerheat #summerheatwave #lemonadeforadults #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #enjoylife #enjoythemoment
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