Simply Gourmet Personal Chef & Catering (2025)

10/01/2023

Do you ever buy the uncle bens flavored rice pouches? 🫣

I'm always tempted by the yummy sounding flavors but I can't justify the cost when I know how much cheaper it is to cook my own and control what goes into it, who's with me? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Here's my copy cat version that you're pocketbook AND family will love!

1 cup Brown rice, I use the parcooked version
1 tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp seasoning (I used garlic butter seasoning from costco)*
2 large shallots, minced (or 1/2 an onion)
2 cups broth (veggie or chicken)

In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté shallot in butter for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and seasoning of choice and cook for another 30 seconds. Add rice and sauté 1 more minute. Add broth, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Cover and let cook for approximately 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

*you can use a variety of seasoning options, any premixed seasoning that you would use for chicken or fish works well.

Be sure to save and share this yummy side dish recipe 😋

13/12/2022

This recipe is a client fave! Perfect for entertaining while keeping it simple. This feels impressive and tastes delish!

Balsamic Braised Beef
4 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cubed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbsp oil
3 celery, diced
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dry red wine
14 ounces beef broth
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water

Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°. Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Brown roast on all sides. Remove from pan.

Add celery, carrots and onion to the pan; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until fragrant and garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Stir in broth, vinegar and herbs. Return roast to pan; bring to a boil. Place in a a slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours OR cook in your instantpot on high for only 30 minutes!

Skim fat from the top. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened.

Serve this over cauliflower, parsnip or potato mash or even polenta is a great choice! Add some roasted broccolini and you have a decadent weekday dinner!

Be sure to save this for later!

28/11/2022

The most delicious meal in under 15 minutes!

It's so good and simple I made it 3 days in a row last week and you sent me DM's asking for the recipe, so here it is!
Be sure to SAVE & SHARE.

Serves 4
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1-2 tbsp gochujang paste (found in the ethic aisle)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp minced ginger
1/3- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tsp sesame oil
1 bag coleslaw

Jasmine rice for serving
Garnish: peanuts or cashews

Brown beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until almost fully cooked, breaking up as you go. Add in the next three ingredients and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the the remaining ingredients except the coleslaw (and rice) and cook another 2-3 minutes. Add slaw and cook, stirring, another 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Serve over rice (I made coconut rice) and garnish with peanuts or cashews.

08/11/2022

I don't know about you but I crave comfort food in this weather. ❄️

This casserole will warm you up and save you time!🥳

Creamy Chicken & Rice

Serves 4

200g white rice
2 cups chicken broth (brought to a boil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small lemon, zest and juice
2 lbs chicken, cubed
2 tbsp sour cream or cream cheese
1-2 tbsp grated parmesan
2 cups broccoli, chopped
3/4 cup frozen peas
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375
Place rice in a casserole dish and pour boiling broth over. Add sour cream, lemon juice and zest, garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and stir. Add raw chicken, layering it evenly over rice and season well with salt and pepper. Cover back up and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes. Remove from oven and turn over the chicken pieces to ensure they are cooked on both sides. Top with parmesan, chopped broccoli and frozen peas, cover and bake for another 5-8 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked and broccoli is tender. Stir well, taste for seasoning and serve!

24/10/2022

Confession: I refuse to drink my coffee black. Which means I use a sweetened coffee creamer that I feel less than great about. All the coffee creamers out there seem to have awful ingredients, including seed oils that I would rather not consume.

Here's a date sweetened pumpkin version, just be sure to look at the ingredients in the almond milk you buy.

12 oz unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup pure pumpkin
4 tsp vanilla
3-4 large pitted dates, soaked in boiling water

Soak your dates in boiling water for 5 minutes and then blend all ingredients together. Store in fridge for up to 4 days.

11/10/2022

It's and if you're sick of Turkey and of cooking this recipe is for you!

One of my favorite one pot wonders that will get your tastebuds standing to attention. Thai food doesn't have to be intimidating. Be sure to share and save this recipe.

Thai Salmon Rice Bake
Serves 4

4 tbsp full fat canned coconut milk
1 tbsp red Thai curry paste, or to taste
1 tsp lime zest
1/2 lime, juiced
1 tsp sriracha
2 tsp ginger
salt to taste
2 cups white rice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups canned coconut milk
2 limes, juiced
3 cups boiling chicken broth
1 tsp salt
4 cups green beans, ends trimmed
4 salmon filets, skin removed
Garnish with cilantro

Mix together the first 7 ingredients. Place the salmon in a Ziploc bag and add the marinade. Coat well and let sit for 10 minutes. Do NOT over marinate.

Preheat your oven to 375. In a 9x13 casserole dish add the rice and the remaining ingredients. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir. If your rice has absorbed all the liquid at this point, add another ½ cup. Top the rice with green beans, season with salt and cover. Bake a further 5 minutes. Remove from oven and top the salmon on the beans. Cover and bake for another 5-7 minutes depending on how thick your fish is. Remove from the oven and let sit for 2-3 minutes covered.

Divide salmon and green beans between 4 plates. Stir the rice, taste for salt and adjust as needed. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

27/09/2022

Who's ready for some pumpkin spice to start your morning?!

This smoothie bowl gave me all the fall feels yesterday 🍂

To a blender
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup frozen cubed butternut squash
2 tbsp canned pure pumpkin
2 oz full fat canned coconut milk
1/2 tsp pumpkin spice

Blend together until smooth, adding more coconut milk if needed. Garnish with granola and a dash more of cinnamon.

SAVE and SHARE 🧡

05/09/2022

Happy Holiday Monday! You're going to wan to save this one!

September is one of the busiest months for nearly everyone and I'm no exception. Between personal chef clients, catering and now my new business venture I'm embarking on my busiest September EVER!🤯

Which means my meals are on a rinse and repeat setting. I've literally made this recipe for dinner 3 days in a row. 😲Which is saying how good and easy it is because I have zero time to think about dinner right now and yet still want to eat tasty food!😋

Peanut Chicken Thighs with Apple Slaw
Serves 2
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cubed (for quicker cooking)
Marinade
2 heaping tbsp natural peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp sriracha, or to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tsp maple syrup

Slaw
3 cups coleslaw
1 apple, diced
1/4 cup mayo
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp jalapeno, finely diced (if desired)
salt to taste
Cilantro to garnish if desired

Add marinade to chicken and let sit 30 minutes if possible. Can be made ahead and marinated overnight. While chicken is marinating prepare coleslaw by adding all ingrdients into a large bowl and mixing well.

Cook chicken in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, stirring once or bake on a tray in the oven for approximately 15-18 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Serve alongside slaw and dig in! Be sure to save and share this recipe.

28/08/2022

Simply Gourmet is hiring! As we are going into our busy season, I'm currently looking for a freelance caterer to join the Simply Gourmet team!

Simply Gourmet is a catering company that's been established in Calgary for nearly 15 years. We specialize in catering private in home events ranging from multi course plated dinners, cocktail parties and buffets.

This is a rare opportunity to open up and be a part of our team!

I'm seeking a talented Chef to work for me on a contract basis for catering events that arise. Our peak season is rapidly approaching starting in October and working through the holidays but events are getting booked as we speak. It's an excellent opportunity to get out of a restaurant atmosphere and make great money while still doing what you love.

I provide the commercial kitchen to prep in with all necessary ingredients. All the chef would be responsible for is prepping and then catering the event. I would supply the appropriate amount of staff as needed.

All gratuities given are yours to keep.

It is vital that you are as confident in front of house as you are in back of house as you are customer facing throughout the evening. This almost always a weekend and evening shift with prep done in the afternoon prior to the event.

Skills you should possess

Strong work ethic.
Attention to detail.
Passion for food and above average talent in cooking.
Dependable and reliable
Mature
Good communication skills
Professional and outgoing personality

Please DM me with why you are a good fit. Only those that are of interest will be contacted.

On contract Part-time hours

Please share this if you know anyone!

🔪

22/08/2022

This recipe is going to your new fave!🤤 Be sure to SAVE for later.

Our pistachio crusted salmon is a dish that's requested on repeat with our clients but last week I decided to make it for myself and now I know why, it's so good!😋

Serves 2
2 salmon fillets
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp coarsely ground pepper
1 tbsp dijon
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp oil
1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios, shelled
Salsa
1 golden kiwi, diced
1 peach, diced
1 tbsp lime juice
dash tabasco
salt to taste
fresh cilantro or mint

Cooking Instructions
Mix dijon, lemon juice, honey, oil and salt and pepper in a bowl. Dip fish to coat one side well and then lay the coated side down onto the crushed pistachios until one side is fully covered.

Bake at 375° for approximately10-12 minutes or in the air fryer at 350 for approximately 6-8 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine salsa ingredients. When Salmon is finished top with salsa and serve with rice.

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05/08/2022

TGIF! It's a busy catering weekend! We've got 4 events booked this weekend with a double event on Saturday. 🎉

It's so great to see Calgarian's celebrating again. Coming together to share memories and great food. One of the best parts about our catering services are the desserts!

These individual pecan tarts with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream is the perfect way to end a catered dinner at your next event! 😋

Contact us today for your FREE quote and customized menu. Believe it or not we're already taking Christimas inquiries!

📸

01/08/2022

After a full week off posting on my Simply Gourmet page I'm ready to get back to it!
So, who's ready for another recipe?! 🙋‍♀️

With another hot day I thought this super simple and refreshing treat would be a great way to beat the heat! 🍨

Serves 1

1 cup each; frozen chopped pineapple and mango
1/2 cup frozen sliced banana
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 peach sliced, garnish
1 tbsp granola, garnish

In a blender add all ingredients except garnish. Blend until smooth adding more almond milk if needed.

Garnish with fresh peaches and granola and dig in!

*you can buy the fruit already frozen or freeze your own and store in Ziploc for a cheaper version.

Tag me in your recipes, I’d love to see! 😀

Hope everyone has an amazing week!

20/07/2022

Let's talk money saving tips at the Supermarket! 🤑

We've seen a 10% inflation on food and as someone who runs two food business and hasn't raised my prices, I'm always looking for ways to save at the grocery store without sacrificing quality.

👊Do it yourself. Meaning, stop buying products that do the heavy lifting for you, such as ready made sauces, spice blends, chopped veggies etc. The only time this may work in your favor is if you're wanting to make a dish that requires mulitple ingredients you don't have. However, if it's food you make often, it's worth buying the spices initially to have for the future.

🕵️Watch the prices. Did you know ground beef fluctuates from approximately $7/kg to $11? Be sure you're paying attention to the prices and then stock up when it's at its lowest.

💵Buy on sale. This seems obvious but when chatting with someone who works in the meat department she said people often skip over the reduced meat. When the meat department puts items on sale check out the date and be sure to freeze in smaller portions as soon as you get home.

🗣Get to know the staff at the supermarket. You can find out loads of insider tips to save you money!

Be sure to save and share these tips!

12/07/2022

The hot weather has arrived and it has me craving fresh light fruit filled salads! The plums right now are so good!🌱🌞

Enjoy this salad as a side for a Summer BBQ or as a main course with grilled chicken.

2 heads romaine lettuce, cleaned and torn
2/3 cup quinoa, cooked
1 large red plum, diced
1/2 cucumber, diced
1/2 avocado, diced
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, toasted
Dressing
2 tbsp oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tbsp white balsamic (or rose wine vinegar from costco)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix the dressing ingredients together (adjusting acid and salt if needed) and toss with the rest of the ingredients.

06/07/2022

Do you have the right cutting board?🤔 Which tip is most surprising?

It might seem like a silly question but next to your knife, your cutting board is one of the most important tools you'll use.💯

Here's 3 mistakes you might be making when choosing a board.⤵

🧐It's too small. There's nothing more annoying than chopping on a board that doesn't give you room to work. Your cutting board should be at least 15 " wide but upwards of 17 is better. You want room to work.

⏩It moves. Ideally choose a board with silcone edges so that it doesn't move when you cut but you can always lay a slightly damp paper towel underneath if needed.

❎The wrong material. Don't use glass or it will dull your knife. I prefer plastic over wood. Wood can split over time when introduced to water and create small cracks that are hard to clean. A dishwasher safe plastic is the best choice.

Bonus tip: Keep separate cutting boards for raw meats and produce.

Which tip did you find most surprising?

04/07/2022

Save & Share this delicious Summer Recipe! 🍑☀️

I made this last week and have been dreaming about it ever since. The sweet grilled peaches paired with creamy burrata and salty prosciutto are literally a trio made in heaven. 😍 This makes for a show stopper for your next family BBQ.

Serves 2

2 semi firm peaches, cut into 1 inch wedges
1 ball of burrata, quartered
2 slices prosicutto, torn
1/2 avocado, sliced
1 tbsp pumpkin seeds, toasted

Dressing
1 tbsp avocado oil
1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1/2 lemon, juice and zest
1 garlic clove, minced
salt and pepper
Fresh Mint, torn

Grill or cook your peaches in an air fryer for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway.
Prepare your dressing by mixing all ingredients together well.

Arrange on a platter; peaches, burrata, prosciutto and avocado. Drizzle over dressing and garnish with pumpkin seeds and fresh mint. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

🍑

01/07/2022

Happy Canada Day! Enjoy the day with family and friends!🇨🇦

Here are my three entertaining tips ⤵

1️⃣Give yourself more time than you think you'll need to prep your meal. There's nothing worse than feeling rushed.

2️⃣Have a simple snack available for your guests immediately as they arrive. That way if dinner is late people have something to nibble on.

3️⃣Don't forget to eat during the day. Skipping a meal impacts our ability to think clearly and our level of patience.

And remember, your friends and family are there for YOU first, the food isn't as important as you might think.💛💛

27/06/2022

It's and here's a delish Summer high protein breakfast!🍓
SAVE & SHARE 💛

I'm a busy multi entrepreneur running two businesses and have zero time for a complicated breakfast. I also need to ensure I get at least 35g of protein in the morning. This is the perfect solution!😋💪

Serves 1
40g vanilla protein powder (I use whey isolate)
1 oz full fat canned coconut milk
2 oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk
100g frozen strawberries
Toppings
10g Keto granola (from Costco)
5g raw cacao nibs

Blend the first 4 ingredients together until smooth and top with granola and cacao nibs.

Macros: 39g P 9g Net Carbs 14g F

If you want more high protein ideas, be sure to follow .

Simply Gourmet Personal Chef & Catering