Food

Jan01

2023 new year, new me… maybe not but why not a few new recipes to start us off?

Charred Cabbage Skillet Gratin

This recipe has us drooling! The perfect combination of healthy vegetables with a kick of blue cheese and of course bacon.

  • 1 Savoy or green cabbage
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 large leek
  • 1/2 cup  walnuts
  • 1 small bunch thyme
  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon (about 5 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 ounce blue cheese crumbled apox 1/2 cup

The easiest Skillet Mac

Simple yet delicious, great for those Sundays in during your stay at Breakaway Vacation Homes

  • Kosher salt 1 (11 to 14-ounce) box deluxe macaroni and cheese with cheese sauce (not cheese powder)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chili
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Pork and Broccoli Rice Bowls

Why not add some new flavours to your 2023 pallet

  • 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided
  • 2 boneless pork loin cutlets (about 12 ounces total), cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups broccoli florets (about 1 small head of broccoli) or Broccolini
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Our locations come with all of the simple cooking necessities to support you during your stay. Happy Cooking!

Aug25

Looking for a delicious quick snack to enjoy during your vacation, but you can’t choose what? Look no further we are here to support you and all snacking ideas!

Guacamole and Chips Recipe: Depending on how much Guacamole you would like you can double or triple this recipe!

  • 2-3 Avocados
  • 1 lime or lemon
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tsp of salt
  • 1/2 cup of diced onion
  • 2-3 tomato’s diced
  • jalapeno a lot or none (if you like spice add about a tablespoon thinly cut)
  1. Peel avocados and mash to your preference of chunky or smooth
  2. Dice onion, tomato and jalapeno if you want to add a little spice
  3. Mince Garlic or use garlic press
  4. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl mix and add lime/lemon and salt to taste
  5. Match with your favourite chip and enjoy!

Pina Colada Dip – found here!

  • 1-1/4 cups cold 2% milk
  • 3/4 cup pineapple yogurt
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant coconut cream pudding mix
  • 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • Optional: Toasted unsweetened coconut flakes and maraschino cherries
  • Fresh pineapple wedges
  • Vanilla wafers
  1. In a large bowl, whisk milk, yogurt and pudding mix 2 minutes (mixture will be thick). Fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours.
  2. If desired, top with coconut and cherries before serving. Serve with pineapple and wafers.

Coconut, Lime, and Pistachio Cookies – found here!

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 4 teaspoons lime juice
  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant coconut cream pudding mix
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup pistachios, chopped
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 large egg white, room temperature
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
  1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and lime juice. In another bowl, whisk flour, pudding mix, baking soda and baking powder; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in pistachios and dried cranberries. With clean beaters, beat egg white on medium speed until thick and foamy; stir in coconut.
  2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Top with coconut mixture. Bake until until edges begin to brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Sprinkle with lime zest. Store in airtight containers.

Jalapeno Popper Dip – found here!

  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
  • 1 can (4 ounces) diced jalapeno peppers
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Sliced green onions, optional
  • Corn chips, tortilla chips or assorted crackers
  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar, chilies, peppers and 1/4 cup Parmesan until blended. Spoon into an ungreased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, oil and remaining Parmesan. Sprinkle over cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 min. or until golden brown. Sprinkle with green onions, if desired. Serve with chips or crackers.

Roasted Beetroot and Garlic Hummus – found here!

  • 3 fresh medium beets (about 1 pound)
  • 1 whole garlic bulb
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, divided
  • 1 teaspoon plus 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, optional
  • Minced fresh dill weed or parsley
  • Assorted fresh vegetables
  • Sliced or torn pita bread
  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Pierce beets with a fork; place in a microwave-safe bowl and cover loosely. Microwave beets on high for 4 minutes, stirring halfway. Cool slightly. Wrap beets in individual foil packets.
  2. Remove papery outer skin from garlic bulb, but do not peel or separate cloves. Cut in half crosswise. Sprinkle halves with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil. Wrap in individual foil packets. Roast beets and garlic until cloves are soft, about 45 minutes.
  3. Remove from oven; unwrap. Rinse beets with cold water; peel when cool enough to handle. Squeeze garlic from skins. Place beets and garlic in a food processor. Add garbanzo beans, lemon juice, tahini, cumin, cayenne pepper and remaining olive oil, salt and ground pepper. Process until smooth.
  4. If desired, pulse 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt with beet mixture, dolloping remaining yogurt over finished hummus. Sprinkle with dill or parsley. Serve with assorted vegetables and pita bread.

Enjoy your summer snacks!

Jul12

Enjoy the experience of local food and local talent all at once at the Black Goose Inn. Minutes from the Tanglewood beach vacation rentals you’ll find some great eats and live music!

Check out their extensive menu full of snacks, starters, salads, mains, pies and even something for the kids! It’s traditional British cooking just minutes from your vacation home! Black Goose Inn offers an authentic experience welcome to the entire family, including your 4 legged friends. An outdoor patio is available. Happy hour is offered from 3-5pm with live music between the hours of 6pm-8:30pm. Find the live music schedule here!

Some of our favourite items on the menu are:

Strawberry and Pecan Spinach Salad – Spinach, Strawberries, Feta, Home made candied pecans, Balsamic Dressing

Lamb Shank – Red wine rosemary oven braised lamb shank, Buttery mashed potatoes, Peas, Red win lamb jus

Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon – Sockeye salmon, Buttery Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables and a Creamy lobster sauce

Of course, our cottages come fully equipped with everything you need to make your own home cooked meal – but who wants to cook every night of their vacation!

Jul05

Picture this: You spent the entire day in the Qualicum Landing pool and hot tub splashing and playing in the sun. But your stomach begins to rumble and you are ready to eat! No worries! In under 20 minutes you can be in Coombs at one of our favourite local spots: Cuckoo Trattoria!

Cuckoo is located in the Coombs Market (famous for their goats on the roof, amongst other things!) So head over a bit early and take your time wandering the local shops before heading in for dinner.

Cuckoo boasts a large menu of delicious authentic Italian cuisine made with local West Coast ingredients. The best traditional Italian recipes we all love! From pasta, to Italian thin crust pizza, homemade desserts and more.  Head Chef Fausto Bellicini was born and raised in Italy and brought all his expertise to us locally in the heart of Coombs. You can read more about Chef Fausto here. Choose to eat in or take out, but I recommend staying and enjoying the ambiance!

A few of our favourite dishes:

Fettuccine Salmone – The Italian spin on a West Coast classic, with wild B.C. smoked salmon, garlic, capers, dill and a touch of white wine in a light cream sauce

Boscaiola – Flavours of the forest, with local wild chanterelles and a medley of seasonal mushrooms sautéed with garlic & thyme, topped with mozzarella cheese on a creamy mascarpone cheese base, drizzled with Italian truffle’s oil

Mussels – Fresh steamed mussels served Neapolitan style with garlic and white wine, or yellow curry and coconut milk

Your taste buds will be tingling the minute you walk in the door with the aroma of fresh, local, delicious, homemade Italian meals and ingredients.

Be sure to check out Cuckoo Trattoria during your stay at Qualicum Landing!

Realm Local Food
Jun28

Looking for a taste of local food during your Tanglewood stay? We have loads of tips on local treats and eats, and Realm Food Co is high on our list! Realm is a great place from breakfast, to on the go bites, tacos, sandwiches and so much more!

Located minutes from Tanglewood in Parksville is Realm is a great pick for a meal out. All the items on the menu are sourced locally right from Vancouver Island, and we all know you can’t beat the taste of local. Check out Realm Food Co’s website to see all the items on the menu and explore more about them.

A couple of our favourites on the menu are:

Ramen (vegan options available) – poached egg, bone broth, carrot, cabbage, kale, wild mushrooms, rice noodles, nori, bone broth, chili-hoisin gastrique choice of chicken, pork or tempeh

West Coast Bowl – seared albacore tuna, avocado, carrot, beet, sprouts, cabbage, marinated kale, rice, nori, chipotle-basil aïoli, ponzu sauce

Local Sandwich -basil chèvre, marinated tomato, cucumber, apple-thyme slaw, greens, sprouts, turmeric aioli

Looking to bring the deliciously fresh food back to your Tanglewood Beach Home patio – Realm offers take out so you can bring it back to your beautiful beach home for the entire family to enjoy.

Haven’t booked your island vacation yet? Make sure to check out our rentals page to see all that we offer – and get in touch if you have any questions at all!

Eat Local, Eat Fresh!

blender soups
Dec18

We always recommend bringing a blender when you travel to one of our vacation properties. That’s because there are so many recipes that can be made with this one simple tool. It’s easy to pack and endlessly diverse, whether you want to make dessert smoothies, creamy blender-made soups, or blended cocktails. An immersion blender is particularly easy to pack and works great for soups of all kinds.

As the weather dips in December, you and your family are probably craving something warm and rich to eat. Blenders are great for whipping together easy soups. Here are a few of our favourites:

1. Easy Carrot Soup

This uber-filling soup makes for a perfect winter dinner. Cut up 2-pounds of carrots and boil them with the other ingredients in full-fat coconut milk and water. After about 10-15 minutes of simmering, the carrots should be tender enough to blend. Poke them with a fork and insure the prongs go through easily before introducing the blender.

Curry paste and onion make up the base of this flavourful dish. Additionally, you can add in some cilantro, toasted almonds, or chile oil.

Get the full recipe here.

2. Tomato Basil Soup with Asiago

This twist on traditional tomato soup is a welcome chilly weather meal. You can use canned tomatoes for the base or boil and peel 3-pounds of fresh tomatoes for an even richer flavour. Though the recipe calls for chicken broth, you may substitute vegetable broth in order to make the recipe suitable for vegetarians.

The grated asiago cheese gives this dish some zest. Save a bit to sprinkle on top of each bowl directly before serving. You can also garnish with croutons if you choose!

Get the full recipe here.

3. Butternut Squash Soup

The most challenging part of this recipe is peeling the squash, removing the seeds, and quartering it all. If you don’t have time for this, you can use frozen or canned squash as a substitute. But fresh always tastes best! You will need 3 cups of squash and 1 peeled, decored, and cubed apple to make up the bulk of the soup.

You will want to saute some onion in butter while the squash and apple are steaming. Then, blend it all up with the rest of the ingredients and voila!

Get the full recipe here.

Stay Warm and Fill Up!

Hot, fresh, and quick blender-made soups are the perfect winter recipe. They are easy to make and can be adjusted to accommodate what you have on hand if you are in a rental suite and away from your kitchen.

Ask us about spring vacation rental bookings now to secure your first choice of luxury cottages before they book up. Or, sign up to our newsletter to watch for special deals. 

Healthy smoothies
Nov06

As the weather goes down, so does our body’s natural immunity. Wintertime tends to mean: being indoors more, where germs travel more easily; a lower body temperature, making you vulnerable; and germs get tougher as the weather gets chillier. That’s why you should try to incorporate vitamins and minerals into your diet that boost immunity and help keep you healthy! Smoothies are an easy way to do this. Here are a few nutrient-rich healthy smoothies to get you started:

  1. Citrus Immunity Boosting Smoothie Recipe

Citrus fruits have a ton of vitamin C so this recipe is a perfect, healthy smoothie choice. The vitamin C in citrus fruits are also proven to slow aging and prevent cancer. Oranges and mangoes are the primary ingredients, which is great because mandarin oranges are in season. Lime juice and coconut water finish this recipe off. With no yogurt or milk, it is also low calorie.

Full recipe here.

  1. C-Blast Smoothie

Pink grapefruit, pineapple, and strawberries are all packed with vitamin C. Because most fruit is out of season, feel free to sub in frozen or canned varieties where applicable. This blend included half-a-cup of non-fat Greek yogurt, too, which makes it more filling—perfect for breakfast or a midday snack to tide you over until dinner.

Full recipe here.

  1. Immune Boosting Winter Citrus Smoothie

Mangos, turmeric, ginger, a pinch of cayenne, oranges make the base of this rich, delicious wintertime favorite smoothie. Try swapping in blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges, or mandarin oranges to change up the flavor a bit. You can even mix varieties in the same dish. This smoothie is perfect for winter blues, with plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Full recipe here.

  1. Superfood Power-Up Smoothie Cups

This smoothie cup contains coconut milk, oatmeal, raw honey, chia seeds, vanilla, quinoa, as well as an assortment of spices that you can modify based on what you have on hand. We suggest using turmeric, which is known to help control blood pressure and boost your body’s natural restorative properties.

Full recipe here.

What are your favourite healthy smoothies for wintertime? Let us know in the comments. Want to tap into some sweet, sweet Okanagan produce for your healthy smoothie recipes? Book your summer vacation plans with us now at Breakaway Vacations. We book up fast!

Stay fed, stay healthy.

 

wine pairing
Oct16

Everyone knows that British Columbia is Canada’s wine region. BC wine is a must-try when you are visiting the area. Vineyards may not be open this late into the year but you can expect any local venues to be stocked up with wine from around the area. Here are just a few ideas of what types of wine and food pairings to try.

Savory Squash + Pinot Gris

Squash is in season so you will probably be able to find it on many-a-menu these days. Any savory squash meal should pair well with Pinot Gris. Pinot Gris is rich and spicy and quite popular in B.C. so you’ll find it everywhere. It pairs well with the rich creaminess of squash-based meals (think: pasta, warm salad, or soups).

Meat and Potatoes + Rioja

Steak and potatoes. Sausage and potatoes. Red meat stew. These are perfect cold-weather meals because they fill you up and make you feel warm and cozy as the nights get chilly. Try pairing these meals with a Rioja, which is a deep, leathery red with hints of cherry. Want it sweeter? Open a newer bottle. For more savory, pick a Rioja that has been aged.

Apple Cinnamon + Riesling

Cinnamon will be making a grand appearance in a big way in many desserts and even breakfast/bunches. You might find it with apple or pumpkin, which are in season. But what wine goes best with apple cinnamon tarts after a long day? Try Riesling, which is equal parts sweet and acidic—a perfect counterpart.

Turkey Leftovers + Grenache Rosé

If you’ve already celebrated (Canadian) Thanksgiving, you most likely have a fridge packed full of delicious turkey leftovers. You might be finding yourself adding it to everything: soups, salads, sandwiches. How about accenting the inevitable turkey overdose with some nice Grenache Rosé? The ruby rose colour and heightened acidity make it a great fall pairing.

Vegetable Stew + Pinot Noir

Vegetable stew is great to make in bulk and freeze or refrigerate for easy fall meals. Pack it full of lentils, mushrooms, carrots, potato, corn, and anything else you desire. Vegetarian stew lasts longer in the fridge than meat-based counterparts so you don’t have to worry about rushing through it. Pinot Noir is so food-friendly it goes with nearly anything but it will keep this particular meal company with it’s rich fruity character.

Lamb + Zinfandel

Thinking about ordering rack of lamb for a luscious, fall meal? Try pairing lamb-based recipes with Zinfandel, which is a perfect fall wine that also goes great with sweet potatoes. Zinfandel has hints of dark fruit and a smoky zest but you can also find earthier varieties.

No matter what you are eating, you will be able to find a BC wine to match. That’s because there are so many varieties to play with. Wine lovers rejoice.

Looking for a fantastic Fall getaway? Contact us and ask about our vacation properties here in beautiful British Columbia.

pumpkin baking
Oct09

Going away for the weekend doesn’t have to mean living off crusty gas station cookies when you get the inevitable sweet tooth. We believe that home baking can travel with you anywhere, which is why we’ve compiled this list of # pumpkin-themed baking recipes that are uber easy to make.

  1. Pumpkin Granola

Oats, pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin puree are the star or this granola dish. Plus, coconut oil, maple syrup, honey and brown sugar add all the sweetness you could possibly desire. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes to prepare and then another hour to bake, so consider making it the night before if you want a get-up-and-go treat first thing in the morning.

Full recipe on Tasty Kitchen.

  1. Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Pumpkin can be used in the main course, too. If you have some picky eaters in the family, try this pumpkin mac and cheese dish. No one can say no to mac and cheese! Other than the usual mac and cheese ingredients that you would expect, you will also want to pick up some pumpkin puree and ground nutmeg. This easy lunchtime treat takes just under an hour to make.

Full recipe on The Bossy Kitchen.

  1. Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins

This recipe takes only 45 minutes to complete with minor prep time of about 10 minutes. A perfect afternoon craft! You also get about 18 muffins out of it, making it perfect to share with friends or family. All you need is pumpkin spice cake mix (or similar cake mix of your choosing), pumpkin puree, cinnamon chips, and chopped pecans. Makes a perfect dessert!

Full recipe on AllRecipes.

  1. Pumpkin Smoothie

If you’re a fan of pumpkin spice lattes, you might want to try this pumpkin smoothie. Pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, apple cider, milk, maple syrup, and pumpkin-pie spice to taste. Pumpkin smoothies are great for a midday snack or even a quick breakfast. Don’t forget to pack your personal (1 serving) blender so that you can make smoothies on the go, no matter where you are. We highly recommend it.

Full recipe on Express Life.

Need somewhere to stay for a quick week/end getaway this Fall season? Contact us to learn about one of our many vacation rental properties, from cottages to larger group facilities.

 

 

Dinner
Jul08

With its breathtaking beaches, laid back vibe, and charming Beach Homes, Qualicum Beach is a favourite weekend getaway among locals on Vancouver Island as well residents of the Mainland seeking a place for some much-needed rest and relaxation. From its long list of easy to moderate hiking trails, refreshing local watering holes such as Cameron and Spider Lake, and of course the kilometers of beaches to choose from the activities here are endless. To make your stay even more enjoyable and hassle-free we have made a list of our favourite places for dine-in or take-out in Qualicum Beach so you can spend more time exploring, relaxing, and not meal planning.

 

Breakfast, Lunch, and Brunch Options

 

 

Courtyard Cafe

Courtyard Cafe is the perfect place for a quick on-the-go early morning bite to eat. The quaint little eatery is best known for its delicious baked goods and their sweet or savoury crepes loaded with your choice of toppings. Enjoy this meal on the go or take a seat on their lovely outdoor courtyard patio before heading out for the day.

 

Baileys In The Village

Baileys In The Village is another hot spot for awesome breakfast or lunch options in Qualicum Beach. A cute little restaurant in the heart of downtown Qualicum enjoyed by both locals and out of towners. Their comfort food keeps you full and happy all the way through until dinner. Choices of classic meals like bacon and eggs, breakfast sandwiches, lunch wraps, and tasty soup/salad combos.

 

Ohhh… So Yummy Cafe

This cafe has to be one of our absolute favourite spots for a delicious breakfast/brunch meal. Serving up all the best options like classic eggs benny, huevos rancheros, and we can’t forget about their famous happy face pancakes loaded with all kinds of fruit and topped with whipped cream. Their reasonable prices and generous portions make it a great spot for families to enjoy a great meal.

 

Dinner Dining Options

 

 

Deez Bar and Grill

Deez Bar and Grill offers some of the best feel-good foods in town. With a great selection of handhelds, fish and chips, pasta, salads, and large entree meals including steaks, seafood, and a massive Mediterranean platter you will always find something you like. Located only steps from the beach, this laid back bar is the perfect place to pick up a tasty meal to enjoy down by the water.

 

Bistro 694

Bistro 694 stands by their slogan, “Global flavours… local ingredients”. Although they are currently closed until late July, they offer amazing authentic foods to choose from. Try their hummus and warm pita or the Little Qualicum brie bruschetta for starters followed by the Kashmiri Butter Chicken, Balinese prawn curry, or their delicious seafood crepes. Bistro 694 offers a selection of foods and flavours that are truly divine.

 

Giovanni’s Ristorante and Lounge

Giovanni’s is the go-to place for Italian food in Qualicum Beach and an absolute must-try. With three dining experiences to choose from, fine dining, casual dining, or pizza takeout, Giovanni’s always delivers quality food with impeccable service. With so many options to choose from it is the perfect place to try new dishes because you will never be disappointed.

 

Finding the best place to dine-in or take-out in Qualicum Beach is now much easier! You can enjoy your Breakaway Vacation more without worrying about where to eat!