Spark up the Grill - It's Time for a Little Mealtime Inspiration!

The warmer weather is finally here, so take the cover off the barbecue and get ready to polish up your grilling techniques.

Here are some grilling tips, tricks and recipe ideas from Everyday Food and Foodwishes.com to get you on your way.

Quick and Simple Recipes to Celebrate Canada Day

Whether you're gearing up for a week away at the cottage or having a few friends over for a backyard barbecue on Canada Day, it's always fun to try out some new recipes and spice up your holiday menu options.

Keep Warm This Weekend with These Cold-Weather Recipes From Everyday Food

It's cold. It's snowy. And if you're hiding inside, you might as well make something warm and delicious for the family to enjoy.

Here are two easy-to-prepare, cold-weather dinner recipes from Sarah Carey at Everyday Food.

Bon appétit!

Tired of Turkey Sandwiches? Here's Some Culinary Inspiration for Your Leftover Turkey!

If you're serving turkey over the holidays, there's a good chance you'll have some left over. For recipes slightly more creative than turkey sandwiches, we've turned to Jamie Oliver, Sarah Carey and Chef John of Food Wishes. Enjoy!

Spend Less Time Inside with these Easy-to-Prepare Summertime Recipes from Everyday Food

Looking for a little summer mealtime inspiration? Here are a few recipes that are both delicious and quick and easy to prepare.

Enjoy Your Canada Day Long Weekend!

The team at Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Canada Day long weekend.

We proudly support our country and do our best to buy Canadian whenever possible. In fact, all the cabinetry manufacturers Monarch uses are Canadian companies. If you’re planning a renovation in the coming months, we hope you consider buying Canadian, too.

Our showroom hours over the Canada Day long weekend are as follows:

Saturday, June 28 – 9am to 5pm

Sunday, June 29 – Closed
Monday, June 30 – 9am to 5pm

Tuesday, July 1st – Closed

Wednesday, July 2nd – regular business hours resume

Feel free to drop by -- our designers would be happy to discuss your upcoming renovation plans and answer any questions you may have. 

Here are a few summertime recipes to spice up your Canada Day long weekend menu!

Pizza on the Grill? Author, Chef and Food Network Star Bob Blumer Shows Us How It's Done

Bob Blumer was on Toronto's Breakfast Television this morning with tips on how to make your homemade pizza on the grill!



Blistered corn, asparagus, and pesto pizza

2 ears corn, husks removed
12 asparagus spears, woody bottoms discarded
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt to taste
¼ cup uncooked grits or polenta, for rolling the dough
1 ball prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
1 cup Basil Pesto or store-bought
12 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cut into 4 strips each
6 ounces Brie, rind removed if preferred, cut into ¼-inch-thick strips, then cut into 1-inch squares
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Preheat the grill.
• Brush the corn and asparagus with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt, then place them on the cooking grate directly over the heat and grill, turning occasionally, until they begin to brown, about 8 minutes. Let cool. To remove the kernels, stand the corn upright. Grip the top of the cob and slide your sharpest knife straight down between the cob and kernels. Cut the asparagus tips off, then cut the remaining stalks into 1⁄4-inch pieces. Reserve both for topping.
• Roll out and shape the dough, then grill the first side of the crust per the master instructions. Use tongs to transfer it from the grill to a peel or rimless baking sheet. Flip the crust to reveal the grilled side.
• Spread the entire surface with the pesto. Sprinkle with the corn, asparagus, and tomatoes. Top with the cheese.
• Finish grilling the pizza per the master instructions.
• Remove from the grill, sprinkle with the red pepper, and season with salt and black pepper. Slice and serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Bob Blumer, www.bobblumer.com

Happy Thanksgiving from Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre

The holiday weekend forecast for Southern Ontario includes mostly sunny skies and moderate temperatures. We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy some time outside with close friends and family over the next few days.

For those of you inside cooking up a storm, here are a few videos from Sarah Carey at Everyday Food we thought you might find useful.

Remember, there's still time to spruce up your kitchen before the Christmas holiday season. Call Monarch today at 905-686-2001 or drop by our showroom and speak with one of our designers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre team

Welcome Fall with a Bowl of Homemade Soup

Crisp cold air welcomed fall to Southern Ontario yesterday afternoon. It's officially soup weather!

Warm your kitchen and your bellies with help from these fast, easy and delicious recipes from  Everyday Food and Allrecipes.com.

Two Ways to Get Creative with Fresh Corn on the Cob this August Long Weekend

The August long weekend is almost here. If you're heading up to the cottage, you will undoubtedly pass a few roadside corn and vegetable stands along the way.

Here are a few creative ways to enjoy your fresh corn on the cob and some tips on how to grill vegetables from Sarah Carey at Everyday Food.

Celebrate Summer with Delicious Recipes from Everyday Food

No matter how beautiful your kitchen is, you probably have better things to do in the summer months than stay inside and prepare meals.

Here are a few fast and easy recipes from Sarah Carey at Everyday Food.

Social Design: Melissa Foley's Favourite 2013 Design Trend

Pop-up Power Bar

The word "social" means so much more than it did 10 years ago.

In 2013, we can be social with the people around us but we can also communicate to people and companies worldwide thanks to the ever-increasing number of social media networks.

How does our desire to stay connected affect what we're looking for in a kitchen design? "At one time, a desk in a kitchen was a highlight and we were including them into almost every design," says Monarch designer Melissa Foley. "But as our devices have decreased in size...with the introduction of smaller laptops and tablets..the need for a dedicated desk has gone by the wayside.

LCD iPad Mount Holder

"Instead of a designated desk area, people are opting for communication stations, a place where they are able to charge their devices, or to sit, have a coffee and read the news on their device."

Richelieu Hardware, one of Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre's trusted partners, is just one of many kitchen suppliers who provide design solutions for the needs of today's consumer. Pop-up power bars, a common item in many office designs, are now being integrated into kitchen designs, as well. Tablet mounting brackets have also become popular.

"The open nature of a social design also encompasses the layout of the kitchen, so that there are sight lines, not only to the members of the family sharing the space, but to Smart TVs, too," adds Melissa. "There they can access the Internet, pulling up that fabulous recipe to cook for dinner!"

Speaking of fabulous recipes, don't forget to follow our blog -- we regularly post easy-to-follow recipe videos you'll be sure to enjoy.

Kitchen Comfort: Two Easy-to-Prepare Comfort Food Recipe Ideas for a Cold January Night

Searching for a Few Delicious Recipes to Serve Your Friends & Family Over the Holidays?

Sarah Carey from EveryDay Food has tips for making the perfect pie crust, adding a twist to your traditional turkey recipe and keeping it simple with pork roast.

Quick and Delicious Recipes That Will Keep You Out of the Kitchen This Long Weekend

As kitchen renovation and design specialists, we are usually the first to encourage you to spend more time in the kitchen.

But we know long weekends come with their own set of rules.

Here are a few great recipes from Sarah Carey at Everyday Food that will help you to spend less time preparing your meals and more time enjoying the company of family and friends this weekend.

Happy August long weekend from Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre!

Celebrate National Cupcake Day with Candy Cane Cupcakes

Happy Thanksgiving from Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre

The holiday weekend forecast for Southern Ontario includes sunny skies and warmer than usual temperatures. We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy some time outside with close friends and family over the next few days. For those of you inside cooking up a storm, here are a few videos we thought you might find useful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre team

This Mother's Day, Instead of a Kitchen-Makeover...try a Kitchen "Take Over"

What does your mom really want this Mother's Day? If she's like most run-off-her-feet moms, she probably wants a day to relax and not worry about what culinary delight she has to whip up for dinner.

This year, tell your mom that her kitchen is off limits and treat her to a meal made lovingly by you! These Everyday Food recipes are easy to prepare--she doesn't have to know that--and delicious!

(And remember, if you're planning on using her kitchen to prepare one of these dishes...clean up afterwards!)