A salt-free garlic herb seasoning that you can easily mix together within minutes at home. Make this homemade herb seasoning blend just the way you need and like it! TL;DR This Mediterranean influenced herb and garlic seasoning doesn't include salt because you don't need salt in a seasoning blend. Salt can always be added and adjusted in a dish at a later time. I … [Read more...]
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15 Veal Recipes That Feel Straight Out of a Fine Dining Menu
Veal is a fine meat, which deserves more love. In this recipe collection, you'll find 15 veal recipes that highlight its tender texture and refined flavor in simple yet impressive ways. We love to cook and enjoy veal meat cuts in Europe. It's a delicate meat that I would consider gourmet because of the tenderness and price point. Therefore, I recommend preparing these … [Read more...]
Creamy Chicken with Bell Pepper, Mushroom Wine Sauce
A one-pan skillet meal with smaller chicken strips, sliced bell pepper, mushrooms in a creamy spiced wine sauce. The spices are mild and compliment the flavors. TL;DR This dish was inspired by central European meals, including the Swiss chicken Geschnetzeltes, the Hungarian chicken paprikash and the chicken version of an Austrian beef goulash. Warm spices, combined … [Read more...]
24 Dipping Sauces for Chicken Tenders
What's perfectly cooked crispy golden chicken tenders without a creamy dipping sauce? I can't get enough of trying different types of chicken tender sauces, the more the merrier. If you can relate to that or if you are just bored with the conventional Ketchup and Mayonnaise, you'll most certainly enjoy this collection of handpicked must-try chicken tender dipping … [Read more...]
Grapefruit Infused Water
Water infused with grapefruit is a fruit flavored water that will help you to stay hydrated all day long. Flavor infused waters are also known as spa waters or detox waters. TL;DR I love eating grapefruits and when bottled grapefruit water was popularized in Europe, I couldn't stop drinking this instead of plain water. Flavored waters are super common in Europe and … [Read more...]
14 Asparagus Skillet Recipes for Quick Dinners and Easy Sides
Celebrate spring with the ongoing Asparagus season and make this fantastic produce the star of your plate tonight. Green asparagus is specifically easy to prepare in a skillet. Tender stalks just need minutes to get cooked, and they are very forgiving and beginner home cook friendly. I have added a few of our current favorite asparagus skillet recipes further below and, … [Read more...]
Spicy Chicken Stir Fry Sauce
A stir-fry sauce specifically created for your Asian flavored chicken meals. The sauce is simple to prepare and has multiple uses. You will love this sauce if you prepare a lot of Asian quick meals at home or if you are into spicy world food. TL;DR I came up with this Asian-style chicken stir-fry sauce as I was looking to add more flavors into the stir-fry to … [Read more...]
Super Lazy Dinner Ideas for Rock-Bottom Energy Days
We have all been there! When cooking feels too much, and we want to avoid another cereal night, and we crave delicious food after a long day at work. This is when these super lazy dinner ideas save the day! The recipes below are low effort, that means most have a low and simple prepping time. Chopping vegetables can be such a time killer! I wanted to avoid this, so if a … [Read more...]
Italian Salad Pizza
A Salad Pizza has been trending in Europe and if you have visited Italy lately, you will have come across this pizza in a takeaway place. Here is how you can create this refreshing and aesthetically pleasing pizza at home! TL;DR Salad Pizza (or Pizza Salad) is a pizza crust baked and topped with fresh ingredients just before it's served. The pizza is enjoyed at … [Read more...]
29 Irresistible Asian Rice Dishes from Sweet to Savory
Rice takes center stage in Asia, with flavors that range from bold and savory to rich and sweet. It’s the kind of food that comforts, surprises, and sticks with you. We prepare Asian rice dishes multiple times in a week at home because most recipes are flavore-packed, easy to prepare, budget-friendly meals that do not require special equipment. My focus in this … [Read more...]
10-Minute Garlic Spinach Skillet
A simple garlic spinach dish prepared in the skillet within minutes. This is a side dish that pairs well with most main course meals. The garlic and olive oil accentuate the beautiful green earthy spinach flavors, and it's one of our all-time favorite side dishes at home. Ingredient Notes Process Overview Step 1 Prep fresh ingredients. Rinse and pat dry spinach, … [Read more...]
18 Fun Food Names You Can Make at Home!
You might have noticed that I love funny food names. I have been sharing a few recipes with out-of-the-norm names for a while now, but I thought you'd appreciate them all in one place. I'll be, of course, working on extending this list in the near future. My grandfather passed away, at the age of 98, a few months ago and the 1st April was his birthday. He also loved … [Read more...]
Pan-Fried Quail Eggs
Quail eggs make for a great substitute for regular chicken eggs, and they are some of our favorite eggs to fry in a pan, besides duck eggs. But they are not built the same way as chicken eggs in fact, the shell is harder and the size makes it a challenge. I share how to break and cook quail eggs in a pan. TL;DR Quail eggs are the eggs from several mid-sized quail … [Read more...]
Cheesy Baked Polenta and Egg with Bacon
Cheesy polenta with crunchy fried bacon, baked with an egg into a bubbling comforting meal. Polenta is like grits and it's a nutritious budget-friendly ingredient. This recipe is super simple and this is all yours if you love all polenta or grit meals. TL;DR I came across this baked polenta dish as we visited Sinaia back in July 2024, a town in Romania known as the … [Read more...]
19 Skillet Ground Beef Recipes That Make Dinner Feel Effortless
I love cooking with ground beef because it tastes great, cooks through fast, it's versatile and very budget-friendly. Use a skillet to prepare last-minute ground beef meals that are pure comfort foods. Below, I have added a great selection of different ground beef skillets meals. I made sure to add various foods and preparation styles from around the world. I hope … [Read more...]
Pineapple Cardamom Ginger Juice
Fresh pineapple and ginger juice, flavored with a hint of aromatic green cardamom. A trio of fruity fresh and warm flavors in the shape of a homemade juice. You don't need a juicer to make this juice at home. The juice making method involves a blender. TL;DR I think I discovered this juice flavoring combo in India as we were traveling the Himalayas. One of the … [Read more...]
Italian-American Food Favs That Took Over the US
I LOVE Italian-American foods because it's comfort food at its best. Authentic Italian food is spectacular, but Italian-American food just screams homemade comfort food. I have compiled a list of my top favorite Italian-American meals. The one that didn't make it is the Hawaii Pizza because it's Canadian. … [Read more...]
Homemade Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning
I'm a gigantic fan of Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning, and I use it beyond the classic chicken dish. I love it sprinkled over my meals and as a general food flavoring. That is why I have come up with my fiery version, that contains a selection of spices. Add this seasoning to your collection of hot spice blends. Ingredient Notes Process Overview Step 1 Place … [Read more...]
8 Boneless Pork Loin Oven Roast Recipes
We love a good boneless pork loin roast at home. They are easy to prepare and slow roast in the oven until they are tender and juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside. I have collected a couple of pork loin recipes, which I intend to expand on further in time whenever I come across another fantastic recipe. Note, these are all pork loin recipes and not tenderloin … [Read more...]
Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry
A quick stir-fried Thai basil chicken to add to your Asian dinner rotation. Perfect if you love ground chicken meals, Thai street food classics and effortless meals. This is my take on the popular Thai dish that I picked up from one of our visits to Thailand. TL;DR Thai basil chicken is known as a fragrant street food dish in Thailand. Locally, it's called Phat … [Read more...]
16 Salt-Free Seasoning Blends
Skip sodium packed salty herb and spice mixes with this collection of homemade salt-free seasoning recipes. I generally try to avoid adding salt to my seasoning blends because you can always add salt if needed. Salt is technically only a seasoning requirement if it's a rub, but commercial brands like to add salt because it's a cheap ingredient, and it adds umami, … [Read more...]
Garlic Sautéed Spinach and Tomatoes
Fresh spinach is sautéed with garlic and fresh cherry tomatoes. This is a simple, flavor-packed, minimal effort, side dish that you can prepare in a skillet within minutes. TL;DR Occasionally, a simple side dish is all that you need to complete a weekend dinner meal. This is the case with this skillet spinach and tomatoes. The ingredients are freshly prepared and … [Read more...]
How to Make Guava Purée from Fresh Fruits
The making of homemade Guava Purée involves a process to extract the stone hard small seeds. I explain how to do that in ease. TL;DR Guava purée is made from fresh guava fruits, and it's the base of many drinks and desserts. The purée is also known as guava pulp. You will want to make guava purée if you find yourself with a surplus of fresh fruits, which need to be … [Read more...]
18 Desserts Prepared in Ramekins
A ramekin is a useful dish for individual small dessert portions. I would go so far to say that the most lavish desserts are baked, molded and served in little ramekins. Either treat yourself or surprise your guests at your next dinner party, you can't go wrong with a collection of stunning desserts prepared in Ramekins. I made sure to pick recipes for this collection … [Read more...]
Baked 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe
A loaded Mac and Cheese that is prepared with 3 different cheeses instead of just one. This Mac and Cheese is a baked comfort meal for all pasta and cheese lovers. TL;DR I used three different cheeses in this sauce because each cheese has a purpose. The cream cheese makes it extra creamy, the mozzarella makes it cheesy and the parmesan adds deep cheese … [Read more...]
Alla Vodka Sauce Recipe
The Alla Vodka Sauce is a tomato cream-based pasta sauce. It's velvety and smooth, thanks to the vodka, which binds this fantastic-tasting pasta sauce. Ingredient Notes Parmesan is used as a topping. Sprinkle some over your pasta and sauce. Process Overview Step 1 Sauté onion and garlic soft in olive oil and pour in your tomato sauce. Step 2 Stir in the … [Read more...]
11 European Seasoning Blends to Transform Your Cooking
Seasoning blends are not that common in Europe compared to Asia or the American continent, but we do have a few flavor-packed herb and spice mixes that we like to add to our food. Here you will find a handful of traditional and modern seasoning blends from across the continents, and therefore from various countries, that you can use to flavor your food. I have only … [Read more...]
Date Passion Fruit Chutney
My date and passion fruit chutney is a sweet and tangy blender chutney that comes together within minutes. It's a velvety fruit chutney that you can spread over your bread, or use as a dip. TL;DR Modern chutneys come in all forms and are originally derived from Indian chutneys, which are traditionally pounded and nowadays usually blended. (e.g., Cilantro Mint … [Read more...]
29+ Meatless Pasta Dinner Recipes
Meatless pasta meals are so very underrated! I think, if done right, pasta without meat or seafood, can be so very delightful. Especially, if one particular night, you are short on time to prepare your meal or if you need to adjust your food budget, meat-free pasta meals can be a real lifesaver! Therefore, I have come up with this selection of pasta dishes. Some include … [Read more...]
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
A tangy, refreshing, crisp and spicy cucumber salad that comes together within minutes. Serve it as a salad side dish with other main course meals. Ingredient Notes Process Overview Step 1 Slice Cucumbers fine. Step 2 Prepare the dressing by combining finely grated ginger with lime juice and oil. Step 3 Pour dressing over sliced cucumbers in a bowl, top with … [Read more...]
Dutch Oven Meat Recipes for Perfectly Cooked, Hearty Dinners
We love to prepare meat lunch and dinner meals in a Dutch oven because the meat turns out tender, juicy and oh so delicious. In fact, I refuse to cook beef and roasts any other way. Dutch Oven cast iron turns those tough meats into wonderful family favorite meals, and no other cooking vessel can achieve this. Here are some of my current favorite 9 Dutch Oven Meat … [Read more...]
Asian Tofu Vegetable Soup Recipe
A vibrant clear, oil-free, one-pot, Asian tofu vegetable soup that you can prepare when you are short on time or tired of your day. You will love this soup if you like tofu. It's loaded with fresh vegetables and simple, balanced Asian flavors. TL;DR This soup is somewhat based on my bok choy soup, but it doesn't include oil. It's a dump and cook soup. I usually like … [Read more...]
How to Blanch Almonds to Peel
Blanching Almonds means using a cooking method to loosen the skin to peel the almonds. Here is how it's done at home. Two Methods to Blanch You can blanch your almonds two ways, and both are valid methods. I recommend using the soaking overnight method to soften your almonds. As they soak in the water for hours, they will, ultimately, turn soft. This can be handy … [Read more...]
21 Potato and Cheese Recipes That Never Fail
These potato and cheese recipes will solve your what-to-make-for-dinner dilemma because potatoes are a pantry staple and everybody loves cheese. When I'm on a frugal streak, I make potato and cheese meals. In fact, potato, and cheese meals are a tradition in the alps, where I come from. I think, you are going to love these cheesy potato recipes if you can relate one way … [Read more...]
5 Minute Everything Bagel Seasoning
Everything Bagel Seasoning is a multipurpose seasoning that you can use creatively to pep up your food. It's also one of my favorite seasoning blends if it's homemade. Here is how I make mine from scratch within minutes! Ingredient Notes Process Overview Step 1 Measure all your ingredients. Step 2 Mix them all together. Step 3 Place your homemade … [Read more...]
3 Ingredient Mămăligă Recipe (Romanian Polenta)
Mămăligă is Romania's cooked Polenta dish. We traveled across the country last summer and I highly recommend a visit to Romania! I tried Mămăligă all over the country in different regions and tweaked my recipe to the version I'm sharing here. TL;DR Polenta is omnipresent in Romania and fortunately, I'm a huge polenta fan. This recipe is for you if you love … [Read more...]
14 Chicken and Cabbage Recipes
I like to turn chicken and cabbage into wholesome meals because both compliment each other well. This collection is all yours if you are looking for a way to use this ingredient combination, if you are looking for budget-friendly recipes, or nutritious tasty, last-minute food ideas. … [Read more...]
Canned Corned Beef and Vegetables
A hearty one-pot recipe idea to use canned corned beef combined with mixed vegetables. Clear up your fridge and use all fresh vegetable leftovers before they spoil with this dinner meal, or go all budget-friendly without compromising on flavor. TL;DR I designed this dish with clearing-out-your-fridge-vegetables in mind. Paul frequently prepares his canned corned beef … [Read more...]
Shiitake Mushroom Dashi
This Dashi is a simple Japanese dashi broth that is prepared with dried shiitake mushrooms. Dashi is Japanese broth that is used as a base to prepare a clear soup. It's one of the many dashi types that people prepare at home in Japan and it's almost effortless. TL;DR I love this dashi with shiitake mushrooms because it's super simple, budget-friendly and completely … [Read more...]
37 Lent Recipes That Make Meatless Meals Exciting
I collected over 37 Lent recipes, that are perfect if you are looking to fast and abstain from meat and alcohol. Here, you will find a rich choice of meals from around the world. Ingredients such as vegetables, seafoods, and eggs are for once the star of the dish. You won't have to go hungry this Lent season! Get inspired with my selection of meatless recipes and save … [Read more...]