An udon noodle soup with Japanese shredded chicken, and a homemade dashi broth. I prepared this recipe with Momoko, our in-house Japanese food expert. TL;DR This soup is rather simple to put together, although the list of ingredients and the process suggest otherwise. You don't need to feel intimidated because once you have prepared this soup, you will understand … [Read more...]
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Prisoner's Pasta (Pasta alla Carcerata)
The prisoner's pasta is a Roman dish with a creamy tomato sausage brandy sauce. This is our latest comfort meal, and you can prepare it in a skillet at the last minute, making it a perfect weeknight dinner meal. TL;DR When in Rome, look out for a Pasta alla Carcerata, which literally translates to Prisoners pasta. If you would rather not wait that long, consider … [Read more...]
Awase Dashi: Japanese Bonito Kombu Stock
Homemade awase dashi is a Japanese stock made of bonito flakes and kombu kelp. Together with Momoko, our resident Japanese food expert, we prepared awase dashi so that you can use it to make your favorite Japanese soups. TL;DR Awase Dashi is one of the most common combinations of Japanese dashi preparations, and in Japanese, Awase, means to combine or to … [Read more...]
5 Layer Lasagna with Béchamel Sauce
5 Layers of pasta with a tomato meat and a béchamel sauce, a crunchy golden cheesy topping, all baked to perfection. This is how we make our gourmet lasagna, and you can do so as well with my recipe. TL;DR The lasagna contains 5 juicy layers of béchamel and tomato meat sauce, and everything is prepared from the base up. In the recipe I first show you how to make the … [Read more...]
5 Ingredient Tomato Pesto Panini
A crunchy Italian panini stuffed with green pesto and fresh tomato slices makes for a satisfying and effortless lunch. Make it in the panini press or over the stovetop, I show you how. TL;DR We have been enjoying a lot more Panini sandwiches for lunch since we traveled to northern Italy a while back. I guess, these Italians revamped our lunch habits for the better … [Read more...]
Nourishing Mung Bean Coconut Milk Dessert
A simple, wholesome dish with mung beans cooked in coconut milk. It's low in sugar and therefore suited as a fitness snack or dessert. TL;DR This recipe is one of Paul's (my husband's) favorite desserts, as it is wholesome and simple to prepare. The mung beans are soaked, boiled and then at the end cooked in coconut milk and some sweetener. It's not that sweet, … [Read more...]
Cream Cheese Bell Pepper Dip
A velvety cream cheese party dip enriched with sweet bell peppers and a few complimenting spices. Our guests couldn't get enough of it, that I had to share it with everyone. TL;DR Originally, I would prepare my jalapeño pepper cream cheese dip, but some of my friends are simply not into hot foods. In fact, they love red and yellow sweet peppers (aka bell pepper or … [Read more...]
Hoosier Stew Recipe
The Hoosier stew is a soul-warming dinner meal prepared with green beans, potatoes and smoked sausages. Simple and wholesome, it's a great dish to cook up when you seek food inspiration. TL;DR The Hoosier stew is a staple in Indiana, and it is mostly called that way by German descendants who settled there. Fun fact, the people of Indiana are nicknamed Hoosiers and … [Read more...]
Creamy Cheese Topped Crackers
Crackers topped with spreadable creamy cheese wedge and colorful sweet pepper, olive, and pickle. These are great as a snack or appetizer. Make it for yourself or to entertain your party guests. TL;DR Paul loves spreadable cheese wedges and Ritz crackers, so he combines them to make a quick snack. These can be served as a simple last-minute and budget-friendly … [Read more...]
Mayocue Recipe: BBQ Mayo Sauce (Copycat)
Mayocue is a dipping sauce combination of Mayonnaise and BBQ. It's great with fries, nuggets, hot dogs and the like. I was out of the Heinz version and made my own several times, experimenting with different BBQ and Mayonnaise variations. This is my ultimate Mayocue recipe favorite! Ingredient Notes Just 2 ingredients make this Mayocue, but the choice of sauces will … [Read more...]
Dutch Oven Beef Stroganoff Recipe
A homemade beef stroganoff recipe with mushrooms prepared in the Dutch Oven for maximum flavor and perfectly cooked meat. TL;DR Use a Dutch oven to make the most tender beef stroganoff in existence. It's an effortless recipe cooked in the Dutch oven, and you can't get it wrong if you follow my step-by-step instructions. The best part is the velvety smooth and creamy … [Read more...]
Cocktail Sausage & Meatball Skewer Appetizers
I absolutely LOVE little meat party bites on skewers. I'm not alone, family and friends can't get enough of these sausage and meatball cocktail foods. Easy to prepare, irresistible and visually stunning, you get to pamper your guests by serving these fun appetizer skewers with a dipping sauce of your choice. Ingredient Notes Process Overview Step 1 Cut … [Read more...]
Skillet Mushroom Veal Marsala Recipe
My creamy Veal Scallopini Marsala with sliced mushrooms prepared in one large skillet. This veal Marsala recipe is based on my chicken Marsala recipe. The combination of flavors and consistency helps bring out the best in your tender veal cuts. TL;DR We love creamy wine sauces with different types of meat cuts, and we usually prepare them as a special occasion to … [Read more...]
Mediterranean Cracker Party Appetizer
A party nibble with a Mediterranean topping to entertain your guests like a pro this holiday season. Paul shared his tuna Ritz cracker party bites and this is another of his amuse bouche cracker appetizer creations. TL;DR If you need a quick, last minute, flavorful, elevated appetizer to impress your guests this holiday season, then these Mediterranean flavored … [Read more...]
Tuna Ritz Cracker Appetizer
Paul has this nifty appetizer recipe that he likes to prepare to entertain our family and friends. Ritz crackers are topped with a tuna salad mix, and the result is a flavor packed masterpiece! TL;DR Technically, Paul didn't invent this recipe. Tuna cracker appetizers are part of his Asian heritage. They prepare these easy party bites during the holidays in his … [Read more...]
Roasted Sweet Meat Squash Soup
The natural sweetness of the squash is brought out during the roasting cycle and then turned into a velvety smooth soup with a selection of warm and soothing spices. This winter squash soup was inspired by my popular roasted butternut squash apple soup and my latest curried sweet dumpling squash soup. TL;DR I saw several sweet meat squash sold in our local grocery … [Read more...]
Spicy Mayochup Recipe
The Mayochup has many names, and it is the ultimate sauce combination that I grew up with. We call it a Cocktail Sauce in Europe and I have heard others also call it the Sexy Sauce, the Marie Rose Sauce or the Pink Sauce. Ingredient Notes If you don't want it spicy, or if you are making this for kids, skip the hot sauce. How to make it? Step 1 Place Ketchup, … [Read more...]
Baked Mozzarella Dough Bites
Little bite sized dough nibbles stuffed with fresh mini mozzarella balls. These are quick party appetizers to entertain your guests, or prepare them all for yourself as a TV or game day snack. TL;DR I had a roll of dough that needed to be used up and plenty of mini mozzarella balls, and this is how these little bites came to be. You can use store-bought crescent or … [Read more...]
Wakame Furikake Seasoning
Wakame Furikake is a Japanese seasoning that is used to top Japanese cooked rice. Together with Momoko, our residential Japanese expert, we prepared this seaweed-based seasoning recipe. TL;DR Wakame is a kelp variety, and therefore an edible seaweed variety, that is commonly used in Japanese and Korean cuisine. It tastes slightly sweet but also salty as it grows in … [Read more...]
4 Ingredient French Vinaigrette Dressing
With just four basic ingredients, our traditional French vinaigrette brings a tangy, balanced touch to any salad. It’s a quick, go-to dressing that adds fresh, vibrant flavor in no time to your salads. TL;DR The French Vinaigrette is the basic version of a vinegar oil dressing that is commonly prepared all over France. The next level, version of this is the Dijon … [Read more...]
Black Spaghetti with Meatballs
We came across a wonderful pack of black squid ink spaghetti in stores and instantly had the same idea, a black spaghetti dish! The meatball tomato sauce brings out the look and makes this dinner meal a highlight in every sense of the word. Ingredient Overview Preparation Method Step 1 Heat plenty of water with salt. When it's boiling, drop in the spaghetti and … [Read more...]
+17 Gourmet Party Skewer Appetizer Ideas
I absolutely ADORE little bites prepared and served on party picks like miniature skewers. You don't dirty your fingers and sample various flavors and textures. That's the ultimate perk of these gourmet appetizer skewers, and I have collected over 17 of the best ideas out there. FAQs … [Read more...]
Italian Party Charcuterie Skewer Bites
Wow, your family and friends with these elegant Italian Party Charcuterie Skewer Bites! Made with just four fresh ingredients and ready in five minutes, they’re the perfect addition to any gathering or holiday celebration. TL;DR A simple way to entertain your guests, adding a somewhat sophisticated element to your party appetizer offering. This is what these … [Read more...]
Japanese Shredded Chicken
Japanese shredded chicken is similarly prepared as normal shredded chicken but requires a few more ingredients that add flavor and help soften the chicken. TL;DR Momoko shows us how she prepares shredded chicken in her new udon soup food takeaway place. If you have been following our Japanese food series with from scratch sushi recipes and more, you will know that … [Read more...]
Asian Vegetable Stir Fry with Fresh Vegetables and Sauce
25 Minutes tops to make this umami rich Asian vegetable stir-fry with a quick 3 ingredient homemade stir-fry sauce and fresh vegetables Clean out your fridge and use veggies that need to be consumed before they turn bad to make this zero-waste sustainable veggie meal. Ingredients Technically, you can use any viable veggie that you can find in your fridge. Also, … [Read more...]
Halloween Ghost Pizza
I made ghost shaped Pizza for our last Halloween party and everybody loved them! You can either make one large Ghost Pizza or smaller ones so that you don't waste dough. I have added instructions for both. TL;DR The ghost pizza is simply a pizza crust cut out and shaped into a comical ghost. I have made skull mushroom pizza bites for our previous Halloween … [Read more...]
Mandarin Juice without a Juicer
I'm a fan of fresh mandarin juice, and it's challenging to get this juice freshly pressed else where. I also don't like to get special devices such as a citrus press, and therefore I came up with a simple solution to make mandarin juice, which you can copy at home. TL;DR You will need a blender to make this citrus fruit juice at home and a fine sieve to separate the … [Read more...]
Spiced Fig Chutney with Fresh Figs
I turned a fresh batch of figs into a sticky, boldly flavored fig chutney with crunchy small fig seeds. Use this sensational condiment with various snacks, appetizers, and main course meals. TL;DR This is a fabulous chutney condiment, prepared with fresh ripe figs and Indian inspired spices. The ingredients are heated in a pan and cooked down to a glossy, sticky … [Read more...]
Spinach Cream Cheese Chicken Roulade (Ballotine)
Chicken roulade are stuffed with a spinach cream cheese filling and cooked in a flavorful cream-based sauce. This dish is a simple, delicious family dinner meal idea to add to your weekly dinner rotation. The idea for chicken roulade came when I was craving beef roulade, but I didn't have beef at home. You have to know, beef roulade are a typical dish from Central … [Read more...]
Curried Roasted Sweet Dumpling Squash Soup
Sweet dumpling squash, roasted to bring out the nutty sweetness and then prepared with curry powder to create a well-rounded soup. I created this recipe with flavor and kitchen time management in mind. Why I Love This Soup Years ago I shared a spiced pumpkin carrot purée and ever since, I have been adding a set of spices to my sweet dumpling squash soups. … [Read more...]
15 Min Shrimp Coconut Curry Soup with Noodles
A swift, wholesome coconut curry soup enhanced with shrimp and noodles. I make this one pot soup when I'm lazy or in a hurry, as it takes only 15 minutes to prep + cook, from start to finish. TL;DR I love bold and fresh Asian flavors, and Thai curry pastes can be used as a shortcut to make soup that does not compromise on all those aspects. My all-time … [Read more...]
Sausage Salad Recipe (Wurstsalat)
You might have come across the Sausage Salad, aka the Wurstsalat, on a trip to a German-speaking country in Europe. I show you how you can make this traditional salad at home and share the best serving ideas at the end What is the Sausage Salad? The sausage salad is quite literally a salad made of luncheon sausage strips that is flavored with thinly cut raw onions … [Read more...]
Za'atar Labneh Dip Recipe
A creamy homemade yogurt labneh dip flavored with Middle Eastern Za'atar seasoning and topped with zesty olive oil. I show you how to make creamy, thick Labneh with Greek yogurt in this appetizer recipe. TL;DR When it's hot, we like to sit outdoors in the evening with a lovely drink and a dip as an appetizer. The Labneh dip is cooling, and I recommend it when the … [Read more...]
DIY Montreal Steak Seasoning (Gourmet + No-Fuss Version)
My take on the super flavorful Montreal steak seasoning, with smoky toasted spices. You have the option to make a Gourmet version with whole spices or a No-fuss Montreal steak seasoning with ground spices. TL;DR I think a homemade Montreal spice blend needs to be prepared with whole spices to bring out all the wonderful aromas. It just makes the difference, and it … [Read more...]
Cardamom Mango Compote Recipe
Fresh vibrant mangoes are turned into a sweet compote, flavored with cardamom. A simple and light fruit dessert to complete your meal. TL;DR Compote is a fruity dessert from France. Fruits are simmered down with sugar and spices. The result is a simple and wholesome, fresh dessert. Originally, we make them with apples or pears during the harvest period in Europe, … [Read more...]
Passion Fruit Soda Recipe
My Homemade Passion Fruit Soda, prepared with fresh passion fruits or juice. It's refreshing, and the fruit soda makes for a great non-alcoholic party drink. Are you looking for more Passion Fruit Drink Recipes? I can offer you my homemade Passion Fruit Juice and my Passion Fruit Green Iced Tea! TL;DR We have plenty of passion fruits growing in our tropical garden, … [Read more...]
French Black Currant Jelly Recipe
Black Currant Jelly is one of the prime fruit berry jellies traditionally prepared in France. I share how we turn garden-fresh black currants into a gourmet black currant jelly. TL;DR Black Currants are a very popular currant variety in France , and Europe in general. In French, they are called Cassis. Currants are berries that grow on bushes, and the most common … [Read more...]
French Cherry Liqueur (Guignolet)
In France, we have a country-style liqueur made with cherries. This delicious drink is known as Guignolet, and it is surprisingly easy to make it home. I share my mom's recipe, she and her family make this every year when the cherries are in season. TL;DR Guignolet is pronounced as Geenola in English, and most probably you haven't heard of it outside of France. It's … [Read more...]
Mango Vinaigrette Recipe
I make and use Vinaigrette dressings all year round and one that I particularly enjoy preparing during the Mango season, is my Mango Vinaigrette dressing. If you have discovered Vinaigrette dressings for yourself, you will love my Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette. I have a few more vinaigrette recipes planned in the coming months. Mango has always been a prime ingredient at … [Read more...]
Typical Swiss Recipes to try at Home!
Swiss Food is flavorful, special, and often overlooked in this world. Many Swiss recipes are popular in neighboring European countries, and I bet you will like these dishes as well! Below, you can see what the Swiss enjoy cooking and eating at home. These are not just restaurant tourist favorites, but people actually make these meals at home. I know that because I … [Read more...]