An apple pie like no other. This is the ultimate upgrade to your standard apple pie. Vanilla custard makes this layered apple pie extra irresistible, and the lattice crust topping is a real showstopper. TL;DR Paul had the grand idea to add vanilla custard to the filling of an apple pie. The concept sounded amazing to me, and I was up for the challenge! Our first … [Read more...]
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Dutch Oven Roast Beef for Sandwich
Flavor-packed and sliceable cooked Dutch oven roasted beef cuts for your sandwich. It can be meal-prepped for the week. With oven or stovetop cooking instructions. TL;DR Paul makes this outstanding Dutch oven roast beef for sandwiches with a special marination. The recipe is inspired by his mother's roast beef, and he usually likes to cook the meat over the stovetop in … [Read more...]
Shredded Beef Salad
A refreshing salad with cooked and seasoned shredded beef and vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, and sweet corn. This salad can be a satisfying lunch meal or a salad served at a BBQ or grill event. TL;DR Paul had the idea to add shredded beef to a salad, and I thought it sounded fantastic! We prepared some BBQ-flavored shredded beef at home, which is super … [Read more...]
10 Minute Pickled Mango (Refrigerator)
A simple and effortless recipe to prepare pickled mangoes at home from scratch. You will need only a handful of pantry ingredients with your fresh mangoes. This recipe is a water-based mango pickle that requires no water-bath canning or special skills. TL;DR We have been busy preparing pickles all summer long, and a mango pickle couldn't be missing from the bucket … [Read more...]
Egg Salad Tomato Cheese Bologna Tramezzini
Soft Italian sandwiches, aka tramezzini, enhanced with an egg salad, tomato, cheese, bologna filling. Enjoy a lunch fit for an Italian! TL;DR If you ever get to travel across Italy, you will come across sandwiches known as tramezzini (plural tramezzini, singular tramezzino). These are prepared with crustless soft white Italian bread slices, and they come with all … [Read more...]
German Plum Sheet Cake
A simple plum sheet cake recipe that we prepare in the summer and fall months in Austria and Germany. It's a beginner-friendly and hassle-free cake commonly served during afternoon coffee time. TL;DR In Austria, Germany, and other neighboring regions, it is commonplace to serve a cake in the afternoon hours with coffee and whipped cream. This is when friends, … [Read more...]
Stuffed Italian Sausage Zucchini Boats
Italian sausage fills tender zucchini for a low-carb dinner bursting with flavor. The cheesy topping turns golden and irresistible as it bakes. Quick prep makes it perfect for busy weeknights without sacrificing taste. TL;DR Italian pork sausage is flavorful and perfect for stuffing vegetables such as Zucchini. These zucchini boats are well balanced in terms of … [Read more...]
Butter Garlic Pan-Fried Calamari Rings (Squids)
Butter garlic pan-fried squid is a popular beach food in Goa. We love to prepare them at home whenever we get a bunch of fresh calamari. This recipe is great because it's simple, and you can serve the calamari the way it suits you. TL;DR Beach restaurants in Goa are renowned for their fresh seafood, and all our family and friends from Europe travel all the way to … [Read more...]
10 Minute Pickled Red Onions (Refrigerator)
In just a few minutes, you can effortlessly prepare fresh red onion slices using this straightforward recipe. Water bath canning is not necessary for this vinegar-based, no-boil, refrigerator recipe. This will save you time, and the pickled onion can be consumed within a few days. TL;DR We have been loving homemade pickled vegetables lately, and the red onion pickle … [Read more...]
Mini Tomato Bruschetta (Bruschettini)
These mini bruschette are packed with juicy tomatoes and Italian flavor in every crisp bite. Perfect for aperitivo or as a colorful starter at any gathering. They vanish fast, so be ready to make a second batch. TL;DR Tomato bruschetta is a wonderful Italian appetizer or snack bite. These bites are made of fresh tomatoes and crunchy toasted bread slices. Normally … [Read more...]
Spiced Asian Cabbage Bacon Skillet
A one-pan Asian-inspired spiced skillet meal with cabbage and bacon as the star ingredients. This is a speedy dinner meal idea that is perfect all year long. I prepare it when I'm late, in a hurry, or starving. TL;DR This bacon and cabbage dish was initially inspired by my fast chicken and cabbage stir fry. Minimal ingredients, but it's a flavorful dish that won't … [Read more...]
Cauliflower Casserole (Dump & Bake)
A simple cauliflower casserole prepared with fresh cauliflower florets and a flavorful cheese, cream, and egg mix. This is a quick and easy dump and bake recipe which can either be a vegetarian stand-alone meal or a side dish for all celebrations. TL;DR I came up with a set of popular vegetable casserole recipes years ago, and the cauliflower version was one of … [Read more...]
10 Minute Pickled Cucumber Slices (Refrigerator)
A simple recipe to prepare fresh pickled cucumber slices in ease within minutes. This is a vinegar-based, no boil, refrigerator recipe which doesn't require water bath canning. It will save you time and the cool cucumber slices can be enjoyed within days. TL;DR We came across the most delightful sliced jarred cucumbers on a grocery shopping trip in Budapest, Hungary, … [Read more...]
French Chicken Seasoning
A French seasoning consisting of a selection of herbs to accentuate your chicken beautifully. I created this blend of herbs with my French food heritage in mind. We love to use herbs to season our chicken dishes, as in my mum's French Roast Chicken Recipe. Ingredient Notes Process Overview Step 1 Place the dried measured herbs into a small bowl or on a … [Read more...]
15 Fresh Ways to Pair Tomato and Mozzarella
Tomato and mozzarella make a perfect pair, and this roundup brings together 15 of the most mouthwatering ways to enjoy them. From simple classics to creative twists, these recipes highlight just how versatile and satisfying this combo can be. … [Read more...]
Lemon Basil Vinaigrette Dressing
A bright and vibrant vinaigrette dressing infused with fresh Italian basil and tangy lemon flavors. This recipe is based on the classic french vinaigrette. TL;DR A vinaigrette is a French salad dressing made of vinegar, oil, and seasoning. These are much lighter dressings that uplift your food palette and your homemade cooking game. At home, we prepare vinaigrette … [Read more...]
Dehydrated Cherries in the Dehydrator
Dehydrated cherries are a great way to preserve a fresh home-grown harvest or a bunch of cherries which you found on sale at the grocery store. I provide a comprehensive guide on how to dry cherries at home, including specific instructions, tips, and other valuable information. TL;DR Dehydrated cherries are basically dried fruits, that are left to dry over a period … [Read more...]
Skillet Parmesan Garlic Asparagus
A flavore-packed, easy to prepare skillet asparagus side dish, seasoned with garlic and parmesan. This recipe is beginner-friendly and ready within minutes. TL;DR A simple side dish to use fresh green spring asparagus. The asparagus are trimmed and briefly cooked in a pan to infuse with garlic. Grated parmesan is used to add a cheesy touch to this dish, and the … [Read more...]
How to make Passion Fruit Purée
Here is how I prepare passion fruit purée within minutes at home without fancy kitchen equipment. The process is super simple, and you can use your fruit purée in drinks, cakes, dessert and sauces. TL;DR Passion fruit purée is the strained fruit pulp without the seeds. Passion fruit pulp, to compare, is the raw, spoonable content from the inside of the … [Read more...]
Poultry Seasoning (Salt Free)
A salt-free poultry seasoning to add flavors to your chicken, duck, and turkey meat cuts. I have designed this spice blend with flavor, practicality, health (sodium reduced) and availability of spice pantry ingredients in mind. TL;DR I find commercially available poultry seasonings often lacking flavor and quality ingredients. Many include salt and oils. Salt to … [Read more...]
Ground Chicken Nuggets with Herbs
Juicy and flavore-packed, homemade ground chicken nuggets, that are then golden fried in a skillet. I have simplified this recipe so that anybody can prepare these fun and tasty family favorite nuggets at home. TL;DR I prefer ground chicken nuggets for two reasons to nuggets made with chicken breasts or thighs. A major plus point is that you can season the chicken … [Read more...]
Passion Fruit Pineapple Tomato Iceberg Lettuce Salad
A tropical themed salad with sweet pineapple chunks, juicy tomatoes, crunchy iceberg salad and a tart passion fruit dressing. Enjoy it as a main lunch salad or as a side dish salad. Ingredient Notes Tip: If you can get tender coconut (the transparent jelly-like fresh coconut right after picking), add it to this salad. This salad recipe was initially made with tender … [Read more...]
How to make Cashew Fruit Juice
Instructions to make Cashew fruit juice at home. Cashew seeds are attached to the fruit, and the cashew fruit apple is tender and tastes delightful when turned into a refreshing juice. Fruit Info Cashew fruits are the fruits of the famed cashew nuts that you get in stores. The seed pod grows and hangs at the bottom of the fruit. The “nut” is extracted from the seed … [Read more...]
Tuna Cucumber Sushi Roll
A Japanese tuna sushi roll, aka makizushi or maki sushi, that you can prepare at home with cooked and seasoned sushi rice. This is the only true Japanese sushi recipe that I'm sharing. All our other inside-out sushi rolls are Japanese inspired and technically very Western. TL;DR Tuna sushi is prepared with raw tuna (not the canned stuff!). Because it's raw fish, I … [Read more...]
Instant Mayonnaise Aioli Dip
A shortcut garlic aioli prepared with mayonnaise to save time and effort in the kitchen. This is my lazy aioli recipe version, and you will appreciate this recipe if you don't want to go through the steps to whip up a classic garlic aioli. TL;DR A classic aioli is prepared with olive oil and garlic, and the combo activates a smooth, creamy emulsion when the garlic is … [Read more...]
Ham and Cheese Panini
Ham and cheese, with tomato slices and onion, make this panini an irresistible brunch or lunch meal. Simple but a classic for all panini fans. TL;DR Panini (Panino, when it's just one) in Italy are prepared with soft Italian Ciabatta breads. They are filled and pressed grilled sandwiches that are served hot from the griddle. On the outside, panini are crunchy and on … [Read more...]
No-Oil Lemon Rice Egg Drop Soup
Citrus flavors make this wholesome rice egg drop soup lately a highlight in my kitchen. I created this soup with simplicity, sustainability, and ease of preparation in mind and therefore this soup doesn't contain any oil. TL;DR The broth is first infused with freshly grated lemon zest, squeezed lemon juice and seasoning. Eggs are then dropped in with the already … [Read more...]
Garlic Herb Seasoning (Salt Free)
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]