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...]
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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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Cabbage Ground Chicken Stir Fry
I'm a fan of ultra-fast dinner meals that can be prepared in one pan within minutes, and stir-fried chicken meals are at the top of my list. This particular dish includes subtle Asian flavors and will satisfy even the fussiest eater. TL;DR If you are looking for a budget-friendly meal, this is it! Ground chicken is also rich in protein, and the cabbage will help you … [Read more...]
Pan-Fried Spiced Eggplant Slices
Eggplant slices soaked in a spiced umami rich marination and pan-fried golden brown. This is a Goa, Indian recipe that my husband's family taught me, and I thought you guys would appreciate this fun dish. TL;DR Paul's family has been making these skillet fried eggplants (aubergines). They are special because the eggplant slices are left to infuse in a marination … [Read more...]
Black Bean and Corn Chili with Shredded Chicken
Hearty black beans and vibrant corn are left to simmer in a concoction of aromatic spices with shredded chicken. This is a one-pot, quick last minute I-don't-know-what-to-cook meal. You can adjust the heat or skip adding chili or hot sauce all together. TL;DR Add this dump and cook meal to your dinner rotation if you struggle coming up with effortless dishes that are … [Read more...]
Fried Egg Tomato Panini
A simple panini idea with fried eggs, tomatoes, and onions. Inspired by Italian road side panini. Make a batch for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or as a snack when you feel hungry. TL;DR This fried egg panini can be enjoyed all day long. No matter if for breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack. It was inspired by the Italian panini sold in those food carts in … [Read more...]
One Pan Ground Beef and Mixed Vegetables
A one pan, effortless ground beef skillet, or wok dish, with vegetables, that are sitting in your refrigerator, waiting to be used. The seasoning adds some tasty dinner elements to this dish, and you will be making this recipe on repeat. TL;DR We love this one-pan skillet/wok meal, which is packed with fresh vegetables, ground meat and a selection of warm flavorful … [Read more...]
Warm Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Vinaigrette
A warm flavor-packed simple broccoli salad with crispy fried bacon, topped with a vinaigrette. The vinaigrette is made with the bacon drippings, which adds depths of flavors to this salad. TL;DR I like the taste of broccoli and cauliflower lukewarm at room temperature with a tangy vinaigrette dressing. If you add a tiny amount of meat to that, such as in this … [Read more...]
16 Asian Spice Blend Seasoning Ideas
Big flavors, simple blends. These Asian seasoning ideas bring a punch to any meal, adding bold, spicy, or aromatic notes. A little sprinkle goes a long way in making everyday dishes taste way better. From South, East, Central to Western Asia, here are 16 seasoning spice blends to ignite your creativity in the kitchen. There is something from all over and a few are … [Read more...]
Japanese Curry Sauce Recipe
This rich and flavorful Japanese curry sauce is a game-changer for any meal. Perfect with rice, crispy katsu, or veggies, and so easy to make at home! I break it down step by step, showing you how to make this 5 ingredient curry sauce from scratch with Japanese curry roux. Filmed with Momoko in Goa, who was so gracious to share her home recipe with us. We have prepared … [Read more...]
French Date Jam Recipe
French-style date jam is one of the easiest jams to make, and it only takes three ingredients. I follow my families classic French jam-making method, and it turns out perfect every time. TL;DR Dates are most commonly sold dried, and therefore they are dehydrated fruits. Therefore, unlike the conventional method to turning fruits into a jam, we leave the fruits to … [Read more...]
Chicken Puff Pastry Bites
Flaky, golden pastry filled with savory spiced ground chicken—these hand pie triangles are crispy on the outside and packed with flavor inside. An easy, crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for snacks, appetizers, or a light meal! TL;DR Do you love savory puff pastry recipes? I surely do because I get to prepare my filling and the result is a golden baked puffy buttery … [Read more...]
Gourmet Beanie Weenies
Beanie Weenies is a true comfort food meal, and it brings back the 80s and 90s in my kitchen. Prepare this effortless one-pot, 20 minute dinner that comes with an upgraded, hard-to-resist, flavoring profile. TL;DR I grew up eating beanie weenies, and it was always one of my favorite meals. You might also know this dish as beans and franks or frankfurter and beans … [Read more...]
Chicken Udon Noodle Soup Recipe
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...]
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...]
8 Seasonal Holiday Jam, Jelly and Marmalade Recipes
Homemade jam, jelly, and marmalade are the kind of gifts that show you care. They're simple to make, taste wonderful, and bring a little holiday joy to anyone who gets them. Here are 8 handpicked jam, jelly and marmalade recipe ideas that are prepared with seasonal ingredients. Make them now to gift to your loved ones! These fruit preserves are all French-style recipes. … [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...]