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 … [Read more...]
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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...]
40 Pantry Dinners to Get You Through a Snowstorm
When the snow piles up and stepping outside isn’t an option, it’s time to get creative with what you have on hand. From hearty pasta and rice dishes to protein-packed beans, lentils, eggs, and ground chicken or beef, these 40 pantry-friendly meals are both comforting and surprisingly delicious. … [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, … [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 ever. 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...]
9 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 … [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...]
Thanksgiving Soup Ideas: 50 Ways to Wow Your Guests
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bring warmth and comfort to the table, and what better way than with a delicious bowl of soup? From creamy classics to hearty broths, these 50 soup ideas are sure to impress your guests and set the tone for a memorable holiday feast. … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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 Italian … [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...]
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...]
Indian Cilantro Mint Chutney
A spicy green Cilantro Mint Chutney prepared with fresh herbs in a blender. This is a 5-minute hassle-free chutney recipe from Goa, India. TL;DR In Goa, a small state in western India, you will come across a chutney known as green chutney. The green chutney is simply fresh cilantro and mint combined with souring agents and some heat. It's a flavor-balanced, not all … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Elderflower Jelly Recipe
Elderflower jelly, prepared with freshly foraged elderflower blossoms. This french jelly recipe requires pectin sugar to set, or use normal sugar to make an elderflower honey. TL;DR Elderflower are in season for a brief moment in spring in the Northern Hemisphere. That means, the flowers are blossoming the end of May to mid-June. The time frame is heavily tied to … [Read more...]
+25 Last Minute Side Dish Ideas for your BBQ
Last-minute side dish ideas can save your Cookout, OR they can also enhance your BBQ menu. Collect rave reviews from your family and friends and save time in your kitchen with these extra useful last-minute side dish recipes! Here you will find super quick BBQ sides. Most of the recipes take between 5 and 15 minutes to prepare from scratch. All include fresh … [Read more...]
12 Ground Beef and Pork Recipes
Ground beef and pork combined makes for the best meat combination in my book! Why? Because, pork is fatty and that adds flavor. Beef tends to be lean, and adding pork enhances the flavor, making it juicy and just perfect. Here are 12 recipes that use both, ground beef and pork. … [Read more...]
Olive Oil Lemon Parsley Pasta Recipe
A light and bright lemon parsley pasta dish with olive oil to enjoy as a spring or summer dinner meal. The dish contains fresh herbs and tastes better if you pick quality ingredients, just like the Italians would. Video and process shots will be added tomorrow! Ingredients This pasta shines when prepared with fresh or whole spices. I'll explain here what to look … [Read more...]
+29 Asian Soup Recipes to get inspired!
You know, I LOVE, Asian soup recipes. They are flavorful, easy to prepare, and good for you. Therefore, I have compiled a list of the best Asian soup dishes with the help of my recipe friends. Get inspired and collect some ideas. Most soups can be enjoyed all year round and are great as a main course meal or as a starter. The list below includes Asian-inspired soup … [Read more...]
Big Mac Sauce Recipe (Copycat)
Make a quick homemade big mac sauce within minutes with pantry ingredients. This special sauce will add the classic big mac flavor to all burgers. My Big Mac Sauce recipe was first published on the 6th July 2018 and has been enhanced ever since. I am the type, who wished I could use the big mac sauce on all homemade burgers. Such as in a double cheeseburger, … [Read more...]
Star Fruit Juice (Carambola)
A special homemade star fruit juice can be so very refreshing! Star Fruit is also known as Carambola and below I show you how to make a juice from scratch. Most, probably, you know the star fruit as a cocktail decorator. It's a beautiful fruit, but the tropical exotic fruit can do more than just food deco. I have a thing for tropical fruits. If you feel the … [Read more...]
Thai Sweet Chili Lime Sauce Recipe
This Thai Sweet Chili Lime Sauce can be used as a dip or added to meals during the cooking process. You are going to love the DIY sweet chili sauce for the flavor depths and adjustments you can make so that you can prepare this chili sauce easily just the way you like it! This recipe was first posted on the 10th of April, 2018, and was enhanced with better pictures … [Read more...]
Kir Royale Cocktail
The Kir Royale is a classic French special occasion party cocktail. The purple shades and fruity berry taste make this sparkling wine apéritif a hit every time! What is a Kir Royale? A Kir royal is a French apéritif cocktail made with crème de cassis liqueur and a French sparkling wine. This elegant cocktail is also known as Kir pétillant in French. The Kir Royal is an … [Read more...]