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...]
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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...]
Apricot Purée Recipe
A homemade apricot purée is very versatile. You can mix it into sweet and savory dishes. Here is how I make make a quick flavor-packed purée with fresh apricots. TL;DR I make a batch of this apricot puree when the fruits are in season or when we have a large harvest to process quickly. This particular recipe includes cinnamon and cardamom. These spices complement … [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...]
Lemon Balm Syrup Recipe
Lemon balm syrup is a fragrant and refreshing herbal infusion you can make at home with just a few ingredients. In this post you'll learn how to prepare and store it plus creative ways to use it in drinks, desserts, and more. TL;DR My mother has been making this infused lemon balm syrup, which she sells at the local farmer's market. It's a refreshing way to beat the … [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...]
Jostaberry Jam Recipe
This jostaberry jam is made with 2 ingredients, and it's all natural, without the addition of artificial ingredients. You will love this jam if you have fresh-harvested jostaberries at home or if you have a frozen batch that needs to be used up. TL;DR The jostaberries are cooked down with sugar to a jam as per our French method at home. Jostaberries are tart and a … [Read more...]
Tomato Tuna Tart Recipe
Tuna and Tomato come together in this savory French tart recipe. My mother has been making this for lunch in the summer months and everybody has been enjoying this family recipe. TL;DR Savory tarts are common all over France, just like the Quiche from the Lorraine region. I don't really know where the tomato tuna tart originated, but I have always seen my family … [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...]
French Meat Stuffed Peppers Recipe
We prepare these French meat stuffed peppers at home for the whole family. The meat is flavored with herbs, and we use smaller sweet mini bell peppers. These are then baked until just right and can be enjoyed with a multitude of side dishes. TL;DR I think this meat stuffed pepper dish counts as an easy meal idea. Please, don't feel overwhelmed by the ingredient … [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...]
Small Batch Passion Fruit Jam Recipe
Passion Fruits are fantastic tropical fruits that deserve to be turned into a sweet and tangy jam. Here is how I prepare my passion fruit jam at home with our homegrown passion fruits. TL;DR Passion fruits are tart, pulpy, super fruity, fragrant, tropical fruits. It's also known as Maracuja in some languages. We grow them in our garden in Goa, we have 2 varieties, … [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...]
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...]
2 Ingredient Fry Sauce Recipe
The fry sauce is everyone's favorite at home because it takes only 2 ingredients, and it tastes great with french fries, wedges, chicken tenders and more. In Europe, this sauce is known as a Cocktail sauce (which is not related to the American cocktail sauce) or red white sauce. Ingredient Notes You will need two ingredients that every sauce lover keeps in the … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]