Mini Brie-Stuffed Sweet Peppers are the kind of bite-sized appetizer that disappears faster than you can set down the tray. TL;DR Creamy melted brie tucked inside naturally sweet peppers creates that perfect balance of rich and fresh, making them ideal for holidays, casual gatherings, or whenever you want something that looks impressive without much effort. Side Note: … [Read more...]
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Shortcut Peanut Butter and Jelly Croissant
Sometimes you just want something warm and sweet without pulling out half the pantry. These shortcut peanut butter and jelly croissants come together fast with store-bought crescent dough and bake up flaky and golden and filled with that nostalgic PB and J flavor everyone knows. TL;DR We were chatting about flaky bakes such as French croissants and pain au chocolat … [Read more...]
Stir Fry Sauce Recipes You Can Mix in Minutes
A great stir-fry starts with the sauce, and this collection brings together six flavorful options inspired by authentic Asian classics and everyday favorites. Each one pairs beautifully with vegetables, meats, noodles, rice, or seafood, so you can mix and match and build your next pan dinner with confidence. … [Read more...]
All-Purpose Soup Seasoning Recipe
A homemade seasoning blend designed to bring clear soups, broths, and stews to life without overpowering them. It adds depth, balance, and that comforting flavor you expect from a well-made pot of soup. TL;DR Specific herbs and spices are reserved for seasoning soups. I realized this wasn't necessarily common knowledge as I traveled the world. In central Europe, we … [Read more...]
Cream of Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup
A creamy soup with fresh broccoli florets, potato, and cheese. Add this flavor-packed, simple, one-pot soup to your weekly meal rotation. TL;DR We love broccoli cheese soup when the temperatures start to dip in the winter months, but eventually I felt that we needed another creamy, similar soup, in our weekly menu meal plan. Therefore, I came up with this broccoli … [Read more...]
Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Tired after a long day and craving Asian flavors? This ground beef and cabbage stir-fry should be on your weekly dinner rotation. A filling, simple, one-pan skillet stir-fry with a handful of pantry ingredients, which is absolutely beginner-cook suited. TL;DR We prepare various simple stir-fries in our skillets. A wok isn't always an integral part of our cooking … [Read more...]
Creamy Chicken Mushroom Skillet
Thinly sliced chicken breast pieces cook down with mushrooms in a creamy sauce that's full of flavor. You'll only need one skillet to bring this comforting dinner together. TL;DR A creamy chicken mushroom skillet meal. It's one of my simplest creations with chicken and mushrooms. It was mostly inspired by some of my other dishes, such as the chicken mushroom and white … [Read more...]
10 Minute Pickled Carrots (Refrigerator)
A super quick recipe for homemade pickled carrots. You will need a bunch of fresh carrots and some pantry ingredients to make these crunchy, juicy, perfect pickled carrots. TL;DR We have been preparing a lot more water-based, refrigerator vegetable pickles at home because they are almost effortless to prepare. Pickles are a great way to save the harvest of the season … [Read more...]
Butternut Squash Casserole
A golden baked butternut squash casserole brings cozy flavor to the table with its creamy texture and rich taste. This guide walks you through making it at home so you can serve it for any occasion, big or small. TL;DR I love dump-and-bake vegetable casserole dishes, especially if it's a seasonal vegetable that I get to use. Butternut squash makes for a delicious … [Read more...]
Layered Apple Custard Pie
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...]
Spiced Plum Chutney Recipe
Fresh plums are turned into a silky smooth, spiced chutney. I created this recipe with a various selection of food combinations in mind. You can use it with your favorite meats, cheeses, breads, and vegetables as a dip, spread, or topping. TL;DR During plum season, I like to prepare a plum jam or plum chutney to retain the juicy fruit goodness of the late summer and … [Read more...]
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...]
Salt-Free Chili Seasoning Recipe
A homemade chili seasoning to make the best chili at home, but without the added salt. No salt equals less sodium, which is suitable for a sodium-free diet/ low-salt diet. TL;DR I never understood why some seasoning blends contained added salt or even oil. Sure, oil at least helps in blooming spices when heated, and it's a flavor enhancer, but salt isn't a necessary … [Read more...]
Garlic Greek Yogurt Sauce Recipe
A universal garlic-flavored Greek yogurt sauce to enjoy with your meats and vegetables. TL;DR My sister made this simple garlic Greek yogurt sauce at a cookout, which she adapted from a sour cream Thermomix recipe. I thought it was a great all-rounder sauce. I adapted it from her version, she also adds curry powder (more version ideas after the recipe card). Use it as … [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...]
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...]
Simple 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 that 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 flavor-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 is trimmed and briefly cooked in a pan to infuse it 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...]