This Yuletide drink has a rich history dating back to the Pagan tradition of wassailing, where people would walk around orchards, singing and pouring wine on the ground, to promote a good harvest for the following year. Years later, wassailing was the tradition of going door-to-door and singing to one’s neighbors (like caroling!). The word evolved from a Middle English greeting, waes hael, meaning be thou hale, or, as we would say today, be in good health....
It’s comfort food Monday! And I know that’s not really a thing, but someone, please start a petition because it should be. The hardest day of the week definitely deserves a big bowl of homemade Dan Dan noodles. I’ll admit, come Mondays, we’re down to the bare bones in the refrigerator. A knob of butter, a few cloves of garlic, scallions that are taking their last breathes, a jar of minced ginger, and maybe, if I’m lucky, a limp box of spinach begging to be cooked....
Choosing a recipe for the alphabet W started out being over ambitious and I kept putting it away as it was for the last week. By the time, I was done with two weeks, we have had enough of deep fried and sweets that I no longer wanted to make what I originally chose for the letter. My husband was really looking forward to me making the Wheat Halwa (Tirunelveli Halwa), but I had to cancel it out as it involves quite a bit of procedure and a lot of Nei / Ghee....
Crack dip alert! This easy and addicting jalapeño popper dip was an instant hit for us and everyone we shared it with! The first time I made this dip was for a game night that Anees and I were hosting. I put it together on a whim to have something warm to enjoy, instead of your standard salsa and chips. I didn’t think it would be such a big hit....
When the leaves turn from green to golden, I am all about everything apple! Try my Apple Crisp and Apple Fritter Bread to use up the fall season’s best fruit! The BEST Apple Cider Donuts I spent this past Saturday morning making these delicious melt-in-your-mouth Apple Cider Doughnuts. My love affair with these doughnuts didn’t start there. I was first introduced to them at a local farm in Maryland. They make their doughnuts with fresh squeezed Apple Cider from their orchard....
I’m sneaking bites of bacon avocado pasta salad from the refrigerator as I type this. That’s because I didn’t get enough when I had it for lunch yesterday. Then again, for dinner. And I even contemplated having it for breakfast. I decided against it, obvi. Because that’s absurd. Then, I gave in. Pictures of this bacon avocado salad tortured me as I edited them. I’ve got 10 forks in my sink now....
Juicy, tender, and delightfully crispy on the outside, thanks to the bacon, each bite feels so indulgent that you’ll see why it’s such a popular steakhouse classic. You’ll honestly be shocked at how easy it is to make at home for a fraction of the price. This recipe is pretty foolproof and tried-and-true, so you’ll get perfectly cooked steak every single time. If you want another date-night-worthy meal at home, then try my bacon wrapped scallops, chicken cordon bleu, or steak au poivre....
Looking for more delicious, guilt-free, & comforting snacks? These Homemade Spicy Pita Chips, Healthy Greek Yogurt Guacamole, Baked French Fries, and Crispy Baked Honey-Chipotle Chicken Wings are all a win! The Best Baked Sweet Potato Fries Warning: These baked sweet potato fries are addictive. It is highly recommended you double or triple this recipe to have plenty of sweet potato fries to share! These Sweet Potato Fries are savory, crispy and perfectly seasoned!...
Kafta kabob! Tender ground beef (or ground lamb) loaded with minced onions, garlic, fresh parsley, and so many spices that work beautifully together. I love serving this up with a batch of homemade extra smooth hummus or toum and lots of Shirazi salad or fattoush on the side with vermicelli rice! If you’ve never had kafta before, think of it as extra flavorful meatballs just in an oblong shape! I can’t tell you how afraid I was to make kafta at home before....
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks Are you excited about summer? The grilling season is here and in my opinion, there is nothing better than grilling vegan food with friends! Don’t you think so too?! Today, I have the perfect vegan side dish for you. I am talking about these grilled Portobello mushroom steaks, which will make your mouth water. You might love the recipe as much as I do because it is:...
The Best Birthday Cake Energy Balls Recipe These birthday cake energy balls stand out for their perfect balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition. The combination of creamy peanut butter, crunchy cashews, and a touch of honey creates a satisfying base that’s not too sweet but still indulgent! The addition of vanilla protein powder not only enhances the birthday cake flavor but also adds a protein boost to keep you fuller longer....
Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids from the chia seeds, this smoothie is a nutritious and satisfying breakfast or snack. Plus, with the sweet and tangy flavors of blueberries and bananas, it’s a treat for your taste buds as well. I and my husband practice intermittent fasting and one of our favorite ways to break the fast is with a smoothie. Smoothies are so convenient as we can flavor them to our preference....
Some tips to make this Easter Bunny Cake Be sure to chill the cake after the crumb coat, and the smooth coat are completed. You can pop the cake into the fridge at any point when you’re working on it if thing get soft. It Makes decorating much easier! Gel food colorings will change color when you chill the cake and rework the surface. You will notice my bunnies started grey and became brown....
Some Hints and Tips to make burrata pizza If you’re in a rush, try using some store-bought flatbread or naan to make this recipe! You can spread pesto on the dough before baking if you want more of a pizza feel to this summer flatbread. Feel free to use whichever greens you like on this and by all means, pile them high! You can even add a fully dressed salad on top of this and enjoy with a big dollop of burrata....
We look forward to summer for many things. The first and foremost reason is that we have a summer break. That means more time cuddling with the kids in the morning, spending a lazy day in the pool, and family vacations. One of the other reasons is food. We, as a family are foodies and love to experiment with different food. Not sure if my boys eat well because I am a food blogger or if I became a food blogger as they eat well....
If you love the flavors of butternut squash, then you are going to love this risotto. And if you have extra butternut squash, try adding butternut squash mac and cheese or making this easy butternut squash soup. What You Need to Make This Recipe Vegetable broth — if possible, use low sodium or no salt added broth. This will make it easier for you to control how salty your squash risotto will be....
This Mexican bread pudding is beyond easy to make and is excellent for serving a crowd. Each bite of this capirotada is so delightful as it’s salty but sweet, spongy but crunchy, and of course, full of flavor. You’ll want to eat every last bite. For another irresistible Easter recipe, try my Easter bread recipe, deviled eggs recipe, or hot cross buns recipe. What You Need to Make This Recipe Bread — I like to use a large loaf of French bread, but if you live near a Mexican bakery, bolillos are perfect for this Mexican bread pudding as well....
Having a vegetable garden in the backyard opens up the imagination for every individual and I am no exception. I and my husband have a great passion for growing our own produce. Mother nature is so amazing to us that there are many times when I have to be on top of the product and come up with recipes to use them. This Carrot Bell Pepper Kosumalli / Salad is one such creation to use up the fresh bell peppers from the garden....
Serve this soup with flatbread or sourdough bread for a filling lunch or a light dinner. The soup season is truly here. I used to detest soup when I was little but the older I get the more I appreciate its healing quality. For the soul and body. I also love how quick and easy soups are to prepare. You don’t need highly developed culinary skills to make a pot of steaming goodness....
Jackfruit, the name is enough to bring back pleasant memories from my childhood and I consider this the king of the fruits. Jackfruit is a tropical fruit with rough exterior and sweeter than the sweetest flavor any fruit could have. After coming to US, eating a good jackfruit was totally out of reach until we moved to the South. Here we get pretty good jackfruit (year around) and we have been busy trying out the fruit from different stores....
