Posts

May 18, 2022 Mangoes are delicious and more than half of the Indians are obsessed with them. They are the prime reason why so many people in India look forward to summers otherwise there’s nothing to look forward to 100 f degrees weather! Sarvesh adores mangoes and every year he patiently waits for the Indian mangoes to arrive here in the US. And as soon as they start arriving at the Indian store, you can rest assured that I will have 2 to 3 boxes of them at any given them through the summers (that’s why I have so many mango recipes on the blog from my favorite mango quinoa salad to this mango sticky rice)....

Jun 21, 2021 Mango is my husband’s favorite fruit, I guess if you are from India chances of mango being your favorite fruit is pretty high, like really high! I remember Sarvesh telling me once- that they had this discussion in their office about fruits. Everyone was asked to name their favorite fruits and while people named different fruits, everyone from India said mangoes! Well I was not surprised at all, mango is probably the only reason why everyone looks forward to the horrible summer back home....

Almost any meal can be improved with French fries, and my baked version is a little bit herby, a little bit salty, and packed full of flavor. Using just four ingredients, you can create restaurant-quality oven-baked French fries that aren’t just better for your wallet but taste so much better than any you could find at the grocery store. How to make French fries in the oven Prepare and season Potatoes....

Oct 21, 2019 Topped with rose cashew crumble, these make pretty festive dessert. I love playing with the flavors of paan (betel leaves) to incorporate them into desserts. If you have been around here for a while, you would surely know that! My Paan Coconut Ladoo are always a big hit during the Diwali time. And since I can’t have enough of paan, I thought of making yet another dessert with the same flavors....

As a Lebanese woman, eggplant is kind of an obsession of mine. Growing up, I ate Baba ganoush at an almost alarming rate and fell in love with the versatile ingredient. However, alongside dishes like baked eggplant fries and stuffed makdous, sometimes I like to take things back to the basics – like with these oven roasted eggplant slices. I’ve already shared a post on how to cook eggplant, which includes options for baked, broiled, air fryer, and grilled eggplant (eggplant cubes, slices, or whole), but these oven baked eggplant slices deserve a post of their own....

Green beans are a super versatile and delicious side dish no matter which cooking method you use. But this method for oven roasted green beans is one of my favorites. Unlike boiled green beans, baked green beans are tender in the middle but crisp outside with caramelized edges. However, they require no hovering over a pan like sautéed green beans. Plus, this recipe produces similar results to air-fryer green beans!...

Idli Podi is a popular South Indian breakfast dish prepared in most households. Idlis are steamed lentil cake, and Podi is the spice powder. Firstly tempering with ghee is made, and then idlis are mixed with podi. I love making these with mini idlis. You can also use regular-sized idli, cut them into bite-sized pieces, and use them. Idli podi or milagai podi is a popular South Indian condiment prepared using lentils, sesame seeds, and other spices....

This summer is officially the year of sharing all my favorite iced Summer drinks with you – including old and new, like this blackberry drink. This blackberry Earl Grey iced tea is perfect for getting your tea fix during the hot summer days, with a fruity, herbal, citrus twist! Honestly, now is the perfect time to share these drinks with you too – Especially as the UK is going through a heatwave right now and it seems many of my friends in the US are also experiencing a very hot week ahead of us....

If you like spanakopita, Borek, and other cheese and spinach puff pastry/pastry bakes, then you’ll adore the fancy holiday twist of this Ricotta and spinach puff pastry “Tarte Soleil” (aka sun tart). Although it looks fairly complicated to prepare, it’s incredibly simple (even get your kids involved), while remaining an impressive crowd-pleaser (both in looks and taste!). If spinach and ricotta are a match made in heaven, then spinach, ricotta, parmesan, and puff pastry are downright sinful....

Jun 17, 2015, Updated Jan 02, 2018 I think it’s too much of green overdose on my blog these days, just look at the last few posts it’s all green! If you have been following my blog for a while, you would know how much I love my greens. I am veggie-holic (is that a word?), no seriously I am. I usually feel like eating a plate full of only veggies for lunch and dinner....

May 30, 2014, Updated Jan 02, 2018 Hello from India! Even though the heat is killing me it feels wonderful to be back among family and friends . The temperature here is 110 F (43 degrees celsius) and it’s draining me out. So to keep my mind off it, I am sharing a salad recipe which reminds me of spring, the beautiful sunshine and the pleasant wind – quinoa salad with strawberries, spinach & pecans....

During my last visit to India, I enjoyed a delicious Indian vegetarian snack called tandoori broccoli at a restaurant, which was similar to tandoori gobi. Inspired by that, I decided to try making it at home using an air fryer, without the need of a traditional tandoor or an electric tandoor. Broccoli is steamed, marinated in yogurt along with spices and then air-fried. It can be made in 30 minutes....

This strawberry tanghulu is far beyond just sweet. It’s perfectly coated in a glossy, transparent candy glaze—crunchy and irresistible! Prepare some of these fruit skewers, easy fruit roll-ups, candied grapes, and homemade boba pearls, and you’re all set for a fun afternoon party with the kids. Perfect for any playful gathering or creative activity, these treats are sure to bring smiles all around! Since then, tanghulu recipes have become increasingly popular....

Eggplant parmigiana is a staple dish on the dinner tables of Italy and it’s traveled around the world, delighting vegetarians with its hearty flavor and rich sauce. My eggplant parmesan recipe has no frying required and can be made in advance, making it perfect for meal prepping or as a make-ahead dinner. Plus, it still delivers an incredible taste and plenty of cheesy goodness in a baked version of the classic....

Yes, that’s right, I’m back again with another childhood-classic simple casserole recipe. I’ve already shared options for beef-based hamburger casserole and million-dollar chicken casserole. Now we’re turning pescatarian for this delicious, creamy tuna casserole. With just a short list of pantry-friendly ingredients, this recipe for tuna casserole is very affordable and so quick and easy to throw together. Just cook the noodles until al dente, then mix everything, top with the breadcrumb mixture, and bake until bubbling....

Ditch the boxed pancake mix (and the preservatives within) for this simple, 2-minute homemade pancake mix recipe for 6 months of “instant” pancakes. They will taste way better than boxed, contain no preservatives or other “nasties,” and are ready with minimal mess and effort on lazy mornings! By preparing this dry pancake mix recipe in advance, you can store it in your pantry for up to six months. That way, any time you’re in the mood for pancakes, just scoop the dry mix into a bowl, add the wet ingredients, and mix....

Don’t be put off by the blend of fruits and veggies in this recipe – they’re surprisingly complimentary! Using the best produce of the season, I’m bringing a little bit of sunshine to your plate with fresh strawberries, spinach, and crumbly feta cheese. This spinach strawberry salad recipe is packed full of great seasonal flavors. It is the perfect thing to bring to your next BBQ, potluck, or backyard party....

Sep 21, 2023 Breakfast blues! I am sure I am not the only one who faces it. On most working days, my breakfast is a simple avocado toast or my favorite banana oatmeal. They are quick, easy and filling. Two of my other favorite breakfasts that I make often (and they are both Indian breakfast recipes) are Poha and Upma. They are both filling, hearty and delicious. What is Upma?...

I recently shared a method for making homemade garam masala spice with this exact recipe in mind. Murgh makhani (aka butter chicken) is a creamy, rich Indian curry that I’ve tweaked to a vegan or vegetarian butter chicken alternative – using homemade tofu or homemade paneer (aka paneer makhani/paneer butter masala). While I’ve previously shared recipes for garlic naan and other curries, including Thai green curry and red curry, this is the first time I’m sharing my take on an Indian curry, so, I hope you enjoy it!...

When the summer weather hits, I find myself starting to crave healthier, lighter dishes like Italian bruschetta, zucchini fritters, whipped ricotta dip with crudites, and lots (and lots) of fresh salads! When the temperatures are high, it’s the perfect time to discover lots of refreshing salad recipes. This list includes options for BBQs, potlucks, garden parties, and more! The list of easy summer salads below combines options including simple ingredients with a combination of colors, flavors, and textures....