August 2020 - Weekend Waffler

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cakes

Author’s Note

The pineapple upside down cake shot to popularity after the invention of canned pineapple in the 1900s. In 1925, the Hawaiian Pineapple company (now Dole Pineapple) sponsored a contest calling for pineapple recipes. It is said that 2,500 of the 60,000 submissions were recipes for pineapple upside down cake. This classic favorite is made with canned pineapple and maraschino cherries and is served upside down. The idea of cooking a cake upside down is a technique that started centuries ago when cakes were cooked in cast skillets. It was easy for cooks to add fruit and sugar in the bottom of the pan and a simple cake batter on top and put it over the fire to cook.

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020

Quick Thai Green Curry with Shrimp and Vegetables

Author’s Note

The wonderfully distinct flavors of Thai cuisine can at times pose as intriguing. But actually it is an easy one to tackle. There are a lot of Thai dishes that can be made into weeknight dinners. The main problem is finding the ingredients. If you have them on hand the rest is merely combining those for all your curry needs. Luckily for me, some supermarkets where I live carry a variety of Thai staples like lemon grass, chilies, galangal and coconut milk.

August 27, 2020August 27, 2020

What is Your Favorite Thai Curry? Green or Red?

Author’s Note

If you are anything like me, you must have walked up and down supermarket aisles, eyeing those colorful rows of curry pastes lining the shelves. They look so tantalizing that I always tend to grab a few. There are some really authentic ones out there that can save time and effort when you are in need of a curry in a hurry.

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020

Quick Pesto Pasta with Burrata

Author’s Note

Homemade pesto has an unmatched quality and zest to it. If you haven’t tried your hand in making it, I think you should. Once you have made it, you’ll have the passport to an effortless weeknight meal. All you need is a food processor, some greens, some nuts, some cheese and you’ll have dinner in a presto. Toss it with a salad, serve it over some grilled fish or meat. Clearly, I haven’t come across a more versatile sauce than a pesto.

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020

Panch Phoron or Five Spice Seasoned Lentils

Author’s Note

At times when I feel run down, don’t know what to cook or what to eat, I turn to my five spice seasoned lentils or “panch phoron dail”. ”Panch phoron” literally means five spices and “dail” is another word for dal. Dal, as we know it, refers to a variety of pulses and legumes, cooked and eaten all over the Indian subcontinent. It is often dressed up or down to suit different occasions. For example, parties and celebrations call for richer versions while an everyday staple dal is eaten in its simplest form, first boiled and then tempered with whole spices. So a bowl of dal can comfort you on a cold wintry night as well soothe you on a blistering hot day.

August 20, 2020August 19, 2020

The Love Story of Luscious Peach and Flaky Pastry

Author’s Note

One bite onto this tart and the pastry crumbles and falls all over you, that’s how buttery and flaky this peach tart is. It is the perfect crust to the sweet, luscious, juicy caramelized peaches on top. You need to taste it to believe it and you’ll most certainly agree with me that it is a match made in heaven. Juicy summery fruit on buttery flaky pastry feels like a dream come true. And you can guzzle it anytime of the day as a snack, a dessert or even breakfast. I do sometimes indulge myself with a piece with my morning coffee, a great combination I must say.

August 17, 2020August 17, 2020

Salmon in a Creamy Corn Poblano Sauce

This is the perfect summer dinner. Savory salmon, sweet summer corn and spicy poblano peppers are cooked in a creamy sauce seasoned with Mexican chili powder and paprika. It is then finished off with sweet genovese basil for that freshness.

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

Creamy Brie and Pear Bruschetta with Candied Walnuts

Hello Weekend, I am pleased as Punch to finally see you here. And this weekend is going to be so special, because I get to finally hang out with my girl-friends. Well, it’s going to be a virtual zoom hang out, nevertheless I am excited to see their lovely faces. We are in a socially distant mode but not in emotional isolation.

August 13, 2020August 14, 2020

Best Shepherd’s Pie Ever

I know it’s the middle of August, peak of summer, and with the oppressive heat all around us, of all things, why a shepherd’s pie? My family has been thriving on summery light food for days now and we have been starting to crave something really hearty and comforting. Not that we haven’t had any comforting meals lately, maybe it’s just that we were craving for some plain old meat and potatoes dinner. And for me this shepherd’s pie fits all the bills to meet those cravings.

August 6, 2020August 14, 2020

Black Bean Soup made with Whole Dried Black Beans

This is not your average black bean soup, folks. This is the real deal, a full bodied soup made with dried black beans which is soaked overnight. But this one is not simmered for long hours.