something old, something borrowed, and something new
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.
Continue reading “Creamy Brie and Pear Bruschetta with Candied Walnuts”
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.
Continue reading “Best Shepherd’s Pie Ever”
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.
Continue reading “Black Bean Soup made with Whole Dried Black Beans”
Can I just say fried rice is more of a mood than a food for me? When cooking is the last thing on my mind and I still need to feed my brood, I resort to quick cooking meals like fried rice. It is fast, easy and you can choose to add on whatever you want or feel like eating, be it meat, eggs, or vegetables. It has come to my rescue many times when I am in need of sort of an instant meal. They are the original one pot meal or shall I say one wok meal. They can be a meal in itself or serve as an accompaniment to any meat dishes. There is something satisfying in a bowl of fried rice with all your favorite add-ons .
Continue reading “Egg, Tomato and Spinach Fried Rice”
Let us release chicken wings from the shackles of being a mere “game day food”, shall we? I want to bring them on to my everyday dinner table. I want to savor them quietly, intently without any distractions. And with zero guilt. Yes I can, I totally can with my Asian inspired baked chicken wings. I usually pair it with fried rice and make it into a weeknight meal.
Continue reading “Asian Style Baked Chicken Wings”
Make your mornings sublime with these Swedish pancakes, filled or topped with some blueberry compote. These pancakes are seriously dopamine-inducing and clearly sets the mood for the day. No matter how my day ensues, if I get to break-my-fast with them, life is good.
Continue reading “Swedish Pancakes with Maple Blueberry Compote”
This icebox strawberry cheesecake is summer on a plate. It is delicate and light with fresh strawberries folded into the creamy filling. A slice of this cheesecake is simply irresistible on a hot and balmy summer day. And the best part is, it does not feel like a project because this one is a no-bake cheesecake. It never sees the insides of the oven nor does it require the excessive attention to detail usually necessary while baking a cheesecake. Basically you get the smooth and creamy essence of a cheesecake without all the fuss of baking one.
Continue reading “Icebox No-bake Strawberry Cheesecake”
This is a classic example of how some staples of Asian cooking like soy sauce and ginger team up to create a sensational salmon dish. It is everyday cooking in my kitchen. I am sure many of us can relate, that preparing everyday meals does not always involve religiously following a recipe. But it does involve what we feel like eating and what we have on hand, in our pantry and in our refrigerators. And we heavily rely on our instincts when we throw ingredients together to prepare a meal. Honestly, there is no recipe for this salmon and I am having a hard time writing one. I have instinctively cooked salmon this way for so long that it feels funny to write it down. I have to say this salmon is very versatile too; it can be eaten over steamed rice, with noodles or with a salad. Eat with what you may, but at least try cooking it my way and you won’t regret it.
Continue reading “Sake Soy Mirin Salmon”
Lemon infused, studded with sweet blueberries and draped in a white chocolate frosting—this cake is a celebration of summer itself. I cannot let a single summer go by without baking this cake. Blueberries are available all year long in the place where I live. But nothing beats the flavor and sweetness of berries during summer when they are in season. Eaten whole or baked into a dessert, blueberries are the ultimate summer treat for people who love them.
Continue reading “Lemon-blueberry cake with white chocolate frosting”
There are some lofty brownie recipes and then there is this one, my everyday brownies. These do not require copious amounts of chocolate or butter and can be made with ingredients that are generally on hand. As for me, I always tend to have baking chocolate, butter, eggs and flour lying around. Whenever the mood strikes, I find myself turning to this recipe over and over again. There are more than one reason for that, but the most important is, I can make these even at the end of a long tiring day. And more often than not, it is on those run-down days that we specifically need a brownie fix. A warm brownie straight out of the pan with a tall glass of milk dawns in the feeling that everything is alright. It’s amazing how a tiny little brownie can conjure up emotions of joy and comfort. I guess food has the capacity to do that. These everyday brownies can be made occasion-worthy too, by serving them up with whipped cream or ice cream with a drizzling of caramel sauce.
Continue reading “Everyday Brownies”