Michigan wants to keep winter around FOREVER! Have you heard? Michigan + Winter = BFFs. Best friends forever! Michigan is wearing the half of the heart necklace that says “best” and winter is wearing the half that says “friends,” because clearly winter isn’t “best.” How long it takes: 15 minutes to prep, 4 to 8 hours in the slow cooker Equipment you’ll need: crockpot Servings: 8 I’m trying my hardest to roll with the punches, because after all, it’s my 34th year in Michigan and this is not new behavior for our dear old mitten state....

This week DFT theme is “Oil-free Cooking”. I was planning to prepare some salad first but then I went back to my favorite soup. I agree I am obsessed with this little grain quinoa. :-) A small grain loaded with protein and fiber. One thing I need to admit is that it took me some time to get adjusted to quinoa taste. It’s purely acquired. I started with this quinoa black bean salad....

Check out the menu details and recipe links below. Try this lunch combo, for a special occasion or for weekend brunch & wow everyone. India is known for its thali or the elaborative meal plates. You can make elaborative thalis with more than dishes and also you can make a simple thali with 4 to 5 dishes. And that’s what I usually do over the weekends – a simple thali with four to five dishes....

How long it takes: 1 hour 5 minutes Equipment you’ll need: baking dish, large pot, bowl, knife, tongs Servings: 6 Another great thing about quinoa is that it is versatile. You can use it to make breakfast pancakes (protein packed!), salads, soups, or dinner! I have lots and lots of recipes on my site that use quinoa. If you’re looking for a new weeknight recipe, be sure to try these southwestern quinoa stuffed peppers....

– Thank You, Sweet Earth, for Sponsoring this post and all opinions expressed here are mine – Today’s post is all about Sweet Earth Review, especially their Basil Pesto Lasagna. I’m a huge fan of ‘Sweet Earth – Enlightened Foods‘ products and always have them stocked at home. As you all know, I cook on a daily basis and try to incorporate fresh food as much as I can, however, there are days, when I just don’t have the time or the energy to even make a salad and that’s when I heavily rely on ready-to-eat meals....

This sweet potato chaat is an excellent option if you are looking for a guilt-free chaat or a vegan appetizer/snack, like my fruit chaat. Shakarkandi is the Hindi name for sweet potatoes, hence the name shakarkandi ki chaat. While there are many ways to make this chaat, here is my way. I usually steam the sweet potatoes first and then cube them. Then add the spices and roast the spiced sweet potatoes....

What is sweet potato pone The third recipe that I am going to post under the theme “Latin American Cuisine” is the Sweet Potato Pone which is also popularly known as Potato Pound of Belize. It is a traditional dessert of Belize (formerly known as British Honduras). Once you have grated sweet potatoes ready, you can whip this dish in no time. This party pleaser is a vegan dessert, perfect for all vegetarians and vegans....

Chili Cook-Off Champion! Something savory/cozy for you today because believe it or not Fall is here, which means cold weather and hearty comfort foods like baked ziti, my favorite meatball recipe, and this best chili recipe! This recipe is actually one that I shared last year, and since then I’ve made it probably 50 times. Not only am I completely obsessed with it, as of this writing it’s also won over two dozen Chili Cook-offs!...

I haven’t found many people in life who don’t love a classic Rice Krispies treat. They’re sweet, chewy, and popular at parties, potlucks, and picnics, How long it takes: 15 minutes Equipment you’ll need: large pot, 9 x 13 inch pan Servings: 24 bars Maybe one of the biggest reasons Rice Krispies treats are so popular is because they are SO easy to make but they also are super satisfying, they don’t need to be refrigerated, and they’re not messy to eat....

I am lucky to have Turkish grocery stores very close to my house. So after a quick trip to the store, I was equipped with a big can of grape leaves. The stuffing/ filling is like tomato rice and is very flavorful and tasty by itself. Once the grape leaves are stuffed, they need to be boiled for about 30 minutes and you have a very tasty appetizer ready. These are traditionally served with yogurt sauce, but I skipped it and ate them as is....

What is Roasted Makhana? Makhana or Phool Makhana, also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds, is a seed derived from a kind of lotus plant, primarily grown in India. It’s been an essential part of traditional Indian cuisine for centuries, often consumed during religious fasting or as a healthy snack. And this particular version, Turmeric Black Pepper Roasted Makhana is my all-time go-to snack since childhood. It’s crunchy, light, yet filling and ready in less than 5-7 minutes....

What is Mousse? In simple words, Mousse is a French word meaning Foam. Mousse is soft food that is very light, and it has airy texture. It can be set using gelatin or agar-agar or it can be served as is as a dessert or can be incorporated in a cake too. Today’s recipe is simple, fruit-based mousse recipe that I prepared with coconut milk cream. All you have to do is make the mango puree, using a hand mixer whip the coconut milk cream and sugar and beat until soft peaks are formed....

How long it takes: 55 minutes Equipment you’ll need: large pot or Dutch oven, sharp knife, can opener, small strainer Servings: 8 It’s not lacking in flavor either. With just the right amount of spiciness and heat, this chili will please just about anyone. And you know what? It’s a one pan meal that can be on the table in under an hour. Does it get any better than that?...

What is salna Salna (not to confuse with Hyderabadi special salan) is a famous Tamil Nadu style gravy typically served with parotta or biryani. You can also relish it with roti or chapati. Salna is mostly meat-based, but nowadays, you can find vegetarian salna where meat is replaced with vegetables or plant-based protein like soya chunks. And my version today is with soya chunks or soy chunks. You can make salna without meat or veggies, and that plain version is popularly known as plain salna or empty salna....

Streusel! While muffins aren’t normally frosted, they can claim streusel as their crowning glory. And who doesn’t love crunchy, crumbly cinnamon-scented streusel?! How long it takes: 40 minutes Equipment you’ll need: muffin tins, oven, mixing bowls, measuring utensils Servings: makes 15 muffins, depending on size Whole wheat banana muffins, capped with glorious streusel, make a great breakfast or snack. Anyone would look forward to one of these muffins in their lunchbox, too....

Homemade chili is the perfect answer to the dinnertime dilemma especially in this busy fall season. You can put a pot of chili on the stove to simmer, or even better, in the slow cooker, and it’s ready to eat when you are. Chili isn’t a fussy meal that has to be eaten immediately. In fact, chili likes to simmer quietly as you rush around. It actually gets tastier. If your family is anything like mine, September is a busy month with school, sports activities, and games....

Love grilled cheese sandwiches? Try using your air fryer for the best grilled cheese sandwiches imaginable: super crispy, never soggy or squished, with cheese that just melts perfectly right into the bread. Using an air fryer to make grilled cheese sandwiches is a watershed event. You’ll never go back to a skillet sandwich. How long it takes: 15 minutes Equipment you’ll need: air fryer, spatula Servings: 1 I am a self-proclaimed grilled cheese queen....

Is there anything better than the aroma of freshly baked apple pie? My grandma made the best apple pies! This apple pie spice recipe will make the job a little bit easier. The warm sweet flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, and allspice found in this blend will make your apple pie sing. How long it takes: 5 minutes Equipment you’ll need: bowl and spoon or a jar Servings: makes 3 tablespoons I love making my own spice mixes....

One of the things I love most about summer is firing up the grill for a quick and easy dinner. I love the smell of the food cooking on the grill, and sitting in the sunshine while the food cooks, cold beverage in hand, especially if someone else does the grilling for you! Just another reason to love summer. Give a guy some raw meat, a big metal spatula and a cold beer, and he’s happy to cook....