A Chocolate Lover’s Perfect Frosting I gave you a sneak peek at this frosting earlier this week. It’s that deep, dark, thick, and fudgy chocolate fudge frosting I teased over my insanely decadent devil’s food cake. This is the perfect frosting to take a dessert to the next level of decadence, and it joins the ranks of some of my favorite frosting recipes. Not too sweet, there’s no candy thermometer needed, it sets up fudgy and firm, and it’s quite simple to make (though you do need some patience!...

A lot happened in the past week. I moved to a new blogging platform and migrated my blog from Cucumbertown to WordPress. This was a move I always dreaded but thankfully my husband was around during the whole process and he took care of it. Coming back to today’s post. I wasn’t really prepared or even in the mood to make anything for Diwali – could be the migration process or the chilly, lousy weather we’ve been having for the past few days....

I think it’s safe to say that I’m still in that weird limbo (thanks to Michigan weather) between winter and spring. I’m making the best of it by taking advantage of all the great citrus produce available but mixing it with summer flavors so that I can pretend it’s warm and sunny out. Enter mint! I could eat this citrus salad with mint all summer long. I know, major contradiction....

Sweet pink grapefruit, juicy oranges, and tart lime segments are combined with red onion, spicy jalapeño, and fresh green cilantro in this fabulous citrus salsa. It brings sunshine to even the most dreary day. Really, it does make you smile because it’s so bright and yummy. And just think of all the vitamin C you’re getting! How long it takes: 15 minutes Equipment you’ll need: sharp knife, bowl Servings: two and a half cups Go ahead and scoop this salsa up with tortilla chips....

A Tart & Sweet Classic Muffin Recipe Last year when I shared my cranberry white chocolate muffins, many of you requested instructions for making them into cranberry orange muffins. I proceeded to stock up on all the fresh cranberries I could get my hands on and got to work perfecting this one. I think you’re going to enjoy it as much as I do..! Why you’ll love this recipe: Easy recipe: no mixer and no hard-to-find ingredients required....

This hearty oat bread with tangy cranberries and crunchy walnuts tastes like something from one of your favorite bakeries. Seriously! You’ll even impress yourself, not to mention everyone else. How long it takes: just over 3 hours, including rising time Equipment you’ll need: stand mixer Servings: makes one loaf I also created a little something extra for it: cranberry cinnamon honey butter, not that this bread needs anything extra because it’s delightful just the way it is....

Chocolatey, Bite-Sized Bliss It’s not often that I share a mini dessert (you know I like my sweets as big as they can be), but these mini cupcakes are the exception. With their fluffy, moist, and rich dark chocolate bases and their equally indulgent caramel frosting, a bite is really all you need. Sure, maybe I still eat three (or five) in one sitting, but that’s neither here nor there! 🤪 These cupcakes truly melt in your mouth and are my favorite match for my caramel frosting–though of course you could use a different type (like peanut butter frosting!...

Perfect Oven Roasted Beets Ruby-red roasted beets are tender and caramelized on the inside and crisp and browned on the outside, and they pair so well with countless meal ideas. Roasting is one of our favorite ways to cook these flavorful garden gems, and it’s so easy to do. The oven brings out beets’ earthy, sweet, smokiness and with just a few simple seasonings, they turn out incredible. How long it takes: 15 minutes to prep, 30 minutes of roasting Equipment you’ll need: a bowl and a rimmed baking sheet Servings: 3 servings Whether you’re a bonafide beet lover or if you’re looking to give them a try, we’re sharing all our tips for perfectly roasted beets....

Navratri Sundal Recipes Sundal is a legume stirfry that we usually make during festivals, especially Navratri. It’s a simple, versatile, and healthy dish you can make for everyday cooking. Every year I try to make some different sundal or add a simple twist to the regular ones like adding ground peanuts or freshly ground spice. This year, I am glad to share this edamame sundal recipe. It’s more like my green peas sundal/thenga manga pattani sundal....

I think everyone is in the full swing of back-to-school now, right? I was getting into a good routine and then I got called for jury duty. I’m typing this now surrounded by the other (bored) jurors waiting to be called. Or not. So now the routine is a little thrown off, but not too much. Unless I get selected for a case. So this morning I had my raisin bran....

I love simple and low-carb veggie sides with minimal ingredients. These blistered shishito peppers tick all the requirements, and it’s a perfect side dish for any meal. I first tried these shishito peppers at my colleague’s place, and he roasted them on the stove-top. He made it with three ingredients – shishito peppers, olive oil, and salt and it was simply amazing. I was gobbling it up one after another....

There’s no chilling or cookie cutters necessary for today’s recipe, making this a simple alternative to my classic Gingerbread Men. Recipe includes a how-to video at the bottom of the post! Gingerbread Cookie Bars Another lazy-day cookie bar recipe today! After Monday’s Christmas Cookies round-up, I’m feeling a little exhausted with all the scooping, rolling out, and chilling, and thought something a little simpler was in order. Dense, buttery, chewy, and flavored with all of the best holiday spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, & nutmeg!...

The Perfect Christmas Cake If you could take all the festive, wintery elements of the holiday season and bake them into a cake, you’d end up with this gingerbread layer cake. With its warm, spiced gingerbread cake layers, luscious brown sugar frosting, and sparkling sugared cranberry garnish, this is a stunning holiday dessert! This cake is a fun and pretty twist on classic gingerbread. And yes, it’s a true gingerbread cake; we’re using both molasses and gingerbread spices in the batter....

Give your gingersnaps a little update by adding white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. You’ll love the way the creamy white chocolate mellows out the spicy ginger and dark molasses. Tangy cranberries intensify the experience with chewy little bursts of fruity delight. How long it takes: 15 minutes to stir up the dough, 12 minutes per batch to bake Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, measuring utensils, baking sheet, oven Servings: makes 4 dozen, depending on size When I was younger (read “the little sister”), ginger sparkles were always my older sister’s thing....

They are what I call ‘Spring on my Plate’, literally every ounce of this pizza screams spring-summer and Greek Flavors. Now, who doesn’t like fresh pizza (tell me you love them….please) and there is nothing more relaxing than making one at the comfort of your home. Adding the toppings you like and yet you can eat just that extra one as these are the skinny/extra thin types! What is Greek Lamb Flatbread Pizza ?...

I am a huge fan of cilantro, known as dhania in Hindi, and this simple dhania chutney is always in my fridge and is such a savior! I always have 3 to 4 jars of different chutneys and dips in my fridge, and boy! They are so versatile in my cooking! This chutney, also known as hari chutney (hari means green in Hindi), is a lush green, thick, tangy and spicy condiment that goes well with any Indian street food....

South Indian Style Kurma | Korma: Every family has their kurma or korma recipes, and all those recipes are fantastic and authentic. I have tasted my mother’s version, my chithi’s version and my friend’s version and of course the restaurant version. Each of these differs in a couple of ingredients, but that change in ingredients gives a different and unique taste altogether. I love kurma with roti, chapati, pulav, biryani and also with rice....

My theme for the first week of this month’s marathon is ‘Brunch Recipes’. Brunch should be hearty and filling, but not too filling that it is going to make you take an early afternoon nap. Also since we are skipping breakfast to eat brunch, it should be nutritious enough to keep you going and charged for at least 3~4 hours. With all those in mind, here’s a one pot dish that is sure to keep you full and energized until the next meal....

In 2020, we had a Harry Potter-themed birthday party for the kiddo, and that’s when I explored Harry Potter fame recipes like butterbeer, pumpkin juice, etc. Last year, I shared the butterbeer recipe, but I took my sweet time to post this pumpkin juice recipe. Finally, it’s here right on time for Halloween. If you are looking for a non-alcoholic, kid-friendly beverage, you are in the right place. Whether it is for a Halloween party or a Fall get-together, a Harry Potter-themed birthday party, or any party, this pumpkin juice is definitely a crowd pleaser and a big winner among kids....

These Hawaiian Hot Dog with Special Sweet-Spicy Yogurt Sauce are our HOUSE FAV these days and I had to share them ASAP !!! If, you’ve never had them, then You are missing out on a fantastic flavor. It’s a medley of tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, avocado, and sausage with few more ingredients on a hot dog bun. Now, summer is the season of Grill / Outdoor Parties and I’m like forever ready to host or attend a fun party with friends & family which is loaded with my favorite summer food....