When the kitchen knife brand “SHAN ZU” contacted me recently to see whether I could review one of their GYO series chef’s knives, I was excited as I have never owned any high quality knife to use in my kitchen; just some local store knives that I have been making do with! When I checked out who and what they were, I was so thrilled that I get to use one of these highly tested, beautiful and innovative knives that has been crafted keeping all kinds of cuisines in mind!...

Ponsa Idlis – sweet and delicious steamed ripe jackfruit cakes with jaggery and coconut; a scrumptious south Indian delight to enjoy when fresh jackfruits are in season! Every summer, I am in my sons’ houses in US but this time, because of the 2020 pandemic, enjoying my time in India (Mysore) hogging on fresh mangoes and jackfruits; a summer delight! No one can beat the varieties of mangoes that India has to offer and jackfruit is a tropical fruit indigenous to the southern part of India (and sometimes in other parts of south Asia like Sri Lanka, Malaysia etc....

Although it is prepared and enjoyed on Indian festivals such as Navratri, Shivratri, Janamasthmi or Ekadashi, you are more than welcome to indulge on any regular day too. WHAT IS SHIRO OR HALWA? Siro or Halwa is a typical Indian sweet/confection or dessert made of flour (various kinds) fruits or vegetables, with milk, sugar, nuts and fat such as ghee. If you prefer vegan halwa, skip dairy products in the recipe....

Sauteing is a lovely variation on eating them raw; this simple side dish is ready in ten minutes! This snap peas recipe is one of my favorite side dishes to make on a busy weeknight. It’s fast and easy; cooking vegetables in butter and garlic is a delicious method for preparing them (as these sauteed mushrooms demonstrate). To make this recipe as easy as can be and avoid washing and trimming the peas, I usually buy a bag of stringless, ready-to-eat peas....

This Shahi Paneer is North Indian style recipe with soft paneer cubes in gravy made with tomatoes, cashews, and spices. It has the creaminess and richness of yogurt and cream and is full of flavors with whole and powdered Indian spices. Creamy and Delicious Shahi Paneer Traditionally, Shahi Paneer is a Mughlai-style recipe with white gravy and no tomatoes. It is very heavy, rich, and on the sweeter side. But the recipe I am sharing with you is North Indian-style, made with tomatoes, cashews, yogurt, and cream....

Sookhi Chana Dal Curry, a semi-dry split pea curry with tomatoes and some simple Indian spices. Dunk your flat bread like roti, paratha or naan in it or enjoy it as a side dish with rice and any vegetable stir fry. My inspiration for this simple yet absolutely delicious lentil curry came from a cooking video that I was watching, which is my favorite pastime besides cooking and updating my food blog!...

It’s an easy salad, and if you use pre-washed spinach leaves and crumbled goat cheese, it’s ready in just ten minutes. I typically serve spinach cooked in recipes like creamed spinach, steamed spinach, and sauteed spinach. But fresh spinach leaves dressed in a simple vinaigrette are delicious, too! The secret ingredient in this recipe is the pecans. They add flavor and crunch, while the goat cheese adds creaminess and a tangy flavor....

It’s fluffy, flavorful, and well-seasoned with garlic, onion, and paprika. Mayonnaise and Dijon mustard add much-needed moisture and flavor. This meatloaf was inspired by a comment on my recipe for turkey burgers. Sue said she made them into a meatloaf, which got me thinking, hey, that’s a great idea! I experimented with a few versions, and this is the one we all liked best. It combines the above-mentioned turkey burgers with my keto meatloaf recipe....

Let me tell you a story. This banana bread is a staple in my kitchen. It’s the first thing I baked when the art of baking grabbed my attention all those years ago. So many years later, I still rely on this bread to give my coffee some much-needed company when I’m sitting out in the balcony. It’s my quick fix if I’m craving a little something sweet, specially on that particular sorry day when the aroma of warm baking has not filled my apartment....

Vegan Tofu Pad Thai Recipe - chock full of crunchy veggies, protein rich pan roasted tofu and al dente noodles in a lip smacking creamy, sweet and savory homemade Asian/Thai flavored sauce. Jump to Recipe Print Recipe (Step-wise recipe too below) This easy, “ready under 30 minutes” Pad Thai was gone in a jiffy in our house! If you love noodles, are a big fan of Asian flavors (and peanuts) like we are and also find Thai food irresistible, then this Vegan Pad Thai is definitely for you!...

This flan can be made with or without eggs; my version in this recipe uses eggs. Some custards use only milk which makes for a lighter custard and the one made using condensed milk comes out slightly thicker and denser. I often have a can of condensed milk in my pantry all the time and whenever my urge to have caramel custard arises, this recipe is a very quick and easy version, as it uses a blender to mix the custard....

ACHAARI MORINGA PARATHAS/ROTIS – soft, delicious and healthy Indian flat breads with multigrain/whole wheat flour, moringa leaves and some simple pantry friendly spices along with a couple of tablespoons of spicy Indian pickle/condiment called “Achaar” which adds that oomph in taste and flavor; perfect with your favorite curry or just some fresh yogurt, raita or even a simple dal. It is so easy to make and is a great way to include super healthy super food moringa leaves in your family’s diet....

Aloo Gobi is the quintessential north Indian dry curry with rustic potatoes and the ever trending vegetable, cauliflower, flavored with aromatic Indian spices. The recipe is so versatile that any combination of spices you use will still make for a hearty and tasty aloo gobi curry. Paired with rice and a simple dal or any Indian flatbread, it is a crowd pleaser. There are some days in our house when we avoid eating onions or garlic....

The flavorful dish of Bombay Potatoes is easy to make and distinguished from your routine potato curry. It is a semi-dry curry without onion and garlic and definitely high in taste and comfort. About Bombay Potatoes In India, you will find various Potato or Aloo sabji recipes from one place to another. Moreover, every family has its own way of making it. Aloo sabji or curry is one of the easiest and most popular dishes....

Creamy mushroom soup is a simple, but hearty soup, full with the goodness of mushrooms, onions and milk and a tinge of aromatic dried oregano leaves . Paired with toasted bread or croutons, it is a warm comforting soup for cold winter nights! Soups are a favorite in our house on nights when we need something light and filling. Most of the time, we tend to make tomato soup or some oriental soup like vegetable noodle soup or manchow soup....

No food hits home like Hispanic food. The heavy influence of cumin and coriander remind me of Pakistan because this particular spice and herb are added in every traditional Pakistani dish. At times when I walk down the streets of LA past food carts selling tacos and burritos, I imagine I’m in Karachi. The familiar smells wafting in the air punctuated by the occasional traffic and honking of cars (it is downtown after all ) are enough to wake up nostalgia....

This tasty dish is ready in just 20 minutes. You can serve it as is or with spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles. This recipe is ready fast, and its flavor combination is magnificent. Butter, garlic, white wine, and lemon juice combine into a delicate sauce that perfectly complements the shrimp. This is one of my most requested weeknight dinners and one of my favorite ways to prepare shrimp. Other shrimp recipes I often make include baked shrimp, sauteed shrimp, grilled shrimp, and boiled shrimp....

EGGLESS LEMON LAYER CAKE – soft, fluffy, slightly tangy, moist and delicious vegan lemon cake generously frosted with the most delicious lemon buttercream frosting. With the distinct tang of freshly squeezed lemon juice and the golden yellow hues of saffron infused cake and frosting, this egg free, easy to make cake can be enjoyed with or without frosting! Jump to Recipe Print Recipe (Scroll the post below for ingredient options, variations to the cake and to check out the step-wise recipe too) This is perfect and so easy to make not only for birthdays but is a stunning dessert to share at any special occasion....

You start browsing for recipes online and you are almost always pounded with “golden” colored dishes using the trendy ingredient “turmeric”; the “beauty spice”! It could be in the powder form (the easiest way to include this wonder spice in your diet) or using fresh turmeric roots. Fresh turmeric is not always available in grocery stores or markets. So, on my last trip to the store when I found fresh turmeric, I had to pick a bunch!...

They’re ready in 30 minutes, and this includes prepping the vegetables. The leftovers are great, too! Some recipes are just perfect for summer. These kabobs are one of them. They are easy to make, fresh-tasting, and look gorgeous - so pretty and colorful. A few other summer favorites that I like to make include grilled peaches (preferably with homemade frozen yogurt!), chilled gazpacho, and caprese salad. Variations Instructions Storing Leftovers More Vegetable Recipes Recipe Card For the marinade: Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano....