Pistachio Date Truffles

Nutty and sweet, these Pistachio Date Truffles are the perfect snack for any time of the day!  A quick, easy, and family-friendly recipe that promises pure bliss in every bite. Elevate your snacking game effortlessly.
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Cabbage Peas Shaak (Kobi Vatana nu Shaak)

Indian cuisine is renowned for its vibrant and diverse flavors, and one dish that beautifully embodies this culinary richness is Cabbage Peas nu Shaak. This delectable Gujarati recipe combines the humble cabbage and peas with a harmonious blend of spices, creating a dish that is both comforting and flavorful.
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Cauliflower Steak with Hummus Dressing

These Cauliflower Steaks with Hummus Dressing are simply seasoned with a balsamic marinade and making them absolutely delicious.  Tender and packed with flavor, the pomegranates add a but of crunch, the hummus adds a bit of tang.  It makes the perfect vegetarian meal or side dish.
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Roasted Vegetables Barley Bowl

A delicious and nutritious Roasted Vegetable Barley Bowl filled with barley, arugula, hummus, a variety of veggies including asparagus and blistered tomatoes, all topped with a sprinkle of chili flakes for just a little heat.  It’s perfect for a weeknight meal.
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Top 15 Recipes of 2022

The year 2022 has been very eventful for us.  We’ve had lots of travel, covid, a kitchen renovation, and so much more.  Crafting and creating has been challenging but fun nonetheless in all of these environs.  So here are my top 15 recipes that were the most popular this past year.  I’m so happy you enjoyed them as much as me!

I wish all of you a healthy and Happy New Year as you read the top 15 from this year based on reader reviews and responses.  I hope to continue growing and sharing my love of cooking with you in 2023.  Here are the top 15 recipes of 2022.

Sprouted Moong Beans Sabzi Gujarati Style

Growing up, my Mom would make Moong Bean Sprouts Sabzi often. My brother and I weren’t the biggest fans (though a big part was that we wanted American food like the rest of our friends, not DBRS (Dar Bhaat Rotli Shaak) everyday.

Now as an adult, I see that Mom was making one of the healthiest plant proteins out there to make sure her kids got their nutrition. And now I’m doing the same. Maybe not as a child, but definitely as an adult I love this sabzi. Super simple to make, in less than 10 minutes, a depth of flavor from various spices, and packed with a powerhouse of nutrients, it’s a win win!

Pistachio Pudding Bundt Cake

A simple bundt cake that is moist, light, fluffy, and a little crunchy.  Fresh ground pistachios in the cake with some more drizzled over the top of a beautiful sugar glaze, this Pistachio Pudding Bundt Cake is beautiful to look at and divine to eat.

Roasted Rainbow Veggies
Roasted Rainbow Veggies

Roasting vegetables is one of my favorite ways to eat any vegetable.  Having several different colors and cooking them together is the best in my book!  You get plenty of vitamins and minerals and the different colors are just so pretty to look at!  These Roasted Rainbow Veggies are the perfect way to serve your veggies for adults and kids, making them fun, easy, and healthy.

Mango Lassi Loaf Cake
Mango Lassi Loaf Cake
Light, moist, and elegant loaf that tastes like Mango Lassi and is made without butter and eggs.

Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet
Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet

An effortless one skillet vegan recipe filled with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, chickpeas, spinach, grilled lemon slices, and of course orzo!  Simple, healthy ingredients that come together quickly for a perfect weeknight meal, this Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet is a dish that everyone can enjoy!

Teriyaki Tofu Noodle Bowl
Teriyaki Tofu Noodle Bowl

Crispy, sweet, and salty bites of tofu paired with sauteed bright broccoli on a bed of rice noodles.  It can’t get any better than this.  Filled with protein, this Teriyaki Tofu Noodle Bowl is perfect for a weeknight dinner or lunch prep.

Blackened Fish Tacos with a Garlic Sriracha Aioli

BBQ season is for grilling and though I love making the traditional burgers and hot dogs, I wanted to get away from the usual and do something different.  These Blackened Fish Tacos are perfect with a Garlic Sriracha Aioli.  A flavorful rub, crunchy carrot and cabbage slaw, the aioli to cool things down a bit and the jalapeños to add just a kick at the end of each bite is the perfect summer combination for me.

Couscous Arancini

Arancini is quite possibly one of the best things anyone could have created! Creamy, cheesy, fried balls dipped in warm marinara….yep, definitely calling my name.  For a little twist, I used leftover pearl couscous instead of the traditional arborio rice risotto to make these.

Middle Eastern Vegan Protein Bowl

Simple to make and ready in just 30 minutes, this Middle Eastern Vegan Protein Bowl has everything to make your belly happy! Hint of tangy, spicy, herby, crunchy, and creamy, I love every bite I take! Filled with almost 20gm protein, 50% of your daily recommended fiber, and 40% of daily recommended iron, it is one of the most nutrient dense meals out there! Side benefit, you get 4 different colors of veggies in 1 meal!

Rainbow Farro Salad

I love eating in color and this gorgeous Rainbow Farro Salad has an abundance of it. Vivacious and crunchy purple cabbage, bright red bell pepper, pretty yellow cauliflower, tangy feta, earthy dill, and so much more. All of this drizzled with just enough olive oil and lemon juice to bring it all together so beautifully that each bite has you saying Mmmmmmmm.

Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies

Grain-free, gluten-free, and vegan, these chickpea chocolate chip cookies are out of this world.  Pillowy soft, fluffy, sweet, melt in your mouth, chunky chocolate chip cookies.

Rose Pistachio Ice Cream

Creamy, luscious, velvety, and decadent, this delicious Rose Pistachio Ice Cream is sure to make you smile in satisfaction. Bonus, it requires no cooking and no churning!  It has become my new obsession and I’m sure it will become yours too!

Rosemary Olive Artisan Bread

Rosemary Olive Artisan Bread has a beautiful crust with a chewy inside filled with olives and fresh rosemary.  It is easy to make because there is no kneading required.  The scent and taste of warm bread and the ease of this recipe will want you making this bread over and over again.

Creamy White Bean Soup with Spinach

What is more comforting than a hot bowl of bean soup on chilly winter days? This quick recipe will have you feeling warm in no time. It’s also great for preparing large quantities so everyone can enjoy it! Nutrient dense and full of fiber, each bowl is also filled with 15gm protein!

Almond Butter Muffins

These healthy almond butter muffins are the perfect tasty treat.  They are ideal to add in the lunchbox for a snack or dessert, or even to eat for breakfast.  Each muffin is so soft, fluffy, and creamy all at the same time that I have to try not to gobble them down myself!

Thank you so much for making 2022 so special for me.  I have enjoyed and embraced cooking for you.  Which recipes have you tried?  Feel free to leave comments below, or tag me with your pictures on Facebook or Instagram.

Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet

An effortless one skillet vegan recipe filled with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, chickpeas, spinach, grilled lemon slices, and of course orzo!  Simple, healthy ingredients that come together quickly for a perfect weeknight meal, this Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet is a dish that everyone can enjoy!
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Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl

This Dragon fruit Smoothie Bowl is a beautiful, quick, and easy tropical breakfast recipe!  Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is nutrient dense food packed with antioxidants, low calories making it a great option for vegan and paleo diets.  Made with just 3 ingredients, dragon fruit, mango, and coconut water, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
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Haldi Doodh (Golden Milk)

Growing up in an Indian household meant turning to natural and food remedies for minor ailments.  If you had a tummy ache, Mom made us eat carom seeds or even cumin seeds.  If we had a cold sore in the mouth, she would make us keep a clove on the sore for a few hours.  There are so many more remedies that my mom and grandmother used but the one I remember and is most popular these days is turmeric.

As soon the cold weather set in or the first cough or sneeze of the season was heard, my mother would add turmeric to everything we ate.  She would also make us drink Haldi Doodh or turmeric milk before bed each night.  As a child, I hated this.  As an adult and a mom, it is now my go to.  Over the years, I’ve changed it from the basic turmeric and milk to adding a few new ingredients.  Take a look!

  • Turmeric – the most important ingredient as it has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  The powder form is most commonly used though sometimes, I do use the actual root.
  • Black Pepper – has anti-inflammatory properties and improves brain function.  It is most important in this recipe because it activates the curcumin properties in turmeric therefore making the turmeric much more effective.
  • Honey – is full of antioxidants, antibacterial, and antifungul properties.  It’s also an age old remedy used to help sore throats.
  • Cardamom pods – have antioxidant and diuretic properties, and is rich in compounds that help fight against inflammation.
  • Ginger – also has anti-inflammatory properties, helps lower blood sugars, and improve heart disease risk factors.  Ginger also helps fight against bacteria and viruses which can help reduce the risk for infections.
  • Cinnamon – is also loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  In addition, it helps lower blood sugar levels, and helps fight bacterial and fungal infections.

Basically, every spice added to this recipe has anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties or both.  I normally use cow’s milk when I make this for the kids but I have made it with almond milk and it has turned out just as good.  I do recommend not to use sweetened milk if you are using a plant based milk as it changes the taste of the final product.

Here’s to wishing a healthy winter and a Happy New Year with my first recipe this year!

Here are the tools I used for this recipe:

 

Rosemary Olive Artisan Bread

Rosemary Olive Artisan Bread has a beautiful crust with a chewy inside filled with olives and fresh rosemary.  It is easy to make because there is no kneading required.  The scent and taste of warm bread and the ease of this recipe will want you making this bread over and over again.
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Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad

This Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad is filled with bursts of sweetness, texture, and nutrients.  The quinoa soaks up a delicious Maple Dressing and the arugula gives just a hint of a peppery note.  What’s best is it’s great to eat for lunch, or have as a side dish.
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Autumn Squash Soup

Creamy and nourishing, this delicious Autumn Squash Soup is just perfect for a cozy dinner at home during these cold days.  This soup is a spin off of Panera’s Autumn Squash Soup without the extra calories.  But don’t worry!  It still tastes amazing and just like Panera’s.  The best part is that whilst you make this delicious soup, your home is going to smell like fall.  Can it get any better?
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Sarson da Saag, Makki di Roti

**Note: Original post created Jul 2017.  Updated October 2021**

The first time I was introduced to this traditional Punjabi meal was during my wedding planning. My husband and in-laws requested that this be on the menu somewhere. I didn’t understand what it was or the goodness of it until quite a bit later (much later than my wedding). Of course, during my wedding, I didn’t remember eating or tasting anything with so much going on. After I got married, I remember my mother-in-law making it a few times for my husband and seeing the pure joy on his face as he ate the Saag and Roti. I felt, wow, such a simple meal (for Indian food) and yet it brings him so much happiness. Of course I decided to try it out on my own.

I am always told, even to this day, how this is supposed to be a really hard recipe to master. I’m definitely not making it the way my mother-in-law does, but my shortcut recipe has managed to impress her, my husband and my daughter! As they say, a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I’m already in my hubby’s heart, but this is one recipe that guarantees a spot for any of you out there looking to impress your significant other.

Sarson da Saag is basically a vegetable dish made of Mustard Greens. It is very earthy in taste and rich not only in flavor but nutrients also. Mustard Greens provide an abundance of potassium and Vitamins K, A, C, and E. Traditionally, it is cooked in water and hand churned until you get the creamy, buttery consistency. If I had the time, I might try it. But since I don’t, I obviously created a shortcut (my handy dandy blender). Try it out and tell me what you think:

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The saag tastes great on its own, but man does it just go a whole other level with Makki di Roti. Makki di Roti is basically corn bread. It’s not your traditional Roti that is usually soft and pliable. This is a bit thicker and can hold all that saag without getting the roti soggy. One more thing – Makki di Roti is typically made by flattening the dough between the palms. I am using a different technique by placing the dough in between a ziploc bag and rolling it out with a rolling pin. This just works better for me.

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Looking for more Indian recipes?  Check out some of these:
Sprouted Moong Beans Sabzi Gujarati Style
Instant Pot Rajma (Kidney Beans)
Methi Thepla
Instant Pot Kali Dal
Avocado Roti

Here are the tools I used for this recipe:

 

Quinoa Fiesta Salad

Fresh and beautiful veggies from across the rainbow to make amazing salads are my favorite.  This Quinoa Fiesta Salad is one of my family’s favorites.  As a mom, it makes me happy that the girls are getting so much nutrition in one bowl.  The kids look at the colors and get excited to eat a rainbow and I love that they are enjoying fresh and healthy ingredients!

This salad does triple duty which I love.  A dish which becomes a meatless entree can also serve as a side dish or a salad depending on my mood.  The cherry on top of this recipe is that it takes less than 30 minutes to make and is very forgiving if you need to substitute or leave out ingredients.

HOW DO I MAKE A QUINOA FIESTA SALAD?

1.  Cook the quinoa.  While the quinoa is cooking, you can get the dressing and your other ingredients ready!
2.  Make the Cilantro Lime Dressing.  I love this dressing because it is so light.  If you choose to leave it out as I do for my girls, simply replace it with a drizzle of Olive Oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Combine all of your ingredients in a large bowl and toss well to mix.
4.  Enjoy and get addicted to this salad as much as my family and I are!


Here are the tools I used for this recipe: