Baking

Avocado Banana Muffins – Dairy free/Gluten free

April 24, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Avocado Banana Muffins – Dairy Free/Gluten free. These easy and delicious avocado and banana muffins that’s dairy free, an easy bake and you can make it gluten free./ It’s a great breakfast on the go.

A lot of the south Indian recipes are gluten free, the savory stuff and many desserts. When I do bake non Indian I usually stick to gluten, because that works well. In the past many months, every time I make BANANA BREAD on insta stories, which by the way is our favorite, I’ve had so many messages to blog and show how to make gluten free banana bread. Many times I’ve directed them to Alanna’s cookbook and blog. She has some amazing gluten free options and great desserts.

But, this is probably the first time I’ve tested with gluten free flour and I have gotten the results that I love. And here I’m sharing my new favorite gluten free bake. …

Bailey’s White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Amaretti Cookies

February 5, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This white chocolate panna cotta is smooth, silky, and perfect for any occasion. The white chocolate adds a touch of sweetness, the blood orange gelee adds a citrus punch, and the amaretti cookies add a great crunch.

Happy February!!

This dessert was inspired by my love of white chocolate and blood oranges. I think they are a match made in dessert heaven. I tried hard to capture both of their strengths while maintaining their integrity.

I’m generally not a big fan of citrus fruits, but blood oranges are something I wait for, every year. A good glass of fresh juice in its freshest form is such a refresher, but I also love using it desserts like this. This panna cotta is such a sexy and smooth dessert, and I thought, what better day to share it than on Valentine’s Day?…

Waffles French Toast with Maple Cream Cheese

December 21, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Perfect Waffles French Toast for those holidays mornings. These waffles are fluffy, crisp, golden, and decadent. With the final touch of maple cream cheese, this easy and delicious breakfast will win everyone over.

You know our love for Waffles. It’s become one of those staples at home that we enjoy, love, and keep on hand at all times. This more-ish breakfast of Waffles French Toast is perfect for entertaining, holiday brunches, or just for the two of you. I am so so excited about this one.

One of my early memories of cooking with dad started with French toast. The planning starts a day ahead at a specialty bakery with the perfect hunk of fresh-out-of-the-oven white bread….

Classic Spritz Cookies

December 19, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These tender butter classic spritz cookies are so easy, and melt in your mouth delicious. The dough is easy to work with, so it’s fun to make these into a variety of festive shapes.

These classic spritz cookies are so buttery and addictive. The dough is easy and comfortable enough that you don’t need a cookie press, but they do make for pretty designs.

Is it Christmas already?

Merry Christmas you guys!!! And the famous question, “How did this year go by so quickly?”…

Homemade Dog Treats – Banana and Peanut Butter

December 17, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

The easiest and healthiest homemade dog treats ever. The banana and peanut butter add so much flavor to these cookies. Mix, roll, and cut. So easy, and so much better for your canine companions than store-bought!

Christmas baking just felt incomplete without baking treats for the four-legged fur baby. These homemade dog treats are so delicious that my human kids like it too. If you have dogs, you know how important dog treats are. It’s even better if they are homemade. I was inspired by a post I saw on dog treats. Waffles is not the biggest fan of treats or food in general (I know, he is a weird one). To our surprise, he was salivating for this dog treat. If you make these for your friends who have dogs, they will love you.

Our silly nugget has been with us for more than a year now. It’s his second Christmas with us. Like someone said: we can adopt them, but it’s the best feeling when they adopt you. We rescued Waffles thinking he would be the most affectionate, clingy dog, never being a foot away from us… Boy, were we wrong….

BEST Coffee-Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Mascarpone cream

December 4, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Get your caffeine fix with these super moist, flavorful, eggless coffee chocolate cupcakes, topped with caramel mascarpone cream. It’s my favorite recipe, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser for the upcoming holiday parties.

Say Hello to the best coffee chocolate cupcakes that I’ve made. The exact recipe that I’ve been making for the last many years, and one of the first recipes I posted on this blog, was this CUPCAKE. The frosting is a beautiful, delicately flavored cream which holds well with a touch of mascarpone. The coffee is pronounced, but not bitter, and will not keep you up :). It’s a coffee lover’s dream….

Skillet Roast Chicken with Sumac and Lemon

November 28, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Skillet Roasted Chicken Breast with sumac and lemon. It’s good, easy, healthy lunch or dinner and comes together so quickly.

This is so so good!!!!!

This skillet roast chicken with sumac and lemons, I love to serve over some plain rice or coconut milk rice and it’s a nice meal in one. Add some grilled beans or asparagus and even better. The sumac itself has a very lemony undertone and the fresh lemon juice just adds to the flavor. Sumac in itself is not spicy, so I like to add a good dose of chili powder or cayenne pepper. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’m always on a quest for simple and easy meals that’s packed with flavor….

PUMPKIN CAKE – Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Cake WITH SAFFRON AND CARDAMOM

November 20, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This rich and nutty brown butter, pumpkin, and chocolate cake is spiced with saffron and cardamom. It’s fluffy, delicately flavored, and a perfect Autumn celebration cake.

Before this week is over, many of us would have had a couple get-togethers with family or friends. And this pumpkin cake will be made at least twice at my home.

I have to admit: Thanksgiving is my favorite celebration among the many American traditions. I find the meaning behind it intriguing, and I enjoy the holiday. It’s about family, and being grateful and thankful for everything.

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Pecan Coconut Chocolate Cookies

November 18, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These pecan coconut chocolate pie cookies are inspired by the famous pecan pie, and they are oh so good.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

It’s a perfect early evening, with a glass of apple sangria in hand by the fire place, listening to Al Green.

The weather’s been a bit muggy last week, and it oddly makes me happy. I enjoy bundling up and not moving around in this weather. That’s also maybe because I am a hermit :). It’s finally feeling like the holidays are approaching….

Rustic Fall tart- Greek Hummus Chicken with Beet and Pears Salad

September 21, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

So happy to be partnering with Blue Moose of Boulder to bring this beautiful fall tart. This Fall Tart Grilled hummus chicken beet pear salad is a great light lunch or to entertain too. Crispy layered buttery puff pasty base, topped with chicken tossed in with hummus, feta cheese, beets and a light fresh salad.

Hi my friends!!!

Scrolling through Instagram, we slowly see warm hugs, apples, soups and fall colors. Autumnal chilly breeze is hitting us in the late hours and I am not complaining. It’s been quite a warm one in the Bay.

Quick entertaining ideas are something I’m always looking for and sharing on this blog. I am all for rustic easy dishes. This might be one of my top favorites using the trusty store bought puff pastry….