Entertaining

Cajun Spiced Pumpkin Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce

November 8, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

A luscious, tangy, Cajun style pasta. The almonds in the sauce make it rich, and amazingly flavorful. The Cajun spice and pumpkin make this so festive and delicious for the season.

First of all, I’d like to thank you all for the overwhelming support and love you showed on the announcement of the title of the book, the cover, and the post. I’m so touched and humbled. <3

For a person who didn’t grow up with pasta, trying to find the perfect style of pasta dish that I enjoyed was a challenge. This was then, years ago. Now, I have a list in my back pocket, and enjoy them all….

Chicken Chickpea Cashew Curry

October 29, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This creamy chicken chickpea cashew curry is a warm, easy dish that goes great with a bowl of hot piping steamed rice or with some flat bread.

The feeling of moving to a new country and adapting to it’s culture, the food, their uniqueness is strange and an interesting thing. It can be quite a lonely feeling in a room filled with people, it’s quite bittersweet at times too. You try to adapt, but you speak their language, it sounds different. You still inherit all the sounds, rhythm and feeling of the your own language, the pain and beauty of the language, too. Then you stop trying. Years later, find that you naturally have adapted. You search for your identity in the midst of all this diversity. You try to hold on to your roots like a baby that holds on her mom….

Thandai-Rose Kulfi with Coconut Milk (Sugar Free and Dairy Free)

October 15, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Thandai-Rose Kulfi with Coconut Milk : A twist to the traditional kulfi with spices, layered and made with coconut milk.

I read somewhere that discovery is a process, not a goal.

October crept in quite quickly, bringing in a swarm of festivities. It’s one of our biggest festivals, the festival of lights, DIWALI.

This gentle breeze and the changing colors have me smiling. My favorite season has finally officially arrived this week! The fireplace is on, the candles are lit, and there are tiny lights all around the nooks at home. It’s been a glorious week of cooking, shopping, cleaning, to get our home and hearts ready for the weekend’s celebration….

Brown Butter Caramalized Banana Semolina Mini Cake with aka Sheera Cake

September 30, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These mini brown butter banana semolina cakes are perfect for entertaining and for festivals. They taste like a popular Indian dessert called Sheera, but in cake form!

India can easily be called the “Land of Festivals.”

This whole month has been very religious for many. I always love sharing the festival food on social media. For me, it’s always such a wonderful time to spread love and food.

This festival, Ayudha/Saraswathi Pooja, is one which is particularly celebrated in Southern India. Ayudh means instruments, so this festival is all about giving due respect to the things that we use everyday. Cars, homes, etc. are cleaned in detail. Respecting the ordinary things which we would take for granted otherwise….

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….

Grilled Tomato Chicken with Herbed Corn

August 30, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Juicy, moist, and flavorful. This grilled tomato chicken with herbed corn is made with tomato powder and other spices. It’s a perfect dish to entertain with.

Trying to settle back into the swing of things, a.k.a. the routine after a two and half month summer break, has been pretty crazy. I feel like I have a long list of things I need to take care of, but feel like a caged parrot, screaming his lungs out to no avail. Now, I’m getting back to work, and trying to get blog posts up. Testing recipes and shooting….

MIXTURE/CHIVDA- Savoury Spicy Indian Granola

August 23, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Mixture/Chivda. A perfect tea time treat: chivda, savory granola. It’s a sweet and spicy treat made with puffed wheat, flattened rice, cornflakes, nuts, and all sorts of goodness.

It’s no secret that I love celebrations. Celebrations of all kinds.

August arrives, bringing along a long festive season for Indians. We have something every month until January. This one might be the biggest of all, and a religious one. It’s Ganesha Festival/Ganesha Chathurthi. A festival to celebrate the Elephant God….

Kheema Matar- Spicy Chicken Mince Pizza, no knead quick pizza

August 2, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Kheema matar or chicken mince is a popular Indian dish. Top it on pizza and it becomes a delicious treat. Spicy chicken mince pizza for the win!

THE INSIDES

“If you get the insides rights, the outsides fall into place.”

The older I get, the more comfortable I feel with myself. Whether it’s my introverted side, which I discovered recently, or just accepting the now, the present, not only of ourselves but of others, I’m learning and improving everyday.

It’s a very simple proposition—loving yourself. Loving oneself comes from self-acceptance, and the ability to unconditionally value all the parts of yourself. Easier said than done, one might say, but in reality, it’s a subconscious effort of taking steps….

Mango and Peach Margarita Pops with Vodka & Sparkling Wine by Master of Mixes

July 25, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These Mango and Peach Margarita frozen pops, topped with some wine and vodka, are easy to make and perfect for entertaining. I’m so happy to partner with Master of Mixes to bring you this amazing recipe.

The sun is shining through our large windows, and the mid afternoon heat is draining. The fan is on, and the windows are drawn in to let the heat settle outside. Waffles is by my feet, huffing a bit, the teen is on the sofa with his headphones, and the little one is with a book. I am parked in between papers, a cocktail party to plan, but wondering what will cool us. We all, every few minutes, look at each other for some sort of cooling comfort….

Maple Walnut Pie no-churn Ice Cream Sandwiches with Black Sesame Pizzelles

July 20, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

The maple walnut pie no-churn ice cream cradled in between two crispy black sesame pizzelles are just a perfect match. The mildly sweet cookies compliment the cold, delicious flavors of the ice cream. Perfect for Ice Cream Month or anytime.

When life gives you sesame, make desserts with it.

I might or might not have tried this recipe six times before I decided to post it. The first time I made it, it was the late evening, when the teen and I were watching a movie—Queen of Katwe, to be exact. Both of us have a sweet tooth and both stay up very late in the night, especially during summers. We really don’t have a routine. It’s also funny that we both crave some of the same things at the same time. That evening we craved something light and simple to snack on….