Party Ideas

Game Day Jalapeno Cheese Chips Crisps

January 24, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of popchips. This is the perfect game day snack – a great-tasting, crunchy, better-for-you option and tasty. Top it cheese and some jalapenos for the extra oomph.

Football season is here! Do you entertain? Go out weekly for games? It is such a tempting time to sit around with friends, drinking and eating all sorts of delicious, yet unhealthy foods. This clean eating game day recipe will be a hit with everyone. while we can always use a solid recipe for wings and probably a few, the snack spread on its own is highly anticipated. Right now, we’re particularly obsessed with the chips and dip portion of the event.

As far as game day dips and chips go, some stand by the more classic tortilla + guac combo, while some go carrot + hummus. With so many options out there—for both chips and dips— I wanted to show a healthy alternative. Popchips….

Moroccan Guava Almond Phyllo Cake aka Snake cake/ M’hanncha

December 17, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Traditional Moroccan dessert, Moroccan Guava Almond Phyllo Cake M’hanncha/snake cake is made with filo pastry and almond filling, scented with orange blossom water and cardamom. Here we’ve used guava paste and cream cheese for that nontraditional modern touch. M’hanncha means coiled snake, name given because of the shape. It is easy to make and the taste is simply divine!

When I began blogging in 2013 I was completely blown away by the prolific community of food writers and home cooks who shared their stories and their inspiration on the web. Come to think of it, I barely visited blogs let alone food blogs, until giving it all a go myself… It was one of those “jump before looking how deep the water was first” sort of things. Needless to say, I spent countless hours pouring over gorgeous, articulate web pages, trying to learn as much as I could. Beautiful photos, authentic writing, original tested recipes, and authenticity was incredibly inspiring….

Goan Style Hasselback Potatoes with Balchao Masala & Coconut Milk

November 11, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This Goan style Hasselback Potatoes Casserole is a twist on traditional fanned baked potatoes. The potatoes are baked in a spicy coconut milk sauce, creamy in the middle with irresistible crisp edges. An easy, impressive potato side dish recipe to make for a crowd!

Thanksgiving is two weeks away!!

A few days ago, as I was talking to the boys, I asked them what they were thankful for. The list went on. What struck me most is when they said that we treated them as equals. That made them feel special: when they could eat with the adults, sit at the same table, and participate in the same conversations and rituals.

Such a simple act of inclusion, a seat at the table. “An act of affirmation, really… You, yes you, young one, have a unique and important way of looking at the world. There is so much to be grateful for during the holidays, but a seat at the table has been a gift I have always been acutely aware of, and very much thankful for,” he said….

Instant Paniyaaram with Millets & Vegetables -Tomato Chutney

October 6, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Gluten-free and vegan, a healthy and tasty snack, this instant paniyaaram only takes about half an hour. Loaded with vegetables, made with millets, and with protein from the peanuts, it makes for an easy and healthy after-school snack or is great for school lunchboxes.

I’d mock my mom when I saw her cook with millets, oats, and whole grains. She’d slyly put a handful of millets in our pongal, or add some oat flour in the roti batter. We never realized healthier ingredients went into our food, but it did. But, every moment dad and I saw her sneak it in, we’d roll our eyes. Yeah… well, here I am living in the very world I lovingly mocked.

Who am I? I can’t believe the day has come that I’ve become my mother. I’m making millets paratha, quinoa pongal, chocolate oatmeal… And, I’m loving it. The family loves it too. Well, maybe not the whole family. The little baby bear will come around, just like I did. Or at least I hope he will 🙄 . He’s got a tongue just like his mumma used to….

Creamy Peach Pistachio Horchata Popsicles – Gluten Free and Vegan

June 22, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Summertime means stone fruits, popsicles, and cool drinks. I combined the three in this Peach Horchata Popsicles. A delicious peach jam and strawberry preserve swirled in the horchata mix make this a delicious treat. You will not believe it’s not cream or milk based.

Are you a multitasker?

I consider myself skilled at multitasking. Like many working moms and women, I can get sucked in the Bermuda triangle of the regular routine chores. I can be thinking of one thing, doing one thing, seeing something, and talking on the phone with someone, all at the same time. I know it sounds complicated, but for some, we are wired that way. For instance, I will be talking to my family about planning a vacation and my topic all of a sudden will shift to my little baby bear, as to why he didn’t finish his chores… :). That’s how a mind of a multitasker works, I guess….

Creamy Pistachio Cardamom Horchata & A letter to grads

June 19, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Insanely rich and creamy. This is the best creamy pistachio cardamom horchata you’ll ever make. Spiked with some rum or served on some ice, it’s the perfect summer dessert or drink for parties.

We reached a milestone last week. My teen graduated from high school!

It is jarring to find out that he is an adult. A few of our friends’ kids, who we cradled in our arms, are now beautiful grown men and women, graduating high school. Gone are the days of Wii games and children’s books, and now comes the time where we ask them what they’d like to take to their dorm. A toaster maybe, or an instant pot….

Cherry Chocolate Cobbler/ Black Forest Cobbler

June 10, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This gorgeous black forest cobbler takes less than one hour from start to finish, and is perfect for two people or for a big crowd. Perfect for camp outs too.

Food is not about impressing people, it’s about making them feel comfortable. – Ina Garten

I’m a self proclaimed queen of easy desserts. In fact, my friends often remember my desserts among an array of savory dishes. We love the unique and the experiments, but familiarity whispers coziness and warmth. Something we crave and we love….

Easiest Delicious Kahlua Chocolate Matcha Mousse

June 2, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

An easy and quick summer treat that is great for entertaining or a pick me up on those warm summer afternoons. The chocolate matcha mousse is a no-bake, eggless dessert that’s creamy, fluffy and oh so good.

“Desserts are like a feel-good song, and the best ones make you dance.” – Chef Edward Lee

The windows are open, and a light breeze comes in moving around the papers left on the table. A warm heat touches the side of my elbows. Waffles finally has made his way to a corner of the garden where bougainvilleas are showering him with flowers and shade. He digs a little spot for himself and sits cozily, tucked in for the next few hours, sun bathing. I take my cold coffee outside, sit under the large red umbrella, and turn on my Etta James playlist with a book to scribble on. Gazing into nothing and closing my eyes, I’m dreaming of the next couple of months…. I can feel it slowing down, as the holidays are approaching. Ready to embrace the heat……

Beetroot Veggie Kofta Korma – Pita Wraps

May 31, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Healthy and a delicious spin on the traditional kofta korma. This beetroot kofta korma is a south Indian style korma with tons of veggies and goes perfectly stuffed in Pita, or with rice or roti.

Spring is the perfect season to practice the art of noticing all the beauty and wisdom the world has to offer us. The winds are shifting, the flowers are blooming, and the markets are bursting with fresh and invigorating vegetables that help keep a lightness about our days. The delicate bounties in our CSA box inspired a spring dish, a little twist from the traditional. Cooking with nature’s color is one of the most pleasant and so fulfilling. There’s a connection between the ingredients, the process, and the finished meal that completely transcends the traditional kitchen….

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?…