Appetizer

Marinated Greek style Gigantes

January 12, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Greek style Gigantes has few ingredients with bold flavors. This easy Greek style Marinated Gigantes is so moreish and makes for a perfect appetizer or a light lunch.

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.

Just keep going.

No feeling is final.”

~Rainer Maria ~

I think of happiness as being something that we’re always chasing — the right person, the right job — external things. To me, joy is quieter, more internal, and we often find it in simple moments along the way. Like i read somewhere: the author writes about her mother, who experienced so much disappointment and loneliness in her life, yet finds solace in the little things….

Artichoke Spinach Dip

December 29, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Cheesy, rich and hot Artichoke Spinach Dip is delicious and addictive. An informal appetizer served with toasted bread, crackers and crudite.

It’s classic. It’s comforting. And it is a party favorite.

I can’t believe I haven’t shared a dip recipe on the blog as yet, although I do have a few spreads, but a warm cheesy dip that I make often, just makes an appearance on the blog.

Entertaining to me has always been about fuss free, few dishes(not overwhelming your guests) and of course something for everyone. Although, there won’t be any entertaining this year or in the near future, there’s always just the two of you, your kids or just you.

This is what I call a quick appetizer cum meal to maximize your valuable family time. …

Fatteh – Pita topped with chickepeas,eggplant,potatoes in yogurt sauce

December 16, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

This Fatteh is a delicious combo of flavors made with tahini yogurt sauce, spiced chickpeas, smashed peppery potatoes, paprika eggplant, poms and crispy pita bread!

It’s only normal for me to love this Lebanese Vegetarian Fatteh that feels like Indian chaat, but so different too.

I’ve learnt a few dishes from my neighbor: shish barak and this Lebanese fatteh, my top favorites. A generous lady with five kids, always made it a point to share special dishes, and this was one that I gobbled up. The holidays makes me miss her more, it was lively with kids playing in the yard, the screams, lights and action. After they moved, I kept in touch with them for few years, then life happened. Her food and warm personality will always be close to my heart….

Baked Chicken Chimichanga

July 26, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

This baked chicken chimichanga recipe is a healthier & lighter version of the deep-fried one. They come together so quickly: just put it in a casserole dish, bake, and serve. My boys love it and can’t get enough when I cook these.

Authentic Mexican food is vibrant, delicious, fresh, and fun. It is also colorful and spicy, using an amazing array of chillies, both fresh and dried. Many important ingredients are readily available everywhere, such as tomatoes, limes, coriander, red onion, avocado, and corn.

There’s a common perception that Mexican food is both spicy and heavy but, in fact, true Mexican food has both a depth of flavor – with its combination of savory and earthy flavors – and a lightness from its generous use of fresh herbs, vegetables and citrus. In most of Mexico it would be very unusual to put cheese in tacos, enchiladas, or tostadas, for example, and if it were used it would be a Mexican panela cheese (a smooth, fresh, white cheese). One of the dishes that’s considered heavy is the deep fried chimicanga….

Buffalo Cauliflower

February 17, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Oven Baked or Air Fryed Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are a fun and easy appetizer or snack made with just a few simple ingredients. Fully loaded with all the awesome flavor of chicken wings, these low carb and vegetarian Buffalo Cauliflower Bites have a soft and tender inside and crispy outside.

Buffalo Cauliflower

All the delicious, tangy flavor of buffalo wings without the mess and calories. I’ve never been a huge fan of chicken wings, so this substitution was an easy one. But even all you wing fans out there will love these spicy little buffalo-sauce-covered cauliflower nuggets.

Tossed in your favorite homemade or store-bought buffalo sauce and dipped in creamy Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing, this healthy buffalo cauliflower is a crowd favorite and is always gone in minutes!…

Leeks and Spinach Phyllo Triangles with Feta Sauce

December 26, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

Spanakopita Triangles filled with spinach and three cheeses take your cocktail party from semi-homemade to gourmet. Spinach and feta cheese belong together! These Leeks and Spinach Phyllo Triangles with Feta Sauce taste delicious in this healthy, hearty, and wholesome breakfast wrap!

Friends, you have been very, very good to me. For the past few years, you’ve been stopping by to see me on a regular basis, cooked from the blog and you’ve said some pretty nice things about the contents of my kitchen and my dinner plate.

I can hardly believe it’s the end of December. It’s the time of year we begin planning and looking back on this year, large and small achievements. We start planning our small gatherings. Before we know it, we’ll be gathering in our circles, engaging in every kind of conversation under the sun. We’ll awkwardly small talk with co-worker’s families. We’ll ring in the new year with joyful anticipation.

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Sweet Potato stuffed Cheese Patties

July 25, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

These Sweet Potato Cheese Patties- Potato Paneer recipe is the best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. This cheese stuffed potato patties pancakes recipe is well loved and very versatile. Serve it as an appetizer, a light lunch over greens or stuffed in a bun for a delicious burger, it’s a hit all ways. I am thrilled to announce that I am a 2019 Reynolds Kitchen Ambassador.

There’s just something about these beautiful potato patties with cheese that makes these completely irresistible. These sweet potato cheese patties are quick and easy to make and have the simplest ingredients.

Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest and YES, it’s totally worth it to make mashed potatoes just to have these potato patties!…

Cauliflower Rice Balls/Arancini – Indian inspired

February 28, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

Make the most of leftover rice and transform into a delicious dish. This easy, healthy Italian inspired recipe for Cauliflower rice balls/Arancini (Rice Balls) mixed with cheese, potatoes, cauliflower is a meal in one.

I wanted a perfect ending. I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, leaning into change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.
– Gilda Radner

I didn’t grown knowing Italian cuisine. When I first moved to San Francisco, my food and content was tailored to how my “former life” was, living with parents and family who loved and created the most amazing Indian dishes. Slowly, the Italian, American shows graced my regular television. Adding cheese to the unexpected, creating something new and changing direction can be daunting, but it’s also the best. While keeping my roots intact….

Peanut Spice Stuffed Peppers

April 8, 2015 By Asha Shivakumar

As food bloggers, we are trying and testing out recipes all the time. I post my daily food on Instagram and Facebook almost everyday. However, I noticed something very funny. Throughout winter I really haven’t had a decent ‘party’ at home. Friends have dropped by, and we’ve met them outside, but we’ve not had an actual party. It’s very surprising how sometimes we get caught with so many things that entertaining does take a back seat.

Finally, I decided to have a few friends come over for some wine and snippets. Around the kitchen table, laughs and discussions about everything happened. Wine flowed as the spicy paneer was devoured. This unique looking chili kept our conversation going for at least 3o minutes. Food, wine, and friends are so magical.

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