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Dirty Margarita

Dirty Margarita

Dirty martinis are having a moment, but if you are still trying to train yourself to appreciate them, this dirty margarita will be your gateway cocktail. Olive brine joins tequila, lime, and triple sec for a more mild, slightly sweeter take on the typical cocktail that even the biggest dirty martini 

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars have the best creamy and fluffy texture and plenty of fresh raspberry and lemon flavor in every bite. It’s such a treat. Cheesecake Bars are one of the easiest cheesecakes you’ll make, and they keep well in the fridge and freezer, 

Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Easy smashed sweet potatoes are the perfect crispy finger-food side dish or appetizer for every entree pork, steak, chicken, burgers, and seafood. Each bite is soft and savory in the center with a crispy outside. you can serve with a quick homemade lemon-garlic dip. It’s a crowd-favorite alternative to french fries, so switch it up with this fun dish.

Prep Time: 15minutes mins
Cook Time: 30minutes mins
Servings: 6servings

Ingredients

Creamy Lemon Garlic Dipping Sauce

  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, non-fat, or any fat content
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp hot sauce such as Tabasco, Crystal or Franks, optional

Instructions

  • Prep the sweet potatoes – Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. You can peel the sweet potatoes, but I prefer to leave the skins on. Slice into 3/4-inch rounds.*
  • Season – In a large bowl, combine the olive oil and seasonings and stir to combine. Add the sweet potato rounds and toss to evenly coat.
  • Roast – Arrange the rounds in a single layer on the baking sheet with a little space between them. Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until fork-tender but not falling apart. Do not overcook.
  • Smash – Remove from the oven. Using the bottom of a measuring cup or spatula, gently press each round until it spreads slightly and cracks at the edges. Do not flatten them too much, or they will fall apart.
  • Broil – Brush lightly with extra virgin olive oil to help them crisp up, then broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the tops and edges are browned and the sweet potatoes are lightly caramelized.
  • Make the Dipping Sauce – While the sweet potatoes roast, whisk together the dipping sauce ingredients and hot sauce if using, and serve with the warm smashed sweet potatoes.

Notes

*Buy Thinner Sweet Potatoes that are longer and slimmer, which hold together better, and are easier to handle with the dipping sauce. The smaller rounds crisp up better at the edges than wide sweet potatoes, which tend to release more moisture.

*Best slice thickness: about 3/4 inch for even cooking and the perfect balance of crispy edges and creamy center. If they are cut too thick, the centers can stay too dense. If they are cut too thin, they can fall apart when smashed.

Storage and Reheating:

  • To refrigerate – cool within 2 hours of baking, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the dip in the fridge covered for up to 4 days.
  • To freeze – once cool (within 2 hours), store in an airtight, freezer-safe container or zip top bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
  • To reheat – air fry at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or bake in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or until heated through (165°F). They reheat well so you can easily make them ahead.

Nutrition Per Serving

243kcal Calories40g Carbs6g Protein7g Fat

Turkey gravy

Turkey gravy

Turkey Gravy is rich, savory, and full of comforting flavor. Smooth and velvety, it’s the perfect finishing touch for roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and holiday sides bringing everything together with a warm, homemade touch that makes any meal feel complete. Prep:10 minsCook:1 hrs 15 minsServes 

Loobia Polo

Loobia Polo

Today, let’s delve into the world of Persian cuisine with a beloved traditional dish: Loobia Polo – Persian Rice with Green Beans and Ground Meat (لوبیا پلو). This savory and flavorful dish combines fragrant spices, juicy ground meat, aromatic tomatoes, and crunchy green beans into 

Sekanjabin Cucumber Drink

Sekanjabin Cucumber Drink

This drink is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Traditionally, is it prepared with honey, vinegar, and herbs. Even today, some still drink it as a natural remedy, known as Oxymel, to boost energy and fight exhaustion. Made with honey, it becomes a true power drink, especially for athletes after a workout.

Cook Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS FOR SEKANDJABIN

  • 500 ml water
  • 750 g sugar or honey
  • 100 ml white wine vinegar
  • 1 bunch fresh mint

INGREDIENTS FOR SHARBAT-E SEKANJEBIN

  • 1 small cucumber deseeded
  • ice cubes
  • a few drops of lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 slice lemon

Instructions

PREPARATION OF SEKANDJABIN

  1. Bring the water to a boil and add the sugar, or honey, then reduce the heat and let it simmer without stirring.
  2. Let the mixture simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it thickens into a syrup.
  3. Add the bunch of fresh mint and continue simmering for another 15 minutes.
  4. Add the white wine vinegar and stir a few times.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and let the syrup cool with the mint in it.
  6. Once the syrup has cooled, remove the mint and strain the syrup into a bottle.
  7. Your homemade Sekanjabin syrup is ready, store it in the fridge and enjoy it in refreshing drinks or as a dip.

PREPARATION OF SHARBAT-E SEKANJEBIN

  1. Add some Sekanjebin syrup to a glass adjusting to taste fill the glass with water and ice cubes.
  2. Cut the cucumber in half remove the seeds with a spoon and grate it.
  3. Add some grated cucumber to the drink and stir well.
  4. Squeeze in a few drops of lemon juice and garnish with a lemon slice and fresh mint.
Kuymak – Turkish Cheese Fondue

Kuymak – Turkish Cheese Fondue

Kuymak – Turkish Cheese Fondue is a rich and comforting specialty from Turkey’s Black Sea region, especially popular in cities like Trabzon and Rize. Known for its stretchy, molten cheese and silky, buttery texture, it’s warm, indulgent, and deeply satisfying. Traditionally enjoyed with fresh bread 

Brown Butter Fettuccine Alfredo

Brown Butter Fettuccine Alfredo

Brown Butter Fettuccine Alfredo is a rich, comforting twist on a classic pasta favorite. Nutty browned butter blends with a creamy, velvety sauce to coat every strand of fettuccine, creating a simple yet indulgent dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners or an easy restaurant style 

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada

Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or looking for tasty leftovers to enjoy throughout the week, this enchilada pie has you covered. It’s a perfect balance of protein, vegetables and cheesy goodness. It’s a satisfying meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.

Prep:30 min
Cook:4 hours
Yield:6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (10-1/2 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
  • 1 can (10 ounces) mild green enchilada sauce
  • 1 can (4 to 4-1/2 ounces) chopped green chiles
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 9 corn tortillas (6 inches)
  • 3 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
  • Optional: Minced fresh cilantro, lime wedges, salsa and sour cream

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. Cut three 30×6-inch strips of heavy-duty foil; crisscross so they resemble spokes of a wheel. Place strips on the bottom and up the side of a round 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray. Spread 1/4 cup chicken mixture over bottom of slow cooker. Top with 3 tortillas, overlapping and tearing them to fit, a third of the chicken mixture and a third of the cheese. Repeat twice.

Step 2

Cook, covered, on low for 4 hours or until a thermometer reads 165°. To avoid scorching, rotate slow cooker insert one-half turn midway through cooking, lifting carefully with oven mitts. Turn off slow cooker; let stand, uncovered, 15 minutes before serving. Using foil strips as handles, remove pie to a platter. Cut into wedges. If desired, serve with additional cilantro, lime wedges, salsa and sour cream.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 541 calories, 27g fat (15g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1202mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 39g protein.

Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits

These Buttermilk Biscuits bake up tall, flaky, and buttery with soft layers inside and golden tops. Easy to make from scratch and perfect for breakfast, dinner, or with sausage gravy. Prep 10minutes minutesCook 15minutes minutesTotal 25minutes minutes Ingredients Instructions  Equipment Notes Nutrition Information Serving: 1biscuitCalories: 281kcal (14%)Carbohydrates: 34g (11%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 13g (20%)Saturated Fat: 8g (50%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 48mg (16%)Sodium: 421mg (18%)Potassium: 201mg (6%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 432IU (9%)Calcium: 95mg (10%)Iron: 2mg (11%)