Category: Easy

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Sauces and Condiments, Vegan, Vegetarian

Tamarind Chutney – Imli Ki Chutney

My family and I love tamarind chutney. It has a sweet and sour fruity taste that is in perfect balance on the palate. It is a must if you are serving Indian high tea as many of the savory offerings are paired with it. I use it: As a condiment for samosas (triangular, filled pastries), […]

Asian, Cooking Techniques, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Sauces and Condiments, Understanding Spices, Vegan, Vegetarian

Tamarind Pulp – Imli

Tamarind is used in many countries. Mexico uses it for making sweets and drinks, Asians, especially Indians, use it in cooking, for drinks, and in chutneys. Tamarind imparts a sweet-tart taste and is very nutritious. It can be purchased as a concentrate, a pulp or as dried fruit in a plastic block. I use the […]

American, Breads/Rolls, Breakfast, Cooking Techniques, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian

Braided Loaf

This sweet, delicious, soft-textured, deeply colored bread started with the intent of making Challah. However, as fate would have it, I found an opened strawberry yogurt drink in my refrigerator that I needed to find a use for. Traditional Challah does not include any dairy, even in the form of butter. As a result, I […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Easy, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Latin, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Salad, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

3-Minute Corn Salsa with Black Beans

Years ago, I ate this salad as a sample at our local Trader Joe’s and fell in love with it. What shocked me was how easy it was to make. I only needed two ingredients and zero cooking! Olé! I made it for my book club later that week and it was a hit. I […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Sauces and Condiments, Understanding Spices, Vegan, Vegetarian

Mint/Coriander Chutney

This chutney is used as a relish during a meal, a condiment alongside pakodas (savory fritters) and samosas, a filling for Indian high tea finger sandwiches or as one of the sauces used in making Behl Puri (a diced salad with crisp, puffed rice). This chutney can be made with mint only (leaves only), coriander […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Middle Eastern, Quick Meals, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dish, Vegetarian

Greek Yogurt Dip

I had a version of this dip at Margaret and Franco’s home at one of their parties and decided to try out this version for my entertainment offering. I have served it for book club and large parties and have been asked for the recipe by several people. Hands-on time: 10 minutes Yield: 2 cups […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Breakfast, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Middle Eastern, Quick Meals, Sauces and Condiments, Vegetarian

Feta Cheese Spread

I like to throw cocktail parties where I serve a variety of hearty appetizers and some signature drinks in addition to the usual wine and beer. Here is yet another quick recipe for an appetizer (or, an afternoon snack, as I served this to my kids as well). You can make a lot of this […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Breakfast, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Vegetarian

1-Minute Cheese Spread

Here is another idea for a quick appetizer for entertaining. It is delicious with crispy bread chips. I did this for my holiday cocktail parties with over 50 guests. It’s pain-free entertainment. INSTRUCTIONS Place the cheese of your choice in a slightly curved dish or one with a slight lip. Pour either the Agave nectar […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Salad, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

5-Minute Layered Dip

During the summer, we have a large family gathering. With 13 mouths to feed over a week-long period, I look for meals and appetizers that don’t take up a lot of time and still suit the varied diets and palates of the family. Here’s an idea for a layered dip that requires no work yet […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Salad, Vegetarian

Cheese Filled Peppadews

I had this appetizer at the home of one of my Solon, Ohio book club members. It was so good that I just could not stop myself from eating them. Peppadews are a sweet, slightly spicy pickled pepper that closely resembles the round, Italian hot cherry pepper. However, the peppadew is much milder and the […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Breakfast, Cooking Techniques, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Low-Fat, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Irish Potatoes

Margaret and Franco, friends of mine in Cleveland, Ohio, invited me to a lovely luncheon where they were serving fried fish and these amazing oven-baked potatoes that looked and tasted exactly like crispy french fries. They were fantastic! Crispy on the outside and soft and airy on the inside. I made them for a family […]

Breakfast, Casseroles, Cooking Techniques, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Scalloped Potatoes

I purchased a lot of red potatoes with the idea that I was going to go on a diet where I would swear off almost all carbohydrates except potatoes. Ha! It lasted ONE day. I should have known better. I’m too much of a foodie to ever diet. Anyway, with this diet in mind, I […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Casseroles, Cleaning Out Refrigerator and Pantry, Cooking Techniques, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Cauliflower Béchamel

I made this on a lark when I was trying to finish some milk that was coming close to its expiration date. It turned out to be a new favorite with my kids as it tastes surprisingly like mac-n-cheese but without the macaroni or the cheese. Imagine! Guilt-free mac-n-cheese. It is made in the same […]

Casseroles, Cooking Techniques, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Mushroom Béchamel

My daughter was sick last week and I wanted to offer her a light meal that I hoped she would enjoy. I decided that crêpes were just what the doctor ordered (See my blog on crêpes). This way, I could get her and her siblings to eat a good amount of vegetables and fruit without […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Breads/Rolls, Breakfast, Desserts, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Main Course, Quick Meals, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Crêpes

I understand why there are so many crêperies and street vendors selling crêpes. They are quick, inexpensive and easy to make. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They are delicious either savory or sweet. They are elegant and can be served as an impressive entrée or wrapped in paper and eaten on-the-go. […]

Asian, Cleaning Out Refrigerator and Pantry, Cooking Techniques, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Main Course, Meat, Quick Meals, Seafood, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Szechuan Spicy Vegetables Stir-fry (Ma La Xiang Guo)

I made this dish recently when I was trying to finish off a variety of fresh vegetables in my fridge. This is a good dish for just that purpose. You can add seafood like shrimp or calamari to this dish as well. It is a heart-healthy, quick and easy meal that is very versatile. In […]

Asian, Beverages, Breakfast, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Spice Blends (Masalas)/Seasonings, Understanding Spices, Vegan, Vegetarian

Masala Chai

Masala chai has gained a lot of popularity in the West. However, it is a common drink in many Indian homes. Masala means powdered spice or spice paste. It can be comprised of any spice in crushed form. Hence, garam masala means “hot” masala (it’s hot because the spices used in it generate heat in […]

Asian, Beverages, Easy, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Home Remedies, Indian, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Spice Blends (Masalas)/Seasonings, Understanding Spices, Vegan, Vegetarian

Indian Cold Remedies Part II

My daughter is sick again due to stress, air travel, and lack of sleep. Here is what I plied her with yesterday. I make this tea daily for myself for general health purposes and to help jump-start my day. It is made of my formula for Masala Chai plus two other ingredients for health. By […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Cleaning Out Refrigerator and Pantry, Cookies, Cooking Techniques, Desserts, Easy, Family Favorites, Quick Meals, Vegetarian

Jam-Filled Biscotti

These moist and tender “biscotti” are so good they only last 48 hours in my home. They are deceptively quick and easy to make, however, they make a lovely presentation and lasting impression. I got this recipe years ago from the back of a bag of sugar. I hope you’ll try these out and let […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Breakfast, Casseroles, Cleaning Out Refrigerator and Pantry, Easy, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Low-Fat, Main Course, Quick Meals, Side Dish, Vegetarian

Crustless Quiche

Yesterday, I decided that I needed to finish up some leftovers and make room in my fridge. I had some Irish potatoes (a new family favorite), lots of eggs, a small head of broccoli, various cheeses, and some plain, homemade yogurt. I decided to make a frittata. As I was prepping and cooking the vegetables […]