It’s time! Cocktail Saturday is back, and while I have a new spooky cocktail waiting to be shared, I wanted to first take time today to look back at all the previous fall drinks. These are the best of the best when it comes to my fall drink recipes. It’s crazy how many years we’ve kept “Cocktail Saturday” going and just how much it has evolved. Like always, my drink posts are meant to be short and sweet....

The first Monday of the new year…work…life…reality? I feel like today is the day that we are probably all ready to get back to a little healthiness in our lives. Let’s be honest none of us were really ready to jump right into healthy eating on the weekend after New Year’s, right? I surely wasn’t, so today, January 4th, we’re going there. We’re talking health food, but really freaking good health food!...

Like, it is detox time. BUT my kind of detox time…the good kind, the delicious kind. Duh. It’s been a full two months of extra cheesy meals, extra decadent desserts and I am guessing that for a lot of you New Years Eve may have also meant one too many drinks. It’s what happens every holiday season and I would not have it any other way. But just like clockwork when the New Years hits, I am ready for some health....

You mash an avocado and mix it with chocolate. Yeah, I put avocado in my cake. And you know what, it is good. And kind of, like healthy! So on Sunday I had these big plans to make these fancy triple chocolate cake balls. Full of sugar, chocolate, butter and more chocolate. But then I went to grab the sugar only to find a very empty container. Not a grain of sugar was left....

When I’m looking to eat a little healthier, I whip up a big salad such as Mediterranean farro salad, brussels sprout salad or this fabulous kale salad. Lately I have really cleaned up my eating – gone are the sweet treats and processed foods. I’ve been primarily eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and lean proteins. And you know what? Not only have I discovered some delicious flavor combinations, but I’ve also found that my energy levels are through the roof!...

Happy Ugadi to all my friends celebrating Ugadi today. Ugadi is the start of new year for people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka 🙂 Ugadi is the time for new beginnings, new hopes and happiness. On this auspicious day, I have been busy preparing our house for Ugadi celebrations. The house entrance is painted with a colorful Muggu (rangoli) and every door frame, has fresh mango leaves – commemorating the start of spring!...

I couldn’t be more excited about all the things we have to chat about this Tuesday. First is obviously these Valentine’s surprise chocolate high hat cupcakes…possibly the most fun cupcake to ever come out of my kitchen. I don’t know what it is, but sweets that are hand-held and piled high at the same time are just so much fun…not to mention delicious. So what’s the surprise? Well, if you take one bite into these cupcakes you’ll actually discover not one, but two surprises....

Yakisoba is a quick, delicious and simple noodles recipe from Japanese cuisine. Who doesn’t love one-pot meals, that are too good to resist?! This vegan version of Japanese noodles loaded with vegetables is one such dish that comes together quickly, making meal times exciting. This is our first encounter with Japanese cuisine in the kitchen and we have been intrigued by it ever since we started watching a Japanese food show....

The first time I ever had burger was almost ten years ago, when my now-husband-then-friend took me out to a popular burger joint. To say that I was appalled with the taste would be an understatement. I hated it from the get go and kept throwing stares at him 😀 Since I thought it was too costly (think so even now!), I somehow brought myself to finish it. Fast forward to a few more years and getting acquainted with the taste, I have come to like a good burger....

I serve a salad almost every day with dinner. Some of my favorites include fresh tomato salad, classic cucumber salad, and this steakhouse style wedge salad with the best dressing. We have a steakhouse that makes the most amazing wedge salad. It comes out on a chilled plate with the perfect amount of creamy dressing, crispy bacon and fresh tomatoes. I’ve created my own version of this recipe, and I have to say, mine tastes just like the restaurant salad....

Nothing like crispy, golden and lacy dosai that gets served hot alongside a plethora of chutneys and sambar when we order a rava dosa in a restaurant. Onion Rava Dosa is an extravangance in my kitchen and we make it once in a while as a treat for ourselves. But then instead of maida & semolina/rava, what if used wheat flour and bansi rava? We get healthier but tastier Wheat Rava Dosa or Godhumai Rava Dosai....

This list has everything from stunning cakes to decadent drinks to make your gatherings merry and bright. It’s that time of year when the candy canes are out in full force. You can use candy canes for Christmas recipes, decorations, gifts and even crafting! These candy cane recipes will please all the peppermint lovers on your list, especially the kids! When everything goes red and white with the holiday season you may be wondering, “What on earth do I do with these leftover candy canes after I take them off my tree?...

Typical right? Like what don’t I put fruit on? But it’s cool because jerk chicken and mango salsa just go hand in hand. It’s the bestest combo, especially with sweet summer nectarines thrown on there too. <–for real. Ok, but guys? Real life talk for a second? I have been in such positive modes of thinking these last couple weeks. I honestly think a lot of it has had to do with these long, sunny, and warm days....

With August here, I thought it would be fun to share a selection of late-summer recipes that incorporate summer’s freshest produce. Tomatoes, zucchini, corn, and, of course, those sweet peaches too. In this collection, you’ll find everything from yummy salads, drinks, appetizers, pasta, grilled dishes, and desserts too. We certainly have a lot to cook up from now until fall! Lately, I’ve had so many requests to share more collections or roundups of recipes for end of summer and back-to-school....

I truly cannot believe I am posting these 3 Ingredient Cheesy Pizza Pretzels, but after making them at Thanksgiving for my brother, I knew I had to share them before Christmas. These are the perfect easy appetizer for any upcoming holiday party. People go crazy for them because they have flavors everyone can love. Salty, cheesy, pizza pretzels!?!? What’s not to love about that combo? SO good. So let me tell you the story of how these pretzels came to be....

From sandwiches to soups to casseroles, there are so many great leftover turkey recipes that you have to try! Tired of the same old leftovers and need a change? I have just the thing for you. With these fantastic leftover turkey recipes, your taste buds will be asking for more. Make the perfect holiday turkey and of course, save your leftovers! While holiday meals are great, sometimes the leftovers can be even better the next day!...

This easy and delicious north Indian shrimp curry pairs perfectly with flatbreads like naan, paratha or you can serve it over steamed rice. This is the kind of dish that I decide to make when I need to figure last minute dinners. It is very similar to how I make fish masala. Almost always, I have onion & tomatoes in the pantry and a pack frozen shrimp in the deep freezer....

I’m sure I’ve told this story a million and one times by now, but growing up there was a time when my mom and I practically lived on ramen (we called it Oodles of Noodles). I must have been in third or fourth grade because I know I got out of school earlier than my brothers. I’m not going to lie, these were the school years that were my favorite....

I tell this story every single time I share a spaghetti squash recipe, but spaghetti squash was one of the very first foods I learned to cook for myself. Growing up, my mom would occasionally roast up spaghetti squash in the fall. We’d eat it pretty simply, with just butter and salt. Honestly? It was so good, I really loved it. When I got to be a teenager, I started cooking it for myself on weeknights....

I cannot believe that my twins are 5, that just seems so old to me. I didn’t really have any trouble sending them off to preschool but this whole kindergarten thing is definitely throwing me for a loop. Last year we threw an awesome under the sea birthday party but this year I wanted to do something completely different. My girls are into everything princess so we threw an afternoon tea party with a princess theme and it was a huge success....