Think vanilla ice cream with a ginger honey flavor and bits of roasted salted pistachios – yeah, that’s how I would describe this ice cream. Just like having chocolate chip ice cream when you get bits of chocolate pieces, in this ice cream you get bits of crystalized ginger and nuts. It’s clean no fuss flavors with a spicy ginger kick. Truth be told I’ve had this recipe in my mind forever! But getting in the mood to make it is another story. Finally its gotten hotter around here (if you consider 80s and low 90s hot) and a giant carton of cream waiting to be used is what motivated me to just make it! An ice cream with my favorite ingredients – pistachios, honey and crystalized ginger 😋! Continue reading Pistachio Ginger Ice Cream
Category Archives: From the Kitchen
Mushroom Pilaf
I am so excited to share this recipe, because honestly this mushroom pilaf turned out better than I ever expected. I’ve actually never had a mushroom rice dish except in a risotto, can you believe it? I’ve had mushrooms is so many ways but in a rice pilaf? Never. I had this big box of mushrooms waiting to be used and thought I would give making mushroom rice a try. I was debating on what flavors to add – soy sauce and ginger for an Asian spin? Herbs? But the one that I kept coming back to again and again is curry flavors for an Indian flair. Continue reading Mushroom Pilaf
Caramelized Onion and Cheese Tart
A cheesy tart that highlights caramelized onions? What? I was so thrilled to see this recipe show up in my inbox! A delicious no-fuss tart made with caramelized onions and cheese – what can possibly go wrong with this winning combination? This recipe is for all you folks who love caramelized onions (Just like me and my daughter Rani) and are looking for ways to use this sweet oniony goodness. Continue reading Caramelized Onion and Cheese Tart
Curried Cauliflower Tomato Soup
You know summer is in full swing when Heirloom tomatoes show up at the markets and grocery stores. Big juicy heirloom tomatoes in a variety of colors are a summertime luxury. I like to use them in everything and anything! Sandwiches, tarts, eggs, curries, just cut up and served with salt and pepper, as well as in soups. In this cauliflower soup to give it a summertime flair I thought I would make it this time with heirloom tomatoes. With cilantro as my choice of herbs, this soup is deliciously tomatoey with a creamy cauliflower base. Since I was adding cilantro I got the idea to give the soup a mild curry flavor, because you know we Indians love our curry powder! I added onions and garlic for extra pizzaz and a squeeze of lemon juice to finish it off. This is one awesome summertime soup for a quiet Sunday soup day. Give it a try! Continue reading Curried Cauliflower Tomato Soup
Orange Marmalade Ice Cream
An orange ice cream that is so easy to make that it requires just four ingredients – cream, honey, vanilla and orange marmalade. You don’t even need the fresh orange fruit to make this creamy sweet treat. Orange marmalade is what adds wonderful orange flavor along with delicious bits of orange peel that give the ice cream a bittersweet edge. Honey is the sweetener of choice here and vanilla for that extra floral fragrance. There really isn’t anything else to add. Give it a try! Continue reading Orange Marmalade Ice Cream
Kale and Shallot Quiche
This is one of those recipes that I whipped up on one of my lazy cooking days. I was late getting dinner ready and needed to make something with minimal effort, and this kale and shallot quiche was the delicious result. An easy and lazy recipe because I was so lazy that I didn’t even bother to use my hand blender to whip the eggs and cream together. I just cooked the kale with shallots and garlic and then let it to cool for a few minutes. Added in eggs, a splash of cream and shredded cheese. Then I mixed everything together with a fork and poured it into a readymade tart shell and baked. Honestly, this is the easiest and laziest quiche I have ever made and surprisingly given my lack of usual fanfare it turned out delicious! Continue reading Kale and Shallot Quiche
Artichoke Kale Enchiladas
These are delicious enchiladas packed with good for you ingredients. Loaded with meaty artichokes, kale, and lots of flavor from cumin, onions, garlic, cilantro and gooey cheese, the end result is a happy song in your mouth type of Mexican dish 🎶🎶🎶. The best part is it’s easy and delicious! Most of the ingredients are store bought and ready to go. The enchilada sauce comes in a can by La Palma, but you can buy whichever brand you prefer. The soft tacos are by Mission brand, and the only work is in the cutting of the veggies and assembling the enchiladas. Then all you do is bake, set the timer and forget about it! Continue reading Artichoke Kale Enchiladas
Summer Apple Salad
A couple weeks ago I shared photos of my apple tree all dripping with big fat apples and as usual a couple of you did comment “Isn’t it very early for apple season?” The answer is yes! These are summer apples – at least that’s what I call them because for over a decade now this little tree has been fruiting in summertime in July/August. The apples are called Anna apples and according to Wikipedia they are early fruiting variety that do well in warmer climates. Continue reading Summer Apple Salad
Balsamic Vinaigrette
I love balsamic vinegar! I love the fruity, sweet and syrupy flavor with a tangy edge. Balsamic vinegar perks up any salad and gives it that restaurant quality pizzaz. Well aged balsamic vinegar is thick, fruity and sweet that in Italy balsamic vinegar drizzled over vanilla ice cream is an extremely popular after dinner dessert. I tell you folks, if you can find a good balsamic vinegar at your local specialty shops it’s worth the indulgence. The fruity flavor that comes through in these artisanal small batch vinegars is unparalleled and elevates even simple greens salad into something gourmet. Continue reading Balsamic Vinaigrette
Saffron Mango and Cream
Necessity really is the mother of invention, at least that’s how I look at the creation of this recipe which I created when I wanted to serve something dessertish but didn’t have the energy on a warm summer day to make something. What I had were ripe mangoes and cream in the fridge and decided to create a variation of the extremely popular summer dessert berries and cream, but with an exotic twist. I cut up the luscious mango, added a drizzle of honey, sprinkle of saffron threads and poured on the cream. What it creates is a delicious dessert that anyone can make in as little as 10 minutes! The best part? This dessert is sooo beautiful folks, that I couldn’t help but take lots of pictures 😃! The gorgeous orange yellow of mango evokes bright summer sunshine while the delicate saffron threads turn the cream a soft golden color like early morning sunrise 🌞. This truly is a beautiful summer dessert 🌞. Continue reading Saffron Mango and Cream
