crepes with farmer's cheese

Crepes with Farmer’s Cheese

Crepes with Farmer’s Cheese (Naleśniki (nah-lesh-NEE-kee) are light and filling. The recipe works every time and can be made the day before. You will love this as your breakfast or lighter supper meal. The assembled crepes can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days. They will taste great warm or cold. My …

Barszcz

Ukrainian Borscht

This soup represents comfort food at its best. It is delicious and full of nutrients. The recipe will produce a large pot of soup. It will freeze well (without the sour cream) and can be defrosted on the stove very quickly.

Polish Kulebiak

Kulebiak originates from Russia but it is also traditionally baked as one of the dishes to celebrate Christmas Eve dinner in Poland (vegetarian, with mushrooms and cabbage)). This meat Kulebiak version is popular as a lunch/dinner dish in eastern Poland. It is not hard to make using ready puff pastry sheets. Served sliced, hot or cold with a side of salad.

Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter Chicken

This Indian Butter Chicken dish is a crowd pleaser and one of the simplest curry dishes to make. The sauce is fantastic and can be eaten without the meat, just add rice or naan. There is no butter in this recipe. The buttery flavor comes from full fat yogurt and cream.

Chocolate chocolate chip coffee cake

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Chocolate chocolate chip coffee cake is wonderful for all chocolate lovers. The small addition of jam makes it moist and light with an intense chocolate taste. The cake stays fresh for up to a week. It is very simple and quick to make.

Red lentil soup Turkish style

Red Lentil Soup Turkish Style

Red Lentil Soup Turkish Style is very quick to make, yet the flavor is unforgettable. No wonder it is so popular in Turkey. Red lentils and rice soften and break down during cooking making it thick and delicious. The addition of chipotle chili pepper adds sharpness and smokiness to the soup.

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala

Chicken marsala recipe is an Italian classic that never disappoints. Fantastic blend of flavors-sweet Marsala wine, mushrooms and slightly picante seasonings. Great dish for all tastes. Family favorite.

Indian Moong Dal

Indian Moong Dal

Indian Moong Dal is a popular dish. Usually served with rice but can be offered as a side dish with meats or other vegetable dishes. Moong Dal (Mung beans) are a staple of Indian Cuisine. They are highly nutritious and easy to digest. In this recipe split Moong Dal (yellow in color) are used.

Soft ricotta dumplings

Soft Ricotta Dumplings

This is a perfect weekday meal that is also family friendly. It is light and filling. Takes very few ingredients to make and a very short time. The pairing of lightly salted dumplings with a sweet sauce is truly perfect. Simplicity at it’s best.

Chicken cordon bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu

“Cordon Bleu” means “blue ribbon” and the term applies to food prepared to a very high standard by outstanding cooks. This recipe originates from Switzerland and all of its variations involve a cutlet, cheese, and meat (usually ham). It is elegant and impressive but not hard to make.

Spinach lasagna

Spinach Lasagna

Spinach lasagna is a tasty and flavorful variation of classic comfort food. Perfect pairing of spinach, onions and cheeses. Great family dish and delicious warmed up on the second or third day. Much lighter than traditional meat lasagna.

green split pea soup

Green Split Pea Soup

One of the best cold weather soups. Smoked kielbasa pairs perfectly with green split peas. Comforting and delicious. The kind of comfort food that one cannot live without during the cold days of fall and winter.

French Roasted Whole Baby Potatoes

French roasted whole baby potatoes are one of the easiest and most delicious potato recipes you will ever try. They will complement any roast or meat with a sauce. They are crispy on the outside and meltingly soft on the inside. No seasonings necessary. Perfect for entertaining crowds as they can be prepared ahead of time and roasted just before dinner.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Sauteed brussels sprouts with bacon will change the way you feel about eating brussels sprouts. They are crispy and flavorful. Perfect as a side dish or eaten alone.Taste great warm or cold and can be prepared ahead of time. Delicious and healthy.

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup recipe has a long tradition originating in Spain. The name refers to the flavor resulting from mixing/marrying meat and greens. This version is delicate and delectable. Well seasoned ground chicken makes light broth and pairs wonderfully with fresh baby spinach. Family favorite, perfect for any time of year. Simple enough to be made frequently and ideal for freezing.

potato leek soup 2

Potato Leek Soup

Potato leek soup is considered a French cuisine classic. Invented centuries ago it is still very popular in everyday cooking. Delicious warm or cold, simple to make. Usually enjoyed sprinkled with chives but different toppings like bacon or cheese work great too. This soup is an all time favorite and never goes out of style.

Coleslaw

Classic Coleslaw

Classic coleslaw salad was invented by Dutch people. They called it Kool-cabbage Sla-salad. This recipe is quick and simple with just right amount of dressing. It will feel light and not over seasoned.

Chicken tenders

Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders make a fast and delicious weekday dinner. They are simple to prepare and always come out perfect. Family favorite, will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Croatian Blitva

Croatian Blitva

Blitva (meaning Swiss chard) is a traditional peasant dish from Croatia. Very popular, usually served as an addition to meat or fish. Can be enjoyed with a poached egg or eaten alone, warm or cold. Healthy and unforgettable.

Beet salad2

Beet Salad

This is the best beet salad. Baked beets pair divinely with blue cheese or goat cheese, pistachios and parsley. Sprinkled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a dash of salt and sugar. Perfect served cold. Can be eaten alone or with any meat or fish.

chicken curry

Indian Chicken Curry

This is an authentic Indian chicken curry. The meat marinates in herbs, peppers and spices before cooking. There is no dairy in this recipe. The flavor of this dish is very aromatic and quite original.

Stir Fry

Vegetable Stir Fry

Asian vegetable stir fry is healthy and delicious. It is a simple yet flavorful addition to any protein or it can be enjoyed alone, just add rice. Perfect with grilled fish. Can be made with any combination of fresh vegetables. All the prepping can be done ahead of time.

chowder

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Shrimp and corn chowder is perfect for colder days. The addition of red pepper and thyme flavor the soup in a different way than clam chowder. The soup has a slight sweetness to it and is not too heavy. Very filling and comforting. Great with a piece of crusty bread.

beet salad with garlic and mayo1

Beet Salad with Garlic and Mayo

Beet Salad with Garlic and Mayo is one of my best side dishes. Made with only three ingredients, it is sharp and flavorful. Great companion to fish or any meat dish. Definitely not your typical beet salad.

curried zucchini soup

Curried Zucchini Soup

Curried zucchini soup is flavorful and comforting. Indian curry, cumin and chili pepper add edge and interest. Topped with sharp cheddar cheese, the soup is irresistible.

chicken meatloaf

Chicken Meatloaf

This exceptional chicken meatloaf recipe has been a favorite for many years. It is juicy and flavorful; perfect for a casual dinner or a special occasion. The recipe has room for a few additions to suit different tastes. It can be divided into individual loaves or easily doubled. Just make sure to only make the quantity you want to bake.

scallion pancake

Scallion Pancakes

Scallion pancakes are fast and easy to make at home. They require very few ingredients and are delicious even without dipping sauce. They can be frozen raw, wrapped individually in a plastic foil. Sautéing frozen or fresh pancakes takes only minutes. The recipe is bulletproof and suitable for a beginner home cook.

balsamic vinaigrette

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Balsamic Vinaigrette is one of the most used/versatile dressings. It pairs well with most greens and vegetables and the salad will complement meat or protein. My liking of this simple dressing started with a small lunch place I frequently visit. I noticed there that no matter what kind of salad plate I ordered, balsamic vinaigrette …

chicken2

Curried Chicken Salad

Curried chicken salad offers tasty variation on cold chicken salads. It is flavorful, yet delicate. Vegetables add texture and crunch without overpowering the taste. This is a crowd pleaser.

gorbanzo bean salad

Chickpea Salad

This chickpea salad is loosely based on Mediterranean style of salad. It is light, healthy and full of flavor. The seasoning is very well balanced with just enough of it to coat the main ingredients and not overpower their natural flavor. It is lovely and delicate – definitely worth having in one’s cooking repertoire.

eggplant

Eggplant in Tomato Sauce

Eggplant in tomato sauce is uncomplicated and mouth-watering. This dish originates from Turkey and can be made ahead of time. It has a purely vegetarian taste and is light and flavorful. It is a family favorite.

Apple cake2

Apple Cake

This apple cake is so easy that a person with no baking experience will successfully make it. Additionally, this is a fast and delicious cake made with only a few ingredients. For me, this cake recipe serves as a last minute dessert or something I make when I have leftover apples that do not look too attractive anymore (the kind with wrinkled skin, etc.)

kapusta polska2

Polish Fried Cabbage

Polish fried cabbage is prepared by stewing shredded cabbage in a small amount of water and then finishing it with a classic roux. This last touch is probably where the name “kapusta zasmażana” (fried cabbage) comes from. The roux (zasmażka) thickens the remaining liquid and makes the cabbage glisten. The dish is finished with a generous amount of fresh dill. This addition makes all the difference. The flavor is light, slightly sweet, and unforgettable. Traditionally, fried cabbage accompanies fried or roasted meats. In some regions of Poland, people make this cabbage with bacon or stewed meat. They serve it as a main dish with a side of mashed potatoes.

Slow cooker beef stew

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow cooker beef stew is my family’s most favorite cold weather dish. The aromas, the richness of the sauce, and most importantly, tenderness and flavor of the beef are unforgettable and hunting. Slow cooking has a huge advantage in cooking beef as the long process always results in soft and juicy meat.

Napa cabbage with carrot and apple

Napa Cabbage with Carrot and Apple

Napa Cabbage with Carrot and Apple makes a wonderful side addition to any meat.  Its sweet and sour taste is light and refreshing. Most importantly, this is a simple and quick salad made and dressed in one bowl.

hunter's stew

Hunter’s Stew

Hunter’s stew, or Bigos as it is called in Poland, is a national Polish dish. It is very popular, and almost every family prepares it in their own way. All versions of Bigos have two main ingredients: sauerkraut and fresh cabbage. The rest varies and can include fresh and cured meats, kielbasa, dried mushrooms, prunes, …

potato cauliflower2

Aloo Gobi

Aloo Gobi translates to potato (Aloo) and cauliflower (Gobi) curry. There are different versions of Aloo Gobi. This recipe makes a Punjabi style (North Indian) dish, which means that there is no sauce, and the vegetables are sautéed with oil in their juices and with spices.  This curry is easy and quick to make; the …

Bok Choy

Bok Choy Soup

Vegetarian Bok Choy soup is light and full of savory flavor. It is based on a Chinese-style soup recipe with some shortcuts. In this version, vegetarian broth can be substituted with water flavored with Better than Bouillon vegetable base or a vegetable bouillon cube. I also like to use dried shiitake mushrooms and soak them …

cacciatore3

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore is one of the simplest and most delicious Italian dishes. The name means “hunter’s stew”.  This is Italian comfort food at its best. I like to make this recipe with a combination of boneless chicken thighs and breast meat in a 1:1 ratio, all cut into bite-sized bits and seared quickly in olive oil. The reason for using different parts of the chicken is that thighs provide softer texture and extra fat, and breast meat is firm and often favored by people. The mixture of two is truly perfect in a stew.

beet salad3

Beet Salad with Onions

I love beets and this beet salad with onions is one of my favorite side salads. Served cold, it will complement any meat dish. The beets can be baked unpeeled the day before. Assembly is quick and simple. The onions add crunch and a bit of spice. For people who do not favor the intense …

Tai Mango Curry Chicken1

Thai Mango Chicken Curry

The Thai Mango Chicken Curry dish came out of my love for mangoes. They are accessible, relatively inexpensive, and available throughout the year. In season from May to late August, they provide a super fresh, enjoyable flavor. The taste is always great and the benefits of eating them are significant as they contain vitamins C, …

Polish beet soup

Polish Beet Soup-Botwinka

Polish beet soup, or Botwinka, is a tasty and nutritious dish that’s traditionally made in the spring or early summer, using young beets and their greens. The combination of beets, beet greens, broth, and other veggies creates a unique and delicious flavor. Let’s not forget the added protein from the hard-boiled egg that turns it into a filling and satisfying meal.

Couscous chickpea salad

Couscous and Chickpea Salad

This Couscous and Chickpea Salad recipe is inspired by the viral “Jennifer Aniston salad”.  I used parenthesis in naming the salad due to the fact that the recipe for this dish does not come directly from the actress but was made up by the internet. Nevertheless, the salad is tasty and nutritious, ideal for meatless lunch. It also serves as an excellent side to grilled or fried meats.

General tso's chicken recipe

General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken has become a staple of American Chinese cuisine, despite not being a traditional dish in China. Originally created by a Chinese chef in Taiwan, the recipe was later brought to the United States and modified to suit American tastes. Typically, by adding sugar to make it sweeter. This adaptation reflects the ongoing …

curried butternut squash soup

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Curried Butternut Squash Soup is a delicious and unique alternative to traditional recipes that typically include apples or carrots and sage. The addition of curry spices and coconut milk give the soup a warm and complex flavor. Grated cheddar cheese, when sprinkled on top of it, melts perfectly, creating a creamy and savory element.

Peach streusel cake

Peach Streusel Cake

I have to say that this Peach Streusel Cake is one of the loveliest coffee cakes I have ever made. It’s always so satisfying to create a dish that exceeds your expectations. 

celeriac soup

Celeriac Soup

Celeriac Soup is a hidden gem, offering a unique take on vegetable soups that has quickly become my go-to choice for chilly winter nights. Its unique flavor and creamy texture make it a delicious and comforting option for any occasion.