This is my dad’s recipe that he’s used for as long as I remember. It’s a unique twist to the Chinese classic and when you use chilies, has a great bite!

From the original site: He cooked his version of Sweet and Sour Pork, which is my favourite version (I guess it just goes that way when your parents cook!). I definitely encourage adding red hot chilli to the sauce or even using chilli vinegar. It gives it the kick in between being sweet and sour. Check out the video and the recipe below!

I recommend this recipe because even a newbie like me can make this! It’s so easy and doesn’t take a lot of time to make which is perfect when you’re on the go.

From the original site: I have a block of cheese sitting in my fridge. I don’t know how long it’s been sitting there, but the more I open the fridge, the more guilty I get seeing it. So I decided with the huge batch of soup I made recently, it’d be great to serve with scones. More specifically, cheddar cheese scones.

I love this recipe because it is so simple and when you’re in a hurry to make dinner, it’s an easy pick. You get the healthy green bok choy and the savoury taste of ground beef.

From the original site: As you could probably tell by now, I love easy recipes. The easier, the quicker – the better. This is one of my go-to recipes when I’m feeling lazy. My dad, Papa Gastro was the one who taught me this recipe. I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing! I don’t steam the bok choy because 1) it takes too much of the nutrients out of it and 2) it gets kind of steamed in the wok/frying pan.

One of my all-time favorite dishes has been the Penne with Bacon at one of Delhi’s first few Truly Italian restaurants- The Big Chill. Not only does the place hold a lot of special memories for anyone who has been in the age group of 18-26, during that time, but till date, it serves some wonderful food and scrumptious desserts. In due course of time, I have grown over my need to pay a visit there every week, and only occasionally go for dessert, but the food, is surely worth the frequent visit. The Penne with bacon is one of the lighter pasta dishes (most of the others are heavy on cheese and are baked) and has a slightly spicy touch to it. Since Ak is not a Spicy food person, I skipped the dried red chilies and did my own take on it with some left over red wine. Further, I used spaghetti instead of Penne– simply for its appeal as comfort food. The results were suitably impressive- if I may say so myself, and the accompanying grilled peppers were a brilliant addition to the otherwise unadorned meal. The vegetables are just something that I have cooked up- from my understanding of Italian ingredients. Have been quite the winner, almost everytime I have cooked them. Feel free to improvise!

From the original site: Life in fact, has been so hectic in the last few weeks that my fridge has been stocking up. I have been mostly on a baking spree, and suddenly realized that in the absence of no cooking for 2 days- we had enough things that needed to be cooked on an ASAP basis.

This makes a healthy lunch or dinner and is a great way to make use of those lentils and squashes that are hanging around. The white wine-mustard sauce brings this dish together. It’ll give you comfort on those cold winter days.

From the original site: For many days, a whole butternut squash stood around on our table. Then I decided to eat it. The rest is a recipe.

Traditional kheer has its origins in India and is made with milk and rice. Owing to India’s multi-regional nature, different versions of kheer are available in various parts of the country; Payassam in south India (made with jiggery and coconut milk) and in Bengal (with vermicelli and jiggery). This gajar ki kheer, I assume, and can safely say is the Punjabi version from North India, hit by severe winters. The specialty of this is that its charm is only in peak winters, when bright red carrots are available in the market.
I have very fond, winter memories of Gajar ki Kheer made at my parents’ home with carrots. It is just like the regular kheer, but with a dash of carrots, to add some color. Made only in winters, it is wonderful, especially when eaten, fresh and warm.

From the original site: Traditional kheer has its origins in India and is made with milk and rice. Owing to India’s multi-regional nature, different versions of kheer are available in various parts of the country; Payassam in south India (made with jiggery and coconut milk) and in Bengal (with vermicelli and jiggery). This gajar ki kheer, I assume, and can safely say is the Punjabi version from North India, hit by severe winters. The specialty of this is that its charm is only in peak winters, when bright red carrots are available in the market.

A Shabby Apple chic apron giveaway and a 1920′s recipe for a French Apple Pie with a Nutmeg sauce.

From the original site: …The apron and the pie both very charming with a promise of retro charm. The pie from a cookbook {Appetite For America} that goes even further, a trail that chronicles ‘meaty‘ chunks of American culinary history from the roaring twenties!!

Sometimes you need to just rely on your judgment instead of a written recipe, don’t you agree? In fact, the name of this recipe pretty much tells you all you need to know. Go ahead…step outside your comfort zone. Try it!

From the original site: I had a ripe avocado and a blood orange just waiting to be invited to the party. The avocado added a soft richness and the blood orange a bright sweetness. Of course, they both contributed their good looks, which is important in a salad.

The vinaigrette for one of my favorite salads has only 3 ingredients; oil, lemon juice and soy sauce. The salad part also has 3 ingredients; baby spinach, quinoa and sesame seeds.

It’s so easy, but trust me, it’s all good.
I usualy make this for lunch, but it could also go very well with any meat or fish.

Special Instructions: Serves 4-6

Instructions:

Roast the sesame seeds in a small pan for a couple of minutes until they’re golden.
Add them to the spinach and quinoa.
To make the vinaigrette, mix the oil, soy sauce and lemon juice together.
Add the vinaigrette to the salad and give it a stir.
Done!