Make your own croutons! This stovetop recipe for croutons is easy and delicious. The flavor of the rustic sourdough crouton complements any soup or salad, while adding a bit of heat. It’s 5 PM and we shut the doors at the coffee shop. The vacuum starts whirling, we start taking apart the espresso machine to…
Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
German Pancake Recipe (aka Dutch Baby) for Pancake Day!
This recipe is for a deliciously thin crepe-like & pop-over-like German Pancake (aka Dutch Baby). The edges of the German Pancake rise up as much as 4 inches, forming an iconic bowl shape. Serve it with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a captivating brunch. Pancake day is coming…
Double Choco-love Cookie with Sea Salt
This is a double chocolate cookie for a loved one. It has a rich deep chocolate flavour that is complemented by a crispy edge and chewy center, and a sprinkle of sea salt on top. Jonathan – this one is for you! You’ve asked for the perfect double chocolate cookie so many times. Not…
Simple Bircher Muesli – The Basic
This simple Bircher muesli is made with jumbo rolled oats and apple juice. I topped it with goji berries and pumpkin seeds for a healthy and nourishing breakfast. Feel free to use any toppings that you prefer.
Coconut Banana Bread with Red Bean Buttercream Frosting
A quick and easy coconut banana bread. Frosted with red bean buttercream for a festive Chinese New Year treat. The first month of this year went by in such a whirl! I’ve just realized that I’m so far behind on posting in 2014. It’s not that I haven’t been cooking and developing recipes,…
Homemade DIY Mulling Spice Sachets
It’s always so warming to hold a hot cup of mulled apple cider (or in the UK, known as pressed apple juice*) or wine. Come autumn and winter, I’m on the lookout for this lovely beverage at every market. I also love mulling apple cider at home since the aroma fills the kitchen. I made…
Spiced Currant and Orange Oatmeal Cookies
The holidays are fast approaching, and that means everything sweet ‘n spice is a go! These spiced currant and orange oatmeal cookies have the sweetness from the current, a hint of orange from the zest, and the spice of the nutmeg and cinnamon. They are sophisticated cookies, with a proper nice crunch on the outside…
A Housewarming Simple Carrot Cake
This carrot cake is one of my favorite recipes because it fills the house with such bright colors and sweet and spiced scents. We recently moved into our new flat, and it was the first thing I made to break in the kitchen and oven. A housewarming gift to ourselves! It’s been a while since…
Chili vs. Chili con Carne
The other night at dinner, I told a friend that I was planning on making chili. His response, “you mean, chili con carnie?” I had no clue what he was talking about. Was it the British accent? Or was chili con carnie something I had never heard of? I explained I was making good ol’…
Skinny Mac and Cheese with Kale and Mushrooms
It’s Friday and it’s sunny! I really couldn’t ask for more. We’re on the Eurostar on our way to Brussels right now. It’s our first time, and I’m loving it while we snack on our chips and ginger beer. Its been a really exciting week. Here’s a few of the highlights, as the week is…
Figs, Crème Fraîche and Prosciutto
I could happily spend every weekend at a farmers market. Any farmers market, any city, any time. In Chicago, my love was Green City Market. I’d be there almost every weekend – even in the winters, when the market had to be moved indoors to a nature museum, I’d go just to satisfy my craving…
Dirty Chai Latte No-Bake Cheesecake
If I were in the US, I’d have gotten myself a pumpkin spice latte the day that it came out this year. September 3rd – yep, I’ve kept track. Starbucks and all of you posting pictures of your PSLs are killing me over here! For me, a PSL is the mark of autumn. In my…
Graham Crackers with Buckwheat Flour (Gluten Free and Vegan)
It wasn’t long ago that I first learned that graham crackers are not available in the UK. “What do you mean?!?” I sputtered. But sure enough, I can’t find them anywhere. And when someone tells me that I can’t have it, well, it makes me want it all the more. So since then, I have…
Chocolate Pasta con Chiles and Ricotta
The deep rich taste of this chocolate pasta is spiced by a kick of red chile oil. But the ricotta cheese and avocado tame the heat, leaving you with a balanced baked pasta dish. When I was living in California, Jonathan always brought back chocolates for me from London every time he visited (he’s a sweet…
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
I haven’t quite figured out the British attitude towards peanut butter. It seems to be a slightly new craze, but peanut butter cookies are almost non-existent in London. I’ve been to at least 10 different coffee shops and cafes here, and none have carried peanut butter cookies. Since peanut butter cookies are so delicious, I’m…
Low-Fat Vanilla Yogurt Pancakes
These Low-Fat Vanilla Yogurt Pancakes are thick, fluffy, and delicious. I served them with fresh fruit, and just a drop of maple syrup.
Thai Fusion Baked Risotto with Coconut Milk and Butternut Squash
Coconut milk and lemongrass give this classic Italian rice a nice Thai kick! It’s a one-pot dish and the risotto is baked in the oven. I loved the vibrant colors in the dish – oranges, reds, greens, yellows and browns. And when the baked risotto came out of the oven and I lifted the lid…
Mini Apple Pies
These mini apple pies are perfect for any time of the day. Eat them for breakfast, with a cup of tea, or as dessert! I love mini desserts because they are simple and so easy to eat and share. They also have a built-in portion control system. Just count the wrappers and you know…
