Over 20 years ago, I tasted lumpia for the first time. I fell in love with them at first bite. Filipino Lumpia Unfortunately, I lost touch with the friend who introduced them to me, courtesy of her mama’s cooking. I remembered them a few years ago and realized that I might be able to make them at home. Then I ran into a problem. Where would I find the recipe?...

A step by step tutorial on how to render fat into lard and the benefits of using it! Learn about the myths surrounding lard and animal fats, the history behind the industry, and how to make lard, store it, and use it! Use this lard to make the BEST EVER Buttermilk Biscuits and the ultimate Lard Pie Crust! Why We Stopped Using Lard (For All the Wrong Reasons) Chances are the vast majority of people reading the title and looking at this bottle of lard will have a negative reaction....

Learn how to make vanilla extract with MORE FLAVOR than store-bought! This homemade vanilla extract will enhance your baking, it makes the perfect gifts, is super easy to make, and only requires two ingredients! Learning how to make vanilla extract seriously couldn’t be any easier and it is so rewarding! You know a good vanilla extract when you unscrew the bottle and inhale. Imitation and lower quality pure extracts just lack the same depth and combination of fruity and earthy notes in their fragrance....

At our place, idlis are on regular rotation, and if you have seen my post on making & fermenting idli batter, you know I make batter enough for 45-50 idlis at a time. But since we are only a 3 person household, we can’t eat all those idlis at one go. And so normally, I make one round of idlis, and store the leftover idli batter for making dosas, appams or uttapams later in the week....

Instant Pot Hummus recipe from Dried beans in under an hour. This recipe is Vegan, Healthy, and The Best Hummus Recipe. Have you bought an Instant pot yet? I love my Instant Pot. I have had mine for a year now. I have shared many Instant Pot recipes but also plan to share even more this year, at least once or twice every month. It’s so handy, saves lots of time and cooking beans in Instant Pot Are Breeze....

If you love the Instant Pot but need some more recipes to try, I suggest trying my Instant Pot Pot Roast and Potatoes, my Instant Pot Parmesan Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms, and my Instant Pot Honey Teriyaki Chicken. Even though I had spent the better part of a day a couple weeks ago creating, cooking, and shooting some new recipes, none of what I made was for some reason acceptable to the kids....

If you love Olive Garden recipes, you’ve gotta try my Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup, Olive Garden Breadsticks, and Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup. This Pasta E Fagioli features two kinds of beans, which you may already know are part of the pulses family. Pulses are completely delicious, protein-packed (hoorah!), and one-hundred-percent sustainable. It’s a win-win-win all around when you’re working pulses into your daily diet. These days I am looking for any way I can to sneak more protein into my kids’ diets in particular because my twin toddlers are picky, picky, picky and I can hardly get them to eat typical proteins like meat....

Instant Pot Tofu Tikka Masala – A delicious Gluten-free, Vegan Tofu in Indian Tomato Onion Based sauce recipe which gets ready in no time, is a perfect weeknight meal recipe and tastes best with Rice, Naan or any Indian Flatbread of your choice. Are you a fan of Tofu dishes? We are!! My family loves Tofu, especially my son. He enjoys tofu in any form. Our favorite tofu dishes are Sweet and sour crispy tofu, Spicy tofu, Korean Braised tofu/Dubu Jorim Orange tofu broccoli And now today, I am sharing one more our favorite tofu recipe – Tofu Tikka Masala in Instant Pot/Pressure cooker....

Get ready to be transported to the Caribbean island of Jamaica as you take your first bite of this deliciously bold and dynamic, finger-licking chicken! This Jerk Chicken recipe is easy to make and captures the authentic flavors of Jamaica. Sweet, spicy and deliciously complex, it’s a flavor experience your taste buds are sure to remember! Alternatively you can enjoy these flavors shish kabob style with our Jerk Chicken Kabobs!...

This time, as I was getting ready to put it away, I remembered a handy tip that my friend Donna shared last year. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Scoop the tomato paste onto the parchment in tablespoon size portions. Place in the freezer until solid. This should take about 3 hours, or overnight if you are like me and you forget it is in there. Once the tomato paste is frozen, transfer it to a freezer bag....

It’s hard to resist the cream-filled donuts. In fact, the cream-filled doughnut recipe is one of the most popular across the Internet for a good reason: it’s delicious. These are light, moist, and delicious desserts that no one can resist! In our home, donuts are always in demand. Of course, they have to be deep-fried and filled with creamy goodness. During the festival of Hanukah, we make the classic jam and jelly donuts....

Mille feuille, pronounced “meel fuh-yuh,” is a classic French pastry that has been captivating taste buds for centuries. But what exactly is mille feuille? In this section, we’ll delve into the origins and structure of this delectable dessert, setting the stage for a deeper appreciation of its rich history. Mille feuille, meaning “a thousand leaves” in French, is aptly named for its delicate layers of puff pastry. This pastry is meticulously baked until it achieves a golden, flaky exterior....

I grew up calling this jam a mixed berry jam because that’s what it is – a jam made with mixed berries. A few years ago, an American friend mentioned to me that this is called a bumbleberry jam. I always thought bumbleberry is a berry on its own. So, what is a bumbleberry? Actually, bumbleberry is a mixture of at least three different berries mostly raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries because they are in season all at the same time....

Traveling overseas always opens doors to new culinary adventures, and my first taste of muhammara was an experience I’ll never forget. It happened during a trip to the Middle East, where the vibrant markets and bustling streets were a feast for the senses. One evening, while walking the narrow alleyways of a bustling souk, we stumbled upon a small, unassuming café in a corner. Intrigued by the tantalizing aromas wafting from within, we decided to step inside and see what treasures awaited....

Nutella Ice Cream is what happens when I’m craving something sweet, standing in front of the pantry, and my eyes light on the jar of Nutella that my kids haven’t yet discovered. Lucky for all of us ice cream addicts, there’s always plenty of heavy cream and milk on hand for when the need strikes. With little more than a few minutes of whisking, I had this ice cream base cooling in the fridge while I dreamed up how I would finish it after it churned....

Tender beef in a delicious spicy-sweet orange sauce, this Orange Beef recipe is quick and easy to make, is bursting with flavor and aroma, and is sure to be a smash hit! Orange Beef Recipe You don’t have to order takeout any more to enjoy Orange Beef. This Orange Beef recipe is ready in 20 minutes and rivals anything you’ll buy at our local Chinese takeout. The sauce is a delicious balance of sweet, savory and spicy, features tender beef and crisp vegetables, and pairs great with either noodles or steamed rice....

Orange curd with fresh oranges is a must-have. And, I mean must-have. The sweet oranges in a custard-like filling are out of this world. And, I love to add some lemon in there to give it a little zing. By now you must have tried my lemon curd or at least seen my lemon curd video. It’s simple, easy and really luxurious. It’s a no-fail method because I cook it low and slow....

Carrots, known for their vibrant orange hue and delightful crunch, are a staple in kitchens around the world. Rich in beta-carotene, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, they offer numerous health benefits, including improved vision, boosted immunity, and enhanced skin health. But did you know that baking is one of the best ways to bring out the natural sweetness of carrots? When carrots are baked, their sugars caramelize, transforming the humble root vegetable into a delectable treat....

We love paneer tikka. It is our favorite appetizer in the grilling season. I use them in so many ways like in wraps, pizza, sandwiches, in pulao, and making curry with this Makhani gravy. What is paneer tikka? It’s a famous Indian appetizer made with paneer cubes, onion, and bell pepper which are marinated with spices and yogurt and then roasted in the oven! Once cooked, it’s served with cilantro mint chutney, onion slices, and lemon wedges....

Parisian hot chocolate is luxuriously thick, smooth, creamy and flavorful. It’s like drinking hot molten chocolate and simply no other hot chocolate can compare! After a long Winter walk through the streets of Paris, you slip into a nearby cafe to warm up. Rubbing your cold hands together you order chocolat chaud and before long you’re gripping a hot cup between your chilled palms and fingers. You slowly take a sip and feel the richness of creamy chocolate fill your mouth....