The first time a friend introduced me to how easy it is to roast your own tomatoes, I was hooked. Why buy fire-roasted tomatoes in a can when you can have them fresh in less than an hour? Talk about jaw-drop amazing salsa to impress your guests! Then I realized what a goldmine I had found. Taking pizza sauce, stew, soups, and pasta sauces over the top with one simple ingredient became my new obsession....

I look forward to berry season more than anything else. More than fall pumpkins. More than Christmas cookies. Cooking with freshly picked berries is the highlight of my annual cooking experience. As a little girl, I remember peeping over the top of the long potluck table at a church picnic, eagerly assessing all my sweet options. There were apple pies, coconut cupcakes, brownies, and other homemade offerings. Yet the creme de la creme of the dessert table was a Fresh Strawberry Pie, piled high with glistening crimson orbs....

Gambas Al Ajillo I’m thrilled today to share with you a recipe from nationally renowned Chef Katie Button. Katie started Asheville’s famed restaurant Curaté, and shared not one but two recipes Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp) and Pan con Tomate. This simple Spanish Garlic Shrimp recipe is certainly more than meets the eye. Packed with garlic, arbol chile, and sherry flavor, it is the perfect protein dish to adorn a traditional tapas feast....

Juicy, flavour-filled prawns in a quick and easy sauce is the epitome of a sunshine recipe I can’t get enough of. Throw them together for guests as part of a buffet or for yourself on a wet Tuesday… just because. I’ve realised it’s the simplest things in life that make us happy. And this simple little dish definitely makes me happy. It reminds me of a certain holiday to Spain....

Jollof rice is a legendary and seriously soul-satisfying African dish. Fresh ingredients and loads of seasonings render a meal packed with layers of flavors. This recipe has several steps, but the results are so worth it. One bite, and you’ll understand why this is a favorite home-cooked meal in numerous African countries. Besides, I’ve provided step-by-step photos to make it a breeze. What sets Ghanaian jollof rice apart is some extra spices and the kind of rice....

Indian Ginger Garlic Paste If you love cooking Indian dishes, a ginger and garlic paste bottle is a must-have spice blend in your refrigerator. Like garam masala, ghee, and spices, ginger garlic paste is also a quintessential part of our Indian pantry. It is a gluten-free, vegan wet paste of ginger and garlic. Ginger is known as ‘adrak’ and garlic as ‘lehsun’ in Hindi. Hence, in India, this paste is also known as adrak lehsun ka paste....

Don’t you love having recipes that take advantage of leftovers? Ham casserole is a perfect example of a holiday leftover that’s even better the second time around. Have fun with this amazing and super simple recipe. Ham and veggies smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce is a classic soul food casserole. This deliciousness is sure to be a hit at your next cookout. And no one will know you didn’t spend hours putting it together....

My hubby and son actually made this for me on Mother’s Day. And I have to say, I was impressed. They have seen me make this so many times for breakfast and with chicken for a delicious soul food meal. So they knew how to do it. You’ll fall in love with how easy buttermilk waffles are to make. And you can make this melt-in-your-mouth goodness make them ahead, too....

Homemade seasoning is always a winning ingredient for serious home cooks. Unlike store-bought spices and seasonings, you can adjust homemade to your preference. Plus, you know exactly what you’re serving your family (no chemicals included). A disclaimer to all you purists out there: this sofrito recipe is a basic version using easy-to-find ingredients. Cubanelle peppers (small sweet peppers) are hard to come across in my neighborhood, as is culantro. However, I’ve found you can still make a gorgeous sofrito with other sweet peppers....

Honey Wheat Bread Bowls Think bread bowl making is out of your league? Think again! Today we’re making a simple Honey Wheat Bread Bowl Recipe that looks and tastes just like bakery bread bowls. There’s a bakery in Asheville where I like to stop and pick up bread bowls on days I plan to make creamy soup for dinner. The problem is, every time I stop by they have already sold out of bread bowls....

Why We Love This Best Smoked Trout Recipe Smoky, salty brined trout is so delicious and healthy as a snack or main dish. But, the good stuff is also fairly expensive… Luckily, you can buy wild-caught trout and easily smoke it yourself! Homemade Smoked Trout is fabulous to enjoy on its own or served with flavorful accoutrements. It’s also perfect for using to make a rich, creamy, and bright Smoked Trout Dip from scratch!...

Instant Mango Pickle This instant mango pickle is my family’s summer favourite condiment—a delicious, easy pickle made with raw (green) mango and green chillies. From preparing ingredients to sun drying to the preservation, multiple steps are involved in making a traditional Indian pickle. But at the same time, instant pickle recipes get ready within a few hours. These instant pickles: does not require pro-level skills minimum effort, maximum flavour the ingredient list is precise easy to make and store perfect for beginners...

Looking back at my life there has never been a time when I did not have a curry jar in my pantry. It’s always been a pantry staple and something that I use more often than not. My sister and I knew the magic ingredient to make a disastrous stew somewhat edible- Curry spice. Just a little would evade the awkward glances from everyone at the table. I was petrified when it came to my turn, I would check, double-check and triple-check, to make sure there was enough in the jar before turning on the gas stove....

Jamaican jerk seasoning is an all-purpose seasoning everyone should have on hand. It elevates just about any food to the next level of deliciousness. Sure, the Caribbean vibes are incredible, but it easily crosses cultural borders. Sprinkle it on a pasta dish, and you’ll see what I mean. Plus, if you love grilling, it’s a must. Whenever peak BBQ season rolls around, I make a double batch of homemade jerk seasoning....

Why We Love This Bulgar Wheat Salad Recipe Jennifer Aniston, to know her is to love her. Over the years, she has inspired cultural trends, starting with the hit TV series Friends “Rachel Haircut” to mainstream fashion, interior design, lifestyle, and even popularity in the spectrum of food. It’s reported that years ago, on the set of Friends, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney, Cox, and Lisa Kudrow would eat the same salad every day for lunch… A slightly healthier version of a Cobb salad....

Do you hear that? This Key Lime Pie here is definitely calling your name. Aaah! So irresistibly good with its creamy filling made with fresh key lime, heavy cream, and condensed milk. It’s so perfect in every way – from the lovely combination of sweet and tart filling down to the buttery crust. It’s screaming nothing but pure dreamy indulgence. So, if you’re looking for the perfect treat to help you freshen up this summer, this is totally it!...

Texas Specialties Over the holidays I visited my brother in Texas. I’m always enamored by the vast variety of regional specialties found in Texas. It seems Texas pride reaches into every element of life, especially local dishes. My brother introduced me to a Texas chicken casserole I had never tried before, King Ranch Chicken Casserole. History Of Creamy King Ranch Chicken Casserole King Ranch, one of the largest and most historically innovative ranches in the world, was founded in the 1800s by a runaway, Richard King, who made a name for himself later in life in both the steamboat industry and ranching....

Also, check out our popular Hasselbeck potatoes and crispy garlic roasted potatoes. Recipe card Roasted Potatoes with Greek Flavors This simple and easy roasted potato is made using lemon, butter, garlic, and herbs. It is crispy on the outside yet still soft and tender inside. The addition of lemon juice and fresh herbs adds zesty and bright flavors. Herbed potatoes can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish, as it pairs well with anything....

Lentils are the quintessential comfort food for most South Asians. All families have their unique way of cooking “khatti dal” with tamarind. This recipe is often referred to as Hyderabadi Khatti Dal, which is a reference to the region in India that it comes from. I’ve always been a fan of Hyderabadi cuisine. My Hyderabadi bagara baingan (eggplant curry) and Hyderabadi chicken curry recipes are a case in point. There is a predominant use of tamarind, curry leaves, and cumin seeds in Hyderabadi recipes like this one....

Mango Rice or Mavinakayi Chitranna is easy to make and delicious rice recipe prepared using raw sour mangoes. The actual highlight in this dish is the flavor of the mangoes that comes from sautéing it in oil. Wish you all a very happy Ugadi 2021!! This is the first recipe on behalf of the Ugadi festival this year. Ugadi (Ugādi, Samvatsarādi, Yugadi, Gudi Padwa) is the New Year for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra states in India....