Braised Turkey Mearballs

 

I love festive western style fall and winter holiday dinners without all the fuss. It’s a big effort if whole turkey is on the menu. I swapped in an easy to make super delicious Braised Turkey Meatballs which is a total game changer. 

They're very simple to make, packed with flavor, and easy to find simple pantry ingredients. It’s definitely for those who love festive vibe without any stress.  

The process is very straightforward. The secret for super tender meatballs are soaked bread crumbs and mashed potato. Form nicely seasoned turkey meatballs, give them a quick bake, then finish by simmering them in a rich, aromatic sauce until cooked through and thickened. Serve over mashed potatoes with other favorite sides for an effortlessly comforting meal. 

I highly recommend trying this recipe for a truly enjoyable and relaxed holiday celebration. 

Date and Pecan Bread

Date and Pecan Bread is my absolute favorite and it doesn't require any refined sugar. Mostly dates and little bit of molasses are used as sweetener. A warm piece of bread slightly buttered is my favorite way to enjoy it for breakfast or afternoon snack with tea of coffee. It can be serve as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It can be spiced with warm spices but I prefer vanilla. 

Chingri Malaicurry

Chingri/Shrimp Malai Curry cooked in mildly spiced coconut based gravy is one of the divine dishes of Bengali cuisine served on special occasions or wedding ceremonies. Malai in Bengali means dairy cream but in this particular dish has no dairy in it. Now the question is if I ever wanted to know how the word “malai” came from, not really. Did my grand mothers and mother's generations know? I am not so sure as we never questioned about it. All I know is how my mother made it so finger licking without using overpowering spices and I make exactly the same way. Malai Curry is very close to our heart.

Radhaballavi

It’s been eight years documenting various recipes I learned and tried over the years on my blogging journey. It’s fun but loads of work to post after managing my family. Today I bring you a heavenly delicious Bengali style fried stuffed bread Radhaballavi which is  served at Bengali wedding ceremonies and as a special treat for breakfast, lunch or dinner in many Bengali households.

Chicken Yahkni Pulao

Yakhni Pulao is a very easy amazingly delicious rice and meat dish that I make for special weekend meal sometimes. This Kashmiri specialty rice dish originated in the Middle East and brought by Mughal rulers. Yakhni in Persian language means stock of meat with aromatic spices where meat is semi cooked first, drained and sauteed with spices then rice and meat are cooked in the favored stock over low heat. Yakhni adds a depth of flavor that gives the richness to the Pulao. This one dish rice meal is so irresistible that we don't mind having the leftovers the next day.

Salmon Niciose Salad

This year has been pretty challenging for everyone; but all our hope is not gone yet. We are thankful to be healthy and will get through these difficult times. Lets cheer to this holiday season!

Whole Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Christmas is almost here! Unlike previous years, thing are different and challenging this year. We are thankful to be healthy and hoping everything will be normal soon. While travel fun and dining out are not happening this time and that is quite frustrating, but we choose to make Christmas as joyous as ever. Right after Thanksgiving, Christmas tree was up and house looks very festive. Christmas carols are being played all day long, thinking positive, keeping in touch with dear ones and cooking delicious festive food. That's the spirit of Christmas. 

Bangladeshi Morog Polao

Bangladeshi Chicken Polao or Morog Polao is incredibly finger-licking, satisfying, gently spiced, not too greasy, yet simple to prepare one-dish chicken-rice meal. Unlike Biriyani that is as tasty as this Polao but it doesn't take elaborate preparation to make. The color, flavor and texture of rice and chicken is so delectable that I will definitely make again n again.

Eggnog Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding is a comfort dessert with a scoop of ice cream any time of the year. And Christmas time Bread Pudding with home baked Challah and warming spices, topped up with Eggnog Ice Cream and caramel sauce takes it to the next level. This sumptuous festive dessert is so easy to make with available pantry ingredients and this is what Christmas tastes like!

Eggnog Ice Cream

Christmas has a special place in my heart. Christmas music is being played all day long Our home feels so festive with Christmas decor. Christmas time cooking-baking makes everything so much brighter in our home and I try to make our favorite Christmas dishes as much as possible. Who doesn't love these distinctive festive smell of Christmas? 

Challah

It's the time of the year when I love to bake lots of goodies. Challah is one them and I've been baking it for years during Christmas time mostly. It tastes as great as store bought. It's so exciting to see golden crusted braided Challah comes out from the oven that looks stunning but easy to do. The Challah is a traditional 4-12 strand braided bread. My 4, 5 and 6 strand braided Challah look fabulous and I just feel like a pro; but I am not, because I haven't mastered to braid more than 6 strand Challah yet. 

Vegan Salad Nicoise

After all the Thanksgiving feasting we needed something lighter and vegan for a refreshing change. Vegan foods sometimes get a bad rap. But this delicious Vegan Nicoise Salad takes it to the next level with plant goodness. It can be ready within an hour and it can be served as side or main dish. Healthy eating doesn't have to be boring or tasteless. So I love to get crafty in the kitchen. I often prepare variety of salads with different veggies, chicken and seafood as a meal that look fancy yet healthy and easy to make. This roasted veggies my teen boy loves to savor without any fuss. 

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Fall is pumpkin season and so many pumpkin inspired savory and sweet dishes are great treats to celebrate the spirit of the season with family and friends. No big Thanksgiving celebration this year though and it's important staying home, being healthy during this pandemic situation. So we are trying our best to enjoy holiday spirits with family this time!

Sabudana Khichdi/ Sago/Tapioca Pearl Pilaf

Sabudana khichdi is an easy and very popular Indian savory dish made with soaked sago/tapioca pearl, roasted peanuts and slightly spiced sauteed potato, served for breakfast, tea time snack and during Hindu rituals who observe fasting in the state of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and some other states. Sago or tapioca pearl is an acquired taste that is nicely balanced its chewy texture with crunchy peanuts and stir fried spiced potato mixture. This recipe makes 3-4 servings and it is satvik vegan, meaning no ghee, onion and garlic are used. 

Doi Murgi/Chicken in Yogurt Sauce

A traditional Bengali chicken curry with full of finesse simmered in a flavorful yogurt based gravy. It's a wonderful amalgamation of tangy yogurt, aromatic spices, ginger-garlic, caramelized onion and the pungent mustard oil. The nice color of the curry from sweet paprika, fresh red chili and turmeric is a perfect feast for the eyes and the flavorful curry will surely satisfy the taste buds. 

New York Cheesecake

Father's day is just around the corner. Lets celebrate Father's Day with this elegant and super tasty New York Cheesecake topped with summer's best glazed mixed berries! It has heavy cream in the cream cheese batter for richer taste and bit dense texture. A slightly sweet sour cream is topped over hot baked cheesecake and baked again until sour cream topping is set. The secrets to the best New York Cheesecake that doesn’t crack are room temperature ingredients, using spring form pan, proper mixing technique, water bath method, chilling completely before removing form the pan and last but not least patience!

Chicken Stroganoff

Stroganoff is a classic Russian sauteed meat dish in a sour cream based sauce. The dish got its name after powerful Stronganoff family. It originated in mid 19th century Russia and got its popularity around the world with many variations.