Whenever I think of a good toast, the very first thing that comes to my mind is the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread that we used to buy from the local bakery in my hometown in India. Warm bread loaves were covered in newspaper to keep them fresh. Even though white bread was the only option those days, the freshness of the loaves literally captivated my tastebuds. It wasn’t until I left home and moved to Australia that bread mostly in the form of toast became an indispensable part of my breakfast routine....

Love a good Piña Colada? Then here’s the drink for you: the Chi Chi drink! This Piña Colada with vodka is just as good as the original, in our opinion. It’s surprising how well it holds up to the rum-based classic. Whip it up in a blender and it’s tangy, sweet, coconut-y and tropical: the perfect beachy drink for summer or anytime you’re craving sun. What’s in a Chi Chi drink?...

Years ago, Chinese immigrants introduced their food in India which later evolved into one of the hugely popular cuisine across the country. The Indo Chinese cuisine is very similar to traditional Chinese but with few tweaks to suit Indian tastes. This Indo Chinese version of chilli chicken can be put together with just a few ingredients. Boneless chicken pieces are coated in a corn flour batter and then fried to perfection....

Here’s an easy dessert that’s irresistible every time: Chocolate Covered Strawberries! It might seem easier to buy this popular treat, but they’re so simple to make at home. This recipe shows you how to make perfectly chocolate dipped strawberries, where the crunch of the crisp chocolate yields to the sweet tart tender fruit inside. It’s quick to put together and there are loads of fun topping ideas for any occasion, like Valentine’s Day, New Years Eve, romantic dinner, birthday, and more!...

Want more impressive cake recipes? Try my pineapple upside-down cake, coconut cake, or lemon blueberry cake! When it comes to baking chocolate desserts, one of the most underrated ingredients is, without a doubt, coffee. It doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee but instead intensifies the chocolate flavor. This chocolate espresso cake ticks all the boxes. Why I love this recipe Naturally vegan. Like my death by chocolate cake, there are no dairy-based ingredients needed, yet you’d never be able to tell....

Frequently asked questions The zucchini keeps them so moist, they’re delicious for days! Your family and friends will thank you; we gave them away to friends and neighbors and they couldn’t stop talking about them! Zucchini: Do not drain the zucchini when making this recipe! The moisture is needed for the texture. All-purpose flour: You can substitute up to ¼ the flour with whole wheat flour if desired. Dutch process (dark) cocoa powder: This is the key ingredient!...

Here’s a drink that’s classy and complex: the Martinez! This classic cocktail is in the spirit-forward cocktail family, a cousin of the Martini and the Manhattan. To us, it’s an improvement on both! There’s so much going on flavor-wise. It’s balanced and just sweet enough, with notes of cherry and cinnamon, and a little spice at the finish. This cocktail hasn’t caught on in the same way as its cousins: but it absolutely deserves a place at the table....

And that’s it: how to make a Mudslide! Let us know if you make the classic or frozen version in the comments below. You can make this Mudslide recipe two ways: the classic drink is shaken with coffee liqueur and Irish cream and served up in a cocktail glass. It tastes creamy, classy, and irresistibly chocolaty! Of course, you can make it frozen too, blended up with vanilla ice cream....

There’s nothing we love more than a recipe that’s ultra simple and delivers on flavor. Meet this 5-ingredient Cottage Cheese Dip! It tastes like that good old ranch dip (you know, sour cream and a seasoning packet?). But it’s made with this healthy low-calorie, high protein cheese! All you need are a few seasonings from your pantry to make this into a stellar party dip. I scooped a tester bite out of the food processor and immediately exclaimed “Wow!...

Of the long list of Christmas shopping, crackers are a must. This year, why not adorn your entertaining table with the edible version of your favorite crackers? Such an amazing way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Not only are these crackers easy to prepare making them the perfect crowd pleaser, they are fancy and loaded with festive flavors. Let’s make these festive Christmas crackers Start with cutting the filo pastry into squares....

When it comes to entertaining, the Moscow Mule is pretty ideal. It’s tangy and refreshing, easy to make right into the mug, and everyone always loves it. So get ready for the best new fruity spin: the Cranberry Moscow Mule! This drink has loads of sweet tart flavor, balancing crisp cranberry with tangy lime and spicy ginger. Sip it out of an ice cold copper mug, and it’s ideal for fall and winter entertaining....

Got a bit of zucchini on hand? Here’s one way to turn it into dinner: this Creamy Zucchini Pasta recipe! It’s luxuriously creamy, coating the noodles in a silky Parmesan and Pecorino sauce. Add rounds of savory sautéed zucchini, garlic, lemon zest and a pop of herbaceous basil, and each bite is a symphony of flavor. We like to garnish with crunchy breadcrumbs for a pop of texture. This one was so satisfying, we couldn’t stop sneaking bites from the skillet before serving!...

Here’s a cocktail that’s a study in contrasts: try the Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita! This drink effortlessly pairs crisp and cool with spicy hot. And this marriage of flavors could not be more delicious. Each sip is refreshing and spa-like on the front end, but the finish gives a kick of heat! This one is a spin on our tasty Cucumber Margarita, and we must say: adding jalapeno makes it infinitely tastier....

Here’s a fun modern classic drink to impress: try the Division Bell cocktail! This smoky, sultry and citrusy pairing of mezcal, Aperol and maraschino liqueur is bold and eye-catching. Each sip is intriguing and makes you both savor and immediately lean in for another. This cocktail is new to the scene, but riffs on a classic. It will have everyone talking! Ingredients in the Division Bell cocktail The Division Bell cocktail is a mixed drink made with mezcal, Aperol, maraschino, and lime juice, invented in 2009 by Phil Ward....

Is there a substitute I can use if I do not have fenugreek seeds? I do have fenugreek powder, and I have black cumin seeds. fenugreek powder will work need 1/2 teaspoon Dear Manjula Aunty, When do you add the oil/butter? Hi Maam, which rice type is good for dosa batter? I have options among Jasmine, parboiled and basmati rice. Kanika, parboiled will be good, because I don’t make dosa very often and I always have basmati rice in my pantry, because of that I use basmati Aunty, how much quantity should I use to make for 7 people?...

Want to mix it up? Try Cajun Shrimp Pasta or Grilled Cajun Shrimp. The flavor is so savory, garlicky and irresistible, you’ll hardly believe the prep time. It takes only 5 minutes to put together! Pair it with a quick veggie side or salad and you’ve got dinner. And that’s it! Let us know what you think of this Cajun shrimp in the comments below. Or head to Cajun Shrimp Pasta for another spin....

Frequently asked questions It’s basically a vegetarian chicken salad sandwich, or a chickpea tuna salad. Made with smashed chickpeas, crunchy veggies, and a creamy dressing, it’s so tasty that it’s become one of our most popular chickpea recipes ever! Our kids are huge fans: they try to sneak bites while we’re making it! Canned chickpeas have a bit of salt added, so add a few pinches of kosher salt if you’re using cooked chickpeas....

We modeled this sauce after one of our favorite Italian recipes, Cacio e Pepe (“cheese and pepper pasta” in Italian). We curled up with bowls of this comfort food on the couch on a rainy evening and it was pretty much perfection! For a twist, here we’ve used gnocchi instead: those doughy pasta balls that are a little like tiny dumplings. Let me tell you: this creamy Pecorino sauce is truly incredible with gnocchi!...

Want more types of crema? Try Avocado Crema, Cilantro Lime Crema, or Chipotle Crema. That’s right: just throw it together with a bowl and a spoon! This is a new favorite way to garnish tacos, tamales, quesadillas, and burrito bowls because it’s so simple and full of flavor. In fact, I may have used the word “obsessed” to describe my relationship with this one. Here’s how it’s done! We love this lime crema recipe even more than cilantro lime crema because you don’t need a blender for the cilantro!...

Love slow-cooked beef recipes? Try my boneless beef short ribs, beef barbacoa, and beef shanks. Cozy stews and casseroles are a weekly staple in our household during the cooler months. If you love truly tender beef, then cooking with oxtails is a must. After using it to make oxtail soup and this hearty oxtail stew, our family has been converted, and I hope you will be, too! Why I love this recipe One pot meal....