Blog - Page 10 of 20 - Olga's Flavor Factory

Banana Foster Upside Down Cake

Pineapple Upside down is a really familiar dessert, and I recently decide to follow a similar concept to create this incredible Banana Foster Upside Down Cake. With the epic flavors of a butter and brown sugar topping, banana and rum, the cake part is so tender and soft.

Whatever your beverage of choice is, whether it's a glass of cold milk, or a warm mug of tea or coffee, they all go great with this slice of cake. It's so easy to make, and you don't even need an electric mixer to combine it all together, just a strong arm to use a simple whisk and a few bowls.

I've been making upside down cakes for years Pineapple and Apple, and I just knew that this one would be an awesome addition to the collection of recipes. You can serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream - now that is a heavenly treat. [Read more...]

Vanilla Souffle Cake

Vanilla Soufflé Cake, or Tорт "Птичье Молоко" (Bird’s Milk Cake), is a decadent dessert featuring a fluffy vanilla soufflé filling and a rich chocolate ganache coating. This indulgent treat is perfect for any celebration or special occasion.

Vanilla Soufflé Cake, also known as Tорт "Птичье Молоко" (Bird’s Milk Cake), is the ultimate indulgent treat. This chocolate-covered dessert features a fluffy, cloud-like vanilla soufflé filling that melts in your mouth with every bite. Perfectly paired with tea or coffee, it’s a cake that deserves to be shared with good company and celebrated on special occasions.

The soufflé filling of this cake is incredibly creamy and light, creating a luxurious texture that’s unlike any other. The tender cake itself is soaked in a chocolate liqueur syrup (my personal touch), and it’s all finished off with a rich, smooth chocolate ganache. While it might take some effort to make, the end result is completely worth it. After many years of tweaking and testing, I’m excited to share this perfected recipe, which has become a beloved family tradition.

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20 Quick Dinner Ideas When You Don't Have Anything Planned

Here's the scenario: It's 5pm, you have nothing planned for dinner, all the chicken or fish in the house is frozen and you have a hungry family wanting food ASAP. What do you do?

We all have nights when we don't feel like cooking anything complicated. There's also times when we don't feel inspired, (yes, even people who love to cook have plenty of times when they aren't in the mood to cook), or just simply did not put in any time or energy into planning a menu.

I like to have a well stocked supply of shelf stable or frozen ingredients, for the purpose of being able to cook up a simple and quick dinner without having to resort to takeout or a trip to the grocery store. Here are 20+ dinner ideas that are really easy and all made with ingredients that I usually have on hand or have easy substitutions. Next time dinner time rolls around and you have no idea what to cook, you can refer to this recipe round up. [Read more...]

Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wraps

We recently went out for lunch with my siblings to a Mediterranean place in downtown Tampa called the Paninoteca Cafe. My sister, Milana, used to live in that area with her husband for a few years right after they got married, so they had eaten there frequently and highly recommended the place to all of us. The food was absolutely amazing. Everything we ordered was so well made and had lots of great flavors. The Mediterranean flavors really stuck with me, so I've been making a lot of their food at home lately. Homemade pita is amazing! My husband ordered this Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wrap and, of course, I had to try it too. From the very first bite I knew I would be recreating it at home.

The fluffy, warm pita bread wraps around the juicy chicken and the roasted vegetables. The zucchini, eggplant and bell pepper are all such a wonderful pairing. The garlic aioli is the perfect sauce to go along with all these other ingredients. I love how juicy this wrap is, but all the vegetables still have great texture too. It tastes so fresh. I roasted the vegetables in the oven, but I bet it would taste even better if we grilled the chicken and vegetables. I'm sure we'll be making these wraps many, many times, so we'll get a chance to try it both ways. This would be such a great meal to serve to company, no matter if you want to make it a typical dinner around the dining room table, or have a backyard barbecue. It's also easy enough to serve the wraps as an extra special lunch or a quick and easy dinner. I had the Macedonian salad at the Paninoteca - also phenomenally good, made with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, fresh herbs and feta cheese, so the two would be a perfect match. [Read more...]

Favorites From Trader Joe's

We have a Trader Joe's about 40 minutes away, so I don't go there very often, usually every 3 months or so. This store is known for its affordably priced healthy and often organic groceries. The prices for organic produce is much more pocket friendly than a normal grocery store. However, just because you're shopping at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods doesn't mean that everything is healthy. You still have to read the ingredient lists if that is important to you. I try to buy things that don't have any weird ingredients or ones that I can't even pronounce. Since I don't go to Trader Joe's very often, my favorites are usually things that are pantry staples. [Read more...]

One Dish Asparagus and Mushroom Pasta

Asparagus season is here and I am celebrating. For something so simple to prepare, this cheery green vegetable sure packs a punch of flavor. Another favorite of mine are easy one dish dinners. Both fresh and dry mushrooms add even more flavor and heartiness to this satisfying dish.

Who else loves easy dinners like this one? I'm all about keeping it simple because there's more to life than standing next to the stove:). With a few great ingredients, you can have dinner on the table in half an hour. [Read more...]

Salmon and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Sergi and I love having company. We love dinner parties, overnight guests, barbecues and picnics. If it involves food and friends and family - we're all in. When we were buying our house, one of the biggest priorities on a list was a big and open living space so that we could fit lots of people into our home.

I get excited about planning menus and decor, but I like impromptu gatherings just as much. Getting together for coffee or tea is a big part of the Slavic culture and I think it's because we love spending time with people, whether it's our loved ones or people that we just met. Coffee/tea can be as casual as you want, with no prep work at all (as long as you left your house in decent shape), because you can just come up with appetizers, snacks and sweets on the fly or have lots of options with a quick trip to the grocery store.

Smoked salmon has tons of possibilities. It can be served any time of day, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's tasty and sophisticated. These tea sandwiches look so elegant and beautiful. The tart and creamy spread has lots of flavor from the fresh herbs and the lemon juice. The smoky salmon pairs so well with the fresh, crunchy cucumbers. Next time you invite someone over, you don't have to wonder what to serve with the tea. [Read more...]

Deluxe BLT Salad With Avocado

This hearty BLT Salad with Avocado is made with maple-glazed bacon, fresh greens, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a simple vinaigrette. It’s filling enough to be a main course and easy to prep in advance for a quick, delicious meal!

If you're a fan of the classic BLT, you're going to love this BLT Salad with Avocado! The star of the show is definitely the maple-glazed bacon—it’s sweet, smoky, and perfectly complemented by freshly cracked black pepper. Paired with a mix of peppery arugula, sweet spinach, and crunchy romaine, this salad has a perfect balance of flavors. Add in juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a few extra crunchy veggies like cucumber, radishes, and peppers, and you’ve got a salad that’s as satisfying as it is delicious.

This BLT Salad with Avocado is not just a side dish, it can easily be a main course! The best part? It’s super easy to prep ahead of time, making it a perfect option for meal prep or a work lunch. Just toss everything together, drizzle with a simple olive oil and vinegar vinaigrette, and enjoy. The mix of fresh ingredients and hearty bacon makes every bite a little bit of heaven. Plus, it’s totally customizable—use red or white vinegar, or even champagne vinegar for a twist. It’s fresh, filling, and packed with all the flavors you love.

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Homemade Fish Sticks With Tartar Sauce

These baked homemade fish sticks are crisp and golden on the outside and really juicy and flaky on the inside. They are perfect served with creamy tartar sauce.

Homemade Fish Sticks With Creamy Tartar Sauce. The fish sticks are crisp and crunchy on the inside and juicy and flaky on the inside.

Homemade fish sticks are such a simple, satisfying finger food. If I'm in the mood for a healthier, heartier snack, fish sticks are perfect. If made right, they are juicy and flaky on the inside with a crisp and crunchy crust. I've made these fish sticks as a dinner entree too, in which case I like to leave the fish fillets whole.

Any firm white fish fillets will work for this recipe, which I got from Cook's Country and have been using ever since. The tartar sauce is the traditional complementary sauce and I give you my version of it. It's perfectly creamy, tart and of course, with plenty of pickles.

To get the really crisp and golden breading on the fish sticks, you have to toast the bread crumbs first, which is a brilliant technique, since the breadcrumbs are already golden before they start baking and get really crisp in the oven. If you use untoasted breadcrumbs, they will be pasty and soggy, even if you bake them longer. The fish also gets dredged in a thick coat of mayonnaise, eggs and mustard, which makes sure that the breading really sticks well to the fish and flavors the fish so it's extra tasty. An added benefit is that most kids will gobble up these fish sticks and not turn up their noses that you offered them seafood:).

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Menu Planning Video

Menu planning is one of the highlights of my week:). I love to relax with a cup of tea, my planner and notebook and brainstorm of the meals that I will be cooking the following meal. I know that not everyone is like that. I was asked so many questions about menu planning when I did the Q&A a while ago, I thought this subject deserved its own video. Even if you hate cooking and menu planning, if you take just 15 minutes per week to plan our your meals, it will make your life so much easier, help you save time and money. Believe it or not, having a menu plan means you'll spend LESS time thinking about food.

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Favorites From Costco

Before you get married, you picture the weekends as a chance to spend some romantic time with your spouse, strolling hand in hand on a sandy beach as the gentle waves lap at your feet, or maybe having a picnic at the park. Weekends would be a special time, you told yourself, to relax, reconnect and rekindle your love for each other. That does sound nice, but the reality is, that once the weekend finally arrives, you find yourself strolling through the aisles of Costco.

What can I say, being an adult also brings many responsibilities, including grocery shopping, paying bills, cleaning, laundry and mowing the lawn. Being an adult also means that you actually get giddy with embarrassing excitement while you're "fulfilling your duties" (and spending money) at Costco. Ever since we signed up for our Costco membership, we enjoy the trip, stocking up on our tried and true favorites as well as discovering new things to bring home. We go to Costco about 2-3 times/month. Some things we buy all the time, and other things last us up to a year. Of course, since there's only 2 adults and a baby in our household, sometimes it doesn't make sense to buy something in bulk no matter how good the price may be. Also, just because it's sold in bulk doesn't necessarily mean that it will be cheaper, so you still have to look at the unit prices, to make sure it really is a good deal. [Read more...]

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

This is the ultimate homemade macaroni and cheese for grown ups! Cheesy, creamy, packed with flavor and sprinkled with some crunchy bread crumbs on top to make it even more amazing.

Macaroni and cheese is such a humble dish, but it brings out strong emotions from many people. It's comforting and nostalgic, sometimes bringing deep sentimentality from adults, satisfaction from children and tears of frustration from mothers whose children refuse to eat anything else.

No matter which category you fall into (or maybe you're like me who enjoys a bowl of mac n cheese about once a year), this recipe will bring a smile to everybody's face. It's very simple to make and you can add lots of great things to boost up the flavor or keep it as uncomplicated as you (or your picky children) wish. I like to add a little bit of onion, garlic, dry mustard and cayenne pepper that makes the cheese sauce taste phenomenal. As you get a spoonful of cheesy, gooey macaroni and cheese, the golden and crunchy breadcrumbs sprinkled on top give it texture and another dimension of taste.

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Russian Beet Salad "Vinegret"

Discover the authentic Russian beet salad Vinegret, a flavorful mix of beets, potatoes, and pickles that has such a great combination of flavors and textures. A vibrant, make-ahead dish for any occasion.

If you're Belarusian like me, or have Slavic roots, you’ll definitely recognize this classic recipe—Russian Beet Salad, or Vinegret. This vibrant salad is a staple at almost every holiday, special occasion, and family gathering. Despite the name sounding like "vinaigrette," Vinegret is actually a hearty, flavorful salad made with beets, potatoes, carrots, pickles, and sauerkraut. It's a timeless dish that’s been loved for generations and is still a crowd-pleaser today. When I look at the list of ingredients, it's easy to see why it was so popular - it's made up of all things that were readily available during the big holidays - Christmas, New Year's and Easter for our ancestors.

Back in the days of the Soviet Union, our parents and grandparents didn't have anything available except what was in season or local, so they had to make do with whatever they had canned or brined during the summer and fall as well the vegetables that could be stored in the root cellar during the long, cold winter months. The ingenuity of creating so many tasty dishes with such a limited pantry has always impressed me.

I love this salad. The beets and carrots give sweetness, the potatoes - heartiness and the pickles and sauerkraut give tartness and flavor. In addition to being a holiday favorite, I also love making Vinegret for an easy, go-to lunch throughout the week. The beauty of this salad is that you can chop everything up ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Then, whenever you’re ready to eat, just toss it together for a flavorful, filling meal. The flavors only get better as they sit, making it the perfect salad for meal prepping. It’s so easy to serve and enjoy—whether it’s for a quick lunch or a light side dish.

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Homemade Strawberry Jam (Using Frozen Strawberries!)

Making homemade strawberry jam is quite simple and you can even use frozen strawberries. This means that you can make it all year long, even when strawberries aren't in season. I also love that this jam isn't cloyingly sweet, since I use significantly less sugar than most recipes call for.

Homemade strawberry jam is my absolute favorite and I love how convenient and easy this recipe is. Not only can you make this jam when it's strawberry season and you have an abundance of glorious strawberries, but you can also use frozen strawberries.

When I lived in New York, our family would go strawberry picking every year and come back home with buckets and buckets of gorgeous red beauties. If you're ambitious and have extra time, you can make jam right away, but another option is to freeze the berries while they are still at their best. You can use it for smoothies all throughout the year and then make jam when you have some pockets of free time in the midst of your busy life.

Another really special thing about this recipe is that has HALF as much sugar as most typical recipes. I know that you need a lot of sugar for the jam to set properly, but I've finally made a recipe that works. The jam sets just enough, it's not too cloyingly sweet. My whole family loves it. It's so much better than store bought jam. I love using this jam in many recipes, especially as a filling in yeast buns, danishes, puff pastries and more commonplace ways like on toast and crepes or as a topping on yogurt.

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One Dish Chicken and Potato Dinner - Video Recipe

This One Dish Chicken and Potato Dinner is all roasted at the same time, so the juicy chicken breast and the tender but crisp potatoes, bell pepper, shallots and garlic create a delicious meal.

Who likes one dish dinners as much as I do?

This one in particular is one of my favorites - roasted chicken breasts with potatoes, peppers and shallots. [Read more...]

Crisp Cucumber Salad

If you’re looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make salad that adds a burst of flavor to your meal, this Crisp Cucumber Salad just what you need. With crisp cucumbers, peppers, and carrots combined with a tangy, slightly sweet dressing, it’s the perfect side dish to complement any main course.

Are you stuck in a salad rut and looking for a new twist to spice things up? I get it—dinner never feels complete without a side of veggies, but after spending time on the main course, the last thing I want is a complicated salad. That’s where this Crisp Cucumber Salad comes in. It’s fresh, easy to make, and delivers the perfect balance of crunch and flavor without a ton of effort.

This salad is so easy to put together but has a unique combination of flavors, even though the ingredients are all very basic and you can find them in any store pretty much year round. The vegetables are all so crisp - the cucumbers, peppers and carrot and the dressing gives the salad a slightly sweet and a little bit tangy flavor. The cilantro is amazing in this salad, if you love cilantro like I do. If you don't, parsley will still give it lots of fresh flavor. It's colorful, beautiful and will be great for simple family meals or even your next dinner party. [Read more...]

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Easy weeknight dinners are my thing. My prep work is limited to very short periods of time when I'm the only one home with the baby. It either needs to get done during nap time, or in short spurts while I'm chasing him around the house, while he's pulling himself up by my legs and rescuing him from when he gets himself stuck in between the table and chairs of the dining room. He hasn't quite gotten the concept of crawling back OUT, the way he got in, he tries to stand up, keeps banging his head and cries until I pull him out. Anyway, this dinner is great because there aren't a lot of ingredients to prep and you can even cut all the vegetables in advance, like the night before, or in the morning. The actual stir frying takes only 15-20 minutes, so make sure to start your rice before you do anything.

I love this very simple but tasty stir fry. Chicken and broccoli are natural partners in so many dishes, so, of course, they are great here too. With just a few others and an amazing sauce to pull it all together, I'll bet this is a meal that the whole family will enjoy, even picky eaters. The chicken is really the star, though. The coating on it makes it extremely juicy on the inside but still has a lovely golden and crisp exterior. You can use chicken thighs or breast using this method, although I do prefer chicken thighs. When I sauté the chicken, I can never resist snatching a piece to sample and then I just want to eat a whole plate of just chicken, and usually I'm the one who prefers the vegetables. I hope you give this recipe a try. It's one of our "go-to's". [Read more...]

Very Berry Cloud Cakes (The Fluffiest Pancakes In the World)

Pancakes may be served for breakfast in most homes, but these are so delicious, I sometimes make them for an after-dinner treat. Buttermilk pancakes are fluffy and flavorful, to begin with, but when you do the extra step of whipping the egg whites, it transforms the pancakes immediately into magical cloud cakes. They are so light and feathery. With bursts of fresh berries in each bite, it gives them an extra special touch. I'm also including a recipe for whipped strawberry butter to be served along with the cloud cakes.

You will need to close your eyes while indulging in every bite because you will feel like you are dreaming. Surprise your loved ones with an extra special breakfast or as a treat for dinner, like I do. Everyone in my family is such a fan of pancakes and now they have become one of Nathaniel's favorite foods too. I will happily oblige because nothing makes me happier than seeing smiles on my loved ones' faces. [Read more...]

Top 10 Recipes of 2015

2015 was a wonderful and blessed year for our family. I didn't cook as much as I normally do, because I didn't have the best health for most of the year, but I still spent time in the kitchen, because I genuinely love it. For me, cooking is therapeutic and my creative outlet. I thought I would share our top 10 recipes, that were loved so much by our family and I make over and over again. (By the way, they are not in any particular order.) [Read more...]

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. [Read more...]

Madeleines

Looking for a simple, elegant dessert? These Madeleines are light, fluffy, and golden, making them a perfect addition to your baking repertoire.

Madeleines are classic beauties. Their simple but perfect flavor is proof that a few simple ingredients can achieve perfection. There are many flavor options, but my favorite is the standard vanilla. You probably have the ingredients on hand for them too, because they don't require anything fancy, except for the baking pan.

They are elegant and understated, so they can be the "little black dress" in your cookie repertoire. I like that I can make them for a special occasion, but can also make them any time so easily as a weekday treat for my family. Madeleines are just like little cakes and are perfect with a cup of tea.

I played around with several variations of ingredients and techniques to create the perfect texture - tender and fluffy with a golden exterior and a slight bump on the top. After a few tries, I finally reached exactly what I was looking for and I hope you enjoy it too.

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Peanut Butter, Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oatmeal cookies are so soft, chewy and comforting. I love the texture and flavor that oats give to sweet treats. Who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies, especially this time of year? They give me a touch of nostalgia too, because I used to bring oatmeal cookies with me to lunch for school. When I saw this recipe on Skippy's website, I knew right away that I would make these cookies. Adding peanut butter to oatmeal chocolate chip cookies makes them even better - so rich, flavorful and creamy too. They are so delicious with a cold cup of milk or with a hot cup of coffee.

What's great about these cookies is that they are SO easy to make and you'll get a lot of cookies from a batch too. You can even freeze the cookie dough and whenever you are in the mood for something sweet, you can pop it in the oven, no need for thawing, and bake yourself 2 cookies or a dozen. How convenient is that? [Read more...]

Christmas Breakfast Ideas

Christmas mornings are magical. I have so many happy memories of waking up really early on Christmas morning, and sitting next to the festive tree, opening presents with my siblings while my sleepy parents watched us with smiles on their faces. Now that I'm an adult and have a baby of my own, I want to just soak in all those warm, gushy feelings and bottle them up inside, so I can look back on them forever.

I'm a huge advocate of starting out each day with a filling breakfast. Of course, I want to make the morning meal extra special on Christmas morning. However, I DON'T want to wake up earlier or spend my time in the kitchen while everyone else is having all the Christmas fun. Here are my suggestions for a festive breakfast. I have lots of Christmas breakfast ideas for you, so that you can make all these things in advance and have minimal work on Christmas day. Make Christmas breakfast part of the memories that your family members will cherish forever. [Read more...]

Tropical Chex Party Mix

With the holidays coming up, many of us will be traveling to see family. I am so excited to spend Christmas with my parents, siblings and all of our little ones. With more than 20 hours of driving from Florida to New York, I am always looking for great snacks to bring on the road with us. Trail mixes have always been a favorite for both my husband and myself. However, did you notice that when you rifle through a store bought trail mix, you're constantly digging for your favorites and then you're left with half a bag of stuff you don't really like and you either have to throw it out or eat it because you're bored? It happens to me every time.

That's why it's so cool to make your own trail mix - you can add only the things that you love and every time you reach for a handful you'll be happy and not have to throw half of the handful back into the bag, hoping that maybe your fellow passengers might like it. Crunchy Chex cereal, a variety of nuts and pretzels are coated in a slightly sweet, salty and cinnamony topping and then I added all our favorite dry fruit and of course, chocolate and coconut flakes. This combination is our favorite. What sort of things do you like in your trail mix? [Read more...]

Homemade Supreme Pizza

Did you know that the secret to having a really crisp crust on a pizza is baking it in a blazing hot oven on a pizza stone? Yep, you can finally achieve the same results at home that you get from the really great pizzerias.

I know that getting a take out pizza may seem so much easier, but it's actually really easy to make pizza yourself. If you make homemade pizza dough and keep it on hand in your freezer, the whole pizza making process will take you less time than getting the pizza delivered from a local shop. Plus, how fun would it be to have a pizza party and let your guests have the fun of customizing their own pizzas? You could set up different stations with a bunch of different topping options, turn on some music and let everyone get creative. Plus, it's especially helpful to make a quick pizza on busy nights and just use whatever toppings that you can find in your pantry or fridge.

The pizza bakes so quickly, you'll barely have time to set the table and get the drinks ready. [Read more...]

Beef, Barley and Mushroom Stew

Warm up with this hearty Beef, Barley, and Mushroom Stew! Packed with tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and hearty, wholesome barley, it’s the ultimate comfort food. With potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and juicy mushrooms in every bite, this rich and satisfying stew is perfect for cozy dinners.

A stew is like the perfect marriage of a hearty entree and a cozy soup—warm, comforting, and full of flavor. This Beef, Barley, and Mushroom Stew has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. It's the kind of meal that wraps you in a blanket of warmth, filling you up with every bite.

The best part? The tender, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of beef, cooked to perfection with hearty potatoes, sweet carrots, fresh celery, and savory mushrooms. The rich broth brings it all together, and the tomatoes add just the right touch of tanginess. But the real star here is the barley—oh, I absolutely love it! The barley gives the stew a creamy, satisfying texture that takes it from delicious to irresistible.

If you're like me, you’ll love how versatile this stew is. I’m always experimenting with it! For a mushroom lover like me, I often add extra mushrooms to really make them the star of the dish. If you can get your hands on some wild mushrooms—like a mix of earthy varieties or even chanterelles—you’re in for an extra treat. They bring such a deep, satisfying flavor to the stew. For an even richer, creamier finish, I’ll sometimes stir in a little heavy cream, and it takes the whole dish to a whole new level of indulgence. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or mix it up, this stew is easy to customize and always delicious.

This stew is perfect for meal prep. It reheats beautifully, making it an easy and delicious option for busy days. You can even freeze a batch for later, and it’ll taste just as comforting and rich when you’re ready to enjoy it again. It’s one of those dishes that gets even better with time, letting all the flavors continue to meld together.

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Antipasti Stromboli

Who makes sandwiches on a regular basis? Sandwiches are probably one of the most common lunches, so I'm sure there are many of us with sandwich fixins in our fridge. That's good news if you want to make this Stromboli, since you will probably have most of these ingredients on hand. Sandwiches may seem like a no-brainer, but when you put together just the perfect combination of deli meat with cheese and other toppings, adding crunch, brininess, saltiness and fresh flavors, something passable suddenly becomes a gourmet experience.

When the bread is freshly baked, the deli meat is hot, the cheese is melted and gooey and the rest of the ingredients add flavor and interest to the mix, you've got yourself a perfect meal. This is no longer a sandwich - it's a sophisticated new cousin. Better yet, if you make the pizza dough in advance and have it in your freezer, you can whip this up any time you feel like it. You can use just about any kind of fillings that you have in you refrigerator. Here, the combination of common antipasti components come together in a perfectly beautiful and tasty Stromboli. [Read more...]

Homemade Pizza Dough

Busy people need "rescue recipes". Even on really hectic days when things don't go as planned or you just have a lot going on, there should be meals that you can make at a moment's notice. Having pizza dough on hand is a wonderful option for just those occasions. Not only is it really easy to whip up on the day that you plan to have pizza, but you can make it a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. Even better - you can store pizza dough in the freezer for up to 3 months! Isn't that awesome? Make a couple batches of pizza dough, throw them in your freezer, and when you know that you'll have a really busy day, take out the dough the night before and put it in your refrigerator to thaw. Add the toppings, bake and you have dinner ready in 15-20 minutes. That's less time than it takes to order a pizza and it will taste incredible too.
Not in a pizza mood? No problem. Pizza dough has many other uses too. How about calzones, stromboli or garlic knots? With tons of different ingredients combinations, you can come up with just about anything that you and your family can enjoy.

I didn't even talk about this dough yet. It creates the most amazing crisp and chewy crust, just the way pizza dough should be. It's important to use bread flour if you want that chewy texture. It bakes up to tender and fluffy perfection on the inside and tastes like carb heaven. [Read more...]

Feeding My Baby - Transitioning To Solids

One of my greatest pleasures as a mom and a cook is feeding my baby. Now that Nathaniel is 9 months old and is a champion eater, I thought it was high time to share our experience with all of you, especially for those of you who have little ones of your own.

I have to start out by saying that every baby is so different; I am simply sharing our experience. Your baby may be completely different. You might have a totally different approach to feeding your baby. As long as our babies are healthy and getting needed nutrients, that's what's most important, right?

We are very blessed with a good eater; Nathaniel is not picky at all. In fact, I can't think of anything that he didn't like that we've offered him so far. [Read more...]

Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted root vegetables are the perfect way to enjoy the deep, earthy flavors of seasonal produce. With options like potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, and parsnips, these veggies create a delicious and versatile side dish for any meal.

Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, and parsnips are fantastic during the cooler months when fresh produce can be limited. These veggies are not only delicious on their own but work incredibly well together, creating a rich and flavorful side dish that adds variety to your meals.

Roasting is one of my favorite ways to cook vegetables because it brings out their natural sweetness and creates a golden, caramelized exterior. Adding garlic and fresh herbs really enhances the flavors, making these roasted root vegetables a perfect accompaniment to roasted meats like beef, pork, or chicken. Whether you stick to the basics with potatoes, carrots, and onions or mix in some more unusual roots, this dish is simple, versatile, and full of flavor.

[Read more...]

Thanksgiving Decor and Party Planning Tips

For a special occasion like Thanksgiving, adding a bit of simple decor can be very easy but add so much cheer and beauty to the room. Also, I share some tips to make hosting be stress-free and go smoothly. This is the last video in my Thanksgiving series. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! [Read more...]

Apple Almond Cake

You can't go wrong with an Apple Almond Cake this time of year. Any dessert that has apples in it, has my name written all over it. If you've been wondering what to make for a celebratory cake for one of the upcoming holidays, you don't need to wonder anymore.

I love looking for inspiration for new recipes to try and when I found this recipe, I was immediately intrigued. With a few minor adjustments, this cake has become a big hit in our family. I tried to be very descriptive and detailed in the instructions. The cake is actually very easy to make. If you read through the instructions and make the cake once, the next time you will breeze right through it.

This cake is as surprising and unusual as it is delicious. The cake layers are very much like a shortbread cookie, sandy in texture and not too sweet. The addition of toasted almonds really gives the cake layers a lot of texture and flavor. I've never had a cake with applesauce before, but it creates the perfect harmony with the sandy, crisp cake layers and the creamy, fluffy cream cheese frosting. I really love the slight tartness that the applesauce gives the cake. The cake layers soften and become tender and the flavors of apple and almond sing through each bite. [Read more...]

Homemade Vegetable Broth

The most flavorful homemade vegetable broth made with a variety of vegetables is actually really easy to make. This staple recipe is one that you can customize and use in many other recipes.

Homemade broth is so easy to make and it tastes a million times better than store bought broth. Vegetable broth is the easiest of all broths. You don't have to work with raw meat at all, and prepping the vegetables couldn't be simpler and faster. In addition, you don't even have to peel anything and a rough chop is all that's needed, no precise knife work here.

One of the best parts of making your own broth is that you can adjust the flavor of the broth by using any vegetables that you like. Plus, you can be very frugal, and use up all your kitchen scraps. I like to make a huge portion and freeze the broth, so I have some on hand all the time and only have to make fresh broth every few months.

Broth doesn't need any baby sitting; it will be happily simmering away while you do other housework, or hang out with your family. That's when I usually make it. I'll throw everything in the pot, wait for it to boil, reduce the heat and leave it alone while I watch a movie with my family or curl up with a good book. I also have recipes for Chicken Broth and Beef Broth - the flavor of homemade broth is just the best and so worth it.

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French Onion Mini Meatloaves

French Onion Mini Meatloaves are the ultimate comfort food, combining the delicious flavors of French Onion Soup into individual-sized meatloafs. Topped with caramelized onions and melted cheese, these meatloaves are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy dinner.

If you love French Onion Soup, then these French Onion Mini Meatloaves are going to be your new favorite dinner. French Onion Soup is comforting and delicious for a reason—the sweet caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and gooey melted cheese create an irresistible combination. Now, imagine all of that cozy goodness packed into mini meatloaves! These little meatloaves bring together all the classic flavors of French Onion Soup, but in a fun, practical, and totally delicious way.

Mini meatloaves are not only cute, but they’re also super convenient. Everyone gets their own little personal meatloaf, no need to slice and serve. Plus, they cook faster than a full-sized loaf! The caramelized onions on top add extra flavor and make the meat even juicier, while the melted, golden cheese seals the deal with its gooey, cheesy perfection. These French Onion Mini Meatloaves are the perfect cozy meal to serve for dinner any night of the week.

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Stuffed Hash Browns

Weird coincidences do happen sometimes, like the fact that I was born in Minsk, Belarus and my husband was born in Pinsk, Belarus, but we actually met in NY state. Our Belorussian heritage could be why we share very similar tastebuds. When it comes to an indulgent breakfast that we both love, it usually includes hash browns, eggs and bacon. One of the stereotypes of Belorussians did come true for both of us, we are admittedly "bulbyashi" to the core. (Bulbyashi - "бульбаши" is a play on the Belorussian word for potato , "bulba", if you're not familiar with the Russian language.) It looks like our son is following in our footsteps. Nathaniel loves potatoes.

On one of those relaxing weekend mornings, I got struck with the idea of recreating this common breakfast into something completely different - stuffed hash browns. After trying it out and tasting the results, both Sergi and I agreed that this was such a great idea. It's basically like a big, inside-out omelet, since the eggs are encased inside the potatoes. Isn't that pretty cool?

The potatoes are perfectly golden and crisp wrapped around a filling of soft scrambled eggs, bacon and lots of gooey, melted cheese. What a neat package. One of these ginormous "stuffed hash browns" or "inside out omelets" (whatever you want to call it) is enough to feed two, so it's a great way to start off a romantic weekend. [Read more...]

Sunshine Tropical Fruit Salad

Aren't the cheerful, vivid colors of this fruit salad beautiful? Anytime you're having company over and don't know what to make for dessert, make a fruit salad. Not only is it so much easier than baking something, it's healthy and always guarantees a stunning presentation.

Most fruit salads can't be made more than a few hours in advance. Fruit may have some great qualities, but unfortunately, most of it ages gracelessly and ridiculously fast. Cut up an apple or a banana, and they will be brown in no time. Slice up some strawberries, toss in some raspberries, and you will have a droopy, soggy salad before you know it.

This fruit salad is an absolute dream to work with. You can make it in advance and it will still be just as crisp and beautiful as the moment it left your cutting board. I am not kidding you, I was eating this salad for a WEEK and it was still in absolute perfect condition, both taste and texture. That means you can make a big bowl of it at the beginning of the week, portion it out into small cute mason jars that are all the rage nowadays, and you can add it to your lunchbox all week long. How awesome is that? [Read more...]

Elina's Buffalo Chicken Dip

Do you know who makes the best snacks? Youth group leaders' wives, that's who! I mean, come on, when you're constantly around young people who are always hungry, you learn a thing or two about keeping them happy by feeding them. Plus, you make your husband look good because everyone wants to hang out at your place. If you feed them, they will come.

My sister, Elina, is an expert in this department. She's had many years of practice as a youth group leader's wife. Not only does she make the best desserts, I'm talking about cupcakes, cookies, cakes rolls, etc., but one of her specialties is this Buffalo Chicken Dip. It's creamy, cheesy and tastes like a buffalo chicken wing. What's not to like? Plus, you don't have to deal with the bones. The dip also has Ranch dressing and blue cheese in it, so it's all the best features of chicken wings mixed into one awesome, hot dip. Serve it with celery and it's the whole package. We also like it with chips, carrot sticks, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes.

If you make this for teenagers, you won't have any leftovers, but if you make it for a small family, you can spread the dip in between some tortillas and cook it in a skillet to make some really awesome Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas. You know what else is great? This appetizer takes about 10 minutes to make, and that's really important if you have 3 little children like Elina does. She is a superwoman, of course. [Read more...]

Pistachio Bread

This Pistachio Bread will make your home feel like a fancy coffee shop as it bakes. It's so soft and tender, brimming with crunchy pistachios in every bite.

Simple and easy desserts are my favorite to make at home. This Pistachio bread is the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee. It's tender, not too sweet, with the crunch and flavor of the pistachios inside and lots of crunchiness on top too. Since it's not too sweet on the inside, the pretty glaze is a lovely finishing touch.

Going to a coffee shop always makes me feel so relaxed and sophisticated. My favorite kind are the ones that are inside bookstores. Whoever came up with the concept of Barnes and Noble was a genius. Of course, not only do they sell all kinds of drinks there, but there's usually an assortment of sweets to choose from. This is why I love to recreate that feeling in my own home, whether it's just to enjoy with my family, or invite some guests over.

This bread will make your own house smell 10 times better than any coffee shop. It's so easy to make and looks gorgeous. How about serving it to your friends next time you get together for tea, for a brunch or put it in your lunchbox to enjoy at work the next day?

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Green Goddess Dressing

This Green Goddess Salad Dressing is a creamy, tangy dressing packed with fresh herbs and garlic. Quick to make with pantry staples, it’s perfect for salads, sandwiches, wraps, or as a veggie dip.

Making your own salad dressings from scratch is one of my favorite kitchen hacks. Not only does it cut down on the clutter in my fridge, but it also guarantees a fresh and flavorful dressing every time. Gone are the days of dealing with half-empty, expired bottles of store-bought dressing. Homemade dressings are incredibly easy to make and taste so much better than anything you can buy off the shelf, plus you get to control exactly what goes into it.

This Green Goddess Salad Dressing is a perfect example of how simple and delicious homemade dressings can be. With a base of creamy, tangy goodness and packed with fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon juice, it’s a flavor-packed addition to any salad. It's not just for salads, though—you can use it as a dip for veggies, a mayo substitute in sandwiches, or even as a tartar sauce alternative. The best part? The ingredients are pantry staples, so you can make this dressing anytime you want without the hassle of a store-bought bottle.

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Cooking With Butternut Squash

Autumn brings out an array of pumpkin and squash. This time of year, I make sure to take advantage of these lovely ingredients and cook with them as much as I can while they are still available. They will stay in great shape for a long time and I keep them on my counter to be made into both sweet and savory meals. Not only is butternut squash delicious, it is full of vitamins and nutrients. You can store whole squash at room temperature for weeks. [Read more...]

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