Like me, if you are looking for a new and delicious way to end a meal this fall, this dessert is for you? Quick, easy, flavorful, irresistible bite size pumpkin delight.

Muhammara – Middle Eastern Red Pepper Dip

Being an avid fan of hummus and baba ganoush, I thought of trying out another Middle Eastern dip, Muhammara. A colorful, vibrant dip, often found in Lebanese, Syrian or Palestinian mezze, made of red bell peppers, walnut and pomegranate molasses. My oh my, did we become addicted to muhammara or what! I am salivating just at the thought of muhammara as these pictures were taken few months ago! It’s that good, my friends.

Chicken Dopeyaja – Always a winner

Lip smacking chicken curry is prepared with lots and lots of onions.  Enjoy flavorful, creamy, luscious chicken dopeyaja with tortilla, naan or rice.  Always a winner!

Candied Winter Melon – Chal Kumrar Morobba

I love making desserts with fruits and vegetables.  It’s my kind of way to ease the guilt of eating sweets.  Off course, desserts made of fruits and vegetables are much healthier(well, depending on how it’s made) than the kinds made of sugar, butter and refined flour only.  Candied winter melon or chal kumrar morobba is one of such dessert.

Homemade Broth

I had almost forgotten the taste of soups made from homemade broth. My mom came and stayed with us for a month after R was born. While she was with us, she made me soup with freshly cooked broth frequently.  There was no turning back after I remembered the taste of broth made from scratch. Ever since then, I stopped buying the boxed broth(I stopped buying the canned one long before), be it chicken, beef or vegetable.

Kale Pesto with a twist

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Growing up, like many, I wasn’t big fan of leafy vegetables.  I used to tell my mom that leafy vegetables are food for four legged animals like cows, goats, etc. and clearly since I am not one of those four-legged animals, I shouldn’t have to eat them.  She off course didn’t pay much attention and continued offering leafy greens.  Though I’ve come a long way from the four legged animal thought, I do not necessarily explore too much of leafy vegetables outside of what I grew up with.  Kale is one of them I didn’t know about until I moved to USA.

Birth of a mother – A Transformation

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.

–       Shree Rajneesh, Spiritual Leader

Being a mother isn’t just a biological process –it is about commitment, love, joy and so much more.  It is a blessing and it is about ensuring the life long dedication to make a sensible, responsible, honest human being out of a child.  Becoming a mother has its anxieties and dilemmas.  It is nowhere close to the calm and poised image shown on television ads or movies. For some women, the ultimate goal may not be to become a mother.  For some, the decision may not come easy.

Shrimp in a blanket

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I love how versatile shrimp can be and how it always tastes great. These shrimp in a blanket sticks are wrapped in thin rice paper. They are crunchy on the outside, soft and spicy in the inside.  These are fun food on a stick and can be served as appetizer or snack but also great as sides with soups, stir fry or fried rice. Oh, did I mention that these are not your regular shrimp wrapped in a blanket but has an extra layer in between the blanket and the shrimp.  Curious to find out what the extra soft, fluffy and spicy layer is?