Posts

Recipes › Vegan Healthy Grilled Eggplant and Halloumi Wrap By Samira Kazan updated November 02, 2023 This healthy Middle Eastern eggplant and halloumi wrap is filled with grilled halloumi, eggplant, lettuce, and a fresh tomato and cucumber salad with garlic sauce . It makes for a quick and delicious vegetarian lunch and BBQ dish! I have a bit of an obsession with Middle Eastern sandwiches and wraps and by a bit, I mean I was eating them 3-4 times a week at one point (like homemade falafel wrap)....

Recipes › DIYs How To Caramelize Onions By Samira Kazan updated January 17, 2023 How to caramelize onions perfectly every time! They’re rich, sweet, and have a practically melt-in-the-mouth, jammy texture – perfect for adding to soups, pasta, burgers, tarts, and more! Onions are an aromatic addition to almost any meal. I’ve already shared methods for making onion powder , crispy fried onions, and roasted onions , but now it’s the turn for perhaps the best one yet: how to caramelize onions....

Ingredient Guides How to Cut Broccoli the Right Way By Samira Kazan published January 27, 2025 Learn how to cut broccoli the right way! My method will give you beautiful florets that are perfect for any dish, while also reducing mess and making the most of the broccoli head. A head of broccoli, a nutrient-dense veggie, often leaves a mess on the cutting board. If you wonder how to cut broccoli like a pro, achieve beautifully cut florets, and not waste any parts of it, don’t fear—I am sharing all my top tips!...

Recipes › DIYs How To Make Avocado Oil (Extra Virgin – Cold Process) By Samira Kazan updated July 20, 2022 How to make avocado oil – extracted from ripe/overripe avocados with a simple, cold process and perfect for cooking, frying, hair, and beauty uses! If virgin coconut oil or extra virgin coconut oil isn’t for you, perhaps this homemade avocado oil is more up your alley. Using just a few ripe (or overripe) avocados and a bit of patience, you’ll have some ‘green gold’ oil for all your cooking, beauty, and/or DIY needs....

Recipes › Breakfast How to Make Healthy Granola By Samira Kazan updated October 31, 2022 How to make the best granola following a simple formula with endless variations. Perfect for customizing to your flavor, texture, and dietary requirements and enjoying with yogurt, fruit, smoothies, and more! Oats are the versatile breakfast staple of my dreams. When I want something warm and cozy, berry oatmeal bowl is the perfect way to go....

Recipes › Drinks How to Make Pink Lemonade By Samira Kazan updated August 01, 2024 The classic drink of the summer, this pink lemonade is the perfect way to cool off on a hot afternoon. Learn how to make pink lemonade with 4 ingredients and a few easy steps. “What actually makes pink lemonade pink?” must be one of life’s endlessly puzzling questions. Like “Why is the sky blue?” or “Why is the grass green?...

Recipes › Snacks Quick And Easy Candied Walnuts By Samira Kazan updated August 23, 2024 Enjoy candied walnuts in just minutes with a super easy recipe (stovetop or oven), perfect for a snack, sprinkling over salads, yogurt, and dessert, and gifting over the holidays! With the combined flavors of cinnamon, butter, sugar, and walnuts, these quick candied walnuts (aka praline walnuts) are perfect for the holidays as both a party snack and a holiday gift....

Recipes › Mains Quick and Juicy Vegan Jackfruit Tacos By Samira Kazan updated November 02, 2023 These easy vegan jackfruit tacos take just 20 minutes to make, are loaded with juicy jackfruit “carnitas” and your favorite toppings, and are perfect for meat-free taco Tuesdays and lazy weeknights. Even meat-eaters will be impressed! Whether you’re already meat-free, giving it a try for Veganuary, or whatever the reason may be… With a similar texture to shredded meat, young jackfruit makes the perfect vegan alternative to shredded chicken or pork....

Recipes › Vegan Simple Homemade Vegan Cashew Cheese By Samira Kazan updated August 17, 2020 This delicious homemade Vegan Cashew Cheese makes for a fantastic dairy-free cheese alternative with a creamy cashew cream cheese centre and peppercorn coating- perfect to be part of a vegan cheese board, for crackers and toast! Christmas is not complete without a cheese board, and I see no reason why Vegans can’t enjoy a delicious vegan cheese board too, especially with a vegan cashew cream cheese as pretty as this....

Recipes Southern Fried Corn Recipe By Samira Kazan updated July 29, 2024 4-ingredient Southern fried corn pan-fries corn with butter, salt, and pepper for a simple yet rich and delicious summer side dish in just 25 minutes! Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and ANY gathering! grJuicy, fresh, in-season corn is the perfect way to add extra brightness to all your favorite summer meals. I’ve already shared recipes for boiled corn on the cob , microwaved corn , Instant Pot corn , baked corn on the cob , grilled corn on the cob , and creamed corn , but this classic Southern fried corn is one of my all-time favorite quick and simple corn recipes....

Recipes › Desserts The Best Apple Crisp Recipe By Samira Kazan updated October 15, 2024 Tender, buttery, and packed with a deliciously spiced apple mix, a homemade apple crisp makes the perfect dessert for cold days or for impressing friends and family. Apple crisp is the classic fall dessert. It’s warm, cozy, sweet, lightly spiced, and packed with fresh apples under a buttery, crisp, streusel cinnamon and oat topping. All you need is a handful of simple and inexpensive ingredients and a fuss-free method!...

Recipes › Snacks The Best Crispy Roasted Chickpeas By Samira Kazan updated October 10, 2024 Oven-roasted chickpeas are crispy, crunchy, high-protein, high-fiber, gluten-free, & vegan. Perfect as a savory snack or to garnish salads, soups, and pasta. Multiple seasoning ideas are included! Chickpeas are not only a great source of plant-based protein. They’re also packed with fiber and are a rich source of copper, manganese, and folate. Plus they contain good levels of iron and several other essential vitamins and minerals....

Recipes › Sides The Best Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe By Samira Kazan updated November 02, 2023 Homemade Caesar dressing is rich, creamy, cheesy, tangy, and packed with umami flavor! It’s ready in just minutes and so much better than store-bought! As much as I love simple vinaigrettes and other light and tangy salad dressings like ginger salad dressing or honey mustard , sometimes I crave rich creaminess, and that’s where this homemade Caesar dressing recipe excels....

Recipes › Drinks Turmeric Tea Recipe By Samira Kazan published January 21, 2026 On busy mornings or quiet evenings, I turn to this bright cup for a gentle lift. This turmeric tea recipe is simple, cozy, and easy to make hot or iced. You’ll simmer turmeric with a pinch of black pepper, then finish with lemon and a touch of honey. The color shifts to a sunny hue, and the flavor lands clean and soothing....

Lifestyle 40+ Delicious Summer Drink Recipes By Samira Kazan updated April 10, 2025 40+ delicious summer drink recipes – whether you want something light and refreshing, creamy, a tangy lemonade, a homemade coffee shop favorite, or a frosty smoothie bowl – this list of non-alcoholic summer drinks has something for everyone! As I’m typing this, we’re in the middle of a typical British heatwave and, as usual, no one is prepared....

Air Fryer Air Fryer Turkey Breast By Samira Kazan published April 02, 2025 Air fryer turkey breast is my go-to for juicy, tender turkey without the hassle—no need to wait for Thanksgiving or Christmas! It’s quick, easy, and gives you crispy, golden skin with minimal effort. The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping up the outside, so you get perfectly cooked, tender turkey every time. Whether you’re making it for a holiday meal, Sunday dinner, or meal prep , this recipe delivers big flavor in a fraction of the time!...

Soups Best Ever Chickpea Soup By Samira Kazan published December 25, 2024 This comforting chickpea soup is the perfect meal for a cold night. Combine chickpeas, diced tomatoes, pantry-staple fresh veggies, herbs, and spices, and enjoy a warming bowl with crusty bread. If you are looking for a hearty, flavorful, nutritious, and easy-to-make meal, this chickpea soup is for you. It is the ultimate one-pot meal with pantry staples—just simmer the ingredients until tender and aromatic and enjoy with your favorite crusty bread ....

Chicken Cashew Chicken (Better Than Takeout!) By Samira Kazan published June 23, 2025 Cashew chicken is one of my all-time favorite takeout dishes — and this homemade version is even better. It’s quick, flavorful, and every bite has that perfect balance of tender chicken, crisp veggies, and crunchy toasted cashews. The secret is in the marinade: a simple velveting technique using egg white, cornstarch, and a pinch of baking soda. It makes the chicken incredibly juicy and gives it that classic Chinese restaurant texture....

Recipes › Mains Chicken Alfredo By Samira Kazan published December 27, 2024 Make this easy Chicken Alfredo recipe with a few simple steps and ingredients. You’ll end up with a silky smooth cream sauce, golden-brown chicken, and tender pasta! Here’s a super quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights! Just sear the chicken, make the alfredo sauce (all in the same pan!), and toss it with cooked pasta for a velvety, garlicky perfection....

Chicken Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs By Samira Kazan published June 16, 2025 If you’re like me and grew up loving crispy chicken skin, this easy baked chicken thighs recipe is going to become a go-to in your kitchen. It delivers that golden, crackly skin with juicy, tender meat underneath — all with minimal prep and just a handful of pantry spices. I’ve made this version more times than I can count — it’s simple enough for weeknights, yet reliable enough to serve when friends pop over....