Lattes flavors have blossomed beyond French Vanilla, hazenut, and mocha. Where flavors of yesteryear added a richness and warmth, lavender acts quite differently. A lavender latte is aromatic and lightly sweet. Infused Simple Syrup Simple syrup could be considered a specialty drink staple. Made with sugar and water, it packs a punch of sweetness without…
Recipes List
Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil Soup (Harira)
Are you looking for a hearty vegetarian soup that will put “meat” on your bones? Then this Moroccan chickpea and lentil soup (Harira) is just for you. This hearty and easy to make soup is perfect for the cold winter days we are having here in the north. Although I have never made it…
Dolmas- Stuffed Grape Leaves
Dolmas, from the Turkish verb “to stuff”, are the culinary legacy of the mighty Ottoman Empire. Dolmas form part of the meze or hors d’oeuvres menu of the eastern Mediterranean. Dolmas everywhere! The precursor to dolmas is thought to be the Greek thrion” a fig leaf stuffed with sweetened cheese. Dolmas can be found in…
Turmeric Latte (Vegan version, too)
Before we jump into making lattes without coffee, let’s look at the humble root and the reasons why people are opting for this healthy, golden drink. What is turmeric? This root is native to India. It has since been cultivated in subtropical regions throughout Asia. Bright orange in color, turmeric has a lot of health…
Creamy Mango Lime Bars
Visions and scents of tropical islands are right at your fingertips when you bake a batch of these delicious creamy mango lime bars. They are kind of like lemon bars, same baking process, just different fruit. I think I have mentioned before that mangoes are one of my favorite fruits. I eat them every day….
Vietnamese Coconut Braised Pork – Thįt Kho Tàu
Xin Chao! That’s Vietnamese for hello, and today I have another tasty recipe full of piggy goodness. I learned to make Vietnamese coconut braised pork (Thit Kho Tau) from Thanh (Tang), my daughter’s Vietnamese friend. My family and I met Thanh in Hanoi, Vietnam last December when we traveled to visit my daughter who works there…
Refreshing Guava Lime Cocktail
Nothing says summer like a refreshing guava lime cocktail! It’s pretty color and delicious taste is the perfect accompaniment to tapas on the deck with family and friends. Guava juice is sweet and delicious. Stir in some lime juice, a splash of your favorite tequila, give it a quick stir and top with a sprig…
Lemon Tartlets – How to Make Fresh Lemon Curd
Aah, the flavor of fresh lemons! I love lemon anything: Lemon tarts, lemon pie, lemonade, lemon candy. Okay, you get the picture, if it tastes like lemon I am game. These mini lemon tarts I have here for you will be the hit at your next party. The recipe for the lemon curd is easy…
Mini Beef Empanadas – Savory Turnovers
Empanadas are savory turnovers common throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Every country has their own variation of seasonings and ingredients adapted of course to regional taste and culinary traditions. In Spanish, the word empanada literally means breaded. The Spanish word for bread is pan, hence empanada. Baked or fried? Empanadas can be fried or…
Black Bean Burgers with Spicy Pico de Gallo
Veggie burgers are the rage! People are making these delicious bites from anything and everything. My take on these healthy gems? Black Beans!! Latin style black bean burgers with spicy pico de gallo, to be more precise. Being Latin American, I grew up eating black beans. I will be honest with you and tell you…
