SPICED HOT TODDY

Colorful leaves, bushels of apples, cold zephyr and sweaters are back in season. The fragrant aromas of apple cider and hot cocoa tells you that autumn is in the air. With the temperature constantly dropping, I love wrapping my frozen fingers around a warm cocktail and remind myself that cold weather can be wonderful too. The first warm drink of the season I made is this comforting hot toddy spiced with black pepper, cinnamon and ginger.

SPIKED BERRY HABANERO JAM

Have you ever made your own jam or jelly? It might sound a bit intimidating but making jams at home is super easy and healthy. Also it tastes more like the fruit it came from rather than tasting like sweet confectionery from grocery store. Usually all the jams we get in stores are loaded with sugars. You will be surprised to know that the ratio of fruit and sugar in any jam is 1:1. While canning any jam, sugar acts as a preservative and also lends the jelly like thick texture to the jam. Hence it becomes an absolute must have ingredient in canned jam.

ZA’ATAR ROASTED CARROTS WITH TZATZIKI

Roasted carrots have been my favorite snack lately. Whether you roast them with some olive oil, salt and pepper or with some herbs and butter, they always turn out to be super delicious and satisfying. I have been roasting carrots with quite a few herbs and spices combinations but this one with za’atar has been an ultimate palate pleaser. The unique earthy flavor of za’atar perfectly complements the sweet, tender and smoky flavor of roasted carrots. To lift the taste of this dish a notch up, serve it with a fresh and tangy tzatziki dip. It will complete and elevate the flavor profile of this dish.

GRILLED VEGGIES & HUMMUS TART

How pretty is this hummus tart! And trust me not only is it a treat to look at but is incredibly delicious too. At times I am amazed at how a few simple ingredients can bring out such delicate and interesting flavors. This tart starts with a flaky puff pastry crust that’s crisp yet melts in your mouth and is brimming over with hummus and roasted vegetables. It’s extremely tasty, plus is super easy to make for dinner and impressive enough to serve at a dinner party. The rich, hearty flavors make this a recipe for all to enjoy.

CHARRED CORN PIZZA

Sweet, juicy and delicious summer corn is everywhere! I see tall piles of locally grown corn whenever I go to the farmers market. However sadly with we heading towards fall, there are just a few days left for us to enjoy sinking in our teeth into a earful of plump kernels bursting with flavors. I usually like grilling the corn and slathering it with some roasted garlic spread or having it grilled with some olive oil, salt and pepper or at times I just like adding some boiled corn into my bowl of salad for that purest and sweetest taste. But I wanted to try something different and found a very cool way to use corn. Lately I having been making pizzas at home quite often with loads of greens and veggies. So I decided to use grilled corn as the main topping for my pizza along with some onions, zucchini, goat cheese and kale pecan pesto as a sauce.

SCRUMPTIOUS SALAD WITH PEANUT DRESSING

Crunchy veggies, mangoes, peanuts, almonds and quinoa tossed with a lip smacking delicious peanut dressing. This scrumptious salad with incredibly flavorful peanut dressing is going to knock your socks off. It’s truly everything you could want in a salad. Not only it is pretty to look at but is also fresh, crunchy and salty and has the most crave able peanut dressing that is equally nutty and tart and just so so good. It’s pretty quick to make and won’t make you slave away in the kitchen. It has chock full of veggies that up that satisfying crunch that we expect in a salad and at the same time it is quite light in calories. It has literally been my summer salad anthem.

VEG RAMEN BOWLS

Who doesn’t love to cozy up to a warming bowl of soup? And that too if it is a bowl of incredibly comforting, light and delicious umami flavored vegetable ramen, who could deny having it? It is such a healthy, wholesome, filling and satisfying meal. Also, slupring the noodles as they whip across the chin and nose, splattering drips of flavor infused broth every which way makes it epically fun to eat. I always wanted to make ramen at home but making ramen from scratch is pretty darn elaborate. But this recipe here is a lightened version of the authentic ramen which comes together in less than an hour and is full of japanese flavors and nourishing ingredients that will make you feel good about having a bowl.

GRILLED PEACH COCKTAIL

Peaches are stunning these days! Be it grocery stores or farmers market, peaches are popping up everywhere. Biting into a fresh peach is unparalleled for the ultimate summer experience. Peaches are luscious and juicy but when grilled, they caramelize and the smoky taste makes the fruit come to life. I love mixing cocktails with fresh fruits and herbs and this concoction made with grilled peaches, thyme, honey and whiskey is outright a smashing summer refreshment.

SMASHED POTATOES WITH AVOCADO BASIL PESTO

Potatoes I feel are one of the most versatile root vegetables in existence. One can never go wrong while cooking with potatoes. And when it comes to appetizers and sides, chances are pretty high that there’s always a potato based dish you absolutely love. I have till now shared two of my favorite potato sides on my blog – baked fries and mashed potatoes. So now here’s another one to add to my list; smashed potatoes with avocado basil pesto.

STRAWBERRY BASIL NICE CREAM

Is there such a thing as too much ice cream??? Also does anyone want to take a moment to appreciate the person who discovered that blending frozen bananas along with different fruits creates this incredibly creamy and extremely healthy alternative to the regular ‘not so healthy’ ice cream? I know, I definitely do! So lets forget the sugary, dairy filled ice cream and jump on board the nice cream train.