Lentil Bolognese

You won’t believe it, but I actually nailed this recipe the first time around! I was feeling a bit adventurous and decided to swap spaghetti for some whole wheat pasta. The surprise? It tasted even better! I loved the way the earthy lentils harmonized with the tangy tomato sauce. To enhance the flavor even more, I added a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick, and boy, did that elevate the dish! I’ve linked a few awesome tweaks later, so keep your eyes peeled! Hey there, pasta lover! Get ready to dive into a deliciously comforting bowl of … Read more

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Healthy Pasta Dishes / Italian Vegan Recipes / Lentil Bolognese / Vegan Bolognese

Deviled Eggs

When I first attempted this recipe, I was super excited but also a bit nervous. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, and I was hosting a small get-together with friends. To my surprise, my first batch came out beautifully! The yolk mixture was creamy and smooth. Even better, my friends loved them! However, I realized they could use a bit more kick, so I tweaked the seasoning a bit, adding just a hint more mustard and smoked paprika. The result? A flavor explosion that had everyone coming back for seconds! That’s the beauty of cooking—it’s all about experimenting to find … Read more

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Classic Recipe / Deviled Eggs / Easy Appetizer

Lasagna Soup

When I decided to tackle this Lasagna Soup recipe for the first time, I was both excited and a little anxious. Would it turn out like the gorgeous pictures I saw online? Luckily, it didn’t take me long to find out! I nailed it on my first try, and let me tell you, the aroma wafting through my kitchen had me drooling! But of course, I made a couple of tweaks to make it absolutely shine. I added a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of zest, and swapped some of the ground beef for Italian sausage (yum!). … Read more

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Comfort food / Easy Soup Recipe / Family Meal / Italian Soup Recipe / Lasagna Soup

Grilled Jerk Chicken

When I first decided to tackle this Grilled Jerk Chicken recipe, I was super nervous because I had never cooked with such bold spices before! The first time was a bit of a learning curve. I was hit with a *woah* moment when I tasted the marinade – it was spicy, but all those spices blended beautifully! The first batch I cooked ended up a tad too charred because I was trying to work the grill like a pro, but hey, we live and learn, right? I ended up adjusting the cooking time and lowered the grill’s heat a bit, … Read more

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Caribbean Chicken / Grilled Jerk Chicken / Spicy Chicken Recipe

Black Beans and Rice

Let me tell you, I was a bit nervous the first time I tackled Black Beans and Rice. The beauty of it all, though, is that it turned out pretty amazing! I actually faced a little hiccup when I realized I was out of cumin (gasp!). But, I had some taco seasoning lying around, so I just swapped in that flavor bomb instead. Surprise! It turned out delicious. I made a mental note to try out different spices next time. Hey there, food lovers! Today, we’re diving into the super comforting and oh-so-satisfying dish of Black Beans and Rice. This … Read more

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Black Beans / Comfort food / Healthy Eating / Quick meals / Rice / Vegan / Vegetarian

Pupusas

So, let me tell you about my first attempt at making pupusas. Picture this: I had a huge craving after watching a food documentary about Salvadoran cuisine. I was excited when I gathered all the ingredients—masa harina, cheese, beans, and some amazing spices. I did a little dance in my kitchen; I was feeling pretty confident! But here’s the funny part: my first pupusa turned out to be more of a pancake. Oops! I realized that I needed to make sure the dough wasn’t too sticky and needed just the right amount of water. After a quick tweak, I nailed … Read more

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Comfort food / Home Cooking / Pupusas / Salvadoran Food / Traditional Recipes

French Onion Chicken

When I first whipped up this French Onion Chicken, I knew I was in for a tasty adventure! I followed the recipe closely, and I’m thrilled to say that it turned out great on my first try. The aroma of caramelized onions filled the kitchen, making my stomach rumble with excitement. One little surprise was how quickly the chicken cooked through. I expected to have to babysit it a bit longer, but that wasn’t the case! I made a few tweaks for my personal taste—adding some garlic for an extra punch and a sprinkle of fresh thyme for that herby … Read more

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Comfort food / Easy Chicken Recipe / French Onion Chicken

Tortilla Soup

The first time I whipped up this delightful Tortilla Soup, I was excited but nervous! It turned out great, but wow, did it have *quite* a kick! I had underestimated the heat from the jalapeño peppers. So, on my next round, I decided to tone it down a bit and added some sour cream to balance out the spice. Honestly, I felt like a pro chef making those adjustments! Every time since, I’ve tweaked it more and more to create my perfect balance of spices and flavors, along with fresh avocado toppings that take it to another level. It was … Read more

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Easy Soup Recipe / homemade tortilla soup / Mexican soup recipe / Tortilla soup

Lobster Bisque

Let me tell you, my first attempt at making Lobster Bisque was a thrilling ride! I remember staring at those majestic lobsters, feeling both excited and nervous. Did I nail it the first time? You bet! But, oh boy, did I have a few surprises along the way. For starters, I never thought I’d be wrestling with a lobster shell. Let’s just say—shells have a way of splashing broth all over the kitchen! To get my bisque extra creamy, I added a splash more cream than the recipe called for on my second try, and bam! It took the flavor … Read more

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Bisque / French Cuisine / Homemade Soup / Lobster / Seafood Recipe

Chickpea Salad

Creating this Chickpea Salad was a blast! The first time I tried it, I was a little nervous—like, would all the flavors mesh together? Spoiler alert: they totally did! I was surprised by how fresh and vibrant the salad tasted with just a handful of ingredients. The only tweak I made for my second try was adding avocado for extra creaminess—trust me, it elevates everything. Now, let me walk you through what you’ll need and how to best prepare this delightful dish! Hey there, food lovers! If you're on the hunt for a tasty and nutritious dish that doesn't require … Read more

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Chickpea Salad / Healthy Salad Recipes / Mediterranean salad / quick salads