Kabsa Rice

Originating from Yemen but widely adapted by major countries of the Arabian Peninsula, Kabsa rice is one of the most lavish-looking national dishes. All ingredients in this recipe are cooked as a one-pot meal and hence the name Kabsa (Arabic: Kabasa, meaning to press or squeeze).

Author: Racheal D'Souza

This recipe varies a lot depending on the region, but, no matter which recipe you try, IT WILL ALWAYS TICKLE YOUR TASTEBUDS!

Here is my version of this recipe combining several such traditional recipes. Enjoy!

Beetroot Barfi | Beetroot Dessert

How to make Beetroot Barfi | Beetroot Barfi Recipe

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Who would have ever thought you could turn a vegetable like beetroot into a beautiful and colorful dessert, right?

Beetroot Barfi is a milk based Indian sweet made with beetroot and is absolutely tasty. If not for the color, you wouldn't even know the sweet contains beetroot. 

I got this recipe idea from a fellow food blogger. I was instantly attracted to the bright pink color of the sweet and decided to give it a try! Needless to say, this sweet is a quick and healthy version of the regular Indian versions of sweets. And with the many Indian festivals on-going and coming up, you should definitely give this a try!

Kashmiri Dum Aloo

Dum Aloo Recipe | How to make Dum Aloo

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Baby potatoes spiced with ginger, fennel and whole spices and mixed with a yoghurt based sauces. 

This dish is a traditional Kashmiri recipe and is very popular in India. Baby potatoes are first parboiled and then deep fried in oil, preferably mustard oil, and then cooked in a delicious yoghurt based spiced curry bursting with flavors. The recipe is super and easy and I have also added a link to my youtube channel video which shows a step-by-step guide to prepare this delicious recipe. 

Baked Garlic Butter Honey Salmon

Baked Garlic Butter Honey Salmon

Author: Racheal D'Souza

This recipe features a quick and easy version of the classic Baked Salmon with a twist. It is so simple and delicious that you may want to try it right away. 

Salmon is a fish that’s known as the ‘meat’ in seafood world and is a complete meal by itself. So healthy and easy to prepare. For this recipe, I’ve used garlic butter flavored with herbs and honey. And a few more beautiful sauces. So little ingredients and yet such a great flavor. 

Thai Red Curry Paste

 Thai Red Curry Paste | How to make Thai Red Curry Paste

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Thai Red Curry Recipe

 How to make Thai Red Curry | Thai Red Curry Recipe

Author: Racheal D'Souza

This recipe features a chicken version of the Thai Red Curry. You can use vegetables, shrimps or beef instead of chicken to make a your own version

Thai Red Curry is a hearty coconut-based curry that will remind you of the tropical flavors. The curry is dominantly flavored by Lime zest or Kefir Lime leaves with will leave a fresh flavor behind every time you sip it. Drink it as a soup or serve with some warm white rice. 

Vegetarian Thai Green Curry Recipe

How to make Thai Green Curry | Thai Green Curry Recipe

Author: Racheal D'Souza

This recipe features a vegetarian version of the Thai Green Curry. You can use boneless chicken cubes instead of vegetables to make a chicken version

Thai Green Curry is a hearty coconut-based curry that will remind you of the tropical flavors. The curry is dominantly flavored by Lime zest or Kefir Lime leaves with will leave a fresh flavor behind every time you sip it. Drink it as a soup or serve with some warm white rice. 

Thai Green Curry Paste

Thai Green Curry Paste | How to make Thai Green Curry Paste

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Japanese Cotton CheeseCake

Japanese Cotton Cheesecake Recipe | How to make Japanese Cotton Cheesecake

What if you want to take your love for cheesecake to a whole another level? A combination of soufflé and melt-in-mouth extremely light jiggly cake, the Japanese Cotton Cheesecake will steal your heart forever!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Yes, Cotton Cheesecake! You heard it right! This is a super light, extremely fluffy version of cheesecake. A sponge cake that is also a cheesecake originated in Japan sometime in 1947. This cake has way more lesser sugar and calories than the normal cheesecake and yet no compromise on the taste. I know this all sounds like a fairytale but how about you try it for yourself  and comment below your take on it?

Basbousa | Eggless Rava Cake

Eggless Rava Cake Recipe | How to make Basbousa at home

An Eggless Middle Eastern lightly sweet cake known to be originating from Egypt. This dessert has now been adapted into many cuisines around the world. The unique feature about this cake is the use of yoghurt and semolina. Sometimes, dessert can be healthy too ;) A perfect snack for high-tea! .

Author: Racheal D'Souza

18 quintessential New York City attractions that should be on your bucket list

Author: Arit Banerjee

Situated at the southern tip of the US state of New York, New York City is the most populous city in the US. The Big Apple is home to 20 million people. A cultural and financial hub which is at the forefront of tourism, technology, fashion and sports. The five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island constitute the city of New York.

 

The Dutch settled on the Manhattan Island in 1614 and formed a city in 1625 which came to be known as New Amsterdam. 39 years later New Amsterdam was seized by the English from the Dutch and was named in the honor of James, Duke of York.

 

This article looks at quintessential New York but excludes the usual tourist sites of NYC.

Piña Colada Mocktail

Pina Colada Mocktail | How to make Pina Colada

A perfect beach drink made with fresh Pineapple and Coconut milk. A 3- ingredient drink made under minutes. I have used fresh pineapple juice but you can chose to use store brought juice!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Strawberry Charlotte Cake | French Classic Dessert | Icebox Cake

French Charlotte Cake Recipe | How to make French Charlotte Cake

A classic French dessert that dates back to the eighteenth century. The cake features delicious summer fruit- strawberry, Bavarian cream and lady finger cookies. In this version, I have made a variation wherein I incorporated Raspberry in the mousse and since the Covid-19 lockdown was on, I couldn't find lady finger cookies around. Instead, I used regular butter cookies that are a lil stiffer than most.

Author: Racheal D'Souza

A Charlotte Russe Cake is usually referred to 'icebox cake' which means a layered dessert that includes whipped cream or mousse, sandwiched between layers of crispy cookies or sponge cake. The sponge cake is baked with the most simplest ingredients and the cookies can also be made at home. In this version, I have baked the sponge cake (included in the recipe) but used store-brought cookies. The main part of this dessert cake is to line all the elements patiently in a mould and refrigerate it. Refrigeration is always the hardest part cause when you make something as beautiful as this, it's hard to resist eating it immediately (haha!). However, the longer you refrigerate, the better your cake will be!

This cake may sound very difficult in the beginning, however, if you follow the steps precisely, you'll know how easy it is! To make it simpler, I have divided this recipe into 3 key elements. 

Peach on the Beach | Easy Peach Mocktail | 2-ingredient drink | Summer Peach Drink

Peach on the Beach | How to make Peach Mocktail

A minimalist drink with Peach and Ginger Ale and a dash of basil. Couldnt have asked for something simpler and quicker than this on a hot summer noon!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, Peaches are also very rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Including such fruits in your diet is very important. Along with eating them ripe, I always like to turn my favorite fruits into drinks especially during summer. What is better than having a drink ready in like 2 minutes?

Raw Mango Drink | Aam Panna | Aam Panha

Mango Drink Recipe | How to make Aam Panna

Aam Panna also known as Aam Jhora is an Indian sweet and tangy drink made with Steamed Raw Mangoes during summer and spiced with cardamom and saffron. 

Author: Janhavi Sawant

Summer is one such season that brings a variety of fruits to the market. And to beat the heat, you can turn these same fruits into refreshing drinks. Aam Panna is an Indian drink that’s very commonly known for its heat-resistant properties. Raw mango is sour in taste but the addition of sugar, cardamom and saffron to the cooked pulp beautifully brings out a sweet-tangy flavor.
In India, this drink is also known for its health benefits since mango is a good source of Vitamin C. 

Pork Char Siu | Cantonese- style Pork Roast |

Pork Char Siu Recipe | How to make Pork Char Siu

Pork Char Siu is a Cantonese- style Pork  roast marinated with flavorful sauces from the Asian kitchen and usually roasted slowly on a barbeque. The slow roasting method makes the meat so soft that it falls off the bone and gives the pork its caramelized color. Usually served with the -left-over marinade as sauce or can also be chopped into small pieces and used in Fried-rice, Ramen or any other kind of Sauce-based dishes. 

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Whenever I entered any Asian restaurant in the US, I would always see a very appealing, red, sticky, Bbq'd pork and I would instantly order that. I wouldn't know what it was called back then so I always called it ' Bbq Pork'. Recently while I was looking for Pork recipes to try, I discovered that it was called 'Pork Char Siu' and it can be made relatively easily in a home-based oven. I quickly ran over to my nearest Asian grocery store and gathered all the required ingredients.

This recipe is made with a very simple technique and yet the flavor is something I'm sure you'll love. 

Spanish Tomato Rice | Easy Tomato Rice Recipe

Spanish Tomato Rice | How to make Spanish Tomato Rice

A one pot dish made with tomato, onion, rice and seasoning. The combination of lime and cilantro enhances the flavor and leaves a fresh aroma. 

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Spanish rice is a quick and easy recipe you can make in minutes. If you are a lover of rice, you will definitely adore this recipe. I love rice and I have always looked for ways to turn my regular rice into something different. Here's one such recipe. Hope you love it as much as I do.

Kiwi-Key lime Virgin Mojito

 Kiwi-Key Lime Mojito | How to make Kiwi-Key lime Mojito

Yes you heard it right! Packed with the goodness of Vitamin C, a citrusy Key-lime flavored minty summer refresher. This drink will surely quench your thirst and keep you longing for even more.

Here's a quick and simple recipe!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Kiwi- a fuzzy fruit so full of vitamin C and packed with refreshing tropical flavor is a great source of nutrition. Uncommonly known to boost your immune system, Kiwi is one fruit you shouldn't miss out this summer. 

Lychee-Mint Summer Cooler

Lychee-Mint Summer Cooler | How to make Lychee-Mint Cooler

Is this summer heat taking you down? Do you need something other than just a regular lemonade? Well, you've landed at the right space!

A refreshing drink made with just Lychee, Mint, Sugar and Water. As simple as it sounds, as soothing as it looks, ready in 2 minutes

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Lychee, a small tropical fruit with a sweet citrusy flavor and hints of rose water. A perfect summer fruit I think everyone should try. The combination of Mint and Lychee is absolutely refreshing.

Malai Tikka | Reshmi Kebab

Malai Tikka Recipe | How to make Reshmi Kebab

Malai Tikka also commonly known as Reshmi Kebab gets its name from the extremely tender chicken pieces as a result of succulent juices in the chicken. The two different marination used for this recipe makes it as soft as silk (Resham in Hindi). These are one of my favorite kinds of Kebabs.

Author: Racheal D'Souza

A beautiful dish that hails from the well-known Mughlai Cuisine. Mughlai cuisine consists of dishes developed in the medieval Indo-Persian cultural centres during the Mughal reign in India. The taste of authentic Mughlai cuisine is quintessentially known to have plenty of ground aromatic spices. This dish is has a very mild and subtle hint of spices but has a creamy texture which will instantly make you fall in love with it!