Category Archives: By Country

Madeleine Cookies with Lavender

Another option for Madeleine cookies, this time with lavender flowers. Usually I don't make large portions of these cookies but if you have left overs, just warm them up in a microwave the next day. Or just cook half and cover the rest of the dough and leave in the refrigerator until the next day....
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Beef Burger with Mozzarella and Basil Oil

Less is sometimes more with burgers and to keep it simple this burger is topped with delicious toppings like mozzarella, tomatoes, and lettuce. The basil oil adds great flavor as well.  A great tip we learned with my husband for burgers is if you make a small indentation in the middle of each burger patty. the patties won't shrink...
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Boquerones, Spanish Tapas with Anchovies

Boquerones is a type of Spanish appetizer (tapa) and the main ingredient is anchovies, small fish marinated in vinegar and olive oil. The first time I tried boquerones tapas was in Barcelona, you can find them everywhere in south of Spain, any bar or restaurant. This appetizer can be made with the addition of red marinated peppers, for example piquillo...
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Sunflower Kozinaki

Another Slavic sweet and easy recipe from my childhood that can be prepared quickly from sunflower seeds or nuts. Kozinaki (Gozinaki) are Georgian and Armenian sweets with walnuts and honey, traditionally prepared for the New Year and Christmas. Instead of walnuts they can be made from hazelnuts, sunflower seeds or sesame seeds. It's definitely kid's favorite!...
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Edamame with Spices

I began to grow edamame a few years ago, they are easy to grow and perfect for freezing, very tasty and healthy. Last year I save some of them for seeds for this year, and the rest of them go into my freezer so I cooked them the whole year....
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Vareniki

Vareniki (varenyky, pirogi) are stuffed dumplings from Ukraine made from unleavened dough and different fillings. Some of the more popular fillings are vegetables, boiled potatoes, salted cabbage, baked pumpkin, fruits and berries, meat, mushroom, cheese, poppy seed or buckwheat. My favorite fillings are meat, potatoes with onions and mushrooms, cottage cheese or curd cheese and cherries. Vareniki with berry...
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Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a classical Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce. If you don’t have  Greek yogurt, take 1 cup plain yogurt with no additives, strain it and mix with 200 g of sour cream. Also use small or medium cucumbers, preferably without large seeds. This sauce is great to serve with pita bread, fresh vegetables, meat or fish....
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