Almonds

Basmati Stuffed Pumpkin

categories: Posts, Recipes, Rice & Grains

Basmati Stuffed Pumpkin

It’s fall! Officially pumpkin season. And no, I did not jump on the pumpkin spice latte bandwagon back in September. Pumpkins, in my personal opinion, should be enjoyed once the weather gets crisp and just a little chilly. Sweater weather, if you will. So when we were hitting 90 degree temps in September, I was still rocking my sleeveless tops and French vanilla coffee.

Sweater weather has arrived, and with it everything pumpkin flavored. I may or may not be a little obsessed, seeing that I have a plethora of pumpkin themed recipes on the blog. Some of my favorites include: BBQ and Spiced Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake,  Pumpkin Brownies, Pumpkin Spice Pancakes, Pumpkin Cheesecake with Cinnamon Pecans and Pumpkin Jam. (more…)

  •  Comments Off on Basmati Stuffed Pumpkin

Hareeseh [Semolina Cake]

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

Hareeseh

You know that moment of excitement and apprehension when you’ve tried to bake something and you go to share it with your grandmother, certain she’s going to be so proud of your work? Well, that happened about three years ago when I first tried to make Hareeseh. I was so excited to bring her a sample of my baking that I could even envision her smiling and telling me what a great job I did. (more…)

  •  Comments Off on Hareeseh [Semolina Cake]

Skillet Almond Cake

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

Almond Cake_2

 

In general, I’m much better at making savory foods than I am sweets. But I occasionally get a wild hair and decide to try my luck at making sweets. 

Cakes aren’t really my thing. Last year, I tried to bake a birthday cake and all went well until I started frosting it and started completely falling apart. Needless to say, it was a major fail and I ended up buying a cake and sticking a candle in it. But this Almond cake is fool-proof. (more…)

  •  Comments Off on Skillet Almond Cake

Garlic Almond Green Beans

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Vegetables & Sides

Garlic Almond Green Beans

 

Because I’m always on a diet (or so it seems), I’m constantly trying to find ways to make veggie sides more interesting. Sure, I could steam broccoli and asparagus, and sauté spinach until is comes out of my ears. But in reality, how appealing do steamed veggies sound? That’s what I thought. I’ve recently starting grilling veggies. Yes, it’s winter and it’s too cold to be outside using a grill. That’s where my stovetop grill comes in handy. I’m telling you, I’ve becoming a grilling fanatic, minus the smell of food that lingers in the house long after we’ve devoured dinner. (more…)

  •  Comments Off on Garlic Almond Green Beans

Arugula Almond Salad

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Salads

 

Salads are meant to be simple. That’s my philosophy, at least. So why complicate a salad with way too many ingredients and fat-laden salad dressing? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told, or have read, that just because you’ve ordered a salad at a restaurant, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being healthy and cutting calories. That’s because they’ve added fried ingredients and added a dressing that has 500 calories (that’s dressing without the actual salad). You’d be better off ordering yourself a burger and fries. At least that way you can justify the 500 calories without trying—unsuccessfully—to convince yourself what you’re eating is actually good for you. (more…)

  •  Comments Off on Arugula Almond Salad