Sesame Tofu

by Nicole Branan

This sesame tofu tastes exactly like what is served in U.S. Chinese restaurants. Honey, rice vinegar and red pepper flakes make it sweet, sour and spicy; sesame oil and seeds add sesame deliciousness. As a bonus, the dish takes no... Continue reading →

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

by Nicole Branan

This mediterranean chicken salad is full of delicious flavors from a rainbow of vegetables all the way from kalamata olives to artichoke hearts, a drizzle of lemon sumac dressing and tender grilled chicken marinated in a yogurt and homemade ras... Continue reading →

Chocolate Bourbon Donuts

by Nicole Branan

These delicious, light, cakey, baked chocolate Bourbon donuts are wonderfully moist thanks to a hazelnutty Nutella batter. The glaze is a wonderful espresso chocolate bourbon ganache made with heavy cream, butter, chocolate, vanilla extract, espresso powder and, of course, Bourbon.... Continue reading →

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

by Nicole Branan

This delicious roasted cauliflower salad makes a great side dish, lunch or light summer dinner. It’s drizzled with a nicely sharp and intense lemon Dijon dressing and is served with buttery and smoky tarragon grilled baguette slices on the side.... Continue reading →

Sesame Lime Cilantro Chicken Noodle Stir Fry

by Nicole Branan

This chicken noodle stir fry dish is refreshing, spicy and bursting with exciting flavors from fresh ginger, cilantro, lime zest, sesame and a chili pepper. The preparation is simple, you whisk your ingredients together, then use half to marinate the chicken and... Continue reading →

S’mores Mousse Tart with Crystallized Ginger Meringue

by Nicole Branan

This s’mores mousse tart takes the traditional s’mores flavors to the next level. The buttery graham cracker crust is flavored with pumpkin spice, filled with a creamy chocolate mousse and the tart is topped with a torched crystallized ginger meringue.... Continue reading →

Coffee Borgia Mousse

by Nicole Branan

This delicious chocolate orange mousse is modeled after the coffee Borgia and made with dark chocolate, espresso powder and orange zest. This dessert was inspired by one of my favorite espresso drinks, the coffee Borgia. A Borgia is like a mocha (espresso,... Continue reading →

Vanilla Cream with Cinnamon Sugared Cranberries

by Nicole Branan

Say hello to an absolute smasher of a holiday dessert. If you’re looking to serve something that’s easy and next to impossible to mess up but at the same time stellar both in taste and looks then this vanilla cream... Continue reading →

Spicy Edamame

by Nicole Branan

This super-quick and easy spicy edamame recipe takes edamame beans from plain to spectacular. The cooked beans are simply tossed in a mix of hot oil, liquid smoke, garlic, salt, sambal and red pepper flakes and are bursting with delicious... Continue reading →

Turnip Potato Gnocchi with Browned Butter and Sage

by Nicole Branan

Why I love it: These turnip potato gnocchi are easy and cheap to make, taste delicious and are a great way to use up all the turnips that are piling up in your vegetable garden. Turnip and potato are a... Continue reading →

Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Rosemary Caramel

by Nicole Branan

This delicious citrus goat cheese cheesecake has a graham cracker crust and is drizzled with a homemade rosemary caramel sauce. Whether you make a whole cheesecake or individual cheesecake tarts, it’s the perfect dessert to bring to a summer picnic!... Continue reading →

Farro with Mushrooms and Marjoram

by Nicole Branan

Farro with mushrooms and marjoram makes a wonderful side for poultry dishes. The cooked farro is tossed with garlic and mushrooms and roasted in the oven with a bit of olive oil. Fresh marjoram adds a delicious herb flavor. Farro... Continue reading →

Cold Sesame Noodles

by Nicole Branan

These cold sesame noodles take five minutes to make, require almost only pantry ingredients and taste absolutely delicious. A few weeks ago we watched the series Cooked, a documentary about the history of cooking that is based on Michael Pollan’s... Continue reading →

Ginger Cardamom Hazelnut Raspberry Apple Crisp

by Nicole Branan

This delicious raspberry apple crisp is easy to make and full of flavor from fresh ginger and cardamom. The topping is a buttery and crunchy delicious hazelnut streusel. I’m not a big fan of raw fruit but I am a... Continue reading →

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Espresso Milkshake with Coffee Liqueur

by Nicole Branan

Why I love it: This pumpkin spice chocolate espresso milkshake with coffee liqueur has all my favorite dessert flavors packed into one jar. It’s easy to make and quite refreshing on a warm summer day. Happy milkshake season! Nothing better than... Continue reading →

Bee’s Knees Cocktail

by Nicole Branan

This Bee’s Knees cocktail tastes phenomenal and is just a simple mix of only three ingredients that (I’m guessing) most of us always have in the house: gin, lemon and honey. It’s intensely sweet, sour and juniper berry/piney. A wonderful spring and... Continue reading →

Ras el Hanout–Spiced Chicken and Pineapple Fajitas with Pico de Gallo

by Nicole Branan

Why I love it: This chicken pineapple fajitas recipe is delicious and perfect for busy weeknights because the chicken can sit in the marinade throughout the day and will be flavorful, very tender and ready for the grill pan or skillet... Continue reading →

10-Minute Pumpkin Spice S’mores Trifles

by Nicole Branan

These easy s’mores trifles are perfect when you want to serve up the classic burnt, crunchy, gooey, melted chocolate flavors but don’t have a campfire handy. They take almost no work at all and because you eat this s’more with... Continue reading →

Herbed Roasted Cauliflower Rice with Coriander and Grilled Zucchini

by Nicole Branan

This delicious herbed roasted cauliflower rice with coriander and grilled zucchini is perfect as a summer side dish for grilled meat and seafood. Grilling season is almost here – yay! I love grilled meat and seafood and one of my... Continue reading →

Chai Latte Dry Spice Mix

by Nicole Branan

This chai latte dry spice mix takes only a few minutes to make and doesn’t require any grinding of spices. Because all ingredients are dried the mix can be kept in a jar in the cabinet and is ready for use with... Continue reading →