Lemon Cardamom Bundt Cakes

by Nicole Branan

These little mini lemon cardamom bundt cakes are full of intense citrus flavor and subtle floral notes from ground cardamom. They also have a nicely crispy exterior thanks to the very thin ridges of the mini bundt cake pan. This... Continue reading →

Cheesecake Cupcakes

by Nicole Branan

These easy cheesecake cupcakes strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy with a lavender caramel sauce swirl and a lemony cream cheese and goat cheese filling. The subtle lavender flavor in these cheesecake cupcakes comes from the caramel sauce that is... Continue reading →

Lemon Cream Puffs

by Nicole Branan

These delicate lemon cream puffs are a great summer dessert with subtle floral and citrus flavors from a coriander-infused whipped cream filling and a light lemon drizzle. Citrus and coriander are a great pairing that I first came across a little while ago in this Coriander Key... Continue reading →

Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Rosemary Caramel

by Nicole Branan

This delicious citrus goat cheese cheesecake has a rosemary graham cracker crust and is drizzled with a homemade rosemary caramel sauce. It’s the perfect dessert to bring to a summer picnic! This post was originally published on June 28, 2016.... Continue reading →

Thai Chicken Curry

by Nicole Branan

This delicious coconut Thai chicken curry is bursting with flavor from cumin, coriander and mustard seeds, ground ginger, yellow curry and turmeric powder and lots of vegetables. Red bell pepper, pineapple and lime juice add freshness and chopped peanuts make for... Continue reading →

Raspberry Custard

by Nicole Branan

Say hello to spring with this creamy and delicious raspberry custard that’s flavored with lime zest and tiny pieces of crystallized ginger. The fresh fruit, the citrus and the sweet spice work together beautifully and also give this easy-to-make dessert... Continue reading →

Sesame Tofu

by Nicole Branan

This dish tastes exactly like the sesame tofu that 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. And the recipe takes no... Continue reading →

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

by Nicole Branan

This mediterranean chicken salad is full of delicious flavors from a rainbow of vegetables, a drizzle of lemon sumac dressing and tender grilled chicken marinated in a yogurt and homemade ras el hanout spice mix. How to make mediterranean chicken... Continue reading →

Chocolate Bourbon Donuts

by Nicole Branan

These delicious, light, 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. This... 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 →

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 is made with dark chocolate, instant espresso powder and orange zest. This dessert was inspired by one of my favorite espresso drinks, the coffee Borgia. A Borgia is like a... 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 flavor.... Continue reading →

Turnip Potato Gnocchi with Browned Butter and Sage

by Nicole Branan

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. Drizzle browned butter and sage sauce on them and... Continue reading →

Farro with Mushrooms and Marjoram

by Nicole Branan

Farro with mushrooms and marjoram makes a wonderful side dish for poultry. The cooked farro is tossed with garlic and mushrooms and roasted in the oven with a bit of olive oil. The fresh marjoram intensifies the earthy mushroom flavor... Continue reading →

Cold Sesame Noodles

by Nicole Branan

These cold sesame noodles are delicious, cheap, super easy to make and take five minutes from start to finish. All you need is pantry ingredients and a bit of cabbage and/or carrot. How to make cold sesame noodles: You start... Continue reading →

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 hazelnut streusel. I’m not a big fan of raw fruit but I am a huge... Continue reading →

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Espresso Milkshake with Coffee Liqueur

by Nicole Branan

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 sitting outside after... Continue reading →