Recipes

Ingredients:500 g (1 lb) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces2 tbsp soy sauce2 tbsp cornstarch1 red bell pepper, diced1 green bell pepper, diced1 onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced2 tbsp vegetable oilFor the sauce:4 tbsp ketchup3 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)3 tbsp soy sauce3 tbsp brown sugar150 ml (2/3 cup) pineapple juice1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp waterInstructions:Marinate the chicken pieces in soy sauce and 2 tbsp cornstarch for 15 minutes.Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Fry the chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.In the same skillet, sauté onion, garlic, and bell peppers until slightly softened.In a bowl, mix together ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and pineapple juice. Pour into the skillet.Bring to a simmer, then add the cornstarch slurry. Stir until the sauce thickens.Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.Serve hot with steamed rice.Enjoy your delicious homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken!

Ingredients:400 g (14 oz) spaghetti150 g (5 oz) guanciale (or pancetta if unavailable)3 large eggs70 g (2.5 oz) Pecorino Romano cheese, finely gratedFreshly ground black pepperSalt (for pasta water)Instructions:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.While pasta cooks, cut the guanciale into small strips or cubes. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and golden. Remove from heat.In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Pecorino Romano, and a generous amount of black pepper.Drain the spaghetti and quickly add it to the skillet with guanciale. Toss to coat in the rendered fat.Remove the skillet from direct heat. Add the egg-cheese mixture, stirring quickly to create a creamy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.Serve immediately with extra Pecorino and black pepper on top.Tip: The key to authentic Carbonara is creamy sauce from eggs and cheese — no cream required!

Ingredients:12 lasagna noodles2 tbsp olive oil1 onion, chopped3 cloves garlic, minced500 g (1 lb) ground beef or beef/pork mix800 g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes2 tbsp tomato paste1 tsp dried oregano1 tsp dried basilSalt and pepper to taste400 g (15 oz) ricotta cheese1 egg250 g (9 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded100 g (3.5 oz) Parmesan cheese, gratedInstructions:Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions; drain and set aside.In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.Add ground beef, cook until browned, then stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes.In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with the egg until smooth.In a baking dish, layer:Sauce + noodles + ricotta mixture + mozzarella.Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.Sprinkle Parmesan over the top.Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes until golden and bubbling.Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.Enjoy your homemade lasagna!

Ingredients:3 ripe avocados1 small onion, finely chopped1–2 tomatoes, seeded and diced1 jalapeño or chili pepper, finely chopped (optional)2 cloves garlic, mincedJuice of 1 lime2 tbsp fresh cilantro, choppedSalt and pepper to tasteInstructions:Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and scoop the flesh into a bowl.Mash the avocados with a fork until smooth but slightly chunky.Add onion, tomatoes, chili pepper, garlic, lime juice, and cilantro.Mix gently until well combined.Season with salt and pepper to taste.Serve immediately with tortilla chips, tacos, or as a side dish.Tip: Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the guacamole surface to prevent browning if not serving right away.

Ingredients:2 tbsp olive oil1 kg (2 lbs) beef chuck, cut into cubes1 large onion, chopped2 carrots, sliced2 potatoes, diced2 celery stalks, chopped3 cloves garlic, minced2 tbsp tomato paste1 liter (4 cups) beef broth1 cup red wine (optional)2 bay leaves1 tsp thymeSalt and black pepper to tasteInstructions:Heat olive oil in a large pot. Brown the beef cubes on all sides, then remove and set aside.In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.Stir in tomato paste, then return the beef to the pot.Add potatoes, beef broth, wine (if using), bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender.Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning, and serve hot with bread.Tip:Enjoy your warm and comforting Hearty Beef Stew!

This recipe is the perfect example of playing with contrasts:sweetand a juicy pear,saltyand spicy cheese,sweet and sourand a fragrant sauce. This dish can be an exquisite appetizer, a vibrant salad (add arugula and nuts), or even a non-trivial dessert.Cooking time:20 minutesDifficulty:EasyPaellaIngredients (for 2 servings):Pears(preferably firm varieties, e.g., Conference) — 2 pcs.Blue cheese(Dor Blue, Gorgonzola, Roquefort) — 50-70 gBalsamic cream(or regular balsamic vinegar) - 2 tbspHoney— 1 tablespoonWalnuts— a small handful (optional)Butter— 1 tablespoonSalt— a pinchFreshly ground black pepper— to tasteArugula for serving— optionalknifeInstruction:Prepare the pears.Wash and halve the pears. Remove the core and seeds (it's convenient to use a spoon or a carving knife). Cut the halves into slices about 1 cm thick.Do not peel!It will help the slices hold their shape and give them a beautiful color.Caramelize.Heat butter in a medium skillet over medium heat until it sizzles lightly. Place pear slices cut-side down. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, without stirring, until a golden-caramel crust forms. Carefully flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side.Make a glaze.If you have balsamic cream (thick, sweetish), just drizzle it over the pears at the end of cooking. If you are using regular balsamic vinegar, pour it into the pan with the pears, add honey and a pinch of salt. Simmer over low heat for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pears with a shiny glaze.Assemble the dish.Place the caramelized pears on a plate. Crumble blue cheese over the top. If using, add a handful of arugula and walnuts toasted in a dry pan.Final touch.Drizzle with the remaining sauce from the pan, add a couple of twists of freshly ground black pepper. The pepper here is not for heat, but for aroma and to enhance the flavor of the cheese.woman cookWhy does it work? The science of taste:Umami and saltinessfrom blue cheese (thanks to fermentation processes and mold!) create incredible depth.Sweetnesspears and honey balance the rich flavor of cheese.Sournessbalsamic refreshes and prevents the combination from being cloying.Hot and cold:Warm pears and cold cheese create a pleasant temperature contrast.Texture:A soft pear, creamy cheese, and crunchy nuts – the perfect trio.Serve this dish immediately while the pears are warm. It pairs perfectly with a glass of crisp white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) or a brut sparkling wine.Enjoy your meal and new taste discoveries

Ingredients:•1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour•2 tablespoons granulated sugar•1 teaspoon baking powder•½ teaspoon baking soda•½ teaspoon salt•1 ¼ cups (300ml) buttermilk•¼ cup (60ml) milk (any kind)•1 large egg•2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan•1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)Instructions:1.Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure there are no lumps and the ingredients are well combined.2.Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, milk, and egg until smooth. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract (if using), and whisk again until fully incorporated.3.Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a whisk or spatula until just combined. It's crucial not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and will result in fluffier pancakes. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough pancakes.4.Rest the Batter (Optional but Recommended): For even fluffier pancakes, let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature. This allows the gluten to relax and the baking powder to activate.5.Cook the Pancakes: Heat a lightly greased griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat. A good test for readiness is to sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface; if they sizzle and evaporate quickly, the pan is ready. Pour about ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot griddle.6.Flip and Finish: Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges look set. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust heat as necessary to prevent burning.7.Serve: Serve immediately with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy your deliciously fluffy buttermilk pancakes!Tips for Perfection:•Don't Overmix: This is the golden rule for fluffy pancakes. Lumps are your friends!•Buttermilk Substitute: If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then filling the rest with regular milk until it reaches 1 ¼ cups. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.•Even Cooking: Maintain a consistent medium heat. If the pan is too hot, the pancakes will burn on the outside and remain raw inside. If it's too cool, they won't brown properly.•Keep Warm: To keep cooked pancakes warm while you finish the batch, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 200°F (95°C).

Ingredients:3 ripe bananas, mashed1/3 cup melted butter3/4 cup sugar (can reduce to 1/2 cup if preferred)1 large egg, beaten1 tsp vanilla extract1 tsp baking sodaPinch of salt1 1/2 cups all-purpose flourInstructions:Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.In a mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork until smooth. Stir in melted butter.Add sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla. Mix well.Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the mixture, then stir in the flour until just combined (do not overmix).Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.Tip: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor.Enjoy your soft and moist banana bread!