Yummy Foods

Double Chocolate Cookies

Origin: Michigan Source: Family Recipe Category: Dessert

My daughter learned to make these cookies at a baking camp at Zingermanns and has tweaked the recipe to fit the taste buds of her siblings. They are extremely sugary so the salt helps to balance it. Note, these cookies are best eaten very quickly.

Recipe Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks (melted)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks (unmelted)

Recipe Steps

1. Cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
3. Stir in the melted chocolate.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients.
6. Fold in the unmelted chocolate chunks.
7. Form the dough into 15 cookies and place them on a baking sheet.
8. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 13 minutes.

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Origin: Morocco Source: Traditional Recipe Category: Main Dish

Moroccan Chicken Tagine is a classic North African dish that is known for its rich flavor and tender chicken cooked with spices, olives, and preserved lemons. The dish is traditionally cooked in a tagine pot but can be made in a regular pot as well.

Recipe Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 1 cup green olives, pitted
• 1 preserved lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Recipe Steps

1. Season chicken thighs with paprika, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper.
2. In a tagine or large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and brown the chicken on both sides. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté onions and garlic in the same pot until softened.
4. Return chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth, chickpeas, olives, and preserved lemon.
5. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes, or until chicken is tender.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with couscous or rice.

Japanese Chicken Curry

Origin: Japan Source: Family Recipe Category: Main Dish

Unlike Indian or Thai curry, Japanese curry is more savory than spicy. It's an exemplary comfort food and one of the most-loved home-cooked dishes in Japan.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups water
• 1 package Japanese curry sauce mix
• 1 can peas, drained
• 5 new potatoes, halved
• 1 package sliced cremini mushrooms
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups jasmine rice

Recipe Steps

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper, cook in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat until no longer pink.
2. Prepare curry sauce mix with water in the microwave, then pour over cooked chicken.
3. Add peas, potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and onion to the skillet. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
4. Cook jasmine rice in a separate pot until tender.
5. Serve curry over cooked rice.

Chinese Jiaozi

Origin: China Source: Family Recipe Category: Staple Food

Chinese dumplings (Jiaozi) are a popular dish made from dough and filled with savory mixtures, often enjoyed during Chinese New Year.

Recipe Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 cups chopped cabbage
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps

1. Mix flour with water to form a dough. Rest for 30 minutes.
2. Combine pork, cabbage, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Roll out dough and cut into circles. Place filling in the center of each circle.
4. Fold and seal edges to form dumplings.
5. Boil, steam, or pan-fry the dumplings as preferred.
6. Serve with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil.

Italian Carbonara

Origin: Italy Source: Family Recipe Category: Main Dish

Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring a rich, creamy sauce made with egg, cheese, and pancetta.

Recipe Ingredients

• 400g spaghetti
• 150g pancetta or bacon, diced
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Recipe Steps

1. Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
2. Cook pancetta in a pan until crisp.
3. Whisk together eggs, cheese, and black pepper.
4. Mix hot spaghetti with pancetta and then with egg mixture.
5. Serve immediately, topped with extra cheese and pepper.

Lemon Tart

Origin: France Source: Family Recipe Category: Dessert

Lemon Tart, a delightful French dessert, features a crisp pastry shell filled with a tangy lemon filling.

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Recipe Steps

1. Prepare the tart crust by combining flour, butter, and powdered sugar. Press into a tart pan and bake.
2. Whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice for the filling.
3. Pour filling over the baked crust and bake until set.
4. Let cool before serving.

Beef Stroganoff

Origin: Russia Source: Family Recipe Category: Main Dish

Beef Stroganoff is a classic Russian dish featuring sautéed beef in a creamy mushroom and sour cream sauce.

Recipe Ingredients

• 500g beef sirloin, cut into strips
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 250g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Recipe Steps

1. Brown the beef strips in olive oil over medium heat and set aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic, then add mushrooms.
3. Pour in beef broth and mustard, simmer for a few minutes.
4. Add the beef back to the pan, then stir in sour cream.
5. Heat through, adjust seasoning, and serve over noodles or rice.

Bruschetta

Origin: Italy Source: Family Recipe Category: Snacks

Bruschetta is a delightful Italian appetizer featuring grilled bread topped with a fresh tomato and basil mixture.

Recipe Ingredients

• 4 large slices of rustic or sourdough bread
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, finely diced
• A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
• Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Recipe Steps

1. Grill bread slices until toasted and golden.
2. While still warm, rub with garlic.
3. Combine diced tomatoes and basil, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.
4. Top the grilled bread with tomato mixture.
5. Serve immediately while crispy.

Falafel

Origin: Middle East Source: Family Recipe Category: Snacks

Falafel is a beloved Middle Eastern dish made of spiced chickpeas, deep-fried to perfection.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Recipe Steps

1. Process chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Shape mixture into small balls or patties.
3. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy.
4. Drain on paper towels and serve with tahini sauce or in pita bread.

Onigiri

Origin: Japan Source: Family Recipe Category: Staple Food

Onigiri, or Japanese rice balls, are a simple yet delicious snack or light meal, typically wrapped in nori.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• Pinch of salt
• Nori seaweed sheets, cut into strips
• Fillings: umeboshi (pickled plum), cooked salmon, tuna mayonnaise, etc.

Recipe Steps

1. Cook sushi rice with water and let it cool slightly.
2. Wet your hands, take a half cup of rice, and form a well in the center.
3. Place a small amount of filling into the well, then cover with more rice.
4. Shape the rice into a triangle and wrap with a strip of nori.
5. Enjoy immediately or pack for a convenient snack.

Apple Pie

Origin: United States Source: Family Recipe Category: Dessert

A traditional American dessert, apple pie is a classic favorite, especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup ice water
• 6 cups thinly sliced apples
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Recipe Steps

1. Mix flour, butter, and salt to create a crumbly dough. Add ice water gradually.
2. Roll out dough and line a pie dish. Refrigerate.
3. Mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour into the crust.
4. Top with another layer of dough. Cut slits for steam to escape.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50 minutes or until golden brown.

Tiramisu

Origin: Italy Source: Family Recipe Category: Dessert

Tiramisu, an elegant and rich Italian dessert, layers coffee-soaked ladyfingers with a mascarpone cheese mixture and cocoa powder.

Recipe Ingredients

• 6 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled
• 2 tablespoons dark rum or brandy
• 24 ladyfingers
• Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Recipe Steps

1. Whisk egg yolks and sugar until thick. Add mascarpone cheese and blend.
2. Mix espresso and rum. Dip ladyfingers briefly in this mixture.
3. Layer ladyfingers in a dish, then spread the mascarpone mixture on top.
4. Repeat layers and finish with a mascarpone layer.
5. Dust with cocoa powder and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

Shawarma Wrap

Origin: Middle East Source: Traditional Recipe Category: Staple Food

Shawarma Wrap is a popular Middle Eastern street food, featuring thinly sliced meat, fresh vegetables, and a tangy sauce wrapped in a soft flatbread.

Recipe Ingredients

• 500g thinly sliced chicken or lamb
• 2 tablespoons shawarma spice mix
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 flatbreads or pita bread
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 cup tahini sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon juice to taste

Recipe Steps

1. Marinate the meat with shawarma spice mix, olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Let it rest for at least an hour.
2. Grill or pan-fry the meat until fully cooked and slightly crispy.
3. Warm the flatbreads. Spread tahini sauce on each flatbread.
4. Add the cooked meat, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber slices on top of the flatbread.
5. Roll the flatbread tightly to wrap the filling. Serve immediately.

Seafood Paella

Origin: Spain Source: Traditional Recipe Category: Staple Food

Seafood Paella is a vibrant Spanish dish packed with seafood and bold flavors, traditionally cooked in a large paella pan.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups paella rice
• 4 cups fish stock
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 200g shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 200g mussels, cleaned
• 200g clams, cleaned
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Pinch of saffron
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Recipe Steps

1. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper in olive oil until soft.
2. Add rice, paprika, and saffron. Stir to coat the rice.
3. Add white wine and let it evaporate. Add fish stock and simmer.
4. Add shrimp, mussels, clams, and peas. Cook until seafood is done.
5. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for a few minutes.
6. Serve with lemon wedges.

Quesadilla

Origin: Mexico Source: Traditional Recipe Category: Snacks

Quesadilla is a Mexican snack made of tortillas filled with cheese and sometimes meat, vegetables, or spices, then grilled.

Recipe Ingredients

• 4 large flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken (optional)
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• Olive oil or butter for cooking
• Sour cream and salsa for serving

Recipe Steps

1. Heat a skillet and lightly oil it. Place a tortilla in the skillet.
2. Sprinkle half the tortilla with cheese, chicken, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and black beans.
3. Fold the other half over the filling and cook until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side.
4. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
5. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.

Greek Yogurt with Fruit

Origin: Greece Source: Modern Recipe Category: Snacks

Greek Yogurt with Fruit is a healthy and refreshing snack, combining creamy yogurt with fresh fruits and a hint of honey.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup granola
• Mint leaves for garnish

Recipe Steps

1. Spoon Greek yogurt into bowls.
2. Top with mixed berries.
3. Drizzle honey over the yogurt and berries.
4. Sprinkle granola on top for added crunch.
5. Garnish with mint leaves and serve.