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Tzatziki is a cool and tangy cucumber and yogurt sauce that most people associate with Greek food. And it’s a typical condiment served on Greek gyros, so that’s understandable.  We find our fresh-made tzatziki is even more versatile. It can serve as a healthy alternative to mayonnaise in potato and pasta salads, adding fresh brightness …

Patatas Bravas (or Papas Bravas) are a popular Spanish Appetizer. The name translates literally to “spicy potatoes” and once we discovered them, we’re always on the hunt for the perfect “Bravas” whenever we’re traveling through Spain. These crispy little potato bites come either smothered in a sauce, which can be a spicy tomato sauce or …

Parmesan Ranch Dressing is our answer to store bought dressings. If I’m going to use a bottled dressing, some form of ranch is often high on my list of favorites. The problem is that often bottled ranch can taste chemically, overly sweet, or just not have the kind of creamy texture that I’m craving.  This easy …

Salsa chile de árbol is a spicy sauce that we first discovered in an Argentinian restaurant in Mexico. It has since become one of our favorites. It’s nice slathered on bread or served with tortilla chips, piled on top of a baked potato, rubbed on a hot ear of corn. It’s also perfect alongside your …

Brussel Sprout Slaw is an easy salad and a great alternative to tradtional slaws. This is also a slaw without mayonnaise, making it, in my opinion, a little more refreshing. I’ll be the first to admit that, for many years, Brussel sprouts were not my favorite vegetable. As with most vegetables that I didn’t appreciate, …

These homemade pickles with habanero and garlic will change your view on pickles, regardless if you are an aficionado or merely tolerate these crunchy snacks.  Store-bought pickles come in all sorts of flavors and varieties, but in my opinion, most don’t come close to the homemade version. These spicy pickles remind me of the “half …

Romanian White bean dip (Fasole Batuta) is a frequent part of a traditional appetizer platter. Romanians love their platters to be piled high with cold cuts, rustic meatballs (chiftele), assorted cheeses and often several kinds of dips or spreads.  White Bean dip, along with a simple spread featuring eggplant (salata de vinete), and a colorful …

Salate de Vinete, a Romanian eggplant dip, is a very simple traditional Romania dish. It is similar to the Middle Eastern dish, Baba Ghanoush, but without tahini (toasted sesame seed paste).  Our version of Romanian Eggplant Dip also includes green onions for a little extra color and flavor.  Salate de Vinete (or Aubergine dip) is …

Traditional Romanian cuisine is particularly known for its meaty dishes. Roasted pork knuckle, a variety of sausages, cabbages stuffed with pork, or savory meatballs (chiftale) are on the top of the menu.  Alongside such dishes are often very simple salads, which are meant to offset the heavy entrées. Romanian White Cabbage Salad (Salatǎ de Varzǎ) …

Zacusca is a slow cooked eggplant and red pepper spread. This traditional Romanian dish is made in Autumn when its main ingredients, eggplants and gogosari peppers are in season. Gogosari peppers very similar to red bell peppers, which is what I use in this recipe. During our time in Romania, we came to enjoy having …