Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Moist Banana Chocolate Cake Recipe

Loaf cake, made with cocoa powder, banana, flour, baking powder, oil, and eggs.
Moist, tender, and melting in the mouth, this Banana Chocolate Cake recipe combines two classic favorites in one delightful loaf cake. Baked as a simple chocolate banana loaf cake, the best part is that there’s no creaming or beating of eggs with a mixer.

Ideal for those who prefer straightforward baking without the need for special utensils. Everything is handmade. Just mixing and combining before it goes into the oven.

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Portuguese Vegetable Pickle/Achar

Close view of a jar of pickled green chilies, garlic and shallots,
Although time-consuming and best made in bulk, making this Portuguese Vegetable Pickle, also known as Achar, is well worth the effort. Crunchy green chilies, shallots, and garlic soak in an aromatic, zesty, and slightly tangy vinaigrette, creating an appetizing homemade spicy vinegar pickle.

This version features only chilies, shallots, and garlic, though you can add vegetables such as long beans, French beans, carrots, white radish, or cabbage, or any other firm vegetables that pickle well (NO-COOK CUCUMBER SALAD).

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Things to Do in Verona, Italy

Indian lady standing and putting her palm on Juliet's bronze statue, Juliet's House, Verona, Italy.

Verona in summer has cool breezes and gentle streets, in a city of romance and love in Italy. The simple vibes add to the sense of love in the air. Rustic stone landmarks in Verona add more feeling to the city. Verona is in northern Italy, in the Veneto region between Milan and Venice.

 

Driving to Verona from Venice (TOP SITES IN VENICE) takes about two hours, and an overnight stay makes the experience more meaningful. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Verona has existed for over 2,000 years. Its heritage sites make the city one of the top attractions in Verona. Walking through the city unhurriedly while stopping at sightseeing spots, with breaks for lunch or coffee, fits the pace of Verona.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Bread Pudding Recipe

Baked easy bread pudding with pieces of canned peaches in a small transparent Pyrex dish

Five-ingredient bread pudding, a beloved dessert. An absolutely beautiful, visually appealing result. Soft, warm, and creamy, it has a custard-like texture that melts in your mouth. This is not an ordinary recipe. It has a twist that’s probably unlike the others.

 

What makes it special? It’s made with almost expiring bread slices. A vegetarian dessert that won’t let down non-vegetarians either. Naturally sweetened with dark raisins, it’s an ultimate easy vegetarian bread pudding.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Venice, Italy - Top Attractions

Gondola ride in Venice, Italy, passing in the narrow canals.
Venice is a city of boats, gondolas, and vaporettos moving through narrow canals. It is built on 118 small islands connected by over 400 bridges in the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. The Grand Canal is the main thoroughfare, and a gondola ride is one of the key activities in Venetian waters.

Besides the gondola ride, there are other things to do in Venice. The journey usually begins with a boat ride from the main arrival point, passing famous landmarks along the way. Summer is the peak season, but Venice in Italy (PISA ITALY TOP ATTRACTIONS) attracts crowds throughout the year. During busy times, lines form to disembark, and once on land, the walk into Venice begins. Gradually, the crowd spreads out, leaving enough space to move around for the activities in Venice.

Friday, April 5, 2024

Pisa, Italy - Top Attractions

Pisa Cathedral, close and partial top view showing the marble facade, Italy.
There can’t be a trip to Italy without including Pisa. For first-time tourists, Pisa is a must. After a day in Florence (TOP ATTRACTIONS IN FLORENCE), the city is just a 1-1.5-hour drive away. The main attraction is the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the top Pisa attractions. 

To make the trip even more worthwhile, consider staying overnight. Options range from small, cozy boutique hotels near the tower to stylish hotels in Piazza dei Miracoli or a guesthouse along the Arno River.

How to Travel to Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa, Italy
In Pisa, travelling to the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brings people to view the Leaning Tower, the cathedral, the baptistery, and the monumental cemetery. This cluster of landmarks, often called the “Square of Miracles,” is the main attraction in Pisa, admired for its remarkable ancient historic medieval architecture.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Fried Kembung (Mackerel) With Assam Sauce

Four pieces of fried salted mackerel fish, with sauce made with tamarind juice, ginger, onion, red chilies, palm sugar, kaffir lime leaves and salt.

Ikan kembung, sometimes spelled kembong and known as Indian mackerel, is a small, affordable local fish common in Malaysia. These fish sometimes come in slightly bigger sizes and are popular across Southeast Asia.

 

In Malaysia, this same fish is boiled in saltwater and sold as Ikan Kembung Rebus, or literally “Boiled Kembung.” This variety is aptly for an easy, no-fuss, traditional Malaysian fish recipe. 


Simple and packed with authentic flavors, it’s a staple in Malaysian street food, especially at nasi campur stalls and casual eateries.

Homemade Lemonade

Imagine sipping a homemade lemonade that is lightly sweet, refreshing, nourishing, and instantly wakes up the taste buds. This unique drink ...