Pesto Chicken Salad

Even though I’m swamped with work at the moment — dealing with tons of deadlines, endless paperwork, emails, and all sort of tiresome things on my real life agenda — I’ve decided to focus my daydreaming on something more aspirational: what to cook on a lazy summer evening.
And though the current heatwave we’re experiencing is not too bad, I’m not brave enough to venture outside of my air-conditioned cave, fire up the grill, and make some grub.
Instead, I stayed in and made some delicious mayo-less Pesto Chicken Salad.

(Paleo) Brownie Bites

I made these Brownie Bites last night.
Why? Because I wanted chocolate.
Where? In my kitchen.
And you know what? They are awesome!

Antioxidant Berry Chia Seed Smoothie

I can see you rolling your eyes. (That's right, I can see you even from here, because I have a super powers!) You're thinking: What? NOT another smoothie! Is he on one of his smoothie marathons or something?
Well, don’t worry. The next recipe will be a NON-smoothie I promise. I just couldn’t resist sharing with you guys what I had for breakfast for the last month, and probably what I’m going to have for lunch for the next two months.
And isn’t it the point of a personal food blog to show you guys the food I’m actually making (and eating)?

Zoodles with Creamy Garlic Cashew Sauce

I don’t know if you’re aware of it or not, but there is such a thing in this world called cashew cream.
And it is awesome.
You don’t need to be a vegan or a vegetarian to appreciate it. Actually, you’re going to love this as long as you’re a person who likes to try new things every now and then.
And this comes from a person who has been super skeptical about cashew cream for years.

Pina Colada Chia Pudding

I’m aware that there’s a time and place for everything, in the case of pina colada it’s a swim-up bar at a tropical resort or under a cabana while gazing at the turquoise water meeting the impossibly blue sky.
But I realize that not all us have the time or the means to fly to the tropics just to sip pina colada.
So what about a pina colada in pudding form that’s also super good for you?
Too good to be true?
Of course not.

Tzatziki Potato Salad

I know I told you like a year ago what my favorite potato salad was but as it turns out, I’ve got room in my allegiances for another. Though this may not be the classic potato salad most people grew up with; like a month ago I was asked to bring potato salad to a cook-out and decided to try this one.
I knew that it was full of picky eaters who want traditional food with no changes or anything “exotic”. If I had told them ahead of time what was in this salad they wouldn't have eaten it.
Instead they inhaled it and asked for more.
“Who made this potato salad? It’s delish!”

Super Simple Piri Piri Chicken

As you already know I adore spicy food, and I have no trouble with it except my nose runs terribly and I start sweating profusely on my head.
Do you remember how Pavarotti wiped sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief? Just like that. Not pretty.
And it can be a little embarrassing, especially while eating in social situations.
That’s why when I go out for work or when I’m with a certain group of people I go a little mild. Instead I let the spice fly with my closest friends or when I’m eating alone.

Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad with Sesame Seed Dressing

The other day I looked at the thermometer outside my kitchen window and it read 100°F.
Clearly, I need a new thermometer.
And yet, even if it isn't that hot out (to be honest today it’s actually pretty chilly), it's definitely been getting warm enough that my water consumption is starting to increase dramatically while I almost lost my appetite — okay not really but you know what I mean, right?
We’re entering that time of the year when a light and fresh salad is exactly what (and all) I need.

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Homemade Nutella)

I know it’s a terrible idea to post a recipe for homemade Nutella right now. It’s June. You’re getting in a bikini/swim trunks in a couple of weeks and I know for a fact that all you’re focusing on is getting beach-ready.
You’re probably all about salads, smoothies, and juices. Yet here I am, presenting you with a luscious Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.
But you see this Chocolate Hazelnut Spread is made with only good-for-you ingredients and it’s so delicious it will make you feel better instantly.
And since it’s a known fact (or at least I like to believe it so) that happiness is one of the biggest factors in feeling and looking great you can understand why it totally makes sense to post a recipe for homemade Nutella right now.
Not to mention that it’s not like you have to eat more than a spoonful. It’s possible — though difficult — to exercise some self-control around chocolate and hazelnuts. Trust me.

Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata

The sauce you guys, the sauce. This dish is all about the sauce.
It’s actually so good you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful and maybe even want to lick the plate clean.
I did it and do not regret it, at all.
I mean, when you sautè butter and garlic, then add milk, salty chicken broth, and tangy lemon juice, good things are going to happen. Good as in magical. Good as in you should stop reading this post. Seriously, stop and go make it. NOW.

Flourless Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

I made us some cookies.
I know, how kind of me.
It started as a quest for cookies that tasted like Nutella, if, say, you were the type of person who may or may not have bragged with his 7-year old niece that he could bake any cookie ever known to mankind. Including, but not limited to, a “cookie that’s as awesome as Nutella but does not have Nutella in it!”

Harissa Spaghetti

Wait, what? Spaghetti on this blog? Are you kidding? Are you going insane? Where are the zoodles man?
I know, shocking.
Take a deep breath, relax, everything will be okay. I promise.
But you see, I recently bought these gluten-free spaghetti (made with a blend of organic corn, rice, and quinoa), and they taste so darn good I was like “Score! Finally a GF pasta that’s like the real deal!”

Eggs Poached In Marinara Sauce

Some recipes are so simple and quick they should hardly be called recipes. This is one of those.
Maybe I should call this an idea instead of recipe. An idea on how to poach eggs.
Maybe that’s a better way to define these Eggs Poached in Marinara Sauce.
A humble but soulful dish that makes for a wonderful breakfast, tasty lunch or dinner.

(Paleo) Carrot Cake In A Mug

OK, I’ll admit it, I’m having way too much fun with this cake-in-a-mug thing.
I’m like a kid with a new box of LEGOs: endless entertainment!
I started with the Chocolate Chip Cookie, then it was the Cinnamon Roll (one of the most popular recipes on this blog), followed by the Chocolate Cake, the Apple Pie, the Brownie, and no later than last Friday by the Lemon Pound Cake.
Today it’s all about carrot cake.

(Paleo) 1-Minute Iced Lemon Pound Cake

If you’ve ever had Starbucks’ Iced Lemon Pound Cake, you know how good it is. Full of lemon flavor, dense, rich, and so so moist.
I haven’t had it in years — last time was probably 2006 and I was still in college — but I remember perfectly how awesome it is. Maybe a bit too sweet (at least for me) but awesome nonetheless.
A tasty little lemon cake goes great with just about any drink you can think of: coffee, tea, latte, hot chocolate, cappuccino, mocha, etc.

(Paleo) Chocolate Chip Cookie Squares

Today I have one question for you guys: Why aren't most cookies square-shaped?
Or to put it differently, why are most of the cookies round-shaped?
It’s one of those questions that has troubled me most and I’ve always wanted to know the answer to — but I was too afraid to ask.
When I was a kid I thought that all cookies begin as squares, but then people always nibble off the corners because they're so tasty. Hence, round cookies.
Was I onto something?
I dunno, I dunno…

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Zoodles

There is a bunch of zoodle recipes on this website: Lemon garlic chicken zoodles, Avocado pesto zoodles, Butter zoodles with herbs, Zoodles aglio olio e peperoncino, Pad Thai Zoodles, Zoodle Pie, Zoodles with Marinara Sauce, and Zoodle Bake.
All of which are pretty darn fantastic, and yet this one might be my absolute favorite.

Creamy Turmeric Mashed Sweet Potatoes

If I were asked to cook the healthiest dish possible, these Creamy Turmeric Sweet Potatoes would probably be it.
It’s basically the combination of two superfoods (i.e., sweet potatoes and garlic) + what is considered to be the healthiest spice ever (turmeric aka the “Golden Spice of Life” ) + the healthiest fat on earth (olive oil).

(Paleo) Sweet Potato Brownies

These Are. Hands Down. The Fudgiest Brownies. Ever.
I’m not joking. I had to chill the pan for quite some time before I was able to slice 'em.
Mom even said that these brownies were too fudgy and too chocolatey. Can you believe that? Too fudgy and too chocolatey?
Seriously mom, brownies are supposed to be fudgy and chocolatey. Do we need to have another conversation about cakey brownies and how they are not brownies but just chocolate cake cut into squares?
I don’t think so…

(No-Bake) Coconut Lemon Meltaway Balls

The proverbial phrase "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is usually used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude when one faces adversity or misfortune.
But lemme just say that I wholeheartedly hate that phrase.
Why should I make lemonade with your stupid lemons life?
You want me to open a lemonade stand on the street selling lemonade 50¢ a cup. Nah, it's not an option — I’m not 0 years old anymore.
Maybe I can consider becoming a lemon magnate. I mean if the product cost is zero, I can retail lemons for a considerable profit. That’s business 101.
But it all depends on the amount of lemon you're giving me life...