Recipes

Blue bowl of tortilla soup with avocado, tortilla strips, chopped herbs, and lemon wedges.
16 Mar 2012

Vegan/Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

Potatoes, black beans, and corn add substance to this vegan/vegetarian tortilla soup to make it healthy, filling and absolutely delicious. I promise that no one will miss the chicken that is customarily put into tortilla soup. And, if you have any leftovers, the soup is just as good then next day, as long as you make sure to bake up some fresh tortilla strips.

Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes
Bowl of square cookies with dark chocolate topping and light sprinkles.
21 Dec 2011

Nussknusperli

This recipe provides an easy method for making delicious Swiss Christmas cookies. These bar-style treats feature a hazelnut-infused dough, baked as a sheet, then immediately topped with melted chocolate and a sprinkle of ground hazelnuts before being cut into squares.

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes
Star-shaped jam cookies with red filling in a decorative blue tin.
19 Dec 2011

Spitzbuben

The name of these cookies means "mischievous boy." The jam peeking out is like a mischievous boy sneaking a peek.

Cook time: 10 minutes
Stack of light brown square Gewürzschnittli bars on a green leaf plate.
17 Dec 2011

Gewürzschnittli (Spice squares)

Traditionally in Switzerland we bake at least 4 different kinds of Christmas cookies during the Holidays. Our family does about 6 kinds. 

This quick and easy Swiss Christmas cookie recipe features ground almonds or hazelnuts, lemon zest, and candied fruits. Baked in a sheet and topped with a simple lemon glaze, these delicious cookies are cut into bite-sized pieces and can be frozen for freshness.

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes
Blue plate with baked eggplant and white yoghurt sauce, fresh salad with fruit, and a side of brown rice.
29 Sep 2011

Aubergines with Tomato and Yoghurt

This is a recipe from the cookbook "Favorite Indian Food" by Diane Seed. And boy it is sooooo good. I serve it with rice and salad and I always hope for leftovers. I spread the eggplants on a fresh baked roll for lunch the day after and after eating it I am a very happy person.
I love spices! And the tomatoes with the ginger and garlic make such a nice flavor on the eggplants.

 

Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes
Dark brown loaf cake with a glistening passion fruit glaze, served on a colorful platter outdoors.
25 Sep 2011

Yoghurt and Passionfruit Syrup Cake

This recipe is adapted from Donna Hay's recipe from her cookbook "Seasons". Here I put less sugar and substituted freshly ground whole spelt flour for the flour and brown sugar instead of caster sugar.

It was hard to decide which cake to make, this passion fruit cake or a fig upside down cake. We found both fruits at the Farmers Market today and bought both. I guess today it is one cake and maybe later in the week the other. Why not? Life should be enjoyed in many sweet ways. I love this cake. And the good thing is when you don't want to eat so much cake all by yourself you can give away slices of it and people will love you for it!

Prep time: 7 minutes Cook time: 50 minutes
Loaf cake with baked peach halves on a decorative red and black platter.
19 Aug 2011

Nectarine Tart with Orange Syrup

Knitting club meets once a month. That gives me an opportunity to bake something. In August, this was the cake I baked and everybody loved it!

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes
Large rectangular quiche with colorful vegetables on an outdoor table.
17 Aug 2011

Vegetable Quiche

I am obsessed with vegetables! Every meal, I have this habit to have at least 10 different kinds of vegetables and with this quiche, it is very easy to manage that!

Prep time: 55 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes
Two fruit-filled dessert cups and a fruit pile, all topped with white cream, on a blue plate.
16 Aug 2011

Mini Fruit Tarts with Lime Cream

These are perfect for a light and healthy summer dessert. They can be made using any kind of fresh fruit (go to the farmer's market to see what is in season!) and if you'd prefer a warm version of this, feel free to stew the fruit until soft. Apples, pears, nectarines, or peaches would be delicious for this and you could even add a bit of cinnamon for a bit more flavor. The lime tofu cream can be changed to a plain cream by decreasing the lime or lemon juice down to 1-2 tablespoons.

The Lemon Pastry Shell recipe comes from the Patricia Wells at Home in Provence cookbook and the tofu cream is adapted from a German tofu cookbook.

Cook time: 15 minutes
Outdoor dining table set with blue plates, salads, bread, and lit candles at dusk.
10 Aug 2011

Samosas

This recipe details how to make homemade samosas, featuring a simple dough and a savory potato filling seasoned with ginger, garlic, cumin, and chili. It provides instructions for preparing the dough, mixing the flavorful stuffing, and assembling the triangular pastries. The samosas can then be either deep-fried for a traditional crisp or baked for a healthier alternative.

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
Blue bowl filled with granola, featuring oats, nuts, and dried cranberries on a wooden surface.
2 Aug 2011

Nantucket Granola à la Pia

A variation of a delicious granola Pia found in a magazine years ago, which in turn is based on the traditional way granola is made on the island of Nantucket.

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes
Pita sandwich with meat patty, lettuce, tomato, red onion, tzatziki sauce, and french fries.
31 Jul 2011

Homemade Gyros

Delicious Greek Gyros topped with a fresh Tzatziki yogurt sauce.

Prep time: 12 minutes Cook time: 60 minutes
Whole roasted fish with lemon slices, served with roasted carrots and couscous.
6 Apr 2011

Lemon-baked Rainbow Trout

Lacking parsley and a barbeque, I came up with my own version of Jamie Oliver's "Grandad Ken's Crispy Grilled Trout with Parsley and Lemon" recipe. Make sure to serve it with lemon halves so that people can squeeze more lemon juice onto the trout while eating.

Prep time: 0 minutes
White floral mug with red handle, full of golden lemon curd on a blue surface.
20 Mar 2011

Lemon Curd

This is my version of a wonderful lemon curd. Eat it or spread it onto fresh baked bread, scones, or whatever you fancy. Don't skimp on the lemon juice or zest!

Prep time: 15 minutes