Meat Grinder Spritz Cookies
These old-fashioned spritz cookies are familiar across Romania, Ukraine, Germany, and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, where the dough was traditionally shaped using a meat grinder fitted with...
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All posts by Elena-Greta Apostol
I simply love cooking and talking about food and recipes so much so that I dropped my successful corporate advertising career five years ago to become a full-time food blogger. And I couldn't be happier. What excites me? Sharing flavors that transport me back to my childhood, using the tricks I learned from my mom for preparing treats, and experimenting with new ingredients while exploring the forgotten corners of local (and beyond) gastronomy.
No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies
These no-bake Christmas tree cookies are an easy festive treat made with finely ground biscuits, cocoa, walnuts, butter, and a hint of rum. The mixture comes together quickly, with just...
No-Cream Celery Soup with Chickpeas
This smooth celery soup gets its creamy texture from potatoes rather than cream, keeping it light while still feeling comforting and satisfying. Celery, carrots, garlic, and thyme build a simple,...
Greek Lemon Potatoes with Garlic and Oregano
These Greek lemon roasted potatoes are one of those simple side dishes that deliver far more flavor than the ingredient list suggests. The potatoes roast in a mixture of olive...
Mexican-Inspired Tortilla Quiche
This tortilla quiche is a fun fusion of French and Mexican-inspired flavors, using a flour tortilla in place of traditional pastry for a lighter, easier crust. The filling combines eggs,...
Blueberry Madeleines
These delicious blueberry madeleines are light, buttery, and delicately flavored with vanilla and fresh lemon zest. Each one has a tender crumb and small bursts of juicy blueberry, making them...
No-Bake Carrot Cake Energy Balls
These carrot cake energy balls bring all the cozy flavors of classic carrot cake into a simple, no-bake treat. Made with dates, almonds, warm spices, and freshly grated carrot, they’re...
No-Bake Pistachio Raspberry Roulade
This no-bake pistachio raspberry roulade combines delicate ladyfingers soaked in milk with a light pistachio cream and fresh raspberries. The ladyfingers soften and roll easily, forming a layered dessert that...
Easy Peach Upside-Down Cake
Light, airy, and wonderfully simple, this upside-down peach sponge cake is the kind of dessert that lets seasonal fruit truly shine. The fluffy sponge bakes gently over juicy peaches, creating...
Pea and Cream Cheese Quiche
If you’re craving something light, flavorful, and colorful that still feels satisfying, this pea and cream cheese quiche is a perfect choice. The crust is tender and crisp, while the...
Portuguese Cornstarch Cookies
Portuguese cornstarch cookies, known as Biscoitos de Maizena, are beloved for their delicate texture and simple ingredients. Made with cornstarch, butter, powdered sugar, and eggs, the dough comes together quickly...
Turkish Meat Börek
If you’ve ever visited Türkiye or the Balkans, chances are you fell in love with börek, the irresistible savory pastry found in bakeries, cafés, and family kitchens across the region....
Crêpes Suzette (French Orange Butter Crêpes)
Crêpes Suzette is one of those classic French desserts that feels both simple and a little special at the same time. Soft, delicate crêpes are coated in a buttery orange...
Spinach & Ricotta Pancake Casserole
This savory spinach and ricotta pancake casserole is a delicious baked dish made by rolling tender homemade pancakes around a creamy spinach and ricotta filling, then baking them with eggs...
Pan-Seared Ribeye with Red Wine, Garlic, and Rosemary
With just a few simple techniques and high-quality ingredients, you can cook a perfectly seared beef ribeye in minutes. The secret lies in proper seasoning, a very hot pan, and...
Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs with Onion Skins & Herb Patterns
Dyeing Easter eggs with onion skins is a long-standing tradition in Romania, where this recipe comes from. For decades, especially in the days before artificial dyes were widely available, families...
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
There’s nothing better than hummus—except roasted red pepper hummus. The addition of roasted red peppers provides a fantastic depth of flavor to this classic Mediterranean dip, giving it a slightly...
Adjarian Khachapuri with Chickpeas
This version of Adjarian khachapuri keeps all the things we love about the original — the rich, cheesy filling, the golden egg in the center, and that signature boat-shaped crust...
Cheese Focaccia w/ Green Onions, Za’atar & Sumac
This focaccia is where Italian comfort meets Middle Eastern flavor. The dough bakes up soft and airy, with a slightly crisp, golden crust. Topped with chunks of cheese, fresh green...
Oriental Salad: Romanian Potato & Egg Salad
Kalamata olives, dill, olive oil, and red bell peppers—although it looks like a typical Mediterranean salad, this is actually a classic Romanian potato and egg salad, known locally as Salată...
Savory Noodle Kugel with Goat Cheese
Kugel is a rich and comforting Ashkenazi Jewish pasta casserole made with cheese, eggs, and butter, and it can be enjoyed in both sweet and savory variations. This savory goat...
Coffee Brownies
If you’re a fan of the irresistible combination of chocolate and coffee, then this coffee-infused brownie is exactly what you need! Each bite is a heavenly blend of rich, velvety...
Caprese Pasta Salad
If you love the classic Italian Caprese salad, with its simple yet perfect combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, then this Caprese Pasta Salad is a must-try!...
Grilled Halloumi w/ Orange Vinaigrette & Pistachios
If you love that perfect combo of salty, crispy, and a little sweet, this dish is for you! Halloumi cheese originated in Cyprus and is most popular in Cyprus, Greece and...