When fresh berries are in season, I always want to make the most of it. So I go to the supermarket and hoard packs of fresh berries so that I can indulge myself with any food that has berries in it—shakes with lots of milk and ice; syrup which I drizzle on top of my pancakes or waffles (and still top them with fresh berries); and the most delectable cakes and pastries that I can grace my table with during meal time. For example, I love having either a strawberry cream cake or a raspberry cake to share with my family and friends when I have them over for dinner.

Berry cakes compliment any main dish that you prepare, which is why if you’re going to a potluck gathering, the safest thing to bring is a berry cake. The sweetness comes from the cake itself, but the tangy freshness of the berries helps balance the taste, making it just right. This recipe I found over Natasha’s kitchen is one of the best I’ve ever tried making. And it’s not just a cake; it’s a jello mousse—a Raspberry Jello Mousse Cake in particular.

Photo courtesy of Youtube. Recipe courtesy of Natasha’s Kitchen.

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Quick Tip: Let cake sit on top of the peeled back parchment paper to cool.

Nuts are my comfort food. Whenever I relax, I eat nuts instead of chips or popcorn. Whenever I get stressed, I eat nuts instead of chocolate. And it’s not because they’re healthier, but it’s more about the fact that they’re the best snacks that I can eat all day without getting tired of the taste. They’re not too oily – that would make me lose my appetite and stop eating. Moreover, I’ve noticed that they make me alert, enabling me to concentrate on my work better.

Walnuts are my favorite. Give me a pack of walnuts and a book, and I am ready to lounge on my favorite couch and have a relaxing day ahead. Walnuts are the easiest thing to eat, with them being soft and crunchy at the same time. They also won’t go bad easily. I don’t have to worry about stocking too much of them on my shelf. And of course, they go really well with my favorite fruit, the banana, when I am in the mood for a dessert that’s not too sweet or too rich.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Land O Lakes.

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Quick Tip: Banana bread is even better on the second day. Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

I have a confession to make. I am not a fan of healthy food, but I am addicted to pesto pasta. I first encountered it at a party of a friend who was a bit of a health freak. Initially, I was reluctant to try it, given its unusual green color that reminded me of salads and green leafy vegetables that, let’s face it, aren’t really everyone’s choice for food. But I got curious because it seemed to smell spicy and a little bit minty. It also had that delicious nutty and garlicky scent; something that salads most definitely didn’t smell like. So, crossing my fingers, I tried it and I have been a fan ever since!

With basil leaves and extra virgin olive oil as its main ingredients, pesto sure has health benefits. But it never came across as health food to me. I have always thought of healthy food as dry and bland or somehow reduced in flavor. But pesto, with all of its zests and aroma, just tastes so sinfully good no one will mistake it as one!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Foodie Crush.

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Quick Tip: Because the flavors are so simple, use the best you can afford and fresh, leafy herbs always shine the most.

Who can resist a homemade pasta carbonara straight from Mom’s kitchen? Definitely not me! I grew up in a household where everyone enjoyed a heartily made pasta dish every weekend. I remember how my brother and I used to fight over the last serving of Mom’s pasta carbonara… with me winning, of course. Every Friday, we used to sit down in the living room, watch a rerun of a TV series and talk about which type of pasta should go with lunch the next day. I know. TV series and pasta are two different topics, but hey, food and TV always complement each other!

Pasta was a serious business and we really took it seriously—from discussing the type of sauce to what type of pasta should be used. Dad preferred pasta with a red sauce, but my brother and I had always preferred the white sauce. He also preferred the traditional spaghetti noodles while my brother and I preferred fettucine. It was always two against one so we always won! I will never forget how Mom’s Carbonara seemed to just melt in my mouth. She was always generous with the sauce and the bacon—the ultimate deciding factors on how good a carbonara would be! I have been looking all over until I finally found this simple recipe that was close to that homemade creamy goodness.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Taste.com.au.

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Quick tip: Add milk if you prefer thinner sauce.

Say Hello To My New Best Casserole Friend!

I am not even kidding when I say I hate chopping. Ok, some of it may have to do with the fact that I’m the laziest person on Earth to take care of my kitchen knifes…

They’re not exactly in the sharpest possible condition, if you know what I mean! But still, it’s usually the lack of time that makes me want to avoid recipes where there’s a lot of chopping involved. After a long and busy workday I would simply rather do something else.

That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with this pork chop and rice casserole recipe. No chopping whatsoever! It’s not the only reason, though. I love recipes that make use of the most inexpensive and simple ingredients and still turn out unbelievably tasty. My husband is crazy about this dish – he could eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Come to think of it, so could I!

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Quick tip: You can add your favorite spices to give this even more taste. I like to add a little bit of red pepper flakes!

This Hearty Meal Will Warm You Up On A Cold Night

I grew up on a small farm. My Dad would take care of the land and my Mom was taking care of us, as a stay-at-home mommy.

I didn’t always appreciate it – I thought my friends were so cool, having their own key to their house since their parents had office jobs and they weren’t home yet, when we got back from school. My friends could go through the fridge and eat whatever they found, on the couch watching TV. I “had to” go home and eat whatever Mom had cooked, and our whole family always ate together in the dining room.

Boy, do I feel different about my childhood now! It was such a blessing to be able to enjoy a homemade dinner every single day, and what made it even more special was that we really spent that moment together. It’s one of my most cherished memories, ever since my Dad passed away – and this beef stew recipe reminded me of all that. It was my Dad’s favorite!

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Quick tip: Leftovers will only get better after a couple of days, so be sure to make a large batch!