What is a Sidecar? The original classic sidecar cocktail from World War II (named after the motorcycle) attachment, is made with cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice. My cognac sidecar is based on the original, but with the addition of a quality apple cider and nutmeg for a true fall feel. Using good quality ingredients is just as important in mixology as in cooking food. Fall cocktail flavors To make this Apple Sidecar Cocktail even more seasonal, I added leaves of fresh sage to the shaker for an earthy essence....

Get a last minute call? Guests are coming over unexpectedly? If you have 10 minutes and these simple ingredients, you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen making complex appetizers. A quick appetizer to serve that will delight and entertain your guests. This cheese and fruit crostini is a classic example of allowing your grocery store to do all the heavy lifting while you get to simply assemble the dish!...

Before moving to the southern region of India, I really had no idea about the very distinct cuisines of the southern states. Actually,scratch that..not separate southern “states” but “regions”..There are so many cuisines , that I am suddenly grappling with too much information and ideas..For instance-there is the famous Chettinad cuisine, then there is the Tamil Brahmin way of cooking,Malabar Cuisine,Mangalorean Cuisine and I am sure I am missing out on a dozen more here....

Storing Bang Bang Shrimp Sauce Store any leftover Bang Bang Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Always use your best judgment when storing and eating leftovers. If you use an ingredient that is close to its expiration date, that storage time could be shortened. If it smells or looks off, toss it. This sauce is no exception. It is absolutely delicious, and we have a whole section below to help you make to suit your exact tastes....

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram I hope God doesn’t mind, but I busted up laughing. She’s not wrong; I really do give out a lot of commandments. They just have a lot more to do with putting your shoes away (or brushing your teeth for heavens sake, or not spraying water all over the bathroom, or get to bed already, if you come out one more time I swear…), rather than loving thy neighbor and all that stuff....

Bhuna is a technique of cooking in Indian cuisine, which simply means to fry the flavour base or masala really well on low heat until it starts to caramelize and give out oil along the sides. This method of cooking ensures a robust burst of flavour in the dish and the end result is always a warm, comforting bite. It does take a bit of extra time and a watchful eye to make sure that the masala cooks well without getting burnt....

If you have been following me for a while, you may know that a lot of my love for cooking comes from my mom. She is no longer with us, but she raised a family for years on wholesome and delicious vegetarian recipes. She could work magic in the kitchen. Even if your family doesn’t follow a vegetarian diet, there are a lot of benefits of rounding out your diet with one meatless meal a week....

There are certain times in a year when all I want to do is nothing more than cuddle up with a great book and nibble on some extra-spicy food – like this Black Pepper Chicken Fry. Throw in a few cold winds my way, and the mood is set. With Hubby Dear out on one of his business tours, leaving me all alone to face the dilemma of what to pack for our upcoming tropical vacation, I was definitely in the need for some spiced up comfort....

The other day I got a comment from a reader that pretty much made my whole week. I can’t stop thinking about it. Hi Lisa, I just wanted you to know that I stop by your blog daily and I have since I found it over a year ago now. Your kids -Elliot included- are gorgeous and I love reading the little stories about them that you work into your posts....

I love the flavors of a BLT Sandwich so much, that I tend to turn everything BLT. BLT Chicken Salad and BLT Dip is amazing, but you will absolutely love this simple BLT Pasta Salad. It has a simple and easy-to-make dressing and all the flavors you love of the classic sandwich. Tips and Tricks Do not replace the yogurt with Greek yogurt. While delicious, it is too thick to work in this recipe....

After moving the U.S., I found that Americans pronounce them ‘scoan’ (as in cone). The name is actually pronounced scon (con). Just like my original recipe for Classic English Scones, they are perfect for breakfast, brunch or in typical British fashion, afternoon or high tea. I chose fresh strawberries to add to these British Summer Strawberry Scones because they are so ripe and sweet right now. I also love the fresh, sweet bite....

What is cabbage poriyal? Cabbage Poriyal is a Tamil Brahmin-style stir fry dish from the Palakkad Cuisine. It’s made with chopped cabbage, basic South Indian seasonings like mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, salt, and freshly grated coconut. This quick and easy recipe is loved for its minimal ingredient list and delicious taste. Made with coconut oil, it’s also naturally vegan and gluten-free. Why you’ll love this Poriyal recipe? Quick and easy to make with minimal ingredientsTakes only less than 30 minutes from start to finishIdeal for feeding a crowd, a popular choice for Onam Sadya or VishuVegan and Gluten-free, suitable for those with dietary restrictionsGoes well with Rotis or yogurt flatbreads, making it a versatile side dish optionA delicious addition to your south Indian meal with its unique and fresh flavors...

One time back when I lived in Indiana a few friends invited me to a recipe swap. I had no idea what a recipe swap was and I was too embarrassed to ask. I figured I should bring a recipe so I printed off a few copies of my favorite French bread and brought them along. But when I got there everyone was swapping ALL of the recipes they had....

Happy Sunday! I’m not sure why carrots became an Easter flavor . . . I mean, I guess I get it. Easter . . . . rabbits . . . carrots? Is that the logic path we are following? Either way, with so many carrot cake lovers in my life, I’m glad I have a few recipes that fill that carroty void. Last week I published my homemade Carrot Cake recipe and now today I have for you those great flavors in fudge form!...

We are in the final stretch friends! We spent the day yesterday celebrating our oldest’s birthday, doing our very best to make him feel special and loved amidst the craziness of the holidays. It’s not such an easy task! This is coupled with his realization, as he has gotten older, that his birthday is also the anniversary of my mom’s death. His grandmother passed away just a few hours after he was born....

Let’s talk about the vodka. Plain or flavored vodka can be used. Lemon, blueberry, cranberry, apple or pomegranate, just to name a few. If you’re looking for Christmas tequila drink, you can replace the vodka, with tequila. The same goes if you’re a gin drinker, as well. Best served well chilled in a stemmed or stemless martini glass. To help keep it cold, keep your glasses in the freezer right up until you make the drink....

Sometimes you need a simple cookie that comes together quickly. For those times, this Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Cookie is the perfect solution. These are a very quick recipe that have been popular on Simple Joy for over a decade! If you are unable to find it, or you would rather not use a pre-made mix, you can make the dough with my Sugar Cookie Recipe. Make the recipe as it is written, but before rolling into cookies mix in the brown sugar, cinnamon, pudding mix, and chocolate chips....

How are all your Christmas chores going?? I love this time of year! There is so much to do and it’s all so fun. Buying gifts for all your favorite people, the best chore, right? Baking tons of treats for all the neighbors? Best chore! I was very curious about this because the only “chores” this kid has before school include things like, you know, eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth....

This Cookie Butter Magic Shell combines two of my very favorite sweet treats into one yummy ice cream topper. As a kid I loved the crunchy magic shell that you could get at ice cream shops. Something about the chocolatey flavor and crisp texture made an ordinary scoop of ice cream something really special. I made this cookie butter version a year ago after finding success with my Nutella Magic Shell recipe....

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram My dad is an amazing photographer. These were all taken by my mom on her phone (and I still think they are awesome), but if you want to see some of the photos from his nice camera when he gets them all organized, tell me and I will share! In other news, here’s where I knocked an entire box of spinach AND a bottle of olive oil on the ground during this photo shoot....