Tasty Arbuz

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Okroshka Recipe

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Come summer it gets too hot to eat hot food. So, we tend to deviate towards more refreshing, cooler entrees. Okroshka is one of those refreshing soups served cold and is mostly made of raw vegetables. Most people may not know what Okroshka is and may not like the fact that it is made with Kefir or butter milk. If it makes any difference, original Okroshka is made with Kvas as a soup base. Kvas is a beer-like non-alcoholic drink. It is slightly sweet and has a very rich taste. Well, we chose a leaner and healthier version of Okroshka :)

Chana Masala Recipe

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Chana masala became one of my favorite side dishes while I lived in Texas. I had a loving Indian family who would invite me to their house on weekends and offer amazing treats along with some great dinner. I decided to post this recipe in honor of Aziz and her family, who showed me the meaning of sincere friendship and for introducing me to the Indian Cuisine :)

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

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During the first months of pregnancy with my first son Omar, the only dish I could eat and keep in my stomach, was Curry Chicken. From there on, the Indian cuisine became one of our favorite cuisines. Not to mention my oldest son’s passion for Curry. I have already posted my favorite recipe of Curry Chicken. Chicken Tikka Masala uses a slightly different technique and tastes a little different from Curry Chicken. Don’t get scared of the ingredient list – it might look slightly complicated, but you will get everything in a heartbeat :) Plus isn’t it all worth it when you enjoy your Chicken Tikka Masala with some nice home-made Naan?

Naan Recipe

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I have a special relationship with Naan (we call it “Non” in Uzbek language) – I like it with everything! In fact, my whole family likes bread with everything. Indian Naan and Uzbek Non share something more than the similarity of the names. They are both baked in a clay oven and resemble in taste. Naan translates from Persian as bread and it is very popular in many Middle-Eastern, South Asian and Central Asian countries.

Turkish Breakfast Eggs and Sausage Recipe

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This recipe belongs to my friend Husnora. She is a photographer herself and loves taking all kinds of beautiful pictures in her spare time. Husnora lives in Turkey, one of my dream destinations of all time. Turkish culture, food and its mother nature mesmerizes me. So, I decided to start adding more recipes from the Turkish cuisine. I asked Husnora to write a simple recipe and we decided this simple breakfast meal would be a good jump start and inspiration for me to post more Turkish recipes. Breakfast Eggs and Sausage Recipe may not be something extraordinary, but it never hurts to be more simple, right? :)

Manti Recipe (Meat Dumplings)

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Anyone up for dumplings? :) I know we are up for them a lot. Well, maybe once in a couple of weeks for sure. Manti (a.k.a. dumplings) are very native to Uzbek people. Although a lot of people associate dumplings with Oriental kitchen, the roots of this dish go to Central Asia and nomadic tribes of Timurids and Chingizids. It is believed that the latter spread the idea to other regions of the world while traveling.

Lemon Scented Pull Apart Coffee Cake

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This loaf-like dessert with a long name of “Lemon Scented Pull Apart Coffee Cake” is my sister’s favorite. We always make it when she is in town. For some reason, it comes out twice as good with her involvement. I say, she has her own ways with this cake :P This particular dessert is soooo fluffy, so lemony (at time orangy) and with the cheese icing, it is hard to find a substitution for it! Irresistible!

Egg Noodle Chicken Soup Recipe

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I first tried the Egg Noodle Chicken Soup when our friend Olga and Nikolai made it as a first course during a luscious dinner. I simply loved it! It was like a love potion mixed into the soup. To spread the love, I asked Olga to give me the recipe. She kindly posted it on her new food blog and I shamelessly stole the recipe :P