Author: HomemadeInLA

As a child, my parents often hosted a large Christmas Eve party for family & friends. The dinner that my mom cooked was of a different cuisine every year, but the appetizers were pretty much always the same. Some of those traditional starters included meatballs, spicy oyster shooters, and of course, potato balls from Porto’s. In addition to these items, my mom always baked up a slew of savory, puff pasty hors d’oeuvres! One batch would be filled with seasoned ground beef, and the other batch would be filled with roasted red bell peppers and spinach. The best part was that my brother, grandma, dad, and I were always allowed to have a warm pastry straight out of the oven before guests arrived! The flaky pockets were, of course, delicious and a special treat that I looked forward to my mom making every holiday season! The following recipe is inspired by my mother’s joy of cooking, old family traditions, and my obsession with all things puff pastry.

With spring in the air, a thriving herb garden, and a hankering for chicken salad – I whipped up something new and extra delicious this past weekend. This chicken salad is so good that I’ve eaten it every afternoon for lunch over the past four days and will definitely be making it again in the future! If you love fresh herbs as much as I do, this flavor packed dish will definitely hit the spot. My recipe is light, bright, and perfect for a variety of occasions ranging from a casual meal at home to a cute brunch or picnic with friends & family. Plus, who doesn’t love a good twist on an old classic?

Whether you know it as baba ganoush, baba ghanouj, mutabbal, or by another name or spelling – this classic eggplant dip is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. If you are unfamiliar with this traditional appetizer, it is essentially hummus made with roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas. Baba Ghanoush is without a doubt one of my favorite dishes because it’s filling, incredibly healthy, and a great accompaniment to grilled meat, vegetables, and pita.