Thursday, April 2, 2026

Baked Lemon Boursin Pasta

 A recipe image of Baked Lemon-Boursin Pasta with Spring Vegetables 

Ingredients

8 ounces whole-wheat penne

2 cups unsalted vegetable broth 

1 cup water

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

1 tbsp grated lemon zest

 3 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced

½ tsp ground pepper

 ¼ tsp salt

1 (5.2-ounce) package garlic-and-herb Boursin cheese OR creamy, soft cheeses mixed with garlic and herbs, such as cream cheese, 

 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch pieces

1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach

1 cup frozen peas

2 tbsp lemon juice

Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional) 

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine 8 ounces penne, 2 cups broth, 1 cup water, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, the sliced garlic, ½ teaspoon pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Stir until evenly combined and the pasta is mostly submerged. Nestle the Boursin in the center. Cover tightly with foil.

Bake until the pasta is almost tender, about 35 minutes. Remove from oven; stir the pasta around the edges of the dish. Add asparagus pieces, 5 ounces spinach and 1 cup frozen peas. Re-cover tightly with foil.

Continue baking until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the pasta and asparagus are tender, about 15 minutes more. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Serve topped with additional Parmesan and parsley, if desired.


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Pasta alla Norma

 Pasta alla Norma 

 This Pasta alla Norma is built around roasted eggplant, a cozy tomato sauce, fresh basil, and Parmesan — the kind of combination that feels classic and comforting, yet completely doable on a weeknight. It’s a meatless dish that never feels like a compromise.

 

Ingredients:
 
2 medium globe eggplants (cubed)
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp EACH: salt and pepper

Sauce and Pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
½ medium onion (finely minced)
3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
24 ounces marinara sauce
Salt and pepper (to taste)
14 ounces short-shaped pasta
½ cup grated Parmesan (plus extra for serving)
Fresh basil (for serving)
 
Preparations
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line an extra-large baking sheet (see notes) with parchment paper. Add the eggplant and toss with the oil, salt, and pepper and then spread the cubes out evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the eggplant is very soft.
2 medium globe eggplants, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds evenly spaced, roasted cubes of eggplant, perfect for making classic dishes like Pasta alla Norma or your favorite eggplant pasta. 
 
While the eggplant is baking, make the sauce. Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until it's translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Pour the marinara sauce into the pan and let it warm. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. 
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil, then cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, drain the pot, then return the pasta to the pot.

Pour the marinara sauce over the pasta. When the eggplant is soft, add it to the pot and stir well. Add enough of the pasta cooking water to make a loose, creamy sauce – I usually add most of it, but add a splash at a time.
Stir in the Parmesan and basil. Serve with a little extra Parmesan and basil on top.


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Lemon Lush

Lemon Lush  

 Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup pdr sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup butter, room temperature

2 (8- ounce) blocks cream cheese, room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 (3.4- ounce) packages instant lemon pudding mix

3 cups cold milk (2% or whole milk)

zest of 2 lemons

1 (8- ounce) container whipped topping

 

Preparations

 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with non stick spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter with a pastry cutter. The mixture will come together like a dry cookie dough. You can use your hands if you need to as well to mix.

Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes until lightly golden. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

When the crust is cooled combine the cream cheese and the granulated sugar in a mixing bowl and mix until creamy. Spread this layer evenly on the crust.

In another bowl whisk together for 5 minutes the pudding, milk, and lemon zest until it’s thick. Spread the pudding layer on the cream cheese layer.

Finally spread the whipped topping on the pudding layer.

Cover airtight and chill for at least 4 hours. This is great to make a day ahead too.


Notes

Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freeze airtight for up to 2 months for best freshness. Thaw in the refrigerator.

 

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Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Coleslaw

 Ingredients

2 cups shredded rainbow slaw

1 cup shaved Brussels sprouts

1 celery stalk, thinly sliced

4 green onions, thinly sliced

½ cup mayonnaise, preferably Hellmann’s

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

½ tsp celery seeds

½ tsp celery salt

¼ tsp paprika

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large bowl, stir together the slaw, Brussels sprouts, celery and green onions.

In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, vinegar, celery seeds, celery salt, paprika, salt and pepper to taste.

Fold the mayonnaise mixture into the slaw mixture.

Refrigerate for two hours before serving.

To make ahead: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

 

 

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Flaxseed Powder/ Podi

  

 A nutritious, intensely nutty dry powder made by roasting flaxseeds with lentils, red chilies, garlic, and curry leaves — this is the podi that the health-conscious South Indian kitchen has quietly been making for generations.

Ingredients

  • Flaxseeds – ½ cup
  • Urad dal – 2 tbsp
  • Dry red chilies – 4, broken
  • Garlic – 4 cloves
  • Curry leaves – 1 sprig
  • Salt – to taste


Method

  1. Dry roast flaxseeds in a pan on low heat for 3–4 minutes until they begin to splutter. Set aside to cool.
  2. In the same pan, dry roast urad dal until golden. 
  3. Add dry red chilies, garlic, and curry leaves and roast for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Cool completely.
  4. Combine all roasted ingredients and grind to a coarse powder. 
  5. Add salt and pulse once more.

Tip: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Mix with a drizzle of sesame oil or ghee and serve alongside hot idlis.

Pairs well with: Ragi idli, oats idli, foxtail millet idli — the nuttiness of the podi complements earthy, grain-forward idlis beautifully.

 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

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https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

Monday, March 30, 2026

Want to Improve Your Diet? Here Are 12 Easy Changes

 We all want to eat healthier, but it can but saying goodbye to our favorite foods can be hard. Fortunately, there is no need to completely avoid snacks, spreads or even maple syrup, because all you need is to use some healthy and wise substitutes. These 12 small swaps are exactly what you wanted to eat in terms of good taste, texture, and use, but they make a whole of a difference in terms of your lifestyle, and the quality of the food you consume. 

1. To protect your heart: Replace pretzels with pistachios

 
foods

If your craving something salty and crispy, instead of reaching for the bag of pretzels filled with empty calories, choose the bowl of pistachios. According to studies, daily consumption of about 40 grams of pistachios reduces the chance of a heart attack because of their good cholesterol, helps diabetics, strengthens the immune system and promotes healthy skin because of its vitamins, especially vitamin E.

2. To maintain weight: Instead of drinking Diet Coke, make yourself an iced tea

 
foods
Think Diet Coke will help you lose weight? A recent study at the University of Texas found a 70 percent increase in the waist circumference of subjects who consumed Diet Coke regularly for 10 years, compared to subjects who abstained from the diet drink. The researchers conclude that Diet Coke makes people want to eat more, and Diet Coke consumers often have worse eating habits than those who avoid sugary beverages. If you still want a delicious drink besides water, pour yourself a cup of cold green tea. Green tea contains antioxidants that help you stay young and help prevent cancer.

3. To strengthen bones: Replace spinach with kale

 
foods

While spinach is known for its many health benefits, kale seems to one-up it. Both are consumed and prepared exactly the same way, however, kale has a lot more antioxidants and much more bone-building vitamin K. Kales also contain phytochemicals that help fight intestinal cancer, breast, and cervical cancer. 

4. To prevent stomachaches and diseases: Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt

If you want a tasty addition to a baked potato, or you just love sour cream, try replacing it with Greek yogurt. They both have that tangy taste however, one cup of Greek yogurt will provide you with about 20 percent of the daily calcium compared to the 1 percent found in sour cream, 20 grams of protein compare to the 8 grams in sour cream and a variety of probiotic bacteria that help the body fight disease and help digestion.

5. To absorb more nutrients: opt for chicken drumsticks over breasts
Although chicken breast has less fat and calories, the nutritional value found in the drumsticks is higher. The drumsticks are richer in iron - which helps the body deliver oxygen to the organs, zinc - which helps the immune system, and vitamin A - which helps to maintain healthy eyes. 

6. To reduce the risk of cancer: opt for red bell peppers over those of the green or orange variety

 foods
Red bell pepper has 3 times more fiber, 8 times more vitamin A, and 60 percent more vitamin C than can be found in yellow and green bell peppers. The red pepper also contains certain carotenoids. According to studies, regular consumption these carotenoids reduces the risk of lung cancer by 27%. 

7. To balance cholesterol levels: Replace mayonnaise with avocado

 
foods
Avocado has a creamy texture similar to mayonnaise, but unlike it, it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps the brain function, reduces bad cholesterol and helps prevent heart disease. 

8. To prevent breast cancer: Replace Israeli couscous with quinoa
Half a cup of quinoa contains 8 grams of iron, more than any other grain, as well as magnesium and fiber. According to studies, a high-fiber diet lowers excess estrogen in woman's bodies and reduces the risk of breast cancer. 

9. To prevent Alzheimer's: replace codfish with trout

Salmon takes all the credit for omega-3, but trout, also from the Salmon family, is a fish rich in omega-3 and can contain more than 200 percent of the recommended daily consumption. Omega-3 has been shown to help heart health, improve memory and brain function, and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

10. To prevent diabetes: Choose real maple syrup over the fake stuff
Although fake maple syrup is sweeter, more enticing and cheaper, it contains a long list of industrial ingredients, large amounts of processed sugar and a host of chemicals, compared to pure maple syrup, which contains more than 20 antioxidant compounds and helps reduce the risk of diabetes. 

11. To prevent breast cancer: Replace gum with parsley
If you can’t end a meal without the fresh taste of gum, try chewing parsley instead. The parsley will freshen your breath just as well as chewing gum does, and it will also freshen up the rest of your body because according to a study conducted at the University of Missouri, parsley has the ability to stop growth and multiplication of cancerous breast cells. 

12. To maintain liver health: Replace egg whites with a whole egg
Many avoid egg yolk for fear of cholesterol, but in fact, it is rich in choline, an essential organic material used by the body to create a variety of compounds, and among other things prevents the accumulation of cholesterol and fat in the liver.



https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs


Sunday, March 29, 2026

Pumpkin Loaf Cake

 Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Loaf:

250 g(1 & ⅔ cups) plain/all-purpose flour 

220 g (1 cup) caster/superfine sugar 

½ tsp baking powder

 ½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp  sea salt 

2 tsp cinnamon pdr 

½ tsp ginger pdr 

¼ tsp nutmeg pdr 

1 cup pumpkin puree   

120 g(½ cup) unsalted butter - melted  

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 Large eggs @room temperature 


For the Glaze:

90 gm (⅔ cup) icing/powdered sugar 

4-5 teaspoon water - until desired consistency is achieved 

Preparations Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C (355 degrees F). Grease and line a 9 x 5 inch loaf tin (23 x 13 cm) - leave a little overhang of baking paper for easy removal. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt and ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and stir to combine. In a smaller bowl, combine the melted butter, vanilla, eggs and pumpkin puree and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Add your wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined. The mixture will be very thick. Add the cake batter to your prepared tin, and smooth out using an off-set spatula. Tap the tin a few times gently on the kitchen bench to get any air bubbles out. Bake in your preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, until a skewer comes out cleanly. Cool for 15 minutes in the tin before gently removing to a cooling rack. I find it easier to slightly tilt the tin to the left over the rack and pull the paper as I gently ease the cake out. Allow the Pumpkin Loaf to cool completely before adding the glaze. Make the glaze by combining the powdered/icing sugar with the water until the desired consistency is achieved. Once the glaze has set, slice the cake into 8 pieces.  

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs