Sharing Plate – Your Cooking Coach |

As I sit here and write about this favorite snack in our house- I am hiding my laptop from my daughter who is sitting right next to me reading her book. You wonder why? Well, she has been asking me to bake some duffins for her for a while now and I just haven’t done it. If she notices the huge picture- I will be in big trouble…

She asked for them again yesterday and I told her we can make them today. So, once I am done with my writing for the day and after I finish cooking dinner- we will be baking some duffins- at least that is what I plan.

These ones are a bit different- I took advantage of all the delicious fruit in the farmers market and stuffed the duffins with chopped nectarines. I placed the delicious fruit in a small bowl and topped it with some vanilla sugar. I let it sit for a while and get juicy.

I then proceeded to use the same recipe for duffins and added the delicious nectarines in the middle. I was a bit hesitant to serve them to my daughter and her friends. Well, actually, my daughter is used to having all kinds of fruit. A lot of her friends are not so keen. To my surprise, everyone loved them…

So, here is another version of duffins- try the nectarine ones- they are delicious…
Click here for the recipe… »

I love, love this tea bread. We were invited to a friends house for a barbecue and I offered to bring dessert. I wanted to make a summer cake using a quintessential summer fruit and of course strawberries came to mind.

I did a bit of research and came up with this fabulous recipe.

I got all the ingredients together- which, by the way are all that you normally have on hand.

It didn’t take me very long to put together and baking in the oven. Once it came out, my daughter was hovering around it like a dog on a bone. I cut a slice for her and she immediately complained about taking this cake to someone’s house and not having any for us. I promised her I would make another one for her soon- and honestly I haven’t yet. As I write this, I have already decided to bake one this evening. She will be thrilled.

So, if you want to be equally thrilled, make this delicious strawberry bread this summer…
Click here for the recipe… »

I love making frittatas for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to get rid of leftovers in the fridge.

The usual base is potatoes, onions with a bit of garlic. Those three things are always in my pantry. So are the eggs, cheese and some kind of vegetable in the crisper.

In this case, we were getting together with family for brunch and my cousin was making blueberry pancakes. I decided to make something savory. She was also serving bacon with the pancakes so I decided to keep the frittata vegetarian. In the past I have made it with baby spinach, asparagus or green beans. This time, I decided to top it with a baby arugula salad. It looks pretty and tastes delicious. It took me no time to put the omelet together. I sliced the potatoes really thin and sauteed them with onions and garlic. I then covered the potato mixer with eggs beaten with a bit of half and half and cheese. Any kind of cheese can be used. I had a pack of four Italian cheeses- it was delicious. Once the frittata was fully cooked, I mixed arugula with a bit of lemon juice, salt and olive oil.  I then topped the dish with the arugula salad right before serving. It looked gorgeous- the bright green against the creamy yellow eggs. The taste was not so shabby either- the slight bite of the arugula went perfectly well with the savory, creamy eggs and potatoes. We all enjoyed the brunch with the delicious pancakes, bacon and mimosas.

• 6 eggs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Pepper
• ¼ cup half and half
• 1 cup shredded four-cheese mix (asiago, provolone, parmesan, mozzarella) divided

Add the eggs, salt, pepper, half and half and half cup cheese. Beat well and keep aside.
Click here for the recipe… »

If I could, I would make sure I have these on hand all the time. These treats are always so delicious and the fact that they are healthy, makes me love them even more.

Most of all, my daughter thinks these are the best things she has ever eaten. I do love making them as well, especially because they are so easy to make.

My daughter has been reminding me everyday to make these jelly filled duffins- and finally I did. I made them while she was skiing with her Daddy and was gone all day. When she came back, she sniffed her way into the kitchen and discovered these on the counter. Although she was extremely tired, she still found the energy to eat her dinner and devour a duffin.

I used raspberry jam but of course any flavor will be fabulous as a filling. The key is to make sure the filling is added in the middle of the duffin mixture. I added about two tablespoons of the mixture and then added a teaspoon of filling before covering the filling with the rest of the mixture.

A duffin is perfect snack to give your kids, especially with a tall, cold glass of milk. My daughter has it as a snack after school with some fruit on the side. It is keeps her going until dinner and I feel good about giving her something homemade and not processed.

Make these treats for your kids..
Click here for the recipe… »

I make this for dinner, lunch or brunch whenever I run out of ideas. Most of the times I forget about this easy to make, spicy omelet. I grew up eating this at home for breakfast. It is flavorful and gorgeous to look at. Indian omelets unlike the french ones are cooked thoroughly and are cooked with all the flavorings and herbs instead of being stuffed with them.

It is also easy to make since most of the ingredients are always available. I have green chilies, green onions, tomatoes and of course cheese at home. I feel lost if there is no cilantro in the house. It is a pantry meal- pair it with a delicious green salad and it is a healthy, balanced meal.

You can make this omelet with almost anything in the fridge. My daughter was eating some leftovers and my husband was going out after work and so I was the only one without dinner plans. I made this delicious meal for myself and enjoyed it with a glass of white wine.

Make this spiced omelet when you run out of ideas…
Click here for the recipe… »