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Author: Diana Oana

All posts by Diana Oana

As an award winning food blogger, I started my culinary journey in 2010, driven by a fervent commitment to crafting flavorful, tasty meals that defy the stereotype of bland health cuisine. I love to cook anything from appetizers to main courses and desserts from a wide range of cuisines as well as traditional Romanian dishes.

Italian Almond Pistachio Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

A little bit everything pistachio at the moment! I love pistachios, though I’ve only recently started to use them in my recipes, so indulge me, please. This Italian almond pistachio...

Diana Oana

October 8, 2024

3 Comments

Pear Almond Cake

What to do with the big, juicy pears from my parents’ garden? I wanted an easy yet show-stopping dessert, so I combined them with vanilla, almonds, and cardamom seeds. Oh...

Diana Oana

September 17, 2024

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Baked Pumpkin Risotto

Originating from Italy, risotto is a staple Italian rice-based dish, enhanced with high-fat butter and Parmigiano Reggiano (or Grana Padano) – two ingredients specific to this dish, without which we...

Diana Oana

September 17, 2024

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Creamy Cauliflower Potato Soup w/ Crispy Bacon

Save this recipe for the ultimate comfort food: a creamy cauliflower and potato soup, enriched with sweet cream and topped with crispy bacon. Made with sautéed onions, garlic, tender potatoes,...

Diana Oana

September 17, 2024

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Cinnamon Apple Bread (Loaf Cake)

Apples are undoubtedly the stars of the fall season, but more importantly the star of my kitchen. Fruits come and go from my fruit bowl, depending on the season. But...

Diana Oana

July 26, 2024

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Plum Galette

Dessert

Plums have to be the best autumn fruit. Their intense color, sweet taste, and overall flavor make them the most versatile autumn fruit. I’ve used them in many desserts, from...

Diana Oana

July 26, 2024

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Cheddar Chive Scones

With a long, always-open list of recipe ideas that I’m excited to try, I’ll never get to tick them all off because I’m always adding more and more to the...

Diana Oana

July 25, 2024

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Tomato Carrot Soup w/ Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich

This is divine, especially if using your flavorful organic veggies: perfectly ripe and strongly flavored. Roasting the tomatoes enhances their incredible flavor and helps the flavors of all the other...

Diana Oana

July 25, 2024

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Plum & Grape Hencleș (Transylvanian Cake)

Dessert

Hencleș is a traditional Transylvanian dessert with Saxon origins. The Transylvanian Saxons were a large ethnic German group that settled in Transylvania, a region of Romania, during the Middle Ages....

Diana Oana

July 17, 2024

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Avocado Hummus with Spinach

The green spinach and well-ripened avocado give this delicious hummus an intense green color. And since this hummus includes mashed avocado, why not call it guacahummus?🥑 For any hummus and...

Diana Oana

July 16, 2024

1 Comment

Pear & Gorgonzola Tartlets

There is no other fruit, or vegetable even, that better complements the spice and bitter taste of gorgonzola like pears and grapes! It’s likely they only exist to be enjoyed...

Diana Oana

July 16, 2024

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One Pan Garlic Roasted Chicken Thighs w/ Potatoes

This easy roasted garlic chicken thighs and potatoes recipe is all cooked conveniently in a single ceramic baking pan. The chicken thighs are flavored with a fantastic red pesto, olive...

Diana Oana

July 15, 2024

2 Comments

Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Eating seasonal food is sustainable, supports local producers, and shows care for our planet’s fruits and vegetables. Plus, seasonal food tastes better and is richer in nutrients. Lastly, incorporating seasonal...

Diana Oana

July 15, 2024

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Salmon and Broccoli Quiche

Two healthy ingredients—smoked salmon and broccoli—make this quiche recipe a must for health-conscious quiche lovers. Add some high-quality mozzarella to the mix, and you’re in for a great treat. Enjoy!...

Diana Oana

July 10, 2024

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Quatre Quarts: French Pound Cake

Quatre quarts, the French pound cake, gets its name from the four essential ingredients that are used in equal quantities: eggs, sugar, butter and flour. This makes it very simple...

Diana Oana

July 9, 2024

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Easy Feta Beetroot Dip

Colorful, healthy, seasonal – it is a joy to behold! This beet and feta cheese dip is a delicious pink madness spread on a slice of sourdough toast. The result:...

Diana Oana

July 8, 2024

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Harira: Moroccan Chickpea & Tomato Soup

Lunch
Soups

Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup that is enjoyed all year round and it’s especially popular to break the fast during the sacred month of Ramadan. Harira is a delicious...

Diana Oana

July 8, 2024

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Creamy Zucchini Orecchiette

This creamy zucchini orecchiette recipe is a reliable choice for a delicious, light, and quick lunch. Orecchiette are a type of pasta originating from Southern Italy, particularly from the region...

Diana Oana

June 28, 2024

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Salt-Crusted Sea Bream (Dorade) with Yogurt Sauce

Sea bream, also known as dorade or gilthead bream, is a staple food in Mediterranean countries from Greece to Spain. It’s a white fish with a delicate flavor (not too...

Diana Oana

June 21, 2024

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French Bread Pizza (Baguette Pizza)

If you’re in the mood for pizza but don’t have the time to knead and bake a proper pizza dough, this French bread pizza recipe is a real lifesaver. It’s...

Diana Oana

June 20, 2024

1 Comment

Baba Ganoush

A delightful Eastern Mediterranean dip, and one of the most popular Middle Eastern dishes, baba ghanoush holds its own without needing to be part of the meze – a selection of...

Diana Oana

June 20, 2024

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Blood Orange & Lemon Mousse Cake

So, if it’s blood orange season, this red orange and lemon mousse cake is a must. It’s sweet and sour, with a crunchy base and a fine lemon mousse, while...

Diana Oana

June 19, 2024

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Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup

Divine, delicious, finger-lickin’ and plate-lickin’ good! This roasted tomato soup is so simple to make! Basically, the oven and blender do all the work, you just do the tasting! Don’t...

Diana Oana

June 4, 2024

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Raspberry Brownies with Raspberry Foam

Dessert

This is probably one of my favorite brownie recipes, and it’s a must-try if you love brownies and have fresh raspberries on hand. The brownies are dense and slightly moist,...

Diana Oana

May 30, 2024

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