Author: Gopi Krishna

Last week I faced a lot of anxiety. I feel like I haven’t been the best at keeping with “family Christmas traditions”, instead trying new things every year, which is all well and good, but does that make it less memorable? And now that Santa is behind us, will children also look forward to Christmas morning? We don’t cut down trees in the forest, we don’t go to midnight mass, I couldn’t pay my family to go caroling (sad), I don’t make pretty cookies, and I often forget to make holiday cards altogether (I have no addressing system!!). So last…

We went to a Christmas morning brunch where the host served this biscuit breakfast bake layers of fluffy biscuits, scrambled eggs, melted cheese, and savory sausage all baked together in one dish. We took one bite and our minds were blown: “This is like biscuits and gravy meets breakfast casserole. Everything you want for breakfast in one pan.” The host smiled and said, “It’s just canned biscuits, eggs, sausage, and cheese. I make it the night before and bake it in the morning while everyone’s opening presents.” That brunch sent us on a mission to master what became our weekend…

We went to a Super Bowl party where the host served these bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls creamy, spicy bite-sized cheese balls rolled in crispy bacon that looked like professional catering. We took one bite and our minds were blown: “These taste exactly like jalapeño poppers but in ball form. The bacon is crispy, the filling is creamy and spicy, and they’re so easy to eat.” The host smiled and said, “They’re just cream cheese, cheddar, jalapeños, and bacon. Everyone thinks they’re complicated but they take 20 minutes to make.” That party sent us on a mission to master what…

Welcome to another installment of what I commonly call “Marketplace Marvels.” Or maybe “secondhand score”…[edits headline because I like that better]The title is a work in progress, but the gist is the same: What can you do with all those interesting, affordable, and sustainable vintage and antique items you find scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or walking into your local flea market? Don’t get furniture FOMO; Let’s learn about them, find out how much they should cost you, and see how other people are using and styling them, shall we? What exactly is an antique dry sink? A dry sink…

Chettinad Milagai Chutney is a spicy side dish made using dried chillies, garlic, shallots, tamarind and some basic spices. This Milagai Chutney recipe is made in Chettinad style, which can be eaten with Paniyaram, Idli, Dosa, Uttapam etc. Chettinad Dry Chilli Chutney is simple and quick to make in minutes. This chutney follows the Chettinad style, so its flavor is a little stronger than the normal Milagai chutney that we often make. It makes even a plain idli delicious and makes it special. It also tastes great with Paniyaram as the spicy-sour flavor balances well with the soft batter. jump…

We went to a family potluck where someone brought this bacon mushroom swiss cheese meatloaf sliced to reveal layers of melted Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and crispy bacon throughout. We took one bite and our minds were blown: “This is meatloaf? It tastes like a gourmet burger in loaf form. The cheese is melted, the bacon is crispy, and the mushrooms make it so savory.” The cook smiled and said, “It’s just regular meatloaf with good ingredients layered inside. Everyone thinks meatloaf is boring until they try this version.” That potluck sent us on a mission to master what became…

We went to a holiday party where the host served these white Christmas cranberry margaritas creamy white drinks with beautiful cranberry garnishes that looked like winter wonderland in a glass. We took one sip and our minds were blown: “This is a White Christmas Cranberry Margaritas? It’s creamy like a coconut drink but tangy like cranberry. And it’s so festive!” The host smiled and said, “It’s tequila, cranberry juice, coconut cream, and lime. People always think it’s complicated but it’s actually simple.” That party sent us on a mission to master what became our holiday entertaining essential. Why You’ll Love…

I think if I had to name one of our favorite pieces of furniture, it might have to be our antique floral chaise lounge (quickly followed by our coffee table). The older I get, the more I love mixing different eras of my life together in one home, regardless of the architecture/style of the current home. In fact, I can’t think of a house that I couldn’t “work” this car into. Some of you wondered if it looks good next to the quilted mushroom stool because they are completely different styles, almost coming from different worlds (old world meets European…

Fruit and Nut Cookies are colorful little sweets, soft on the inside and slightly crunchy on the edges. They’re filled with chopped nuts and dried fruits, making every bite feel a little special. It also tastes great with tea or cold milk. These cookies are a good snack any time, especially during Christmas or some special occasions. You can make this cookie when you want something that looks attractive but is easy to cook at home. The mix of fruits and nuts adds both flavor and texture, so it feels like there’s a little surprise in every bite. This is…

Candy cane cookies are cookies that are a colorful treat especially for the Christmas season. Candy cane cookies hone our baking skills and transform us from novice to expert in baking. These have a soft yet slightly crunchy texture. The twisted red-and-white shapes look really lovely on a plate. Their taste is slightly sweet and buttery, so it goes well with milk or tea. Kids get really excited seeing the shapes and bright colors of the candy canes. This recipe is usually made during winter holidays, but you can make it any time to improve your mood. The dough is…