753. Irish Soda Bread

The most basic of Irish soda bread recipes contains only flour, salt, buttermilk, and baking soda. Variations using seeds and dried fruits are galore. This bread does not need kneading, and a minimal amount of handling is best.

752. Carrot-Nut Overnight Oats

Last in the series of five overnight oats comes the vivacious carrot-nut overnight oats. The raspberry-chocolate was decadent, blueberry-lemon refreshing, banana-peanut rich, ananas-coconut tropical, and this one is colorful and vivacious.

751. Ananas-Coconut Overnight Oats

Fourth in the series of five comes the tropical combination of ananas-coconut overnight oats. The raspberry-chocolate was decadent, blueberry-lemon refreshing, banana-peanut rich, this one tropical, and the colorful carrot-walnut.

750. Banana-Peanut Overnight Oats

Third in the series of five comes the classic combination of banana-peanut overnight oats. The raspberry-chocolate was decadent, blueberry-lemon refreshing, this one is rich and nostalgic, tropical ananas-coconut, and the colorful carrot-walnut.

749. Blueberry-Lemon Overnight Oats

After the raspberry-chocolate overnight oats comes the blueberry-lemon version. Over the basic recipe of oats, chia seeds, milk, and yogurt, a little blueberry jam, fresh blueberries, and lemon zest is added. Other versions: rich and nostalgic banana-peanut, tropical ananas-coconut, and the colorful carrot-walnut.

748. Raspberry-Chocolate Overnight Oats

January is incomplete without a healthy dose of oats. For me, I prefer my oats in the morning, but done right, they are great for on-the-go as well (like these muesli bars). I have posted an overnight muesli before, which is great for brunch, but this recipe (and four more coming up) is perfect for single serving. Other versions: refreshing blueberry-lemon, rich and nostalgic banana-peanut, tropical ananas-coconut, and the colorful carrot-walnut.

747. Roast Carrot with Dukkah Soup

Not too long ago, I had a dukka cooking spree, where I made the spice blend and cooked various things applying it (see: chicken, lebna, cheese log, and roses), proving that it is in fact much more than just an accent in a dish. Likewise in this soup.

746. Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup

This is the perfect multipurpose soup. Down with the flu? This is your answer. Fancy something aromatically Asian? Look no further. On a diet? This is not only healthy, but also really low on calories. Cold from the freezing weather? This will warm you right up.

745. Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I realize this is the second broccoli soup on the blog.  The original broccoli cream soup is pretty fantastic, but who can resist a cheddar-broccoli soup especially in these dreary day? Especially if it's accompanied by some puffed cheese straws.

744. Puffed Cheese Straws

Cheesy puffed pastry straws were a popular snack when I was a kid, but we always bought them packaged. I admit, they did have an amazing crunch and crispiness that just is not as easily achieved at home as it is in the factory. However, home-made lends itself to a plethora of flavorings.

743. Mansaf

This month's  MENA Cooking Club challenge is Jordan, hosted by Cheap Ethnic Eatz.. Previous months include: Algeria, Bahrain, Djiboui, Egypt, and Iraq. Jordan is a neighbor bordering Iraq, and while it is true that the Iraqi influence is obvious especially in the capital Amman, it is Palestine that has the final say in ruling Jordan, as a good half of its citizens are in fact Palestinian, including their queen (and coincidentally their national dish, the Mansaf).

742. Festive Filipino Sweet Macaroni Salad

I have had my fair share of dabbling in international arenas here and there, yet I have never met a community so committed to laughter, celebration, and having fun as much as the Filipinos. I was introduced to the macaroni "salad," which is in fact a form of sweet or dessert for me, by a true Filipino eager to celebrate their new year.

741. Olive Cheese Bread Buns

These cheesy, salty bread loaves/buns were off the chart delicious.
Given some love and plenty of rest time, there is nothing quite like a happy freshly baked loaf of bread. Add lots and lots of cheese and some green olives... off the charts I say.

740. Portugese Peri-Peri Roast Chicken

I'm kind of proud of my roast chicken repertoire. Roast chicken is the most heart-warming, caring, thing to make for a family, not to mention simple and so cozy. Here are a couple of favorites: salt roast chicken, ugly-delicious Milk, Greek, Spanish, French, Thai, Chinese Teriyaki, and now Portuguese. And that's not even mentioning Arab roast chicken variations, including: Yogurt, Sumac, Dukkah, and Zaatar.

739. Balsamic Dressed Salad

This is more of a recipe for the balsamic dressing than it is for the salad. Four unique and magical ingredients are whisked to form an out-of-this-world salad dressing that really doesn't need more than a few crisp lettuce leaves to be showcased.

738. Iraqi Dill Kubba

If you find yourself a real fan of Iraqi fava-dill rice and kubba halab, this kubba is a dream come true.
It is quite simply everybody's beloved kubba halab, with a twist. The incorporation of fresh dill in the crust achieves phenomenal results.