Rhubarb & Strawberry Parfaits with Mascarpone-Yogurt and Shortbread Crumble

We have eaten well this week. Heart-healthy veggie salad? Check. More veggies, fresh herbs and whole grains? Check. Now time for something just a bit sweet for our Fiesta Friday virtual get-together over at the Novice Gardener. I’ve missed the last two parties, and there’s no way I’m going to miss out on the amazing eats and conversation this time around. Spring has sprung over here in Germany, and the rhubarb is out. That alone is enough reason to party. I’ll be bringing mini-parfaits of stewed rhubarb, fresh strawberries, a whipped mascarpone yogurt, and some shortbread cookie crumble. Now to find my dance shoes and I’m good to go. (They don’t call me L-Boogie for nothing.) Thanks to Angie once again for her fabulous hosting. Happy Fiesta Friday to everyone!

Tabouleh-Stuffed Globe Zucchinis with Mint & Sumac Yogurt Sauce

Two things I love about Middle Eastern cuisine are stuffed vegetables and fresh herb-filled salads like tabouleh. When I found some beautiful little globe zucchinis, I thought about combining these two loves into one — zucchinis stuffed with tabouleh. This way, I can have my bowl of tabouleh, and eat it too!

It made for a striking presentation, and was quite simple to prepare. I’m going to try this out sometime at a dinner party; it would be a great accompaniment to grilled meat or kebabs — easy for the host to assemble, and fun for the guests to eat. It might also be good to serve vegetarian guests or as part of a whole vegetarian spread.

Kohlrabi, Apple & Mâche Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

I decided it was time to try one of these funny-looking vegetables I keep passing by at the grocery store — the kohlrabi. High in Vitamin C and containing heart-healthy nutrients and antioxidant properties, kohlrabi seems to be gaining in popularity and attention; Time Magazine called it the next superfood. Some studies show it might even have protective benefits against certain kinds of cancer (Source: Livestrong/University of Maryland Medical Center). Kohlrabi’s flavor is somewhere between cabbage and broccoli stems, and it has a nice crunch to it when eaten raw. In terms of its appearance, I think it’s kind of an eerie, other-worldly thing:

Morning Sunshine Parfait & Smoothies

Brighten your winter mornings with fresh, colorful, and vibrant breakfasts. With energy boosts from muesli and chia seeds, these will power you through until lunchtime. Morning, Sunshine!

Monsoon Curry

An old acquaintance of mine once treated me to a homemade curry dinner. He had lived and worked in rural India and recounted how he learned about spices and herbs from the locals as he traveled from village to village. During monsoon season, he said, there was nothing to do but wait out the rains inside the villagers’ houses, and it was then and there he learned to cook curry. Since his time in India, he continued traveling the world, bringing along stashes of his prized Indian spices everywhere he went.

“Jerusalem” Yogurt Pudding with Poached Cherries

My oh my, we are in love with this dessert. This yogurt-based pudding, much like a panna cotta, makes an elegant presentation, and its tart-and-sweet complexity makes it all the more interesting. Vanilla and orange zest give it intense flavors, while cream, milk, and yogurt combine for a silky-smooth creaminess. The recipe, from the amazing Jerusalem cookbook, calls for fresh peaches, but I improvised some and used frozen cherries instead, and they were a wonderful complement to the vanilla, ouzo, and lemon flavors in the sauce. Delicious! I’m looking forward to making this with summer-ripe peaches too.

Stopping to Give Thanks: Ginger Blackberry Apple Mini Galettes

Five weeks and 25 posts ago, I started this adventure called The Seasoned Traveler. Having zero knowledge about how to create a blog, limited photography know-how, and little idea what I was getting myself into,

Little Spiced Plum Cakes

Ginger Peach Mascarpone Tart

What can you do when you have perfectly ripe peaches, some leftover ginger drizzle, and a hankering for something creamy, crumbly, and sweet? Make a peach tart with a shortbread crust, mascarpone filling, and a ginger glaze on top!

Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce

Seared lamb chops get a vibrant punch of flavor with a healthy dollop of mint yogurt sauce. This is one of my husband’s favorites, so we enjoy this dish often. While you sear the lamb chops and let them rest, you can blend up the mint yogurt sauce in very little time. It’s elegant enough for date night but also a great easy family dinner with a salad or side of veggies. Enjoy!