It’s hard to believe 2013 is coming to a close. This year brought a lot of change—personally and professionally. I launched a blog, left a job, abandoned some old plans and embraced new directions. Along the way I cooked, baked, discovered new ways to move my body, and celebrated far too many breakfasts. As the … Read more

~ This easy One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta delivers tender shrimp in a flavorful, lighter cream sauce. Using a single pan and a few smart ingredient swaps gives you restaurant-style Cajun flavor faster, easier, and with better nutrition. Bonus: it reheats well for meal prep or leftovers. ~ This Recipe Is:   •  Ready in About 30 … Read more

This Southern Smothered Chicken recipe features tender fried chicken thighs and drumsticks bathed in a homemade onion and garlic gravy made with Zoup! Chicken Bone Broth. Smothered chicken is a classic Southern soul-food dish with roots in Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole traditions. Meats such as duck, rabbit, and chicken are often smothered in rich gravies … Read more

This is the final recipe in my Spring Shower post series. These brownies are incredibly sweet and richly chocolatey. Plan ahead: they need at least 6 hours in the refrigerator, and overnight chilling produces the best texture and flavor. This recipe is courtesy of my wonderful sister, Alli Cooksitup. (She also goes by Alli RunsItUp, … Read more

I don’t usually bake with nutrition in mind — I love butter and sugar — so Gayathri’s Cook Spot has mostly been a diet-free zone. When I heard about a baking competition with the theme “nutritious bakes”, I decided to try something different. While researching recipes I discovered that rice flour works well in baking, … Read more

Hummus with Fresh Bruschetta This easy shortcut recipe tastes like something you’d order at a fine restaurant. It’s bright, fresh, and simple to prepare anytime. Serve the bruschetta over hummus for a delightful appetizer or snack. Bruschetta is one of my favorite starters when dining out. Restaurants serve it in many forms—on crusty baguette slices, … Read more

This easy-to-make Greek Yogurt Flatbread requires just five simple ingredients and no rising time. The dough is quick to mix and yields soft, puffy flatbreads perfect for dipping in hummus or tzatziki. This flatbread is versatile. Serve it with a dip like homemade hummus or tzatziki, use it as a quick flatbread pizza by topping … Read more

Fresh-cut blooms and real cranberries create an easy, elegant centerpiece perfect for Thanksgiving. I’m sharing the centerpiece my mom and I made for her Thanksgiving table last year. I waited to post it until this season so you can use the idea now. It’s simple, beautiful, and takes very little time to assemble. The concept … Read more

If you’re planning back-to-school lunches, these PackIt freezable lunch bags are a great solution. I’ve used PackIt bags for years as a favorite travel hack for keeping gluten-free food cold. In this post I explain why they’re ideal not only for travel but also for back-to-school season. This post is sponsored. I only work with … Read more