The Occasion Table
Every occasion, no matter how large or small, deserves a special flavor. Find the one that fits for you.
Christmas
Centerpieces and sides that make the whole table feel special.
Thanksgiving
From the smoked turkey to everything alongside it.
Coming in November!
Birthday
Cakes, cupcakes, and celebration plates worth photographing.
Nutella Cookie Monsters
These cookies are very, very rich, but are a delight in your mouth. They are chocolaty, and I call them cookie monsters because of how they expand in the oven - not like a normal cookie, is all I can say. They are really delicious, and I hope you enjoy them.
The Pinch
The Nutella on top at the end is definitely a critical piece of the puzzle here! It gives a really nice creaminess to the crunch.
The Polish
We love plating on a simple background plate - something a single color - so the brightness of the cookies stands out and all their decorations can show.
Funfetti Cupcakes
Sometimes we do things from scratch. Sometimes we do it the easy way and make it our own! With funfetti cupcakes, we like to use the mix, then add a pinch of our style!
The Pinch
Adding some of those sprinkles into the frosting itself is a nice touch - it gives a little something extra!.
The Polish
We don't usually use food coloring in food because most dyes aren't healthy, but this is a place we make an exception for special occasions.
Dinner Party
Dishes designed to impress and spark conversation.
Marinated Flank Steak
Sometimes you just need a good steak! But meat is getting expensive. One of our favorite budget-friendly recipes that can feed a family is a nice flank steak. But you have to make sure to marinate it well - ideally 12 or more hours.
The Pinch
It's important to let the garlic salt absorb before you pour the marinade over - otherwise the marinade will just wash it away and you'll lose some of that direct saltiness we love in the meat.
The Polish
Slice flank steak against the grain in very thin slices for the most tender pieces.
Nana's Armenian Stuffed Peppers
This recipe has been in our family for a long time, and it's always special to make it with my Nana. We don't have it every Christmas, but it's perfect for cold weather and time with family. Enjoy the deep rich broth and delicious blend of meat and vegetable with those you love!
The Pinch
We love to add extra tomato paste to the sauce, to give it a deeper, richer flavor.
The Polish
We like to spoon the broth into the bowl first when serving.
Tomato Bisque with Olive
I started creating this when I wanted to add it to this website, but I didn't know what would be in it. I just asked my mom to get random ingredients when she went shopping, and I just mixed it all together and blended it, and it turned out pretty good.
The Pinch
Now, this may sound crazy, but sometimes I like to add just the lightest pinch of cinnamon to the soup.
The Polish
When I'm serving, I like to ladle the soup into one of my favorite bowls.
Papa's Famous Spaghetti
This recipe is special, because my dad has been making it for my family since I was born, and it's one of our favorite sit-down together family meals. Also, I don't call him Papa, but it sounds more Italian - so on nights we make this, I do!
The Pinch
Getting the garlic and oregano flavor right is critical.
The Polish
The polish moment for me is when you pour the sauce over the spaghetti and add a piece of garlic bread, spice, or maybe some more vegetables on top! We highly suggest using bowls - they scoop up the flavor and catch fallen food, perfect for any member of the family.
Sweet Potato Cubes
We love sweet potatoes because they're healthy, and quite flexible. Easy to use for dinner and lunch, but also breakfast - pop an egg on those for a magic morning boost!
The Pinch
Getting your spices right! Especially that z'aatar and curry - they give it an international flavor that we don't always get in our dishes at home, so we love adding those.
The Polish
Sweet potatoes have a gorgeous orange appearance.
Rainbow Chard
Rainbow chard is a pretty easy, healthy, delicious side that a lot of people ignore because they don't know what to do with it. We're gonna teach you!
The Pinch
The lime is a little unexpected, but it truly does help to cut some of the heavier olive oil feeling of the dish.
The Polish
Ok, I'm not gonna lie - a pile of greens is hard to make look really pretty.
Can't be Beet Salad
I love beets! They're delicious, but - and this isn't one of my favorite parts - when you're cutting them up, they do stain your hands, so be aware! That said, they're really delicious, quite healthy, and they have a really nice, juicy flavor. I love putting them in salads with different types of cheeses and more.
The Pinch
For the dressing - one caveat: we love to make magical, complicated, unique dressings and they're never quite the same.
The Polish
When plating with the dressing drizzled just right, play with the radish and beets as the color pops.
Chimichurri
We love dousing steak - well, pretty much any main meat or fish - with this delicious tangy and zesty chimichurri sauce. People always act impressed when you bring out a glowing bowl, but it's actually quite simple. Once you've made it once, you'll never forget how!
The Pinch
Playing around with the red pepper flakes can be really fun.
The Polish
Plating chimichurri can be really fun.
Tip Top Tilapia
Fried tilapia is one of my favourite dishes to make, and I try to make it whenever I can. It pairs really well with the Can't Be Beet salad, and I personally never make one without the other. Together they're my signature dish!
The Pinch
If you have more fillets you can place them down too, but you may need to replace the oil and butter as it can begin to darken and cook oddly.
The Polish
Fish, even when perfectly cooked, can be slightly dry.
Tip Top Tilapia Dressing
Fish, even when perfectly cooked, can be slightly dry, and this dressing fixes that. It layers sweet, salty and tangy flavors, and it works on a salad too. Everything is to taste, so make it your own!
The Pinch
Put a little dollop of tartar sauce on the side.
The Polish
Drizzle the dressing over the tilapia in a thin zigzag instead of pouring it all in one spot.
Colorado Sunset Mocktail
This Colorado Sunset Mocktail is a great NA drink. It mixes two bold flavours for a refreshing pop, that is so easy to make with two simple ingredients. If your kids are as adventurous and bold as me, then the whole family can enjoy it!
The Pinch
Add a pinch more ginger, or a pinch more POM juice for more sweetness or spice.
The Polish
Pick the perfect glass to put this drink over the top, like a wine, martini, or champagne glass!.
Special Occasion
When the moment calls for something elevated.
Nutella Cookie Monsters
These cookies are very, very rich, but are a delight in your mouth. They are chocolaty, and I call them cookie monsters because of how they expand in the oven - not like a normal cookie, is all I can say. They are really delicious, and I hope you enjoy them.
The Pinch
The Nutella on top at the end is definitely a critical piece of the puzzle here! It gives a really nice creaminess to the crunch.
The Polish
We love plating on a simple background plate - something a single color - so the brightness of the cookies stands out and all their decorations can show.
Marinated Flank Steak
Sometimes you just need a good steak! But meat is getting expensive. One of our favorite budget-friendly recipes that can feed a family is a nice flank steak. But you have to make sure to marinate it well - ideally 12 or more hours.
The Pinch
It's important to let the garlic salt absorb before you pour the marinade over - otherwise the marinade will just wash it away and you'll lose some of that direct saltiness we love in the meat.
The Polish
Slice flank steak against the grain in very thin slices for the most tender pieces.
Tomato Bisque with Olive
I started creating this when I wanted to add it to this website, but I didn't know what would be in it. I just asked my mom to get random ingredients when she went shopping, and I just mixed it all together and blended it, and it turned out pretty good.
The Pinch
Now, this may sound crazy, but sometimes I like to add just the lightest pinch of cinnamon to the soup.
The Polish
When I'm serving, I like to ladle the soup into one of my favorite bowls.
Papa's Famous Spaghetti
This recipe is special, because my dad has been making it for my family since I was born, and it's one of our favorite sit-down together family meals. Also, I don't call him Papa, but it sounds more Italian - so on nights we make this, I do!
The Pinch
Getting the garlic and oregano flavor right is critical.
The Polish
The polish moment for me is when you pour the sauce over the spaghetti and add a piece of garlic bread, spice, or maybe some more vegetables on top! We highly suggest using bowls - they scoop up the flavor and catch fallen food, perfect for any member of the family.
Sweet Potato Cubes
We love sweet potatoes because they're healthy, and quite flexible. Easy to use for dinner and lunch, but also breakfast - pop an egg on those for a magic morning boost!
The Pinch
Getting your spices right! Especially that z'aatar and curry - they give it an international flavor that we don't always get in our dishes at home, so we love adding those.
The Polish
Sweet potatoes have a gorgeous orange appearance.
Rainbow Chard
Rainbow chard is a pretty easy, healthy, delicious side that a lot of people ignore because they don't know what to do with it. We're gonna teach you!
The Pinch
The lime is a little unexpected, but it truly does help to cut some of the heavier olive oil feeling of the dish.
The Polish
Ok, I'm not gonna lie - a pile of greens is hard to make look really pretty.
Can't be Beet Salad
I love beets! They're delicious, but - and this isn't one of my favorite parts - when you're cutting them up, they do stain your hands, so be aware! That said, they're really delicious, quite healthy, and they have a really nice, juicy flavor. I love putting them in salads with different types of cheeses and more.
The Pinch
For the dressing - one caveat: we love to make magical, complicated, unique dressings and they're never quite the same.
The Polish
When plating with the dressing drizzled just right, play with the radish and beets as the color pops.
Chimichurri
We love dousing steak - well, pretty much any main meat or fish - with this delicious tangy and zesty chimichurri sauce. People always act impressed when you bring out a glowing bowl, but it's actually quite simple. Once you've made it once, you'll never forget how!
The Pinch
Playing around with the red pepper flakes can be really fun.
The Polish
Plating chimichurri can be really fun.
Tip Top Tilapia Dressing
Fish, even when perfectly cooked, can be slightly dry, and this dressing fixes that. It layers sweet, salty and tangy flavors, and it works on a salad too. Everything is to taste, so make it your own!
The Pinch
Put a little dollop of tartar sauce on the side.
The Polish
Drizzle the dressing over the tilapia in a thin zigzag instead of pouring it all in one spot.
Colorado Sunset Mocktail
This Colorado Sunset Mocktail is a great NA drink. It mixes two bold flavours for a refreshing pop, that is so easy to make with two simple ingredients. If your kids are as adventurous and bold as me, then the whole family can enjoy it!
The Pinch
Add a pinch more ginger, or a pinch more POM juice for more sweetness or spice.
The Polish
Pick the perfect glass to put this drink over the top, like a wine, martini, or champagne glass!.
Side Dish
The sides that steal the show.
Sweet Potato Cubes
We love sweet potatoes because they're healthy, and quite flexible. Easy to use for dinner and lunch, but also breakfast - pop an egg on those for a magic morning boost!
The Pinch
Getting your spices right! Especially that z'aatar and curry - they give it an international flavor that we don't always get in our dishes at home, so we love adding those.
The Polish
Sweet potatoes have a gorgeous orange appearance.
Rainbow Chard
Rainbow chard is a pretty easy, healthy, delicious side that a lot of people ignore because they don't know what to do with it. We're gonna teach you!
The Pinch
The lime is a little unexpected, but it truly does help to cut some of the heavier olive oil feeling of the dish.
The Polish
Ok, I'm not gonna lie - a pile of greens is hard to make look really pretty.