Double Chocolate Chunk Peanut Cookies

It is the night before. 

There is a spirit of magic and holiday all around the world.

And in all the feeling of excitement, I am home alone, enjoying a few days of vacation from work, while soaking up the beauty and magic in the air, and catching up on a few lovely things.

One of my very favorite things during the holiday season—besides the cozy late mornings under the blanket, sleeping ins, and the romance of late night movies with many cups of coffee—is baking up a storm in the kitchen.

Chocolate Orange Truffles. And—Two Wondrous Years!

Astonishingly lovely weather and a brand new year. Suddenly the future seems to be filled with a million new possibilities and wildly beautiful things. And—it’s only just begun.

Happy, Happy New Year!

Hope you had a dazzling time ringing in the New Year, and more, a dazzling start to twenty thirteen surrounded by love and laughter and loved ones.

Ultimate Parisan Hot chocolate — velvety and so utterly chocolaty

Nothing quite like the romance and charm of the holiday season, I must say. Most especially when it is to be followed by beautiful and exciting new beginnings, ha.

So despite the frenzy of life, and a beautiful fluttery of things, on these last few beautiful days of twenty twelve, I find myself totally, utterly, and most desperately lost in the spirit of magic and dreams. Hey, it’s a new, new year in just two days! Are you not excited ..?

And before the clock strikes midnight, I hope you are somewhere cozy, cherishing the glitter and sparkle and snowfall or rainfall, holding your loved ones close, and looking forward to the arrival of wonderful new beginnings. Here’s to a magical new year, filled with the most delightful happenings, love, peace, joy, and hope it’s astonishingly beautiful wherever in the world you are.

“I know nothing with certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream” Van Gosh.

Luxury Dates with Nuts and Chocolate — Eid Mubarak!

Another October week, and I’m still a little slow with the updates, I know.

Lack of time is to blame. I just got back from a totally unscheduled and last minute trip to India. It’s been ten straight days of rushing around, rest and relaxation, and much, much beauty. Lilac sunsets and idyllic twilights, rolling thunderstorm and romance of raindrops, blustery beaches and moody ocean waves, and most of all, movie nights with friends and family, and the most wonderfully lazy mornings over many cups of mom’s tea and delicious home cooked meals.

Nutella Instant Iced Coffee, aka Homemade Mocha Frappuccino

Hello all, I'm back!

It’s been a while, I know. I should probably start by apologizing for slipping away silently. Although, frankly, I had not meant to go missing for quite this long. But, in between trips, dragging along carry-alls, and a month away in the countryside, somehow my plans fell away, and the weeks vanished into weekends, and it was hopelessly impossible to find a quiet moment to catch my breath, or to catch up with you all here.

Finally, it's good to be back after the little hiatus. Really good.

Ice Pops — Fizzy Mango Mint Popsicle, and Creamy Chocolaty Fudgesicle — hydrating summertime treats

Featured on Foodbuzz Top 9

Something about the balmy climate and fragrant flowers make me think of fluttery dresses and languid afternoons by the seaside. Happy thoughts.

Sunshine, sea, and a glass of ice cold drink, or cool dripping treat on a stick. Ooh la la.

Summer is the most glamorous of seasons to be lost in such golden daydreams.

And while there are 101 things I should be doing—most importantly get working on my email situation—all I really want to do is laze away the hours in sweet nostalgia, and fall asleep to dreams of a beautiful world filled with lots of love, laughter and happiness.

Lots. Yes, lots.

Nutella Lava Mug Cake

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Featured on The Huffington Post Kitchen Daily

There’s an air of expectation in February, and everyone else is joining in the celebration. For Valentine’s day, that is.

I’ve always considered Valentine’s as a holiday for kids, particularly teenagers, than for adults. Just the same, I was inspired to share in the moment with a special recipe—a treat for your sweetie, or your own sweet self.

Keeping up with romantic spirits, this special occasion deserves nothing less than a luscious dessert. With chocolate, of course—the aphrodisiac and quintessential Valentine’s treat.

Plateful is One! And I Say Thank You With This Intensely Chocolaty Mini Hazelnut Brownie Cake!

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It has been one year ho! Quite the year indeed.

Full of surprises, full of promises, full of discoveries. And, dotted with beautiful memories all along. One full, charming year since the debut of Plateful. Yes, it is Plateful’s first birthday, er, anniversary—whatever.

The journey has been exhilarating, challenging, educational, to say the least. Somewhere along the route all this recipe sharing, prop hunting, styling and framing for photography, and the communal joy of connectivity gathered momentum and became my way of life. A guilty pleasure. All thanks to you.

Chocolate Puddle Cookie — gluten-free, grain-free and dairy-free too!

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I had planned to post this recipe before Christmas. But somehow, inevitably, my plans went awry. So here I am two days after the festivities, wishing you and yours a belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with a batch of special cookies from my kitchen to yours to ring in the New Year.

From intricately decorated cookie varieties to beautifully frosted cakes, the holiday season inspire us to indulge in all manners of sweet treats, right? I for one have been slightly obsessed with baking sweets this month. If you remember, I started off this month with chocolate caramel slice and now I’m ending it with chocolate walnut cookie. Rightly so. Just don’t brand me a chocoholic, I really outgrew my chocolate craze a longtime back.

Chocolate Caramel Slice — the perfect holiday treat

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This is it. A December day.

The signal that the year is drawing to a close, at last.

It's a magical season. Of fairy lights. Of plenty. The joy of holidays, festive cheer and age-old traditions. Yet, this is just a fleeting end. Before the beginning of a new cycle—new hopes, exciting possibilities, reinvigorated dreams. Yes!

Soft-centered Mocha Pudding — a wicked treat worthy of special occasions

In a few days it will be Eid. Yes.

Muslims around the world will be celebrating Eid al-Adha, feast of the sacrifice, on the tenth day of the lunar month of Dhu’l-Hijjah, marking the culmination of the holy pilgrimage to Mecca. It’s a holiday everyone comes to appreciate in the GCC States, just like the seasonality of the Christmas in the west.

During Eid, it is customary to finish off the meals with a sweet treat, and share sweet dishes with friends and relatives.

Festivals call for special treat, don't you think? Now if you are looking for a last minute indulgence, I have something very special. It's tasty, it's chocolaty too. An emergency homemade treat for giving, or sharing at your dining table—a wicked treat to celebrate Eid.