Hi and welcome to my food blog, my name is Dina and I absolutely love to cook and bake! You will find a wide variety of recipes here such as traditional Slavic and multicultural cuisines. I hope you find something you will like!
My family and I: 5 years ago I married my wonderful husband Mikhail. We have been blessed with two beautiful girls. I thank God everyday for giving me the privilege of experiencing motherhood. They are my biggest blessings! My parents immigrated from Ukraine to the United States in 1994 and currently live in Washington state. My husband and I were both raised in Christian families and strive to live our lives according to God’s word.
What inspired me to start my blog:
Before I got married I never really cared for cooking at all. My mother was the one who adored it. I got married in the summer of 2012 and had a 3 month break from college, which gave me a lot of time to learn and experiment with cooking. Once I started exploring cookbooks and food blogs I grew to enjoy it. It was so much simpler than I thought! It amazed me how only a few ingredients could come together and become such delicious food! That alone was fascinating to me and every time I nailed a new recipe it brought me such a great feeling of accomplishment. Whenever we went out to eat somewhere and I liked what I ordered, I was always on a mission to recreate it at home. Soon, I began taking pictures of everything I made and many people started asking for recipes, and thats when I decided to start a food blog. So here I am now, sharing my favorite recipes with the world, because I think these foods are too good not enjoy! Because you deserve to enjoy life at it’s finest! 😉
Disclaimer:
- I am not a professional chef, just a self taught cook who loves to share her recipes.
- I take all the photos on my blog. Please do not use my images without my permission.
- Some of the links on my blog are affiliate links (meaning I get some compensation when you purchase through that link).
A few infesting facts about me:
- God and family is everything to me. I don’t know where I would be without them. I have the most amazing parents who love me more than anything in this world. My mother has taught me everything I know, so I give her much credit! From properly grilling a steak to making a croissant from scratch to nailing a perfect hollandaise sauce and assembling an elegant charcuterie board. Most importantly she has taught me to believe in myself yet stay humble with every goal I achieve in my life.
- I’m an absolute perfectionist and neat freak. After I vacuum, I try to avoid walking on the carpet just so I don’t leave my footprints behind. And I don’t just “vacuum”, I make sure ALL the vacuum lines line up perfectly. After having two children I’ve learned to tone it down a little though. Because let’s be real, trying to clean the house with kids is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos.
- I’m a total coffee lover! I’ll find just about any excuse to get an extra cup of coffee. Heck I’ve made a whole pot of coffee for myself before. Fortunately I’ve learned to have a little more self control over the years. Especially during pregnancy because my baby’s health is definitely priority.
- I am deathly afraid of dogs… yes even sometimes the little ones too. When we’re in public and a dog gets close to me, I try to keep my cool, but inside I’m panicking like crazy. I was kind of traumatized by my neighbors dog as a child (won’t go into detail). Maybe if my husband and I get a dog one day I’ll learn to warm up to them 🙂
- Although I love to bake and eat desserts, I’ll choose some fine quality cheese and jam over cake any day. I especially love homemade quince jam!
- I like to give more than to receive. I find it so fulfilling when I do nice things for people, especially anonymously. Although the people might not know who helped them, I know God knows. And that’s all that matters to me because no good deed goes unnoticed by God.
- I prefer a casual tea gathering over a movie night. To me, fellowship is more important. I love sharing my thoughts, worries, and good memories with the people I love. And in return, I enjoy listening to their life experiences/advice.
- I, like many people love my comfort zone. I don’t like change, especially when it comes to something I need to do alone. I’m generally a shy person. When I just got married and started grocery shopping for home, I wouldn’t even bother asking an employee for help if I couldn’t find an item. I would just go home without it. Thanks to my husband, I’ve come a long ways. I’m definitely more outspoken now! Maybe even a little too chit chatty at times.
I don’t post too many life updates on my blog, but I hope this helps you get to know me a little better.
And remember, life is good! Value and cherish every moment with your loved ones. And make sure to enjoy the foods you eat! 🙂
Jonathan S says
Hello Dina,
I love a cooking site that has a personal about me section. I love the lines in the carpet as well.
Looking forward to trying your Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks recipe and finding so much more. I think I’ll be adding this site in to my favorites when I need some inspiration
Dina says
Thank you so much Jonathan! I am so glad that you found my website. I hope you find many recipes that you enjoy here!
Amos Kitani says
Are there measurements for the dango recipe??
Dina says
Hi Amos 🙂 Every recipe on my blog has measurements. You have to scroll down a bit to get to the ‘recipe card’. You can also hit the ‘jump to recipe’ button at the top of each recipe. I hope that helps! Also, you can leave a comment on the recipe itself so I know exactly which recipe it is. Thanks 🙂
Carrie says
Hello, I just found you, and I want to make your rolls, but I don’t have a stand mixer, what do you suggest? Food processor? Thank you.
Dina says
Hi Carrie, could you please specify which rolls you are referring to? This is my about page, so I am not too sure which recipe you are referring to. I have cinnamon rolls, brioche dinner rolls, and savory turkey provolone rolls.
Andy says
Hello Dina! My name is Andy and wanted to ask about making dough for biscuits, crescents etc. I’m new to cooking and is making dough something that is easy or takes a few tries? Cause I usually buy premade dough but I’m willing to take a new challenge in making dough from scratch.
Dina says
Hi Andy, thank you for stopping by. That’s a great question! I think it depends on the type of dough. If you’re making something like croissants, it can be a little challenging. I would start off with something simple like buttermilk biscuits if you are new to baking.
the avocado lady says
so I was viewing your YouTube recipes and your blueberry muffins look amazing!!! if only you could send me some 🙁 love- your biggest supporter:)
Dina says
Thank you so much!
Gina Brosell says
Can the tempura shrimp be made with rice flour?
Dina says
Hi Gina 🙂 I have a few recipes regarding tempura so I am not too sure which one you are referring to. For future comments, if you could leave them under the recipe itself it will help me answer questions better. 🙂 To answer your question, yes rice flour should work for tempura. 🙂
Suzanne says
Hi Dina,
I am thinking about making your Salmon Wellington for my book club…
I would like your recommendations for adjusting the recipe for 10 servings.
Thank you,
Suzanne
Dina says
Hi Suzanne, this recipe serves 8, so 1 fillet per 2 people. It’s a lot for one person to eat. So in order to serve 10 people you would need 1 more salmon fillet. I would just add a little bit extra of each filling ingredient. I hope that helps!
Branka Batricevich says
Hi Dina,
Love, love your blog and recipes! Your detailed approach in sharing a recipe is impressive, it’s user friendly and success driven . Thank you!
Wish you and your beautiful family continues success and every Blessing ♥️
Dina says
Thank you so much, Branka! Your kind words mean so much to me. I really appreciate you taking the time to write that. Wishing you many blessings as well 🙂
Bea Tijerina says
I just found your blog. I just moved to Portland from TX and sometimes miss just connecting with someone, even if just online, that have the same passion for God, family and just being a good homemaker🥰. I have a professional job, but being a homemaker is my favorite job of all. Your recipes inspire me. Thank you 💕 I have to ask, if you live in Portland area, can you please post the best places to shop for food? TY again.
Dina says
Thank you so much, Bea! I am so happy you came across my website 🙂 I actually live in WA state and have been to Portland 2-3 times in the past years. Unfortunately, I do not know the area too well so I can’t really help in that aspect. But I do have a food blogger friend that lives in Portland and would be able to help you with your question. Her Name is Marina and her website is LetTheBakingBegin.com 🙂
Holly says
Hey! Just found your page and I am loving your recipes! I just had a question for your recipe on how to make crepes from scratch. If I were too make this but only make two or three at a time, what could I do with the rest of the batter? And if the batter is a goner and can’t be refrigerated and has to be thrown out unless you use it that same day, how long could I store the batter until it wouldn’t be good to eat? Thanks so much!
Dina says
Hi Holly 🙂 Glad that you found my food blog and love my recipes! Thank you for your support! Regarding the crepe batter. I would recommend making them all at once and freezing the crepes you won’t be enjoying them soon. Or you can keep the cooked crepes in the fridge for up to a week. You can put the batter in the fridge but only for a day. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions. If you leave a comment on the recipe post itself it helps me answer your question better. This way I know exactly which recipe you are referring to. I hope you love these crepes! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Connie Drake says
Hello! I hope this is a good place to ask a question… I’ve just recently found you on YouTube while searching for a brioche bread recipe and someone who uses the Bosch mixer lol … so incredibly difficult to find but there you were 🙌 Yayah PTL!! Anyway my question is : in the video when you get to the point of turning the mixer up you say to mix on high, could you please tell me which speed that is ? 2 ,3 or more?
Thank you and blessings
Connie
Oh and if there’s a better way to get questions besides here, I couldn’t find any other way 🥰
Dina says
Hi Connie 🙂 Any place is ok for a question. However, it makes it easier for me to answer your question when I know which recipe it pertains to. So leaving the question on the recipe post itself would be the best place 🙂 With that, I use the highest setting on my Bosch mixer, which is 4. I hope that helps clarify! Thank you so much for your support! Blessings to you as well! 🙂