All posts tagged: cooking is fun

Recipes With Global Ingredients in Mind

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As stated here, I did do so much cooking and baking over the holiday break. And I have to say, I enjoyed every bit of it. Perhaps I found my new joy… I also had time to scope out recipes online, and found it interesting about the creator of the recipe, adding a twist to worldly ingredients, such as this recipe, experimenting with Tahini. A cultural staple in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cooking. But the recipe called for Tahini mixed with oatmeal, almond flour and chocolate chips. Never in a million years would the combination have crossed my mind. But I suppose we would need to try it and see how well it all pans out. Here’s a recipe I actually tried and loved, combining Korean and Mexican cooking. Also since Taco’s are my favorite. Indonesian style pasta is this recipe…why not? Let me know if you have a recipe to share, where an international ingredient was used in the most creative or unusual of recipes

Food: Side Dish 101

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I live for side dishes – and with each meal plan them carefully so to use up the freshest of ingredients I purchased from the grocers. Which is what led me to this list of side dishes to consider adding the perfect to the simply meal. I normally shift between roasted tomatoes, cabbage slaw, roasted peppers, roasted potatoes and sometimes rice. {featured image and source full credit}

Food: Cooking Traditional Dinners

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After seeing this video online, and watching it a million times and tearing up every single time, I realized just how thankful I am for deciding to stay with my mother before the shelter in place became the criterion for survival  – for San Francisco since the beginning of March. The beauty of our time together – is that every day she shares with me stories about her childhood, and we discuss recipes for all the wonderful cooking ritual her clan embarked on for each season. I remember them fondly and some she tells me about with her own experiences with her mother – way before I was born. Last night, we made stuffed grape leaves. I wanted to learn the process, since it is one of our traditional dishes or a version of it since so many around the world pride themselves of the dish. It didn’t turn out that well, because after we made it, she told me, we forgot a few key ingredients and steps. 🙂 That’s okay. I was fine with …

Food: How to Substitude Ingredients and This Recipe

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I have to admit, I switch up ingredients all the time while preparing a meal. For example – I am allergic to soy, so I use Worcestershire sauce instead. I hate the taste of fish, so I never add fish sauce to any Asian dish. So I was glad to find a list of alternatives here, for ingredients. What have you substituted, and share your experience or other recommendations Here’s a recipe for dinner tonight for the family – spicy eggplant pasta    {featured image source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Korean Chicken Bowl

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And to think I was considering making a simple fajita dish, until I stumbled upon this recipe for sheet pan Korean chicken bowl with sweet potatoes and yum yum sauce and dinner will be a whole kinds of wonderful tonight! INGREDIENTS 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes 3 tablespoon toasted sesame or extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 3-4 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 tablespoons honey 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, grated 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2 inch cubes kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or olive oil mayo 2-3 cups kale, roughly torn juice from 1 lime 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped 3 cups steamed white or brown rice kimichi, avocado, shredded carrots, green onions, sliced cucumbers, and radishes, for serving {more} How do you decide on a recipe? Can you taste the flavors as you read through it or you would have to make it to feel the flavors? 

Food: Feta Pan Fried and Honey Drizzle

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I was introduced to Halloumi cheese while in England last year, and since then I slice the cheese, and pan fry them to add to my Mediterranean salad. Bottom line is that I love pan-fried cheese.  So, you can imagine my excitement over this recipe, with Feta instead, but I still prefer Halloumi so that’s the approach I will be taking… INGREDIENTS PEPPERED HONEY 1/4 cup honey 1/2-1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for serving 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving FRIED FETA 1 (10-12 ounce) block feta cheese 1 large egg, beaten 1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons thinly sliced lemon zest (from about 1 lemon) 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped pita chips or pita bread, for serving  {more} On another note – have you seen Never Stop Never Stopping – for those who often wonder the lifestyle of a pop-star. This film is a documentary style of a story so familiar to those interested in fame and not so much. 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Peanut Noodles

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Decades ago, I’d go into the grocery store and buy ready made peanut sauce and coconut milk and put together the perfect chicken noodle meal, which was intended for a two-day dinner, but the family always had seconds, it was so delicious. But now, it’s very difficult to find ready made peanut sauce, since all the nut allergies have come to light, the local grocers have all pulled the product off their shelves. So, since I have peanut sauce and know the family has no allergies, I was happy to come across this recipe. INGREDIENTS CHILI GARLIC OIL 1/3 cup peanut oil or extra virgin olive oil 2 small shallots thinly sliced 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed 1-2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes PEANUT NOODLES 12 ounces rice noodles or long cut pasta 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for serving fresh cracked black pepper  {more} on another note – this cool article about a …

Food: Garlic Butter, Salmon, Creamed Spinach

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I realized as I was multi-tasking this morning that it’s nearing noon – which means I am hungry and need to get a quick bite for lunch and think of dinner – which for tonight is this wonderful recipe. I am on the fence about the creamed spinach part, with heavy cream or coconut milk + cream cheese + Parmesan. So, I am sharing the recipe and considering switching it up or adding my own take. I am going to go with heavy cream + a dash of Marsala wine, and a spritz or two of extra-virgin olive oil. I am not a fan of  any cheese on fish. Everything else is perfect. INGREDIENTS 4 salmon filets, skin on or off (your preference) kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons salted butter 1 small shallot, thinly sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk, or heavy cream 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 4 cups fresh baby spinach juice from 1 lemon 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving {more} On …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Cajun Steak

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Had a flank steak in the freezer and wanted to try something different then the norm – my own simple spices, garlic, butter, seared in wine and voila dinner is served. Except, tonight I wanted to step-it up a notch – in terms of spices and style of cooking – although as I read this recipe, I realize it is very similar to my usual.  I am siding this dish with a leafy salad tossed with olive oil and lemon juice. Voila! for this nights dinner. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin or flank steak, cut into 1 inch cubes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus additional thyme for serving 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 bell peppers, sliced 4 tablespoons salted butter 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated juice from 1 lemon 3 cups steamed rice, for serving 1 avocado, sliced fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro, and or mint {more} Off topic – I have been debating on selling my photographs – not sure yet, but …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lemon Chicken and Mint Sauce

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Chicken is always a good idea – especially if its the only thing left in the freezer a day before the weekly grocery shopping.  So, this recipe is perfect for tonight’s dinner, paired with a glass of my favorite Cabernet. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size chunks 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 1 small shallot, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 2-3 cups cooked orzo or couscous, for serving 1 roasted red pepper, sliced 8 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled sliced avocado, Persian cucumbers, olives, and basil, for serving SIZZLED MINT GODDESS SAUCE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped juice from 1 lemon 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded 1 teaspoon cumin kosher salt {more} For dessert in case there is still room – consider this recipe