Ciabatta french toast

We tried this recipe, which is our favorite: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/french-toast-40039 (See Note 2.) The recipe is simple: using a flat, wide bowl (we use an 8x8" baking dish), combine 3 eggs, ¼ tsp salt, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 cup milk (see Note 1) below, and ½ tsp each vanilla extract and ground cinnamon (see Note 4).… Continue reading Ciabatta french toast

Stove-top teriyaki salmon steaks

We tried this VietWorld Kitchen recipe, including the homemade teriyaki sauce, and it was delicious: http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2013/10/salmon-teriyaki-stovetop-recipe.html (Nov. 2016)Note: After salting the salmon steaks for 30 mins, we patted them dry with paper towels before placing them in a heated teflon pan. Because our salmon steaks were over 2 inches thick, we increased the teriyaki and… Continue reading Stove-top teriyaki salmon steaks

Middle eastern-style chicken and chick pea stew. We tried this recipe: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252878/middle-eastern-chicken-chickpea-stew/ We used 4 boneless chicken breasts (equivalent to two packages of Purdue packets, which we got at BJ’s Wholesale Club). After finding the stew too acidic, we added dash of sugar and about ½ tsp chicken beef bouillon (Better Than Bouillon) directly into… Continue reading

Sichuan chicken dumplings

We tried this Andrea Nguyen recipe: http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2010/10/sichuan-crescent-dumplings-recipe-zhong-jiaozi.html We made the following modifications: first, for the filling, we used minced chicken (dark meat) instead of pork and added 6 oz drained, minced water chestnuts for texture. Second, for the sauce, we used 1 Tbsp neutral vegetable oil (grape seed oil) in lieu of 1 Tbsp chili… Continue reading Sichuan chicken dumplings

Peruvian-style chicken kabob with cilantro-jalapeño (aji verde) sauce

We followed this recipe for both chicken and sauce: http://runawayapricot.com/2015/01/healthier-peruvian-chicken-skewers-with-green-sauce.html/. In case the link does not work: First, the night before, cut 3 ½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 breasts) into 1” chunks. Marinate the chicken chunks in: 2 Tbsp ground cumin, 2 Tbsp sweet paprika, 4 tsp (we reduced to 2 tsp)… Continue reading Peruvian-style chicken kabob with cilantro-jalapeño (aji verde) sauce

Chinese-style lettuce wraps with minced chicken, tofu, and shiitakes

We tried this recipe from Andrea Nguyen: http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2012/08/chicken-tofu-and-shiitake-lettuce-cups-recipe.html. We used 6 oz chopped water chestnuts in lieu of pine nuts as well as five fresh shiitakes instead of two dry. We also used romaine lettuce instead of iceberg. (June 2016) Source: Andrea Nguyen, author and teacher, Vietworldkitchen.com.

Korean puréed soybean stew with kimchi and pork, Maangchi version (kong beejee jigae)

This is a favorite dish from my childhood. I tried Maangchi’s version, and it is delicious: http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/kongbiji-jjigae. I have adapted elements of Maangchi’s recipe to my family’s recipe: https://piglettedc.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/korean-pureed-soybean-stew-with-kimchi-and-pork-2/ First, I increased the dry soybeans from ½ cup to 2 cups, then soaked overnight in the fridge. I used 2 large bone-in pork chops (about… Continue reading Korean puréed soybean stew with kimchi and pork, Maangchi version (kong beejee jigae)

Vietnamese kohlrabi stir-fried with garlic and egg (su hao xao toi)

I tried this simple, delicious recipe from Andrea Nguyen: http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2010/07/kohlrabi-stirfried-with-garlic-and-egg-recipe-su-hao-xao-toi.html. I also followed her suggestion of adding 2 tsp dried shrimp to the onion-garlic mixture. (Mar. 2016) Source: Andrea Nguyen, author and teacher, Vietworldkitchen.com.

Smoked turkey and andouille sausage gumbo

This is a seafood-free and okra-free gumbo recipe from Saveur: http://www.saveur.com/article/recipes/smoked-turkey-and-andouille-gumbo?TmFudDKk9Up4CvyI.03. This recipe has quite a kick, so you may want to reduce the amount of cayenne or white pepper. (Feb. 2016). Note: We followed this recipe except that we made microwave roux to save time: http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2010/03/10-minute-microwave-general-purpose.html?m=1. We used a 2 quart covered round baking… Continue reading Smoked turkey and andouille sausage gumbo