A healthier version of a childhood favorite. We followed this recipe but used minced dark turkey meat instead of minced beef: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/lentil-sloppy-joes-recipe.html. We also omitted the last cup of water when combining the cooked mince with the simmered lentils; the lentil mixture had plenty of liquid. We also used one sprig fresh marjoram in lieu… Continue reading Lentil and minced turkey sloppy joes
Chinese-style minced chicken in lettuce cups
We tried this recipe from the Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-chicken-lettuce-wraps-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-220124. This was not as flavorful as other recipes we tried. (June 2016)
Sichuan shredded potatoes
Recipe here: http://omnivorescookbook.com/recipes/chinese-style-potato-salad (June 2016)
Japanese-style halibut en papillote
We followed this recipe for flounder: http://norecipes.com/hirame-no-mushiyaki-steamed-flounder (June 2016)
Korean-Uzbek beef noodle soup with kimchi, and pickled cucumber (koryo saram guksu)
This is our first foray into Korean-Uzbek cuisine. Recipe from Caroline Eden and Eleanor Ford’s Samarkand: Recipes & Stories from Central Asia & The Caucasus, available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1909487422/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_-kGxxb5PY82KV (June 2016)
Burmese lima bean soup with tender greens
Heat 1 tsp neutral oil in a Dutch oven, then sauté 1 ½ cups minced shallots and ¼ tsp turmeric. Add 1 cup frozen lima beans and 4 cups hot water, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until beans are tender. Using an immersion blender, purée the beans until relatively… Continue reading Burmese lima bean soup with tender greens
Italian-style home-cooked borlotti beans
This is an elegantly simple recipe from Jamie Oliver: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-oliver/humble-home-cooked-beans-recipe.html. We modified by starting with the following flavor base: sauté 1 oz center cut bacon (cut into matchsticks) until browned, then add 2 minced shallots and sauté until fragrant. We also used: 8 cloves minced (peeled) garlic in lieu of 3 unpeeled cloves; 2 small… Continue reading Italian-style home-cooked borlotti beans
Oven-roasted string beans
Preheat oven to 425. Trim ends off 1 lb string beans. Dry well, then toss in a large mixing bowl with enough neutral oil to lightly coat (we used grapeseed oil) well as salt and black pepper to taste - here, we used about 1 ½ tsp oil and ½ tsp each salt and black… Continue reading Oven-roasted string beans
Burmese okra-shallot stir-fry
Okra and shallots stirfried with fresh hot pepper and fish sauce. Heat a large wok, add 3 Tbsp peanut oil, and add 1/8 tsp turmeric. Stir for a minute, then add 1 cup shallots (cut into ¼ inch crosswise slices) and sauté until translucent and starting to brown. Add 1 Tbsp microplaned ginger and sauté.… Continue reading Burmese okra-shallot stir-fry
Burmese traveler’s eggplant curry
A delicious stew infused with dried shrimp powder. Heat a Dutch oven, add 3 Tbsp peanut oil, add 1/8 tsp turmeric and stir, and then sauté ½ cup minced shallots until softened (about 4 mins). Add ½ cup minced tomato and 1 tsp microplaned ginger and sauté for a few mins. Add 1 lb Asian… Continue reading Burmese traveler’s eggplant curry
Cooking Adventures 