Recipe from Andrea Nguyen, one of my favorite cookbook authors, who shared this soulful dish from her childhood: http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2015/04/chicken-back-and-celery-rice-recipe-com-ga.html. The chicken fat rendered from the soup permeates every aspect of this dish. Absolutely delicious, although a bit time-consuming (see Note 2 below). She called for fish sauce to taste; we used about 1 ½ tsp… Continue reading Vietnamese chicken back and celery rice
Cinnamon ginger tea
I was amazed to find this recipe on WebMD: Combine ½ cup thinly sliced fresh ginger, 6 cups water, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a saucepan, then simmer for 20 minutes (or longer for a stronger tea). Add 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar, strain, and serve. http://www.m.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/chicken_soup_and_recipes_for_cold
Matzoh brei
First, break up 1 matzoh into 2 inch pieces, soak in hot water for 1 min, then squeeze out excess water. (To avoid disintegrating the matzoh, I place the broken dry pieces in a handled colander that is nestled in a mixing bowl. Then I pour the hot water overtop, covering the matzoh pieces. When… Continue reading Matzoh brei
Persian charoset
Pit and finely dice 8 large Medjool dates. Combine with: 2 Tbsp each pomegranate molasses and honey; and ¼ tsp each ground cardomom, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Add 2 Fuji apples, cored and finely diced (skin on). Separately, toast ¾ cup each walnuts and almonds and ¼ cup pistachios. Using a food processor, pulse… Continue reading Persian charoset
Chinese steamed turbot in seasoned chicken broth
This is based on Hot and Sour Shad Soup in The Key to Chinese Cooking by Irene Kuo. Despite the recipe title, we found the dish neither hot nor sour. We modified by adding more aromatics to the steam pot and to the chicken broth. (Mar. 2015)
Omelette with caponata
I decided to try something with last night’s Italian caponata (that recipe is here: piglettedc.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/italian-caponata-in-a-wide-high-walled-and/). Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet. Scramble eggs (I use half whole eggs, half egg whites) with some milk, then pour into skillet. Cook on medium-low, pulling in sides and spreading liquidy egg to the edges. When nearly… Continue reading Omelette with caponata
Chicken piccata
This recipe calls for a total of 4 Tbsp olive oil and 6 Tbsp butter, each divided into 2 Tbsp increments. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut 2 chicken breasts in half crosswise (so that they are thin, like cutlets). Try to keep each breast intact. Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper, then lightly… Continue reading Chicken piccata
Soy-braised tofu
Score tofu with diagonal cuts and set aside. Using a wok, sauté green onions, minced garlic, and microplaned ginger in a little oil. When fragrant, add tofu blocks and pour water, soy sauce, sugar, and a dash of crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer, uncovered, until sauce has nearly evaporated. Serve with rice. This recipe is… Continue reading Soy-braised tofu
Vietnamese caramelized catfish
Daniel and I recently enjoyed this dish at a restaurant, so I wanted to recreate it at home. Marinate catfish in brown sugar, freshly ground black pepper, homemade Vietnamese bittersweet caramel sauce, fish sauce, and a dash of salt for 15 minutes. In the mean time, sauté scallions (whites only, cut into 1 1/2inch straws) and freshly sliced… Continue reading Vietnamese caramelized catfish
Cooking Adventures 