We made this recipe based on pantry ingredients: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018097-kimchi-fried-rice?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Our modifications: first, we used whole radish kimchi (chonggak kimchi), which we diced. Second, we omitted meat from this version. Finally, at the end of cooking we garnished with chili crisp (house made by Hanabi Ramen). (Aug. 2025)
Filipino minced chicken with green beans (ginisang baguio beans)
We have made a soy sauce-based version of ginisang baguio beans for years, but we decided to try this recipe, which utilizes fish sauce and fresh tomato: https://panlasangpinoy.com/ginisang-baguio-beans-pork/. We enjoyed this recipe a lot and prefer its flavor profile to the soy-based version (which was less complex). Our modifications: first, we used minced chicken instead…… Continue reading Filipino minced chicken with green beans (ginisang baguio beans)
Mung bean kichidi
We had to follow a soft food diet this evening, so we tried this kichidi recipe: https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/dal-khichdi-recipe/ Our modifications: first, we used a medium shallot instead of a small onion. Second, for the optimal vegetables, we used 1 thin carrot and 5 green beans, each diced. We found that these, along with the diced, seeded…… Continue reading Mung bean kichidi
Korean soy-braised baby potatoes (algamja jorim)
We are heading to a friend’s Korean fried chicken potluck. We made this delicious recipe from Maangchi: https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/algamja-jorim Our modifications: first, we did not have rice syrup. To mimic its flavor, we used a combination of molasses, honey, and maple syrup (in equal parts). Second, we had 1.5 lb tricolored baby potatoes, so we adjusted…… Continue reading Korean soy-braised baby potatoes (algamja jorim)
Mexican-style black bean and vegetable enchiladas
After trying Amy’s cheese enchiladas (a frozen meal that is surprisingly tasty), we felt inspired to make a vegetarian enchilada recipe. We tried this recipe from Feasting at Home: https://www.feastingathome.com/vegetarian-enchiladas/ First, for the sauteed vegetable filling, we used: 1 medium red onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1 small Korean sweet potato (skin on), 2 small-medium poblano…… Continue reading Mexican-style black bean and vegetable enchiladas
Mexican cabbage slaw
We made this cabbage slaw by Feasting at Home: https://www.feastingathome.com/mexican-slaw/ This was very tasty, and we definitely will make it again. But the next time we may try to slice the cabbage with a mandolin. Our modifications: first, we omitted the cilantro. Second, we used 1 small shallot instead of an onion, and we followed…… Continue reading Mexican cabbage slaw
Matzoh ball soup from frozen chicken, pressure cooker style
In our household, we routinely freeze extra pieces of raw chicken, including bits of fat and skin (e.g., chicken backs leftover from packages of chicken quarters). Today we made chicken soup from frozen, bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (3 wings, 1 chicken thigh, 2 drumsticks, 3 chicken backs and leftover fat / skin trimmings); carrots, celery,…… Continue reading Matzoh ball soup from frozen chicken, pressure cooker style
Korean cucumber salad (oi muchim)
We tried this straightforward recipe from Maangchi: https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/oi-muchim Our modifications: first, we used 3 Persian cucumbers instead of 1 English cucumber. Second, we omitted the onion. Finally, we added the optional ingredient, about 1 tsp sugar. This was a quick and tasty recipe, probably our favorite version of this Korean cucumber dish. (July 2025)
SkinnyTaste’s Hamburger Helper with minced turkey
My husband and I had a craving for Hamburger Helper from our childhood, but we wanted to make a healthier, scratch version. We tried this SkinnyTaste recipe: https://www.skinnytaste.com/homemade-hamburger-helper/. Our modifications: first, instead of beef, we used 3/4 lb of minced turkey and 1/4 tsp Kashmiri low-heat ground pepper (instead of paprika). We also sopped up…… Continue reading SkinnyTaste’s Hamburger Helper with minced turkey
Dominican onion, apple, and spice tea (el té de cebolla)
I am recovering from a weeks-long illness that has left me with a lingering cough. A friend shared her grandmother’s Southern home remedy, an onion simmered in water with a wide variety spices and aromatics. I felt inspired by this Dominican recipe: https://loisa.com/blogs/comida-real/dominicans-are-boosting-their-immune-systems-with-this-traditional-onion-tea, which I modified by adding the wide variety of spices and aromatics…… Continue reading Dominican onion, apple, and spice tea (el té de cebolla)