Breakfast barley with toasted nuts and honey

We loosely followed this recipe for barley cooking instructions: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/barley-breakfast-bowl-mixed-berry-compote Our modifications: first, we halved the recipe to two servings, preparing ½ cup uncooked pearled barley, 1 ½ cups water, and 1/8 tsp salt. Second, instead of fruit compote, for the garnish we used ¼ cup total toasted unsalted pecans, walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds… Continue reading Breakfast barley with toasted nuts and honey

Chinese-style soup with frozen dumplings

We loosely followed this recipe for broth only: https://omnivorescookbook.com/recipes/wonton-soup/ Our modifications: first, we cut ½ block of five-spice pressed tofu into matchsticks (about ½ cup), and sauteed in 1 tsp oil in a medium Dutch oven until browned. Second, add to the pot: 6 cups chicken broth (4 cups unsalted, 2 cups Better Than Bouillon),… Continue reading Chinese-style soup with frozen dumplings

Chinese carrot and celery salad

We tried this recipe: https://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2012/07/celery-and-carrot-tossed-with-sesame-recipe.html For the Sichuan peppercorns, we used ¼ tsp that we toasted and then ground with a mortar and pestle. At the end, we added ½ tsp of Marukan salad seasoning rice vinegar (yellow label) for brightness. (Dec. 2020) Source: Andrea Nguyen, author and teacher, Vietworldkitchen.com.

Rotisserie chicken matzoh ball soup

We felt inspired by this shortcut recipe: https://www.whiskedaway.co/blog/2015/10/05/jewish-grandma-approved-matzo-ball-soup Our modifications: first, instead of using matzoh ball mix, we followed Joan Nathan’s recipe for matzoh balls, which is: in a medium mixing bowl, combine 4 eggs with ¼ cup schmaltz (we used olive oil instead), then stir in 1 cup matzoh meal and ½ tsp salt… Continue reading Rotisserie chicken matzoh ball soup

Afghan kidney bean curry

Details here: https://www.thecuriouschickpea.com/afghan-kidney-bean-curry/. We made slight modifications: first, we toasted the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and ¼ tsp dried epazote (which we used in lieu of ½ tsp dried mint) in a small pan without oil, and then used a mortar and pestle. Then we heated 2 tsp vegetable oil in a low-walled Dutch oven,… Continue reading Afghan kidney bean curry

Chinese steamed cod fillet with black bean sauce

This recipe is from Grace Young’s The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen, which used a whole sole fish. First, thoroughly rinse 1 lb cod fillet (in lieu of sole) in cold water, pat dry, and sprinkle the front and back ½ tsp (we used ¼ tsp) salt. Peel and julienne a 2" knob of ginger… Continue reading Chinese steamed cod fillet with black bean sauce

Chinese cabbage stirfry with bacon and chicken

We tried this recipe: https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-cabbage-stir-fry/ Our modifications: first, for the protein we sauteed bacon (about 2 strips) cut into matchsticks, and then once the bacon rendered a bit, we added one boneless chicken breast, cut into ½" thick slices (each piece about 2x2"). Second, we hand-tore ½ small head of red cabbage. This dish was… Continue reading Chinese cabbage stirfry with bacon and chicken

Post-Thanksgiving curry puffs

This was a good use of 1.5 cups shredded leftover roast turkey breast, 1 cup mashed potatoes, and ¼ cup chopped roasted parsnips and carrots, in addition to a small shallot (in lieu of an onion), ¾ cup peas, and 2 Tbsp minced parsley plus 2 Tbsp lemon juice (in lieu of cilantro). We made… Continue reading Post-Thanksgiving curry puffs