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)
Tag: healthy
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)
Simple romaine lettuce salad
We made this simple salad to accompany soy-honey chicken drumsticks and jasmine rice. The recipe was simple, with a light hand at dressing: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/281305/simple-romaine-salad/ (July 2025)
Instant Pot minestrone soup
We had a craving for minestrone soup. We are still new to Instant Pot, so we decided to try this recipe. The soup turned out well overall. Our modifications: first, we used lacinato kale, stems removed and hand-torn. Second, we found the soup too chunky (esp. with the 3/4 cup ditalini pasta) and added an…… Continue reading Instant Pot minestrone soup
Lebanese bulgur pilaf with tomato and chick peas
We tried this recipe: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/bulgur-pilaf/. We found the ratio of 3 cups broth to 1.5 cups bulgur too wet; the next time we may factor in the liquid emitted from the fresh tomato and 1/4 bell pepper. At the end of cooking, we squeezed juice from 1/3 of a lemon into the pilaf. We also…… Continue reading Lebanese bulgur pilaf with tomato and chick peas
Indian-style butternut squash
We made this recipe for sweet and spicy butternut squash from Shubra Ramineni’s cookbook, Healthy Indian Vegetarian Cooking. Recipe to come (Feb. 2025)
Mushroom, fennel, and lentil soup
We sought a healthy, plant-forward soup with a different flavor profile than we typically eat. So we tried this recipe: https://www.feastingathome.com/lentil-mushroom-soup/. It was delicious. Our modifications: first, we added 1 medium diced carrot along with the mushrooms. For the 1 lb mixed mushrooms, we used 8 oz cremini, 4 oz white button, and 4 oz…… Continue reading Mushroom, fennel, and lentil soup
Indian dal fry
We tried this Vegan Richa recipe, which utilizes red lentil dal and moong dal: https://www.veganricha.com/dal-fry-spiced-indian-lentil-soup/ We followed the recipe, except that at the end we added 1.5 Tbsp unsalted butter for brightness and balance. We enjoyed this dal with freshly steamed basmati rice. (Dec. 2024) Note: While the red lentils cooked as normal, the moong…… Continue reading Indian dal fry
Applesauce Pumpkin Bread
We craved pumpkin bread but wanted a healthier option, so we tried this recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/230579/applesauce-pumpkin-bread/ This recipe uses applesauce instead of oil. Our modifications: first, we used unsalted butter to grease two standard loaf pans. Second, we reduced the white sugar to 1.5 cups (from 2 cups) and utilized unsweetened applesauce. For the pumpkin puree,…… Continue reading Applesauce Pumpkin Bread
Colombian lentil and rice soup (sopa de lentejas y arroz)
A few days ago, my husband savored a brothy lentil and rice soup at a local Italian cafe. That inspired us to make another version of lentil and rice soup, and we tried this Colombian recipe: https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/vegetarian-lentil-and-rice-soup-sopa-de-lentejas-y-arroz/ Our modifications: first, we finely minced the 1/2 red bell pepper (seeded and quartered) and carrot (roughly cut… Continue reading Colombian lentil and rice soup (sopa de lentejas y arroz)
