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 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

Curry fried rice with leftover roast turkey

We tried this recipe: https://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2015/05/fried-rice-tips-curry-recipe.html Our modifications: first, using a large nonstick frying pan, we browned 1 cup chopped, roast turkey in 1 tsp vegetable oil, then seasoned lightly (about ½ tsp) with Maggi Seasoning, and then set aside. Second, we added 2 tsp vegetable oil, then sauteed chopped raw vegetables (1.5 celery stalks, 2… Continue reading Curry fried rice with leftover roast turkey

Buttermilk-brined roast turkey breast

We tried this recipe for our small Thanksgiving meal: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021522-buttermilk-brined-turkey-breast?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Our modifications: first, we used a 5 lb bone-in Butterball whole breast, which had been marinated in a light saline solution. Second, to offset the sodium, we reduced the sea salt to just 1 Tbsp but increased the buttermilk to 2 quarts (8 cups) to… Continue reading Buttermilk-brined roast turkey breast

Baked rigatoni, version 3

We tried this recipe: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/baked-rigatoni-pasta-recipe/ Our modifications: first, we added 4 oz chopped, trimmed fresh cremini mushrooms and 2 chopped roasted baby Yukon potatoes (about ¼ cup) to the 2 lb mince (1 lb beef, 1 lb hot Italian sausage without casing). Second, for the sauce we used 24 oz Rao’s marinara plus 15 oz… Continue reading Baked rigatoni, version 3