We tried this recipe from Fuschia Dunlop: https://www.vegkitchen.com/smoked-tofu-with-celery-and-peanuts/ Our modifications: first, we increased the amounts to 5 oz smoked tofu, 4 celery stalks, and ¼ cup (about 2 oz) peanuts. To destring the celery stalks, we used a serrated vegetable peeler to scrape off 1/8" of the outer layer of each celery stalk. To roast… Continue reading Chinese smoked tofu with celery and roasted peanuts
Tag: side dishes
Greek-style lemon dill rice
We tried this recipe: https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/lemon-dill-rice-250959 We used 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed and drained to remove excess starch. We used juice from ½ a lemon but zest from the whole lemon. We added fresh dill (about ¼ cup chopped from the freezer), plus an additional 1 Tbsp for garnish. We also added ½ of the… Continue reading Greek-style lemon dill rice
Chinese five-spice peanuts, pressure cooker style
We devised this recipe for shelled raw peanuts as follows: first, place 2 cups raw shelled red-skinned peanuts in the bottom of a small (8-quart) pressure cooker, add 4 cups water, 1 small cinnamon stick, 1 whole star anise, ¼ tsp fennel seeds, 1/8 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, 1/16 tsp cloves (we used ground cloves), and… Continue reading Chinese five-spice peanuts, pressure cooker style
Chinese celery and carrot tossed with sesame oil and five-spice peanuts
To recreate an appetizer we tried at a Montreal dumpling house, we tried this Andrea Nguyen recipe as our base: https://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2012/07/celery-and-carrot-tossed-with-sesame-recipe.html We used 4 large celery stalks and 2 medium carrots (orange and purple). We increased the sesame oil to 2 tsp. We then added ½ cup drained, Chinese five-spice boiled peanuts (http://piglettedc.tumblr.com/post/182349694281/chinese-five-spice-peanuts-pressure-cooker-style), tossed with… Continue reading Chinese celery and carrot tossed with sesame oil and five-spice peanuts
Baked mac and cheese
We tried this recipe from Food Network, which calls for only American cheese rather than creamier cheeses: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chef-joes-baked-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-1915004?soc=itksocialshareSMS%7Cios%7Cp Our modifications: first, given the size of the 9x12" casserole dish, the amount of elbow macaroni seemed off. So instead of cooking ½ lb (2 cups) macaroni, we made the full 1 lb box. In retrospect, this… Continue reading Baked mac and cheese
Pita chips
We tried this recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/homemade-pita-chips-recipe-1938841 However, instead of 375, we baked these at 425 to make sure they were browned and crisp. (Jan. 2019)
Cast iron skillet cornbread
We tried this recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/cast-iron-skillet-corn-bread-recipe-2012669 For the buttermilk, we combined 1 Tbsp white vinegar and nearly 1 cup (1 cup minus 1 Tbsp) of 1% milk (see Note below). We also used 1 cup blue cornmeal and ¼ cup yellow cornmeal. When coating the hot skillet with 1 Tbsp melted butter, we encountered a lot… Continue reading Cast iron skillet cornbread
Oven-roasted fingerling potatoes
We loosely followed this recipe but skipped the seasonings except salt, black pepper, and olive oil. https://www.budgetbytes.com/rosemary-roasted-potatoes/ In addition, to accommodate roast chicken pieces concurrently in the oven, we initially roasted at 400 (for 20 mins) and then increased to 425 until the potato halves were brown and crispy (an additional 20 mins). We garnished… Continue reading Oven-roasted fingerling potatoes
Simple Middle Eastern-style salad
We made this ad hoc: wash, squeeze dry, and chop ½ bunch parsley. Wash and dice one medium tomato. Dice ½ bell pepper. Wash and trim 3-4 red radishes, then cut into ½ inch half-moons. Place each vegetable in a row on a flat round bowl. Squeeze the juice of one lemon overtop, drizzle with… Continue reading Simple Middle Eastern-style salad
Roasted beet and butternut salad with beet greens and fresh herbs
We tried this NYT recipe as Thanksgiving side: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/12900-roasted-beet-and-winter-squash-salad-with-walnuts Our modifications: first, instead of baking the beets in a water bath, we oven-roasted them for 40-45 mins (instructions here: http://piglettedc.tumblr.com/post/114546344936/roasted-beets-this-is-one-of-my-favorite ) Second, instead of making the recipe’s vinaigrette, we whisked together 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, the juice of one medium lemon (about ¼ cup,… Continue reading Roasted beet and butternut salad with beet greens and fresh herbs
Cooking Adventures 