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)
Tag: side dishes
Maangchi’s updated Korean steamed egg in an earthenware pot (ddeukbaegi gyeran jjim)
We tried Maangchi’s simpler recipe today: https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/ttukbaegi-gyeranjjim Our modifications: we used 4 large eggs and added 1 tsp fish sauce to 1 cup chicken broth. This was a more straightforward dish than her original 2011 recipe, and more broth got absorbed into the egg mixture. (Apr. 2025)
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
Corn muffins by The Pioneer Woman
We were picking up takeout chili from a favorite cafe, and we decided to make scratch corn muffins. We tried this recipe: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a60720312/corn-muffins-recipe/ The recipe calls for buttermilk, which we rarely have in stock. We created buttermilk using milk and white vinegar by following these tips: https://cookieandkate.com/buttermilk-recipe/ The muffins turned out well. On the top…… Continue reading Corn muffins by The Pioneer Woman
Korean panfried tuna and egg fritters (chamchi jeon)
We routinely have 5-oz cans of no-salt tuna in our pantry. We decided to try this recipe: https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/tuna-pancakes. First, for the onion, we used a small shallot. To ensure the onion/shallot and garlic were finely minced, we used our Braun handheld mixer. Second, it’s important to drain the tuna as thoroughly as possible (we save…… Continue reading Korean panfried tuna and egg fritters (chamchi jeon)
Dill cucumber salad
We tried this recipe: https://frommybowl.com/crunchy-cucumber-dill-salad/ Our modifications: first, we used 3 Persian cucumbers, which we halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4″ slices on a diagonal. Second, for the red wine vinegar, whole grain mustard, and olive oil marinade, we added 1 tsp rice vinegar (Marukan green label) and 1/2 tsp sugar for brightness. (July 2024)
Pico de gallo
We made this recipe from Cookie and Kate: https://cookieandkate.com/classic-pico-de-gallo-recipe/ We prepared this condiment to season the bean filling for bean and cheese burritos: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022532-bean-and-cheese-burritos?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share. We used 3 vine-ripened tomatoes (seeds and liquid removed, then finely diced) plus about 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes from our garden (finely diced). We reduced the cilantro to 1 Tbsp. At… Continue reading Pico de gallo
Chinese smashed cucumber salad, version 2
We had Persian cucumbers and decided to try this recipe: https://thewoksoflife.com/smashed-asian-cucumber-salad/ Our modifications: first, we found 5 Persian cucumbers equivalent to the 2 standard cucumbers called for in the recipe. Second, for the chili oil, we used 1.5 tsp Sichuan chili sauce (laoganma). This was a refreshing and delicious side dish to gong bao chicken… Continue reading Chinese smashed cucumber salad, version 2
Katrina’s brown rice and sausage stuffing / dressing
This is a family recipe from my sister’s sister-in-law. We enjoyed it so much at Katrina’s Thanksgiving feasts in years past that she shared the recipe (which originated with her late uncle). Here’s the basic recipe, with some modifications from us: First, cook enough brown jasmine rice to yield 4.5 cups of cooked brown rice…… Continue reading Katrina’s brown rice and sausage stuffing / dressing
British cheese on toast
We wanted to find an easy open face sandwich to accompany our asparagus soup (https://piglettedc.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/asparagus-soup-this-soup-tastes-creamy-but-it/). We tried this recipe: https://www.thekitchn.com/cheese-on-toast-recipe-23309869. We used two slices of Mt. Athos bread, which we toasted. Then we moved the toasted slices to a foil-lined toaster oven tray and applied a light spread (1/4 tsp) of Marmite on top before…… Continue reading British cheese on toast
Cooking Adventures 