Oven Broiled Whole Zucchini

Oven Broiled Whole Zucchini

PLEASE DON'T JUDGE THIS DISH BY THE PICTURE!! I know what you're thinking and NO it wasn't a waste of three zucchini. Visually these zucchini are not going to win any prizes but once you take your first bite. You'll be a believer.

Taiwanese Spinach

Taiwanese Spinach

When I stroll through the produce section of my Asian grocery store I often get overwhelmed by the vast selection of Asian greens. They always look so fresh and inviting, but I don’t always know how to cook them. My go to method and recipe has been Chinese White Sauce. However, after bringing home a bunch of Taiwanese spinach which has now become my new favorite. I discoved a new method to cook Asian greens thanks to Nancy at YuCanCook. It’s a quick stir fry in a hot wok that brings out the flavor of the greens without overpowering them. So if you are looking for a quick and easy way to add Asian greens to your meal give this a try.

Grandma Helen’s White Takuwan

This simple pickled turnip takes very little to make and can be enjoyed the very next day.

All it needs is 3 pantry ingredients; Sugar, Kosher Salt and White Vinegar.

The flavor is clean and crisp and will keep fresh in the fridge for at least a month or more.

I have a chart below for different amounts. I usually make only 1 quart at a time which is the perfect amount for my husband and I.

The Best Baba Ganoush

Baba Ganoush is a simple Middle Eastern dip that every eggplant lover needs to try and this is the best Baba Ganoush that I have eaten. It’s chunky and meaty, yet creamy with a clean fresh taste.

How do you cook Spaghetti Squash?

This post is for my daughter Lindsey who loves spaghetti but is challenging herself to eat a low carb keto diet.

Spaghetti squash is easy to cook and fun to eat and it really looks like spaghetti. It has a clean neutral flavor and maintains a light crunch when cooked. Which defies it's name - squash, because it's not squashy or squishy at all. The fun part that always blows my mind, is when I scrape up the flesh and it magically becomes noodles (sort of).

So, if you would like something other than zoodles, bake a spaghetti squash. You won't be disappointed.

Delicious Sauerkraut

There’s no middle ground, you are either a fan of sauerkraut or you’re not! Due to the fact that I’m posting this recipe clarifies that I’m a fan. I really love this stuff and am constantly looking for more ways to enjoy it.

Easy Kimchi (Mak Kimchi)

The hardest part about making kimchi is washing the giant bowl.

I never thought that I would put the words “easy” and “kimchi” together, until now. I was a skeptic and avoided taking on the challenge because there were too many unanswered questions about the process.

However, today there is no reason for anyone to be fearful of taking on a cooking challenge because we are blessed with generous and talented bloggers who allow us to take a seat in their kitchens as they share their family secrets.

Caldo De Res - Mexican Beef Vegetable Soup

Caldo De Res

I’m a huge fan of clear broth soups and this has quickly moved up the list as one of my favorites. It’s easy to make and incredibly satisfying.

A few bones and an abundance of fresh vegetables transform into a soup that is a meal in itself and screams for a repeat as soon as the pot is empty. That's the kind of soup that I need to have cooking in my kitchen!

Basic Butter Sauce

EVERYTHING'S BETTER WITH BUTTER

I was making steamed broccoli and cauliflower as a side dish and would usually just toss it with a couple pats of butter. OK maybe more than that :)

Then I thought... there must be a recipe for a basic butter sauce that wasn't just melted butter with flavorings. And sure enough - there was!  I found this recipe on food.com that was recommended for pasta or veggies.

Spicy Chinese Dry Cooked Green Beans

Chinese Dry Cooked Green Beans

I have a new family recipe...

Chinese dry cooked green beans are one of my husband’s favorite side dishes to order when we go out for Chinese food.  And though they are tasty they can often be very greasy.

There had to be a way to make them without greasing them up twice…

Chinese Spinach with ginger, garlic and green onions

Chinese Spinach

When I drive up to Portland I always stop by Fubon (Asian grocer) to restock my pantry and see what’s fresh.  They have a vast selection of the usual suspects like bok choy and gai lan, as well as, many seasonal varieties that I have not seen or heard of before.  Today’s discovery was- Chinese Spinach.

Korean Spicy Bean Sprout Soup

Korean Spicy Bean Sprout Soup

Though I have cooked and eaten many Korean soups. I have never eaten or attempted to make Bean Sprout Soup.  To be honest, it just looked boring.  How can this soup be tasty when all it has are bean sprouts?  “Where’s the Beef”?  So, you’re probably wondering why I decide to make it.

Eggplant Pie or Casserole

I’m calling this dish Eggplant Pie because it cut so nicely and reminded me of a slice of pie.

How long do you steam asparagus?

Thin: 3 – 5 min.

Thick: 6 – 8 min.

Bend and break ends off each asparagus to remove the tough stringy part.

My thin asparagus took 4 min. on high for a cooked but crisp asparagus.

The best way to know where the tough part ends and the tender begins is to; place the bottom of the asparagus and just about the middle of the asparagus between your thumb and index fingers, then bend it till it breaks.  Do this with a couple more; then measure the rest of the asparagus to those pieces and slice off the bottoms of the rest of them with a knife.

More Steamed Vegetables

BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER

SWEET POTATOES and YAMS

GREEN BEANS

How long do you steam green beans?

6 – 8 min.  

I steamed these on high for 7 min.

I am probably splitting hairs, but 6 ½ min. would have been optimum.

More Steamed Vegetables
BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER
SWEET POTATOES and YAMS
ASPARAGUS

Cauliflower with Avocado Mash

It’s hard to find different things to eat when you are eating low carb.  Everything starts to look and taste the same.  I love steamed cauliflower plain with just a sprinkling of salt and pepper, but I was in a been there, had that mood.  I needed a change.

Quick Sautéed Spinach and Mushrooms

Spinach and mushrooms go so well together.  They are quick to prepare and satisfying.

Chicken Breast Stir Fry

Stir frys are quick and easy.  The hardest part is cutting up the ingredients.  The good news is that these days, you can buy pre-cut vegetables for just about anything and when it comes to stir fry, there are no hard rules as to what goes in the wok.  So pick and use as little or as many vegetables as you desire.

Asian Cucumber Salad (Namasu)

Every culture has their own collection of side dishes.  This simple and refreshing salad is a must when serving up a Japanese or Korean meal.  You can enhance this salad by adding thinly slivered ginger, bay shrimp, clams or squid and/or wakame (dried seaweed). It can be easily turned into a meal (especially when you add the seafood and wakame) by serving it over a bowl of rice or a bed of lettuce.

Broccoli Salad

I’m not sure, but I think this salad may be older than me, yet so fresh.

It’s one of those tried and true comfort foods that my family and friends always enjoy.  I don’t know how it got pushed so far back into the recipe box and almost forgotten.  I suppose that its due to the fact that there are too many recipes and not enough time! Well... lets dust it off and bring it back to the table.