East Asian Inspired Recipes

Main Dishes, Stir Fry

Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps

Light yet satisfying and loaded with flavor, Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps are easy to make, fun to eat, and offer advance-prep options.   A few months ago, my friend, Jen, was one short week into the Whole30 program when she found herself in need of some inspiration. She was desperate for satisfying recipes that would…

Main Dishes

Baked Tamari Maple Salmon

Since February marks American Heart Month, there’s no better time than the present to think about small changes that could possibly make a big difference in our health. There seems to be a “Top 10” list for everything these days, likely because it’s a great way to group items in a manageable way. (David Letterman…

Stir Fry

Easy Egg Roll Stir Fry

The classic takeout appetizer is reinvented as a complete, one pan meal that comes together quickly with ground beef, pork, or your favorite plant-based alternative. For several years when her children were young, one of my good friends hosted an annual Chinese New Year’s party. Her youngest child was adopted from China, and the yearly…

Main Dishes, Stir Fry

Bacon & Egg Quinoa Fried “Rice”

This twist on a takeout favorite uses quinoa in place of rice for a breakfast-inspired meal that makes a great dinner too.   As we coast into the season of mashed potatoes, cookies, eggnog, and pie, I figured it was more important than ever to share a few easy meals that are healthy yet filling–and…

Appetizers, Condiments, Side Dishes

How to Make Kimchi

Make kimchi worthy of a Korean kitchen in your kitchen with these easy instructions. The flavor-packed, probiotic-rich condiment will keep for months and can be added to tacos, burgers, eggs, rice, pasta, and grain bowls or enjoyed as a simple side dish.   My intro to traditional kimchi-making came in an unexpected way several years…

Main Dishes

Glazed Pork Chops

Saucy and bursting with crowd-pleasing Asian flavors, this recipe requires a short list of ingredients and cooks quickly!   Mother always knows best. Just because I’m in my forties with children of my own doesn’t mean my mom doesn’t occasionally offer some helpful advice. Like most kids, I didn’t exactly relish constructive criticism when I…

Main Dishes

California Roll Sushi Bowls

All the flavor of the classic roll in an easy-to-make, satisfying bowl-complete with simple recipes for spicy mayo and a soy drizzle!   Every job has its up and downs. Many people assume that I spend all my days creating tasty delights in the kitchen but, like most everyone, I often find myself struggling to…

Side Dishes

How to Make Sushi Rice

Prided for its plump, sticky grains and its starring role in your favorite sushi rolls, perfectly cooked sushi rice is easy to make at home.   For many years, rolling my own sushi held no appeal. Sushi was a great excuse to take a night off from cooking and do our small part to support…

Appetizers, Side Dishes, Snacks

Grilled Shishito Peppers

Serve these sweet and (almost always!) mild Japanese peppers as a quick, easy, and surprisingly popular appetizer or side dish.   Have you ever heard of chili peppers that are mild…most of the time? Such is the case with the shishito pepper, a small, slender sweet pepper that originated in Asia. A year or two…

Salads, Side Dishes

Chicken & Broccoli Slaw with Speedy Thai Peanut Sauce

This veggie-packed, protein-rich meal is quick, easy, and delicious. Perfect for busy weeknights and a great way to stretch some leftover chicken into a new meal.   Summer cooking begs to be carefree and easy. Who wants to be holed up in the kitchen when the sun is shining and outdoor activities abound? Since you…

Main Dishes, Salads, Stir Fry

Teriyaki Salmon Bowls

This heart-healthy, flavor-packed meal takes advantage of the cook-once-eat-twice method and can be customized to taste!         When considering foods that taste good as leftovers, lasagna, chili and the Thanksgiving turkey likely come to mind. Fish, not so much. Once cooked, however, leftover seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator for…

Main Dishes

Teriyaki Sockeye Salmon

The simplest of ingredients come together with ease in this wholesome, quick-cooking, family friendly meal.   How does an email request for a few new recipes jump to a story about living in a remote shack in Alaska and making trips to the outhouse, shotgun in hand, to fend off bears? Two words: wild salmon.…

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