Veggie Bowl with Apple Carrot Dressing

In the last couple years, it seems like “Assemble Your Own Bowl” places have popped up everywhere. It got me thinking that I could buy my own favorite ingredients, whip up a tasty sauce/dressing, and for the price of one restaurant bowl have a large enough quantity to share with friends. My friends immediately declared…

Artichoke Dip Omelette

One day I was eating artichoke dip and had the inspiration that I could use the leftovers to make a kick-ass omelette. Silly me – there were no leftovers. For a long time I kept waiting for the day when I would actually have leftover artichoke dip… and then it finally occurred to me that…

Pad Thai

Pad Thai is so yummy, and pretty easy to make at home. Aside from the bean sprouts, I typically have all of the ingredients on hand. So I can dash out to buy some bean sprouts, toss this dish together, and happily go to town on a giant bowl of noodles. You can also include…

Late-Summer Salad

Figs come into season in late summer, and if you’re lucky enough to have a fig hookup (AKA a friend with a fig tree) like me, then this is a refreshing and stunningly inviting salad that’s perfect for a hot summer day. Guessipe 1 head red lettuce, washed and hand-torn 1 head spinach, washed and…

Creamy Corn Fish

There was a homestyle Cantonese restaurant my family used to go to, where my favorite dish was fried fish smothered in a creamy corn sauce. When I moved away, I missed this dish so much I decided to recreate it. Guessipe 1 lb light white fish filets, cut into 2-inch pieces 1 tsp salt 1…

Do Chua Salad

Cookbook Club – Appetites: A Cookbook This year we lost a titan of the food world, so in Anthony Bourdain’s memory we used his Appetites: A Cookbook for our October Cookbook Club. Anthony Bourdain captivated so many people with his fearless travels, so it’s no surprise that this book of his personal favorites includes recipes…

Crunch and Squash Salad

I like a hearty salad that really gives you something to chew on and fills you up. This is one such salad – with crisp and crunch from the cucumber and jicama, creamy avocado, and roasted squash that adds an almost meatiness. You can of course add in other veg that you like and change…

Ginger Scallion Steamed Fish

Growing up, one of my absolute favorite things was Chinese steamed fish with ginger and scallions. We would get a whole steamed fish at restaurants, or have a steamed filet at home. This recipe works for either – it just depends how comfortable you are pulling the meat from the skin and bones. While I…

Ramen Salad

I’m not gonna lie… instant ramen is delicious. It was one of my favorite snacks as a kid, and it was only later in life that I discovered it has almost no nutritional value. But it’s still delicious. So use it to make this super easy salad, and you get the flavor you love in…

Savory Watermelon and Pickled Rinds

Any of you who know me must have thought you were seeing things when you read the title. Yes, for the most part, watermelon is still one of the few foods that I could happily live without. But I have been converted by the wonder that is the pickled watermelon rind – a crunchy, tangy…

Curry Chicken Rice Salad

My mom makes this dish, and there’s something about it that’s so comforting. It’s also great because it’s a whole meal in one – grain, meat, and veg. So it’s great for scooping yourself a giant bowl and just going to town. Guessipe 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups…

Pork Bok Choy Boats

Everybody loves a lettuce wrap. But what’s even better? A bok choy boat! Lettuce is bland and tends to be just a flimsy vehicle for delivering the filling into your face. Baby bok choy has a nice flavor and crunch, which complements the filling nicely and serves as a sturdier scoop. It also presents nicely, so…