Bok Choy Salad

Most people think of Bok Choy as a vegetable that you eat stir-fried, but did you know that it’s got crunch and sweetness that makes it great for eating raw? This is a Bok Choy salad that I whipped up for a pizza party that needed a fresh and bright side as a counterpoint to…

Cucumber Dill Blueberry Salad

The base of this recipe was inspired by a cucumber dill salad that my mom used to make when I was growing up. I freshened it up with the addition of red onion for a bit of bite and blueberries for a sweet pop. So good on a summer day! Guessipe 4 Persian cucumbers, sliced…

Japanese Restaurant Dressing

You know that salad you get at the start of a meal at so many Japanese restaurants? And somehow they all seem to have the same dressing (which I’m not complaining about, because it’s sweet gingery deliciousnous)? Well, I always enjoy that salad, and found myself wondering why I couldn’t have it more often. So…

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…

Lemon Posset

This is a creamy lemon dessert that feels in the genre of panna cottas and mousses, only without all the fuss in the making. With just 3 ingredients and 3 simple steps, a magical food science thing happens where the dessert thickens into silky goodness without having to mess with any of the typical thickening…

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…

Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

Do you remember when it was your birthday and your mom would send you to elementary school with cupcakes for everybody in the class? Well, my mom would make these awesome mini cherry cheesecakes, which made my birthday the most looked-forward-to of the whole school year. These are easy to make, but look fancy, taste…

Green Papaya Salad

I adore the green papaya salad that I’ve had at Thai restaurants. I was delighted to find that green papaya is sold at the Asian market and I could make a quick and easy version that completely satisfied what I like so much about the dish. It’s crunchy and spicy and fresh, but with a…

Cambodian Kaw

My Cambodian friend introduced me to this dish of pork belly and eggs in a soy and caramelized sugar sauce, and it’s been a favorite of mine ever since. He gave me his mom’s recipe, but just like my family’s recipes (and I’m beginning to think all Asian families) it was more of a half-complete…

Atchara

Atchara is a Filipino side dish of pickled green papaya. The crunchy acidity of atchara makes it a great accompaniment to cut through the grease of fried or grilled meats. I remember going camping with one of my best childhood friends, and happily sitting by the fire eating a big bowl of rice, meat, and…

Greek Salad

I like a Greek Salad because it’s got great crunch and body, but also feels hearty, probably because of the feta. It’s easy to throw together, and keeps well as it’s another one of those salads with no lettuce to get soggy in the dressing. You can use whatever kinds of cucumbers and tomatoes you…

Spicy Sausage & Mushroom Tomato Sauce Pasta

I adored this spicy sausage and mushroom tomato sauce pasta when I was a kid. My mom always made it with spaghetti noodles, and half the fun was watching my brother eat it. He would suck each individual noodle through his lips, and then eat the sausage and mushrooms later. By the end of the…