Living, Learning, Eating: Dinner

Showing posts with label Dinner. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Dinner. Show all posts

Jul 11, 2018

Recipe: Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancakes)

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 7:00 AM

Okonomiyaki - fun word to say, isn't it? It's also a fun dish to make (and eat).

Okonomiyaki Recipe

The savory Japanese pancake is made with cabbage, tenkasu (crunchy tempura bits), and bacon, fried up in a skillet, and then topped with green onions, nori flakes, sesame seeds, and okonomi sauce (think Japanese version of ketchup. Enjoy!

Okonomiyaki

1 big pancake (serves 2)

* 2 cups green cabbage, chopped into very thin strips (the thinner, the better for getting the pancake to keep its form well)

* 0.667 c. water

* 0.333 tsp. dashi stock powder

* 0.5 c. all-purpose flour

* 1 egg
* 3 Tbsp. tenkasu (tempura bits)

* 0.333 c. chopped green onions

* 4 strips bacon, cut into ~2" pieces

* Okonomi sauce
* Sesame Seeds
* Flaked nori (I tore up a few regular nori sheets, but you can also buy aonori)

1. Whisk the dashi stock powder into the water in a large bowl until dissolved.

2. Add the flour, egg, and tenkasu. Whisk well, to form an even batter.

3. Add the cabbage and most of the chopped green onions (reserve a bit of the onions for topping).

Homemade okonomiyaki recipe

4. Heat some oil in a large skillet pan.

5. Once the oil is hot, spoon the cabbage batter into the pan and smooth into an even layer, about 0.5" thick throughout. Sprinkle the chopped bacon on top.

How to make okonomiyaki

6. Cook the pancake for 4 minutes, then flip. Cook for an additional 5 minutes with the bacon side down, or until the bacon is crispy.

7. Flip the pancake again, so now the bacon side is up, and cook for an additional 4 minutes.

8. Transfer the pancake to a plate. Drizzle the okonomi sauce over it and then sprinkle the remaining green onions, as well as the nori flakes and sesame seeds, over the pancake.

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake) recipe

Looks delicious, doesn't it? Food with toppings is so much more fun - acai bowls, frozen yogurt, and now okonomiyaki!

Have you tried okonomiyaki? How about other savory pancakes?

Jul 2, 2018

Recipe: The Best Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 8:00 AM

Cauliflower is one of those foods that can be anything from a duty food, the kind you have to force yourself to eat, to the most delicious thing on the table. This recipe is definitely the latter!

The Best Whole Roasted Cauliflower

My taste testers said it was the best cauliflower they've ever eaten in their lives and, all humility aside, I must agree. It's crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and sooo flavorful throughout. Here's the recipe!

Jun 25, 2018

Recipe: African Peanut Stew with Quinoa

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 8:00 AM

Sometimes it's fun to take a little culinary adventure to some far-flung end of the globe. A flight to Africa easily takes a solid 24 hours, but this delicious stew takes less than 1 from start to finish - it's also a lot cheaper!

I'm not saying this stew is a good substitute for traveling to Africa and experiencing some of what is a very beautiful continent with very many very rich cultures in person, but that's not always an option. Experiencing a little of the food culture in the comfort of your own kitchen is a good way to dip your toes into a little cross-cultural exploration!

African Peanut Stew Recipe

Plus, it's delicious.

African Peanut Stew with Quinoa

Serves 6

May 28, 2017

Recipe: Chinese-Style Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 10:00 AM

I'm not even going to pretend that this is an authentic Chinese recipe. No, this is 100% Americanized Chinese-inspired food prepared by someone who has absolutely 0 qualification to make Chinese food.

...but if you like Americanized Chinese food and you want a simple weeknight dinner recipe that's healthier than takeout, but still a crowd-pleaser, it's a hit!

Chinese Food Copycat Recipes

Just get some rice boiling before you start cooking the chicken and the whole meal will come together in less than thirty minutes! So that reading this recipe post doesn't take longer than actually making the recipe, I'm going to jump right in.

May 20, 2017

Recipe: Crispy Coconut Kale

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 1:21 PM

Kale can be very hit or miss and it's one of the most controversial vegetables out there. On the one hand, you have Those People who buy $7 bags of kale chips (with only two servings per bag) and wear Yale-inspired 'KALE' sweaters. On the other hand, you have the people who make taunting faces at bags of kale in the grocery store.

Yes, this is a thing that I have seen. Welcome to New York, city of characters.

Anyway, even for the most kale-adverse person out there, here's a surefire way to make the curly green enjoyable! It's crispy, it's spicy, it's flavorful, it's green and coconutty:

Quick and easy kale

It's hipster crack.

How to cook kale

Another photo, because yum.

It's also super easy to make! I served it with coconut jasmine rice, roasted salmon, and roasted okinawan sweet potatoes for my first hosted dinner in my new (awesome) Upper West Side apartment. I must get around to writing up those recipes, as well, because the meal was a hit, but this crispy coconut kale was so good that I simply must share it NOW. Without further ado, here's the recipe.

Feb 24, 2017

My Top 10 Favorite Places to Eat in NYC

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 10:30 AM

NYC has so much good food and that seems to count doubly for plantbased food. From acai bowls to raw vegan lasagna and sushi that's all vegan and fish-free (Beyond Sushi, you're on my to-eat list!), there's anything and everything you could possibly want to eat!

...and some that you'd rather not. When there's so much good food, it's a pity to waste up precious stomach space on mediocre meals. Especially if you're only in NYC briefly, you should just eat the good stuff.

So here's my list of my top ten vegetarian- and vegan-friendly food places in NYC! Some are totally plantbased and others offer options for omnivores, but also plenty of vegetarian options.

Jan 16, 2017

Recipe: Torsk

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 9:30 AM

Remember that time, a few days ago, when I shared a recipe for chipotle creamed corn with you and promised I'd share a recipe for the Torsk (Norwegian broiled cod) I photographed it with?

Healthy fish dinner

The day has come, my friends.

Read on for the recipe for torsk - it's fast, easy, and features relatively few, relatively simple ingredients!

Jan 14, 2017

Recipe: Chipotle Creamed Corn

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 9:30 AM

Corn is one of America's favorite vegetables!

...even if there's some argument around whether it should be counted as a vegetable or a grain. Still, most of us love it!

Creamed corn is a classic American comfort food side dish. I'm all for the classics, but mixing it up is fun.

How to eat healthy on a budget

Especially if you're pairing creamed corn with a milder main dish, like the Norwegian broiled cod pictured above (called Torsk, recipe coming soon), mixing it up with something a little spicier can be fun.

Ta-da! Chipotle creamed corn brings a spicy twist to traditional creamed corn. It's a great way to change things up and the recipe, below, is easy to follow and quick enough for a weeknight dinner!

Oct 19, 2016

Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 9:30 AM

Do you know what's an easy, flavorful weeknight dinner that's a crowd-pleaser and a family-pleaser?

Eggplant parmesan with angel hair pasta!

Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

Some like a little extra spaghetti sauce with their pasta, so make a little extra and save it to serve on the side. Other than that, it's straightforward and simple and makes great leftovers! Read on for the recipe.

Oct 16, 2016

Review: Healthy Chef Creations Vegetarian Meal Delivery

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 10:30 AM

Healthy gourmet meals, made for you, and delivered fresh - never frozen - nationwide? To this busy girl, that sounded pretty great.

I love cooking and baking and spending quality time with my kitchen, but sometimes life gets crazy and having a few days, or a week, where the food just magically shows up ready to eat can be a godsend. Enter Healthy Chef Creations!

Healthy Chef Creations' menu is spa-inspired and delivered weekly all across the US in individually packaged meals, snacks, and desserts that are fresh and never frozen.

Healthy Vegan Meal

As long as you transfer them to your fridge immediately, they'll last for a week. It's healthy, it's fresh, and the dishes are even tempting to non-healthnuts.

Going on a diet

They offer meal delivery programs and a la carte meals suitable for omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and/or people on gluten-free diets. You can customize your meals accordingly! And it's always natural and organic.

Healthy Chef Creations: The Food

Sep 18, 2016

Review: Hak's Paks

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 11:00 AM

When you're working full-time and juggling some pretty time-consuming side things, having time to cook healthy meals can be a challenge!

Luckily, Haks' One Pot Cooking Sauces make it easier to juggle busy weekday schedules with cooking healthy meals at home. Eating out every night isn't cost-effective at all!

I tried Hak's Paks in three flavors: Chipotle Bourbon, Caribbean Jerk, and Korean BBQ.

I like that the ingredients lists are pretty short and natural. No crazy chemicals or unnecessary artificial colors or flavors. All Hak's Paks are all-natural with no-GMOs, no preservatives, and no gluten.

Cooking Fast, Easy, and Healthy:

Hak's Paks make cooking really easy. Just boil a pound of veggies, meat, fish, tofu, etc. and pour the contents of the Hak's Pak evenly over the boiled base.

Cooking fast and healthy

Aug 17, 2016

Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon with Cabernet Reduction

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

Whether it's a dinner party, date night, a birthday, or just a wear-high-heels-and-have-perfect-posture Tuesday, sometimes breakfast for dinner or a simple pasta dish doesn't cut it.

This blue cheese crusted filet mignon with cabernet reduction is loved by all of my taste testers, spanning three generations and many different food preferences, and it's a pretty dish perfect for any fancy evening in!

I'm not going to pretend that this is 'quick and easy' as you should definitely give yourself a solid hour to prepare this dish along with the sides (I recommend mashed potatoes and garlic spinach), but the big smiles and rave reviews are well worth the effort. Read on for how to make a restaurant-quality steak dinner at home!

Aug 13, 2016

Recipe: Saumon aux Lentilles

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

After years of curiosity, work brought me to France for the first time last December! I had almost two weeks in Paris and loved the architecture, lifestyle, and cobbled streets. The French are really into the art of food and, while ratatouille was my favorite dish while there and Ratatouille is one of my favorite Disney movies, I decided to be inspired for today's recipe by the fish markets.

Healthy Salmon Recipe

My family loves salmon, as do many of my friends. Salmon is easily found in French cuisine! The French green lentil, with a crunchier texture than traditional brown lentils, pair well with the meatiness of the fish and the lemony mustard-herb butter ties it all together. The leeks are less common in traditional American fare and a nice change in this recipe!

Read on for the easy to follow recipe! It makes a great, heart-healthy lunch.

Aug 10, 2016

Recipe: Savory Zucchini Pancakes

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

I'm visiting my family in Germany before I move into my new apartment and start my new job in Boston next week!

In addition to frolicking in the fields, polishing up my mini-golf skills, being amused by my suddenly sassy tween sister, and enjoying seeing my loved ones after a year apart (!), I'm working on a ghostwriting project. While everyone is at work and at school, I write. Since writing means no commute, I have more time than the others and, since I also love cooking, it only makes sense that I'm in charge of lunch this week!

So, what do you do when a friendly farmer neighbor gifts you a massive tree trunk of a zucchini?

Cooking with Zucchini

You make savory zucchini patties! What's a savory zucchini pancake? It's a cheesy, veggie-packed patty full of vitamins, minerals, and veggie goodness! It's somewhere between a latke and a potato pancake, but with zucchini instead of potatoes.

Zucchini Latkes

Read on for the easy and delicious recipe! It's a meat-free meal that my kid, adult, and grandmother taste testers all enjoyed.

Mar 5, 2016

Recipe: Avogolemono Soup

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

Greek food is one of the most popular cuisines and for good reason. There are so many great flavors in Greek food!

I shared a spanakopita recipe a while ago (if you haven't tried it yet, do it!) and today we're continuing our Mediterranean culinary adventures with a delicious, simple to follow avogolemono soup recipe!

The tart flavor of lemon works wonderfully with the creamy (from eggs) soup base for a fun spin on chicken soup! It's warming, flavorful, features simple ingredients, and makes a great starter or side to a full Greek meal.

Alternately, you can add a little more chicken to the soup and pair it with warm, freshly-baked pita bread for a light meal. Read on for the recipe!

Feb 28, 2016

Fit for Spring: A Go2Go Review!

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

Sometimes healthy habits can get lost in the hectic of work, the cozy cold of the winter, or the boredom of routine. Luckily, all it takes to return to healthy habits (and feeling our best!) is making the decision to do so! There are, of course, some things that can make that transition back to healthy living easier. Go2Go helps!

Go2Go is delivered daily in the evening (6pm for me) before, so that your food is fresh and ready for you, no matter how early you have to leave for work!

They're delivered in a cute, recyclable cardboard box, like an over-sized take-out container with a handy carrying handle. This is extra convenient for work days, because you can just leave your meals in the carton and carry them along to store in your work fridge that way!

Each day comes with a healthy lunch, dinner, snack, and fresh juice.

There are several plans that you can choose between. Whether you're a vegetarian, an athlete, or even ordering for a kid, Go2Go can be there for you!

That takes most of the work of food prep out of your day, but also leaves with the flexibility to choose what you want to eat for your third meal. It's a win-win! You are, of course, encouraged to choose healthy, natural foods for your third meal and to stay hydrated.

Jan 29, 2016

Recipe: Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

I love cooking my way around the world.

I love traveling, too, but traveling in my kitchen (as a supplement to the traditional way) lets me learn so much more about the world and the many fascinating cultures of the world than I would otherwise be able to. And cooking is fun!

Today, I hope you'll join me on a delicious trip to the Mediterranean. Greek cuisine is beloved by many, both in Greece and elsewhere, and I've been really enjoying working on more Greek-inspired recipes lately.

This spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) recipe is delicious, flaky, flavorful, and a great packed lunch for work. Spanakopita is meant to be eaten cold or at room temperature, so it makes the best leftovers!

It isn't very difficult to make, as long as you remember to thaw the phyllo in advance if you're using frozen phyllo pastry, and the result is restaurant-quality. Read on for the no-fail recipe!

Jan 22, 2016

Recipe: Potato Leek Soup

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

I had a really cool opportunity to travel to Paris for 2.5 weeks last month for work!

I missed having Christmas with my loved ones (and New Year's, but I don't care nearly as much about that), which was really sad and hopefully won't happen again, but the experience was amazing.

Parisian architecture is beautiful, the city of lights sparkled and shined despite the atrocities earlier in the fall, and visiting the museums and Eiffel Tower was really great! Parisian food was also a really interest culinary experience.

But after 2.5 weeks of eating out every day, I couldn't have been more thrilled to return to my kitchen! Since winter finally hit in January (it came so late this year) and I had just returned from France, I couldn't think of anything more fitting than potato leek soup.

Read on for a simple, but delicious, recipe for Potato Leek Soup. It will sweep you away to a rainy Parisian afternoon!

Nov 25, 2015

Recipe: Irresistible Cheesy Bread

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

It's that time of year! Happy (almost) Thanksgiving, everyone!

While a lot of us host Thanksgiving celebrations, or celebrate a family Thanksgiving at home, it is also not uncommon to attend a Thanksgiving dinner that someone else is hosting. My family is strewn all around the world and the same is true for many of my fellow New Yorkers!

Attending someone else's Thanksgiving dinner can be a lot of fun. You get to dress up, spend time with some awesome people, and not have the stress of hosting the dinner yourself. That said, it's important to be a good guest. Definitely bring with a host gift and/or a contribution to the dinner!

But what if you know nothing about how to pick a good wine (guilty) and dessert has already been claimed, so you can't bring along an award-winning pecan pie or my classic pumpkin pie? Never fear!

A side dish (or appetizer, depending on how off-schedule the turkey roasting itself is running) is always appreciated.

A dinner bread is especially appreciated, because if it doesn't get eaten at the actual dinner, your hosts can use it for their post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches!

This irresistible cheesy bread is a real winner. Everyone always loves it, it's pretty easy to make, the strongly flavored asiago cheese makes it a slightly gourmet (or at the very least, grown up) tasting bread, and asiago cheese is the only ingredient that you may not already have in your kitchen!

Read on for the yummy recipe!

Nov 18, 2015

Recipe: Can't-Fail Creamed Corn

Posted by Living, Learning, Eating at 6:00 AM

Creamed corn is an American staple side dish. I've babysat kids before who wouldn't touch any vegetable (including regular cooked corn or corn on the cob) but went crazy for my creamed corn.

While it's important to encourage picky eaters to get a variety of vegetables in their diet (I have posted about ways to do so, sneakily and not-so-sneakily!) it's great to also have a veggie side option that you don't have to convince or trick them into enjoying. This creamed corn fits the bill!

While corn is often under-appreciated as a vegetable, there are actually a lot of great reasons to enjoy corn!

Corn is rich in vitamins A, B, and E, as well as a wide variety of minerals, including magnesium, zinc, phosphorous, manganese, and so on. It is in high in satiating, digestion-regulating fiber, contains antioxidants that have been linked to reduced rates of cancer and Alzheimer's, reduces cholesterol absorption in the body, promotes good bone health, and helps prevent anemia.

Satisfied that you want corn on your dinner table? Great! Then read on for the recipe for my creamed corn - you'll have plates scraped clean!

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