World Cup of Yum

Banchan – Radish Kimchi

A Banchan collection isn’t complete without what is probably the best known of all the Banchan – kimchi! While you can make Kimchi using a variety of different vegetables, cabbage is the most common. But of all the kimchi my favorite is Radish Kimchi. I can’t get enough of the firm crunch of the radish,…

Banchan – Korean Bean Sprouts

Another Banchan that I really like is these Korean Bean Sprouts. Bean Sprouts are so inexpensive and they have such a nice pop when you bite into them, which I feel somehow gets enhanced when you cook them. Bean sprouts are an underutilized vegetable in my opinion. This is one great way to use them….

Banchan – Sesame Bok Choy

Continuing my Banchan series… this dish is more commonly made with spinach (which is good too), but I like the extra crunch of Sesame Bok Choy. The combination of sesame oil and sesame seeds really brings out the sesame flavor I love. Guessipe 8 baby boy choy, separated into individual leaves marinade 3 green onions,…

Banchan – Pickled Korean Radish

One of the things I like best about Korean food is the banchan (small side dishes). Some of them require days of fermentation, but some are quick to make. A lot of them have great crunch. Many are spicy, or have a strong sesame flavor. I have Korean friends who always have a variety of…

Tom Kha Gai (Thai coconut soup)

This coconut soup is one of my favorite Thai foods. Tom Kha Gai is a great accompaniment to other Thai dishes, but its rich and warming broth makes it hearty enough to eat as a main dish as well, especially with a side of rice. Making Tom Kha Gai is a simple 3-step process –…

Garlicky Anchovy Pasta

I call this Garlicky Anchovy Pasta a “pantry pasta” dish because it’s made with ingredients that I almost always have around. Which means it’s fantastic for those nights when you need to whip up dinner, but heading to the grocery store is one step more than you have energy for. The anchovies add umami but…

Mini Lemandarin Pies

A Lemandarin, also known as a Rangpur Lime or a Mandarin Lime, is a hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin orange. The tree in my neighborhood had a ton of ripe lemandarins in December. I’m told they’re great for making marmalade, but since they’re a bit like sour oranges or Meyer lemons (which you…

Zucchini Stir-Fry with Ground Pork

Zucchini is awesome for stir-fry because it soaks up the flavors of the sauces so well. In this case I just use a handful of sauces and seasonings that I always have on hand. Great for when you need a quick but satisfying weeknight meal. Guessipe olive oil for stir-frying 5 cloves garlic, minced 1…

Garlic Chili Noodles

My friend gave me a jar of homemade chili oil. A few days later I found myself in a food pinch – scrounging around in the pantry to see what I could use to whip up a meal. I came across a package of rice vermicelli and that jar of chili oil, added a few…

Ponzu Cucumbers

When you’ve put in your order at a Japanese restaurant and you’re so hungry you think you might pass out before the food arrives, and then they bring a little dish of complimentary cucumbers to your table… cucumbers have never tasted so good, and it’s just enough to hold you over. You can have this…

Korean Rice Cakes

Korean rice cakes are awesome because they have a fantastic soft chewiness and they absorb flavor really well. This guessipe is a spicy sweet treat that only involves 2 minutes of cooking and takes less than half an hour all together! Guessipe 8 oz Korean rice cakes 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 TBSP sugar 2…

Lettuce Wraps

I find myself drawn to lettuce wraps when I see them on a restaurant menu. But they’re also pretty easy to make at home, and people are so excited when I serve lettuce wraps. You can pre-assemble them, or just put out all the elements and let people build their own. Interactive dishes are always…