Browsing Tag

PAN ASIAN CUISINE

COCONUT CURRY THIGHS

coconut curry thighs

This Thai inspired fragrant thigh dish is a flavor powerhouse made creamy by the use of coconut milk. If you aren’t a culinary gangster in the kitchen yet, this will surely acquire you some accolades!   10 chicken thighs – bone in/skin on – remove from fridge at least 1 hour before cooking 1 TSP Gourmet Garden ginger paste 1 TBSP Gourmet Garden lemon grass paste 1 whole head of garlic – unpeel each clove and left whole 1 can…

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BANH MI VIETNAMESE PORK SANDWICH

SANDWICH BANH MI

The food truck craze has taken the world by storm. There is a food truck for every cuisine, prevalent in every city, in most every street corner and food-truck assemblies so their disciples can pinpoint their location. BANH MI– Vietnamese deliciousness that can be complicated or easy in preparation, because anything done with passion is a labor of love.  There’s a plethora of different interpretations of BANH MI from food trucks and restaurants alike, each have compiled trendy and traditional takes…

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THAI BEEF STEW

THAI BEEF STEW

The addition of Thai aromatics imparts a very distinctive take on this Asian Beef classic curry and the coconut milk delivers a velvety creaminess that cuts through the heat level. Don’t skip adding cilantro and squeezing some lime before eating it, it adds the freshness needed to take the flavor notes to the next level.  Without it, it’s not the same.  Can be served with noodles or plain jasmine rice. Paste 2 TBSP lemongrass paste 1 onion – chopped 2 TSP…

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BEEF BIBIMBAP

BIBIMBAP

Many of you are probably clueless as far as bibimbap goes. How to pronounce it, let alone having actually tried it.  Be courageous and bold because once formal introductions have been exchanged between you and bibimbap, your taste buds will explode and you’ll literally crave it at least once a week. Bibimbap is not only stunningly beautiful to behold but it’s one of the quintessential fares in Korean cuisine. It’s a ubiquitous staple at almost every Korean household, making good…

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MIDWEEK BLUES – KOREAN NOODLE SALMON SALAD

KOREAN NOODLE SALMON SALAD

Here’s another week of dealing with iterative work deliverables and pushing steadily through for the much-awaited weekend.  You may be contemplating ordering a pizza, but try this noddle salmon salad instead, as it’s assuredly healthier and it delivers exceptional results. The participants can be changed to whatever you have available and there are no back up singers here, because everyone’s a star in the production.  Sautéed veggies, grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu. grilled steak, and why not throw in some pickled onions…

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KINOKO BURGER

KINOKO BURGER

I keep circling back to the Vegas restaurant scene, probably because it was my playground for many years, but the global eats offered in Sin City are some of the finest in the world. Elite chef’s and restauranteurs haven’t hesitated opening establishments on and off the Strip, their calling cards creating phenomenal offerings for shrewd local foodies, gourmands and first-time visitors. Most of the overactive Vegas eaters shy away from the strip, especially on their days off avoiding the daily tourist…

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MIDWEEK BLUES – MISO BLACK COD EN PAPILLOTE

MISO COD IN PAPILLOTE

There’s no doubt about it, we completely bypassed spring in South FL as summer arrived with brutal temperatures hitting a heat index of 100+F, coupled with the customary humidity, all you want to do is stay indoors our of the heat. Keeping up with the midweek slump, it’s time to try some light fare with virtuous and effortless recipes that are so packed with flavor, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of them sooner. Such is this one.  White flaky, delicate…

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CRISPY SHRIMP BALLS

CRISPY SHRIMP BALLS

These Asian shrimp-inspired meatballs are not only outstanding but addicting.  I choose to serve them with a healthy dollop of aioli on top of each ball.  If you live anywhere where mosquitoes are raging outside because of the heat and humidity, even more reason to stay indoors and knock these out tonight, as they are pretty light in preparation and rather filling for a weekday meal substituting for the customary meatball.   Try not to omit the bonito flakes –…

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MIDWEEK BLUES – MISO BLACK COD EN PAPILLOTE

MISO BLACK COD EN PAPILLOTE

MISO BLACK COD EN PAPILLOTE Summer has arrived in full force with the temperatures in South FL almost getting a heat index of 100F and accompanied with the regular humidity all you want to do is enjoy the favored coolness of your aircon home.  With the heat comes a lack of desire to prepare food that is complicated and doesn’t heat up your kitchen. There are some virtuous and effortless recipes that are so packed with flavor, you wonder why…

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CRISPY CHICKEN TENDERS WITH COCONUT WITH CURRY DIPPING SAUCE

CRISPY CHICKEN TENDERS

These chicken tenders are diabolically juicy and criminally tasty.  Baking them in the oven achieves even crispiness and no-one will ever know they weren’t cooked in the deep fryer.  They are excellent for a party, brunch or light summer lunch.   3 chicken breasts – sliced into tenders and lightly pounded ½ cup of coconut milk 1 TBSP of red Thai curry paste 1 TSP of fish sauce 2 TBSP lime juice ¾ cup of unsweetened coconut flakes ¾ cup…

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STICKY SEXY ASIAN CHICKEN

STICKY ASIAN CHICKEN

This take of sweet and sour chicken is one that will be part of your chicken chronicles and you will go back time and time again, as am sure you will be asked to replicate.  It’s superb for a weeknight dinner as the preparation is almost non-existent and the chicken cooks very quickly and its juicy, tender, sticky and sexy.  The glaze from the sauce is rather spectacular so ensure you have enough white rice to serve it over.  Jasmine…

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STICKY ASIAN MEATBALLS WITH HOISIN SAUCE – TAKE 2

ASIAN STICKY BALLS 2

There is already a post on Asian Sticky Balls which are pretty swanky.  However, I made these for a party and my guests became raving lunatics over the balls and specially the homemade Hoisin sauce, so I think I better share it with ya’ll.   MEATBALLS ½ LB each ground pork and ground sirloin 1 TBSP garlic/ginger paste 2 eggs – beaten 2 TBSP toasted sesame oil ½ cup of minced scallions ½ cup of Panko breadcrumbs Toasted sesame seeds…

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ASIAN SHRIMP BALLS

ASIAN SHRIMP BALLS

Shrimp balls are ever popular in Asian countries.  In Beijing, there are hundreds of street vendors that provide the most amazing delicacies, which at times are one hundred times better than eating in a fancy restaurant.  These are served with a sticky, red spicy sauce, but the Nuoc Nam dipping sauce below, even though it is Vietnamese, lends itself even better as it provides the right balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy.  Umami with attitude. 1 LB of raw…

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ASIAN STICKY BALLS

ASIAN STICKY BALLS

Living in South East Asia one encounters all kinds of savory balls.  Cuttlefish (squid), prawns, pork, fish, each more flavorful than the next.  Some are served fried with a light glaze, some come covered in sauces or showcased as the main ingredient in soups and they are far from dry or insipid. This version is an adaptation from one of the many forays into Singapore hawker centers.  They are baked instead of fried and the results are just stellar!  Don’t…

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Pantry Rat