I love to cook, but I get bored cooking the same things all the time. So, over the years I've collected quite a few recipes....and thrown away almost as many. These are the ones that made it through the taste tests.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Ginger Scallion Chicken Bowls
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls
8 dried rice paper sheets, dried not frozen
8 jumbo cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined and halved lengthwise
3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves
3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
4 tsp finely chopped fresh thai basil
2 large romaine leaves, chopped
Dipping sauce:
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp lime juice
4 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp garlic chili sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp finely chopped peanuts
Cook noodles until al dente, 3-5 minutes. Drain and rinse noodles and drain again. Cot noodles into shorter pieces. Fill a large baking dish with hot water. Dip 1 rice paper sheet briefly into water to soften slightly, about 1 second, then lay on a work surface. Arrange 2 shrimp halves over half of sheet closest to you, then sprinkle with about 3 Tbsp noodle, 1 rounded tsp each of mint and cilantro, 1/2 tsp basil and 2 Tbsp lettuce, leaving 2 inches uncovered on each side. Starting with bottom edge, begin to roll up sheet tightly around filling. After 1 roll, fold in ends of rice paper like a burrito, then finish rolling.
Stir together water, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, chili sauce, and garlic in a small bowl until sugar dissolves. Stir together hoisin and peanuts in another small bowl. Serve with rolls.
Miso Noodle Soup with Meatballs
1/3 cup diagonally sliced green onions
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp grated ginger
3 cups chicken stock
2 oz uncooked soba noodles
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chile paste
6 oz ground pork
2 tsp white miso paste
1/3 cup mung bean sprouts
1 serrano pepper, sliced
Heat oil in saucepan. Add green onions, garlic and ginger; saute 6 minutes. Add stock, bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium low; cook 8 minutes. Cook noodles separately according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain. Combine honey, chile paste and ground pork. Shape pork mixture into 8 meatballs. Stir miso into stock mixture. Add meatballs to pan; cook 6 minutes or until done. Add noodles. Sprinkle with mung bean sprouts and serrano.
Hoisin Glazed Pork Tenderloin Bowls
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
3 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp sriracha
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp avocado oil
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp grated ginger
Pork Tenderloins:
2 pork tenderloins, about 1 pound each, silver skin removed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Bowl:
8 oz fresh broccoli florets
1 Tbsp avocado oil
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups prepared rice
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Chicken Dumpling Meatballs with Chili Sesame Sauce
2 Tbsp EVOO
2 pounds ground chicken
1 cup finely minced scallions
1/4 cup finely minced fresh cilantro
3 garlic cloves
2 tsp grated ginger
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp sichuan chili crisp
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp tapioca flour (or cornstarch)
Chili Sesame Sauce:
1-2 Tbsp sichuan chili crisp
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp honey
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Cups
1 pound ground chicken breast
2 shallots, peeled and finely diced
1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp EVOO
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 thai chiles, thinly sliced (use less for less spicy)
2 Tbsp fish sauce
2 Tbsp lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 head of butter lettuce
Heat 2 Tbsp EVOO in large skillet. Add diced shallot and diced red bell pepper, saute for 2 minutes. Add garlic, saute for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add ground chicken to skillet and using the back of a spoon, break up the meat and cook meat until it is just cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn heat down to low. Add your sliced chiles and green onions. Roughly chop basil and add to skillet. Add fish sauce and lime juice. Stir in and cook 1-2 minutes. Serve in lettuce cups.
Serves 3
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Sticky Asian Chicken Thighs
1/4 cup EVOO
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
Juice of 1 lime
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp grated ginger
4 bone in skin chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
Thinly sliced green onions (for garnish)
Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, EVOO, honey, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade. Add chicken thighs to bowl with remaining marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. (Don't marinate longer than 1 hour as it will start to become too salty.) Remove 2 thighs from marinade and place in air fryer. Cook at 375 for 20-25 minutes, until thighs are cooked through to an internal temperature of 165. Cooking until temp is 180 will render more of the fat, if that is your preference. Transfer to a plate, tent with foil and repeat with remaining thighs. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring reserved marinade to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Brush sauce over cooked thighs and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
**Cooking in air fryer the entire time can sometimes give the skin a burnt look. To minimize that, bake at 375 in oven for 15 minutes first and then transfer to air fryer for remainder of time to finish cooking and crisping the skin.
Serves 4
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Creamy Sesame Baked Egg Rolls
1 pound ground turkey
12 oz coleslaw mix
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup creamy sesame dressing
2 Tbsp sriracha
12 egg roll wrappers
Preheat oven to 400. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp EVOO over medium high heat. Add turkey and cook, breaking up the meat until the turkey is just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add coleslaw mix and the salt and cook, stirring, until it begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Stir in creamy sesame dressing and sriracha until well combined. Remove from the heat.
Place one egg roll wrapper on a cutting board and add 2 Tbsp of filling diagonally on the wrap. Fold bottom corner over filling then roll snugly halfway to cover filling. Next, fold in both sides snugly against filling. Finally, moisten the edges of the last flap then wrap up and seal the top corner. Lay seam side down on the prepared baking sheet and continue until all are complete. Brush the tops of each rolls evenly with the remaining 2 Tbsp EVOO. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the egg rolls are golden brown and crispy. Serve with additional creamy sesame dressing.
Friday, January 2, 2026
Chicken Korma
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Fried Rice with Yum Yum Sauce
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup chopped carrots
1/2 onion, diced
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
4 green onions, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups chilled cooked long grain rice (fully chilled......6-8 hours in the fridge minimum)
1/3 cup soy sauce, adjust to taste preference
Yum Yum Sauce:
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup sweet chile sauce
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Coconut Chickpea Curry
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves minced garlic
1 Tbsp minced ginger
2 Tbsp thai red curry paste
1 can (14 oz) can unsweetened coconut milk, shaken well
1 cup vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt
2 (15 oz each) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
5 oz baby spinach, rinsed
1 Tbsp lime juice
2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup coarsely chopped crunchy roasted edamame, sea salt or sriracha flavored (The Only Bean brand is what I use) **substitutes - toasted cashews, toasted peanuts, toasted almonds
Toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, toasted naan
Heat oil in large skillet. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger to skillet; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add curry paste; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened and vegetables are coated, about 1 minute. Stir in coconut milk, broth and salt. Increase heat to med-high and bring to a boil. Stir in chickpeas. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and add spinach; stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in lime juice. Divide rice among 4 bowls; spoon curry over rice and sprinkle with edamame, cilantro and serve with lime wedges and naan.
Serves 4
Monday, August 25, 2025
Nuoc Cham Brussels Sprouts
1 pound Brussel Sprouts, woody ends removed and halved lengthwise
1 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 Tbsp EVOO
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Nuoc Cham Sauce:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 fresno chili, thinly sliced
1 shallot, very thinly sliced
1/4 cup lime juice
1 Tbsp coconut aminos
1 Tbsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup roughly chopped dry roasted peanuts
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
Preheat oven to 400 and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place brussels sprouts on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with sesame oil, EVOO, salt and pepper. Toss until well coated and then spread into a single layer. Transfer to the oven to roast until tender and golden, about 30 minutes, tossing halfway through. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine garlic, fresno chili, shallot, lime juice, coconut aminos, fish sauce, and sugar and stir until very well combined. Set aside to allow the shallots and chiles to slightly pickle while the brussels are cooking. When the brussel sprouts are done, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the nuoc cham sauce over them. Toss until the brussels are well coated in sauce. Top with peanuts and cilantro.
Serves 4
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Green Curry Chicken Soup
1/2 cup diced shallot
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp ginger paste
2 cups stemmed and thinly sliced portabello mushrooms
3 oz thai green curry paste
6 cups chicken broth
1 (14 oz) unsweetened full fat coconut milk
2 Tbsp coconut aminos
2 Tbsp fish sauce
Grated zest of 1 lim
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced (shortcut: use 3 cans cooked chicken breast)
2 heads baby bok choy, roughly chopped
8-16 oz rice noodles (more if you want a less soupy version of this bowl)
For toppings:
Fresh thai basil leaves
Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Bring a saucepan of water to boil for rice noodles. Wait until end before actually cooking noodles though. In a large pot, heat oil over heat. Add shallot, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until the veggies are tender, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue to cook, stirring until mushrooms are slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Add green curry paste and stir until well combined. Continue stirring and slowly pour in broth. Add coconut milk, coconut aminos, fish sauce, lime zest, lime juice, and sugar. Stir to combine. Increase heat to medium heat and bring soup to a simmer. Add sliced chicken, cover, and let simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 8-10 minutes. (If you are using canned chicken, drain chicken and add to soup and allow it to warm up, about 2-3 minutes). Stir in bok choy. Right before serving, add rice noodles to the pan of boiling water and cook according to package directions. Ladle soup into a bowl and place a nest of rice noodles into the broth. Top with thai basil, cilantro, and green onions.
Serves 5
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Vietnamese Shaking Beef Salad
1/4 cup avocado oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp fish sauce
1/2 cup halved and thinly sliced shallot
Salad:
8 cups baby arugula (8 oz)
2 cups halved grape tomatoes
Shaking Beef:
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ginger paste
2 Tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
1 tsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp chinese five spice powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 pounds filet, rib eye or beef sirloin, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp tapioca flour
2 Tbsp avocado oil
2 cups snow peas
Make the pickled shallot vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together avocado oil, vinegar and fish sauce until well combined. Add shallot and set aside.
Spread arugula on a large platter and top with tomatoes. Set aside. **
Cook the shaking beef: In a small bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, coconut aminos, fish sauce, vinegar, five spice powder, and cayenne. Stir to combine and set aside. Sprinkle the steak pieces with the salt, pepper, and tapioca flour. Toss until steak is evenly coated. In a large skillet or wok, heat avocado oil over medium high heat. Add steak in an even layer and cook until golden brown and crisp on all sides, about 2 minutes per side, 4 minutes total. Add snow peas and coconut aminos mixture. Stir to combine, then cook, stirring often, until steak is cooked to your preference and sauce has thickened, about 3 minutes. Drizzle half of the vinaigrette over watercress and tomatoes. Gently toss to combine, adding more dressing to your liking. Using a slotted spoon, top the arugula with the steak and snow pea mixture. Serve immediately.
** If keeping leftovers, do not combine arugula and steak mixture to serve on one platter. Divide arugula among individual plates and top with steak mixture. Store unused arugula, steak mixture and dressing separately.
Serves 4
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Lamb and Potato Samosa Inspired Stew
1 cup minced yellow onion
1 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp minced ginger
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground lamb
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
2 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 cup frozen peas
2 tsp lemon juice
In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until onion is tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add ground lamb and cook, breaking up until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain fat and return to pot. Add cumin, coriander, garam masala, cayenne, and turmeric and cook, stirring until the spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Add beef broth and potatoes and bring soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are tender, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in peas and lemon juice. Cook until peas are tender, about 3 minutes.
Serves 3
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Dry Rubbed Chicken Wings
Zest of 1 lemon
3/4 tsp ground cumin
1/5 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground coriander
3/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Wings:
1/5 pounds split chicken wings
1 Tbsp avocado oil
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Mongolian Mushrooms
2 Tbsp plus 1/4 cup avocado oil
2 tsp tapioca flour
6 green onions, cut into 2 inch lengths
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/2 cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
2 tsp fish sauce
2 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup vegetable broth (or water)
Hot cooked rice
Clean mushrooms and pat dry. Cut caps into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place sliced mushrooms in large bowl with 2 Tbsp avocado oil and toss to coat evenly. Add tapioca flour and toss to coat again. In large skillet, heat remaining avocado oil over med-high heat. Place mushrooms in a single layer in skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Cooking mushrooms may need to be done in two batches to get full cook on all. Add to skillet, green onions, sesame oil, coconut aminos, fish sauce, rice vinegar, red pepper, ginger, white pepper, sesame seeds, and broth. Cook, stirring often until sauce has thickened, about 3 minutes. Serve over rice.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Skillet Slaw Wraps
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp sugar
1 pound ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 (8-10 oz) pkg shredded cabbage with carrot
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 leaves bibb lettuce
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Stir together sriracha, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger and sugar in small bowl. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add ground beef; cook stirring to break up lumps, until beef is cooked through and browned, about 6 minutes. Sitr in salt and black pepper. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl, reserving juices in wok. Add cabbage mix, bell pepper, onions, and garlic to wok. Cook, stirring frequently, until cabbage is slightly wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in sriracha mix. Return beef to wok. Cook, stirring until heated through, 2-3 minutes. Spoon about 1/3 cup beef mix into each lettuce leaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with green onions.
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Thai inspired Chicken Skillet
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp EVOO
1 red bell pepper, sliced into 1/4 inch thick strips
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp red curry paste
3/4 cup unsweetened full fat coconut milk
1/3 cup creamy sesame salad dressing
2 Tbsp lime juice
1/3 cup roughly chopped roasted cashews
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges
Hot cooked rice
Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. In large deep skillet, heat oil over med high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer cooked chicken to plate and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and add more oil if needed. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring, until slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Add green onions and red curry paste, cook, stirring, to lightly toast the curry paste, 1-2 minutes. Pour in coconut milk, sesame dressing, and lime juice and stir to combine. Reduce heat to light simmer. Add chicken and let it simmer for about 4 minutes. Top with roasted cashews, more green onion, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on top of rice.
Serves 3
Monday, February 10, 2025
Creamy Sesame Chicken Satay Skewers
2 Tbsp lime juice
1/3 cup creamy sesame salad dressing
1/4 cup unsweetened full fat coconut milk
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tsp salt
Skewers
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges
In bowl, whisk together curry paste, lime juice, sesame dressing and coconut milk until smooth. Place cubed chicken in large bowl and pour 1/2 of the sauce mix over the chicken. Add salt and toss until well combined. Set aside to marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature. After marinating, thread chicken onto skewers.** Heat grill and oil grill grates to keep chicken from sticking. Place skewers on grill and cook on first side for 3-4 minutes or until grill marks have formed. Flip skewers then baste the grilled side generously with reserved marinade. Continue to cook until chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle with green onions and lime wedges before serving.
**You could also do this in a pan, no skewers. After marinating chicken, pour chicken and all marinade into large pan and cook until chicken is cooked through.
Serves 4


















