Gyoza soup became one of my go-to winter meals after a snowy afternoon when I was craving dumplings but didn’t feel like pan-frying anything and instead I dropped a few frozen gyoza into a hot broth I had simmering with garlic and ginger and the result was so cozy and satisfying that I ended up … Read more
Japanese beef curry instantly brings me back to a cozy night when I made it for a small family dinner and the scent filled the house and we all gathered around the table faster than usual and what started as a casual dish became a new favorite with its warm spiced gravy and ultra-tender beef … Read more
Japanese cotton cheesecake cupcakes came into my life on a quiet afternoon when I wanted something light and comforting but didn’t want to commit to baking a whole cheesecake and I had a bit of cream cheese in the fridge and a few eggs to spare so I whipped up a small batch just to … Read more
Chipotle ranch chicken burritos always remind me of my busy workdays when I needed something filling yet full of flavor to keep me going. I once threw together grilled chicken, rice, beans, and a drizzle of chipotle ranch, and to my surprise, it turned into one of the tastiest wraps I had ever made. From … Read more
Loaded street corn chicken rice bowl came to life one summer night when I had grilled corn left over from a cookout and some marinated chicken ready to go. I threw everything together over a bed of rice with a dollop of lime crema and a dusting of chili powder, and it instantly reminded me … Read more
Tortellini with summer veggies started out as a happy accident during a week when my garden was bursting with cherry tomatoes and zucchini and I needed a dinner that came together fast and didn’t heat up the whole kitchen. I remembered I had a pack of cheese tortellini in the fridge and decided to throw … Read more
Chia Seed Pudding became a favorite of mine back when I was trying to balance a busy schedule and still enjoy something sweet and nourishing in the mornings. I remember stirring the seeds into coconut milk one evening and hoping it would set by morning—and not only did it work, it was delicious. The texture … Read more
Cinnamon French Toast Muffins were born on a lazy Saturday when I didn’t feel like flipping slices on the skillet but still craved that cozy, cinnamon-sugar warmth of a good French toast. I had leftover bread and a muffin tin just sitting there, so I chopped up the bread, soaked it in my custard mix, … Read more
Cinnamon Rolls became my baking obsession the winter I decided to skip the store-bought kind and learn how to make them from scratch. One snowy afternoon, I pulled out flour, butter, and cinnamon, determined to recreate the smell and taste I remembered from a bakery we used to visit during holidays. As the dough rose … Read more
French Strawberry Cake entered my kitchen on a quiet spring afternoon when I had a bowl of fresh strawberries that needed using and a craving for something light but buttery. I remembered a simple French-style cake recipe I had tucked away and I decided to fold in sliced berries and sprinkle the top with a … Read more