Chinese Smoked Chicken is tender, delicious and fragrant. One of my Dad’s specialities used to be his smoked chicken. He grew up in Beijing and recently, I learned that smoked meats were quite popular in that region when he was growing up. I found a recipe for Chinese smoked chicken in my late aunt’s Florence…
Lion’s Head Casserole
Lion’s Head Casserole is a traditional Chinese dish that is pure comfort food. I fondly remember this dish from my childhood. My namesake Auntie Jeannette made it on special occasions. Auntie Jeanette was a good cook and always welcomed people into her home. For a number of years, she and Uncle Dick hosted a small…
Florence Lin’s Baked Coconut Sticky Rice Cake Recipe for Chinese New Year
Baked Coconut Sticky Rice Cake is easy to make and a delicious version of Chinese sticky rice cake. This sweet treat can be enjoyed for Chinese New Year or as dessert throughout the year. This year, for Chinese New Year, I’m sharing a very special recipe – my Auntie Florence’s Coconut Sticky Rice Cake. Into her…
Healthy Instant Pot Soup and Stew Recipes
Healthy Instant Pot Soup and Stew Recipes is a collection you will want to refer to when you’re craving comfort food. I love using pressure cooking to make soups and stews. Whether you have a stove-top pressure cooker or Instant Pot, these soups and stews can be made in a fraction of the time if…
Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot Lentil Chili Recipe
Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot Lentil Chili cooks in less than 30 minutes, and is a nutritious, hearty vegetarian/vegan meal. 296 calories/1 Freestyle point per serving. Whether you use an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, this lentil chili is a quick, delicious and healthy dinner. I love using pressure to cook stews and chili when I’m short…
Christmas Salad Recipe
This Christmas Salad is a delight for the eyes, perfect for the holiday season. I made this beautiful, jewel-toned salad for some special friends to kick off the holiday season. Featuring arugula and jewel-toned radicchio, beets, pomegranate arils, Medjool dates and macadamia nuts, this Christmas Salad is as delicious as it looks. This salad was…
Healthy Christmas Holiday Salad Recipes
These vibrant Healthy Christmas Holiday Salad Recipes will lighten up your holiday menu and make your holiday spread look beautiful. Your guests will welcome some healthier options. Christmas is just around the corner so if you’re planning your holiday menu, take a look at these Healthy Christmas Holiday Salad recipes. They’re full of festive, vibrant colors, and they’re…
Brined Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Sage Spice Rub
This Brined Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Sage Spice Rub Recipe ensures a moist, tender and flavorful turkey. I’ve never been a fan of white turkey meat because it’s usually dry and less flavorful than dark meat. So, I was curious if cooking turkey sous vide could produce a softer, more tender turkey breast. I actually made this…
Roasted Kabocha Squash Dip
Roasted Kabocha Squash Dip is a healthy and delicious dip, perfect for a snack or for a party. A generous and very gifted family invited 50 women from our church to their home for a Fall gathering. They put out an amazing spread of food for all of us to enjoy. I was asked to…
Fall Flower Arrangements
These Fall Flower Arrangements will impress your family and friends. I started learning how to arrange flowers a few months ago, and it has become my new obsession. The process of flower arranging is similar to cooking. There is often a list of ingredients (e.g., the type and number of flowers), prepping involved, and instructions…
Spicy Chinese Beef Noodle Soup
Spicy Chinese Beef Noodle Soup is an aromatic dish that is scented with star anise, cinnamon, fennel, cumin and Szechuan peppercorns. My dad used to make a version of this soup noodle dish. Over the years, I’ve made this comfort dish, often following my aunt’s recipe. I love Asian noodle soups, and this is one…
Red Curry Coconut Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
This creamy Red Curry Coconut Butternut Squash Soup is made with just four ingredients. Keep to the basic recipe or embellish with more flavor agents and garnishes. It’s your choice. This easy recipe is perfect for the holidays when you’re looking for a beautiful, but simple soup to serve guests. Roasting The Whole Butternut Squash Did…
Oven Braised Chicken Cacciatore with Rosemary Recipe
This Oven Braised Chicken Cacciatore is scented with rosemary and braised in a rich tomato sauce flavored with red wine, mushrooms and mixed bell peppers. Serve this over simple Lemon Poppy Seed Noodles alongside sauteed green beans for a simple but elegant meal. Our church has a wonderful community service program where volunteers sign up to…
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil-Mint Vinaigrette
This Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil-Mint Vinaigrette features beautiful heirloom tomatoes at their peak ripeness and a vibrant fresh basil-mint dressing. Each summer, I look forward to seeing all the farm fresh tomatoes at our farmer’s market. I especially love the variety of heirloom tomatoes the stands have to offer. Heirloom tomatoes come in different…
Kale Basil Mint Parsley Pesto Recipe
This deliciously healthy Kale Basil Mint Parsley Pesto is great on sandwiches, quesadillas, and pizzas, or tossed with pasta (hot or cold). Versatile and nutritious, I use it on everything I can think of during the summer. For the past three summers, I’ve purchased a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share, which means I get a…
Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Cilantro Chicken Recipe
Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Cilantro Chicken is delicious in salads, sandwiches, summer rolls, or as a main course. I love summer grilling, and am always looking for new ways to grill chicken. Grilled food is popular in Southeast Asia, and the fragrant flavors are a nice change from the typical American barbecue. I visited Vietnam many years…
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad has all the flavors of a Greek salad. It’s a light and nutritious meal. Sponsored by Peapod. I came up with this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad as a light and healthy meal that can be enjoyed anytime of the year. This quinoa salad is perfect for lunch or dinner and keeps well….
Thai Barbecue Pork Chops Recipe
These Thai Barbecue Pork Chops are moist, juicy and so flavorful. Know Your Food Source I believe in knowing where our food comes from, and how it’s been treated. I strive to feed my family chemical-free, hormone-free food that’s been raised with care wherever I can. One of the best ways to ensure this is…
Sweet and Spicy Spiralized Cucumber Tomato Arugula Salad Recipe {Daniel Plan Recipe}
This simple Sweet and Spicy Spiralized Cucumber Tomato Arugula Salad is refreshing, light and delicious. At the height of summer, cucumbers are abundantly available. Although I love sliced cucumbers in my salad, I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy cucumbers at their peak. This cucumbers salad calls for spiralized cucumber, baby arugula and cherry…
Chipotle Crab Corn Dip Recipe
This Chipotle Crab Corn Dip is fresh and light, made with lots of fresh vegetables and gets a kick from homemade chipotle aioli. My family loves crab. I think it comes from my Maryland upbringing that I’ve passed onto my kids. Recently, I made this Chipotle Crab Dip for a going away party for a…
Grilled Thai Curry Cilantro Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Grilled Thai Curry Cilantro Garlic Chicken is a wonderful summer dish. Serve with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. Summer is here in Connecticut and outdoor living is one of the pleasures I look forward to. Three years ago, we invested in some nice outdoor furniture, including an oversized cantilever umbrella (which I highly recommend). This…