Mushroom “Risotto”

Gluten-Free Mushroom Risotto

I love cheese. I love aged, fresh, fragrant, stinky, hard, soft; you name it I love it. So it should come as no surprise that I love risotto. I love the creamy and soft texture, and the rich taste. But unfortunately, I am terribly lactose intolerant.

Over the years, I’ve tried many non-dairy or vegan substitutes for cheese. Expectedly, none actually tasted like cheese. They just tasted oily. I even searched all over town, and found, Daiya “cheese,” the supposed answer to my prayers. Not even close to the real thing. Obviously, the people who laud this “cheese” has quite a different interpretation of cheese. So I decided to stop trying to substitute cheese with its dairy-free alternatives. Instead, I began creating and cooking dishes that are reminiscent of the creamy and rich texture of cheese dishes.

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Vegetable Gimbap/Kimbap

Definition of GIM·BAP: Laver or Dried Seaweed (Gim) · Bap (Rice)

Gimbap always takes me to a happy place. It’s no wonder. Gimbap is commonly consumed at picnics. And understandably, it conjures up warm weather, fresh-cut grass, and fun. It makes sense since it’s very much an on-the-go food. Everything is wrapped in a neat package that can be easily be popped in your mouth. They are delicious and flavorful just the way there are. No need for sauce. No mess. No fuss. So my mom ALWAYS made sure I had plenty whenever I went on a school field trip or a picnic. Thanks mom!

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Kimchi Fried Rice and Creamy Black Bean Burritos

When I make guacamole, I always make a ton. I want to expend the energy once and milk the benefits of my labor for a few days. I’m kind of lazy that way. And when I have leftover guacamole (remember to store it properly), I always make one or more of three dishes. I’ve already posted two of the dishes: the sweet potato and black bean tacos and the TLT (tempeh, lettuce, and tomato sandwich). And the last of the troika is the kimchi fried rice and creamy black bean burritos.

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Fried Rice with Sautéed Mushrooms and Crispy Prosciutto

I never order fried rice at restaurants.

When I was a kid, a friend told me that restaurants use customers’ unfinished rice in their fried rice. Day-old, cold rice is preferred over just-cooked, hot rice in fried rice. And if you cook it all up with other ingredients – as in fried rice – no one would be the wiser. So it seemed feasible. I really hope this was an urban legend; but I haven’t taken any chances.

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Prosciutto Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi fried rice is one of the most popular Korean dishes. It also is one of the easiest dishes to whip up, which is the reason why it is so popular as a midnight snack.

I had my share of kimchi fried rice as a college student in Northern California. After a night out or during an all-nighter studying for the finals, it was the perfect meal or snack. It also had the benefit of being cheap – important for a starving student!

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