Kimchi Bulgogi Rice Bowl

Kimchi Bulgogi Rice Bowl | cHowDivine.com

Kimchi seems to be ubiquitous in the culinary world these days. Celebrity chefs are enamored with it. Small local markets and even the behemoth Whole Foods is carrying it. Suburbanites and hipsters alike are experimenting with it. And of course, food bloggers cook and write about it. It’s hard to believe that not too long ago, many people pinched their nose when in close proximity to kimchi. I think this is just a small part of a larger trend. I see more and more people embracing new experiences and accepting different types of cultures and lifestyles.

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Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice | cHowDivine.com

I’m a glass half empty kind of a girl. I don’t know why. By and large, I’ve led a charmed life in relative comfort and am now married to a man who loves me to pieces. And yet, I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. This amuses and bemuses my husband, because he is quite the opposite, my eternal optimist. It’s a good thing I suppose. It would probably be a real bummer being married to a fellow buzzkill.

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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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