Category: Main Dish

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Easy Peasy Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)

Kimchi Jjigae

I didn’t cook much as a college student. It was mostly dorm food, cheap takeout, or whatever was on sale – preferably instant – at the market. But there was one thing I made that I was proud of: Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew). Truthfully, the end result had very little to do with my limited skills at the time. It’s really difficult to mess up Kimchi Jjigae. As long as you have some decent kimchi that is slightly beyond its prime (sour kimchi), the simmering does all of the work in bringing the flavors together. Nevertheless, I felt like a great cook whenever I made this and lapped up all the praise that came my way.

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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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Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken & Dumplings

I was in a major cooking rut over the holidays. This is pretty common for me. Maybe it’s all of the sugar, the alcohol, and the decadent foods I consume over the holidays. During this season, I am just way too tired/lazy/hungover to cook a decent meal for myself.

It was no different this year. I needed some major encouragement, inspiration, or coaxing to get back into the kitchen.

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Pasta with Garlic Oil

Whenever we have Italian food, my husband always talks about the North End in Boston. He was in graduate school in Boston. And whenever he and his friends wanted to treat themselves to something nicer than delivery pizza, they would head to the North End for some good Italian. I don’t know whether it’s the rose-colored nostalgia or not. But he still says it’s the best place to get Italian.

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