Vegetarian Vietnamese Curry

So the boyfriend and I decided to get back in shape, so we’re battling each other out with the Whole Life Challenge.  We adjusted the rules a little, but here is what we have to do: stick to a certain …

Chipotle-Inspired Burrito Bols

So after making Quinoa and Vegetable Chili last week, I had all these ingredients leftover that just screamed Mexican food. I’m not a huge Mexican food fan (I know–everyone thinks I’m crazy), but I do love Chipotle and their more …

Quinoa and Vegetable Chili

Time to break in my new cast-iron pot (also known as a dutch oven)!  You can use a normal large stockpot if you want, but I wanted to use my dutch oven because it’s red (my favorite color), it’s beautiful, …

Vietnamese Chicken Curry

It’s finally feeling colder in Southern California (and by colder, I mean a bitterly freezing 65 degrees)! In celebration of the rain gods bestowing precipitation upon us, I decided to make a hearty comfort soup that my mom used to …

Blistered Shishito Peppers and Ahi Poke

So the BF and I had another craving for sushi and decided to make a wonderful dinner that we can enjoy outside on the balcony again.  We wanted to try making different dishes than we did on our first sushi …

Plain Tart Frozen Yogurt

I got an ice cream maker!!  It’s a little crazy how excited I am about this. So I was thinking that the ice cream recipes that I’ve been making have been too rich.  I usually try to eat healthy, so …

Chicken Porridge (Cháo Gà)

This recipe is one of my favorites to make when I’m sick (yes, when I’m sick, I still insist on making my own soup instead of buying the canned stuff).  It reminds me of when I was in 6th grade …

Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Stuffed Bell Peppers

Friends, I have very recently been introduced to the wonder grain that is quinoa.  Now that I’m eating quinoa and kale, all I need is to start yoga again to complete this LA stereotype triad. I had quinoa for the …

Tomato, Lemongrass, and Tofu Soup

This is probably my favorite non-fancy soups (fancy soups = soups that require a lot of prep and need to simmer to hours, like pho).  My mom used to make this one with spare ribs like the Chayote Squash Soup, …

Steamed Rice Cakes w/ Shrimp

During this visit, I got a chance to make another one of my fav dishes, bánh bèo (steamed rice cake), which my mom usually makes for us.  It’s kind of a hassle to make, but we get everyone in the family involved …