Vegetable forward, feel good food
This dish comes together with the help of a few Chinese pantry staples: sweet chinkiang vinegar, tingly sichuan peppercorns, umami-forward garlic black bean sauce, and shaoxing wine. If you don’t already keep these ingredients in stock, head to your local asian market to pick them up. They all last for awhile in the pantry and…
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In this recipe, the punchy flavors of tamarind and Vietnamese nuoc cham provide the perfect counterpart to buttery soft steamed fish. Nuoc Cham: the Vietnamese dipping sauce for Just about everything Made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chilies, nuoc cham acts as the perfect sweet/salty/sour counterpart to many of Vietnam’s most famous…
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When I make tomato salad, I find myself slurping up the salty tomato juice and oil mixture that remains at the bottom of the bowl. I wanted to create a soup based on this flavor profile, while still keeping it light and fresh for summer. Enter this braised cod, poached gently in an ethereally light…
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Snap peas, sliced thin and extra crunchy, are one of my favorite spring and early summer treats. Here, we dress them in a tangy buttermilk-sesame-ginger number for a sophisticated spin on ranch. Top with lots of chili crisp and extra sesame oil for the perfect healthy (but not too healthy) side dish. Chili crisp: the…
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I’ve waxed poetic on the magic of ultra plump and juicy summer tomatoes before, and this dish is perfect for showcasing the bright, punchy flavor of the fruit at its finest. Salted tomatoes, swimming in a vinaigrette of their own juices, are topped with a piquant mixture of preserved lemon, roasted red peppers, pine nuts,…
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Summer means not wanting to turn on the oven, and this salmon crudo with meyer lemon ponzu is a stunning centerpiece for a hot day. Crunchy radishes, sweet and crisp apples, and punchy jalepenos add the perfect contrast to the buttery raw salmon. The subtly smokey and citrusy ponzu sauce comes together in a matter…
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Classic Caesar salad is already an umami bomb thanks to briny anchovies and Worcester sauce. Here, we add a hefty dose of miso to the dressing for a sweet/salty twist. Instead of croutons, try these buttery, lemony panko breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch to lettuce ratio. Making the panko crumble Making traditional croutons involves cutting…
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An Arabic bread salad, Fattoush traditionally combines toasted stale flatbread and lots of fresh vegetables. Here, we replace the flatbread with crispy oozy halloumi for a stunningly easy and healthy dinner or lunch. What makes Halloumi Special Halloumi, a semi hard cheese made from sheep’s and goat’s milk, has a very high melting point. When…
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My favorite seafood topped with my all time favorite sauce? Yes please! Plump scallops drizzled in ginger scallion sauce are the perfect easy weeknight treat. What makes this recipe even more special is that the scallops are first cured in shio koji, the Japanese rice mold used to make miso. The curing process gives the…
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This salad has quadruple the crunch thanks to purple cabbage, cucumbers, radishes, and sunflower seeds. The star of the dish is the vinaigrette, which is made from kimchi brine, apricot, and sesame oil. It’s subtly spicy, a bit funky, and pleasingly sweet on the palate. Add a protein of your choice for a balanced lunch or dinner, or just enjoy as is!
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await the start of summer eagerly, holding off on my cravings until I know i can get the real deal: the umami-packed and obscenely plump tomatoes of my dreams. When the tomatoes are this good, you have the celebrate them, and this stone fruit panzanella is the perfect way to pay respect. Crusty bread soaks up a tangy vinaigrette made from the tomato juices, sherry vinegar, and shallots. Best of all, crisp nectarines or peaches add an extra juicy twist to this Italian classic.
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Rounding out our picnic series, this bean salad with chorizo vinaigrette is a dream. The salad gets better as it marinades and tastes great cold or room temp, so it’s a perfect match for long drives to the beach. Spanish chorizo adds funky salinity and crunchy onions and summer tomatoes add nice contrast to the…
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