soy sauce

Sesame Soba Noodles

This Japanese Sesame Soba Noodles recipe makes a simple Asian side dish or easy main meal that can be served hot or cold, and is on the table in 20 minutes or less.

This recipe is brought to you by Kroger

When we talk about where to go if we’re eating out, 8 out 10 of our favorite spots are going to be Asian. Funny enough, Chinese is probably the lowest on the list, with Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, and of course Japanese all vying for our taste buds top spot.

When we go out to eat, we don’t even think about how complicated a dish might be. But when we cook at home, you can bet your chopstick that simplicity is a big part of our dinner-making decisions.

New Years Day is one day we won’t be heading out anywhere to eat. For us it’s all about taking it easy and cooking at home. Asian noodles are a traditional New Years Day dish, with signifying longevity, good luck, and starting the year with a clean slate. Plus, these soba noodles are light yet savory, and filling enough to cure any of the aftereffects of New Year’s Eve’s shenanigans.

This Sesame Soba Noodle recipe ticks all of our favorite recipe-making boxes. It’s fast. It’s easy. It’s healthy. It’s totally flavorful. And it goes with so many of our favorite mains, and it even makes a main meal all in itself.

continue to the recipe… about Sesame Soba Noodles

The Best Steak Marinade in 30 Minutes

This easy Asian master sauce marinade is the key to tenderizing and adding loads of flavor to create a steak that takes only 30 minutes up to overnight to marinate, making it a favorite for fast weeknight dinners.

Steak dinners come in many sizes and even more price points, making it feel like a tasty steak dinner as a midweek meal is way out of reach.

But turning an average Wednesday “hump day dinner” into “stunning steak night” is a whole lot easier than you may think.

The keys are to choose the right cut of steak and then marinade it in my Asian master sauce marinade that’s ready to do its job at a moment’s notice.

Okay, make that 30 moments of notice, but that’s quick enough and close enough for me. And soon enough, for you too.

continue to the recipe… about The Best Steak Marinade in 30 Minutes

Ramen Noodles with Marinated Steak and Broccoli

Ramen noodles aren’t just for soup anymore. Here’s how to hack every college student’s favorite noodle recipe and give it an instant upgrade by turning it into an easy and healthy weeknight meal ready in just 30 minutes or less.

If you’re looking for a soupy ramen recipe with that rich, tonkotsu or miso broth with slow-roasted pork belly and jammy eggs, this isn’t it.

But if you’re looking for an incredibly easy, time-saving, totally-flavorful, make-most-of-it-ahead-of-time meal? THIS IS YOUR DINNER, BABY!

I’ve had a version of this recipe written down in my old-fashioned recipe binder for years. Literally, years, and yes! Handwritten recipe files do still exist! Take THAT Pinterest! I don’t remember where the original recipe came from, maybe an old issue of Cooking Light?

Regardless, I’ve doctored it up and made it into a make-ahead weeknight meal that is in and out of the skillet and ready to devour in under 30 minutes.

And if you’re lucky? Yep. Leftovers for lunch the next day.

So what’s my secret? A little planning ahead, some light meal prep vegetable chop chop, and a super easy master marinade that does double-time as the sauce, too.

Easy peasy because that just the way I do!

How to Give Ramen Noodles an Instant Upgrade

This noodle recipe calls for good, old fashioned, cheap-o grocery store ramen noodles. But you won’t be needing that seasoning packet they come with because this dish gets its flavor from a recipe I posted earlier this week, my master Asian marinade master sauce.

Now, this isn’t just any sauce. It’s like the Swiss army knife of sauces. It’s a sauce, it’s a marinade, it’s a dressing, it’s a flavoring, it’s Superman!continue to the recipe… about Ramen Noodles with Marinated Steak and Broccoli

Cucumber Basil and Watermelon Salad with Love & Lemons

Fresh fruits of cucumber, mango and watermelon are dressed with a zingy Asian dressing of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and ginger, with a kick of spice from jalapeño.

Since 2011, we’ve been head over heels for the blog Love & Lemons. Run by Austin-based husband and wife duo Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Matthews, Love & Lemons is brimming with fresh, seasonal, healthy recipes, and bright, colorful photography.

Their little nook of the food blogosphere is one of our favorite spots to spend some time. It’s where we turn for inspiration when we’ve been in an unhealthy eating rut, or feel the need to meet our mostly vegetarian ways.

Jeanine and Jack just published their first cookbook, The Love & Lemons Cookbook: An Apple-to-Zucchini Celebration of Impromptu Cooking, and it’s a new favorite addition to our kitchens.

The book features 100 vegetarian recipes (never before seen on the blog), including vegan and gluten-free options.

The cookbook is categorized by vegetable rather than the traditional appetizer, side dish or dessert categories and is reflective of Jeanine’s approach to cooking.

Her method? Finding “star” ingredients at the farmers market and using them with ingredients she already has on-hand.

“Since this is really the way I learned how to get inspired by cooking, I thought it would be helpful to write a book organized by vegetable rather than by meal type,” she explains. “I want to inspire people to check out their local farmers markets and not to be intimidated to cook with gorgeous fresh vegetables.”

continue to the recipe… about Cucumber Basil and Watermelon Salad with Love & Lemons

Miso Roasted Butternut Squash

Welcome to this month’s #eatseasonal post! November has arrived and so has my cravings for sharing food and festivities with those I love.

This month’s #eatseasonal theme is centered around the Thanksgiving dinner table, with virtual Thanksgiving potluck from a bevy of food bloggers contributing dishes to accent your family faves. We’ve all been gathered again by our fearless #eatseasonal leader, Becky of The Vintage Mixer who spreads her love of eating fresh, local and always delicious to all with her monthly list of what’s seasonal now. Check out her November post for her illustrated list and free desktop or phone screen savers for a handy reminder of what’s good and great now. And this month when you make or something in season, tag your seasonal produce and recipe pics #EatSeasonalHoliday on Instagram so we can all join in on the sharing.

So, what’s on tap for seasonal eats in November?

continue to the recipe… about Miso Roasted Butternut Squash

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem to Be: Sticky Glazed Asian Ham

As I was driving home from teaching class one of the past Tuesday nights of one of the past months since last September, my mind wandered as I zoned in and out, listening to my favorite part of my Tuesday night teaching gig—Tuesday Night Takeover with Karamea, her songlist is “the jam” as the kids say these days.

Per usual, my thoughts drifted to and fro about blogging. Not necessarily my blog, or even food blogs, but blogs in general.

And I had an epiphanie. Or a comparison, rather, about what blogs are like.

Some of you may be single, looking for that new special somebody. What does a girl or guy have to do these days to meet somebody new?

Date someone from work? Not always the best idea. If things go south you either need to find a new job or walk past one another with eyes averted as you secretly spy on the flirting going on with the new temp.

At a bar? The classic hook up, but unless you’re under 25, what you remember as a cute and flirty scene quickly devolves to desperation.

Which has led many singles to online dating sites. Match, e-Harmony, etc., we’ve all heard encouraging stories of relationships that have blossomed from screen time to snuggle time.

But first there’s that suffering vetting process. Screening through candidates and their life stories of roses and unicorns. Why yes of course he’s 6’3” with a chiseled jaw, a great job and no baggage, why wouldn’t he be single? Look at that perfectly poised photo and read those disarmingly witty texts he sends. And then you meet in real life, only to discover what really lies at the belly of the beast isn’t nearly as engaging or real as his onscreen persona.

And that’s where I found the comparison. Blogs are a lot like dating sites.continue to the recipe… about Things Aren’t Always What They Seem to Be: Sticky Glazed Asian Ham

Seared Ahi Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa

Are you a dinner recipe planner or do you fly by the seat of your desires once your cute striped TOD’s hit the front door of your favorite grocery store?

I wish I was a better grocery shopping planner. But then if I was, I wouldn’t have found these amazing tuna steaks at the good old Costco. And because I would have had a list I was compelled to follow, I probably wouldn’t have deviated from said written word. And then, I wouldn’t have shared these lovely meaty fishes with you. Meaty fishes? Oxymoron. But still.

When we lived in Venice, we didn’t have to buy fish from the good old Costco. We had Santa Monica Seafood which for anyone who has a crush on fish is like a the sparks that fly between Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Lining Playbook. Why oh why did he not win Best Actor. His baby blues deserve their own award, stat.

SM Seafood had a plethora of fish, every single day. Stuff you’ve never heard of. But the tuna was crazy good. But given we were on the pacific coast, we didn’t always have to get our tuna from the store.

Nope, we had Jimmy for that.

continue to the recipe… about Seared Ahi Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa

Crushing On Kristen Doyle of Dine and Dish and Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

There are some food bloggers in the webisphere who seem to have it all pulled together, with so many good things going right, making what they cook, photograph and share all seem so effortless.

Kristen with Dine and Dish is exactly one of those bloggers. She has a loyal following, creates family friendly recipes and shoots the most amazing Instagram photos—yep, that’s me, just one more of her Instagram stalkers.

Kristen is shares dutifully her #shotoftheday images on Instagram. Her coffee is never far from reach.

Kristen and her food blogging buddies at the CIA with Cooking Channel’s Jeffrey Saad

But Kristen’s blogging success isn’t due to the type of camera she shoots with, or the blogging buddies she pals around with. Kristen’s success is because she does it all from the heart. Her photos, her posts and her recipes are all a result of her authentic voice and passion for food and family.

My favorite Instagram photo of Kristen’s. See a selection here.

I’m so inspired after having had the chance to spend a Saturday morning coffee clutch with Kristen via the www.

Full disclosure: this was my first web chat and I didn’t have the HD setting revved to the max, so the quality is a little jiggity jaggity and while Kristen looks and sounds great, I seem to have been Tammy Faye Bakerized and developed a heavy eyelid (oh why didn’t I at least wear some fake eyelashes to blame it on?) so don’t let my non-stop blinking distract you from Kristen’s far more interesting words.

Kristen’s interview Part 1: Kristen dishes on how she got started in food blogging, cooking for her family—that includes 4 kids—her career as a successful writer despite a teacher’s discouragement and her favorite apps for taking great Instagram photos.

Kristen’s interview Part 2: Kristen talks about her Project 365, tells us where she finds her cooking inspiration, and shares her favorite photo editing software and the best way to back up your digital photos—yes, she lost over 2,000 photos last year.

I asked Kristen what her favorite dishes on her blog were so I could try one out. She gave me quite the list including Vanilla Butter Cookies, Bread Machine Challah, and Grasshopper Cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day.

But I was drawn to her recipe for Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs because I needed an easy dinner to get on the table that night and I’m pretty much always happy to swap out a few extra calories for some tender, juicy chicken.

It’s a must-try. And believe me, if you’re a white-breast-only chicken eater, step out of your comfort zone and don’t be afeared! Chicken thighs are NOT SCARY!

Get Kristen’s recipe for Baked Chicken Teriyaki Chicken Thighs here.

And now for a few words—in type—from Kristen about a few of her favorite things. Thanks again Kristen for being our foodie crush!

1. Describe your blog in 3 words:
Food, Family, Photography

2. If you could be one food blogger other than yourself, who would you be?
Oh that is so hard… I think Penny De Los Santos has some pretty incredible experiences. I wouldn’t mind being in her shoes for a day!

3. Which 3 blogs do you follow/are obsessed with/can’t live a day without?
I change up my blog reading habits so often (and am really bad about keeping up with anyone!) I have always loved the Shutter Sisters, I am currently obsessed with VK Rees and recently discovered Happy Yolks.

4. What is the one kitchen tool you could never give up?
I really love my bread machine. I can make bread without it, but having it do all the heavy work up front really makes it so much easier to make bread often.

5. What dish are you obsessed with mastering that you just can’t get quite right?
Pie crust! Ugh… I don’t know what my problem is but I can’t make a good pie crust to save my life. In fact, one day I was determined as heck to get pie crust right and made 6 in one day, with none turning out. I have followed every twitter suggestion, every tutorial, my mom’s advice, etc. and it just never turns out right.

6. What did you have for dinner last night?
Chocolate, margaritas, guacamole and pizza :) We had a girls night in with two of my best friends / neighbors. We ate what we were craving :)

7. What’s one secret talent outside of the kitchen nobody knows about you:
A secret talent…hmmmm. I really like getting to know people better. I can talk to anyone and often find that people are more than willing to open up to me in conversation (even about some things I’d rather not know about!)

8. You’re happiest when cooking/eating…
really good homemade bread and butter! I’m a carbs girl and bread is my weakness.

9. As a magazine writer, editor and successful blogger, you seem to have the whole work/family balance flow figured out. Can you share your tips with us on how we might be able to achieve that same level of even keel?
I wish I could say I have it figured out. I don’t… there are times when I feel like a horrible mom, blogger, wife, daughter, sister, friend, freelancer. I think the thing that helps me is a supportive husband who does all the laundry (which is a lot when you have 4 kids!). I also have learned since having my 4th kiddo to say no a lot more. I can’t be at every class party, every sporting event, etc. and can’t do every assignment pitched to me. Learning to say no and allowing myself to prioritize my life based on what brings me the most joy has become my central way of living lately. Does it sound bad to say I put myself first more often now? Obviously I have my families best interest in mind, but putting myself as a priority makes everything in my life run a lot more smoothly.

10. The one secret ingredient to your success is:
Staying true to who I am. I think when you aren’t true to who you are, people see right through that and know. I have tried on my blog and in my life to live authentically. I may not be the biggest or best blogger or photographer, but I have really tried to stick to who I am and to do things my way… even if it isn’t the most popular way. I will also say I don’t get caught up in the numbers and don’t consider blogging to be competitive. Paying too close of attention to “stats” can be crippling to your blog and your soul.

Thank you so much Kristen for sharing so much with us. There’s a reason you have such an ardent following, and if we didn’t know why before, I think we certainly do now.

XO!

Thanks for reading and please keep in touch. Subscribe to Foodie Crush and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest and check out Foodie Crush magazine

Thai Basil Chicken and 5 Savory Basil-Enhanced Pasta Recipes

I plant basil in my garden every year. Which traditionally has translated to a bumper crop. But this year, meh. It was pretty much a bust.

My sweet basil bit the dust early, the purple basil was pretty much anemic all summer and my pineapple basil? Let’s just say next time I’ll stick to enjoying the fruit in my pina coladas.

But one basil did survive and even almost thrived. My beloved, licorice enhanced Thai basil. What’s the diff? Oh honey. Oh so much and that much more.

continue to the recipe… about Thai Basil Chicken and 5 Savory Basil-Enhanced Pasta Recipes