Since we got back from Austin I haven't really been cooking anything exciting. I have been experimenting with rice and pasta dishes but nothing outstanding really happened. I decided I needed to dive back into the cooking show realm and find some inspiration! I found David Chang. He makes mostly Asian food which is my … Continue reading Dream Chicken
Tag: simple gourmet
Olive Who?
My favorite soup from Olive Garden is the Zuppa Toscana. I really like the gnocchi one too but the sausage and kale really make me feel like family. We all want to make our favorite dishes at home. This is one that can be done fairly easily. It has a handful of ingredients that are … Continue reading Olive Who?
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
I know the weather is starting to change and we are almost out of soup season. I found this recipe and I fell right into it. As far as I am concerned, it is always soup season! We are going to start with this mushroom soup and move on to some chilled ones. This soup … Continue reading Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Sunomono – Japanese Cucumber Salad
We have talked about cucumber salad before. I came across this recipe when I was looking for those meat rolls. Cucumber salad was another hero on the island. Most places had one version at least. One of the street vendors made one with black vinegar and garlic. She was next to the yakatori man. For … Continue reading Sunomono – Japanese Cucumber Salad
Chicken Things
Chicken is fairly cheap and we all have some. I got tired of the same 3 or 4 dishes I always make so I went looking for something new! I picked chicken salad. Chicken salad isn't one of my favorites, the main reason I chose it. Mayo and celery and nuts, the grapes are OK … Continue reading Chicken Things
Let’s Taco’bout Rice
Taco Rice was another of my staples on Okinawa. It was invented in the 1980's as a fast food for the servicemen. It is exactly what it sounds like. Rice topped with ground beef, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes or salsa and avocado. Lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of acid. They do use … Continue reading Let’s Taco’bout Rice
Snack Time
Who doesn't like snacks? I try to have healthy snacks these days. If cured meats, cheese, olives, nuts and pickles are healthy then I am winning. Between Aldi and Sprouts I always have a basic charcuterie array. I know there is science and art that goes into a tasting plate like this, I don't know … Continue reading Snack Time
Island Meat Bites- Negimaki
I'm not really sure what to call these! They are closer to sushi than to nuggets. Like a pinwheel that has been sizzled on a grill. Beef and veggies rolled up and slightly kissed by the grill. Our grill isn't their grill. The street vendors had these charcoal grills that use a specific kind of … Continue reading Island Meat Bites- Negimaki
Skilllet Crispy Skin Chicken
Is there anything better than chicken with crispy skin? I'm not sure there is. I got my tiny hands on some bone in skin on chicken thighs. I feel like the bone helps the meat hold some kind of shape and it can add a bit of extra flavor. I went super simple with this. … Continue reading Skilllet Crispy Skin Chicken
Tiny Short Ribs
I know I am late with an update but I have been cooking all the things! We are going to start with the short ribs. They came out so perfect that I made them again for family dinner. It was one of those dinners where people don't talk because they are too busy shoving food … Continue reading Tiny Short Ribs









