Category: Ingredient Substitutions

Asian, Cooking Techniques, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Carb, Main Course, Poultry, Quick Meals, Sauces and Condiments

Korean Fried Chicken

Last year my kids came home raving about the Korean fried chicken they had at a restaurant. That being the case, I did some research to make it at home. It seemed pretty easy to make but there were variations in the dredging flour, the pieces of chicken used, and the sauce in the recipes […]

Asian, Breads/Rolls, Breakfast, Cooking Techniques, Easy, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Indian, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Main Course, Quick Meals, Vegan, Vegetarian

Paratha- Stuffed Wheat Flatbread

The Hindu religious festival of Navratri (9 nights and 10 days) began this past Sunday and will end the following Tuesday. It celebrates the feminine nature of the Supreme Divine. It is celebrated twice a year in North India and occurs when the seasons change from cold to hot or vice versa. In practice, Hindus […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Easy, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Salad, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

10-minute Seasoned Corn Appetizer/Side dish

I had this dish decades ago while visiting family friends. They were both practicing physicians with young children and very little spare time. This was the appetizer that “Auntie” whipped up. Aside: If you don’t have access to the spices listed below, just use regular salt and pepper and some ground cumin. No worries. Prep […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Breads/Rolls, Cleaning Out Refrigerator and Pantry, Easy, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Main Course, Quick Meals, Sauces and Condiments, Seafood, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Korean Seafood And Vegetable Pancake – Haemul Pajeon

Our family always orders this dish when we go out to a Korean restaurant. It makes for a fantastic shared appetizer or a main course. The pancake is crispy and flavorful and the dipping sauce adds savory, sweet and sour notes to the dish. Although, it is quick and easy to make at home. I […]

Caribbean, Casseroles, Cleaning Out Refrigerator and Pantry, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Ingredient Substitutions, Latin, Low-Carb, Main Course, Meat, Quick Meals

Pastelón de Plátano – Plantain and Meat Casserole

I learned how to make this dish from my Dominican classmate in college. It is made using sweet and green plantains that are boiled and mashed and sandwiched around a ground meat preparation similar to Picadillo (a Mexican sweet-and-sour ground meat main course) covered with cheese and baked. Think of it as a Carribean lasagne. […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Breads/Rolls, Desserts, Easy, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Spice Blends (Masalas)/Seasonings, Vegetarian

Baked Wonton Chips

I found this recipe in a magazine from the local organic supermarket in Solon, Ohio. What a great idea for a healthy version of chips. They crisp up beautifully and can be made either savory or sweet depending on your choice of topping. They took minutes to make and turned out so pretty that I […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Breakfast, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Main Course, Quick Meals, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Sabudana Khichdi – Curry Tapioca Pearls

Tapioca pearls (sabudana), which are derived from the cassava plant, are a staple in the Indian/Asian/Brazilian diet. They are sometimes confused with Sagu which is derived from the pith of tropical palm trees. Sagu and tapioca pearls resemble one another as they both appear as small, white, opaque pearls that become translucent when cooked. Think […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Breads/Rolls, Breakfast, Cooking Techniques, Easy, Family Favorites, Indian, Ingredient Substitutions, Quick Meals, Vegan, Vegetarian

Mathi – Crisp flatbread

If you have never had a Mathi, you don’t know what you are missing. This is top on my list of comfort foods. I’m still basking in the afterglow from having eaten three of them for breakfast with my cup of Masala Chai. Mathi is a crisp, flaky pastry that is generally served during high […]

American, Breads/Rolls, Breakfast, Cooking Techniques, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian

Braided Loaf

This sweet, delicious, soft-textured, deeply colored bread started with the intent of making Challah. However, as fate would have it, I found an opened strawberry yogurt drink in my refrigerator that I needed to find a use for. Traditional Challah does not include any dairy, even in the form of butter. As a result, I […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Middle Eastern, Quick Meals, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dish, Vegetarian

Greek Yogurt Dip

I had a version of this dip at Margaret and Franco’s home at one of their parties and decided to try out this version for my entertainment offering. I have served it for book club and large parties and have been asked for the recipe by several people. Hands-on time: 10 minutes Yield: 2 cups […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Breads/Rolls, Breakfast, Desserts, Easy, European, Family Favorites, Heart Healthy, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Main Course, Quick Meals, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Crêpes

I understand why there are so many crêperies and street vendors selling crêpes. They are quick, inexpensive and easy to make. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They are delicious either savory or sweet. They are elegant and can be served as an impressive entrée or wrapped in paper and eaten on-the-go. […]