Leftover Night

I have nothing against leftovers. In fact, there are many nights where I purposely double a recipe to ensure I have extra for lunch and dinner the next day. The following recipes are ideal if you have leftover pasta. The first recipe is perfect for getting rid of extra spaghetti. Meanwhile, the other two recipes for simple pasta sauces prove that it doesn’t take much to spice up leftover noodles. SPAGHETTI FRITTATA Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups spaghetti, cooked 4 eggs 1 cup half and half Salt and pepper 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions: Preheat broiler. Coat … Continue reading →

Go Asian Tonight

With the economy tanking my family (like many across the country) has been forced to cut back on the number of meals we eat out. In fact, these days, save for the occasional Happy Meal (which is purchased only in dire situations), we really don’t frequent restaurants at all. However, this doesn’t mean that we’ve completely eliminated restaurant-type foods; it just means that I’ve had to get more creative in the kitchen. Being from Hawaii (and of Japanese descent) it stands to reason that I crave Asian food more than any other type of cuisine. Consequently, I have a collected … Continue reading →

Spring Break Menu—-Mexican Fiesta

If you are currently digging out from the massive storm that is making the East Coast look like the inside of a snow globe, then spring may seem a long way off. It does for me. Temperatures where I live are brutally cold (think 20 BELOW zero). Given that Old Man Winter still has us firmly in his grips, I’ve decided to retaliate by dedicating a series of blogs to spring break. Each day I plan to choose a popular spring break destination and provide recipes that are unique to the region. Even if you can’t jet off to a … Continue reading →

Simple Ways to Spice Up Dinner

If you are looking for ways to warm up this winter without having to turn up the thermostat, consider the following recipes. These hot and spicy dishes are sure to heat up mealtime in your home, and the best part… they won’t put a strain on your electric bill. SPICY CHICKEN QUESADILLAS Ingredients: 3 to 4 cups chicken, cooked and shredded 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 4 green onions, chopped 1 ripe tomato, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice Salt and freshly ground black … Continue reading →

Mexican Menu

Unless you are eating off the value menu at Taco Bell (and sometimes even if you are) a run to the border can really add up, especially if you are trying to feed an entire family of hungry chalupa fans. The next time your clan gets a craving for Mexican food, consider saving some dough and making a spicy feast in your own kitchen. Here are some quick and easy recipes to get you started: SPICY TACO SOUP Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained 28 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice 1 can pinto beans, drained 1 cup … Continue reading →

Easy Italian Dinner

The holidays are over, the kids are back in school and you’re back to performing magic in the kitchen with what’s left in the pantry. Such is the life of a creative home cook. To make mealtime easier during this first full week of 2009, consider the following simple yet tasty Italian favorites. Both can be prepared in less than an hour and the best part–you don’t have to break the bank purchasing the ingredients. EASY STUFFED MEATBALLS Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs 2 beaten eggs 1/2 cup milk 1 tablespoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: International Sides

Thanksgiving is one of those occasions where you don’t look like a cheapskate by asking others to contribute to the meal. This is especially true if you are hosting a ton of people from different backgrounds. My best friend of Japanese-Filipino descent married an Irish guy whose brother married a woman from Jamaica and whose sister married a half-German, half-Mexican man. Their Thanksgiving feasts are cornucopias of colorful and flavorful dishes representing various cultures. If your family is not as diverse you might consider making the following recipes. Both are easy to prepare and will go a long way to … Continue reading →

Autumn Recipes: I is for Indian Curry

Residents in India are preparing for the post-monsoon period (October-December) and will be experiencing highs in the 60s for the rest of the year. Their “fall” weather conditions are similar to what many locals in the Southern portion of the U.S. experience in October, though from the research I’ve done it doesn’t appear as though their daily menu changes dramatically from season to season. This next recipe is considered a staple in the region and is a familiar sight in homes and restaurants regardless of the season. Still, if you are looking for a unique addition to your family’s dinner … Continue reading →

How to Eat Chinese Food Without Feeling Guilty

How many times have you ordered Chinese food since the kick off of the Summer Olympics in Beijing? I’m guilty or indulging in more than my share over the last 16 days. It’s hard not to, after all, Chinese dishes are among the most popular in the world and with all eyes on China for the last two weeks it’s no surprise that requests for regional recipes are at an all time high. Unfortunately, not all Chinese food is prepared the same and the cuisine sometimes gets a bad rap for offering unhealthy choices–many of which are loaded with sodium. … Continue reading →

Hot and Spicy Singapore Rice Noodles with Shrimp

In keeping in the Olympic spirit I have been sharing recipes for some popular Chinese dishes. The local Chinese restaurant in my (very small) town came up with the clever idea of passing out recipes to patrons who dine at their eatery during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Last week my friends took me out for Chinese food to celebrate my birthday and we left the restaurant with a folder full of recipes. Some of them were for familiar dishes and others were for ones that we had never sampled until that night, such as the one below. According to … Continue reading →