Easy Everyday Recipes

A collection of Dina's favorite personal recipes from her Grandfather's French Toast to easy party appetizers to quick, healthy dishes.

Bai Mudan Tea Steamed Fish

Ingredients 2.2 lbs red mullet or similar whole fish 4 tablespoons ShangriLa Bai Mudan tea 1 tablespoon sea salt 3 sticks lemongrass, bruised and roughly chopped 1 orange, peeled and roughly chopped 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and roughly minced 1 lb seasonal green vegetables,
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Basil Shrimp Bites- easy shrimp recipe with fresh, vibrant flavors great for parties.

Basil Shrimp Bites

Basil Shrimp Bites- Easy Shrimp Recipe Inspired by Thailand’s colloquial Miang Kum appetizer where fresh, vibrant raw ingredients are wrapped in a spinach leaf and served with a sweet and savory sauce, I created these Basil Shrimp Bites. Very easy to make, this quick and
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Calamari Salad

Serves 4 Ingredients 1 lb calamari, cleaned and sliced into 1/2 inch thick rings 1/2 cucumber peeled and thinly sliced 3 green onions (scallions) thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 8 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh Thai chilies (bird eye chili peppers), finely
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Cilantro Lime Cod on Mashed Squash

Cilantro Lime Code on Mashed Squash- Easy Cod Recipe Cod is one of those white fish that is really overlooked in many parts of the world. The most frequent use is probably in Britain for traditional fish and chips but cod is an incredibly versatile
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Citrus Fish Kabobs

Citrus Fish Kabobs One of the best parts of hot summer months is marrying tangy citrus flavors with simple fish kabobs to create a simple but super flavorful appetizer. Put a bunch of these skewered fish on a plate with a side salad or a
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Crispy Shrimp with Spicy Lemongrass Sauce

Crispy Shrimp with Spicy Lemongrass Sauce I’ve made these crispy shrimps at so many gatherings and they are always among the first to go. People can’t resist the crisp, warm shrimp with this tangy, spicy dipping sauce. Whether you’re making this for a regular family dinner or a
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Easy Shrimp Tacos with a touch of Asian flavor

Easy Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Tacos Nearly all my friends and family adore soft tacos, especially with seafood filling. These easy Shrimp Tacos are fun to make, simple and great for both simple everyday dinners or parties where guests can assemble their own tacos. I added a touch of
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Flounder on Spring Greens

Cold salads can get so boring and unfulfilling but the addition of a warm, pan-fried flounder on a bed of mixed spring greens adds a sense of “real_meal” to this dish. Minimal vegetable oil used for pan-frying keeps this a heart and weight healthy option,
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Healthy Breakfast Recipes- Savory Salmon Roti

Healthy Breakfast Recipes- Savory Salmon Roti In Asia, breakfast used to be a big deal. Nutritionists will say the same- that starting off your day with a powerful breakfast not only puts you in a better mood but it’s just the health-smart thing to do.
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Orange Miso Glazed Salmon- an easy salmon recipe with savory, citrusy flavors.

Orange Miso Glazed Salmon

Orange Miso Glazed Salmon- Easy Salmon Recipe With super busy schedules these days, everybody is in a constant rush with little time to devote to cooking nutritious meals at home. This easy Salmon recipe is as quick as they come. With basic ingredients and just
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Organic Green Tea Prawns with Ponzu

Organic Green Tea Prawns with Ponzu- Cooking With Tea This easy shrimp recipe comes from Shangri La Tea Company and shows how incorporating green tea is one of the best ways to take advantage of its antioxidant properties. You can substitute the green tea for
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Pan-Roasted Salmon & Green Mango Salad

Roasted Salmon & Green Mango Salad Serves 2 as Main Course (You can cut the salmon in halves for 4 pieces and divide the salad for 4 starter salads) Ingredients 1 cup heirloom tomatoes whole or halved (substitute regular tomatoes cut into bite sized chunks)
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Prawn Salad

Serves 4 Ingredients 20 large prawns, head and tail on, deveined 8 tablespoons olive oil 1 large heart of Romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped into bite size chunks 1/2 cucumber peeled and thinly sliced 3 green onions (scallions) thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
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Prawns with Sugar Snap Peas

Serves 4 Ingredients 3/4 lb sugar snap peas, stringed and cooled in ice water 1 lb medium to large sized prawns, shelled and deveined 2 tablespoons olive oil 10 cloves garlic minced 1 1/2 tablespoons finely minced ginger 3/4 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper
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Salmon 8 Ways- The Best Salmon Recipes

Salmon 8 Ways- The Best Salmon Recipes Salmon has long been my favorite fish when it comes to everyday home cooking. With antioxidants and nutrients too many to mention, salmon is one of the most powerful superfoods for healthy eating. It’s incredibly versatile and easy
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Salmon Carpaccio with Ponzu Mustard Dressing

Salmon Carpaccio with Ponzu Mustard Dressing If I could transport myself from Japan to Italy and back in an instant, I’d be thrilled. From salmon sashimi to salmon carpaccio, I never say no to salmon in all its beautiful omega glory. With a savory and
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Salmon in Bengali Mustard Sauce

Eat this with plain rice and make the sauce as hot as you like. In Bengal the mustard seeds are ground at home, but to make matters simpler I have used shop-bought mustard powder. Halibut may be used instead of salmon. This very traditional dish
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10 Minute Salmon Poke Salad- my version of this healthy dish will satisfy your Poke cravings and is perfect on its own or with rice.

Salmon Poke Salad

Salmon Poke Salad If you are a serious foodie, no matter where you live, in the past year or two, you’ve likely encountered the poke craze sweeping your city. Believed to originate in Hawaii, poke begins with high quality, truly fresh sashimi-grade fish chopped into
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Salmon with Mango Corn Salsa

Serves 4 Ingredients 2 1/2 lbs salmon fillet (cut into 4 pieces) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/3 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste For the Salsa 1 tablespoon butter 2 cups fresh corn kernels (~2 large corn cobs) 2
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Best Salt and Pepper Fish Recipe

Salt and Pepper Fish

The Easiest and Best Salt and Pepper Fish Recipe One of my all time favorite dish to order at Chinese restaurants is Salt and Pepper Fish. Generally, I try to avoid eating fried foods but every now and then, who can resist a crispy, salty
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Seared Salmon on Quinoa Salad

Serves 4 Ingredients 4 sushi grade salmon fillets (~2 lbs) 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 cups cooked quinoa 2 medium sized tomatoes, chopped into ¼ inch cubes 2 small handfuls cilantro, roughly chopped 12 cloves garlic, finely minced ¾ teaspoon salt Dressing 3 tablespoons grainy
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Seared Tuna with Sweet Potato & Sprouts

Seared Tuna with Sweet Potato & Sprouts Searing fish and pairing it with a light side of sauteed vegetables is one of my favorite go-to dishes for everyday healthy cooking. I know a lot of people aren’t crazy about tuna unless it’s in sashimi form
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Smoked Salmon Tapenade in Cucumber Cups

Smoked Salmon Tapenade in Cucumber Cups Smoked salmon with cream cheese on bagels used to be one of my favorite comfort foods. Knowing how caloric that little sandwich is, I decided to remove the bread and rework my favorite flavors into an adorable and addictive
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Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Spicy Garlic Shrimp Typically I’ve served these spicy garlic shrimp as appetizers at dinner gatherings or finger food at larger parties. Always a crowd pleaser with the pungent garlic and lovely contrast of fresh cilantro and lime. The prawns can be served as they are
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Spicy Hoisin Cod on Quinoa

Serves 4 Ingredients 4 Alaskan cod fillets (you can use any firm white fish) 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce 3 tablespoons Korean spicy paste 1 ½ cups Panko bread crumbs ½ cup olive oil 2 heaping cups cooked warm Quinoa 1 scallion, finely chopped Sea salt
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Spicy Lime Calamari

Spicy Lime Calamari- Easy Calamari Recipe I know a lot of people think they’re not crazy about calamari but many of my own friends who believed this were blown away when I introduced them to my Spicy Lime Calamari dish. Creating a delicious and non-rubbery calamari is
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Spicy Seafood Curry

Spicy Seafood Curry I love fresh seafood in this light coconut milk infused with lemongrass and Kafir lime leaves. Using good quality seafood is imperative in this curry, otherwise the texture will be rubbery even without overcooking and of course, flavors will be compromised. My
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Spicy Tuna Sashimi Salad

There is no greater delicacy than that of superb quality sashimi. When you start with such an ingredient, little else can go wrong. This is my recipe for a classic Japanese favorite- spicy tuna with mixed greens. It’s a super easy recipe to follow requiring
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Steamed Herb Crabs

Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, Thailand is infamous for fabulous seafood. Here’s a classic dish often served on islands like Koh Samui and Phuket. Juicy crab claws are steamed in an aromatic blend of pungent garlic, refreshing Thai Beer and an assortment of fresh herbs.
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Steamed Soy Tilapia- an easy fish recipe that is high on flavor and low on calories.

Steamed Soy Tilapia

Steamed Soy Tilapia Tilapia is such a versatile fish with its subtle, mild flavors. This is one of the most streamlined flavor combinations possible for tilapia. I think this dish uses strong flavors but minimally so, creating smooth textures and a gentle blend of savory
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Sweet & Sour Salmon

Not your run of the mill sweet and sour dish, this salmon recipe will have your family and friends begging for more. It’s easy and doesn’t take much time but the results are beautiful. With vibrant flavors to complement salmon’s natural boldness, this dish pairs
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Sweet & Spicy Calamari

Sweet & Spicy Calamari- Easy Calamari Recipe Unlike many people I know, I actually adore calamari. I’m on a constant crusade to show people that calamari done right is one of the most delicious foods ever. I’m convinced that people who don’t like calamari have
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Sweet and Spicy Crispy Fish- alternative to the classic Spicy Thai Fish, my version is healthier and easier.

Sweet and Spicy Crispy Fish

Sweet and Spicy Crispy Fish This is my twist on the traditional Thai dish where an entire fish is deep fried and glazed with a sweet and sour sauce. Instead of deep frying I keep the fish fillets crisp by using panko bread crumbs and
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Swordfish Steak with Sweet Corn Salsa

Swordfish Steak with Sweet Corn Salsa Swordfish is a little more expensive than tilapia or salmon, but it’s a great choice for a change in taste and texture. Here I’m fusing a very simple western pan-frying technique for the fish and twisting the traditional Mexican
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Tamarind Crabs

Tamarind Crabs If you’ve ever had the chance to have a seafood meal on any of the beautiful beaches in Asia, you’ll likely have encountered some version of these Tamarind Crabs. This easy crab recipe embodies everything I love about Southeast Asian cuisine- it’s pungent,
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Tamarind Honey Shrimp

Serves 4 as main course Ingredients 2 lb raw shrimp, tails-on and deveined 1 cup tamarind concentrate or paste 4 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ teaspoon sea salt 4 to 6 Kafir lime leaves, finely sliced (substitute with finely grated lime zest) Method
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Tamarind Roasted Salmon

Serves 4 Ingredients 2 lbs salmon fillet 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped + sprig for garnish 6 tablespoons tamarind concentrate 1/3 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons apricot preserves 1/2 teaspoon salt + for sprinkling 6 tablespoons half and half 4 tablespoons olive oil Method
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Tamarind Tilapia Bites- Easy Fish Appetizer

Tamarind Tilapia Bites- Easy Fish Appetizers This easy fish appetizer is meant to be served as little bites (though you could alter the proportions for a main dish), particularly a lovely presentation for a festive occasion. Every sense of your palate will be awakened with splashes of salty,
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Tom Yam Goong

Classic Tom Yam Goong is a savory blend of refreshing lemongrass and hot spices. This is a beautiful soup during autumn and winter as the temperatures start dipping. Like every other recipe, it’s very important to use fresh ingredients but even more so when seafood
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