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.

Asparagus Rice

Most of us have had those moments where we don’t know what to do with leftover rice, either from restaurant take-out or from cooking at home. This easy recipe spruces up old rice into something brand new and exciting. Though I use asparagus here, you
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Basil Tofu Linguine

As a child, Asian noodles and Italian pasta were an intense obsession for me, both bringing great joys and some of the best memories in my life. As an adult though, I realized that a lot of those same dishes I loved were laden with
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Betelnut Laksa

Serves 6 Ingredients 3 teaspoons ground cumin 6 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground turmeric 2 ounces Madras curry powder 1 cup vegetable oil 10 shallots, minced 2 tablespoons garlic 3 tablespoons minced ginger 2 lemongrass, lightly bruised with a cleaver 7 cups coconut milk
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Chicken Rice Porridge aka Congee or Juk

Chicken Rice Porridge aka Congee or Juk This hearty rice porridge, also known as Congee in Singapore and northern Asia or Juk in Korea, is a fusion of Chinese and Indonesian flavors and techniques, one that is often eaten when feeling a cold coming on as well
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Chicken Teriyaki Linguine

The fusion of Japanese and Italian flavors here are a sure-fire hit with everybody. Even kids who are usually picky about eating anything that resembles vegetables gobble this entire dish down because of its flavors. Allowing the chicken to marinate for just a little while
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Chicken Tortellini in Classic Tomato Sauce

It’s the sauce that makes this dish memorable and while this classic tomato sauce does take some time and effort, you can make it in large quantities to save and freeze for later use. To make things easier, I used store-bought fresh chicken stuffed tortellini.
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Classic Pho Bo

Ingredients 15 cups water 2 1/2 lbs beef bones 12 cloves garlic smashed 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and bruised 1 large onion, peeled and quartered 6 star anise 2 cinnamon sticks 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1
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Crispy Chicken with Gnocchi

Crispy Chicken with Gnocchi Don’t be daunted by the number of ingredients or steps; this recipe is actually pretty simple and the incredible bursts of vibrant flavors is well worth the 20 or so minutes it takes to prepare. Shuttling back and forth between Asia
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Crunchy Garlic Pasta Chips

Crunchy Garlic Pasta Chips This is one of those appetizer recipes that came about from an afternoon of experimenting with everything in the cabinet. I was in one of those moods where I just wanted to create something new with mundane ingredients, this time being
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Curry Risotto

Serves 4-6 Ingredients 2 cups Arborio rice 3 tablespoons olive oil 8 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ teaspoons curry powder 2 cups coconut milk 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock 3 cups white wine 2 teaspoons sea salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste 2
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Dill Butter Rice

This rice dish is so incredibly easy to make but looks sophisticated and tastes divine. Caution though- this is definitely not for the calorie-conscious. This rice is so heavenly though that every now and then, it’s well worth every last sinful calorie. Some friends have
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Garlic Green Herb Rice

Serves 4 Ingredients 3 heaping cups warm cooked rice 2 lap cheong sausages, thinly sliced (optional) 12 cloves garlic finely minced ½ large red onion, finely chopped 1 large handful cilantro, roughly chopped 1 large handful parsley, roughly chopped 4 bok choy, rinsed and finely
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Garlic Rice in Eggplant- Easy Asian Recipes

Easy Asian Recipes- Garlic Rice in Eggplant Eggplant is one of those vegetables that I grew to love as an adult. Like many vegetables, I ended up loving them and have developed somewhat of an obsession with creating easy Asian recipes that showcase how delicious
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Gnocchi in Curried Butternut Squash Sauce

Serves 4 Ingredients 2 – 2 1/2 lbs gnocchi 2 cups coconut milk 2 cups water 3/4 lb butternut squash chopped into chunks 10 cloves garlic 3 tablespoons fish sauce 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground
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Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

Here’s a soup that will pep up anybody who needs a little comfort and warmth. Instead of using long noodles though, I like to substitute shorter pastas such as penne or rotini you don’t need to worry about using a fork and spoon to eat
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Jap Chae

Serves 4 Ingredients 1/2 lb dried Korean glass noodles 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks 8 fresh shiitake mushrooms (substitute reconstituted dry shiitake), thinly sliced 1/2 lb fresh spinach leaves 1 small onion, sliced into thin strips 2
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Lap Cheong Fried Rice

In the West, fried rice has long been butchered into a bland dish that has become unrecognizable to its original creators in Asia. Every nation in Asia has its unique version of this world favorite dish and the key to making authentic fried rice is
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Lemongrass Farfalle

This dish is great for a quick lunch and equally fabulous for an outdoor picnic. It’s creamy from the light mayonnaise but doesn’t feel heavy with the addition of all the fresh vegetables. What makes this a great fusion of flavors is the light scent
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Mung Bean Sesame Noodle Soup- comforting on a cold day; can be made with just veggies or add meat/seafood.

Mung Bean Sesame Noodle Soup

Mung Bean Sesame Noodle Soup It’s no secret that I have an obsession with noodle soups of all types. In my culinary adventures, I do spend perhaps an unfair amount of time dedicated to both creating recipes and discovering others’ recipes for amazing noodle soups.
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Pad Woonsen

A lesser known sidekick to the infamous Pad Thai is an equally delicious and lighter dish called Pad Woonsen. Like Pad Thai, Pad Woonsen is a stir-fry dish of noodles, vegetables and any selection of meats or seafood. The stark contrast between the two lies
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Authentic Pad Thai- the easiest Pad Thai recipe without sacrificing real ingredients.

Real Pad Thai

Real Pad Thai There are so many versions of this classic Thai dish and few truly reflect the authentic flavors of old Siam. Having traveled throughout Thailand extensively, I have created my version of the recipe by combining flavors and techniques I’ve learned from many
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Savory Noodle Salad

This Savory Noodle Salad is proof positive that eating light doesn’t require sacrificing intense flavors one bit. Great for a quick meal, it’s easy to pack up and bring on the go. So easy to prepare, these noodles can be made the day before with
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Shanghai Mixed Rice

Shanghai Mixed Rice There are many variations of this classic and popular Shanghainese rice dish but this one was my grandfather’s favorite. It’s easy and quick to make, with just a few ingredients but the results will leave everybody wanting more. Typical Shanghainese rice dishes
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Sweet Banana Rice Porridge- Easy Breakfast Recipes

Sweet Banana Rice Porridge- Easy Breakfast Recipes All types of porridge are eaten across Asia as a very popular breakfast item. From the salty kinds to the sweet, every Asian nation has its homegrown version of this comfort food. Easy breakfast recipes like this lightly sweetened
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Sweet Garlic Noodles

Noodles are my absolute favorite food in the world and this is a dish that combines the best of everything- noodles, garlic and sweet soy sauce. Sweet garlic noodles are a great accompaniment to any seafood or meat main course, particularly as a side dish
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Three Cheese Pasta with Sweet Soy Chili

Serves 4 Ingredients 1 lb dry rotini pasta (substitute with any short pasta) 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cups grated mixed cheese (any combination of 3 cheeses- mozzarella, fontina, havarti, gouda, etc.) 3/4 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon garlic
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Udon in Miso Soup

Another great combination of some of my favorite foods- noodles and miso soup. For vegetarians or for those of you who just want to take a day off of any kind of meats, this is a fantastic choice. Al dente udon noodles go beautifully with
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Veggie Pho

Asian Fusion fans have long been asking for more vegetarian recipes, even those who are not actual vegetarians. It’s heartening to see a slow but sure culinary culture change across America and much of the world when it comes to the fact that eating healthier
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