Avocado Wontons and Apricot Soy Dipping Sauce

Avocado Wontons and Apricot Soy Dipping Sauce

There are three things that I love at The Cheesecake Factory: 1. Vanilla Bean Cheesecake; 2. Mushroom Soup; and 3. Avocado Egg Rolls. Everything else on the menu is good and I have my favorites and not-so-favorites, but the three dishes I listed above are truly what get me through the restaurant’s doors. The first dish, Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, I will never, ever, try to re-create. Ever. It’s just one of those recipes that deserves...

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Hiyashi Chyuka (Cold Ramen Noodle Salad) with Black Sesame Vinaigrette

Hiyashi Chyuka (Cold Ramen Noodle Salad) with Black Sesame Vinaigrette

There’s really no great English translation for “hiyashi chyuka” that would embody the true deliciousness of one of my favorite summer-time Japanese dishes. The dish is essentially cold aldente ramen noodles served on a plate and garnished with fresh vegetables and proteins. It might be difficult not to conjure up an image in one’s head of instant ramen noodles served cold on a plate. The noodles are not similar to that...

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Korean Style Marinade & Birthday Beef Kabobs

Korean Style Marinade & Birthday Beef Kabobs

  Just when the rain started to fall, the weather turned cooler and I felt as though it might finally be time to get the flannel sheets out, we are suddenly facing hot Fall weather in the upper 80’s this week. I love Southern California! (Photo Credit: Hideki Ueha) Fortunately, grilling is practically a year-round activity in my neck of the woods because I love this Korean style marinade that I learned over a decade ago from my...

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My Favorite Miso Marinade for Seafood and Meat

My Favorite Miso Marinade for Seafood and Meat

One of the most popular recipes on my blog is a miso marinade that I originally featured on my gindara misozuke | miso marinated black cod post. The miso marinade is based on a recipe by famed Nobu Matsuhisa and it’s so good that I decided it deserved a post all on it’s own simply because the marinade shouldn’t be limited to black cod, a favorite, or grilled salmon (read post here).  (Photo Credit: Hideki Ueha) Instead of...

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