Food bites

Leftover turkey noodle soup

It's the days (or weeks) after thanksgiving, and you still have turkey leftovers in the fridge. Here's a delicious soup to make with them. A mix of quinoa, cooked rice and cut capellini noodles make the broth thick and complement the mixed vegetables. Leftover turkey adds the protein for a hearty chilly day meal. This soup can be made in 20 minutes on the stove top, or modified for the slow cooker. Cut capellini noodles or fideos are widely used for soups in the Dominican Republic. They quickly thicken any broth and are easy to serve. You can find them…

Zucchini noodles with fish in ginger sauce

Here is a simple recipe for zucchini noodles with fish fillet in ginger sauce. Quick and healthy for lunch or dinner! Zucchini noodles are easily made using a vegetable spiralizer or a julienne peeler. Alternatively, you could slice pieces of zucchini thinly with a peeler or knife, line the slices and cut them into noodles. Now let's get cooking: Zucchini noodles with fish in ginger sauce For the noodles:3 green zucchini1 table spoon of olive oil1/2 tea spoon of sea saltFor the fish:1 1/2 lbs. of fish fillet of your choice1 teaspoon of thinly sliced ginger2 large cloves of garlic…

Cold noodle salad

This Asian-inspired cold noodle salad includes cellophane mung bean noodles, minced cucumbers and your choice of additional vegetables, with a traditional Chinese dressing. Turn this salad into an entrée by adding shrimp, shredded meat or tofu. Perfect dish for a warm day or evening. Cellophane or glass noodles are transparent noodles made from mung bean, cassava root, yam or potato starch. This recipe uses mung bean noodles. They are gluten-free, paleo-approved and absorb the flavor of the sauce you serve them with. They are ready in a minute and can be added to a variety of dishes, including soups, stir…

Stir fried eggplant with pork

Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables. When I was growing up in the Dominican Republic, it was used as a meat substitute, usually braised or fried. After being introduced to Thai and Chinese eggplant dishes, I have also been enjoying eggplant with a variety of meats in stir-fries. This eggplant with pork recipe can be made with either Italian eggplant or Chinese eggplant. It uses a garlic and ginger sauce and a cilantro garnish. This dish is best served with plain rice. Stir fried eggplant with pork 1.5 lbs of pork chop cutlets1 big Italian eggplant or 3 medium…

Pork primavera: Ground pork with mixed vegetables

Ground pork is one of my favorite ingredients in the kitchen because it is easy to work with, cooks quickly and pairs well with grains, vegetables and legumes. Ground pork is also one of the few meats my daughter, who is a picky eater, will eat. I get it, it is easy to chew :-). This pork with mixed vegetables recipe gets the nickname "primavera" because the assortment of colors in this dish reminds me of Spring. Another one of my recipes that uses ground pork and mixed vegetables is Mapo Tofu Rainbow. Ground pork with mixed vegetables 1…

Rice with red quinoa rice cooker recipe

Rice with red quinoa is a delicious side dish that is a breeze to make in a rice cooker. If you do not own one, see my post on how to make stove top rice. Most of us are familiar with the nutritional properties of quinoa (gluten-free, high fiber, high protein, low glycemic index, etc.) Quinoa is in short, a supergrain. However, when it comes to texture and flavor, it can be an acquired taste, particularly for children and adults with timid palates. A great way to introduce quinoa in your diet is by mixing it with rice (white or…

Baked chicken thighs recipe

This baked chicken thighs recipe includes a blend of rosemary, oregano and ground annatto seeds for color. Potatoes are baked with the chicken for an optional side dish. Tender and juicy, these thighs go well with salad, rice, quinoa or cous cous. The dark meat in chicken is delicious when braised or baked. Unlike chicken breasts, dark meat is fattier and will not dry when baked without the addition of sauces or oils. Pictured below are the baked chicken thighs and potatoes served with my rice cooker black bean rice and a mixed salad. Baked chicken thighs recipe 2 lbs.…

Spicy tofu with snow peas recipe

For this spicy tofu recipe, I am using a hot black bean sauce that can be found at your local Asian markets, or at local/online specialty shops by the names "spicy bean", "chili bean" or "black bean sauce". Being a bean fan, black bean sauce is a regular in my spicy dishes. But do not let the word bean discourage you from using this sauce if you do not like legumes. Black bean sauce tastes mildly earthy and spicy (from the chili peppers). It makes a great companion sauce for tofu, mushrooms and bell peppers, as well as meats.…