Recipes Archives - Life Bites

Mahi-mahi and vegetable stir-fry

Mahi-mahi works well in stir-fry since it has a sturdy texture that can withstand some stirring without excessive flaking. However, it is a lean fish, so it can be dry when overcooked. To prevent this, we will use butter and pan-fry the fish prior to mixing it with the vegetables. For this recipe, I am using Chinese wood ear mushrooms. Wood ear is a dark, crunchy mushroom easily found in Asian markets or online. It must be rehydrated prior to stir-frying (see preparation). However, any type of edible mushroom will work with this recipe. This is a simple dish that…

Kielbasa sausage stir-fry

If you're a kielbasa sausage fan, chances are you've had it with pasta, mash potatoes, or even breakfast; but have you tried it on stir-fry? I will be using snow peas, carrots and bell peppers for this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite vegetables, paying attention to varying cooking times. If this is the first time you make a stir-fry, here are my tips for crisp, delicious vegetables and authentic stir-fry. Kielbasa sausage stir-fry 1 link Kielbasa sausage3 cups snow peas1 unit medium to large carrot2 units yellow or red bell peppers 4 cloves garlic2 tbsp cooking oil 1…

Turmeric Chicken Tenders in Under 10 Minutes!

Make dinner in a jiffy with this simple turmeric chicken tenders recipe! Traditionally used in Indian cuisine and one of the ingredients in curry, Turmeric is a versatile spice that is highly medicinal, especially when high concentrations of curcumin are present. Turmeric spice comes from the root of the plant, whose flesh is bright orange or yellow. In the kitchen, turmeric is used as a natural food colorant, since it adds a beautiful bright yellow to light orange tinge to foods. It has a warm, slightly bitter taste. I use turmeric often while seasoning meats and add it to stews…

Quinoa Cilantro Tabbouleh – An easy and nutritious salad

One of my favorite summer salads, quinoa cilantro tabbouleh is nutritious, simple to make and pairs easily with other ingredients as a side dish or entree. Quinoa seeds are a good source of complete protein for vegeterians, offering eight grams of low fat, cholesterol-free protein per cup. So, this salad makes a great entree. Toss with sauteed tofu, grilled shrimp, chicken breasts, smoked salmon or your favorite protein for a real treat. Quinoa cilantro tabbouleh A twist on a Mediterranean favorite, swap parsley with cilantro and cous cous with quinoa. 1 cup red quinoa (or 1/2 each of white and…

Dominican Sancocho (hearty stew) pressure cooker recipe

Set it and forget it! This is is the pressure cooker version of Dominican sancocho, a hearty meat and roots recipe to share with friends and family anytime the mood strikes. If you own a pressure cooker, there is no need to spend hours tending to a sancocho to achieve the flavor and thick broth we know and love. This is also a great recipe if you want to make a smaller sancocho for 4-6 people. For this recipe, I am only using two types of meat (chicken and beef). Less is more here since there is only so much…

Pressure cooker quinoa rice with sausage

This pressure cooker quinoa rice with sausage recipe is inspired by the Dominican dish "locrio de longaniza" (rice with sausage). Since I love quinoa, I have been looking for ways to incorporate it into meals gradually, so it is not rejected by the rest of the family. Mixing rice with quinoa is a great way to achieve this. My daughter loves it! This dish can be made the same way in a rice cooker, using regular settings If you don't own a pressure cooker. Follow my instructions on how to cook stove top rice if you don't own either. This…

Braised eggplant

If you are an eggplant lover like me, you might have tried it fried, stir-fried, baked, and of course braised. Braised eggplant (or berenjenas guisadas) was my favorite dish growing up, as a side to black bean rice. This dish goes well with rice or quinoa, though I suspect it is also delicious with flat breads like pita or naan. In the Dominican Republic, eggplant is widely used as a meat substitute, despite its low protein content. Its meaty texture and flavor are only two of many good reasons to eat eggplant. This vegetable is packed with antioxidants, vitamins B1,…

Shrimp mofongo recipe

Shrimp mofongo is a simple and delicious dish that will add an exotic flair to your dinner. If you have friends from the Caribbean or watch Saturday Night Live, you might have heard of, or even enjoyed Mofongo lately. This easy to make dish is considered gourmet and is found in traditional Dominican restaurants in the Dominican Republic and around the world. What is Mofongo? Mofongo is made from green plantains that are fried, then mashed with garlic and other ingredients depending on the type, using a pestle and mortar. Mofongo can also be made from yucca root, but traditional…