plate of charcoal grilled LA galbi

LA Galbi / Korean BBQ Short Ribs

LA galbi is a Korean American rendition of traditional Korean galbi-gui, or grilled short ribs, that’s known for its flanken-cut and sweet and savory marinade. Each bite of this homemade galbi recipe is juicy, tender, and full of chargrilled sweet and savory flavors. LA galbi takes me back to late college nights at Korean restaurants, where we shared a cast-iron…

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spoonful of sweet chili sauce

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce

Homemade sweet chili sauce is a sweet and spicy sauce from Thailand and gets its name from ingredients like sugar and red chili peppers. It’s an easy condiment that pairs perfectly with extra-crispy fried egg rolls or to use as your favorite salad dressing. Making it at home lets you customize the heat or sugar level without adding any extra…

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plate of turkey lettuce wraps

Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

These Asian turkey lettuce wraps are full of garlicky, sweet, and spicy seasoned ground meat and topped with crunchy fried bits of shallots and fresh ripened mango slices. It’s the perfect meal to make ahead of time for easier meal-prep that’s healthy and delicious. Asian turkey lettuce wraps are one of my go-to meals for a filling but healthy meal…

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bowl of peanut sauce with crushed peanuts

Peanut Sauce Recipe (Asian & Thai Inspired)

This Asian-inspired peanut sauce is packed full of savory, rich, and citrusy flavor and comes together in less than 10 minutes! Learn how to make this peanut sauce and what to pair it with juicy meat skewers, crispy lettuce wraps, or even air-fried tofu.  Where’s peanut sauce from? While many associate peanut or satay sauce with Thail or Sinaporean food,…

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the best fancy restaurants

12 Best Fancy & Fine Dining Restaurants

When we travel, there is so much to take in. There are sights to see, history to learn, neighborhoods to explore, and the local people to connect with. But a major factor in our reason for travel is the food. It is the thing that all other travel activities must be planned around. We eat all of the food–cheap street…

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dill sauce on salmon fillets

Dill Sauce

Want a healthy topping for salmon or dipping sauce for fresh veggies and pita chips? Try this savory and bright dill Greek yogurt sauce that’s easy to whip up in the kitchen. Its tangy, citrusy, and garlicky flavors pair really well with seafood, and that’s why this creamy sauce goes perfectly with fatty and rich salmon.  Ingredients in this dill…

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Korean cucumber salad

Korean Cucumber Salad

Make this super quick and simple Korean cucumber salad full of garlicky, crunchy cucumber slices, rich sesame oil, and a hint of gochugaru spice. Learn how to get the crunchiest pieces of vegetables for this refreshing salad.   What’s Korean cucumber salad? Korean cucumber salad is a side dish (banchan) often served in South Korean restaurants. We typically have it at…

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two bowls of cooked black rice

Forbidden Black Rice

Do you love eating rice but want a more nutritious option? Try forbidden black rice! It’s nutty, aromatic, and has an al dente texture similar to brown rice but packed with more fiber, protein, and antioxidants because of its deep black bran hull. Learn two ways of cooking forbidden black rice and where to find it.  Why is black rice…

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marinated and baked tofu block

Marinated & Baked Tofu

If you have trouble marinating your tofu so it’s seasoned throughout, try freezing it! Learn this traditional Chinese method of freezing tofu, making seasoning tofu easier and giving you a denser texture; in this recipe, I’ll show you how to make flavor-packed marinated baked tofu. Types and brands of tofu to use I use organic, firm tofu blocks for this…

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best things to do in Portland

15 Best Things to Do in Portland

I have family who lives in Portland so I’ve luckily had many opportunities to visit Portland and its surrounding areas over the last twenty something years. And just within this last year, I visited Portland twice! Portland is a slightly difference pace and scene than I’m used to in Orange County and Los Angeles in California, but it’s got a…

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fried shallots on cooling rack and frying pan

Crispy Fried Shallots Recipe

Fried shallots are an Asian topping essential that packs a punch with a crispy texture, a strong aroma, and great flavor to many dishes. I’m going to show you all the quick tips I’ve learned to make frying shallots at home easy and quick. Making crispy shallots at home can be as fast as 15 minutes, and you even have…

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best Las Vegas strip restaurants

14 Best Restaurants on The Las Vegas Strip

We frequent Las Vegas and always stay on the strip, and one of the best things to do when you’re in Las Vegas is to eat! We’re lucky we have time to dine out at all the best restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip. There are endless options to choose from but we try to stick to restaurants that are…

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