Stir Fried Noodles with Beef and ShrimpIn Vietnamese this dish is called Banh Pho Xao Bo Tom which translates to rice noodles stir fried beef and shrimp. I like to occasionally make this dish because it is really easy and tastes delicious. This dish is versatile as you can switch up the meat and vegetables. You can use chicken, beef, or shrimp. For vegetables, you can use Chinese chives, bean sprouts, bok choy, etc.
Beef and Tofu Pad ThaiA meal you can whip up easily and enjoy with a balance of protein and vegetables. You can hold the meat, add more or less vegetables depending on your preference and what you have on hand.
Pork and Shrimp Spring RollsSpring rolls make a perfect healthy appetizer or snack. Not to mention, making spring rolls at home is relatively easy, affordable and you can make a lot! The spring rolls here at our local restaurants average $5 to $6 for 2 spring rolls. For our light lunch, we all had 5 rolls each. Had we bought them at the restaurant, that would have been a crazy price! Even after making 20 rolls, we had a lot of noodles and rice paper left for future use.
Binignit (Filipino Dessert Soup)This is the thriftiest snack for me. During holy week "binignit" is what we eat usually every Good Friday. And we cook them in huge pots. A kilo of each kind of ingredient can serve 30-50 individuals that's why most Filipinos choose to sell this food in the market. It costs less but gives you good income.
Wakame Seaweed SaladThis Japanese seaweed salad is very popular anywhere sushi is served. Since I've been eating these salads since I was a kid, I roll my eyes at the prices marked on them because I know a huge batch can be made for under a buck. Wakame seaweed is not only tasty, it is packed full of calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamins B2 and B9.
Chicken Fajitas with Green Verde SalsaThis is an easy to prepare lunch or dinner. Ingredients to make this can be really inexpensive when purchased on sale at Sprouts. The green verde salsa is store bought from Trader Joes.
Salmon Chan-Chan YakiChan-chan yaki is a Japanese dish that uses fish and vegetables with a sweet and savoury miso sauce. They say that "chan-chan" is the sound the spatulas make when used to flip and piece up the ingredients on the hot pan. This is typically made on an electric griddle at the table with everyone sitting around, but you can use a big pan and serve it up in plates with rice.
Shirataki Pad ThaiShirataki noodles are the zero calorie, zero carb, zero gluten "miracle noodle" from Japan that is made from konjac root. We used to only be able to find these noodles in Asian grocery stores, but now they are available at most stores and all over the internet.
Healthier Egg Drop SoupThis delicious recipe has flavor and veggies to make it a little heartier then thinner egg drop soup.
Walnut and Pomegranate Chicken Stew (Fesenjoon)I've promised my family's recipe for this delightful, rich stew to so many people. I thought I'd direct them here to ThriftyFun (because you will want to know how to make this, too). There really isn't anything like Fesenjoon. It is is an ancient Persian dish that has very forward-thinking textures and flavours. The pomegranate makes it sweet and sour, while the walnut makes it rich and smooth. It's made to go with Basmati rice. Please give this a try!
Beef and Green Bean Rice (Loobia Polo)Loobia Polo has been one of my favourite Persian rice dishes since I was a little kid. Its ingredients are rather simple to put together, but it's truly an all-in-one kind of dish. I love it with a side of chutney or a big scoop of greek yogurt.
Japanese Style Beef and OnionsThis is a family recipe which was derived from a Northern Japanese post World War II era recipe. It is said that American troops ate a lot of beef at their bases in Northern Japan. The Japanese up there were poor after the war, but they could afford to buy leftover bits and pieces of beef from the Americans. They grew a massive amount of onions up there, and that is how this recipe came to be.
Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb CakeThis is a delicious sweet, chewy pandan flavored tapioca cake with coconut milk. To have a successful cake, you have to follow the instructions closely. I love making this cake from scratch at home because I do not add any food coloring. The hue is naturally from the pandan leaves.
Hot PotWhen going out to eat hot pot, it could easily be $15-30 per person, but you can easily prepare hot pot at home for less. What I love about hot pot is that it is very customizable to your liking. You can add anything in the broth from meats, vegetables, seafood or noodles.
Sardina EmpanadasEmpanada is a type of pie filled with meat and vegetables. Usually empanadas are deep fried but my version of it is a simple, and a little cheaper. It's baked and instead of using pie crust I was able to make bread dough without yeast!
Japanese Style Watermelon Rind PicklesThis is one of my family's longtime "waste not want not" recipes. Don't throw out your watermelon rinds! With a bit of salt, you'll have a beautifully refreshing and crunchy pickle. It goes really well with a warm bowl of rice or noodles.
Mashed Potato SushiI have been making wasabi mashed potatoes for a long time now and it's definitely one of my favourite sides. I thought it would be cute (and yummy) to turn that mash into something super cute: mashed potato sushi. Making perfectly rolled sushi can be daunting getting the rice perfectly cooked so it sticks enough, but doesn't get mushy. Using mashed potatoes will make getting the shape right much easier... and you don't even need a rolling mat!
Pan Fried Chicken QuesadillaThis is a recipe that will by enjoyed by many of all ages. You can dress it for individual taste. Even the children can help make their own. It is a quick and easy recipe.
Crispy Grilled Caramel Puffs (Karumeyaki)This is my mother's childhood recipe for a traditional Japanese grilled caramel called Karumeyaki. It is said this recipe is over 400 years old. It's mostly sugar but with a little help and the high heat from a copper ladle, it turns into this beautiful meringue-like cookie. It's actually quite the edible science experiment!
TeppanyakiTeppanyaki is a super fun and delicious table grill style meat and veggie feast that originated in Japan. It may not look like it, but you use so little food to prepare this. We call this our frugal fun meal. You cook the food yourself in front of you while sitting around an electric griddle, dip it in some sauces, and eat it with rice. It's so fun for groups and very romantic for two. If you've ever eaten at Benihana, this is the at-home version of that.
Japanese Style Sardines (Iwashi Nitsuke)I adore sardines mostly because they have so many health benefits. They fight against mood disorders and depression. They reduce inflammation in the body, and they're backed with calcium and vitamin D. This is one of my favourite ways to prepare them as they have such a beautiful complex flavour. I've demonstrated steps on how to use them with a pressure cooker for optimal taste results, but do read the last step if you'd like to try it without one, using a pan.
Healthy Homemade TortillasThis recipe makes a great tasting tortilla without the shortening or lard. It also sneaks in a little bit of whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a richer taste.
Easy MoussakaThis Greek dish is made with eggplant, and is really delicious.
How to Prepare Ginkgo NutsGinkgo nuts have many health benefits including improving memory, alleviating pains, and helping the nervous system. They also have a unique nutty flavor and texture unlike anything else. They're a super popular snack in Japanese restaurants but are actually very easy to prepare at home.
Vietnamese Sticky Rice Cakes (Banh Chung)Vietnamese Banh Chung is called sticky rice cake. This delicious cake has only a few key ingredients, but the cooking process is time-consuming. Some would rather purchase a cake over making it from scratch. Sticky Rice Cake is a tradition that is made and sold during Chinese New Year, but you can make it at home year-round.
Pork BinaguonganThis recipe is close to the famous Filipino dish "adobo". Pork is mixed with spicy sweet anchovies which we call "baguong". Also a very well known dish and an all time favorite.
Cold Soba Noodle SaladWhen we have left over rotisserie chicken or any chicken on hand this is our go to quick meal. Tastes delicious and very easy to make.
Pork YakisobaThis is a very simple yet versatile stir fry dish that you can substitute the protein to your liking (I used pork shoulder) or add more vegetables/opt vegetables. Customize this noodle dish the way you like it. I love how this noodle dish has your grains, protein and vegetables all in one.
Split Pea and Eggplant Stew (Gheimeh Bademjan)Gheimeh Bademjan is a very popular Persian split pea and eggplant stew. When I was little, I did not like eggplant and this stew is what made me start absolutely loving it. It's got a great, deep flavour and very comforting texture.
Persian Rice with Potato TadigThis is my late grandmother's recipe for a the most perfect Persian rice that my mother has mastered. Tadig is panfried layer of crust at the bottom of the pot under the rice. It can be made with the rice itself, bread, or potatoes. This recipe uses potatoes, which is one of my favourite ways to have it.
Thai Green Chicken CurrySimple ingredients for a delicious green chicken curry that goes great with rice.
Homemade KimchiKimchi is a fantastic Korean pickled cabbage. It's got a great kick, crunch, and happens to be very good for you. It is very low in calories, it helps boost metabolism, and it contains immune and digestion boosting probiotics. Unfortunately, some of the commercial kimchi in the shops can be overloaded with salt and sometimes even MSG. Here is how to make your own at home.
Shrimp Spring RollsThis is a quick and easy Americanized twist on shrimp spring rolls that are perfect for a light snack, lunch or as an appetizers. In lieu of shrimp, another quick alternative that I have used was sausage!
Sans RivalI've been trying to learn how to make the famous Filipino dessert called Sans Rival. I searched for some recipes and I came up with this delicious Sans Rival. I realized I should have made some more meringue to add more layers or make it a little bit thicker. Somehow, the result is still the same sans rival but a very thin version of it.
Japanese Pickled Plums (Umeboshi)Umeboshi is a very popular salted pickled plum from Japan. Not only do they taste great with rice dishes, but once ingested, they are high in alkaline content and act as a natural antibiotic. Many use Umeboshi for morning sickness, motion sickness, and a simple cure for hang overs.
Chicken Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping SauceI love making Vietnamese spring rolls, especially for summertime picnics and potlucks. They look pretty fancy but they are so easy to make. You can use any number of fillings for yours. Just like any recipe, it's fun to stray from the usual to suit your tastes!
Japanese Style Fried Chicken (Karaage)Karaage (pronounced kara-ah-geh) is a super yummy Japanese style fried chicken. It has always been my favourite as far as fried foods. You can have them as an appetizer but we eat them as one of many little dishes when we make Japanese food.
Crispy Filipino IsawIsaw is a famous Filipino street food usually made from chicken's intestines. Most of the time they are put on skewers for barbecue or they are deep fried. The intestines are turned inside out and washed with flowing water several times then boiled before they are placed on barbecue sticks.
Korean-Style Noodle Soup with Chicken and ShrimpThis recipe can make at least 8 bowls! Perfect for families or small parties. Very delicious and warming especially for the cold weather, plus all natural and healthy for you! This is one of my favorite soups to eat year round.
Green Pumpkin Flower SoupYes, the flower is eatable. This green pumpkin flower soup is a very cool light quick and easy to make soup.
Vietnamese Caramelized Catfish and PineappleThis is a very popular Vietnamese braised dish commonly made in clay pots, but we cook it in a regular pot. There are many different methods to make this dish, but we like to eat this with fresh pineapple!
Tofu Stuffed with Ground Turkey, Shrimp and MushroomThis is one of my favorite meals to eat with rice, because I enjoy tofu and assorted meats all in one juicy bite!
Vietnamese Sponge Gourd and Enoki Mushroom SoupThis soup is a staple in our household. We love to eat this very warm soup during our meals. I am personally not a huge fan of vegetables, but this is one of my favorite soups!
Sweet and Sour Catfish SoupThis is a very delicious and healthy soup!
Homemade GuacamoleI was inspired to learn to make my own homemade guacamole when all the places charge extra usually .75 cents to $1 for a little bit of guacamole! Why not make your own?
Apple Green Eggplant (Ca Phao Muoi)This is a good side dish to eat with your soup or rice.
Grilled Eggplant OmeletThere is an abundance of eggplant in many parts of the world. This roasted eggplant omelet can make a thrifty meal.
Fried Karela Bitter Melon with EggVery easy and healthy to make! Goes great with rice.
Water Spinach CrispIn the Philippines, water spinach is known as kangkong or Chinese spinach. This is also one of the most common vegetable ingredient in some Filipino dishes. The recipe I'm sharing is unique and not usually made for everyday meals. Also this crispy spinach recipe is kid friendly.
Mini Cream Cheese CrepesThese tiny little crepes are so good and so easy to make, even for those who swear they can never get a crepe right! All you need is some cream cheese and some eggs and voila! Perfect little low carb crepes. They're custardy, velvety and guilt-free. You will love them!
Vietnamese Shrimp, Pork and Egg Noodle Soup (Bun Rieu)Typically authentic bun rieu contains crab but it is optional. This is a delicious and healthy meal.
Tom Kha GaiI first tried this spicy Thai chicken soup at a outdoor festival last summer. It was such a delicious combination of creamy and spicy, I wanted to try to make it at home. I looked at a lot of versions online to see what challenges and pitfalls there might be.
Vietnamese Chicken and Shrimp Noodle SoupThis is my all time favorite soup! It is very easy to make and delicious to eat especially since the broth is all natural from the ingredients!
Chicken and Rice Porridge (Congee)Chicken and rice porridge, also known as "congee" is a popular staple in Asian culture. Perfect for breakfast, cold days or when you are under the weather.
Scrambled Bitter Melon and EggA easy way to incorporate bitter melon* into your diet.
Pork MenudoA traditional food recipe for Filipinos, and it has been mix with different version on it. This recipe was combined in a Filipino/Spanish way because Spanish people has a big influence in my country. Why not try this recipe at home? It's very tasty and healthy!
Sticky Rice with Black Beans, Mung Beans, and CoconutThis is a common breakfast in Vietnam, but for modern tradition here in the United States, this is served as dessert. It is very easy to recreate.
Homemade Vietnamese PhoDelicious noodle soup. It's perfect for any occasion, especially chilly cold days! Easily serves 4-5 bowls. What's great is that this pho recipe takes less time to cook since it's chicken; whereas for beef, it can take several hours!
Banana Blossom RollsEnjoy and have a happy meal! '
Bengal Fish CurryThis is a simple yet tasty dish which goes well with steamed rice or fried rice. "Bengal Fish Curry" is an Indian dish from the state of West Bengal, which is eastern part of India.
Japanese TamagoyakiTamagoyaki is a traditional egg dish from Japan. It's basically a slightly sweet rolled up omelette. You can eat it with rice or on its own. The lovely part about it is the layers it creates in the rolling process. You will love this soft and scrumptious comforting treat!
Kashmiri HarissaHarrisa is special non vegetarian dish that is prepared by heating meat with uncooked rice continuously for hours until the meet grinds in the form of paste.
Simple SamosasSamosas are savoury, aromatic, delicious pastries from India. This how to make them in a flash using pre-made dough. These are a huge hit in my house!
Tortang Talong (Eggplant Omelette)An eggplant omelette is called "tortang talong" in my local language. It is basically cooked eggplant and egg served at breakfast time. Here's my twisted version of the tortang talong.
Puto CheesePuto looks more like a muffin. It is a Filipino snack that is traditionally made of rice. It is fluffy, soft and sweet.
Pichi PichiPichi pichi is a gelatinous cassava dessert in the Philippines where most Filipinos eat the delicacy in the morning with hot chocolate or coffee. Sometimes they are eaten during snack time. Here's the recipe.
Chicken with Chinese Brown SauceThis is a delicious chicken dish with ample sauce for the rice I serve with it. You can choose to add vegetables if you like.
Chinese Shrimp and VegetablesThis is a great delicious healthy dish filled with aroma and flavor of wonderful shrimp and fresh vegetables! It is a very easy and quick dinner to make!
Abby's LumpiaThis recipe was shared with me by my God Mother, Abadessa. Lumpia has been a staple at every party at my God Mother's house since I was a kid. In my opinion, she makes it the best and this is how she taught me to make it. That said, she never measures anything so this is as close as I can get to her recipe. Today I am going to share with you the standard meat lumpia recipe. Later, I will share with you a vegetarian recipe and even a gluten free recipe that I came up with for my nephew who has a gluten intolerance.
Pizza Dough EmpanadasCraving meat and cheese empanadas the other day, with no time or ingredients to make my own dough, I grabbed some ready made pizza dough. With leftover chicken, I made these in the toaster oven. So good!
Sheet Pan Chicken FajitasA tasty and easy recipe to make. I made it in the toaster oven, as not to heat up the kitchen. I served mine over rice, instead of with tortillas.
Ginger ChickenIn Tahiti, we have a lot of Chinese influence when it comes to cooking. I do most of my cooking with a wok. Therefore, I have revised a delicious Chinese dish here and created one of my own. This is my version of Chinese Ginger Chicken that is served at many of the snack trucks here on the islands.
Quick VetkoekVetkoek (fried dough bread) is another well-loved part of our South African food heritage. Whenever we have church bazaars, you can bet your bottom dollar that vetkoek will be sold at one of the food stalls. It can be served with savory mince, or cheese and honey, or cheese and jam.
Mama Mia MeatballsNow, This is Italian! I found this recipe while I am doing my cook book scrap booking. It's real name is "Orecchiette Mini Chicken Meatballs". What Orecchiette means is simply; small oval pasta. I looked through every brand in the supermarket there was no pasta by that name. The closest I could get was Barilla's Pipette. It looks like small snails. It works! I added my own different tweaks.
Tahitian EepooEepoo is a simple dish to make and tastes so good with fresh coconut milk. Normally we eat Eepoo with raw fish, taro, and bananas. This is a sweet food because it is made with fresh, raw coconut and coconut water.
Potato Tahdig (Crispy Potato Cake)Tahdig is a traditional savoury Persian treat. What started as the crispy crust that got stuck to the bottom of your pan has rapidly become the most sought-after part of the meal. I like to eat it with stews. I learned how to make it from my mother, who learned how to make it from her mother in law, who was an amazing cook, God rest her soul. :)
Spicy Chorizo TacosTacos are perfect for dinner. They're quick and delicious, but tacos with chorizo are even better! This quick, easy, mouth watering recipe will never disappoint. Enjoy!
Indian Roti BreadThis is the staple flat bread of India. Half a billion Indian women make this every day. This is easy and delicious! I wanted to photograph all of it in a nice stack, but my kiddos ate it just as fast as it came off the stove! :)
Hula QuesadillasQuick and delicious main dish that makes for a great lunch or dinner. It's just yummy!
Homemade Rolled CalzonesHomemade calzones are always a family favorite in my house. Especially when I had teenagers. They are always eating on the run. These can be eaten hot, warm or cold...they certainly didn't care. It's food!
Alfredo SauceWhen I want some comfort food, this fits the bill. I've tried lots of alfredo sauces and was never quite happy with them. One day, I didn't have enough cream and used some milk. It turned out so delicious (and cheaper). My husband said it was the best fettuccine alfredo he had ever eaten. It's even good the next day. Most alfredo sauces break down and turn into a butter sauce when you reheat them, but this stays creamy. What a happy accident!
Yeast Free Naan BreadSometimes you just want a fresh, delicious, warm piece of bread quickly. This is my super easy recipe for the most amazing Indian naan bread made in minutes and right on your stovetop.
Old World Spaghetti SauceA true old world family recipe handed down from my Italian grandmother to my mom, then to her 5 daughters.
HummusI was just going to say "yum", and start listing ingredients. But, I guess I could add that hummus is not some mystical, overpriced dish you can only get at fancy restaurants.
Chili Verde Con CarneThis crockpot recipe for chili verde con carne is easy to make and so delicious.
Shrimp TacosThese are healthy, fresh and delicious. Once I had made these, I swore I would never get tacos through fast food drive-through again! These are full of sautéed shrimp, smothered in cilantro and mango salsa.
Honey Chipotle Chicken TacosI saw this recipe and the chicken crispers looked delicious. I made my tacos a little differently than the original recipe. They were delicious. They were spicy, smoky, and sweet. It felt like we were eating these in a restaurant, without the large bill to pay for!
Honey Chicken Stir-FryThis is very versatile, as you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Thai Ginger ChickenAn easily replicable Thai dish using ingredients you have on hand, no exotic spices or sauces required.
Roasted Chicken with Aji SauceOur family loves a little Peruvian restaurant in our town. It's delicious but a little too expensive. I did a search for the famous aji sauce they serve and found a few options. The first one I tried was amazing! It is so simple but full of flavor.
Pumpkin Parmesan LasagneA nice change from the traditional lasagna. Good for a meatless night.
Delicious Black BeansCheap doesn't have to be boring! This is one of my family's favorite dinners. Not only is it inexpensive, but it is quick, easy and healthy. In about an hour, you will have a fantastic, fresh meal.
Homemade CalzonesI looked and looked for what to make for dinner tonight. Ahhhh, I had a bag of fresh pizza dough starting to explode, so I took that out to make calzones.
Baked Chicken ChimichangasI adapted this recipe from an old Cooking Light recipe. I love it but made a few changes. It's my go-to recipe. It's a great recipe for using up left over chicken. My whole family will eat it, too!
Alfredo Spinach LasagnaA delicious new version of this classic comfort food.
Homemade CalzonesAn easy and hearty calzone recipe that could be adapted for many other ingredients.
Vietnamese Beef Ragout (Lagu Bo)This is yet another delicious Vietnamese dish my mother-in-law makes. This is the Vietnamese version of Ragout. It is called sup lagu (lagu soup) in Vietnamese which sounds like ragout in French.
Chicken Tortilla SoupI saw this on TV and had to make it at home. It's a healthy and hearty soup and it was so good.
Salsa Chicken and Black Bean RiceA quick, easy and yummy dinner, with boxed Spanish rice, salsa, chicken and black beans.
Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Fish Soup (Canh...This is a delicious light soup my mom makes. It is a quick and healthy dish.
Pork With Green BeansThis is a delicious green bean recipe made by my mother-in-law who is from Vietnam.
Homemade Flour TortillasI am currently living in Vietnam, where they don't sell tortillas in the supermarket. Street Tacos have been my biggest craving since moving. So, I had to figure out how to make my own tortillas. This is a super easy recipe and they turned out delicious.
Vietnamese Chicken Salad (Goi Ga)This is a delicious, light chicken salad. It uses a special Asian herb called Vietnamese Coriander or Rau Ram. It is super easy to throw together and will have your guests begging for more.
American Chop SueyThis recipe is an American version of the classic Chinese dish. With bean sprouts, mushrooms and lots of flavor, it is sure to be a family friendly weeknight favorite.
Grilled Beef La LotThis is a delicious Vietnamese recipe that my mother-in-law makes, Bo La Lot. All the ingredients can be found at an Asian market. If you can't find fresh la lot leaves, sometimes they can be found frozen. An acceptable substitute for the la lot leaves would be perilla leaves or grape leaves.
Dublin CoddleI found this healthier version of Dublin coddle in my local newspaper a few years ago and have made it every St. Patrick's Day since.
Making CrepesThese thin pancakes are delicious and just as easy to make as classic pancakes. If you are making them for more than 2 people, I would suggest using more than one pan.
Chickpea Curry in a HurryAn easy vegetarian weeknight meal!
