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Quinoa Fried 'Rice'

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Quinoa Fried 'Rice'

This is a protein-packed version of good ole fried rice that is the easiest way to use up leftovers in the fridge! Fried rice is a one of my favorite indulgences - there's something so easy and lazy about it. A one-stop-shop that has carbs, protein, and veggies all in one. I've been trying to cut down on carbs (lol so hard) and switching out rice with quinoa is the perfect for doing this. You can probably tell from the influx of quinoa recipes on the blog lately lol! 

I regularly make a variation of this dish every week, depending on whatever I've got in the fridge. Pan-fried tofu and quinoa are the mainstays; anything else is just a bonus! I love tossing in fresh broccoli, onions, and carrots, but you can use frozen veggies, chicken, shrimp, even leftover steak. The options are endless! I love using plum sauce as a little twist in my stir-fries. It's a viscous, light brown sweet and tangy sauce that is amazing with fried tofu, chicken, pork, etc. A mix of fresh ginger, oyster sauce, and plum sauce makes a wonderful sauce that clings to all the great ingredients in this dish. Let's get cookin :)

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Mango Avocado Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

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Mango Avocado Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

I'm addicteddddd to the combo of sweet mango and creamy avocado!! Mangoes have been ridiculously cheap and available lately and it's been such a fun addition to my meals. This recipe is one of my favorite flavor combos! I love using avocados to sub for dressing or other fats. The mixture of ripe mango and avocado with the awesome texture of quinoa is so delicious. Use the base of this recipe as inspiration for other meals! I routinely mix mango, avo, and quinoa with all my salads, and top them with baked fish. Squeeze a whole bunch of lemon juice over top, or serve it with the lime vinaigrette I'm showing you today! :)

These flavors are vibrant. Tossing mango and avocado together brings out all the juiciness of the fruit, and the creamy avocado coats all the other ingredients. Adding in a bit of red onion for bite, cilantro for brightness, and tart cherry tomatoes (or try sweet strawberries!) makes this salad incredibly flavorful and hearty. This would be great with grilled chicken, fish, or even as a dip with chips :) This salad's so easy. Chop up all the ingredients and toss em together. Let's get cookin!

Breakfast Yogurt Bowls

Breakfast Yogurt Bowls

I like to start every morning with a bowl of yogurt and fresh fruit. It's a really satisfying way to get the day going. Yogurt has tons of health benefits, including a hefty dose of animal protein, calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium. Whenever you hear about yogurt, you hear about probiotics. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that are naturally present in the digestive system. Eating yogurt regularly helps to regulate the digestive system, and making yogurt bowls at home is a really great way to cut down on unnecessary sugar that can come with pre-made fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt cups. Plus, they're simple to make, since you can use whatever you've got at home! Use your favorite seasonal fruit and granola in a hurry, or add in fun twists like toasted coconut, chia seeds, maca powder, or other nutritional boosts. There's not much to this recipe - I'm here to give you some inspiration (and food porn!) Let's get eating! 

Citrus Beet Salad

Citrus Beet Salad

This month's @missbish #MISSDISH is the quickest salad ever and will turn even the most stubborn eater into a beet lover! Refreshing citrus (use oranges, mandarin oranges, blood oranges,or my favorite, Cara Cara oranges!), beets, and whatever you've got in the fridge! Never worked with beets before? No worries, use canned! Nowadays supermarkets also carry pre-roasted in the refrigerated section. I love them chopped up and tossed into my salads. 

There's no blueprint to this - use what you've got! This salad has a base of citrus and beets, and can be tossed with other root veggies like carrots, butternut squash, fennel, or even brussels! Throw in leftover feta or goat cheese and use your favorite dressing - a dash of balsamic vinegar, citrus vinaigrette, or even poppyseed dressing. I love to throw a few spoonfuls of quinoa in all my salads (Cook up a huge batch on Sunday night!) Beef up the salad by serving it all on a bed of greens. Avocado is obviously a perfect addition :) Let's get cookin!

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Stuffed Baby Bok Choy Cups

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Stuffed Baby Bok Choy Cups

Living in Hong Kong is a constant foodie fest. There are so many amazing things to eat and try and sometimes it gets overwhelming. I've been trying my best to cook at home more often (even though eating out is so much more convenient in HK!) But it has really made a change in my energy levels and overall well-being. It's often hard to avoid carbs here, but today I have a really fun recipe that is the perfect addition to your low-carb list! These babies are like eating flavorful dumplings...without the guilt!

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Lemon Cream Stuffed French Toast

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Lemon Cream Stuffed French Toast

Mother's Day is just around the corner! For some reason, this holiday always makes me think of French Toast. Maybe it's because Mother's Day feels like one of those mornings you wake up to sneak to the kitchen and surprise Mom with breakfast in bed. Or going out to brunch with family - either way, French Toast is pretty to look at, simple to make, and delicious to eat. Check out my other French Toast recipes for Hot Chocolate French Toast, Pumpkin French Toast, and King's Hawaiian French Toast! :) 

One of the most popular items on a brunch menu is often a Lemon Ricotta Stuffed French Toast. The idea of making this at home was intriguing to me - how hard could it be? Turns out, it's super simple and only takes 20 minutes. What I love about this recipe is that you can substitute ricotta for mascarpone or cream cheese like I did :) Adding fresh lemon zest and juice to the filling gives the perfect punch to this sweet breakfast. Top it off with your Mom's favorite fresh fruit and you'll be chalkin up all kinda Brownie points :) Let's get cookin! 

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Spring Salmon, Asparagus, and Orzo Salad with Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette

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Spring Salmon, Asparagus, and Orzo Salad with Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette

Pasta salad is perfect for Springtime! This recipe is an easy and delicious way to stretch out fresh seafood. Tender orzo pasta, roasted salmon, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, and salty feta are tossed with a zesty citrus dressing for a beautifully hearty salad. There's something about the texture of orzo pasta that makes me crave it all the time! This Spring salad is great for emptying the fridge - don't have asparagus? Use peas, spinach, or beans! Sub shrimp for salmon or leftover chicken and feel free to use Parmesan instead of Feta :) If you're cutting carbs, toss all these ingredients with crispy Romaine or kale. 

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Crack Almonds

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Crack Almonds

These almonds are crack. Crunchy, cinnamon-sugar roasted nuts are so comforting and delicious! I've been poppin em in my mouth all day :) They're easy to make - simply toss them in fluffy egg whites and a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a dash of salt and throw them in the oven. What's even better about this recipe is that you can make them in a toaster oven just like I did! I don't have an oven in my apartment here in Hong Kong, and these babies were easy enough to slow roast in my handy toaster oven. You can use this recipe with your favorite nuts - they're super addicting and make for great gifts! Let's get roasting! 

No Cook Japanese Cold Tofu with Sesame Dressing

No Cook Japanese Cold Tofu with Sesame Dressing

The weather is warming up, especially here in Hong Kong. It's 80 degrees in April here! This recipe for Japanese Cold Tofu with Sesame Dressing is quintessential for Spring/Summer. The best part is that this dish requires zero cooking. 

This is one of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful subtle flavor of tofu. Cold tofu can be enjoyed with a ton of different topping choices, including creamy sesame dressing, or a punchy mixture of scallions, fresh ginger, and soy sauce. In this recipe, I'll be using store-bought Japanese sesame dressing. I'll include the recipe for homemade dressing below, but sometimes it's simply easier to go pre-made! 

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Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)

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Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)

This dish is a great way to cool down in the Spring/Summer! Hiyashi Chuka can be made with a variety of toppings, but popular ones include: pickled ginger, cucumbers, ham, shrimp, strips of egg crepes, imitation crab, nori strips, wakame seaweed, and sesame seeds. Some other great ideas are carrots, shredded steamed chicken, and tomatoes! The options are endless, and the dressing is so yummy that it'll pull any combination together. This recipe is super simple - shred and julienne all your toppings, whisk up the dressing, and toss the chilled noodles together. You know how certain foods taste even better when eaten cold? The flavors of the sesame, soy, and rice vinegar dressing bring all the toppings to life :) Let's get cookin!