Pretend that you have an Italian grandma. Man, I have a long-term relationship with pasta. Since I was a kid, I’ve liked my pasta al dente. It was a long time before I learned this term. But it’s not that I’m a snob. I literally make my pasta sauce with leftovers from the fridge. I…
Archives for November 2018
Vegan plov (Rice pilaf)
Originating in ancient India, plov (or pilaf) is a traditional dish in Central Asia. It is highly popular in post-Soviet countries, especially the Uzbek-style plov. As a kid, I ate a lot of it. Although meat is a key ingredient in plov, I did veganise it without losing its authentic flavour. The recipe is pretty…
Winter miso soba
I haven’t seen the sun for a week. It is dark, cold, and cloudy outside. All I want to do is drink tea, wrap myself in a blanket like a burrito, and binge-watch cartoons. There’s no room for thin miso soup. You need some rich stuff, more noodles, protein, and umami. Add healthy vegetables for…
Vegan oatmeal pancakes with grilled persimmons
I don’t really like oatmeal itself. It leaves a strange taste in my mouth. I eat it occasionally because it’s healthy, and so on, but I just can’t do it on a daily basis. So I’m trying to sneak it everywhere: smoothies, veggie balls, patties, cookies and pancakes. Omg I LOVE oatmeal pancakes! Something magical…
Vegan Pho (Traditional Vietnamese soup)
I tried Pho for the first time when I cooked it as a task for my Forks Over Knives Cooking Course. I’ve never made such a rich stock before. However, I was not completely satisfied with my result. I spent much time checking different recipes and trying to achieve a more authentic taste. That is hard…
Ukrainian “Vinaigrette” salad
This traditional Ukrainian dish is highly popular during Lent before Christmas. You can make it with vinaigrette dressing to justify the name, but most family recipes just use oil. There are a few different versions of this salad. You can use green peas instead of beans and sauerkraut instead of pickles. You can roast, boil…
Red lentils and Kabocha squash in peanut sauce
I’ve been craving a lot of spicy food lately. It’s getting cold outside, and I probably need some more heat. I often make Thai and Indian curries, but I wanted something different this time. I bought Kabocha squash for a risotto a few days ago, and I will develop the recipe further. The squash’s fresh…