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Cedric’s Tavern and Toby

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about Cedric’s Tavern and our dog Toby. 🙂

Cedric's Tavern

April 2018 was the first trip we ever took with Toby our St. Bernard. We went to Asheville, North Carolina. If you haven’t been to Asheville I highly recommend you visit!

The Biltmore Estate and Antler Hill Village

Asheville is an incredible place, and the 3 of us enjoyed every moment. Any visit to Asheville MUST include the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore was built by George Vanderbilt between 1889-1895 and is the largest privately owned home in the US. It is ENORMOUS!

In addition to touring the house itself, a visit to Antler Hill Village (also part of the Estate) also a must! Here you will find shops, restaurants, exhibits, and their farmyard.

Antler Hill Village is where we found Cedric’s Tavern. We were DELIGHTED to learn that the Vanderbilts also had St. Bernards. Cedric was George and Edith’s most beloved dog, and Cedric’s Tavern is named after him.

display with George Vanderbilt and Cedric

We popped in to have a drink, bought some Cedric’s Ale to take with us, and posed with the statue of Cedric and Cornelia Vanderbilt (their daughter and only child who inherited the Biltmore Estate).

Cedric's Pale Ale and glass
Statues of Cedric and Cornelia Vanderbilt

Below you will see some snaps I took of the Vanderbilts with their dogs (these hang on the wall in Cedric’s Tavern), as well as Cedric’s collar. This collar is now showcased in Cedric’s Tavern.

st bernard and the Biltmore Estate
The Vanderbilts and their dogs
Cedric's collar displayed

Cedric’s Collar Inspired Toby’s Collar 🙂

Cedric’s collar displayed inspired us to get the poor man’s version for Toby. You may be able to see a little of Toby’s collar below. 🙂 So if you are interested in the collar we bought for Toby, you can find it here on Amazon. It’s a leather padded dog collar which we have been really happy with. We purchased a name plate and had it engraved at a local store that sells trophys. Don’t you think he looks really handsome in his collar? 🙂

Toby and collar inspired by Cedric's collar

In conclusion, visiting Cedric’s Tavern was just so fun for us especially as owners of a St. Bernard. In addition to Cedric’s Tavern, there are so many amazing things to do in Asheville, especially if you are a foodie or craft beer lover! You can read about it here!

Asheville, NC – Food Lover’s Dream

Funkatorium Asheville Flight of Sour Beer

Finally, I hope you will visit the great city of Asheville, North Carolina sometime. You will love it!

Cheers!

Grace

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Phul Gobi (Indian Spiced Cauliflower)

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about the nutritious and delicious dish called Phul Gobi.

phul gobi

Phul Gobi Is A Great Way To Enjoy Cauliflower!

Cauliflower seems to be all the rage lately! Cauliflower rice and cauliflower pizza crusts are extremely popular. I have even seen cauliflower tortillas!

One of my favorite ways to enjoy this most amazing vegetable is to make the Indian cauliflower dish called Phul Gobi. Puhl Gobi is braised cauliflower seasoned with turmeric, garam masala, and salt. I am including onion and colorful bell peppers to make it extra attractive and extra nutritious as well!

Cauliflower, red green and yellow bell pepper

Benefits of Eating Cauliflower and Bell Peppers

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is on a list of Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables from the CDC. I just discovered this list of produce ranked by nutrient density. These are supposed to be some of the best foods you can eat to help prevent chronic disease. Cauliflower is #24!

This delicious vegetable is a great source of fiber and vitamins. Some of the vitamins include the B-vitamins, C, and K. It also contains cancer fighting antioxidants. I’m going to work on incorporating more cauliflower into my diet after learning this!

Onion, green red and yellow bell pepper, thai chilis

But wait! I am including bell peppers with the cauliflower, which makes this dish even more nutritious! Bell peppers are rich with antioxidants and vitamins, especially Vitamin C. Please view this great article on the Health Benefits of eating bell peppers by Healthline.com.

What Spices Are Needed to Make Phul Gobi?

spice pots labeled turmeric and garam masala

The spices used to season the Phul Gobi are turmeric, garam masala, and salt to taste.

Garam masala is an incredible mix of spices. It typically includes cumin, coriander, cardamom, bay leaves, star anise, cloves, and nutmeg. There are certainly variations and seemingly endless varieties of types of garam masala. They have one thing in common: they are supremely aromatic! Please take the time to inhale the scent of this spice mix when you make this dish.

overhead shot of turmeric and garam masala in spice pots

Now let’s talk about turmeric. Turmeric (and especially curcumin which is its most active compound) also has many health benefits associated with it! There is also a great article, again from Healthline.com, called “10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin” which is really fascinating and worth reading.

Turmeric is what gives Indian curries their yellow color. Here, you can see how beautifully the cauliflower takes on a yellow hue once turmeric is added to it.

Phul Gobi

I know you will love this dish! So many things to love here…its simplicity and attractiveness, delicious and delicate flavor, and its great nutritional value.

This makes a fantastic side dish to an Indian curry, or as a side to any main meal. I’ve been eating it with some rice, and enjoying the sweet flavor of the bell peppers as well as the tender and delicious yellow hued cauliflower.

I hope you will give this a try! Enjoy!

SOME OTHER DISHES YOU MAY ENJOY

Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter chicken with rice and cilantro

Indian Spiced Green Lentils

Indian Spiced Lentils With Onion Salad and rice in a bowl

Chicken Biryani

Chicken Biryani

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Cheers,

Grace

phul gobi

Phul Gobi

Grace
Puhl Gobi is braised cauliflower seasoned delicately with turmeric, garam masala, and salt. Here we include onion and colorful bell peppers to make it extra attractive and extra nutritious as well!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 onion sliced
  • 1 cauliflower broken into florets
  • 2 Thai chilis minced (leave out if you prefer a milder dish)
  • 1/2 green bell pepper sliced (seeds and pith removed)
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper sliced (seeds and pith removed)
  • 1/2 red bell pepper sliced (seeds and pith removed)
  • 1 ts turmeric
  • 1/2 ts garam masala
  • salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup vegetable stock or water

Instructions
 

  • Add the olive oil to a large saute pan (that can be covered) on medium high. Once the oil is hot add the onion and stir fry for around 5 minutes until softened. Then add the garam masala and turmeric. Stir constantly for 1 minute.
    onions, oil, turmeric, and garam masala in a pan
  • Add the cauliflower and stir. Lower the heat to around med-low to medium, and add 1/4 cup vegetable stock or water. Cover, and cook for around 10 minutes.
  • Remove the cover, and add the chilis and sliced bell peppers. Stir, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add salt to taste.
    cauliflower, onion, and bell peppers in a pan

Notes

Enjoy this nutritious side dish as a side to a delicious Indian curry, or with rice!  
Keyword bell peppers, cauliflower
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Indian Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS Indian Butter Chicken!

I’m SUPER EXCITED to share one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE recipes with you!

…

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Korean Soft Tofu Broth With Shrimp

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about how to make Korean Soft Tofu Broth With Shrimp using a seasoning pack from JayOne Foods!

Korean Soft Tofu Broth With Shrimp in a bowl with chopsticks

JayOne Soft Tofu Broth Seasoning

The other day I went shopping at my local Asian Market here in San Antonio. My eye fell on this JayOne packet of Soft Tofu Broth Seasoning. The picture of the broth looked so enticing I just had to give this a try! I was definitely glad that I did it was delicious!

…

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Ram-Don From the Film Parasite

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about how to make Ram-Don from the film Parasite!

Ram-Don

Parasite

Have you seen the Oscar Best Picture Winner of 2020, the Korean film Parasite?

I didn’t know what this film was about before watching…however I knew that we weren’t in for something “normal” because we have seen two films recently by the director Bong Joon-Ho which were NOT what we expected.

…

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Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about how to make Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole!

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Are you stuck at home and not sure what to cook for dinner tonight? Then pantry cooking it is! Pantry cooking is cooking meals from items that are in your pantry. I have seen some very extremely creative dishes that others are coming up with. It’s a true joy to see people doing the best with what they have on hand.

The ULTIMATE Pantry Dish -- Tuna Noodle Casserole

Are you in need of a delicious dish that is super easy, quick, budget friendly, and uses items you most likely have in your pantry? Then please consider this Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole.

Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the ULTIMATE pantry dish. All you will need is egg noodles or other pasta, and these canned foods: tuna, cream of mushroom soup, and peas. You will also need some oil to grease your pan, and some seasonings. This is the most basic version, however, if you have some CHEESE (yum!) then by all means add that in as well!

Please note that I am including links to Amazon for some of the ingredients in this dish. The links may be a substitution for the ingredients you see pictured in my post, if I could not find the same ingredient on Amazon. The links are simply included for convenience if you choose to order on Amazon.

cream of mushroom soup, peas, cheddar cheese, tuna and Pam spray

How To Make Super Easy Tuna Casserole

tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and cheese in a bowl with a stirrer

I call this Super Easy because all you need to do is grease a 9x13 oven safe dish, mix drained tuna, drained peas, the cream of mushroom soup, and cheese (if using) and place it in your dish! I used Pam cooking spray to grease my dish. You could also use a little vegetable or olive oil. Add cooked egg noodles, give it a stir and season with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then place in an oven that has been preheated to 375F for 25 -- 30 minutes.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

The Finishing Touch

panko, olive oil, and goya seasoning

If you happen to have some Panko in your pantry, I recommend you use it to put the finishing touch on this Super Easy Tuna Casserole!

All you need to do is add a little olive oil and some of your favorite seasoning to the Panko, and stir. I used Goya Sazonador Total. Then, after the casserole has been baking for 25 minutes, remove from the oven. Add the panko mixture spreading it evenly over the top, and bake for another 5 minutes.

Panko, olive oil, and goya seasoning

After 25-30 minutes in the oven, remove and behold how beautifully browned the top is, and get ready to DIG IN!

Tuna Noodle Casserole

This recipe is enough for around 4-6 people, and costs about $9.00 to make (with the brands that I used). So as mentioned it is budget friendly, super easy, and you’ll just have to trust me on this until you can verify for yourself…utterly creamy and delicious! It’s great to garnish with green onions if you have them!

Tuna Noodle Casserole, salad and Tabasco

I hope you will enjoy this Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole soon! Oh and by the way…it is the PERFECT COMFORT FOOD AS WELL.

Some Other Dishes You Many Enjoy!

Borracho Beans

Borracho Beans

Belizean Rice and Beans

Belizean Rice and Beans in a bowl

Colorado Green Chili

Colorado Green Chili

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Take care and stay safe.

Grace

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Grace
This Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the ULTIMATE Pantry Dish! Delicious and creamy your whole family will love it!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • Pam spray, olive or vegetable oil for greasing your baking dish
  • 12 oz egg noodles (or your pasta of choice) cooked according to package directions
  • 26 oz cream of mushroom soup canned OR 3 x 10.5 oz cans of cream of mushroom soup
  • 15 oz peas canned, drained
  • 15 oz tuna 3 cans of 5 oz each , drained
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • garlic powder to taste
  • 2 green onions optional for garnish

Crumb Topping -- Optional

  • 1/2 cup panko Japanese breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • seasoning your seasoning of choice!

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375F. Grease a 9x13 oven save baking dish. I used Pam olive oil spray, you can also use vegetable or olive oil.
    egg noodles, tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and Pam spry
  • Mix in a large bowl the following ingredients: drained tuna, cream of mushroom soup, drained peas, and cheese if using. Place the mixture in your 9"x 13" baking dish.
    tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and cheese in a bowl with a stirrer
  • Cook the egg noodles or your pasta of choice, according to package directions. Drain and add to the mixture in the baking dish. Stir well, and add some salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
    Tuna Noodle Casserole
  • Place in your 375F oven, and bake for 25 minutes if using crumb topping. If not using crumb topping, check if nicely browned and heated through after 25 minutes and remove, or cook for 30 minutes total.
  • IF ADDING THE CRUMB TOPPING, then mix together the panko, olive oil, and your choice of seasoning. Remove the dish from the oven after the 25 minutes, sprinkle the crumb topping evenly on top, then bake for an additional 5 minutes.
    Panko, olive oil, and goya seasoning
  • Add green onions for garnish (optional) and serve!
    Tuna Noodle Casserole, salad and Tabasco

Notes

One lovely thing about this dish is its versatility!  The recipe is for a basic and easy tuna casserole, but feel free to add some chopped onion and celery that has been lightly sautéed to the mixture if you like!  You can also substitute other cream of soups such as cream of jalapeno.  Enjoy! 
Keyword casserole, pantry, tuna casserole, tuna noodle casserole
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Borracho Beans

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post raves about Borracho Beans!

Borracho Beans

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot more about pantry style cooking and Borracho Beans is the first thing that came to mind. My recipe does call for some fresh vegetables (onion and cilantro) and pork hock to be thrown in, but you could omit these for a true pantry meal!

What Are Borracho Beans?

Borracho Beans aka Frijoles Borrachos aka Drunken Beans. So called because these beans are made with beer! Borracho beans are a South Texas favorite. So, you can find these at many Mexican restaurants in South Texas. By the way, they differ from charro beans, in that charro beans are the version made without beer.

I usually make a huge batch to serve at Christmas and had really been craving these lately. Now we have a huge batch for mostly Steve, Toby, and myself…it will be fun around our household over the next few days. 🙂

What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Borracho Beans?

Pinto beans are used in this dish, and traditionally you will add a Mexican style beer. I used a 12 oz bottle of Lone Star beer which is what I had on hand (TX beer!), and added it to beans and pork hock that had been simmering for an hour. I then added diced tomatoes, and onion. Throw in a generous handful of cilantro toward the end of cooking, and you will have the most delicious beans ever! Strong and bold statement but really they are good!

Pork hock, pinto beans, onion, pinto bean seasoning, diced tomatoes, cilantro, lone star beer

Oh, and the seasoning! It’s got to be Fiesta Brand Pinto Bean Seasoning! Made here in San Antonio, it’s my go to seasoning for whenever I make the these delicious beans. This seasoning is just the best and I absolutely love it! Click here to purchase this most delicious pinto bean seasoning on Amazon.

Pinto bean seasoning, lone star beer, and pinto bean package
Pantry Ingredients Needed For Borracho Beans
Borracho Beans
Scrumptious Borracho Beans!

Don’t they look absolutely scrumptious? I generally eat borracho beans accompanied by rice or sometimes with tortillas. You can also serve as a delicious side to any Mexican main dish, or any dish for that matter! I hope you might give this a try sometime!

Here Are Some Other Dishes You May Enjoy!

Belizean Stewed Beans

Stewed Beans ham hock and bay leaf

Chalupas Poblanas

Chalupas Poblanas

If you’d like to come along with me on a fun food journey, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It’s an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here. 🙂

Cheers! Grace

Borracho Beans

Borracho Beans

Grace
Borracho Beans are beans made with beer! Super delicious and makes enough to feed an army, enjoy with rice or tortillas, or serve as a side to your favorite Mexican dish!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs 10 mins
Overnight soak of beans 8 hrs
Total Time 10 hrs 20 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican, South Texas
Servings 12 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pinto beans dry
  • 3 tbsp Pinto Bean Seasoning I used Fiesta Brand! add additional seasoning at end to taste if desired
  • 12 oz beer dark Mexican beer is preferred but I used Lone Star
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes canned
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1-2 pork hocks can substitute 4-5 strips of cut up bacon if preferred
  • 1 bunch cilantro chopped
  • salt to taste (optional)
  • pepper to taste (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Rinse and sort the beans, and cover with water to soak overnight in a large pot.
  • Drain and rinse the beans, then add water to cover the beans about one inch above surface of the beans. Add pork hock.
    Pinto beans and pork hock in a pan
  • Bring the beans to the boil, and skim off any scum that might rise to the top.
  • Lower the heat to where it will simmer (around med low or so), add 3 tbsp of Pinto Bean Seasoning, stir, cover and simmer for 1 hr.
  • Add your beer! Also add the diced onion, and tomatoes at this time. Stir, and bring back to the boil, then lower again to a simmer and simmer 1 additional hour.
    onions, beans, diced tomatoes and broth in a pot
  • Taste your beans to make sure they are tender. If not, continue cooking until tender. Add chopped cilantro at the end of the cooking. Add salt and pepper, or additional pinto bean seasoning to taste.
    cilantro and lone star beer

Notes

These pinto beans are so delicious served with rice or tortillas!  You can also serve these as a scrumptious side to accompany your favorite Mexican dish or any dish!  Enjoy!!
Keyword beans, pinto beans
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Vermont Curry With Chicken

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post raves about Vermont Curry With Chicken!

Vermont Chicken Curry

Tonight I made Vermont Curry for the first time. I have read that Vermont Curry is Japan’s most popular curry. I have tried this before at my church. Every so often the church serves this curry for lunch and I’ve always really enjoyed it but never made it myself. So I already knew I would like it (love it!) but the big question for me is why is Japan’s most popular curry called Vermont Curry?

Vermont Curry
Vermont Curry

The packaging states “Curry With a Touch of Apple and Honey.” I will try to summarize but it seems this comes from a book called “Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good Health”. From the sevendaysvt.com website: “In the book, the author Doctor Jarvis asserted that “honegar,” a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar, was a miracle cure-all that could combat everything from arthritis to diabetes to heart disease. Later the health fad sparked by Jarvis’ book eventually made its way to Japan, where, according to the House Foods rep (manufacturer), it became known as the “Vermont Health System.” And so, in 1963, Vermont Curry was born as an effort to capitalize on that craze.”

Vermont Curry, chicken, onion, carrot and potato
Ingredients Required for Vermont Chicken Curry

What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Vermont Curry With Chicken?

The ingredients you will need to make Vermont Curry With Chicken include chicken, potato, carrot, and onion. After sautéing the chicken and softening the vegetables, you simply will add water and the curry blocks. After simmering for a few minutes you have a delicious Japanese curry and a fantastic taste of Japan!

Vermont Curry
The Vermont Curry Sauce are made of blocks which you will break up and add to your skillet
Vermont Curry With Chicken

Look for the Vermont Curry in your local Asian Market, or you can order it here on Amazon. There are varying levels of spiciness including mild, med hot, and hot. I used the hot version, which really isn’t all that hot in my opinion but still delicious! Check out the list of ingredients on the back of the package (see below), and if you are happy after seeing that give it a go! It’s truly delicious!

Vermont Curry
Back of the Vermont Curry Package

I garnished my Vermont Curry With Chicken with some green onions and my new favorite Japanese spice Nanami Togarashi. Best served with rice or even pasta!

Nanami Togarashi

Nanami Togarashi is a Japanese 7-spice blend includes red chile pepper, roasted orange peel, yellow and black sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, seaweed, and ginger. You can use this to spice up ANYTHING, but it is particularly great on Yurinchi Chicken, rice, and ramen…YUM! You can get it here on Amazon.

Vermont Curry With Chicken
Vermont Curry With Chicken Garnished With Green Onions and the Final Touch Nanami Togarashi 🙂

I hope you will give Vermont Curry With Chicken a try! You can also substitute other proteins such as beef or pork if you wish. Enjoy this delicious taste of Japan!

Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy

Easy and Delicious Gyudon Japanese Beef Bowl

Gyudon on rice topped with pickled ginger in a bowl

Yurinchi Chicken

Yurinchi Chicken

Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter chicken

Arigatōgozaimashita!
Grace

Vermont Curry With Chicken

Vermont Curry With Chicken

Grace (Based on Directions From Vermont Curry Package)
Vermont Curry With Chicken is an easy to make and delicious dish! Your whole family will love and enjoy this delicious taste of Japan!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 31 mins
Total Time 41 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Vermont Curry Sauce Mix by House Foods 8.11 oz package
  • 1 lb potato peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 large onion peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 large carrot peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 lb chicken thigh or breast meat cut into bite sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil split
  • 5 cups water approximately; more or less depending on how thin or thick you like your curry

Instructions
 

  • Add 1 tbsp oil to a large skillet and heat to med high. Add the chicken and saute until browned.
    chicken sauteeing in a skillet with wooden spoon
  • Remove the chicken and add the other tbsp of oil, then add the cut up vegetables (potato, carrot and onion). Saute for around 5 minutes (stirring constantly) and add water a little at a time if the vegetables start sticking to the pan.
    onions carrots and potatoes
  • Add the chicken back in, then add the water. If you like your curry a bit thicker, perhaps only add 4 cups of water to start with (you can add more later to thin the curry). Bring to the boil, and then lower to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes.
    onions, carrots, potatoes, chicken, and water in a skillet
  • Break apart the Vermont Curry Sauce blocks, and add to the skillet. Stir until the Vermont Curry Sauce blocks are completely dissolved (around a minute or so).
    onions, potatoes, carrots, water, chicken, and Vermont curry blocks
  • Let the mixture continue to simmer. Stir every once in awhile until the curry starts to thicken (around 10 minutes). If your curry is too thick at this time, begin to add extra water a little at a time until you achieve your desired thickness.
    Vermont Curry With Chicken

Notes

Serve this with rice, or even pasta!  I recommend garnishing with some green onions, and adding some Nanami Togarashi  for some extra flavor!  Enjoy this incredible taste of Japan!  
Keyword Curry
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Instant Asian Noodles Soup With Hoisin Pork

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post raves about Instant Asian Noodles Soup With Hoisin Pork!

noodles pork eggs green onions and enoki mushrooms

We recently returned from a trip to Japan. The people, the places, and the food were incredible.

I had joked with my husband that when we returned from Japan we would be eating instant ramen noodles. Instant ramen noodles are known as a staple of broke college kids. So I was joking about this because we were spending quite a bit of money during our trip and I thought instant ramen would be all we could afford when we returned…but I would be happy because I love them!

Instant Asian Noodles
Samyang Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen

It’s awesome to have packets of instant Asian noodles to fall back on when feeling a bit lazy to cook or when broke LOL. I did manage to roast some pork butt though to add to the noodles…low and slow for around 4 hrs simply basting with Hoisin sauce every 30 minutes until it fell apart. I brought some to my mom today and she gave me thumbs up so I was happy.

How to Make Hoisin Pork

Hoisin Sauce and Pork Butt
I used Lee Kim Kee Hoisin Sauce a great option!

You won’t believe how EASY it is to make the most DELICIOUS MELT IN YOUR MOUTH HOISIN PORK! All you need is pork butt and Hoisin Sauce…can you believe that!?

I roasted a 2 lb pork butt slathered all over with Hoisin sauce for around 4 hrs on 250-275F. I turned it over every 30 minutes and basted with more Hoisin Sauce until it came out with this beautiful color and was totally FALL APART TENDER. The sauce I recommend is Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce which is a wonderful option click here to purchase on Amazon.

Hoisin Pork
egg, green onions, and enoki mushrooms

Sliced hoisin flavored melt in your mouth pork, eggs, enoki mushrooms, and green onions were added to Samyang Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup for last night’s dinner and it really hit the spot.

Instant Asian Noodles With Hoisin Pork

Instant Asian Noodles make a great base for a fantastic meal! Yes they are high in sodium and contain some other ingredients that may not be the best for us, however, time to time I love to indulge as a special treat because really they are so very very tasty and being half Korean I really can’t help myself!

Samyang Hot Chicken Ramen Flavor

Are you ready to try this? I used Samyang Hot Chicken Ramen Flavor Noodle Soup for this dish, but you can feel free to use your own favorite flavor. It’s all good! If you’d like to try the HOT Samyang Hot Chicken Ramen Flavor you can click here to buy it off Amazon.

Be advised the Samyang Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen is HOT HOT! I adore spicy foods so that is why I used this instant noodle pack. It’s super flavorful and if you like spicy foods I highly recommend you try these noodles!

If you use the Samyang noodles, you will need to prepare them slightly differently to package directions. Rather than dispose of most of the water that you boil the noodles in, you will instead keep the water and not drain. You’ll add the sauce packet to the water for a “soup” rather than stir fry as the packet instructions state.

Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!

Easy and Delicious Gyudon Japanese Beef Bowl

beef and onions simmering in a sauce

Chinese 5 Spice Chicken

Chinese 5 Spice Roast Chicken and green onions

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap

Cheers!

Grace

Instant Asian Noodles With Hoisin Pork

Instant Asian Noodles Soup With Hoisin Pork

Grace
Instant Asian Noodles can be the perfect base for the most amazing soup ever! Here we add melt in your mouth Hoisin Pork, enoki mushrooms, egg, and green onions to create the best Instant Asian Noodles With Hoisin Pork soup!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 10 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb Pork butt boneless
  • 2 cups Hoisin sauce for basting – you may need a little more of less than 2 cups
  • 2 packs Asian Instant Noodle Soup I used Samyang Hot Chicken Ramen Flavor (spicy!) but feel free to use your favorite! I you use a different one prep according to package directions. If you use the Samyang Hot Chicken Ramen Flavor, follow my directions below.
  • 2 eggs hardboiled
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • enoki mushrooms handful – rinsed and bottom inch cut off

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 250-275F. Line a roasting pan with foil. Baste the entire pork butt with hoisin sauce and place in your oven once the temperature has reached 350-275F.
    Hoisin Sauce and Pork Butt
  • Every 30 minutes, remove the pork roast, turn it over, and baste with additional hoisin sauce. You will continue this every 30 minutes throughout the cooking process for the pork. My 2 lb pork roast took just over 4 hrs. You will know when it is ready when the meat falls apart. 🙂
  • While your pork is roasting, prep your other ingredients. Remove the shell from your eggs and slice the eggs to your liking. Rinse and cut off the bottom inch from your enoki mushrooms. Slice your green onions.
    egg, green onions, and enoki mushrooms
  • During the last 30 minutes of the roasting, get your Asian Instant Noodle soup ready! Basically it's a matter of boiling water, adding the noodles, and then any sauce that comes with it. If you are using the Samyang Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen rather than dispose of most of the water that you boil the noodles in, you will instead keep the water and not drain. You'll add the sauce packet to the water for a "soup" rather than stir fry as the packet instructions state.
    Instant Asian Noodles
  • Once the pork is fall apart tender, slice it up a bit, add to your finished instant noodle soup, and top with the remaining ingredients.
    Hoisin Pork
  • ENJOY!
    Instant Asian Noodles With Hoisin Pork

Notes

Instant Asian noodles make such a great base for a fantastic soup!  The beauty of the Instant Asian noodles is versatility as far as what great toppings you can add!  Feel free to experiment and add other ingredients as you fancy.  Main thing is just enjoy! 
Keyword hoisin sauce, Noodles, pork, ramen
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Okinawan Carrots

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Okinawan Carrots
My version of Okinawan Carrots

We recently returned from a trip to Japan. Our memories are full of this amazing country and its people, places, and of course food.

The very first meal we enjoyed was at an Okinawan restaurant in Narita, Japan. We had no idea when we walked in that it was an Okinawan restaurant. LOL The very first dish we tried was Okinawan Carrots, aka Ninjin Shirishiri.

We stumbled into the restaurant, realized they only took cash so had to go get money from an ATM. Once we returned, we were given a menu only in Japanese. Then when the waiter realized we had no clue what we were looking at, he presented us a menu in 4 languages (including English) with delicacies such as “3 Kinds of Fish Guts Pickled in Salt.” LOL

Dinner Menu in 4 languages
Page from the Okinawan Restaurant Menu 🙂

I have no idea how the Okinawan carrots ended up on our table. Maybe we ordered it? But I think the waiter just brought it over for us to enjoy while we were trying to figure out the menu! Whatever, it was delicious!!

Okinawan Carrots
The Okinawan Carrots we had in Japan

My husband Steve ordered a delicious Pork stir fry with Vegetables after perusing the menu. I then tried to explain to the waiter what I wanted to order and we continued snacking on the delicious carrots. In the end, only the pork stir fry showed up, and unfortunately we couldn’t communicate with our waiter so my order never arrived! Never mind, I was just happy to be in Japan so all was good!

Dreaming of Okinawan Carrots

I was still dreaming about the Okinawan Carrots when I returned home. So I couldn’t wait to make this recipe and share it with others it’s THAT GOOD!

Just a very few simple ingredients are all you need for this most delicious of dishes! Carrots, egg, canned tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, pinch of salt and pepper, and water! Can you believe that’s it?!

Carrots, soy sauce, egg, sesame oil, tuna

The only fiddly part is peeling and julienning the carrots. Click here for a tutorial on how to julienne carrots. 🙂

Julienned carrots

The method to cook these is simply stir fry to soften the carrots, then add tuna, the seasonings, and finally stir in a whisked egg. Oh, and garnish with green onions on top!

Okinawan Carrots

Are you ready to try these? I promise you won’t be able to stop eating these they are so delicious! It’s also a very healthy and nutritious snack!

Some Other Japanese Recipes You May Enjoy!

Easy and Delicious Gyudon Japanese Beef Bowl

Gyudon on rice topped with pickled ginger in a bowl

Delicious Japanese Pork Katsudon and Rice Bowl

Katsudon and Rice Bowl

If you’d like to come along on this food journey with me, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It’s an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here. 🙂

Cheers!

Grace

Okinawan Carrots

Okinawan Carrots

Grace
These carrots cooked Okinawan style are a flavor sensation! Just a handful of ingredients produces this yummy side which you won't be able to get enough of!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 carrots medium to large sized
  • 1 egg whisked
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 5 oz tuna canned tuna in oil -- you will only use around 1/2 keep the rest to snack on!
  • salt pinch of
  • pepper pinch of
  • water for cooking the carrots
  • 1 green onion sliced for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Peel and julienne your carrots. The finer your carrots are julienned, the quicker they will cook!
    Julienned carrots
  • Whisk one egg in a small bowl and leave it to the side.
  • Heat up a skillet to med-high. Pour the oil from the tuna can into the skillet and heat up.
  • Once the oil is heated, add your carrots. Stir fry for approximately 10 minutes or until softened. Add a bit of water here and there to help the carrots cook. You don't want it watery though, so if you add water be sure to let the water burn off.
  • Once the carrots are soft and pliable, add the 1/2 can of tuna, breaking it up and stir. Then add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and pinch of salt and pepper. Lastly, add in your whisked egg, and continue stirring until the egg is cooked.
  • Remove and serve immediately, garnished with green onion!

Notes

Eat this as a healthy and nutritious snack, or as a savory side dish to accompany any meal!  It’s so good you won’t want to stop eating it!  Enjoy this delicious taste of Okinawa!
Keyword Carrots, Stir fry
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