If I wrote an autobiography it would be called The Dal Diaries: Stories of a Reluctant Cook. When it is cold I crave dal and when it is warm I crave dal. When I am sad I want dal and when I am happy I drumroll….want dal. In my head there is a dal for every mood and it is my mission in my life to get my kids to feel the same way....

Black vinegar, or kurozu (黒酢), is aged rice vinegar. It is usually aged for one to three years in clay vessels, compared to regular rice vinegar, aged for three months. What Is Black Vinegar Black vinegar is a smooth and earthy jet-black vinegar used in Asian cuisine. While different versions of the condiment exist throughout Asia, such as China, Taiwan, and Korea, Japanese black vinegar is made from brown rice....

Sandwiches are not a new thing in the world of Japanese cuisine, but they seem to be having their moment right now. One particular sandwich that makes it to international stardom, which honestly took me by surprise, is Tamago Sando (たまごサンド). It is basically the grab-and-go Japanese egg sandwich that is sold everywhere at conbini (sometimes spelled as konbini; コンビニ; convenience stores) in Japan. Have you tried it before? I finally understood its popularity when I found out the legendary Anthony Bourdain glorified Tamago Sando over Twitter....

If you are familiar with Japanese cuisine, you are probably aware already that we place more emphasis on the natural flavor of the food instead of adding spices or seasonings. Japanese Grilled Eggplant is definitely one of the dishes that we enjoy the full flavor of the ingredient with just a little bit of seasoning. This recipe is very easy, but pay attention to the preparation part as it’s the key to keeping the eggplant juicy....

Japanese curries are a staple in my household so I’m always open for new and tasty versions to add to my curry repertoire. After watching The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House on Netflix, I was inspired to make Japanese Tomato Curry (トマトカレー). The curry-making scenes in the drama are only a brief second but with a little imagination you could almost smell the fragrance wafting from the pot. I was left hungry and determined to recreate the curry at home so we could all enjoy it....

When we were in Osaka this past summer, one of the local specialties that we enjoyed most was Kushikatsu (串カツ) also known as Kushiage (串揚げ). Similar to hot pot, there is a sense of communal eating with kushikatsu, where you are sitting or standing side-by-side with other diners, partaking in the enjoyment of the good eats, the dunking of the sauce, the lively chatters and the casual yet super fun atmosphere....

The famous Indian salad Maharashtrian Koshimbir is India’s answer to a cool and refreshing salad! Made using veggies like onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers, this yogurt-based salad is light and easy on the belly besides being crunchy and tasty. I have had Maharashtrian neighbors all through my childhood. Therefore my taste in food and cooking style is heavily influenced by Maharashtrian cuisine. I am a mix of South Indian and Maharashtrian when it comes to food....

Enjoy the goodness of gulab jamun and kulfi together in one dessert! Simple, easy, and quick to make. This happens with KR all the time and he obviously ends up relishing all the desserts! This recipe is just for people like us! It’s got two of our favorite desserts infused into one! Both of us actually love gulab jamuns. My mom would make it every year for Diwali. She would make a big batch and keep it on the dining table for us to eat....

Growing up, my mom would include her favorite eggplant in a lot of dishes, but I was never too fond of that. It wasn’t until I became an adult and cooking my own food that I started to discover a newfound love for the vegetable. And one of my absolute favorites is Mapo Eggplant (麻婆茄子). Here, the eggplants are cooked until tender and so full of flavors from the sauce....

5 Reasons to Meal Plan 1.) It makes the week run smoothly because you already know what you need to do. 2.) You save money on groceries and minimize waste. 3.) You eat healthier because you already know how to versus just reaching for what is convenient. 4.) It allows you to create your balance between kinds of food. On busier days when we have to get to classes dinners are quick, but on other days we slow down and enjoy daal chawal, aloo qeema, and kurkuri bhindi....

These are used as herbs that can add nutrients and flavor to any type of dish. Not only are they popular for their taste, but also for the treatment of a variety of health conditions. When not being used in their raw state for health purposes, they are used to add flavor to dishes. In Mexico, you’ll find ample usage of one such citrus-tasting oregano, which is the Mexican oregano....

They only need 7 ingredients and are so easy to make! These powdered sugar-dusted cookies are sure to make a festive addition to your Christmas cookie tray! Mexican wedding cookies are always a hit in my family and one that I love to include in my Christmas sweet platter! Though Mexican wedding cookies are a classic Holiday treat, I do not have any memories associated with them. It is not something that I grew up eating around the Holidays!...

And, it’s easy to make! You can have this dish ready in 20 minutes or so, including prep time. That’s a huge thing for a slow cook like me. Mie goreng is an Indonesian stir fry noodle dish with egg noodles stir fried in a sweet-spicy sauce. The sauce is a simple mixture of soy sauce, sweet soy sauce and spicy sriracha, something you can whip together at a moment’s notice from ingredients you likely have readily on hand....

PIN THIS RECIPE TO SAVE FOR LATER What is Moo Goo Gai Pan? If you’re familiar with my chicken stir fry recipe, you know we can’t get enough chicken stir fry recipes around here. They are healthy, simple, quick, easy, fresh and delicious and I can always make them with whatever veggies I have on hand – and when I have mushrooms on hand, it’s always time for Moo Goo Gai Pan....

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. Mulligatawny soup is a British take on Indian cuisine, a spicy lentil soup adapted by Indian cooks for British palates during Colonial times. It’s a perfect dish for spicy food lovers....

Today, I’m sharing my recipe for the classic-style Japanese rice omelette called omurice (オムライス). My children absolutely loved eating this delicious dish when they were little…and they still do! Young and old alike in Japan feel the same way. Sitting down to a plate of omurice feels like a warm hug; it’s a familiar, everyday meal that brings back childhood memories of mom’s cooking. All across Japan, you can find this popular yōshoku (Western-style Japanese cuisine) dish in family restaurants, diners, and home kitchens....

PIN THIS RECIPE TO SAVE FOR LATER Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe Video About Chicken Fajita Pasta Cheesy pasta is my ultimate comfort food. But wait, Mexican is my ultimate comfort food. Let’s just mash them together and create THE ultimate comfort foods like Taco Pasta, Taco Spaghetti and now this Chicken Fajita Pasta! You will want to stuff your face with this chicken fajita pasta because its wonderfully creamy, SO flavorful!...

Iceberg Wedge Salad Recipe I don’t make many “copycat” recipes because I like to put my own spin on things – and this Outback Wedge Salad Copycat is not an exact replica – but it boasts the same playful, magical combination of tangy Blue Cheese Dressing and sweet Balsamic Reduction found in Outback’s Wedge Salad that both Patrick and my taste buds went crazy for – the combo is sheer brilliance....

Watch How to bake salmon salmon and veggies wet rub marinade Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!

Peppermint Cake Even though we been playing Christmas music since before Thanksgiving (I love the old stuff – good ol’ Bing Crosby style), I cannot believe Christmas is next week! I giddily anticipate the holiday for many reasons but especially because I get to smash my face into this Chocolate Peppermint Cake! I slightly adapted this Chocolate Peppermint Cake recipe from a friend (originally from Southern Living) who texted me his proud creation of the cake he had made for his wife’s birthday....