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Appetizers, Breakfast, Cheese, Dinner, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summertime Meal, Vegetarian, Veggies

Easy One-Bowl Corn Fritters

January 30, 2024

These easy one-bowl corn fritters are quick to make with simple pantry staples. Pan-fried until golden brown and crispy, the fritters pair nicely with many other dishes. Serve them as an appetizer or a side-dish at your next barbecue, and for breakfast with fried eggs and bacon.

For best results use fresh sweet corn. Frozen or canned corn will make an acceptable substitution as fresh corn is not always in season. Be sure to drain the corn well before adding it to the batter.

I have made the corn fritters with all flour and half flour and half cornmeal. As a whole grain, cornmeal adds a little extra nutritional value. If you have it, go ahead and use it. Otherwise using all flour is perfectly fine.

The batter is easy to work with. Drop spoonfuls into your frying pan and let the fritters cook until browned on both sides. They are best eaten immediately while they retain their crispy texture.

On most occasions I serve the fritters with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of smoked paprika along with a crispy salad to complete the meal. I’ve had success freezing leftovers in a plastic container and reheating them in a pan with a bit of oil. They are the perfect snack for those lazy days when we don’t have the energy to cook and clean up the kitchen.

Corn Fritters
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Corn Fritters

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Adapted from NYT Cooking – Makes 16 fritters

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2/3 cup (162g) lactose free whole milk, or regular whole milk

  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne (or up to 1/2 teaspoon)

  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour (use 1 cup, 120g of flour if not using cornmeal)

  • 1/2 cup (75g) cornmeal, such as Bob’s Red Mill medium grind

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 3 cups (430g) fresh corn kernels (can substitute with frozen corn thawed and patted dry or canned, drained)

  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions

  • 1 cup (114g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

  • vegetable or canola oil for frying

Directions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir in the flour, corn meal if using and baking powder just until combined. Stir in the corn, green onions and cheddar cheese.
  • Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat with enough oil to generous cover the bottom of the pan. You may use a cast iron skillet if you have one (heat over medium-low).
  • Once the oil is shimmering hot, add heaping tablespoons of batter to the pan. Use the back of a spoon to flatten into a round patties (do not crowd pan). Fry for 2 minutes then flip and fry for another 2 minutes then cook for an additional 2 minutes adding more oil as needed.
  • Remove fritters to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all fritters are fried. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

Notes

  • Leftover fritters can be frozen in a plastic freezer container. Thaw and reheat in a skillet with a bit of oil over medium-low heat to warm and crisp up.
Appetizers, Cheese, Dinner, Kimchi, Korean, Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian

Kimchi Quesadillas

January 6, 2024

Mexican food is one of the most beloved cuisines in the world and for good reason. The wide variety of distinctive flavors used in Mexican cuisine create bold, flavorful dishes. This hybrid Mexican-Korean quesadilla is a tasty way to use some of your homemade kimchi. The fiery flavor of the kimchi combined with melted cheese in a warmed flour tortilla is delicious.

I try to keep a jar of homemade kimchi in the refrigerator at all times. There are so many dishes I love to use it in. Noodles, soup, kimchi & Spam fried rice make tasty meals.

Pan frying the kimchi in a dab of butter will help to decrease the liquid a bit.

Layer the ingredients then fold the tortilla over. It’s so easy to prepare and with minimal ingredients, this quesadilla is the perfect party appetizer. Prepare the quesadillas a few hours in advance and store in the refrigerator. Just before your guests arrive heat up your skillet and pan fry the quesadillas.

Allow some of the cheese to spill out into the pan. This creates the most delicious crispy-edged quesadilla.

Serve with crispy cabbage slaw or your favorite side dishes such as Mexican rice and refried beans. If you have leftovers, serve them for breakfast or brunch the following day along with fried or scrambled eggs.

Kimchi Quesadillas
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Kimchi Quesadillas

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Ingredients

  • 4 medium flour tortillas (7-inch, I use cooked Tortilla Land flour tortillas)

  • 1 cup kimchi, drained and coarsely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or regular butter

  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar, coarsely grated (about 1 1/4 cup)

  • 2 tablespoons diced onion

  • 1 medium avocado, sliced thinly into 16 pieces

  • 2 teaspoons canola or vegetable oil

  • 1/4 cup Green Valley lactose free sour cream or regular sour cream

  • 2 teaspoons sriracha

  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro

Directions

  • Heat butter in a medium pan (large enough to accommodate two folded tortillas) over medium heat. Add chopped kimchi and sauté just until there is no kimchi liquid left, about 2 minutes. Transfer kimchi to a small plate. Wipe pan clean.
  • Combine sour cream, sriracha and cilantro in a small bowl, set aside.
  • Evenly divide cheese onto one side of each tortilla. Top with onions, kimchi, and avocado. Fold the tortilla over and press very gently.
  • Heat a teaspoon of canola or vegetable oil in the pan over medium heat. Once hot, transfer two of the folded tortillas to the pan. Cook until nicely browned, allowing some of the cheese to spill out into the pan. You can also scatter a bit of cheese around the open edges of the tortillas to form a crispy edge. Flip and cook the other side. Transfer the tortillas to a plate and cover with foil while you cook the remaining two tortillas (heat another teaspoon of oil before adding tortillas to pan).
  • Slice each tortilla into three pieces. Serve with a dollop of sour cream sriracha sauce on each slice.
Appetizers, Dinner, Eggs, Japanese, Lactose Free, Recipes, Side Dishes

Momofuku’s Soy Sauce Eggs

November 26, 2023

One thing is for sure, I will never get bored with eating eggs. The humble egg is versatile, nutritious, and so tasty. One of my favorite egg preparations is this easy soy sauce recipe. They can be eaten as a snack, in ramen, on rice, on toast with smashed avocado or in a salad. Marinating eggs in a simple sauce for just a few hours transforms them into a delectable treat.

Momofuku’s soy sauce egg recipe calls for sherry vinegar which has a smooth and toasty flavor. A reliable brand is O California which can be found at Safeway and Whole Foods here on Maui. Vinegar lasts more or less indefinitely so it is a good investment. If you are unable to locate sherry vinegar you can substitute it with unseasoned rice vinegar.

Egg yolks vary in color depending on the chicken’s diet. According to an article from America’s Test Kitchen, a paler yolk has the same nutritional value as one with a darker color. With that being said, I’m always delighted when I crack an egg open that has a vibrant yellow-orange color. For soy sauce eggs, you definitely want yolks with a deeper color. Ka Lei Eggs (Hawaii) are a good choice.

You’ll want to have a timer handy when boiling the eggs. To ensure your eggs have that velvety, jammy texture they need to be boiled for exactly 6 minutes and 50 seconds. Once the timer goes off the eggs will immediately go into an ice bath to stop from cooking any further.

I found that using my 4-cup glass measuring cup worked perfectly for marinating the eggs. A clean paper napkin over the top helps to submerge the eggs in the umami rich sauce.

The eggs are ready to eat in just a couple of hours and can be left to marinate for up to 6 hours.

These delicious eggs can be served as an appetizer or snack.

My favorite accompaniment for the eggs is a bowl of rice sprinkled with furikake and served with homemade kimchi or Japanese pickles on the side.

Momofuku's Soy Sauce Eggs
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Momofuku’s Soy Sauce Eggs

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

6

servings

Recipe adapted from Food52

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons warm water

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup regular soy sauce

  • 6 large eggs

  • Maldon or other flaky salt for serving

  • Freshly ground black pepper for serving

Directions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the water and sugar to dissolve the sugar, then stir in the sherry vinegar and soy sauces.
  • Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Carefully place eggs into the boiling water and cook for exactly 6 minutes and 50 seconds. You may stir slowly for the first minute to distribute the heat evenly. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. When the eggs are done, transfer them to the ice bath.
  • Peel the eggs once they are cool. Transfer the eggs to the soy sauce mixture and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, and up to 6 hours, making sure they are completely submerged.
  • Remove the eggs from the sauce. You can save the sauce mixture for another round of eggs if you wish.
  • To serve, cut the eggs in half and season with salt and pepper. Any leftover eggs can be stored in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
Appetizers, Dinner, Lactose Free, Pickles, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Taiwanese Cucumber Salad

September 18, 2023

Here’s a delicious cucumber side dish that is very easy to put together. It’s crunchy and so refreshing you’ll be making it on repeat.

If you don’t already have chili crisp, visit your local market or purchase a jar online. It’s a wonderful condiment to have on hand. Chili crisp compliments ramen, tofu, stir fries, eggs, and so much more. I’ve tried a few brands and still come back to Zindrew O.G Batch (Amazon) as my favorite. Costco sells the popular Fly by Jing brand and I have spotted the locally made Maui Chili Oil at Foodland.

The first time I made this recipe I used an English cucumber that I had on hand. It was a bit disappointing because it didn’t have that excellent crunchy texture I expect. So from now on, I only use Japanese cucumbers which are guaranteed crunchy. Persian cucumbers would be an acceptable substitution.

The cucumbers marinate in the sauce for 4 hours (overnight is fine) before being served.

Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds over the cucumbers and additional chili crisp just before serving. The cucumbers go well with grilled teriyaki meat sticks, grilled tofu, or just about any grilled protein or noodle dish. Being and Island girl, I am thoroughly content eating these cucumbers with a bowl of hot rice!

Taiwanese Cucumber Salad
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Taiwanese Cucumber Salad

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Adapted from TJ Lee at The Kitchn

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Japanese cucumbers (substitute with Persian)

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 medium garlic cloves, finely minced

  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons mirin

  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (1 tablespoon for a sweeter sauce)

  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil (Kadoya is a good choice)

  • 2 teaspoons chili crisp, such as Zindrew + more for serving

  • 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds

Directions

  • Trim and cut cucumbers into 1/3-inch rounds. Place in a colander set over a bowl, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Toss to combine. Let sit for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine rice vinegar, mirin, and sugar. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Add minced garlic, sesame oil, and 2 teaspoons chili crisp to the bowl.
  • Rinse cucumbers under cold running water. Pat dry with towels. Place cucumbers in a large zip-top bag and add marinade. Seal the bag and lay flat in the refrigerator so that the cucumbers are mostly in a single layer. Marinate for 4 hours (or overnight) turning the bag occasionally.
  • To serve, remove the cucumbers from the marinade and place in a low-sided serving bowl (a small amount of the marinade in the bowl is fine). Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top and drizzle with extra chili crisp. Serve cold.
Appetizers, Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summertime Meal, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Smoky Sweet Corn Riblets

September 9, 2023

If there is a better way to do corn on the cob than as corn “ribs” I have yet to find it. They are so good I’ve made them twice a week for three weeks in a row. I know I’m late to the game, corn ribs became a thing back in 2021. A recipe for corn ribs went viral on TikTok and ever since, people have been making corn ribs their thing too. There are tons of variations for seasoning corn ribs. Spicy, sweet, cheesy, buttery, herby and so on. This recipe comes from Bon Appetit and it’s just about perfect. Buttery, sweet and smoky.

The first time I tried to cut the corn into ribs I almost gave up. The corn cob is tough and hard to cut through. There were corn kernels on the floor, counter and backsplash, oops. I asked my husband to give me a hand. We tried a few different knives and found two that worked great along with a mezzaluna. I know that not everyone has a mezzaluna but it sure came in handy for cutting corn ribs.

The first step after removing the husk and silk from the corn is to cut off the ends of the corn so they are flat. This is important! The next step is to cut the corn in half diagonally. This will make it much easier to cut the corn into riblets and being shorter to cut through means less risk of accidents. It is much more difficult to cut down the entire length of the corn cob when it is long. You will now be able to stand the corn on end and cut into riblets.

Here we are cutting the corn in half with a mezzaluna. It worked well because you are able to control your cutting with both hands. It’s very stable.

This time we cut the corn in half with a very sharp chef’s knife. It also worked well and will likely be what most people have available.

The third option is to use a very sharp Nakiri knife which is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife.

When slicing the corn with a chef’s or Nakiri knife, wearing a thick oven glove will help to stabilize the knife while you use pressure to cut through the corn cob.

The mezzaluna was the winner for cutting the corn into quarters but both the chef’s knife and Nikiri knife also worked.

This is what your corn should look like once you cut it into riblets.

The corn is seasoned with a little oil, salt and pepper. It roasts at 450 degrees for 10 minutes before being turned.

The corn already looks delicious after being in the oven for a short time.

After roasting for 10 minutes, the corn wedges are turned cob side up and roasted for another 10 minutes.

The corn riblets have been in the oven for 20 minutes and have taken on a nice color and smell divine. At this point they are cooked and ready to eat. But broiling the riblets for a minute or two will encourage lots of smoky flavor and a bit of charring around the edges which is always a good thing.

Corn riblets are best served soon after they emerge from the oven while still warm. Slather with smoky sweet butter and start nibbling on those delectable corn riblets. There’s no better way that I can think of, to prepare fresh corn.

Smoky Sweet Corn Riblets
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Smoky Sweet Corn Riblets

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit magazine.

Ingredients

  • For the corn

  • 4 ears of corn, husked and silk removed

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 3/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal of 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt

  • Freshly ground pepper

  • Smoky Sweet Butter

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks (for lactose free version) or unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • few dashes of cayenne (more for spicier flavor)

  • 3/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal or 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt if using unsalted butter

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil.
  • Using a chef’s knife or Nakiri knife and securing your cutting board by placing a damp kitchen towel underneath, cut the top of the cob and bottom stem so the ends of the corn are flat. Cut each ear of corn in half crosswise. Working one at a time, stand each piece up on a cut end and slice lengthwise in half. Lay each half cob side down on cutting board and using a chef’s knife, Nakiri knife, or mezzaluna cut each in half again. You should have 8 wedges per ear. Continue with the remaining 3 ears of corn. Drizzle wedges with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, season with kosher salt and pepper, toss to coat. Spread out wedges evenly arranging kernel side up.
  • While oven is preheating, mix together the Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. If using unsalted butter mix in 3/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal or 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt.
  • Roast corn for 10 minutes then turn corn over cob side up. Continue to roast for 10 more minutes. Remove pan from oven and turn corn kernel sides up. Broil corn on upper rack for about 1 minute, or until the corn takes on more color. Watch closely so the corn doesn’t burn.
  • Transfer corn riblets to a platter and serve with seasoned butter.
Appetizers, Bread, Cheese, Dinner, Italian, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread

May 31, 2023

This made to share pull-apart rosemary garlic bread is baked until the crust is a gorgeous shade of gold, and the interior is soft and fragrant from the herbs, butter, garlic and parmesan cheese. It’s so delicious that you will be going back for seconds and thirds.

Food & Wine magazine mentions that making this bread is for bakers of all skill levels and after making it multiple times I absolutely agree. It’s a lot of fun to make and the final result is a delicious variation on garlic bread.

All-purpose flour, a bit of sugar, rapid rise yeast, milk, and butter are mixed up in a stand mixer before being formed into a ball and set aside in a warm area to rise.

When the weather is warm (always in Hawaii) I cover the dough and place the bowl out on the deck to rise. Some toaster ovens offer a dough proofing setting. If your climate is cool, you might put your bowl in the oven with the light turned on. Otherwise you may leave it out on your counter but expect it to take a bit more time to double in size.

While the dough is rising, make the filling.

Butter, cheese, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper are mixed in a bowl and set aside until ready to use.

One hour of rise time and the dough has doubled in size.

It’s time to roll the dough into 12 round disks. Don’t worry too much about getting them perfectly round.

A tablespoon of filling is spread over the dough rounds that are stacked on top of one other before placing in the baking pan.

Occasionally the dough can be a bit uncooperative, meaning it will resist keeping its shape once rolled out. If it springs back just give it another roll or two and it should be fine.

The stacked dough circles are placed in the baking pan and set aside for the final rise.

After 45 minutes the dough has risen and filled up the empty spaces in the pan.

Baked for 45-50 minutes, the bread emerges from the oven looking spectacular.

The final touch is melted butter brushed over the warm bread followed by a sprinkling of Maldon salt.

This bread goes with just about anything. I serve it often with pasta dishes, but it is superb with roasted chicken, grilled steaks, fish and chicken, herb baked tofu and salads. Any leftover slices would be perfect toasted and topped with sunny-side up eggs for a quick lunch.

Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread
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Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4-6

servings

Adapted from Food & Wine

Ingredients

  • For the dough

  • 2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface

  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (I use Diamond Crystal)

  • 2/3 cup (158g) whole milk, warmed

  • 3 tablespoons (42.6g) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter

  • For the filling and topping

  • 6 tablespoons (85g) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup (90g) finely grated parmesan cheese

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley

  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary (1 1/2 teaspoons for a milder rosemary flavor)

  • 1 large garlic clove, finely grated (Microplane works well)

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, melted (to brush on baked bread)

  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt such as Maldon (to sprinkle on baked bread)

Directions

  • Place flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. With mixer running on low speed, beat in warm milk and Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter. Beat on low speed until just combined, 30-45 seconds. Remove paddle attachment from mixer; attach dough hook. Beat on medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Transfer dough to a medium bowl coated with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. For colder climates, turn your oven light on when you start mixing the dough, then place covered dough bowl in oven. The warm oven environment will help your dough to rise.
  • Meanwhile, stir together butter, parmesan, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
  • Once dough has doubled in size, punch down in bowl and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Divide dough evenly into 12 pieces (about 3 tablespoons each). Using a small rolling pin, roll dough rounds into a 4-inch disk. You may also flatten each piece of dough with your hands (the disks do not need to be perfectly round). Spread about 1 tablespoon of filling onto one side of each disk. Stack disks, cheese side up, on top of each other. Turn stack of dough onto its side, and place in an 8 1/2-4 1/2-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Slightly separate disks in loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Bake loaf on middle rack until golden brown, 45-50 minutes, covering loosely with aluminum foil if needed to prevent over browning. Transfer loaf pan to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Invert loaf onto wire rack, turn upright, and let cool for 10 minutes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Leftover garlic bread can be frozen and reheated (covered in foil) in a toaster oven.
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