Semiserious Chefs

So it took me forever to track down decent translations of the Thai words ต้มข่า, tôm khàa, or ‘boiled/soup galangal’. You see you don’t ever see them alone. It’s always ต้มข่าไก่, tôm khàa kài, ‘galangal soup with chicken.’ But I don’t want ‘with chicken’! What I wanted to make available was a vegetarian Thai coconut […]

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and it started in a way I most enjoy, with a walk to the market. Okay, so our ‘market’ is just the local Fred Meyer, but it’s very close and there is a wonderful block of wild woods along the way. This particular Saturday I was blessed with the […]

First off I will mention that rum could easily replace the bourbon. I suppose that triple sec could as well, but that would make it maple orange, and quite a bit sweeter. You can of course just replace the booze altogether with water if it fits your lifestyle better, but then, you might as well […]

Toasting coconut is so easy and so very versatile! You can leave it plain for a simple toasted flavor, or add about 1/2 t of your favorite spices and blends to  each 1/4 cup of flakes and pair it specifically to the flavor of your meal.     I’ve tried garam masala, a mix of […]

Almost everyone is familiar with kimchi. Smelly fermented cabbage, right? I’m pretty sure that most of the people who won’t touch it fall into one of two categories: “I don’t do spicy”or “Ew, cabbage! Icky!” Well, if you are a member of the latter group let me introduce you to a very pleasant option. Kkakdugi. […]

It’s pretty obvious by looking at the recipes around this one that I am on a total Korean kick. It all started when I found out what banchan even were through my discovery of Dubu Jorim. I love these little side dishes! One might be sweet, one might be spicy, this one has a ginger […]

I am absolutely addicted to the banchan of Korean cooking! These fantastic little ‘snacks’ are a staple part of every bapsang meal, usually easy to make, and each unique. So far I have been able to make dubu jorim (braised tofu), kongjang (braised soybeans) and kkakdugi (radish kimchi), but this one, gamja jorim, holds a […]

Over the last couple of years I have really expanded the line of products I purchase from The New Central Market here in Anchorage. Given, they have expanded, too. The one thing I don’t usually go for, and probably because I simply like to cook myself, are their pre-made dishes. The owner, Somya, is always […]

While shopping for Christmas gifts last year we took our annual trip to the 5th Avenue Mall. Yup, you heard right, annual. As much as I would love to go on a mini rant about the fact that the shopping ‘situation’ in America is completely blown out of proportion, and don’t get me started on […]

I’m pretty sure that everyone knows by now how precious the little red stigmas from a saffron crocus are. The common rumor is that they are more expensive than gold, and at around $5,000 per pound wholesale it is no joke, but let’s compare that to the price of gold today; around $1200 per ounce. Immediately […]