Recipes By Kay Chun
274 recipes found
Tahini Ramen Salad
A breeze to make on busy weeknights, this fresh, colorful ramen salad is equally tasty at room temperature or chilled — which means it’s particularly picnic-friendly. Chickpeas add creamy texture, contrasting the crisp bite of vibrant veggies. Use your favorite combination: Yellow bell peppers, cucumbers, snap peas, radishes, celery, asparagus and cabbage are all great options. You can make the salad an hour ahead and let the savory tahini-garlic sauce soak into the noodles (at room temperature); just give it a quick toss before serving so that everything is evenly coated in the luscious sauce. If chilled, pull the salad from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to soften, then give it a nice mix.
Lamb Meatballs With Pea Pesto
These garlic-and-oregano lamb meatballs are an ideal weeknight meal, since they roast up in just 15 minutes. The ground lamb emerges tender and juicy in this recipe, thanks to milk-soaked bread crumbs and whole egg, while black pepper and red-pepper flakes provide heat. While classic pestos traditionally combine cheese and olive oil with nuts and basil, this recipe blends sweet, lightly blanched peas with basil, garlic and olive oil for a textural sauce that is as verdant as its inspiration. Fresh peas will provide the best flavor and texture, but you can use frozen peas for convenience. The sauce can easily be doubled and used on pasta or roasted chicken throughout the week.
One-Pot Japanese Curry Chicken and Rice
Usually milder and sweeter than Indian curries, classic Japanese curry is a thick beef-and-vegetable stew served over rice. This recipe is not a traditional one, but rather an easy weeknight version, a one-pot meal featuring juicy chicken thighs, vegetables and rice. Instead of relying on store-bought or homemade instant curry roux, this dish relies on a few spices to mimic traditional Japanese curry flavors. Curry powder, ground nutmeg and Worcestershire sauce are combined and bloomed in butter to create the round and rich sauce. Onions, potatoes and carrots create the bulk of traditional Japanese curry, but sweet potatoes, cauliflower and peas would be great substitutions or additions. Serve the meal with any type of pickle you have on hand for a vinegary hit to contrast the rich curry.
Manicotti
Manicotti are very large ridged pasta tubes that are stuffed and baked. The filling is a tasty combination of cheeses, often with the addition of ground meat or vegetables. In this simple weeknight version, the pasta is stuffed with a three-cheese filling flavored with garlic and nutmeg. Ricotta adds creaminess, mozzarella melts and binds, and Parmigiano-Reggiano adds nutty flavor and salinity. For ease and speed, this recipe suggests the use of store-bought marinara sauce. If you’d like to add some greens to the dish, thaw a 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, squeeze out all the water, then finely chop the spinach and add it to the filling before stuffing the manicotti.
Sunny-Side-Up Eggs
This classic egg preparation can be enjoyed with a simple side of buttered toast or turned into a more elaborate meal with crispy bacon and home fries. The eggs add a boost of protein to any meal and are a terrific topping on sautéed greens, rice bowls and avocado toast. Covering the eggs during the last minute of cooking allows the yolks to warm through while remaining runny.
Huevos Rancheros
Eggs “rancher’s style” is a traditional, hearty Mexican breakfast typically enjoyed after a hard morning’s work. But huevos rancheros also makes for a satisfying and comforting weeknight dinner. The simple yet flavorful homemade salsa comes together quickly and is smartly used in three ways: a quick simmer transforms the salsa into the warm ranchero sauce; it adds a zesty flavor that shines through in the smoky refried beans; and it gives a final fresh finish as a tangy topping. Any leftover ranchero sauce and refried beans make for great dips the next day.
Creamed Spinach
The incredible mound of spinach called for here (3 pounds!) deflates quickly after an initial blanching, which helps maintain its deep green color. Shallots and garlic lend sweetness, while a mix of milk and heavy cream provides richness without being too heavy. Finally, tangy sour cream lifts and balances the dish. The spinach can be blanched, cooled and chopped a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Leftovers make a great omelet or quiche filling, and are also a terrific addition to pasta.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This quick recipe makes simple canned chickpeas into a bold and hearty vegetarian meal. Chickpeas are mashed in a creamy, rich lemon-tahini dressing, then mixed with crunchy celery and scallions for fresh bite. Earthy alfalfa sprouts, crisp lettuce, creamy avocado and sweet tomatoes bring contrasting textures and flavors to the sandwich. The chickpea salad can be made a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated. Any leftover salad makes a tasty dip served with tortilla chips or crackers. For a vegan alternative, omit the cheese for sandwiches that still boast layers of flavor.
Meatloaf
Traditional meatloaf was created as a tasty way to use up leftover vegetables and to stretch meat further during lean times. This easy meatloaf recipe is a classic version, blending ground beef, pork and veal with simple pantry seasonings, but you should feel free to use your preferred combination of meat, such as half pork and half beef. Milk-soaked bread ensures a tender meatloaf, and baking it freeform — on a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan — provides more surface area for the tangy-sweet tomato glaze to caramelize as it bakes. Leftover slices can be crisped in a skillet and served with a salad or tucked into a sandwich. Alternatively, freeze one uncooked loaf for the next time you need to put dinner on the table with ease; simply thaw the night before and bake as directed.
Pistachio Butter
Pistachios contain less fat than other nuts, but they are still packed with protein and flavor, making them a fantastic choice for nut butter. Some brands contain sugar or hydrogenated oil, but you can make your own with just nuts — and maybe 1/4 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds. For deeper flavor, roast the raw pistachios before blending. The seeds add a satisfying crunch and a more intense nut flavor, while a pinch of ground cardamom takes pistachio butter in a new direction. Swirl the finished product into your breakfast oatmeal or smoothie.
Coconut-Miso Salmon Curry
This light, delicate weeknight curry comes together in less than 30 minutes and is defined by its deep miso flavor. Miso is typically whisked into soups toward the end of the recipe, but sweating it directly in the pot with ginger, garlic and a little oil early on helps the paste caramelize, intensifying its earthy sweetness. Adding coconut milk creates a rich broth that works with a wide range of seafood. Salmon is used here, but flaky white fish, shrimp or scallops would all benefit from this quick poaching method. A squeeze of lime and a flurry of fresh herbs keep this curry bright and citrusy. For a hit of heat, garnish with sliced fresh jalapeño or serrano chile peppers.
Baked Barley Risotto With Mushrooms and Carrots
Wholesome and nutty, barley is a superb alternative to arborio rice in this risotto, since it’s naturally plump and chewy when cooked. The grated Parmesan and butter stirred in at the end release the barley’s starches, creating a silky, creamy texture. Make sure to use pearl barley, not hulled, since it cooks much faster and is more tender. As for the mushrooms, white button, cremini and earthy shiitakes are a tasty, accessible mix, though any combination of oyster, king trumpet and maitake would raise the bar. Still, the best thing about this risotto, which is a satisfying vegetarian weeknight dinner (or side to any large roast or fish) is that it’s baked, taking away the pressure of constant stirring at the stove.
Eggplant Dal
This hearty meal takes flavor inspiration from Indian masoor dal, spiced and creamy red lentils. Here, eggplant pairs with the fragrant spices of dal and brings a silky texture to the final dish. Cumin seeds, coriander, garlic, ginger and fresh chiles are bloomed in ghee to release their fragrant aromas as they toast before they’re simmered with lentils and eggplant to form a rich, perfumed stew.
Sesame Salmon Bowls
This one-pot meal, which is inspired by chirashi, or Japanese rice and raw fish bowls, features a savory vinegared rice that’s typically served with sushi. Traditionally, the rice is cooked first, then mixed with vinegar, but here, the rice is cooked in vinegar-seasoned water to eliminate a step. The result is sticky rice that’s tangy and sweet, and a perfect bed for fatty salmon. The salmon is added toward the end to steam directly on top of the rice for an easy one-pan meal. Packaged coleslaw is a time saver, eliminating extra knife work. Make a double batch of the zesty dressing for drizzling over roasted vegetables or green leafy salads the next day.
Coconut-Gochujang Glazed Chicken With Broccoli
Gochujang, a staple of Korean cooking, is a fermented red chile paste made from spicy Korean chile peppers and glutinous rice. Here, it’s combined with coconut milk, which mellows the spicy gochujang into a creamy sauce. Fresh ginger is the key ingredient, infusing the sauce with brightness and spice that balance the rich coconut. This recipe calls for broccoli as the vegetable accompaniment, but cauliflower or brussels sprouts would also work. The sauce can be made in larger batches and used on grilled pork ribs, chicken wings or even pan-fried tofu.
Green Chile Chicken Tacos
This weeknight chicken dinner takes advantage of canned green chiles, a flavorful and time-saving pantry staple. The green chiles have already been roasted, peeled and chopped for ease; simply combine them with spices and broth for a quick sauce with nice mild heat and smoky notes. Chicken thighs are an affordable cut that’s juicy, tender and rich with flavor, but chicken breast could also be used here for leaner (but just as tasty) tacos. Leftovers can be turned into a zesty pasta salad or used as a hearty omelet or frittata filling.
Curry Chicken Breasts With Chickpeas and Spinach
This entire dish is built for flavor — and ease. An ideal ingredient for quick weeknight meals, chicken breasts can be pounded thin, so they’ll cook quickly and evenly. Here, the cutlets are dusted in flour to create a delicate, golden crust that seals in moisture, and flavored with Madras curry powder, an Indian spice blend featuring coriander, turmeric, chiles, cumin, fennel, garlic and ginger. Toasting it in oil brings out all its warmth and richness. The curried chickpeas make a wonderful side dish on their own, and would pair just as well with another meat or fish.
Chicken Katsu
Katsu, a popular Japanese comfort food of breaded cutlets, is commonly made with chicken or pork. For this chicken version, boneless chicken breasts are pounded thin, dredged in flour, egg and panko, then fried until golden brown for an irresistible crispy crust that yields to — and protects — juicy meat inside. The traditional accompaniments are a mound of crunchy shredded cabbage, steamed rice and a generous drizzle of sweet-savory katsu sauce. Also called tonkatsu sauce, it’s a tangy Japanese-style barbecue sauce made with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes, ginger and clove. Though you can purchase bottles of it in Asian markets or online, the sauce is easy to make, lasts indefinitely in the fridge and serves as a great all-purpose dip.
Coconut Sambal Chicken With Rice
Sri Lankan coconut sambal is a savory and spicy condiment made mainly from freshly grated coconut, shallots or red onion and fresh or dried chiles. For convenience, this version uses unsweetened shredded coconut instead of fresh, since it’s more accessible and easier to work with. The sambal can be customized to suit varying heat levels; use three chiles for a spicy sambal, or five for even more heat. It’s typically served on the side as an accompaniment to meals, and commonly sprinkled over rice and curries. In this recipe, bright sambal complements lean chicken breast, which benefits from rich, nutty coconut milk. The sambal keeps for about a week in the fridge and is terrific on roasted fish and pork chops, as well as on sautéed spinach or broccoli.
Grilled Chicken With Charred-Scallion Chimichurri
Bright and tangy chimichurri gets a deep smoky hit from charred scallions. This entire weeknight meal is prepared on the grill, taking advantage of tender chicken cutlets that cook up in just 5 minutes. Grilling lettuce brings out its inherent sweetness, and here, romaine gets caramelized on the outside to complement cool, crisp centers. Any leftover scallion chimichurri makes a tasty sandwich spread, or pairs beautifully with roasted salmon or steak.
Sesame Broccoli
Mild broccoli gets energized by this textured, rich dressing spiked with sweet miso and soy sauce. Crushed toasted sesame seeds create the intense flavor base for this rich, super nutty sauce. The dish is a great side to accompany any grilled or roasted protein; it can be made a few hours in advance and is equally tasty chilled or at room temperature. Any leftovers can be chopped and tossed with warm pasta and grated Parmesan the next day.
Skillet-Charred Green Beans
These green beans with bagna cauda flavors make a wonderful accompaniment to any meat, fish or chicken dish. The beans are simple to cook and fairly effortless, so do resist the urge to stir too often. Allow them to sit, caramelize and shrivel to bring out all of their natural sweetness. Anchovies are tossed in at the end for a bright, salty hit that complements the sweet beans and shallots. These beans can be made ahead, and are equally delicious warm or at room temperature.
Yakitori-Style Salmon With Scallions and Zucchini
Yakitori is a Japanese dish in which boneless chicken pieces seasoned with salt (shio) and a soy basting sauce (tare) are threaded onto bamboo skewers and grilled over a charcoal fire. This weeknight meal borrows the flavors of traditional yakitori and applies it to salmon and vegetables. A salty-sweet sauce of soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic and ginger doubles as a glaze and serving sauce. Tossed with greens, the leftover salmon and vegetables make a nice salad the next day, and the sauce keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week. Brush it onto chicken or pork chops before roasting, or use it to season your next clean-out-the-fridge fried rice.
Esquites
Esquites are the salad form of elotes, charcoal-grilled Mexican corn on the cob that is slathered with a creamy sauce, seasoned with chile powder and lime juice and topped with Cotija, a crumbly, aged Mexican cheese. This version doesn’t require a grill, and instead chars the corn kernels in a hot skillet until browned and caramelized. Cotija brings salty, milky accents to the salad. Ancho chile powder adds smoky notes, but you can use any type of chile powder you favor. Leftovers transform quickly into a great pasta salad the next day; simply toss with cooked pasta and olive oil.