Recipes By Kay Chun
265 recipes found
Apricot Snack Cake
This simple and tender cake is prepared entirely in the food processor, with juicy apricots, fragrant vanilla and nutty almond flour, which accentuates the fruity flavor. The apricots add natural tartness to balance the rich, buttery cake, but the cake also works well with other stone fruits, like peaches, plums and nectarines. It’s an ideal recipe for using overripe fruits, if you’ve bought too many and can’t eat them fast enough. Perfect for breakfast with coffee or tea, this snacking cake is a great pick-me-up treat any time of day. For dessert, toast the slices and serve warm topped with whipped cream, ice cream or macerated fruit.
Black Pepper Stir-Fried Tofu and Asparagus
This fast, one-skillet stir-fry dinner combines vibrant spring vegetables with hearty tofu in a rich and spicy black-pepper sauce. (Use freshly ground pepper, if possible, for the ideal combination of flavor and heat.) The tofu is simmered in the fragrant sauce, which is spiked with aromatic garlic and ginger until it has absorbed all of the flavors and is nicely glazed. This recipe is perfect for using up that pencil-thin asparagus, which cooks quickly and toes the line between crisp and tender, while sweet snap peas balance out the assertive sauce. The dish can be served over baby spinach or in lettuce cups instead of with rice for a satisfying salad.
Ponzu Tofu and Mushroom Rice Bowls
This quick, satisfying tofu and mushroom rice bowl uses citrusy ponzu sauce in two ways: first, to infuse the tofu as it cooks, then as a final bright drizzle over the rice. Japanese citrus (usually yuzu or sudachi) imparts tart, tangy flavor that complements and lightens soy sauce. (Some brands of ponzu contain bonito seasoning, which gives the sauce a slightly smoky flavor. Bonito flakes are made from dried and smoked skipjack tuna, and are commonly used to make dashi, a Japanese stock. If following a vegan diet, reach for a fish-free version of ponzu.) Tofu and mushrooms simmer in the zippy garlic and ginger-infused ponzu and absorb all of the aromas, with a final addition of snow peas for fresh crunch. Use any baby green or a mix; spinach, kale and mesclun are all great options.
Roasted Salmon With Peas and Radishes
Salmon and sweet peas are the perfect pairing for a quick and satisfying supper. The salmon is roasted skin-side up, to protect the delicate flesh and keep the fish moist. Peppery radishes mellow during cooking, turning slightly sweet and juicy as they soften. Browned butter, mustard and capers coat the peas and radishes in a tangy sauce, and white miso provides depth. If there’s no miso to be found, just leave it out or sub with a splash of soy sauce.
Beef Negimaki
Negimaki is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of thinly pounded meat that’s marinated in teriyaki sauce, wrapped around scallions and grilled. (Negi is the Japanese word for scallions; maki means roll.) Although beef is traditionally used for these tasty appetizers, chicken is a popular alternative. These can be assembled a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated until ready to grill. To make a complete meal, serve the negimaki with steamed rice and a simple green salad or roasted broccoli. Any leftovers can be chopped and tossed into fried rice the next day.
Korean BBQ-Style Meatballs
These meatballs, inspired by traditional Korean barbecue, bring the savory-sweet flavors of caramelized meat without the need for a grill. As the meatballs bake, the soy sauce marries the garlic and scallions to create a glaze. This meatball mixture can be made ahead and left to marinate in the fridge for 3 hours or even overnight. Use ground beef that is 85 percent lean meat, 15 percent fat, or 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat for juicier meatballs. The Ritz crackers here make for a more tender meatball, but feel free to substitute plain dry bread crumbs. The meatballs are tasty on their own, but for a simple dipping sauce, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar. Serve over steamed rice with kimchi, or as a sandwich with mayonnaise or marinara sauce.
Miso Gravy-Smothered Green Beans
In this modern take on green bean casserole, beans simmer in creamy gravy until completely tender and supple. Inspired by classic Southern gravy, this one gets unexpected savory depth from earthy miso. A final swirl of tangy sour cream and acidic lemon juice lightens the rich sauce. For some crunch, try topping the beans with fried shallots or onions, or chopped nuts, like roasted pecans or almonds. The dish makes a perfect side dish for the Thanksgiving table — or alongside a simple weeknight roasted chicken.
Green Bean Salad With Hot Mustard Dressing
Hot mustard powder brings a sharp, spicy twist to traditional mustard vinaigrette, which complements sweet green beans well. The beans are blanched until crisp-tender, then tossed in the vinaigrette while still hot. As the beans cool, they absorb all the flavors of mild shallot, fragrant garlic, tangy rice vinegar and hot mustard. Rich, roasted pecans add nutty sweetness to balance the spicy dressing. Though the salad can be made a few hours ahead, you’ll want to top it with the nuts right before serving to preserve their crunch. The beans themselves can be served at room temperature or chilled.
Green Bean and Corn Almondine
The classic French dish of green beans and almonds gets a fun update with the addition of corn, which lends extra sweetness, chewy texture and pops of golden color. The simply prepared dish allows the tender green beans and corn to shine in a velvety garlic- and thyme-infused butter sauce. The nutty flavor and delicate crunch of toasted sliced almonds round out the dish. (Haricots verts also work beautifully here, in place of the green beans, but decrease the steaming time to 3 minutes.) This quick and versatile salad pairs well with many different foods and can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Chicken and Mushroom Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps
The savory Korean bulgogi marinade in this recipe is made with pantry items and livens up just about anything you put it on. Here, the soy-scallion-ginger marinade is used on boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but it can also be brushed on tofu, zucchini or bell peppers for a satisfying vegetarian meal. As the meat cooks, the marinade caramelizes into a sweet-salty sticky glaze that coats the chicken. Serving the grilled chicken and vegetables in lettuce cups is a fun way to enjoy the meal. Korean condiments like kimchi and gochujang are traditional bulgogi accompaniments, but shredded cabbage, salsa or even guacamole would also work. Leftovers can be refrigerated overnight, then chopped and tossed with salad greens.
Pressure Cooker Kalbi Jjim
One of Korea’s most loved dishes, kalbi jjim is a rich, braised short rib and vegetable meal that is traditionally reserved for special occasions. Luckily, a pressure cooker makes it possible to enjoy this special one-pot stew whenever the craving hits. The ribs and vegetables simmer in the garlic and ginger-infused sauce until the meat falls off the bone and the vegetables absorb all of the rich juices. Bones give the sauce extra flavor, but boneless ribs also work great here. Chop leftover meat and vegetables and serve in corn tortillas with salsa for a tasty taco. If you prefer pork, try pressure cooker Korean soy-glazed pork belly, which has similar flavors to this dish.
Instant Pot Chicken Juk With Scallion Sauce
This Korean savory porridge was originally created as a comforting meal to soothe an upset stomach, but it’s satisfying no matter how you feel. A stovetop version typically requires a few hours to prepare, but the process is reduced to a mere 30 minutes with the use of a pressure cooker, and boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which cook faster than a whole chicken. In the cooker, combine the chicken, rice, vegetables and store-bought chicken broth with aromatics, and your work is done. The chicken emerges meltingly tender and practically shreds itself. A fresh and vibrant ginger sauce brightens the rich, warming soup.
Pressure Cooker Korean Soy-Glazed Pork Belly
This hearty braise requires minimal ingredients and makes use of a pressure cooker to reduce hours of work into just 45 minutes of hands-off cooking. The pork belly soaks up the Korean-inspired marinade of soy sauce, garlic, ginger and scallions, and a good dose of black pepper balances the sweet-salty flavors. To finish, the cooking liquid is reduced into a silky sauce that glazes the meat. Serve the tender pork in crisp fresh lettuce cups to balance the richness of the meat. Leftovers can be chopped and reheated in tomato sauce for a quick and tasty Bolognese sauce.
Pressure Cooker Bo Ssam
Bo ssam is a Korean dish featuring boiled pork belly or shoulder that’s slowly braised in an aromatic broth until incredibly tender. While the dish traditionally takes hours to prepare, a pressure cooker can turn it into a festive weeknight meal. For the best bite, wrap the rich pork in small bundles of napa cabbage leaves and dollop with ssamjang and other spicy condiments, like the piquant radish salad, which comes together quickly and lasts a week in the fridge, or serve this dish with store-bought kimchi, a tasty alternative and time saver. Leftover pork can be chopped up for a flavorful fried rice or tossed with pasta and grated Parm for a comforting meal.
Sheet-Pan Chicken Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican breakfast dish of fried corn tortillas simmered in a red (roja) or green (verde) sauce and often topped with cheese and fried eggs. The green sauce features tomatillos, while the red version uses tomatoes. Here, the quick salsa roja gets a flavor boost from charring the components under a broiler, resulting in a sauce that is pleasantly spicy, bright and smoky. While this dish is usually made in a skillet, this version is cooked on a sheet pan, making it a breeze to feed four people in just one batch. Guajillo chiles have medium heat and an earthy sweetness; for a milder sauce, New Mexico chiles are an excellent choice.
Grilled Seafood Burgers With Old Bay Mayonnaise
Tender cod and sweet shrimp transform into juicy seafood burgers that are perfect for easy summer grilling. The shrimp do double duty here: They act as a natural binder, eliminating the need for bread crumbs and eggs and giving the burgers a pure seafood essence. They also lend a snappy, firm texture to the patties. A quick cook on the grill imparts great smoky notes that complement the fish, and an Old Bay mayo sauce highlights the seafood flavors even further.
Grilled Vegetables With Spicy Italian Neonata
Summer squash, bell peppers, eggplant and greens are the stars of this greenmarket grill party. The spicy vibrant finishing sauce is inspired by Calabrian neonata, a preserved condiment made with hot peppers and baby fish. The condiment is often drizzled onto pasta, pizza or grilled bread. Here, briny anchovies, salami and olives season the sauce with salty, meaty notes to contrast with the spicy pickled cherry peppers and cool, crunchy celery. The fiery, tangy dressing, which can be made a few hours ahead, provides a lively boost for the smoky, tender veggies. Leftover neonata keeps for a week and makes a great sandwich topping the next day.
Korean Cheeseburgers With Sesame-Cucumber Pickles
These double-stacked cheeseburgers bring all the savory-sweet flavors of grilled Korean barbecue. A garlicky scallion marinade helps build flavor three different ways: stirred into burger mix, brushed on the patties to form a glaze, and combined with mayonnaise to create a special sauce. The burgers are formed into thin patties, set on a baking sheet and broiled for maximum caramelization and weeknight ease. Roasted sesame oil rounds out tangy pickles and bolsters the burger with extra umami.
Sheet-Pan Crispy Pork Schnitzel
Schnitzel is a way of preparing thin slices of meat by breading and frying them until crisp. While the popular Viennese dish is traditionally made with thinly pounded veal, here, pounded pork cutlets are breaded and baked on a sheet pan — rather than fried in a skillet — until golden for an easy weeknight meal. The key to perfectly brown breadcrumbs is the addition of a few dollops of mayonnaise, which helps the coating crisp up during baking. A tangy salad offers fresh and bright notes that balance the rich pork. Look for whole hearts of palm (cylinders rather than sliced) for their firmer texture; the vegetable has a delicate flavor similar to artichokes, with a crunchy-creamy consistency.
Sheet-Pan Salmon and Eggplant With XO Sauce
XO sauce, a prized seafood condiment from Hong Kong, involves frying pricey dried shrimp and scallops with Chinese cured ham and aromatics until jammy and full of umami. This pantry-friendly version uses smoked mussels to replicate the seafood flavor without breaking the bank. The rich, sweet-salty sauce balances fatty salmon and silky eggplant, but the savory condiment has endless uses: Dollop it on scrambled eggs, fried rice, roasted veggies or noodles. Extra sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for one month.
Peanut Butter-Glazed Salmon and Green Beans
This fast and fun weeknight meal reveals an unexpected use for peanut butter, transforming it into a savory five-ingredient sauce. The pantry favorite is combined with tangy lemon juice, fragrant ginger and toasted sesame oil to create a rich, supernutty glaze that pairs well with fatty salmon. Here the salmon is roasted on a rack of green beans, but a bed of broccoli florets would be an excellent alternative. The sweet-salty glaze can be made a day ahead and brought to room temperature before using.
Sheet-Pan Sausage With Spring Onions, Potatoes and Mustard
Fresh spring onions make this effortless sausage and potato sheet-pan supper feel elegant, but you could just as easily use scallions, leeks or nearly any other member of the allium family. The spring onions and potatoes make the perfect bed for roasting: They prop up the sausages so they brown instead of steam, and they absorb the sausage drippings while doing so. A spicy, tangy mustard relish cuts the richness of the sausage and offsets the sweetness of the spring onions. Should you have leftovers, they are excellent tucked between slices of toasted bread smeared with plenty of mayonnaise and more mustard.
Salt and Pepper Shrimp Rolls
Inspired by jiao yan xia, the classic Chinese dish of head-on, fried shrimp finished with a Sichuan or white pepper salt seasoning, these shrimp rolls celebrate the flavors of salt and pepper. Peeled shrimp are seasoned, breaded with cornstarch and fried until super crunchy, then sprinkled with a black pepper-salt. Once cooked, they’re tucked into toasted rolls smeared with a zingy garlic mayo. Fresh cilantro, sliced chile and a squeeze of fresh lime brighten the hearty sandwich. Store any leftover pepper-salt in an airtight container and use it as a seasoning for roasted meats and vegetables.
Connecticut-Style Shrimp Rolls
This speedy seafood dish tucks butter-poached shrimp into warm toasted buns, reminiscent of summer and decadent lobster rolls. The butter sauce is lightly infused with garlic, and a final shower of chives brings mild and fresh onion notes that brighten the rich sauce. Allow the shrimp to simmer in the skillet slowly for the most tender, juicy results. Although chives are a classic choice, dill, parsley, tarragon or basil are all great options.