OMG a Recipe: Summer-Greens... Make Me Feel Fiiiine....

I must be crazy from the heat, giving all the post titles musical themes. I blame you, Blazing Orb of Fire in the Sky. I BLAME YOU.
  When I'm not completely losing my shiznit over how hot it gets, I put my braincells to work, trying to make meals that take advantage of the abundance of garden greens. And note, none of these are salads!

Carrot "bolognese" with spaghetti. And yes, kale. - Photo by Wasabi Prime

UnRecipe: Asian Creature of Habit

A friend had mentioned, just based on the endless photos I post on the social media-verse, that I pretty much cook only Asian food. Really? Is that the cuisine profile most people associate me with?? (blog name notwithstanding) I'm sure I've cooked other things! I thought about it for a bit and realized, jeeze, it really has been a while since I've cooked a meat loaf or anything the average American/Western European would consider "dinner." Not that cooking primarily Asian cuisine is a bad thing -- 1.3 billion Chinese can't be wrong -- it's just interesting to get an outsider's perspective of what's cookin', if all you saw was a social media feed of what's on the menu. So the unsurprising truth is OUT: I'm totally an Asian Creature of Habit when it comes to cooking. Apologies to Mr. Wasabi, who probably just wants a grilled cheese sandwich now and then.

Even when it's not Asian food, it looks like fried rice or stir fry - Photo by Wasabi Prime

UnRecipe: Medite-grainian Salad and All Things Green

I get a little bit of culture shock when warmer weather hits and I have to change my cooking habits. It's hard for me to transition from months of slow-cooked stews, hearty soups and spicy stir frys to meals where I should probably limit the use of the stove, just to keep the house from any additional heat. Salads are an obvious choice, but I need a transitional dish, something that could be eaten warm or cold, with a lot of the flavors that transport my palate to a summery state of mind. Mediterranean style dishes always work for me -- perfectly fresh and summery, but a hearty enough meal that doesn't leave you feeling hungry later. 

Grains, vegetables and beans, with a Mediterranean flavor - Photo by Wasabi Prime