lettuce wraps

https://damndelicious.net/2014/05/30/pf-changs-chicken-lettuce-wraps/

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground protein (pork, chicken, or turkey)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
¼ cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon sriracha, optional
1 (8-ounce) can whole water chestnuts, drained and diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 head butter lettuce

Brown rice as side

Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. 

Add ground protein and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, crumble as it cooks; drain excess fat.
Stir in garlic, onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger and Sriracha until onions have become translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
Stir in chestnuts and green onions until tender, about 1-2 minutes

season with salt and pepper, to taste.

To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style.

Serve with rice

Lemon Cookies

https://www.sweetestmenu.com/easy-lemon-cookies/#tasty-recipes-12221

These adapted beautifully with gluten free flour

Makes about 20 cookies

INGREDIENTS
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour OR Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Zest of 1 lemon, freshly grated

Lemon glaze:

icing sugar

lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350

In stand mixer beatbutter and sugar on medium speed until pale and creamy

Add vanilla and egg, beat again

Sift in flour, baking soda, salt

Add lemon juice and zest

Beat briefly to combine

Use cookie scoop to make into balls

Bake at 350 for 15-20+ minutes, when edges just begin to turn golden

Transfer to wire rack to cool

Lemon glaze: Sift icing sugar into mixing bowl then add lemon juice until desired consistency

Coconut rice instant pot

https://littlespicejar.com/5-ingredient-instant-pot-coconut-rice/

Ingredients

2 cups jasmine rice
1 cup unsweetened (full fat) coconut milk
1 ½ cups water
½ - ¾ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
toasted coconut, optional (for topping)


Instructions
RINSE: 

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs completely clear, drain; set aside.
PREP: 

In a bowl, combine the coconut milk, water, salt, and sugar, mix well.
COOK: 

Add the jasmine rice to the pressure cooker. 

Pour the prepared liquid over the rice, close the lid and make sure the vent is sealed. 

Cook the rice on manual ‘high’ pressure for 5 minutes and allow the rice to have a 10-minute natural pressure release. 

After the 10 minutes of natural pressure release, release any remaining steam by turning the knob to 'vent' and fluff the rice using a fork. 

Top with toasted coconut flake and serve warm!

Peanut tofu with coconut cilantro rice

https://www.noracooks.com/peanut-buddha-bowl/

Also see NYTimes variation HERE (adds green onions, red peppers, arugula)

Crispy Baked Tofu

▢(2) 14-ounce blocks extra-firm tofu, pressed

▢3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (tamari for gluten free)
▢2 tablespoons cornstarch

Coconut Rice (instant pot recipe here)

▢2-3 cups uncooked white basmati or jasmine rice
▢1 can full fat coconut milk
▢add whatever water equals 1:1 ratio with rice (plus a little extra water)
▢1/2 tsp salt

▢1-2 tbsp sugar

Peanut Sauce

▢1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
▢1 cup full fat coconut milk
▢2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (tamari for gluten free)
▢2 tablespoons maple syrup
▢2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
▢2 garlic cloves, minced
▢2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)

Optional for serving

▢chopped cilantro, peanuts, red bell pepper
▢steamed kale or broccoli

Instructions

TOFU:
Press the tofu by wrapping in paper towels. Place a plate or pan on top of the wrapped tofu, and put a couple of heavy books on top of that. Let the tofu press for at least 30 minutes if possible and up to an hour. (Skip this step by purchasing firm tofu in a vacuum pack.)
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Slice the tofu into 2 inch squares or rectangles and place in a large bowl. 

Drizzle on the soy sauce and toss gently to combine. 

Sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss to combine, gently (I always use my hands.)
Spray/brush the parchment paper with oil. 

Arrange the tofu pieces evenly on the pan, brush/spray the tops lightly with oil and bake for 25 minutes until crispy and lightly golden brown.

 
RICE: 

See recipe here

RINSE:
Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs completely clear, drain; set aside.
PREP:
In a bowl, combine the coconut milk, water, salt, and sugar, mix well.
COOK:
Add the rice to the pressure cooker.
Pour the prepared liquid over the rice, close the lid and make sure the vent is sealed.
Cook the rice on manual ‘high’ pressure for 5 minutes and allow the rice to have a 10-minute natural pressure release.
After the 10 minutes of natural pressure release, release any remaining steam by turning the knob to 'vent' and fluff the rice using a fork.

PEANUT SAUCE:

In a large pan, add all the sauce ingredients and turn the heat to medium. 

Stir constantly, until smooth and creamy, about 5-10 minutes.
When the tofu is done baking, carefully add it to the pan with the sauce, and stir to coat the tofu pieces.

Serve immediately over the coconut rice, sprinkling peanuts and cilantro on top, if desired.

Thai peanut noodles

https://www.noracooks.com/peanut-noodles/

Peanut sauce

▢1/2 cup natural peanut butter
▢1/2 cup water

▢1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten free
▢2 cloves garlic, minced
▢2 tablespoons fresh lime juice or rice vinegar
▢3 tablespoons agave or brown sugar
▢1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce

The rest

▢8 ounces rice noodles
▢optional: 1 cup shelled edamame
▢1/2 cup chopped cucumbers 
▢1 cup shredded carrots
▢1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
▢2 green onions, chopped
▢1/4 cup chopped cilantro
▢1/4 cup chopped peanuts


Instructions
Peanut Sauce: In a small/medium bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth. Set aside.

Prepare the noodles: Cook your noodles of choice according to the package instructions, then drain.

Combine: To a large bowl, add the cooked noodles, along with the edamame, vegetables and peanuts. Pour in the peanut sauce and stir well. Serve immediately with lime wedges, hot sauce, more chopped peanuts and cilantro, as desired. Enjoy!

Fish tacos and Slaw

Fish tacos:

• Corn tortillas
• Fish filets
• Limes
• Cilantro
• Tomatoes
• Red onion
• Avocado
• Cotija cheese
• Sour cream or crema

Cilantro aioli:

• 2 bunches cilantro
• 2 tbsp onion
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1-2 limes juice

Slaw:

• 1 small head cabbage, shredded
• 3 medium carrots, shredded
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• A little bit of sugar (1-2 tbsp?)
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar

Mix mayo, sugar, vinegar in a bowl
Add in carrots and cabbage, mix
Best when refrigerated for a few hours first . . . can sit in the fridge for days

Chicken for Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken for Caesar Salad

https://www.seriouseats.com/grilled-chicken-caesar-salad-recipe-8656144

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves 
• for salad: romaine and croutons

Directions

Place 1 chicken breast in a resealable plastic bag or between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound chicken breast into an even thickness, about 3/4 inch thick. Repeat with the remaining 5 breasts.

In a large bowl, whisk fish sauce, water, soy sauce, honey, salt, and pepper together. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.

For stovetop griddle/pan: add some oil and cook chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side to brown, then finish in oven at about 375, using thermometer for chicken to hit 165 degrees



Dressing:
Lemon juice (about a whole lemon)
2 parts Mayo
1 part Dijon mustard
Garlic (2 cloves pressed)
Mix all that together then pour in Olive Oil (maybe 4 parts?) slowly while mixing
Add 1 part Anchovy paste
Add grated Parmesan cheese