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Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes, Salads, Seafood

Tuna Pasta with Mayo

This Creamy Tuna Pasta with Mayo Recipe is made with egg noodles and is super easy to make and the perfect dish for those who loves sweet pickles in there salad.

Wanting more canned tuna or salmon pasta recipes to try? Check out my Salmon and kale pasta salad or Canned Salmon Pasta Salad

My Tuna Pasta with mayo is a simple inexpensive meal that is packed full of protein and vitamins.

You can add just about any type of veggie you have on hand to this dish such as broccoli, cauliflower, peas etc. However, when I make it I make it just like this with sweet pickles.

It serves best cold, however you can serve it warm if your in a hurry and it tastes very good still.

Looking for a Awesome drink recipe to serve with this salad?

Try my “Raspberry sweet tea” that is made with agave nectar or honey.

SUMMER 🙂 means picnics and or easy fresh homemade salads for me.

This salad just works!

The addition of the lemon juice really enhances this salad even more and contrasts the sweetness from the pickles.

If you like sweet things your going to love this as the sweet pickles as it really give it that extra something special. 

Of course however you can use garlic pickles instead if you prefer, it’s your pasta salad after all.

LOOKING FOR OTHER SUMMER SALAD RECIPES?

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Salads, Skip the takeout, Vinaigrettes and Dressings

Vietnamese Beef Vermicelli Salad (bun bo xao)

This simple to make Vietnamese Beef Vermicelli Salad, also known as bun bo xao, is a traditional salad that is served with a dressing called Nuoc Mam. And is a very popular dish that is served across most of Vietnam and even Thailand which has slight variations. 

Looking for another way to make this tasty dish. Then be sure to also try my Vietnamese Shrimp Bowls!

BEEF THAI SALAD DRESSING

Is called “Nuoc Mam” sauce which is a sweet, salty, sour and spicy.

What kind of Beef to Make Thai Beef Salad

You want to use a good quality beef such as sirloin steak. You can purchase it pre-cut or slice it yourself to marinade. 

VIETNAMESE MARINADE FOR BEEF

  1. Start by slicing your beef into thin strips
  2. Place in a bowl and toss in either freshly sliced lemongrass or pureed lemon grass, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, soy sauce
  3. Mix and marinade a minimum of one hour in the fridge. 

NOTE the more sugar the sweeter the beef will be 

How to make Nuoc Mam / Vietnamese Salad Dressing

  1. 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  2. 1/2 cup cold water
  3. 1 lime (juiced)
  4. 2 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
  5. 1/4 cup fish sauce
  6. 3 tbsp sugar
  7. 1 red chili (de-seeded and sliced, or substitute 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or Sriracha)

This makes enough for roughly 2 people. 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli 

HOW TO MAKE  VIETNAMESE VERMICELLI SALAD

Bun Bo Xao 

  • You will want to make two marinades, one for the beef and one for the sauce that you will serve alongside these bowls.
  • Fresh lemongrass is very important here for the beef marinade, it gives it that really intense lemon taste. So be sure to get your hands on a few stocks or a simple pre-made one that you will simply place into the marinade.
  • The longer you marinade the beef the better. If your making it for dinner then simply marinate it in the morning or the night prior. Then basically the rest of the dish can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes. Easy peazy!

What makes these rice bowls so good is the fresh ingredients and the authentic Vietnamese Salad Dressing that it is served with.

WHAT IS VIETNAMESE SALAD DRESSING

It is a traditional dressing that is used on almost every type of Vietnamese salad dish and the recipe can be found below. It serves very well over cold salads, that are then topped with a marinated then grilled meat protein of your liking.

Want to try some THAI FOOD? 

Sweet Thai Chili Chicken

 Thai Red Crab Curry

Thai Basil Mussels

Red Thai Chicken Curry

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood

Lobster Ravioli Sauce Recipe

This Lobster Ravioli Sauce Recipe is made by simmering a lobster shell in heavy cream and tomato puree along with onion, garlic, parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings. 

Sauce for Lobster Ravioli is best served with your favorite ravioli. Personally, I like 3 cheese ravioli pasta. However it really works with just about any type. Also this recipe serves 2 people, want to serve more simply double it up!

WHICH SAUCE FOR LOBSTER RAVIOLI

You can serve it in a red sauce or white sauce.

HOW TO MAKE BUTTER SAUCE FOR LOBSTER RAVIOLI

You make it the same way as this recipe, however omit the tomatoes. You can find that recipe here, please note that I used 2 lobster when sharing that recipe. Here is my recipe for Butter Lobster Sauce which is excellent also.

CAN YOU USE RED SAUCE FOR LOBSTER RAVIOLI

Of course and this recipe does with the addition of the tomato puree.

WHAT DOES LOBSTER BUTTER SAUCE TASTE LIKE

If you have ever been to Red Lobster and order a lobster tail with butter on the side. This sauce will remind you of just that with the addition of cream, garlic and cheese.

Honestly, two steaks could cost more than this recipe. Even though its Lobster this recipe does not have to break the bank.

I actually picked up two pre cooked frozen Lobsters for $10 a piece. So making this sauce costs around 20$ dollars and we all know adding pasta to it is not that expensive at all. Enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE SAUCE FOR LOBSTER RAVIOLI 

  • The sauce is made from the lobster shell that is first simmered in heavy cream and seasonings.
  • Once that has simmered you will remove the shell and season with parmesan cheese and garnish with a lemon.

CAN YOU USE ALFREDO SAUCE FOR LOBSTER RAVIOLI

You can however, I would advice to omit the tomatoes and half it with the cream.

 

Dinner ideas, Seafood

Wild Rice Tuna Casserole

This Wild Rice Tuna Casserole is something different from the average chicken and noodle casserole recipes you will find out there. This dish is very satisfying, both as a side or a main dish. 

You can prepare this dish with chicken, turkey or hamburger as well or make vegetarian, all four ways are amazing. 

However it’s best made with a good quality wild rice  mixture. 

The more natural the better since these types of rice blends contains many nutrients that other processed rice would not.

The panko crumbs and cheese topping give it that nice crunch so do not skip that combination. It makes this recipe divine! 

I like to use my Dutch oven for this recipe, if you do not have a Dutch oven then feel free to use a sauteing pan and then a casserole dish once it ready to go into the oven.  

Some people like to add grated cheese over top before baking, i don’t. And that is because i prefer the earthy taste of the dish, I encourage you to try it this way = delicious.

Our family’s favorite wild rice blend comes from Costco 

If you end up giving this a give it a try, I would love to know how you liked it. Bon Appetit!

Note: Instead of green peppers add, celery or peas.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe I’d love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out.Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

 

 

Quick and easy recipes, Salads, Seafood, Skip the takeout

Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio (Vietnamese Shrimp Bowl)

Craving Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio (Vietnamese Shrimp Salad) but don’t want to go out to a restaurant? Then your going to love this quick and easy recipe. 

Want to make it with grilled Chicken? Try this recipe Thai Chicken Vermicelli salad

What Does Cha Gio Mean?

It means Vermecelli Thai noodles that are also topped with spring rolls. 

Try adding fresh herbs for brightness, flavor, and nutrition. 

Such as chopped cilantro or mint leaves.

WHAT IS VIETNAMESE SALAD

Vietnamese Noodle Salad is served with warm or cool noodles, fresh cold vegetables and grilled meats or meat of your liking. Typically grilled pork, shrimp or beef. The noodles are always Vermicelli rice noodles that come with a light Thai inspired sauce. 

It’s fresh, filling and just like they serve in Thai restaurants.

HOW TO MAKE VERMICELLI SALAD

  • You will want to make two marinades, one for the chicken and one for the sauce that you will serve alongside these bowls.
  • Fresh lemongrass is very important here for the chicken marinade, it gives it that really intense lemon taste. So be sure to get your hands on a few stocks that you will simply chop and place into the marinade.
  • The longer you marinade the chicken the better. 

What makes these rice bowls so good is the fresh ingredients and the Thai marinade.

VIETNAMESE NOODLE SALAD DRESSING

  1. 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  2. 1/2 cup cold water
  3. 1 lime (juiced)
  4. 2 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
  5. 1/4 cup fish sauce
  6. 3 tbsp sugar
  7. 1 red chili (de-seeded and sliced, or substitute 2 teaspoons chili flakes or Sriracha)

NOTE: If you are able to let it marinate in the fridge the better and you can add some lime leaves for extra flavor if desired. If not the lime juice tastes similar. 

WHAT IS IN A VERMICCILI SALAD

  • Carrots, cucumbers, shredded iceberg lettuce and a meat protein of your liking.
  • Thai marinade and sauce. 

Feel free to add some “beans sprouts” alongside the julienne carrots, cucumber and the shredded iceberg lettuce if desired.  

LIKE THAI FOOD AS MUCH AS ME? 

Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes on this website!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Salads, Seafood, Skip the takeout

Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli with Shrimp

This Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli with Shrimp also know as (Goi Tom Thit) and is delicious cold salad. That comes with an authentic Vietnamese dipping sauce that is poured over top to serve.

Find my Thai dipping sauce recipe here Vietnamese salad dressing (nuoc mam) recipe

Vietnamese salad vermicelli with shrimp is a popular and delicious dish to enjoy on a hot summer night. 

Wanting more delicious Thai recipes? There is plenty on my blog such as  Vietnamese Shrimp plating with Spring Rolls, Sweet Thai Chili Chicken, Thai Red Crab Curry, Thai Basil Mussels or this Red Thai Chicken Curry

The combination of rice vermicelli, fresh herbs and shrimp make the salad an incredibly flavorful and refreshing mix. In this blog post, we show you how to make it from scratch and turn it into a complete meal.

This light, flavorful Vietnamese salad vermicelli salad can be customized with different ingredients or toppings to create different flavors every time. It’s also a great way to get in some nutritious vegetables and seafood, making it a healthy and delicious meal.

WHAT IS SHRIMP VIETNAMESE NOODLE SALAD CALLED

Goi Tom Thit in Vietnamese

What You’ll Need to Make Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli with Shrimp and Vietnamese Salad Dressing 

  1. One pot for boiling the Vermicelli Rice Noodles
  2. Strainer for the rice noodles
  3. Cutting board and knife for the veggies
  4. Small bowl to make the Vietnamese Sauce for the salad
  5. Marinade bowl for the Shrimp
  6. Frying pan to make the Shrimp 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli with Shrimp and Vietnamese Salad Dressing 

HOW TO MAKE VERMICELLI SALAD

  • You will want to make two marinades, one for the chicken and one for the sauce that you will serve alongside these bowls.
  • Fresh lemongrass is very important here for the chicken marinade, it gives it that really intense lemon taste. So be sure to get your hands on a few stocks that you will simply chop and place into the marinade.
  • The longer you marinade the chicken the better. If your making it for dinner then simply marinate it in the morning or the night prior. Then basically the rest of the dish can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes. 

What makes these rice bowls so good is the fresh ingredients and the authentic Vietnamese Salad Dressing.

WHAT IS VIETNAMES SALAD DRESSING

It is a traditional dressing that is used on almost every type of Vietnamese salad dish and that recipe can be found below. It serves very well over cold salads, that are then topped with a marinated then grilled meat protein of your liking.

VIETNAMESE SALAD DRESSING

Also know as “Nuoc Mam” sauce which is a sweet, sour and spicy dressing.

  1. 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  2. 1/2 cup cold water
  3. 1 lime (juiced)
  4. 2 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
  5. 1/4 cup fish sauce
  6. 3 tbsp sugar
  7. 1 red chili (de-seeded and sliced, or substitute 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or Sriracha)

Substitute for Nuoc Mam sauce?

Soya sauce mixed with some red hot chili pepper flakes

WHAT IS IN A VERMICCILI SALAD

  • Carrots, cucumbers, fresh herbs such as cilantro, shredded iceberg lettuce and a meat protein of your liking.
  • Thai marinade and Vietnamese salad dressing

Feel free to add other veggies such as Beans sprouts, fresh herbs, jalapeno peppers. 

IS VIETNAMESE SALAD HEALTHY

Yes, it is packed full of fresh vegetables and herbs along with a lean protein such as shrimp

Keep in mind though the soya sauce and fish sauce has a high sodium content so you may want to use a lighter soya sauce or less dressing on your salad.

HERE ARE A FEW MORE POPULAR DISHES FROM THIS SITE!

Sweet Thai Chili Chicken

 Thai Red Crab Curry

Thai Basil Mussels

Red Thai Chicken Curry

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Dinner ideas, Easy Ramen Recipes, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood, Skip the takeout

Instant Shrimp Ramen Noodles recipe

This Instant Shrimp Ramen Noodles recipe is made with shrimp, mushrooms and green onions and a package of your favorite ramen noodles.

I dont know about you but Ramen Noodles are a comfort food to me.

I do not eat them all the time, however whenever the craving hits.

I like to make them just like this!

Now this is not the type of ramen noodles that you will find from a local street vendor in Japan.

No that stock is simmered all day long and those noodles are made from scratch.

However here in North America, this is the next best thing if you ask me. 

ARE SHRIMP RAMEN NOODLES GOOD

Of course, if you love ramen noodles and shrimp.

Then your going to love adding them together to make this delicious and simply quick dish.

How can these Shrimp Ramen noodles be adjusted you ask?

  • You can choose which type of ramen noodles to use ” I like to use plain old Ichiban Noodles”
  • You can choose to omit the spices that come with those Ichiban noodles and use low sodium soya sauce instead.
  • You can also choose which vegetables you add to the noodles.
  • You can choose the level of spice as well, by adding more or less of the red chili paste. 

Lastly, you can choose other meats to add. Such as sliced beef, pork or even an egg.

These are your noodles after all 🙂

This dish can be ready in less than 20 minutes, easy and delicious! 

And is made with shrimp, mushrooms and green onions.

Along with Ichiban ramen noodles that are simmered in a garlic, ginger sauce that you’re sure to enjoy.

HOW TO MAKE SHRIMP RAMEN NOODLES

You can use plain ramen noodles instead of the Ichiban variety.

However if you do then you will want to use seafood stock in replace of the water along with 1 tsp to 1 tbso of soya sauce as well. 

My recipe simply uses the pre packaged ichiban seasoning with 2 cups of water.

Your method to preparing this is totally up to you!! 

The kind I used – feel free to use plain ramen noodles and omit the water for STOCK.

WHAT DOES SHRIMP RAMEN NOODLES TASTE LIKE

They taste a lot like any ramen just with a seafood taste added to them!

I have always loved ramen noodles, I have tried almost every kind.

My favorite is ichiban and that is why I used them in this recipe.

However if your trying to limit your salt intake then you can substitute the seasoning that comes in that ramen package and use vegetable, chicken or seafood stock instead.

WHERE DO RAMEN NOODLES ORIGINATE 

The origins of ramen noodles originated from Japan however the Chinese are the ones who brought it over in the mid 1800’s making this recipe more Chinese. 

If you end up giving it a try I would love to hear what you think of it in the comments below. 

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! You can give a 5 star rating below if would make it again. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood, Skip the takeout

Steamed Dim Sum Recipe

This Steamed Dim Sum Recipe is just like the dumplings you would order in your favorite Asian restaurant and are served with a savory chili oil sauce that is all ready in less than 15 minutes! 

Serve alongside a Chinese Dipping Sauce for extra umami taste!

This is the Ultimate skip the take out dish that can be made at home for a fraction of the cost.

You can use almost any type of frozen dim sum for this recipe. I used shrimp dim sum and found it in my local grocery store in the freezer isle.

You can also find more varieties in most Asian markets. 

DIP in a savory or sweet sauce for the Ultimate flavor explosion. 

How to Cook Frozen Dim Sum

  • You will want to start with a package of pre-made dim sum dumplings that are frozen
  • Then simply place them into a bamboo steamer
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil then turn down to a medium boil and place the steamer overtop of the pot
  • You do not want the water touching the steamer (per say) as it may burn the wood. 
  • Steam for 10 minutes till cooked! 
  • You know there cooked once they are soft and hot in the middle.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce if desired!

WHAT’S DUMPLING SAUCE CALLED

There are different names such as Soya sauce dumpling sauce, Sweet Chili dumpling sauce etc.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe I’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!