International Dinner Recipes
The Chicken Pesto Sandwich: A Journey from Kitchen Disaster to Comfort Food Staple The first time I tried to make a chicken pesto sandwich, I was confidently convinced I was set to impress my then-boyfriend (now, wonderful husband, Dave) with my culinary prowess. I bought all the fancy ingredients — fresh basil, the best pine … Read more
The Comfort of Home: How Bok Choy Chicken Soup Became My Family’s Go-To The first time I tried to make chicken soup, I was overwrought with the kind of enthusiasm you usually reserve for a long-awaited holiday. I had grand plans, armed with my mother’s old cookbook (complete with flour fingerprints—thanks, Mum!) and a kettle … Read more
Lemon Pizza: A Slice of Sunshine The first time I unexpectedly found myself standing over a bubbling pizza oven, my kitchen looked like a flour bomb had exploded. I was frantically rolling out dough and juggling toppings that didn’t quite belong together. “Why do I even try cooking?” I thought, half-wondering if takeout would have … Read more
Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl: A Personal Journey The first time I made this Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Picture me in the kitchen, pots clattering, kids bickering in the background, and the rice bubbling over (why does that always happen?). I was desperately … Read more
Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet: My Go-To Weeknight Warrior Triumph The first time I tried to make this dish, I was knee-deep in a mountain of laundry, juggling dinner and the kid’s homework, and everything was just a little too much—like, "did I really put laundry detergent in the wrong load?" level of chaos. … Read more
Jalapeno Popper Twists: A Spicy Twist on Comfort Food The first time I tried to make these Jalapeno Popper Twists, it wasn’t a glorious success. In fact, it was a comedy of errors that left my kitchen looking like a tornado had hit it. I had a fancy dinner planned to impress my friend Lisa, … Read more
Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini Pasta: A Comfort Dish with a Twist The first time I attempted to whip up my version of Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini Pasta, it didn’t exactly go as planned. Imagine me, a confused cook with my hair in a messy bun, frantically stirring a bubbling pot as I realised I didn’t actually have … Read more
The Heartwarming Bowl of Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo: A Comfort Food Tradition The first time I attempted to make this dish, things went hilariously awry. You wouldn’t believe how many pots, pans, and spoons I managed to ruin. (Thank you, smoke detector!) My then-teenage daughter, Lily, walked in just in time to witness my … Read more
Asian-Style Tuna Cakes with Spicy Mayo: A Memory on a Plate The first time I tried to make tuna cakes, let’s just say it was a complete disaster. Picture this: a young, inexperienced cook (me) standing in my cramped kitchen—a can of tuna in hand, staring at a recipe that seemed to require a degree … Read more
Comfort in a Bowl: The Story Behind My Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole The first time I tried to make this casserole, I cried—like, ugly cried. I’m not talking a single tear rolling down my cheek; I’m talking full-on, why-is-there-flour-in-my-hair sobbing. You see, it was a rainy Tuesday evening a few years back, and I was … Read more
