Not many things better than curling up with a bowl of classic chili and Netflixing, IMHO. I’ve never made chili so many times in my life as I have this past winter season, because not only is it just an amazingly easy thing to batch cook to have delicious leftovers around all week (and leftover chili is often even better!), but also there’s something just so comforting and cozy about these flavors! This easy and flexible recipe is a major household favorite over here.

This non-recipe recipe came from a particularly lazy night at home, when I didn’t feel cooking a whole shishkebab of a meal from scratch. Ironically, this meal is entirely from scratch but it doesn’t feel like it and is the easiest plant-based weeknight dinner that is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Takes 5 ingredients, 15 min to throw together, 20 min if you have my crappy knife skills! Gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free, yet high in protein for a simple pasta dish, thanks to the chickpea pasta!

Whether you are an entrepreneur like me with an unpredictable schedule, a freelancer hustling at home, or someone at an office job, eating healthy meals during the weekday can be challenging. Nothing is worse than also buying a ton of fresh produce in good faith, not use them because of a particularly busy week, and then feel like you’re repeating the same cycle over and over again, right?

Fun fact: I was Banza's OG blogger + recipe developer a few years back when they were still a small, new company (my butternut carbonara is the first recipe on their site and a ton more are on their blog!). It's been really exciting to watch them expand to be a household name now, and I love their fun social media initiatives they do to get people cooking creatively with their chickpea pasta. This month, they're all about #BanzaPlusPlants, and running a fun month-long challenge to cook plant-based dishes. I had been craving a vegan Thai curry dish, so this was the perfect opportunity to try combining some new flavors!

I have been waiting forever to make this post for you guys! Bone broth is something I had been sipping and slurping since I was a teeny thang, thanks to my Korean roots. In Korean culture, that silky, rich broth is a go-to for cold weather days, sick days, and days after a rough night out. I didn't realize this back then, but bone broth is ridiculously nutrient dense and healthy. 

Bone broth is also one of the foods I credit for helping heal my gut health and managing my inflammation from my autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's), thanks to the abundance of collagen and minerals that get extracted out of those grass-fed bones. So I was...

I'm that crazy person that thinks of their meals as a grocery cart from those old game shows where contestants would race to fill their carts with as many items as possible in 2 minutes. Whenever I make myself food at home, I think of any and all weird ways that I can boost the nutritional components of it in a delicious way-- it's like a game for me! I especially do this with smoothies, salads, and soups, because they're such easy vehicles for a variety of ingredients. This healing, gut-friendly, anti-inflammatory bone-broth based mushroom super soup is one of my favorites lately when my body is in need of easy nourishment. 

Now that the new year has begun and everyone is in full-fledged health mode, this is also the time to remember that sustainably healthy eating should be delicious, fulfilling, and convenient. 

Meal preparation doesn't have to be all about that tupperware or steamed chicken. Especially after your body is still likely used to the heartier eating over the holidays, it's more realistic to not go from full family dinners with no holds on the butter to steamed dry chicken and bland asparagus. Eventually, that will usually lead you to dive headfirst into something not so desirable for your health goals-- I think we've all been there! Enter this roasted cranberry orange maple chicken that keeps things healthy but is...

Healthy, simple butternut squash purée. 

That's all I was craving a few weeks ago, as you might've seen on my Insta. While I've shared my recipe for a butternut squash carbonara (w/sage-maple bacon!) before, I've never shared my super easy and quick recipe to throw together a delicious butternut squash purée.

This butternut purée is one of my favorite things to throw together on a weeknight because it doesn't require preciseness on cooking technique/spices or hovering over the stove, and it's also so versatile for the many different ways you can eat it.

Happy Monday, everyone! 

Oh this weekend was most certainly filled with goodness.

Celebrated one of my best friend's birthday, another one of other best friend got engaged the day before her birthday, I got to catch up with several friends, do lots of walking around in gorgeous NYC fall weather, AND finally checked off an...

Ugh. These Black and Bolyard boys are killing me with their recipes! First it was the bay leaf brown butter penne with pancetta, asparagus, and mushrooms, and now this ridiculous dish. 

I admit- looking at the ingredients, I may not have picked it off a restaurant menu for myself. Lime and basil aren't usually my thing, combining those sweeter flavors in a savory dish. But I would have sorely missed out, because ...

In the midst of all the craziness in my life lately, I can't remember how long it had been since I simply followed and cooked a recipe for myself with no intention of photographing it. 

When things are overwhelming and there is a lot happening in life threatening to make me feel like I'm drowning, I always go back to the drawing board of what makes me feel grounded. My daily non-negotiables become even more important to adhere to, and making...

The sticky and humid days of NYC make me just want ice cream. And loads of fresh greens and summery salads. They're kind of the same thing, right?

Truth be told, NYC humid summer days are just like anywhere else that gets hot in the summer in the U.S.-- the only reason that we residents yap on and on about it is the fact that...

Ever since I first tried classic cold zaru soba with my Dad when I was eleven years old, I have loved them so much and will always take that over udon or other classic Asian noodles when given the choice. Something about the heartiness of buckwheat in a refreshingly cold dish is perfect for summertime...

While planning my trip out to L.A., my friend told me that I could not miss this amazing chain called Lemonade. Have you all heard of it? 

Whenever a friend recommends a restaurant or place to grab food, it usually comes with a...

I have long been a fangirl of brown butter. It's my secret (well, now not so secret) ingredient in my famous classic chocolate chip cookies, and there is nothing better than that toasty, rich flavor of brown butter married to carbs. 

What exactly is brown butter for those of you who are unaware of this magic? Basically, you...

Oh boy, it's been awhile since I've posted a dinner recipe on here! As I mentioned in last Monday's post, I've been staying pretty basic and boring in the kitchen for my main meals out of convenience and paying more attention to budget. Buuuut it's time to spice things up! 

I've become a tad obsessive about...

You're probably all nursing post-Easter sugar/chocolate hangovers right now, and simultaneously seeing all those gym ads reminding you that summer is just around the corner. This recipe is something that is going to both make your tastebuds and your body happy! 

For a girl who loves to cook, I can be extremely lazy and prefer convenience over elaborate. Lately, I've been making a big effort to cook mostly at home for...

Even though Spring weather is starting to make occasional appearances here in NYC, I'm still mostly craving chilly weather foods-- namely, soup. The thing is, I'm kind of picky about my soups, but the ones I grew up loving (creamy ones, like chowder) aren't always the healthiest. 

My Vitamix has been a source of magic in my kitchen since I got it over the holidays. I was a bit skeptical about...