This tofu makes a great appetizer or entree.
There’s a feeling of satisfaction in doing something yourself. When it comes to cooking, I’m especially proud of myself when I make my own chicken broth, use my own homegrown herbs or bake my own bread. To me, these are basics that every home cook should know. On top of that, it’s important to support your community; it ensures quality products and sustains local agriculture and markets. Alexandra’s Kitchen revolves around the same beliefs. There’s a sense of trust that exists in Alexandra’s writing, an honesty that’s reflected in the way she depicts her every day life and her approach to food and cooking. She’s a proponent for eating locally and for purchasing humanely raised meat and dairy. Her Eating Locally section contains some great tips on how to go about it yourself. There’s also an Essentials section where you can find tutorials and videos on cooking basics like how to cut up a whole chicken, as well as foundation recipes like how to make artisan bread (in five minutes!). You can even learn how to build a cinderblock garden, for those interested in growing your own vegetables.
Not everyone is a tofu fan. It took me a while but now I love it, especially when prepared in a unique and exciting way like this Warm Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce (adapted from Gourmet). This soy sauce-based dish is delicious, is super easy to make, and doesn’t cost much. And did you notice how sexy it looks? (Sexy tofu definitely deserves a try.) You can portion it out as an appetizer or have it as an entree; I had it for lunch served over jasmine rice.
Kale chips are addictive and keep you craving more.
It’s impossible to escape kale these days. It’s the Wonder Woman of vegetables and its health benefits are touted everywhere. Kale chips are the latest craze and Alexandra decided to see what the hype was about and shared this simple, yet addictive, recipe for Kale Chips. Don’t do what I did and pile the leaves into an overcrowded high mound—I was being a piggy and wanted more. These are as incredible as everyone says they are. My husband and I ate them directly off the pan because we couldn’t be bothered to stop eating to grab a plate and dine like proper people.
These mouth-watering ribs only take 5 minutes to prepare.
These ribs made my carnivorous heart sing. Appropriately dubbed The Easiest Ribs You’ll Ever Make they take mere minutes to prepare. You’d have to be seriously unmotivated not to try this recipe. Sweet, slightly smoky and fall-off-the-bone tender, it’ll be a recipe you’ll visit often, whether it’s to feed friends or just the family. Like many of her recipe posts, Alexandra includes a side dish along with the main. Her recipe for buttermilk cornbread sounds like the perfect accompaniment for the ribs, and I’ll definitely be making them the next time. See, that’s what trust does. It makes you commit without even knowing.
All photos courtesy of Alexandra's Kitchen.
