Craving Mad

Oxtails & Rice

There are certain recipes that are untouchable– this is definitely one of them. I grew up eating oxtails whenever my mom felt like spoiling me. It takes a lot of time and preparation to get them just right, so once I saw those packets emerge from the freezer, I knew not to hold my breath….

The Basics: Risotto

Alright, did you make the stock from last week? Nicceeee. If not, there’s still time! As promised, you’re about to take your skills up a level. Now you’re ready to make a risotto from scratch. I used to watch Chopped, Hell’s Kitchen, and other shows and idolize risotto. Clearly it was the pinnacle of kitchen…

The Basics: Stock

This week, I’m going to walk you through The Basics of another high-yield skill: making stocks. There’s a good chance you’ve got the message by now: don’t waste food! Everything from bones, herb stems– and even onion skins can give you an awesome base for the next meal. Even better– you can freeze it until…

Curry Chicken Schnitzel

What’s been your to-go order of choice so far this year? Chick-Fil-A? Chipotle? Sushi? Either way, it’s kinda easy for it to get boring…especially without all the usual inputs from the outside world. Time to switch things up a little. Next on CM: chicken schnitzel…but make it curry.

5-Spice Pork Chops | Cherry-Lemongrass Coulis

I’ve been really consistent with posts this year, right? Since everything slowed down a few months ago, it almost felt like the early days when I had an endless backlog of ideas, and time to make them! I missed last week, so now I’m trying to catch up. This one is simple, but it’ll surprise…

Asùn: Ondo-Style Grilled Goat

I’ve been psyching you up for this all along. First it was lamb stew, then lamb arepas, and now the real reason you’re here. Have I told you how much I love goat? Somehow I haven’t had it on the blog all this time, but let me tell you–it’s the best. This week on #RonaCooking–I mean…CM,…

“Bánh Mì” Carnitas Tacos

Flashback to 2012– it’s my senior year of high school, and we would do anything to rebel against the “powers that be” during the weeks leading up to graduation. After twelve years of waiting in long lines for terrible school lunches, the simple banh mi became an unconventional lunch time status symbol. My school was…

The Basics: Tomato Sauce

In honor of the second session of Breaking Bread (instagram: @breakingbread.acf) on pasta sauce, I’m going to take you through the basics. You really don’t need much; you just layer fresh- (or preferably canned) tomatoes with herbs, spices, olive oil…and alcohol. Let it simmer until an insanely good sauce comes together. This is just a template!…

Craving Mad 150: Surf & Turf

One-hundred-fifty posts, over three years–not bad, huh? CM has been around since 2017, but the ideas go back way farther. Despite some occasional gaps, it has survived moves, job changes, classes, weddings…and now a pandemic. I’ve managed to get a few weeks ahead, and the ideas keep flowing. Still–I can’t believe that there are 149 other…

Shrimp, Habañero & Green Mango Stir-Fry

I can’t keep mangoes around for long…I usually devour them on sight, and it is never pretty. Seriously, if footage got out, it could jeopardize my professional career. Fun fact: it may actually be genetic, since my dad eats corn like a dinosaur…