Grilled Rosemary, Sea Salt, and Virgin Olive Oil Flatbread

And now for something completely different... as you can probably see, I have been on a bit of an east asian food kick lately.  Best to mix things up a bit!  Since I recently had access to a grill, I thought I'd try my hand at some grilled flatbreads. These are warm, fluffy, and lightly seasoned with rosemary, sea salt, and tiny pools of olive oil goodness. This recipe uses a modified version of my basic pizza dough (using bread flour...

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Korean Fried Chicken Strips

Spicy and uniquely flavored by a gochujang paste-based sauce, these crispy chicken strips are a great (and fairly simple) homemade version of Korean fried chicken wings.  I had been meaning to make Korean fried chicken for years now.  However, I have to remember that I want to make it in advance of a trip to Chinatown... and I finally remembered!  If you do not have a Chinatown and your supermarket's international food section is...

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Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki

I made Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki a couple months ago.  And then a million times over since then.  We are crazy for Okonomiyaki!  It is not quite like anything I've ever eaten or cooked before.  Familiar flavors, such as the savory pancake and noodles mix with the smokey katsuobushi (bonito fish flakes) and Okonomi sauce which were new to me! I highly recommend heading here for a step-by-step guide to...

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Grilled Salmon Bento

My husband and I have been greedily trying Japanese food all over London, as we simply cannot get enough!  However, that is an expensive hobby, so at some point we had to start doing our best to reproduce some of the wonderful food we've tried at home.  The recipe for rice balls (below) makes a great vegetarian side dish or would be good for little (or picky!) fingers! Grilled Teriyaki Salmon and Greens Salad You will need: 1/4 cup...

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Bacon Bourbon Burger

It is time for summer and cookouts!  Well... soon. Very soon.  I may have jumped the gun a bit with a new burger recipe!  As this recipe is focused around the sauce, I will, perhaps once again, jump the gun and assume if you are reading this you already know how to cook a burger, form burger patties, and grill or fry up bacon. You will need: 4 burger patties, seasoned and formed but not cooked 8 thick cut bacon rashers, cooked 4...

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Ginger-Sake Fried Chicken Bites

This recipe is basically a knockoff of Chicken Karaage.  It utilises the intense ginger flavors and the warming sake typical of Chicken Karaage.  However, I have spun the authentic recipe to my own tastes and way of cooking (for example, I prefer to cook with chicken breast, instead of thighs).  This chicken is extremely tasty, juicy, addictive, and palatable to many picky eaters! You will need for marinade: 4 medium chicken breasts...

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Cinnamon Milk

I love Cinnamon Milk!  It is a quick and easy thing to make, but always well-received by guests and family!  It is especially great in the summer or after some spicy food.  Cinnamon Milk is ice cold, refreshing, and sweet! You will need: 3 cups rice milk 3 cups almond milk 3 cinnamon sticks 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (and extra for garnish) 1/3 cup sugar In a heavy saucepan, combine all ingredients.  Break up the cinnamon sticks...

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Steamed Buns (Chili-Lime Beef or Battered Fish w/ Sriracha Sauce)

This recipe is also perfect for picky eaters, as you can fill them any way an individual desires! Recipes: Recipe for chili lime sauce for beef (Under Lime and Chili Marinade) Recipe for Sriracha Cream Sauce Recipe for battered fish from Jamie Oliver (ignore the chips and mushy peas) For the buns you will need: 1/2 package dried yeast 1/2 cup water (between 120° F–130° F /49° C–55° C) 2 cups flour (suggest using low-gluten bun flour,...

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Angry Pig Fries

I wasn't going to put this up, as it is not much of a recipe.  However, it got quite a reaction!  So I submit to you, Angry Pig Fries. You will need: 1 roasting tray of fries (I chose curly and seasoned) 2/3 cup grated mature cheddar cheese 400g pulled pork, prepared or leftovers Hot sauce of choice (we used Louisiana, but Sriracha might be amazing as well) If you need to prepare the pulled pork, do so first and set aside.  Do...

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Soy, Honey, and Brown Sugar-Glazed Roast Sweet Potatoes

This super sweet and sticky side dish makes a wonderful addition to a meal!  It is particularly good with fried foods and roasts (and would therefore be a great addition to a Thanksgiving or holiday meal). It is so hard to stop eating this all in one go!  It's also easy on your budget and goes down well with picky eaters. You will need: 3 medium sweet potatoes 1 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1/8 tsp Worcestershire sauce Honey for...

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

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Eggnog Truffles

I loooveed the idea of making something with eggnog this year and finally settled on this! I toyed with the idea of making a white chocolate and eggnog ganache for the inside, however, due to white chocolate's low melting point and adding in the liquid of the eggnog I decided to go with a method sometimes used in fudge making, using marshmallow fluff! However, if you sub some of the cream in a ganache with eggnog I still feel like it might work?...

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Tangy Peanut-Ginger Slaw

I realised that I haven't uploaded many side dishes to this site.  The first recipe I'd like to formally present as a side dish is one of my husband's favorites, my tangy peanut-ginger slaw.  It is lighter than regular coleslaw, but just as easy to prepare. You will need: 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage 1/2 cup shredded white cabbage 2 Tbsp thinly sliced spring onions 1/4 cup julienned carrots 1 tsp peanut butter 2 tsp dark soy sauce 1...

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New Christmas Tag!

I know that the header photo for this should be food related, but look how festive she is!  Whimsical Cookery has a new Christmas tag for the holidays.  I come from a background of enthusiastic and obsessive Christmas holiday baking and cooking, however I'm sure most of these recipes would suit any holiday your family celebrates!  CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT Alternatively, it can be found in the Dessert drop down menu. I'd like...

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Sriracha Cream Sauce

This recipe has been so enjoyed in our house I thought it warranted it's own post!  Sriracha cream sauce is good on almost anything.  A dip for chicken, a sauce for fried fish tacos, a sauce for salmon, a mayo-replacement in a sandwich, or as a salad cream, it's all good!  It is extremely versatile and makes almost anything extra-delicious!!  This recipe is made from an amalgamation of sriracha sauces I've found online.  This....

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Pondering Mole Sauces

I'm not even going to pretend that I know the secret to an authentic mole sauce recipe.  I have perused many recipes and have transformed them into something that suits my taste. Top mole recipes: Thick and flavorful, by AllRecipes Dark and rich, by Nick via Macheesmo Nice and comparatively simple, by EatingWell Interesting flavors and a bit different by Juliann Esquivel via Just A Pinch As you can see, there are so many different...

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Weeknight Fried Chicken 'n Biscuits w/ Sriracha-Honey Butter (USA)

Chicken and biscuits are always a crowd pleaser.  Alas, I did not come up with the beautiful recipe for Sriracha-Honey Butter.  It was found here, by Rachel Ray.  However, this is a great recipe to make on a weeknight when you are in a hurry! Looking for a healthier version?  No problem.  Substitute the fried chicken for grilled chicken.  And substitute the butter for margarine. You will need: 4 Country fried chicken...

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Peanut Butter Silk and Fudge Pie

There are two ways of making this diner favorite, an express way, and from scratch.  To make the crust from scratch, simply crush oreos (or the chocolate biscuit part of the oreo) until you have 1 1/4 cup, combine with a spot of melted butter and press into the base of your pan.  This is baked for about 5 minutes at 350F/175C. The second bit that can be made from scratch is the chocolate fudge.  Chocolate fudge is not difficult...

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

Yes, it's that time of year when everyone tries to figure out what is in Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte and debate about whether there is real pumpkin in it (there is not, but what is 100% honest and natural these days anyways?).  If you don't have £4 to drop on one, why not make your own? Pumpkin hint for Londoners: Libby's tinned pumpkin can be found at Whole Foods if you are struggling to find it in your local supermarket.  I've...

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Turkey Salisbury Steak

A perfect, quick, and healthy version of a childhood comfort food! You will need: 300g (3/4 lb) Turkey Breast Mince 1 small egg 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs 1/4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/4 tsp garlic powder --- 1 1/2 Tbsp all purpose flour1/2 tsp pepper1/2 cup skimmed milk1 cup hot water 2 beef oxo (bouillon) cubes 1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil 225g (about 9 oz) white mushrooms Note: Recipe assumes...

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Personal Deep-Dish Pizzas

I broke out my mini springform pan again, this time for a savory recipe!  Personal Deep-Dish Pizzas! As it is a pizza, you can put any fillings you want in it.  What follows are some filling suggestions and then a general recipe. Filling suggestions: Chicken + Crispy Bacon + BBQ Sauce + Mozzarella Fresh Basil + Fresh Tomatoes + Tomato Sauce +  Pepperoni + Mozzarella + Parmesan Shavings (top) Pepperoni + Spicy Sausage + Tomato...

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Disgustingly Delicious: Pt. 2

Okay, so there is a part 2. Because I have no self control. I've actually seen comedians mocking this on multiple TV shows. The Buffalo Crunch Donut by Tim Horton's is described as yeast-based doughnut drenched in buffalo-style chicken wing sauce and covered in kettle chips. There is also a lovely pool of buffalo sauce in the middle with two lonely tortilla chips floating around. I have to respect what they were going for, but I really can't imagine...

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Disgustingly Delicious

Five foods that look simultaneously disgusting and delicious The Krispy Kream Burger of delicious doom I would love to land on this plate of Denny's cuisine, face first.  But of course, shouldn't. Is this still being sold?! KFC's double down sandwich, is probably too much chicken for me.  I NEED CARBS. foodbeast.com I take my hat off to the inventors of the Fat Darrell sandwich (which includes chicken strips,...

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Oreo Cheesecake (US/UK)

Cheesecake #2!  Since these cookies n cream cupcakes were so tasty, I thought I'd work out a recipe for a similar cheesecake.  Enjoy! You will need: 140g (just under 5oz.) Oreos or similar chocolate and cream sandwich biscuits 150g (just over 5oz.) Chocolate biscuits, preferably Oreos with the cream removed 3 Tbsp melted butter 350g (~12oz) full fat cream cheese 200g (~1 cup) granulated sugar 3 eggs 100ml (just under 1/2 cup (.42))...

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Spicy Blended Green Vegetable Soup

I've been at it again, trying to invent reasonably healthy recipes that actually taste good.  My husband agrees, I have hit the nail on the head with my spicy blended green veggie soup!  This soup uses potato and veggies as thickener instead of a roux or cream. Health! Great recipe for picky eaters as well, no bits if you leave off the garnishes that do not suit your tastes. You will need: 1 small potato 1 clove garlic 1 1/2 spring...

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Summer Recipes

I think it is safe to say that summer is officially here! Why not try out some of Whimsical Cookery's perfect summer day recipes and ideas? Smooth and Fresh SalsaCookout Quesadillas: Hot DogCookout Quesadillas: Grilled BurgersCrab-topped Deviled EggsI-Disgust-Me BBQ BurgersHot Dog Polka DotsChipotle Black Bean DipTangy-Spicey Sriracha Fish TacosKiwi SmoothieCranberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese FrostingRaspberry Cream Whoopie PiesMatcha Green Tea...

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