Recipes

Sides, Dinner Virginia Vismer Sides, Dinner Virginia Vismer

Beef Fried Rice

There’s something magical about the smoky, savory aroma of fried rice hitting a hot pan. This steak fried rice is my throwback to those giant takeout containers I used to devour as a kid—when every bite had just enough egg, soy sauce, and crispy rice to make it feel special.

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Lunch, Dinner Virginia Vismer Lunch, Dinner Virginia Vismer

Better-Than-Takeout Shrimp Pad Thai

This Pad Thai recipe is written like a roadmap for beginners—clear, step-by-step, and impossible to mess up. You’ll learn how to cook shrimp so they turn out plump and golden, how to scramble eggs without sticking, and how to get the noodles saucy without clumping. By the time you finish, you’ll have a Pad Thai better than your favorite takeout.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Dan Dan Noodles

With a base of spaghetti, savory-sweet ground pork, crunchy peanuts, and a luscious chili-sesame sauce, this version brings the iconic Szechuan street food flavor to your weeknight dinner lineup — no specialty market required.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Spicy Sesame Garlic Noodles

These spicy sesame garlic noodles use regular pasta and everyday ingredients to make something that feels indulgent, cozy, and super satisfying. It's spicy, nutty, garlicky, and slurpable — exactly what you want when a takeout craving hits but you're staying in your pj's.

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Dinner, Sides Virginia Vismer Dinner, Sides Virginia Vismer

Creamy Homestyle Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is one of those dishes that just works — rich, flavorful, and surprisingly simple once you get into the rhythm. This version keeps things straightforward with no shortcuts on flavor. The spinach is fresh, the paneer gets a quick pan-fry for texture, and the spices hit that balance of warming without being over the top.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Miso-Honey Salmon with Chili Crisp Butter Noodles

Sweet, savory, and spicy — this Miso-Honey Salmon over Chili Crisp Butter Noodles is a great weeknight treat. The salmon is glazed with a rich, caramelized miso-honey sauce that gets sticky and golden in the oven, then served over silky noodles tossed in brown butter and chili crisp.

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Sides Virginia Vismer Sides Virginia Vismer

Cilantro Lime Rice

This copycat cilantro lime rice tastes just like Chipotle's—maybe even better. It's fluffy, fresh, zippy, and goes with everything from burrito bowls to dal to grilled veggies. If you're building a flavor-packed meal at home, this rice is your not-so-secret weapon.

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Sides Virginia Vismer Sides Virginia Vismer

Crispy Garlic Butter Fried Rice

This Crispy Garlic Butter Fried Rice is simple yet packed with flavor! Made with fragrant garlic, butter, and soy sauce, it’s golden and toasty with slightly crispy bits. The best part? It’s made in one pan and customizable with your favorite veggies!

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Better-Than-Takeout Orange Chicken

This Better-Than-Takeout Orange Chicken is crispy, tangy, and perfectly sweet with just the right amount of citrusy kick! Made with juicy chicken breast pieces tossed in a homemade orange sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food that tastes just like your favorite Chinese takeout—except even better.

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Dinner, Appetizers Virginia Vismer Dinner, Appetizers Virginia Vismer

Crispy Thai Chili Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are a total crowd-pleaser. The panko crust gives them that irresistible crunch, and the sweet chili glaze adds the perfect sticky-sweet-spicy finish. They're easy enough for a weeknight, but honestly fun enough to serve for game night or a casual get-together.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Chickpea and Vegetable Stir-Fry

This is one of my favorite “reset” meals. It’s fast, packed with veggies, and super satisfying thanks to the protein from the chickpeas. Plus, it’s perfect for clearing out the fridge—use whatever crisp vegetables you’ve got, toss it all in a flavorful sesame-ginger sauce, and call it dinner.

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