Recipes

Salads, Lunch, Main Virginia Vismer Salads, Lunch, Main Virginia Vismer

Smoky Sweet Potato Harvest Salad

This harvest salad is what I reach for when I want something nourishing but still a little indulgent — smoky roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy cabbage and kale, creamy goat cheese, sweet pops of dried cranberries and apple… it’s got a little bit of everything in the best way.

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Sides, Dinner, Main Virginia Vismer Sides, Dinner, Main 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, Main, Pasta and Noodles Virginia Vismer Lunch, Dinner, Main, Pasta and Noodles 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, Main Virginia Vismer Dinner, Main Virginia Vismer

Hellfire & Brimstone Short Rib Chili

Rich, smoky, and packing a slow-building heat, this chili is built on a foundation of tender, fall-apart beef short ribs and hearty ground beef. It’s the kind of meal that could win a trophy… or just win over the toughest chili critics you know.

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Dinner, Main Virginia Vismer Dinner, Main Virginia Vismer

Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

If you’ve ever wanted to make something that feels like you ordered takeout but better, these sticky honey garlic chicken thighs are it. The glaze is sweet, garlicky, a little tangy, and it caramelizes in the oven like magic. And the best part? It’s all done on one sheet pan with easy-to-love chicken thighs that come out juicy every time.

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Dinner, Main Virginia Vismer Dinner, Main Virginia Vismer

Oxtail Risotto Inspired by Bokeria in Split

I remember walking into Bokeria in Split—warm lights, chatter, and the promise of something new. I’d never tried oxtail before, but one bite of their risotto, with tender braised tail and creamy rice, sealed the deal: I was a fan—for life. Now I bring that moment back home with this cozy, indulgent recipe.

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Dinner, Lunch, Main Virginia Vismer Dinner, Lunch, Main Virginia Vismer

Baja-Style Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

There’s just something about shrimp tacos that instantly feels like summer. These Baja-Style Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take me right back to those perfect nights sitting on patios with friends — laughing too loud, staying out too late, and always ordering "just one more" round of tacos.

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