Japanese-Style Curry Beef Stew

Ingredients (Serves 3–4):

500g beef brisket or stew meat

2 potatoes, cut into chunks

1 carrot, chopped

1 onion, sliced

3–4 curry blocks (adjust to taste)

1 tsp minced garlic

Water as needed

1 tsp cooking oil

Instructions:

Prep beef: Cut beef into chunks, blanch briefly in boiling water, and drain.

Sauté aromatics: In a pot, sauté garlic and onion until soft. Add beef and stir-fry until browned.

Simmer: Add potatoes, carrots, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour.

Add curry: Add curry blocks and stir until melted. Simmer for another 15 minutes until sauce thickens.

Serve: Goes well with rice or udon noodles.

Tips:

Break curry blocks into small pieces for quicker melting.

Add a splash of milk or coconut milk for creamier flavor.

Korean Spicy Pork (Gochujang Stir-Fry)

Ingredients (Serves 2):

300g pork shoulder or belly slices

1/2 onion, sliced

2 tbsp Korean gochujang (red chili paste)

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp sesame oil

Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

Marinate pork: Mix gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. Add pork and marinate for 20 minutes.

Stir-fry: Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry onion until soft. Add pork and cook until fully done.

Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with hot steamed rice.

Tips:

Add kimchi or mushrooms for variation.

Adjust gochujang amount for spiciness.

Rosemary Garlic Pan-Seared Lamb Chops (Western Style)

Ingredients (Serves 2):

4 French-cut lamb chops

1 sprig fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)

1 tsp minced garlic

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

1.5 tbsp olive oil

1 knob of butter (for finishing)

Instructions:

Marinate: Rub lamb chops with salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Sear lamb: Heat pan with oil over medium heat. Sear lamb chops for about 2.5–3 minutes per side.

Butter finish: Add butter and baste chops for extra flavor.

Rest and slice: Let rest on cutting board for 3 minutes before slicing.

Serve: Pair with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Tips:

Medium-rare to medium is ideal for lamb tenderness.

Cast iron pans give better sear and crust.

Braised Pork Belly in Soy Sauce (Taiwanese Style)

Ingredients (Serves 3–4):

500g pork belly, cut into chunks

3 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp rock sugar (or brown sugar)

1/2 cup rice wine

600 ml water

5 slices ginger

1 star anise

2 stalks scallions, cut into sections

Instructions:

Blanch meat: Boil pork belly briefly to remove blood, then drain.

Caramelize sugar: Melt sugar over low heat until golden brown. Add pork chunks and stir to coat evenly.

Add aromatics and seasonings: Add ginger, scallions, star anise, soy sauce, and rice wine. Stir-fry briefly.

Simmer: Add water to cover meat. Simmer on low heat for 60 minutes, flipping occasionally.

Reduce sauce: Uncover and cook on medium to reduce sauce until thick and glossy.

Tips:

Eggs or tofu can be added for variation.

No salt needed—soy sauce provides enough seasoning.

Honey Soy Baked Chicken Thighs

Ingredients (Serves 2):

2 boneless chicken thighs

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp rice wine (or dry sherry)

1 tsp minced garlic

Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Marinate: Mix all ingredients and coat chicken thoroughly. Marinate for 1–2 hours in the fridge.

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).

Bake: Place chicken skin-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping once and brushing with extra marinade.

Crisp skin: For a crispy finish, broil the top for the last 3–5 minutes.

Serve: Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing. Pairs well with salad or mashed potatoes.

Tips:

Marinate overnight for deeper flavor.

Honey burns easily—don’t place too close to the top heating element.

Ingredients (Serves 2):

300g beef strips (ribeye or flank steak)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 onion, thinly sliced

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tsp ground black pepper (adjust to taste)

1 tsp cornstarch or potato starch

2 tbsp water

Cooking oil as needed

Instructions:

Marinate beef: Mix beef with 1 tsp soy sauce, black pepper, cornstarch, and 1 tbsp water. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Sauté aromatics: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Sauté minced garlic and onion until fragrant and translucent.

Stir-fry beef: Add beef strips and stir-fry on high heat until 80% cooked (1–2 minutes). Avoid overcooking to keep beef tender.

Season and finish: Add remaining soy sauce and oyster sauce, toss well, and finish with more black pepper. Stir for 10 seconds and remove from heat.

Serve: Perfect with steamed rice or noodles.

Tips:

Marinating with starch keeps the beef juicy and tender.

Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum aroma.