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Yesterday was my husband’s birthday. Since our birthdays are just one week apart, we used to go to a nice restaurant in San Francisco to celebrate our birthdays together. After our children were born, we started a new tradition: he prepares my birthday dinner, and a week later I prepare his birthday dinner and we celebrate together with our children. This year my husband cooked Thomas Keller’s Pork Tenderloin for us, and I cooked his favorite soup, Hong Kong Style Borscht, as per his request....

After requests from many JOC readers, I started to share recipes featured in the popular Japanese TV drama – Kodoku no Gurume (孤独のグルメ). The main character Gorō is a Japanese salaryman who is in sales. As a salesman, Gorō travels across Japan, visiting restaurants and street booths to sample the local cuisine. Each chapter features a different place and dish. This TV drama has been around for years in Japan, and currently, Season 7 is on air....

Preparation Have you ever wondered how to turn your dreams of owning your own business into a reality? We can help. Each week, as part of our Self Made series, we showcase female entrepreneurs—as well as their quality, handmade goods—and share their best advice related to starting, maintaining, and growing your own business. Pashon Murray is a woman of many hats. In addition to being an eco-activist, community organizer, and entrepreneur, she’s also busy leading a compost revolution in Detroit....

Ingredients 2 2/3 cups uncooked penne pasta (8 oz) 3 oz pancetta or 4 strips bacon, chopped* 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced 1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic crushed tomatoes with basil, undrained 1/2 cup whipping cream 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach leaves Preparation Cook and drain pasta as directed on box. Return to saucepan; keep warm....

Ingredients 4 bone-in pork loin chops (about 2 lb) 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 can (18 oz) Progresso™ Vegetable Classics creamy mushroom soup 1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons water Preparation Sprinkle pork chops with pepper. Place pork chops in 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with garlic. Pour soup over pork chops. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours or until the pork is fork-tender....

Ingredients 1 box (9 oz) frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain 1 cup Original Bisquick™ mix 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz) 1 egg 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1 cup tomato pasta sauce, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix all ingredients, except pasta sauce. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls; place on cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown....

Ingredients 1/2 cup fresh tangerine or orange juice 1/3 cup soy sauce 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil 1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup ready-to-eat baby-cut carrots, cut in half lengthwise in half 2 cups fresh broccoli florets 4 oz whole fresh mushrooms, cut into quarters 1 can (8 oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained 2 tablespoons water 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro...

Ingredients 12 slices (1/4 inch thick) frozen (thawed) pound cake (from 10-oz package) 1/4 cup water 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 1 1/2 teaspoons rum extract 1 container (8 oz) mascarpone cheese 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/2 oz semisweet baking chocolate 24 espresso coffee beans, if desired Preparation Line 24 mini muffin cups with petit four paper cups. Cut 2 (1 1/4-inch) rounds from each cake slice....

Ingredients 1 cup Fiber One™ cereal 1 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour 3/4 cup chopped dates 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1 tablespoon light corn syrup Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottoms and sides of 12 regular-size muffin cups with shortening or cooking spray (do not use paper baking cups)....

While we spent 2 months in Japan this past summer, we took a quick side trip with Mr. JOC to his hometown, Kaohsiung, Taiwan to visit his family. During our short stay, we tried to eat as many Taiwanese foods as we can. We also visited the local Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市) where we got to taste unique Taiwanese street foods known as xiao-chi (小吃). Before heading there, I asked JOC fans on Facebook what foods I should eat at a Taiwan night market and I picked the top 5 choices....

Ingredients 2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton) 2 cups water 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 teaspoon olive oil 6 medium stalks celery, cut into thin 1-inch strips 1 cup grated carrots 1/4 teaspoon salt 10 green onions, finely chopped 1/4 cup Frank’s™ RedHot™ Original cayenne pepper sauce 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (2 oz) Oil for deep frying 1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour...

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies (38 cookies) 1/2 cup chopped peanuts 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 eggs 3/4 cup whipping (heavy) cream 3 bars (2.07 ounces each) chocolate-covered peanut, caramel and nougat candy, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup whipping (heavy) cream Preparation Heat oven to 325°F....

Ingredients 1 cup milk 3/4 cup cold strong coffee 1 package (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix 2 tablespoons sugar 2 cups whipping (heavy) cream 1/4 cup sugar Preparation In large bowl, beat milk, coffee, pudding mix (dry) and 2 tablespoons sugar with wire whisk about 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. In chilled large bowl, beat whipping cream and 1/4 cup sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff....

Ingredients Fettuccine or other favorite pasta, cooked according to package directions 1 to 2 cups fresh chopped broccoli, cooked and hot 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 1/2 teaspoon (1 clove) minced garlic 2 cups heavy cream 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 to 3 cooked chicken breasts, diced Preparation Cook fettuccine according to package directions adding broccoli last 3 minutes, drain....

First thing first, this is a Japanese version of American Corn Dogs. They do look like corn dogs, don’t they? Well, in Japan, we call this American Dogs (アメリカンドッグ) and they are made slightly different from the corn dogs in the US. This recipe was featured on the popular Japanese TV program called “Shinya Shokudo (深夜食堂)” or “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories” which is available on Netflix. Midnight Diner features dishes that are more representative of Japanese home cooked recipes that you might not have seen in your local Japanese restaurants....

Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 large sweet potato (about 12 oz), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 cup coarsely chopped red onions 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 3/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 1/4 lb pork tenderloin 3 slices prosciutto (about 1 1/2 oz)...

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham crackers (20 squares) 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted 3 tablespoons sugar 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup Key lime juice 1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Press in bottom and up side of 9-inch glass pie plate. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown; cool....

Preparation We’re thrilled to announce that our brand new wedding book, Martha Stewart Weddings Ideas & Inspirations ($60, Clarkson Potter), has arrived and with it, more than 250 pages of planning advice, fresh ideas, and need-to-know info on working with vendors, finding inspiration, and keeping your guests happy and comfortable. The 12 chapters cover the planning process chronologically, from announcing your engagement (woo-hoo!) and finding a venue to picking a palette, designing your big-day look, and deciding on stationery and flowers....

Ingredients 1 pound beef boneless sirloin steak, 3/4 to 1 inch thick, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 medium yellow or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup 1-inch pieces pattypan or yellow summer squash 1 1/2 cups whole mushrooms 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup Caesar dressing 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 30 wooden skewers (6 to 8 inches) Romaine leaves Additional Caesar dressing, if desired Chopped fresh chives, if desired...

Ingredients 1 large salmon fillet (2 pounds) 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup refrigerated dill dip 2 tablespoons milk Preparation Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Place fish on 24-inch piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Brush salmon with oil; sprinkle with pepper. Wrap foil securely around fish. Cover and grill fish 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 20 to 30 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork....