Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

  Easy Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe for a Creamy, Cheesy Weeknight Dinner A few pantry staples can turn into a bubbling dinner with a golden cheese top. This easy tuna pasta bake recipe combines tender pasta, flaky tuna, and a creamy sauce in one filling dish. The steps are simple, and you can add vegetables or swap cheeses to suit what’s in your kitchen. Cook the pasta slightly firm, coat it well with sauce, then bake until hot and golden. Why this easy tuna pasta bake recipe works for busy nights A practical pantry-friendly dinner Pasta, canned tuna, milk, and cheese make a hearty meal without a long shopping list. The sauce comes together on the stove while the pasta cooks, so you can prep both at once. Frozen peas, sweet corn, spinach, or mushrooms are easy add-ins. Use what you have, and prepare wetter vegetables before they go into the dish. Creamy filling with a crisp top A smooth white sauce keeps the pasta moist as it bakes. Tuna adds savory flavor and protein, while cheddar mel...

Why Make Artisan Bread? A Deep Dive into the Craft followed by an Artisan Bread Recipe The allure of artisan bread extends far beyond its rustic appearance and delectable crust. It represents a conscious choice to engage with a time-honored craft, a departure from the mass-produced and often bland loaves that dominate supermarket shelves. For those who venture into the world of artisan baking, the rewards are manifold, encompassing sensory pleasure, a connection to tradition, and a profound sense of accomplishment. At its core, artisan bread is defined by its quality ingredients and meticulous process. Unlike commercially produced bread, which often relies on additives, dough conditioners, and rapid fermentation, artisan bread typically features a short ingredient list: flour, water, salt, and yeast (or a sourdough starter). This simplicity allows the inherent flavors of the grain to shine through, creating a complexity that is both subtle and deeply satisfying. The extended fermentati...

Water-bath Canned Spicy Pickled Green Beans If you're a fan of spicy dill pickles, I'd like to suggest giving my pickled green bean recipe a try. These pickled green beans are excellent in salads or enjoyed as a snack. Ingredients:  (This recipe yields about 3 quarts and 1 pint.) 4 ½  pounds of fresh, crispy green beans, with ends trimmed off. 6 garlic cloves 4 to 8 red or green chilies (for extra spicy use 2 peppers per jar). 4 tablespoons of dill seeds 4 cups of water 4 cups of vinegar (5% acidity) 1/2 cup of pickling salt 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon of turmeric 1 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper Instructions: Pack the green beans upright into hot pint jars. Add 1 clove garlic, 1 red or green chili pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of dill seeds per jar. Boil water, vinegar, pickling salt, pepper flakes, turmeric, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper for pickling brine. Ladle the hot brine over the beans lea...

Country-style cake donut cookies Today was another baking day for me and I made cake donut cookies. In case you're wondering, these cookies taste essentially like an old-fashioned glazed cake donut. I made the cookies today in two different shapes: flowers and rectangles. When cutting the shapes for them, I do not measure the rectangular pieces and I do not cut the dough off at the ends of them. They're meant to look handmade and rustic. Tip: For my recipe, I use cake flour. If you don't have cake flour, you can make homemade cake flour by removing two tablespoons of all-purpose flour and adding two tablespoons of cornstarch in its place. Do this method, per cup of cake flour needed. Ingredients: 3-½ cups of cake flour 1 cup of granulated white Splenda, or white granulated sugar 1 teaspoon of yeast ¾ cups of milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon of salt 2 tablespoons of butter, softened 1 tablespoon of powdered cinnamon 1 tablespoon of canola oil, plus a little extra to grease your pans In...

  Chicken Spaghetti Recipe for a Creamy Weeknight Dinner Tender chicken, twirls of spaghetti, and a creamy cheddar sauce make this chicken spaghetti recipe a cozy dinner that’s easy to share. It’s mixed on the stovetop, then baked until hot and bubbling, so the top gets a light layer of melted cheese. The sauce gets its creamy texture from condensed soup, sour cream, broth, and cheddar. Use cooked chicken to save time, or cook chicken ahead and shred it when you’re ready. You’ll also find simple swaps, make-ahead tips, and ways to reheat leftovers without drying them out. Why This Chicken Spaghetti Recipe Belongs in Your Dinner Rotation This version brings familiar ingredients together in a casserole that’s easy to adapt to your taste. The stovetop sauce comes together while the pasta cooks, and a short bake warms the filling through. A creamy, cheesy sauce coats every strand Cheddar adds a savory, tangy taste, while sour cream gives the sauce a smooth finish. Condensed cream of ch...

Mini Mexican pizza on NAAN original flatbread These little mini Mexican pizzas are actually really filling, so don't let their size fool you!  I used mini flatbread for my recipe today, because it makes perfect mini pizzas. The flatbread is soft, but yet thick enough that the pizzas don't fall apart. You can fold them in half, and pick them up to eat, or slice them with a pizza cutter so that they're not quite as messy. You'll find that whichever way you choose to eat them, they're delicious. Ingredients: 1 package of Stonefire mini NAAN original flatbread ½ pound of ground beef 1 teaspoon of cumin 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper 1 small white onion 1 can of refried beans 1 cup of white American garlic cheese or Mexican cheese 1 teaspoon of canola oil Instructions: In a skillet, add the cooking oil, allowing it to get hot on medium heat. Then add the diced onion. Cook until the onion is translucent. Now, add the ground beef and seasonings t...

  Peanut Butter Balls for Pups: A No-Bake Treat Ready in 30 Minutes A homemade dog treat doesn’t need an oven or a long ingredient list. These peanut butter balls for pups mix up in about 10 minutes, then chill until firm. You’ll need oat flour, plain pumpkin purée, and peanut butter, plus a careful look at the peanut butter label. Serve them as occasional snacks, with the size and amount suited to your dog. Make Peanut Butter Balls for Pups with Three Simple Ingredients Gather the ingredients You’ll need just three ingredients for this no-bake dog treat: 1 cup oat flour ½ cup plain pumpkin purée ¼ cup xylitol-free peanut butter Choose plain pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. The filling may contain added sugar or spices, so check the can before you scoop. To make homemade oat flour, add 1 cup of oats to a blender or food processor. Hit the pulse button a few times until it's the consistency of flour. I like to leave a few oat pieces unprocessed just to add texture to the trea...

  Baked Penne Pasta with Sliced Smoked Sausage for an Easy, Hearty Dinner A bubbling pan of baked penne pasta with sliced smoked sausage brings tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and golden cheese to the table in one dish. Brown the sausage first, keep the sauce generous, and cook the penne a little shy of tender. Those small steps help the casserole stay moist and full of flavor. Use jarred sauce for a quick dinner, then add vegetables or spice to make it your own. Why Baked Penne Pasta with Sliced Smoked Sausage Satisfies Smoky sausage, hearty sauce, and melted cheese Penne’s ridged tubes catch sauce, while its centers hold little pockets of it. Smoky sausage adds a savory note that pairs well with tomato sauce, and mozzarella melts into a soft, stretchy topping. A sprinkle of Parmesan brings a sharper, salty finish. This sausage penne bake is filling enough to serve as a main dish. Add a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the rich sauce and cheese. Garlic bread wor...