Just a Friendly Note: Exciting Updates & Nostalgic Recipes Coming Your Way!

Just a Friendly Note: Exciting Updates & Nostalgic Recipes Coming Your Way!

Hello, lovely readers! I wanted to take a moment to connect and share some exciting news about what's ahead on the Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee blog. If you've been following along since 2016, you know this journey has been full of flavorful adventures, and I’m thrilled to keep sharing more with you—old favorites, new creations, and everything in between!

A Bit of a Nostalgic Throwback: Reintroducing Lost Recipes

Over the years, I’ve crafted countless recipes, many of which have been tucked away in the archives or didn’t make it onto the revamped blog back in 2020. Some recipes are so dear to me that I want to bring them back into the spotlight for everyone to enjoy. You might find:

Classic recipes that remind me of my early days experimenting in the kitchen
Hidden gems that never got the recognition they deserved
Updated versions of beloved dishes, now perfected with my current culinary insights

Keep an eye out as I dig through these archives and unexpectedly rediscover some culinary treasures—there’s a good chance you’ll stumble upon a new favorite or two!

Why the Delay? A Little Backstory

When I revamped the blog in 2020, I learned a lot about how to better organize and categorize my content. Back then, I was still figuring out the best ways to label and tag my recipes so they’re easier for you to find via search engines. As a result, some of my older recipes didn’t get the visibility they deserved. Now, I’m going back to improve those posts, update the photos, and make sure they’re easily discoverable for you and fellow food lovers.

What’s Coming Next? Fresh Recipes & More

Of course, it’s not just about the past—there will be plenty of new recipes and culinary adventures to look forward to! Here’s a quick peek at what’s on the horizon:

Innovative dishes inspired by seasonal ingredients
Healthy twists on classic comfort foods
Gourmet desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth
Cooking tips and tricks that I’ve picked up along the way

Whether you’re here for the nostalgia or eager to try something new, there’s a lot to look forward to, and I can’t wait to share it all with you!

A Heartfelt Thank You & A Call to Connect

Thank you for being part of this culinary journey. Your support, feedback, and enthusiasm inspire me to keep creating and sharing. If you’re a longtime reader or just discovering the blog, I invite you to join the conversation—share your favorite recipes, suggest ideas, or let me know what you’d love to see next.

So, stay tuned! Exciting things are happening, and I’m glad to have you along for the ride. Here’s to more delicious memories, both old and new!

Warmly,

Gin Lee

Vegetables that contain protein

Vegetables that contain protein If food prices have you scrambling down the aisles of the grocery store trying to find something that's more affordable than meat but still has protein, know that you're not alone! Back in the days when my grandparents went through the Great Depression, it was really tough times, but they survived through the hardships by growing their own food. There are a lot of veggies that actually do contain protein, and they're packed full of additional nutrients that our bodies all need. Vegetables highest in protein: Vegetables high in protein include artichokes, asparagus, beans, bean sprouts, and beans in general: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, chickpeas, green peas, kale, mushrooms, mustard greens, spinach, sweet corn, and turnip greens. For a few examples: Black beans contain 15 grams of protein in just a 1-cup serving. In fact, a 1/2 cup of cooked beans provides close to 7 grams of protein, which is the same as eating one ounce of meat. As for collar...

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes Hey there, fellow gardeners! Today we're going to talk about a cool way to grow your own vegetables using rockwool cubes. It may sound fancy, but it's actually pretty simple and fun. Let's dive in! What You'll Need: First things first, you'll need some rockwool cubes . These are like little sponges that help your plants grow strong and healthy. You'll also need some vegetable seeds, a tray to hold the cubes, and water. I personally use these hydroponic grow trays with dome lids. Step 1: Soak the Cubes Before you plant your seeds, you'll need to soak the rockwool cubes in water. This helps them absorb moisture and provides a good environment for your plants to grow. Step 2: Plant Your Seeds Once your cubes are nice and soaked, it's time to plant your seeds. Make a little hole in the top of each cube and drop a couple of seeds in. Some seeds are so tiny and I generally end up planting more than two in each cube. ...

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe Elevate your culinary skills with this delectable recipe for baked white fish coated in a flavorful sesame seed breading. This dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving for more. Follow the simple steps below to create a mouthwatering meal that is both delicious and nutritious. Ingredients: 4 white fish filets 4 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika Seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil Instructions: Place the sesame seeds, garlic powder, paprika, seasoning salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow dish and mix well. Brush each fish filet with olive oil and then coat them in the sesame seed mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place the coated filets on a greased baking tray. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious baked ...

Homemade Fresca Soda

Make Your Own Fresca Soda at Home! Hey there! If you're like me and love Diet Fresca but can't find it in stores anymore, don't worry! I've got a recipe for a homemade version that tastes almost like the real thing. Let's get started! Ingredients: 1 Ruby Red grapefruit, seeded and juiced. Save the peels for steeping 1 lime, seeded and juiced 1 lemon, seeded and juiced 2 teaspoons of Splenda, or your preferred sweetener 1 bottle of sparkling water Instructions: First, chill your sparkling water in the fridge. Peel the outer skin of the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a vegetable peeler. Make sure to only use the colored part, not the white part. Steep the citrus peels in hot boiling water to extract the oils. Let it cool and strain out the peels. Squeeze the juice from the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a juicer. Remove any seeds and strain the juice if needed. Combine the fresh squeezed juice with Splenda in a tumbler. Adjust the sweetness to your l...

Internet Troubles: A Quick Update

Internet Troubles: A Quick Update What’s Going On? Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to share something that’s been really frustrating for me. Since early March, my internet has been acting like it’s on vacation—totally gone! I’ve tried so many times to share new posts with you all, but every time I hit “upload,” it just doesn’t work. It’s like my internet is playing hide and seek, and it’s winning! My Struggles I’ve done everything I can think of to fix this problem. I’ve checked my connections, restarted my router, and even called my internet provider for help. But no luck! It feels like I’m stuck in a never-ending game of “Will It Work?” and the answer is always “No.” Keeping It Simple Because of all this trouble, I’m keeping this post super simple. I can’t even add any cool photos right now because I’m not sure if it will upload. I just wanted to let you all know what’s been happening and why I haven’t been able to share more with you. Thanks for being patient with me!

Easy Homemade Rolls

Easy Homemade Rolls Get ready to elevate your baking game with these delightful homemade rolls! There are countless creative ways to shape loaves of bread, buns, and rolls, from classic round rolls to cloverleaf, crescent, and knotted varieties. My versatile dough recipe is a true kitchen superstar, perfect for crafting everything from cinnamon rolls to sweet rolls and even loaves of bread. Today, we’re focusing on making large, fluffy classic round rolls that are perfect for any occasion! Ingredients: 2 ½ tablespoons of active dry yeast 1 1/4 cups of warm water 1 tablespoon of honey 1/3 cup of cooking oil 1/4 to 1/2 cup of granulated Splenda or regular sugar 1 teaspoon of seasoning salt or kosher salt 4 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour Let’s Get Baking! First, grab a big bowl and mix together 2 ½ tablespoons of active dry yeast, 1 1/4 cups of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Give it a good stir and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it gets all froth...

Delicious Honey Divinity With Chopped Pecans

Delicious Honey Divinity With Chopped Pecans The holidays just wouldn't be the same at my house without a batch of homemade divinity. This sweet treat is decadent, light as air, and absolutely delicious! If you encounter challenges while preparing my divinity recipe, please refer to the end notes for troubleshooting tips. The technique I am sharing is effective for all divinity recipes that do not yield the desired results. Ingredients: • 2 cups of granulated Splenda or granulated white sugar • 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon (1/3 cup) of premium honey • 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon (1/3 cup) of water • 2 egg whites, beaten to soft peaks • 1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans, chopped Maraschino cherries, or chocolate chips Instructions: Here's a fun and easy recipe for making delicious divinity candy! First, grab a heavy-bottomed pan and mix together granulated Splenda or sugar, honey, and water. Boil the mixture until it reaches a hard ball stage. To test if it's ready, drop a small...

Christmas Fruit Salad

Christmas Fruit Salad Create a festive and refreshing addition to your holiday spread with this delightful Christmas fruit salad recipe. Perfect for bringing a burst of color and flavor to your table, this salad combines a medley of fruits, including fruit cocktail, apples, bananas, cuties, and grapes, all topped with sugar-free Cool Whip. Whether served as a side dish, dessert, or potluck contribution, this easy-to-make dish is sure to be a hit with family and friends. In this article, we will explore the ingredients needed, preparation steps, serving suggestions, nutritional benefits, variation options, and storage tips for this delicious Christmas treat. Introduction to Christmas Fruit Salad Recipe Tis the season for a refreshing and festive twist on the classic fruit salad! This Christmas fruit salad brings together a delightful mix of flavors and colors to brighten up your holiday table. Say goodbye to boring fruit salads and hello to a merry medley that will have your taste buds ...

25 Vegetables That Can Be Grown in the Winter

25 Vegetables That Can Be Grown in the Winter Winter is approaching rapidly, and you've worked hard to harvest your summer and fall crops. So, now what? Well, winter may be just around the corner, but you can still plant hardy varieties of winter vegetables in your garden, cold frames, grow tunnels, and greenhouses. Below, I have listed 25 vegetables that can withstand a hard frost that you can grow successfully this winter with some tender love and care. Asparagus Artichokes Arugula Beets Brussel Sprouts Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Chives Collards Green onions English peas Fava beans Kale Leaf lettuce (plant in grow tunnels) Leeks Mustard greens Perennial onions Parsnips Radishes Rhubarb (Remember that rhubarb leaves are highly toxic; the stalks are what's edible.) Rutabaga Spinach Swiss Chard Turnip greens and turnips Generally, when gardening outdoors, I like sticking with perennial greens and various other perennial vegetables that don't die at the end of the...

Pan-Seared Strip Loin Steak

Pan-Seared Strip Loin Steak Today, I used chili pepper-infused olive oil to elevate the flavors of my steak. However, feel free to use any cooking oil of your choice. I can confidently say that my recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly satisfying. I hope you will all savor every bite! Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) strip loin steak Seasoning salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon of chili pepper-infused olive oil (or preferred cooking oil) 4 tablespoons of butter 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic Instructions: To prepare the strip steak, start by patting it dry with paper towels and generously seasoning it with seasoning salt at least 40 minutes before cooking. Next, preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of chili pepper-infused olive oil (or preferred cooking oil) and allow it to heat up for about 1 minute. Season the steak with freshly ground black pepper just before searing. P...

Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

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