Pad Thai

Followed THIS recipe (minus sprouts, plus broccoli)

Remove extra fat from ribeye steak

Brown firm tofu (pat dry with paper towel prior to cubing to decrease browning time)

Pre-soak flat rice noodles in lukewarm water for 1hr (drain, even though noodles don't seem fully soft)

Chop scallions and broccoli

There are a couple of additional steps outlined in the recipe link (eggs, sauce, combining all, etc)

Final plating looks like this:

Strawberry Shortcake

Followed THIS recipe (watch video for a visual example of every step)
For dough, used 1/2 cup butter instead of shortening, 1/4 cup sugar, 1.5tsp of vanilla
For cream, start whipping it right away because it takes time.

Used KitchenAid mixer and followed THIS recipe to make the cream.

Mixed batter by hand or with fork, gently, to not overmix

Assemble by cutting biscuit in half and topping with cream and strawberries

This version is topped with goji berry and nut chocolates 

Russian Apple Cake

Ingredients: >1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1/4 tsp baking powder, cinnamon, 3 eggs, 2-3 granny smith apples (tart), butter, vanilla

Peel apples, slice and layer bottom of lightly buttered springform pan
Sprinkle with cinnamon

Beat eggs until homogeneous, add sugar and flour and ~1tsp vanilla extract

Pour this mixture (liquidy) over apples into springform pan

Bake at ~350F for ~30-40min (test with wooden toothpick for readiness)

Crust should be lightly browning and hard

Enjoy by itself or with preserves or sweetened and condensed milk

For a denser and slightly more complicated version of the same thing try THIS recipe

Kale and Quinoa Salad with Chicken

Altered THIS recipe:

Cook quinoa separately, let cool

Add chopped fresh red onion, red pepper, garlic, lightly toasted pine nuts

Blanch kale and broccoli and add to bowl with quinoa, etc 

Season to taste (we added spices and vinegar instead of lemon juice)

Marinate chicken however you like, pan fry 

Final plating

Eggs and Bacon (Brunch)

Bacon, buttered multi-grain toast and sliced avocado with lemon juice

Scrambled eggs with onions, peppers, cheese, parsley and fresh diced tomato

Dab of Grey Poupon mustard for extra bite

Flank Steak Chimichurri

1/2 of this marination recipe

 Broiled, ~4minutes on each side

This chimichurri recipe  - combined all ingredients together in a blender, came out perfect

Sauteed onions and garlic with bacon

To which kale and red wine vinegar was added, covered and cooked for 8-10min

Final plating

Sockeye Salmon

Basil, lemon juice, black pepper, olive oil

Oven, ~400F for ~30min (aluminum foil tent)

Served with mashed potatoes and fresh salad (olive oil/balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard dressing)

Scavenger Meal: Tuna Mac&Cheese

Elbow macaroni, can of tuna, cheese, red/green peppers, onions, peas/corn

Tons of spices (we used cayenne, black pepper, cumin, etc)

Cilantro garnish