Fusion

Sancocho-inspired slow cooked pork hock and vegetables

Sanchoco-inspired slow cooked pork hock and vegetables

Slices of pork hock go into the slow cooker with sliced sausages, onion, garlic, bay leaves, oregano and tomatoes. When tender, cabbage wedges, sweet yellow corn and saba bananas are added.

Cook time: 4 30

Servings: 4 people

Creamed spinach, bacon and mushroom spaghetti

Let me explain the dish. The first time I made it was in 2011. I was so smitten with creamed spinach that I was pairing it with meat, seafood and chicken. Finally, I tried it with pasta and I loved it. Still, being more carnivore than herbivore, I just had to add bacon. In this updated recipe, mushrooms join bacon to give an already excellent dish even more flavor and texture.

Cook time: 30

Servings: 3 people

Beef stew with miso and ginger

Japanese inspired beef stew seasoned with soy sauce, sake and mirin, slow cooked with miso paste and fresh ginger, and served with lightly fried sweet potatoes.

Cook time: 3 45

Servings: 6 people

Spicy sesame garlic noodles

Heavily inspired by Esther Choi who, in Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, declared her dream of integrating kimchi in every dish she cooks. This noodle dish is salty, sweet and spicy with the umami richness that only fermented food can impart.

Cook time: 10

Servings: 3 people

Eggs en cocotte with Korean ham

Eggs en cocotte is a French dish of baked egg. You smear the inside of ramekins with oil (or softened butter which I prefer), crack an egg or eggs directly into each ramekin, and add whatever delicious ingredients you fancy — herbs, cheese, cream… Then, you bake the eggs in a water bath until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny.

Cook time: 12

Servings: 2 people

Browned sausage pasta with cream and cheese sauce

How the dish tastes depends on your choice of sausage and cheese. Spicy sausages and aged cheese are recommended.

Cook time: 15

Servings: 4 people