Light Subway Tuna Sandwich

Creating a lighter version of the classic Subway tuna sandwich at home is a great way to enjoy a healthier and more cost-effective meal.  By adjusting the amount of mayonnaise to suit your taste, you can control the calorie content without sacrificing flavor.  The key to a delicious homemade tuna sandwich lies in the quality of the tuna.  Opting for canned light tuna or albacore, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, ensures a nutritious meal that supports heart health and vision.  To enhance the sandwich, consider adding fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers for added crunch and nutrition.  A dash of lemon juice, vinegar or a sprinkle of herbs can also elevate the taste.  With these simple tweaks, you can create a sandwich that not only satisfies your taste buds but also contributes to a balanced diet.  Enjoy your personalized, lighter tuna sandwich that echoes the beloved Subway classic but with your unique touch.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of tuna in water (approx. 6 oz.)
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or your preferred vinegar)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or grape seed oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Toppings:

• Shredded lettuce, Pickle jalapeno, cucumber, tomato

Instructions:

1.    Drain the tuna and place it in a bowl.

2.    Add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3.    Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.

4.    Serve the tuna mixture on your favorite bread, topped with shredded lettuce.

5.    Enjoy a healthier, delicious sandwich at a fraction of the cost!

Feel free to add other toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers, or your favorite vegetables for added flavor and crunch.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies

Who can resist a classic chocolate chip cookie?  Loved by both young and old, this timeless treat has many variations, and you’ll often find a recipe right on the flour or chocolate chip bag. Today, I’m excited to share a tried-and-true version from professional baker Anne Olson, who also shares her baking techniques on YouTube.  Follow this recipe to create perfectly soft, chewy cookies every time!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup roasted and chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

1.    Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.    In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined.

3.    Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

4.    In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and cornstarch.  Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter-egg mixture, blending until a soft dough forms.

5.    Fold in the chocolate chips and roasted pecans (if using).

6.    Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

7.    Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to ensure the cookies bake evenly and maintain their shape.

8.    After chilling, bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

9.    Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Enjoy these classic chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk or on their own!

Tuna Stew with Soy Sauce

Mackerel is a common dish in the Vietnamese cuisine, often prepared with tomatoes or pineapple. Today, I’m sharing a quick and flavorful tuna stew that takes just 20 minutes to prepare, using a savory soy sauce base.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 tuna filets

Ingredients For the stew sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp chili sauce
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp chicken powder or mushroom seasoning

Other ingredients:

• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 green onions (whites and greens separated)
• Oil for pan-frying fish

Directions:

1.    Preparing the fish: Wash, dry, and cut the tuna filets into 2-inch pieces.

2.    Making the sauce: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, water, sugar, oyster sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, and seasoning. Mix well.

3.    Pan-frying the tuna: Heat a little oil in a nonstick pan. Fry the tuna until golden brown on all sides. Set aside.

4.    Sautéing the aromatics: In a separate pan, heat some oil and sauté the shallot, garlic, and the white parts of the green onions until fragrant.

5.    Simmering the tuna: Pour in the prepared sauce and bring it to a boil. Add the fried tuna to the pan and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the fish.

6.    Serving: Garnish with the green parts of the onions and serve hot with cooked rice.

 

Enjoy this simple yet delicious Vietnamese-style tuna stew!

Live like today is your last day.

When thinking about death, many people feel fear. This is natural because who isn't afraid of death?  I once felt the same way, and perhaps you, too, have shared this feeling at some point.  No one wants to die, not even those who wish to go to heaven want to die to get there. I’m certain of this, as no record has ever shown someone committing suicide just because they wanted to go to heaven.  However, as Steve Jobs once said, "Death is the destination we all share.  No one can escape it, and that's how it should be.  Death is likely life's single greatest invention; it brings about change.  It wipes out the old to make way for the new."

If death is the inevitable destination for everyone, the law of nature, then why should we be afraid of it?  Why not live as though today is your last day?  Thinking like this will make life more meaningful and valuable.  When you think this way, you’ll feel lighter, as you’ll be freed from the pressures and burdens that once weighed you down. There is nothing left to be ashamed of, nothing left to worry about. You’ll break free from the narrow frameworks of daily life to focus on what you believe to be the most important things in life.  You’ll avoid unnecessary distractions and dedicate your time to those you love, caring for them more deeply. You’ll stop yourself from saying or doing things that might hurt them. By thinking this way, you will learn to appreciate the gifts life has given you and know how to give back in return.

When living as if today is your last, you will share more, because as people often say, joy is doubled when shared, and sorrow is halved.  You’ll also find it easier to forgive others because with only one day left, there’s no time for grudges or anger.

Life is a cycle. When we are born, we are something new, but we grow old and die to make way for other new things. This is an undeniable truth, a rule of life. Thus, we have only a limited amount of time to achieve our goals.  Don’t waste it living someone else’s life or following others' thoughts and viewpoints. Don’t let time slip by meaninglessly, living without goals or ideals. You are an individual, with your own dreams, aspirations, and desires, and only you know what is truly important to you.  You can look to others for inspiration, but don’t strive to become them. Copying someone else will never bring true fulfillment.  Instead, act on what your heart and intuition tell you, not the pressures from outside.  After all, we only live once. When you are gone, no matter how much you want to, you can no longer do what your heart once yearned for.  Even if there is some world beyond this one, who has ever returned to tell us about it?

So, live like today is your last day!

Chicken Stir-Fry with Zucchini and Mushrooms

Creating a homemade chicken stir-fry with zucchini and mushrooms is a delightful culinary adventure that brings the essence of the Asian cuisine right to your kitchen.  Imagine the sizzle as tender slices of chicken hit the hot pan, the aroma of garlic and ginger wafting through the air, and the vibrant colors of fresh zucchini and earthy mushrooms as they cook to perfection. This dish is not only a feast for the senses but also a versatile canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with a variety of vegetables like crunchy bell peppers, hearty broccoli, or even sweet snap peas to add your personal touch to this classic recipe. Whether served over a bed of fluffy rice or twirled into noodles, each bite promises a burst of flavors that makes skipping the takeout an easy choice.  Enjoy the process of chopping, stirring, and seasoning as you craft a meal that's uniquely yours, full of nutrition and tailored to your taste. This homemade chicken stir-fry with zucchini and mushrooms is a flavorful alternative to takeout, inspired by a popular Panda Express dish.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup button mushrooms, cut into halves or quarters
• 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 white onion, sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• Oil for cooking

Marinade ingredients:

• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp soy sauce

Sauce ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Thickening Mixture ingredients:

• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tsp water
•  

Directions:

1.    Marinating the Chicken:

·         In a bowl, mix the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and soy sauce. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.

2.    Preparing Vegetables and Sauce:

·         Wash and cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch cubes and slice the mushrooms.

·         In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, sugar, cooking wine, and black pepper. Set aside.

·         Mix the cornstarch and water to create the thickening mixture and set it aside.

3.    Cooking the Chicken:

·         Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

4.    Stir-frying the Vegetables:

·         In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

·         Add the mushrooms and zucchini and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.

5.    Combining and Finishing:

·         Pour the sauce mixture into the pan and bring it to a boil. Add the chicken and white onion back into the pan and stir everything together.

·         Add the thickening mixture to the pan, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.

6.    Serving:

·         Garnish with chopped green onions and serve the stir-fry hot over steamed rice.

 

Enjoy your delicious homemade stir-fry!

Knowing How to Live by Going with the Flow of Life

According to Buddhist teachings, relationships between people and all events in life are the result of connections and karma formed in previous lives. The phrase "let things happen naturally" (or "vạn sự tùy duyên" in Vietnamese) implies that we should learn to let go in order to find peace, without competing, without harboring resentment, and leaving things to unfold as they will. What is meant to happen will happen, and there is no point in forcing things since nothing can be changed.  Instead of trying to control outcomes, we should learn to let go and accept things as they are. Only by doing this can we reach for and embrace the good things that lie ahead in life.

"Going with the flow" also means accepting the present with joy, stopping resistance, and calmly waiting for the right circumstances to come together. Oftentimes, this attitude of calm and non-resistance becomes the very connection that brings forth good fortune. Don’t forget that for anything to succeed, countless favorable conditions must come together; if even one is missing, the outcome may fail. When we possess deep understanding or have experienced certain situations, sometimes we can predict what we should or should not do to help favorable conditions come together and let unfavorable ones dissipate.

We often refer to favorable conditions as "good karma" and unfavorable ones as "bad karma." What benefits one person may not benefit another, and vice versa. This only applies to human interactions, while karma operates on all things throughout the universe. In its essence, karma is neither good nor bad, favorable nor unfavorable. It is simply the gathering or dissolving of energies emitted by all beings. However, our habit is to feel happiness and wish to cling to favorable karma while feeling discomfort and trying to avoid or eliminate unfavorable karma.

Yet, favorable karma does not always bring happiness, and unfavorable karma does not always result in suffering. Sometimes, unfavorable karma leads to personal growth, while favorable karma can make us weak. Favorable conditions at the beginning may later turn into unfavorable ones, and unfavorable conditions now can transform into blessings in the future. Everything depends on our resilience and attitude towards life.

Thus, we don’t need to rush to change the karma we dislike or to seek the karma we desire. When our inner state is strong and peaceful, positive conditions will naturally align with us. In truth, once we find the life force within ourselves, external values will no longer seem important. Whether karma is good or bad, we remain free and at ease. As the Dalai Lama once taught: "Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."

To know how to live according to karma is to live like this.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe (Perfect for Fall!)

As the fall season approaches, pumpkins are everywhere, and nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked pumpkin bread. This recipe, filled with a delicious mix of nuts and seeds, is a crowd-pleaser, especially at Thanksgiving. In fact, some guests say it's even better than Starbucks' pumpkin bread!

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup combined pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and chopped almonds
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

• 15 oz. canned pumpkin purée
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups sugar

Equipment:

• 9x5 inch loaf pan, buttered and floured

Directions:

1.   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your loaf pan by buttering and lightly flouring it.

2.   Mixing the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, add the canned pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and sugar. Beat with a hand-held mixer until smooth and well combined.

3.   Combining the dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chopped almonds, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon.

4.   Combining wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5.   Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6.   Cooling and Serving: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Enjoy this cozy, fall-inspired treat!