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14 Easy-To-Make Modern Recipes
Plus more dinner ideas!
Rhys
May 25, 2025
Happy Memorial Day weekend! The start of summer is underway, which means great times and even better food with friends is ahead.
This issue is all about easy to make elevated food for when you’re hosting and need a showcase dish.
We’ve also got little appetizers like the Crispy Rice Cake that will be perfect cookouts all summer long!
Hope you enjoy! — Rhys
14 Easy-To-Make Modern Recipes
1. Sesame-Ginger Ponzu Noodles
Cold soba tossed in tangy ponzu, sesame oil, and scallions, topped with a soft-boiled egg.
 | Cold Sesame Noodle by honeygrow Chilled freshly made egg white noodles, roasted shrimp, shredded green cabbage, carrots, edamame, scallions, cucumbers, jalapeños, pineapple, crispy onions, and cilantro, served with our Asian sesame ginger dressing |
2. Short Rib Ravioli with Brown Butter
Braised beef-filled pasta drizzled with sage-infused brown butter.
 | SHORTRIB RAVIOLI by Sotto Sopra Shortrib stuffed ravioli, shiitake mushroom, pancetta, sage, truffle butter sauce |
3. Street-Style Fajita Tacos with Crema
Charred peppers and steak wrapped in warm tortillas with Mexican crema.
 | Fajita Quesadilla by Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes Grilled skirt steak or chicken, mexican cheeses, onions, poblanos, house made flour tortilla, guacamole, smoked pico, mexican crema |
4. Crispy Rice Cakes with Spicy Tuna Tartare
Golden rice cakes topped with seasoned tuna and Tataki sauce.
| Crispy Rice Cake by Blue Sushi Sake Grill topped with spicy bigeye tuna, scallion & tataki sauce |
5. Avocado Nigiri
Creamy avocado over seasoned rice, brushed with citrusy-spicy soy for a clean, punchy bite.
 | Avocado Nigiri by Uchi Austin Yuzu kosho tamari |
6. Bulgogi Meatball Banh Mi
Korean beef meatballs packed into a baguette with pickled carrots and cucumbers.
 | Korean BBQ Meatballs by Noodles and Company Flavorful meatballs tossed with a sweet and spicy Korean-style Gochujang barbeque sauce. BANH MI by The French Press - Iliff & ChambersToasted baguette filled with Asian style pulled pork, pickled jicama and carrots, cilantro and jalapeño and Asian barbeque sauce. Served with your choice of side. |
7. Charred Cauliflower Steak with Romesco
Smoky, caramelized cauliflower with a bold Spanish sauce.
 | Grilled Cauliflower “Steak” by Corner Kitchen with Romesco Sauce, Charred Onions, Saffron Rice, Roasted Carrots Crispy Chickpeas |
8. Sourdough French Toast with Honey Butter Whip
Thick-cut, custardy toast with a honey butter whipped topping.
 | Cardamom French Toast by Allelo Whipped honey butter, maple syrup |
9. Mushroom Risotto
A silky risotto laced with wine, garlic, and sautéed wild mushrooms.
 | Mushroom Risotto by Sears Fine Food Exotic mushrooms, imported arborio rice, white wine, Reggiano parmesan |
10. Roasted Garlic Carbonara
Deep umami flavor replaces pancetta in this modernized pasta.
 | Roasted-Garlic Carbonara by The Firehouse Restaurant Pancetta lardons, crispy sage, candied-walnut gremolata |
11. Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese
Creamy, tangy, and topped with candied pecans.
 | DOUBLE-BAKED SWEET POTATO by Leña Restaurante Green onions, cashew queso, cumin, cilantro, lime zest |
12. Miso Grilled Carrots
Roasted carrots with a smoky-savory glaze and creamy ricotta cheese.
 | Grilled Carrot by Uchi Houston Miso, walnut, smoked ricotta |
13. Roasted Tomato Bisque with Crème Fraiche
Creamy soup crowned with a fresh drizzle of crème fraiche.
 | Tomato Basil Bisque by Palace Buffet A blend of crème fraiche, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and roasted red pepper. |
14. Pistachio-Crusted Salmon
On a bed of rice and barley topped with sauteed kale and a drizzle of vinaigrette.
 | Pistachio Crusted Salmon by Mise en Place Wild rice barley, pepitas, brown butter pancetta kale, apple cider maple mustard vinaigrette, roasted delicata squash |
Forward to a friend if you found recipe inspiration this week!
It only takes 5 seconds. Making this took me 2.15 hours :)
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Looking for more?
Check out my previous dinner ideas! There’s everything from buddha bowls to tropical tacos.
 14 Dinners Full of Garlic Butter, Glaze & Crunch |  Braised Beef Belly, Bay Scallops and Other Trending Recipes |
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