There is one thing I have always known about myself, even from a young age. Telling stories is the driving force behind everything I do. The ventures and tangible things are simple vessels. At the end of the day, I only ever want to pick you up and transport you to my familiar concrete slab outside the Beijing airport where a local vendor is selling char siu and I ponder to myself… how do I make this vegan. The kitchen is where I go when I want to conjure myself somewhere else in the world, but rest my head on…
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Continue ReadingCooking is my biggest tool in grounding. When my heads in the clouds, and my thoughts are running wild- I can always find that peace and balance while creating recipes. I believe that food has the magical ability to take you anywhere or at least me. We can create anything…
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Continue ReadingOccasionally I find myself wondering where I would be if I never found the peace that comes from spending hours locked away in my kitchen. The solace and pride that come from spending days down a rabbit hole creating dishes, I could never put a price tag on that feeling.…
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Continue ReadingI always wondered what I’d do if traveling was stripped away from me. Or if I simply lost the joy that bouncing around to 17 consecutive countries can bring (miss you 25). What I found is that you don’t stop loving those things, just because you discover other facets of…
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Continue ReadingReimagining a Classic: Vegan Fish and Chips As humans, we often build stories in our heads about how something will feel, long before we experience it. For me, London was no exception. I imagined it dim and dreary, mysterious and enchanting—a place where The Clash played in the background, cigarette…
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Continue ReadingLomo Saltado: A Vegan Peruvian Stir Fry Adventure After traveling to over 30 countries, I can confidently say that I’m a little obsessed with the world—its cultures, its stories, and, of course, its food. But what I’ve learned is that you don’t need to board a plane to experience adventure.…
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Continue ReadingAfter spending a glorious month in Australia chasing some dreams (more on that later), I returned home with a few dishes from the land down under that I just couldn’t get out of my head. One of them? A decadent French toast topped with vanilla-poached pears, a dollop of whipped…
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Continue ReadingTuscan Celery Balls aka Polpette di Sedano: A Star is Born Celery is often overlooked, relegated to a supporting role in soups and salads. But today, we’re giving it the spotlight it deserves. These Tuscan Celery Balls (Polpette di Sedano) are a true showstopper—crisp, flavorful, and versatile. Pair them with…
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Continue ReadingA Quintessential Vegan Delight Tofu often gets a bad rap for being intimidating to cook with, but this recipe will completely change the way you see it. These Chinese Tofu Lettuce Wraps are a game-changer—light, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. The tofu crumbles, crisped to perfection in the air fryer, are…
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Continue ReadingWhen you start to believe that your kitchen has the magical ability to take you anywhere, that’s where the joy in cooking comes for me. As a self proclaimed escape artist, I have packed everything up and left one too many times. For the sake of the story, buying one-way…
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Continue ReadingThis recipe has been one of my most highly requested recipes in recent months. I guarantee this one-pot Indian Butter Chickpea recipe will have you sold on garbanzo beans in 30 minutes. It has been one of my go to favorite for a nutritious plant-based meal prep ready in 30…
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Continue ReadingChicago holds a special type of magic for me. I moved to this city about 2 years ago and found a profound amount of peace while skipping through these city alleyways. To many this may just be another American metropolis, but to me this city has opened up a creative…
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Continue ReadingMy love language every single time is sitting in an alleyway with a cheap bowl of spicy noodles. It takes me back in time, to the months spent backpacking through Asia. For a moment, those countries felt like home. With a motorbike to call my own and alleyways begging me…
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Continue ReadingThis plant-based soup only take 30 minutes and it so refreshing. A classic Greek avgolemono soup contains egg and chicken, so I have made a few changes. We have replaced the chicken with some shredded jackfruit and the egg with some unsweetened cashew yogurt. My avgolemono turned better than I…
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Continue ReadingI am a firm believer that you are what you eat. You put trash in your body and you will feel like trash. That’s why whatever it is that I’m cooking, from a messy Sloppy Joe to an elegant blini caviar… I remember that how I treat my food is…
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Continue ReadingOnly in my recipe collection would I go from cooking moms Sloppy Joes to blini pancakes with homemade crème fraîche. We love to see a walking contraction. I like to think that the polar opposites keep me balanced in life. These little appetizers look so fancy and aesthetic but in…
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Continue ReadingAs Veganuary begins in full force, I have been getting many requests for quick and easy vegan recipes. January is the month of rebirth. Resolutions run rampant as everyone plots how they will become the best versions of themselves this year. So whatever that version of you is, I hope…
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Continue ReadingEvery so often I get a dish that takes me far away. The feeling becomes real, that I am right back wandering around the streets of Hanoi in search of a vegan banh mi. Vietnam is where I was taught how to stop eating animals. By wandering through the Asian…
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Continue ReadingThe constant echo of a posh French dialogue is always chiming in the back of my mind. It’s daring me to get the infamous one-way ticket to a cottage in the village, while I pace the flickering cobblestone in search of a hideaway. Preferably one serving a steamy bisque and…
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Continue ReadingGetting creative in the kitchen in one of the joys of cooking and that is exactly where these Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos derived from. It’s great to have the same familiar dishes over and over again… it takes you back in time and wraps a warm fuzzy blanket around you.…
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Continue ReadingWith the holidays quickly approaching, nothing makes more sense than the aroma of toasted nuts and garlic. This creamy walnut sauce takes all of 5 minutes and is so versatile. For this recipe, I pour the creamy sauce over a fresh pasta and top with toasted pine nuts and crispy…
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Continue ReadingWith fall in full force, this is the perfect time to play with energy balls. I am a huge fan of energy balls as a quick prepped breakfast. These are little rolled oat balls packed full of all your favorite fall flavors while including some energy boosting ingredients as well.…
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Continue ReadingThe is one unequivocal way to win my heart. When standing outside my window with a boom box doesn’t work or hiring a sky writer just isn’t doing the trick, the secret lies around the corner in a smoking street alley. Street food is an entire other language of dining.…
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Continue ReadingThis dip is hands down one of the easiest and most impressive dishes on my site. It also just so happens that one bite of this classic Greek dip and you’re sure to be transported to the Greek islands. As a vegan, I love showing how stunning plant-based creations really…
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Continue ReadingWhen you want to utterly transform your world for the night, just prepare a bourguignon. The first time I ever made a bourguignon, it all made sense. Why so many people run away to France to learn how to cook. The smells are soul shaking; who could ever go back…
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Continue ReadingI wouldn’t ever categorize myself as a cook. The first 3 times I made these somewhat simple and traditional pancakes, they came out sub-par. I paced the floors looking at the beautiful photos, ready to trash the entire post- and honestly the website. Leave the cooking to the professionals my…
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Continue ReadingLately I have found myself fixating on Scandinavia. Dreams of getting lost in an IKEA somewhere while eating a bowl of Swedish meatballs. What?! It’s true… ask any Swed where they recommend getting your meatball fix, and they will promptly send you in the direction of the iconic furniture store.…
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Continue ReadingMy love for street food knows no limits. It’s where everything in the world makes perfect sense and the only thing that matters is smoke filled alleyways. These little potato croquettes are popular all over Latin America and the Caribbean. Out of all the countries you’ll find papas rellenas frying…
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Continue ReadingJapanese cuisine could never be just one thing. It’s a mixture of sitting in an alleyway eating street pancakes at 2am. It’s drowning yourself in the bizarre dessert of kakigori shaved ice. And it’s enjoying the posh and decadent ingredients like a maitake mushroom. Maybe that’s why I have been…
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Continue ReadingIt is no secret that I did not give up animal products because I hated the taste of them. Nope, I often crave a fresh calamari along European seaside while watching the ships roll in, as I drown my starter in some lemon juice. It’s the rituals of food that…
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Continue ReadingI admit I got actual tears in my eyes when I was filming videos for this Argentinian Lions Mane. My soul completely wakes up from these innovative dishes. I am completely elated for you to explore this dish. There is an art that comes with grilling and smoking, and somehow…
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Continue ReadingAhhhh, my first Caribbean post! It’s been a long time coming. Excuse me… because I have been on island time since cooking these Conch Fritters. If you are contemplating making anything off my blog but don’t know where to start… start with these. They are creative, stunning, and super easy.…
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Continue ReadingI finally recreated the TikTok viral Baked Salmon Sushi Cups- AS VEGAN. When I chose to go vegan, I opened up the creative portal in myself. I decided there was nothing I could not make vegan. These baked sushi cups made me dance around the kitchen in triumph. I am…
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Continue ReadingRecreating my favorite Chinese takeout dishes is one of my favorite series to dive into. There is nobody on planet earth that does not like chowing down with those infamous white Chinese takeout boxes and cheap wooden chopsticks. It is a complete vibe that suddenly transports you through a portal…
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Continue ReadingIt is no secret by now that I am absolutely obsessed with all things Asia. It’s the dark allure of smoking alleyways and street side food cart grills. It’s the heaping bowls of noodles for 100 baht or 3 American dollars. It’s the motorbikes wizzing by while you’re skipping around…
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Continue ReadingOne thing I have been doing lately in the kitchen is leaning harder into EASY to make recipes. However, I am adamant in not compromising the beauty of the dish. I think eating beautiful food does something to the soul. It wakes you up a bit and sends happy little…
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Continue ReadingMost of my friends will tell you that when they come to visit Chicago, I pack our days with self-guided food tours around my self-proclaimed sitcom city. There is nothing quite like having my omnivorous friends get seated at a poshy plant-based restaurant and watching their eyes light up as…
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Continue ReadingOne of my favorite hobbies is grabbing ingredients I don’t usually cook with and making them the star of the dish. That’s right, golden beets, it’s your moment to shine. In the words of Harry Styles… you’re so goldennnnn. If you have never been a fan of red beets, then…
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Continue ReadingIt is no surprise by now that I use my kitchen as a means to transport myself around the world. I started Faraway Kitchen in the very beginning of Covid, when traveling was stripped away. I became captivated by the idea of cooking my favorite dishes from around the world.…
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Continue ReadingPerhaps one of my deepest rabbit holes online is Japan. The obsession to fall into this playground of an adult jungle gym is all too familiar. Japan is another dimension, I am convinced. Nothing about Japan makes sense, and that must be why I am innately drawn to its confusing…
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Continue ReadingThis Greek comfort dish is essentially a fancy potato eggplant lasagna. It’s a cinnamon infused labor of love, and honestly it is completely worth it. When I think of Greece, I’m usually dreaming of feta cheese while lounging seaside, but this dish has opened up my vision of Greek food.…
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Continue ReadingCooking has always been the thing that can bring peace into my life when I am in need of a reset. Sometimes I simply don’t want to commit to an extravagant meal that is going to take several hours, but I need to cook. My mind is often wandering, dancing…
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Continue ReadingThe food you put into your body has a big hand in creating the energy around you. So be proud of what you are eating and lets make it fun. That’s why for this recipe I have injected as much color as I can into this super simple vegan beet…
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Continue ReadingIf you’ve ever met me in person, you’ll quickly learn that I’m a walking contradiction between all things fancy candlelit rooftops vs grungy alleyway eats. Both sides of food and dining are fascinating to me. That’s why I’m enamored with this quirky Date Kebab dish so much- she is a…
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Continue ReadingEvery so often I get an idea for a dish that drives me to the point of going out to buy new presentation plates. That’s how you know it’s going to make it on the blog. I have filled this dish with humble ingredients and as all the cooking reality…
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Continue ReadingCooking dishes that are traditionally popular in street food markets is a great way to spice up your cooking routine. I cannot tell you how often I get lost in the art of street food. One quick search on the Philippines and you are sure to discover this traditional Filipino…
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Continue ReadingVietnam is my own definition of asian wonderland. Imagine being thrown onto the side of a bustling street while motorbikes spend their entire existence avoiding crashing into one another. Every alleyway (you know how I feel about alleys) stocked with cute old ladies throwing anise star and fresh cilantro into…
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Continue ReadingOccasionally I pop out of bed at 7am with an insane desire to cook a certain dish. I have an agreement with Dream Courtney… if she wants to cook a vegan risotto at 7am… then who am I to stop her? Besides, I am forever a believer in doing the…
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Continue ReadingFresh bread baking in the oven while summer fades to fall… the thing dreams are made of. When I was a kid, my mom used to make this beer bread with this exact dip. At thirty-three years old, I still lounge in my Chicago kitchen daydreaming about those fresh loaves.…
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Continue ReadingI wish I had some fascinating story to tell about China that would explain my love and connection to it. In reality, the closest I ever got was laying half delusional from a 42 hour flight in the grass outside a Beijing airport. However, I still find myself bargaining with…