Almost everyone can look back on a fond memory associated with a favorite meal. Students and faculty were asked what recipes are important to them. Each person told a story that accompanied their recipe. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory we have you covered. Ranging from South America to Asia these cuisines are interesting and flavorful.

Chicken Biryani

Akhil Kagithapu ‘24 expressed his love for Chicken Biryani. Kagithapu said “my mom usually makes it on my birthday and I associate the dish with that.” Kagithapu’s parents often made Indian food when he was growing up. He expressed his food culture growing up as being a mix of Indian and American dishes.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons plain yogurt

1 1/4 tablespoons ginger garlic paste

1 tablespoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon red chili powder

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 pound chicken breasts

2 cups basmati rice

1 inch cinnamon stick

6 cloves

4 green cardamom pods

1 bay leaf

1 red onion

1 teaspoon of caraway seeds

Instructions

Mix ingredients one through nine together in a bowl then let marinate for one hour. While the chicken is marinating, soak basmati rice in water for thirty minutes. Heat a large pan with vegetable oil then add ingredients 11 through 15. Next add the red onion thinly sliced and cook till golden brown. Once the onions are golden brown add marinated chicken and cook on medium heat for five minutes. Once done add three cups of water and a pinch of salt to a separate pot and bring to a rolling boil. Pour the boiling water over the rice and chicken. Cook the mixture of chicken, rice and water on medium heat until the rice is cooked. Lest rest for fifteen minutes, serve and enjoy.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Arthur Miller ‘26 shared his favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. When asked where the recipe is from he said “my mom has a collection of recipes she’s made into a scrapbook.” Miller said he and his mother often made the cookies together. When Miller was asked what story stood out to him when making the cookies he said “When I was greasing the baking sheet my cousin Faris Miller ‘24 grabbed the canister and sprayed me with vegetable oil.”

Ingredients

1 cup of softened butter

3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cups brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract

1 cup of flour

1/2 a teaspoon of salt

Instructions

Mix all wet ingredients into a large bowl then add all mixed dry ingredients. Once thoroughly mixed add small balls of cookie dough an inch apart on a baking sheet. Cook at 365 degrees for ten minutes. Arthur emphasized the importance of mixing your dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.

Arroz Mamposteao

Samantha Lopez, an instructor of mathematics shared many recipes, but her favorite simple recipe is Mamposteao. Mamposteao is a combination of leftover rice and beans that are often made in separate dishes. Lopez says that “the beans and the rice have been able to sit in their juices, they’ve been able to sit in their flavors and the spices.” She expressed how nostalgic cooking Puerto Rican food is, and her love for cooking. When asked where she learned to cook she said “my mom said Samantha you’re not allowed to move out until you learn how to cook.” Before leaving for college her mother taught her all the meals she wanted to learn. Ms. Lopez said tasting as you cook is an important technique no matter what you are cooking.

Ingredients

Leftover Rice

Leftover Beans

Salt

Olive Oil

Instructions

Pour olive oil on a pan till covered. Then add rice and beans and cook for four to five minutes. Once finished, serve and add salt to taste.