Every home cook needs a few go-to recipes in their culinary arsenal. This Asian Marinated Skirt Steak is my secret weapon when I’m short on time during the week and my “sure thing” when I’m having company over for dinner.

Since I’m like a one man band over here between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., I love a recipe that comes together in minutes. If you can plan ahead, you can master this recipe. Marinate the steak overnight. Just before dinner, heat up the grill. Skirt steak cooks very quickly and with a side of rice and broccoli, you have a perfect dinner.

Jake and Lily love this steak. As soon as they find out we’re having Asian Marinated Skirt Steak for dinner, heated negotiations take place to determine who gets the leftovers for lunch the next day. Tonight, when negotiations broke down, Doug stepped in to flip a coin. This steak is so good you need a third party to negotiate the leftovers.

Enjoy.
xo

Be cuter.

Lily’s lunch box.

I feature my daughter’s lunches on Instagram and I usually get two questions:

What kind of lunch box do you use? I answer that here.

How do you make panda rice molds?

Rice molds are easy to make, totally adorable, and fun to do with the kids. There are so many different kinds of rice molds. They range from classic triangle shapes to various animals and characters. Choose your mold and all you need is rice and nori (dried seaweed sold in sheets). Check out this fun video on making panda rice molds.

Here are a few fun options for rice molds:

Yunko Bento Accessories Rice Ball Mold Onigiri Shaper and Dry Roasted Seaweed Cutter Set, Baby Panda

CuteZCute Seaweed Nori Punch Series 2 Decorating Tool

1 X Omusubi Nyan A-76423

I promise you can make potstickers. It’s one of those things that gets a big reaction from people (think fireworks sounds: oooh! aahhh!) and is so good. Once you master the art of folding dumplings and the cooking method, you are good to go. I’ve got step by step instructions with photos. You’ve got this!

Include the kids in making the potstickers. They can scoop the meat mixture, line the edge of the wrapper with water, or help fold them. Not only does it make the work go faster having a second pair of hands but some of our best conversations have happened sitting at the table filling and folding potstickers.

I tested a lot of potsticker recipes. I knew I had a winner when I left this version on the counter as an after school snack and the kids devoured them. Jake and Lily loved this recipe and I think your family will, too.

Enjoy!

TOP LEFT: Place dollop of meat mixture on center of wrapper. Wet edge of wrapper with wet finger.
TOP RIGHT: Seal edges of wrapper creating half moon shape.
BOTTOM LEFT: Create small pleats or folds along edge of wrapper.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Stand dumpling seam side up on parchment lined baking sheet.

Arrange dumplings in nonstick pan. Make sure they don’t touch or they will stick together.

To freeze, place plastic wrapped parchment lined baking sheet in freezer. When frozen, store dumplings in plastic bag and label with date.

This is one of the best recipes I’ve ever made and it’s really easy. Everyone should have something in their culinary arsenal that’s a sure thing. One that you feel confident making and is a hit with everyone. Kids who stay for dinner on chicken teriyaki night inevitably have their mom call me for the recipe. Yep, it’s that good. My kids love Asian food so we make a lot of it. While I try out a lot of different recipes and ideas, this one is a keeper. This is my sure thing.

Moms tell me all the time they need new ideas and that everyone is sick of the same weeknight staples for dinner. Put the frozen nuggets down. Do it. I dare you. This recipe is easy, delicious, and a game changer. Oh, and don’t be intimidated by the two or three ingredients that aren’t already in your pantry. They can be found in grocery stores with an Asian aisle.

My kids like this with white rice and vegetables.