For the final monthly recipe challenge celebrating 10 years of Store Bought Is Fine, I made The Woks of Life’s soup dumplings. From gelatin-assisted aspic and homemade wrappers to rustic pleating, here’s what worked, what failed and why the tender pork, gingery broth and chewy dumplings were worth attempting at home.
This Pork Green Chili comes straight from the kitchen of Portland’s Terlingua restaurant. Tender pork butt, roasted Anaheim and poblano peppers, sweet corn, and a masa slurry create a rich, hearty bowl. Finished with cotija and cilantro, it’s the perfect recipe for cold-weather cooking.
This Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen with Ginger Pork starts with a rich pork bone broth made from simmered pig bones and feet until intensely gelatinous. The broth is paired with a bold spicy miso tare, springy noodles, savory ginger pork, scallions, and soft-boiled eggs for a deeply comforting bowl of ramen at home.
This Spicy Coconut Broth Ramen with Pork and Marinated Eggs was inspired by Deb Perlman’s braised ginger meatballs with coconut broth – which quickly became a favorite in our house. The broth combines chicken stock, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, lime zest, turmeric, and Fresno peppers. Served with soy-marinated eggs, it’s a spicy dish for those who enjoy heat.
Inspired by the classic pork pot pie at Gage & Tollner, this skillet version uses rich pork belly, mushrooms, and a savory sherry-spiked gravy. Finished with flaky, store-bought puff pastry baked separately, it delivers big flavor with less fuss and more reliable results – perfect comfort food for a cozy night in.
To celebrate ten years of this project, I finally made J. Kenji López-Alt’s traditional French cassoulet. What once felt intimidating turned out to be approachable with smart shortcuts, patience, and time. The result: fall-apart meats, creamy beans, and rich, comforting flavor worth every minute.
These homemade egg rolls are from my friend’s grandmother, who shared her family recipe decades ago. A savory filling of pork, cabbage, celery, and soy sauce gets wrapped and fried until crisp and golden. They’re simple, deeply nostalgic, and freeze beautifully for whenever the craving strikes.
Deb Perelman’s crispy oven–pulled pork is everything you want in a summer sandwich—smoky, sweet, tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. After hours of slow roasting and basting, the pork is shredded, piled onto soft buns, and finished with a refreshing cabbage slaw. Pure Smitten Kitchen magic.