Kyrie the Foodié + Real Farmer Jeff
Welcome to our kitchen and garden! We’re Kyrie and Jeff—a foodie and a farmer—sharing approachable recipes and fresh-from-the-garden inspiration.
Hi, we’re Kyrie (kee-ree-ay) and Jeff!
こんにちは (konnichiwa)!
Hi, we’re Kyrié (pronounced kee-ree-ay) and Jeff (pronounced Jeff)!
Food is at the heart of everything we do—from cooking at home to planting exciting crops in our small townhouse garden.
Kyrié has a passion for sharing approachable yet delicious recipes, especially highlighting Asian cuisine. Jeff is her biggest taste-tester and the expert gardener in the duo.
Growing up between Japan and the U.S., Kyrié always lived in a cultural melting pot, moving over 10 times by the time she was in high school. Being half-Japanese and half-White, the American in her recognized how intimidating it can be to cook dishes from other countries. That’s why she loves crafting dishes that bridge cultural gaps.
Her mom, a Sendai, Japan native, passed down her love for food and home cooking. Many of her recipes are cherished family traditions.
Jeff (or Real Farmer Jeff as we like to call him) frequently shares gardening tid bits and knowledge on this blog. He has been gardening for a few years now, and every year produces a bountiful harvest.
His gardening portfolio includes tomatoes (both his and Kyrie’s favorite vegetable to plant!), eggplants, okra, watermelon, squash, cabbage, carrots, radishes, herbs, cucumbers, and more! If you follow Kyrié on social media, you will frequently see her cooking with Jeff’s fresh harvest!
We just got married in August 2024 and now live in Utah.
We’re glad you’re here and hope you find some joy and inspiration from our recipes and garden!
Authentic Japanese Karaage (Crispy Fried Chicken) Recipe
Karaage is Japanese-style fried chicken that’s been marinated in a flavorful mix of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and mirin, then coated in potato starch and fried until irresistibly crispy.It’s a popular izakaya (Japanese pub) dish, where it’s commonly served as a small...
Japanese BBQ Pulled Pork (Instant Pot Recipe)
My Japanese Barbecue Pulled Pork made in the Instant Pot is one of those dishes that hits the sweet spot between effort and reward. It’s deeply flavorful, tender, and savory-sweet - thanks to a soy sauce-based BBQ sauce with hints of garlic, ginger, mirin, and tomato...
Easy Veggie-Packed One-Pot Healthier Mapo Tofu
I grew up eating Mapo Tofu all the time—specifically the Japanese version, known as mābō dōfu. It was a household staple: mild, comforting, and kid-friendly, usually made without the tongue-tingling Szechuan peppercorns you'd find in its Chinese counterpart.As I got...
Guide to Vermicomposting — Plus My Wormlet Kit Review
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.If you've ever thought about turning your kitchen scraps into garden gold, vermicomposting is a fun option. Not only is it a sustainable way to reduce waste, but it also produces one of the most nutrient-rich soil amendments available:...
The Ultimate Guide to Mulching Raised Bed Gardens
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Mulching your raised beds is one of the simplest, highest-impact things you can do for your garden. While it certainly enhances the garden’s appearance, the real benefits go far beyond aesthetics. For me, mulching is essential to...
How to Plant Tomatoes: Spacing, Depth, and Best Companion Plants
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding and popular crops to grow in a home garden. Their flavor, versatility in the kitchen, and wide variety make them a favorite for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. They definitely are a personal...