Before I had my son Isaac, I shopped at the farmers’ market weekly and prided myself in making everything from scratch, poo poo-ing anything that came frozen, in a box or a can. Fast forward four years to today. It’s 6 p.m. and I’m staring into my...
When pickles and tea are put together in the same sentence, one might think of lahpet thoke, the Burmese pickled tea salad I first savored at San Francisco restaurant Burma Superstar. Or perhaps one’s favorite victuals—I for one love pickles and tea, but usually consumed...
We all know about Lunar New Year, celebrated most notably by Chinese and Vietnamese in January or February every year. However, under-the-radar new year festivities take place at the start of spring. Lao New Year is celebrated as a three-day-long festival from April 13-15 (it can...
For this month’s Let’s Lunch challenge, we were tasked with making three-ingredient recipes. Now I've seen and attempted five-ingredient recipes but three ingredients? That's a tough one. As often happens in life, things organically fell into place. Last month, I wrote a story on building a gluten-free...
A few weeks ago, my food writer friend Debra Samuels (co-author of The Korean Table and author of My Japanese Table, both by Tuttle Publishing) came to Washington D.C. to do a bento box demonstration with the Smithsonian Associates. Deb and I have only communicated via email and social media,...
I’ve been thinking about kaya a lot lately—that creamy, unctuous coconut egg jam that was the foundation of many a childhood breakfast. I ate kaya at home between toasted sandwich slices (Gardenia, of course). I ate the holy trinity of Singapore breakfasts--kaya toast, soft-boiled egg,...
People who cook rice at home often belong to one of two camps: those who cook their rice in a rice cooker, and those who cook it on the stove top. When I was in the beginning stages of researching my cookbook, I met a woman...
Every year, Lunar New Year is celebrated around the globe with great fanfare: lion dances, red packets stuffed with money, and of course, 10-course banquets comprising dishes made with exquisite ingredients and brimming with symbolism--foods that are homonyms or look-alikes for gold bars, prosperity, family...
Many recipes claim to be quick and easy, but few live up to expectations. With the craziness of the holiday season, I've been wanting--and needing—quick-to-pull-together lunches. Given the choice, I prefer not to have cold lunches so sandwiches or salads are out. In the end, I...
Growing up, my family didn't have a tradition of baking Christmas cookies. My mom would place several orders of Bûche de Noël (Christmas log cake) for our family dinner on Christmas eve and to give away to friends but nary a sugar cookie was in sight. I never...
