Breakfast Archives - Pickles and Tea

Quickie Congee in the Instant Pot

18 Jan, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Breakfast, Chinese, Cooking method, Do ahead, Filipino, Grains, Indonesian, Instant Pot, Kid-friendly, Main Course, Malaysian, One-wok meal, Poultry, Singaporean, Soups, Taiwanese, Vietnamese

Nothing beats a warm, comforting bowl of congee (or arroz caldo, or bubur, or whatchamacallit) made by grandma, especially when you’re sick. Not many of us still have that luxury. In fact, we’re probably the ones doing the cooking. Making congee is definitely a labor...

Wilted Greens, Egg and No Ham

11 May, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Breakfast, Comfort food, Fusion, Stir-frying, Vegetable, Vegetarian

Salad for breakfast? Why yes! Last week, I was at a breakfast joint in New York City (Friedman’s if you must know) and their special was a wilted salad breakfast bowl. As luck would have it, Bright Farms had sent me three boxes of their...

Cooking with Coconut + Book Giveaway!

22 Feb, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Book giveaway, Braising, Breakfast, Comfort food, Cook books, Eggs, Main Course, Pan-frying, Recipes, Sri Lankan

Before I discovered coconut milk in a can, there was the coconut auntie at the wet market. One whiff of coconut and I'll be transported to the neighborhood wet market where I grew up in Singapore. Once a week, usually a Saturday, I'd accompany my mom...

Who’s John?

30 Jul, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Appetizers, Breakfast, Fusion, Kid-friendly, Malaysian, Pan-frying, Singaporean, Snacks

Roti John could be considered the bánh mì, aka the ubiquitous Vietnamese sandwich, of Singapore (or Malaysia, or Brunei). Its components are similar—bread, protein--and is a blend of East and West and just as delicious. Basically, roti John is a savory French toast—baguette slices soaked with...

Savory Rice Porridge with Pork and Shrimp (Kao Tom Moo)

29 Feb, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Boiling, Breakfast, Chinese, Comfort food, Filipino, Grains, Indonesian, One-wok meal, Pork, Seafood, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Thai, Vietnamese

Although Lady Spring teased us with her glorious appearance this past weekend, the upcoming snow in the forecast reminds us that it's still winter. And there's nothing better than a steamy bowl of rice porridge when you're in need of something warm and comforting for both your soul...

How to Make Homemade Yogurt and Orange-Clove Lassi

18 Aug, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Breakfast, Drinks, Indian, No cook, Pakistani, Snacks, Tips and techniques

I was a yogurt-making novice until my first year of marriage. That was 13 years ago. My impetus wasn’t being a Mrs. Nor was I inspired to become more of a homebody because we were living in the English countryside. The culprit was actually an insulated flask I...

The Mexican-Asian Culinary Connection

13 Mar, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Breakfast

Last December, my son and I went on a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with my family. Namely, my parents, my brother and his wife and two boys, and my sister and her husband. Thanks to my brother’s timeshare, 10 of us sprawled out...

Sweet Mung Bean Porridge and Pandan Leaves

20 Feb, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Breakfast, Comfort food, Indonesian, Snacks, Sweets/desserts

I don't know why, but snowy days and cold weather tend to bring on a bout of nostalgia. The temperatures dipped into the teens and about 10 inches of snow fell on Tuesday, unusual for Northern Virginia. As I was curling up on my couch and...

Sweet Potato Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi)

30 Jan, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Appetizers, Boiling, Breakfast, Celebrations, Chinese, Comfort food, family, Food traditions, Kid-friendly, Vegan, Vegetable

On February 19, 2015, we will welcome the Year of the Sheep. And so begins another round of eating because a new year celebration isn't a celebration without lots of food! I’ve written many posts on Lunar New Year foods: from a Singapore favorite, raw fish...

Thai-Style Fried Egg (Kai Dao)

16 Jul, by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Breakfast, Comfort food, Thai, Vegetable

Frying an egg Thai-style (or Indonesian-style for that matter!) requires quite a bit of oil so that the edges crisp up nicely. In fact, you're almost deep frying it. Use the smallest frying pan you own (I used a 7-inch pan and it was perfect)...

Pickles and Tea Breakfast