STORY I’m often inspired by Saigon Cafe. I’ve featured at least two recipes inspired by them (my Pork with Rice Vermicelli and Chicken and Mint Salad). I’ve waxed poetically about why you should go there (Go there now!). But I […]
STORY Last night after a day of wandering through Manhattan, Sean and I were hungry. We stopped at Eatly, a glorious (yet crowded) Italian-styled marketplace, full of restaurants, and lovely stalls spilling over with meats, cheese, bread, vegetables, and fish. […]
I think this is the perfect recipe because it’s healthy and light (won’t wreck your friends’ diets), but rich in color, texture, and flavor. Try it at your next dinner party…for your friends who aren’t afraid of eating whole fish. If they are, you can substitute sea bass filets.
A little over a week ago, Sean and I went to dinner at Nomad, and it was an unexpected surprise-the good kind. We had the most delicious bread. I thought it was life changing, because I’m not the sort of […]
I used to have trouble with tuna salad because I always did too much to the tuna. I would add lots of spices, or fresh herbs, thinking that more would improve the taste. But it turns out that tuna is one of those simple things that just need a few ingredients to taste scrumptious. There is something to be said about tradition.
I’ve been traveling a lot, but a few weeks ago I revisited my Shrimp Basil Ginger Curry Recipe and I made this instead: Mussels, with Basil and Ginger Curry. I marvel at how the same ingredients can taste and look so different with the substitution of the main ingredient.
This recipe is derived from one of my favorite Thai curry recipes. To save time, I use frozen shrimp and defrost it in a bowl of cold water. The recipe requires a few specialty items such as coconut milk, red curry, and fish sauce. Fish sauce is commonly used throughout Asia, and is a staple in my kitchen. It’s very pungent (be prepared!), but yields delicious, full-bodied flavor every time it’s used. I recommend keeping fish sauce in your cupboard whenever you crave Thai, Vietnamese or other Southeast Asian take out. In the time it takes to receive delivery, you’ll have a fresh, delicious meal!
Christmas Eve, 2007. My brother and I decided to spend the holiday together since my Mom made plans to travel. This was quite a bit different from the way we normally spend Christmas (in DC surrounded by relatives.) And so, since we were alone, and because he is a wonderful eater, I planned a menu designed to wow him. We ate poussin stuffed with prunes and thyme, garlic pork, salt fish with bakes, and his favorite, Red Snapper Livornese. We were quite pressed for time (since we’d been shopping all day and had to go out for a party), and I had mere minutes to cook. And cook I did. Within minutes I had prepared a fresh and delicate dish.
One of the wonderful things about being part of a diverse family is being able to visit my diverse family all over the world. As luck would have it, one of my very favorite relatives lives in Singapore. And I consider that lucky because the food in Singapore is a thing of beauty. I believe it’s because Singapore is comprised solely of immigrants (mostly from China, India, and Malaysia). And very good things come when cultures intermingle.