I have a special section in my bookshelf called "Inspiration and Eye-Candy" and only a handful of lucky titles get a coveted spot on that shelf. These are books that I reach for when I'm feeling hungry-but-not-hungry-but-hungry, which really means I want to eat but I...
[imagebrowser id=4] There are 4 photos in the above photoset! All photos courtesy of Casson Trenor from his book, Sustainable Sushi I'm deeply, truly, utterly and fantastically in love with sushi. Well, let me be more specific. I love GOOD sushi, none of that...
Photo of Red Lantern's Grilled Sirloin with Chile, Garlic and Ginger courtesy of Secrets of the Red Lantern Cookbook I love my friends! I needed a few more shots for the cookbook, and asked my good friends Matt and Dannika of MattikaArts if he'd like to take a shot...
Photo of Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Cha Gio) courtesy of Secrets of the Red Lantern Cookbook! It's gorgeous! One of the books that is always near my nighstand is the absolutely stunning Secrets of the Red Lantern by Pauline Nguyen. I was in Los Angeles at the...
I can never resist buying jumbo shrimp when they are on sale. I'm talking GIGANTOR shrimp, that really could be mistaken for small lobster tail. The best thing to do with this monsters is to grill them whole, shell-on with a lemongrass and ginger marinade. So, how do...
If I were stuck on a tropical island, I'd make sure I brought an oyster and clam opener knife thingy. All those oysters...ALLLLL MINE...wait. Do oysters and clams even grow in the tropics? If they don't, well...they SHOULD. What's the point of being stranded on an...
Don't put away your party shoes just yet! I know you think that the new year celebrations are over, but for many Asians all over the world, the biggest holiday is yet to come! January 26th is the beginning of Chinese New Year, a 15-day long celebration and the start...
A beautiful Asian tropical salad with a pineapple "bowl" - canned longan, lychee, rambutan paired with some fresh tropical fruits. Some of my favorite fruit come in cans. I'm not talking about tasteless, mushy pears or the stained red maraschino cherries, but the...
I asked my Mom for a couple of Chinese New Year recipes to give to you, and here is one she came up with, called 100 Flower Blossoms. This dish is meant to wish you a blossoming and beautiful beginning in the new year. Mom chose broccoli and cauliflower for their...
This Marbled Tea Egg recipe serves up eggs with a beautiful marbled surface. They are simmered in a savory liquid with star anise, cinnamon sticks, Sichuan peppercorns, and black tea until soaked with the flavors of the spices and a refreshing tea fragrance. They look...
The trouble with food writers writing about their favorite things is that one of two things usually happens: Either the product runs out or the prices get jacked up. Sometimes with enough hype, both happen. It pains me so much that I used to be able to buy skirt steak...
This was one of the recipes that I had wanted to include in my cookbook, but totally forgot about it! Too late now, as all my recipes and photos have been submitted to the publisher. boo for me but yay for you! And yay for Nathan, who loves Coconut Shrimp with Sweet...
I got a chance to chat with Asian superstar chef Ming Tsai and ask him about his holiday plans - he's preparing a slow roasted lamb for his family and gave me some tips for my Christmukkah meal. I'm making Ming's Seared Duck Breast with Sweet and Sour Cranberry...
Click on image for a photoset of 9 additional images (including one shot taken with my point and shoot camera) What you'll learn: How to properly cut your nectarines (or peaches!) for this Stir Fried Beef and Nectarines Recipe The ideal way to fry (not steam!)...
The ultimate Chinese Beef and Broccoli recipe: learn how to get perfect crisp-crunchy broccoli florets and succulent and tender beef with a savory marinade and simple stir-frying techniques. Why this Beef and Broccoli recipe works: Sure, it's easy to throw everything...
(slideshow of 10 step-by-step photos that led up to the money-shot of the Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Soy Browned Butter) My inbox is filled with emails from supporters of the "eating local" movement, urging people to consume food that is grown and produced in...
See shot-by-shot commentary of photos that led up to the money shot. Rock Star Chef Kerry Simon A couple of weeks ago during a trip to Los Angeles, I bumped into rock star chef Kerry Simon at every kitchen fanatic's dream bookstore, The Cook's Library. What elevates...
(click on photo for shot-by-shot food styling and photography analysis of some of the photos that led up to the "money shot") Chinese restaurants in China don't really have Chinese Chicken Salad on their menus, it's a creation of Chinese-American restaurants!...
When Elise asked me to be a guest writer for Simply Recipes, we decided to take Chinese favorites and make them better, lighter and easier to cook at home. So, I grabbed a take-out menu from the local Chinese restaurant and I will be working my way around those...
I'm a guest writer over at Martha Stewart Everyday Food! Have you been to their website? They've got thousands of recipes, all of them simple and perfect for dinner tonight. My kids made Thai Curry Beef Skewers and Grilled Banana with Dark Chocolate for them. Come on...
