Main Dish – Land and Sea
Breaking the Granola Bar Habit
Many years ago, I dated a chef. During his stint in culinary school, he would come home from nutrition class every day and ask me what I had eaten. I was always proud to tell him of the nutritious meals I had packed for work. That was when I was single and childless, and I [...]
Stir-Fried Udon with Squid and Pork
I knew very little about the huge variety of Asian noodles until I came to Hong Kong. The noodles section in any superstore or local market is worth perusing. There is a plethora of noodles to choose from. Cellophane (beancurd) noodles, Chinese wheat noodles (ho fen), ramen noodles, chow mein noodles, egg noodles, rice noodles, [...]
A Gastronomical Clash: Liberian Joloff Rice Recipe
As second-generation American, I longed for a tangible connection to “home.” Despite my physical and socio-cultural distance from Liberia, where my mother is from, it was a place that captivated my imagination. For several years, I yearned to visit Liberia and Sierra Leone to experience the attitudes, dialect, smells, and unique flavors there firsthand. As [...]
Murgh Dum Pukht (Simmered Indian Chicken Curry)
There is an old Indian saying that “a good cook uses his spices similar to how a painter uses his colour palette”. A little more of this and a little less of that do make a huge difference. The importance to know the correct blend of spices in a particular curry requires research, [...]
The Almost Magic Beans
Legumes have been cultivated throughout the world for thousands of years. There’s evidence that they were some of the first cultivated crops in human history. This makes them an essential part of the evolution of early civilizations. When hunter-gatherer groups started to develop agricultural systems they were able to establish into more stable communities that [...]
Arepa, Arepa My Heart
Everyone knows the proverb that says the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Valentine’s Day has come and gone, and I am sure that a lot of people put in a little extra effort doing something a little extra special for the loves in their lives. I am a proponent of celebrating [...]
Thai Green Curry with Roasted Duck
Thai cuisine uses a variety of curry pastes (red, yellow or green ones). Each paste tastes unique. Personally, I love Thai Green curry a lot and believe it is among the best non-Indian curries I have ever tasted (I judge a Thai restaurant by the taste of this curry). So far, I am quite impressed [...]
Eating Fishballs in Hong Kong
Each passing day, I learn more and more about the food culture in Hong Kong. Since I am learning basic Cantonese now, I can communicate more comfortably with the local fish mongers in the seafood markets in Hong Kong. For instance, I recently learned from an old Chinese lady that garoupa or lung den [...]
Allo! from Jordan
I adore this land. With all the complexities of a modern nation, Jordan stands out in the Levant as a center of history and a haven for many fleeing political uncertainty. But for me it holds the memories of family and summers, and most certainly of food! Jordan is a country rich in beauty. Petra [...]
Food Sovereignty: Tutu Caribou Stew
It is no secret that wealth inequality exists around the world, and so exists a robust international development industry to address these gaps. Certainly, models of development have shifted and changed through the years, but there is still support for monoculture crop farming and food distribution under the guise of globalization and the argument that [...]
