Sometimes, eating makes me so happy that I do a happy dance when I take my first bite. Thankfully, I do a subdued version of this dance in public.
For me, great food is honestly made. It considers context, available time, resources, ingredients and equipment.
As much as I enjoy cooking, I’d say at least 80% of my meals are out of “necessity”: they’re easy meals – meals that we crave – that require minimal effort and minimal dirty dishes but are still delicious and nourishing nonetheless.
The recipes borne out of these experiments are what I’m sharing with you.
From Achiote to Za’atar: a note about globally and locally inspired recipes.
I am grateful to have diverse global cuisines and groceries at my doorstep in Mississauga, Canada. Our family also travels extensively locally and abroad, eating our way through Asia, South America, Europe, the US, and Mexico. We truly love enjoying our food at tables, stands, curbs, and stalls all over the place.
All this inspiration — and my incessant research on all things food — lend context to some of the ingredients and preparation choices throughout the featured recipes.
I was born in Hong Kong and my family immigrated to Canada when I was 5, to an area that boasts great foods like Phở, Satay, Mee Goreng Mamak, Yakitori, Dum Aloo, Kofta, Kharoof Mahshi and Roti; as well as typical Cantonese fare like Dim Sum.
Here in my current neighbourhood, if somebody says they want fried chicken, they would actually have to specify what kind: American, Taiwanese, Korean, Caribbean, Indian Broasted, Japanese? It’s all here.
The challenge for me here is that I want to share what my husband and I make and eat; and what’s global is also very local for us.
When you try my recipes, please remember what they are: easy food we are craving, inspired by the food we have here and abroad. You will see authentic recipes, context, interpretations, and mashups.
Will the recipes and techniques replicate the food created by the mom-and-pop restaurants dedicated to the cuisine of their culture and identity? Very unlikely.
But what I have are loving (but minor) points of references, and invitations for you to dig deeper and explore 🙂