Smacked Cucumbers

Smacked Cucumbers

A popular Chinese dish served as an appetizer, side dish, or snack perfect for hot days. It’s refreshing and light with a flavorful kick, and takes 20 minutes to make. Pāi HuángGuā (拍黄瓜) in Chinese, literally translates to “smacked cucumbers”, fitting because the cucumbers are … read more

Scallion Oil Noodles

Scallion Oil Noodles

This is an A1 example of finding flavor in simplicity. Because we already know (and love) the fresh crunch and lil’ peppery kick from raw scallions (aka green/spring onions). But what you may not know (but will 100p love), is what you get justtt by … read more

Puffed Crispy Rice Topping

Puffed Crispy Rice Topping

Inspired by the Lao crispy rice salad, Nam Khao. Think, the crisped up rice at the bottom of a pot (iykyk), but also puffed and storable to make adding ~cronchy~ texture to salads (or whatever) just a bit easier. Whenever I have extra rice, I … read more

Cold Sesame Noodles

Cold Sesame Noodles

Rich and satisfying meets light and refreshing – which sounds like an oxymoron, but that’s the magic of Cold Sesame Noodles, 麻酱面 (MáJiàng Miàn) in Chinese. And I personally enjoy the fact that making extra sauce means leftovers straight out of the fridge, no reheating … read more

Tāng Yuán (汤圆)

Tāng Yuán (汤圆)

Often labeled “glutinous rice balls” in english, but if you’re unfamiliar, I’d describe them as ‘sweet mochi dumplings’. The outside is satisfyingly chewy, using the same flour as mochi, and this recipe uses a sweetened black sesame filling (personal favorite) – but like, a well-balanced … read more

Chinese ‘Candied Sweet Potatoes’

Chinese ‘Candied Sweet Potatoes’

拔丝地瓜 (BáSī DìGuā) is a Northern Chinese dish that highlights the 拔丝 (BáSī) technique, which translates to “pulling thread”, because of the sugar strands it creates when picking up a freshly served piece. There aren’t many dessert-type dishes in China and all my child pallet … read more

Baked Sunchoke Chips

Baked Sunchoke Chips

Sunchokes, also called ‘Jerusalum artichokes’ or ‘sunroots’, are the roots of a type of sunflower. They’ve been called “the potato for diabetics”, as they have similar cooking applications, but are made up of inulin, an indigestible fiber (i.e. good for ze gut), rather than starch. … read more