Tag: Asian

  • Chicken Cabbage Dumplings

    Chicken Dumplings Chopsticks

    Independence Day is finally upon us but fear not – there are no aliens coming to destroy Earth. Sorry, I just saw the film for the first time recently and I had to reference it somewhere.

    Chicken Dumplings Final 2

    Aliens aside, are you guys prepared for our country’s birthday? I’m sure you are all stocked up on alcohol, sunscreen, and good company.  I also hope you’re all stocked up on food if you’re hosting, because that’s the only thing that matters – food and fireworks. For me, the best thing about parties are the appetizers; I would happily snack on appetizers all day. (more…)

  • Peanut Soba Noodles

    Peanut Noodles

    You can never keep me away from noodles for too long. Our love is inevitable; no matter how people might try to tear us apart in the insufferable hot weather, I will still love my noodles. Because noodles can be served chilled. If I can’t enjoy a steaming bowl of ramen, then cold noodles are the next best thing.

    Noodle Bowls (more…)

  • Banyan Bar + Refuge

    Banyan

    This has been a post long in the making – we’ve been talking about going to Banyan in the South End since it first opened last July. Banyan Bar + Refuge replaces the iconic Hamersley’s Bistro on Tremont Street and brings with it an Asian fusion and flair. Banyan’s executive chef Phil Tang definitely has a fun way of pairing classic Asian ingredients with Western foods, and we’re thrilled to tell you all about our wonderful experience.

    Banyan Dining Room

    The space is handsomely decorated with wooden chandeliers that instantly take you away from the city, with beautiful signature green leather chairs to add a bit of color and sophistication to this already stylish space. (more…)

  • Chicken Ginger Macaroni Soup

    Chicken Macaroni

    Call me crazy but do you ever just lose your appetite for no apparent reason? Recently, my stomach has not been doing its part in letting me know when I should eat or what I am craving. It’s a strange feeling. Honestly, it’s quite unsettling because I’m usually the type of gal who will eat five times a day and will know exactly what she wants. So you can understand my recent frustration.

    Chicken Macaroni Soup Closeup

    When an uninspired food spell hits, I normally turn to soup or a childhood favorite – this chicken macaroni soup is the product of both. When my mother used to stay home and pick us up after school, we would very often come home to a simplified version of this soup. She’d just have ginger, chicken, macaroni, and broth in hers, and it was absolutely delicious. (more…)

  • Chicken Fried Rice

    Chicken Fried Rice Final

    Sometimes I get anxious about food – thoughts about dinner as I’m walking home from work can completely hijack my mind and I’m forced to confront the fact there’s not much I can do for dinner that night.

    Chicken Fried Rice Serving

    Although dinner is my favorite meal, it can be a lot of pressure to cook most nights. More than once a week, I want to throw my blanket over my head to surrender and order dinner from my warm and cozy laptop whilst in bed. Don’t lie – you know you do this, too. (more…)

  • Cantonese Poached Chicken

    Cantonese Poached Chicken

    There are few dishes that bring me back to my earliest memories of eating – almost all of them involved rice and some kind of soup. Growing up, my little brother and I had rice every night with our main dishes and there was almost always soup. My mom made soup every night – she believed soup is the cure and culinary medicine for any ache or fever. And you know what? I think she was right.

    Raw Chicken Legs

    Mise

    Aside from my short stature (I’m 5’3″), I can’t complain too much about my health. I have my mother’s cooking to thank for that – her dishes are uncomplicated, wholesome, and always delicious. That lady knew what she was doing and she certainly won my little heart over whenever she made this simple poached chicken. (more…)

  • Chicken Congee with Bok Choy

    Congee

    Perhaps it’s my restless desire for change, or my anxiety from the undeniably longer nights that indicate even longer nights are coming to overshadow our daylight, but my appetite has been zapped lately. I don’t feel like myself when I can’t finish my food and I become disappointed in my tummy’s lack of desire for a real meal. Am I alone here?

    Ingredients

    Like an old woman aging gracefully, I crave softer foods that are totally neutral when digesting. Did I say too much? If you follow what I’m trying to say, then you understand how miserable this war with food can be. Running this blog can become difficult when you suddenly become underwhelmed by ingredients and cooking. (more…)

  • Miso Roasted Vegetables

    Miso Roasted Veggies

    Do you hear that? August is here and the slow race to autumn has begun. Gradually, the shift in summer attitudes becomes increasingly obvious – light jackets, talk of Labor Day, and warmer beverages. For my sake, let’s hang on to the summer celebrations a little longer.

    Local Vegetables

    There are still plenty of fresh vegetables and barbecues to be consumed. It’s been a busy but wonderful summer – Leili went to Europe to fulfill her food dreams and we celebrated our blog’s first birthday this year. This recipe is one of the final salutes to summer of 2015. (more…)

  • Sesame Veggie Soba

    Sesame Veggies

    Despite a little wind and a few sprinkles here and there, spring has finally made its way into New England. No more snow, and days that only grow longer and longer until summer.

    Veggie Soba

    I’m ready to jump into my sandals and race to the park for a picnic. In another week or so, I’ll also be racing to the farmers’ market to browse this season’s green offerings. There is no greater joy for me than celebrating the warm seasons with fresh produce and healthy living.

    (more…)

  • Pork and Shrimp Wontons

    Wontons

    How can I talk about Chinese food without mentioning my mom? I can’t. Almost everything is centered around food in our household and I really can’t complain. My mother is an amazing cook and there are some tricks I will never inherit from her.

    Ingredients

    Mis

    My mother is one of those natural talents who can potentially ruin dining out for you. At least she did for me. I’ll elaborate – people often ask me where to get the best dumplings and I usually struggle to give an honest answer. Don’t get me wrong, there are loads of places that make great food and dumplings, but my mom makes the best ones.

    (more…)