Minced Indian Aster (Ma Lan Tou) Cold Dish

Minced Indian Aster (Ma Lan Tou) Cold Dish

It’s kind of hard to explain the flavor of indian aster, Kalimeris indica, also known as Ma Lan Tou (馬蘭頭), herby and little cooling on the tongue, a hint of bitterness that you’re almost not quite certain is there, but refreshing and somewhat addictive. Most 

Tuna Carpaccio with Garden Herbs

Tuna Carpaccio with Garden Herbs

I keep frozen ahi tuna blocks in my freezer for hot days when I have no energy to turn on the stove. A simple carpaccio paired with some bread is always a hit with the family who like raw fish in all shapes and forms. 

Garden Herb Olive Oil Dip

Garden Herb Olive Oil Dip

Sometimes simple is best! When I have cured meats at home, like some pastrami my sister brought to me, I like to pretend I’m in a medieval fantasy game and make an old timey tavern spread. I’ll boil up some eggs (from the chickens of 

Smoked Quail Egg Conserves

Smoked Quail Egg Conserves

I’ve had smoked trout and smoked cheese conserves in a Costa Rican resort when we visited my parents last year and had wanted to do something similar, and then in passing I saw a recipe for Hungarian smoked quail eggs in oil. Try as I 

Octopus Confit (with Lemon White Bean Puree and Salad Burnet)

Octopus Confit (with Lemon White Bean Puree and Salad Burnet)

My mom gave me a package of octopus before she left for Costa Rica–I’ve been meaning to make something with it but never got around to the doing part, mostly because octopus has a long prep time and I wanted to make sure I gave 

Broiled Oysters With Garden Herbs and Garlic Butter

Broiled Oysters With Garden Herbs and Garlic Butter

My sister came over today much to everyone’s (especially the kids’ who are obsessed with her) delight and of course, being two foodies who love to cook (and one an actual chef), we got to working on shucking a baker’s dozen (plus an extra one) 

Venison Carpaccio

Venison Carpaccio

Sometimes I get venison from friends who are hunters which is always a treat. I find raw venison to be less gamey than cooked, so it’s one of my favorite ways to eat it. Obligatory warning that consuming raw meat can lead to food-borne illnesses. 

Lobster Salad

Lobster Salad

Not to brag or anything but I do make a mean lobster salad, lightly dressed with mayo, with herbs from the garden, a hint of Old Bay, and some salt cured lemon for when I’m having that hankering for a lobster roll. It’s cheaper than 

Insane White Garlic Sauce

Insane White Garlic Sauce

I don’t often get to eat Halal cart food, but when I do I usually ask them to just absolutely drench it in white sauce—which is weird because I generally don’t like mayonnaise based sauces. However, they always leave me wanting more. Just a little 

Kitchen Sink Pate Bahn Mi

Kitchen Sink Pate Bahn Mi

This week has been… less than pleasant so I decided to make something I’ve been craving ever since I saw it on the Netflix show Street Food Asia—a Vietnamese Pate Bahn Mi. Created during the French colonization of Vietnam, both baguette and pate were introduced