I ate a lot of things that surprised me when I lived in Hong Kong in my mid 20s, often from carts hidden from street view in back alleys or larger street-side stalls known as dai pai dong. And I have to say, save for one unfortunate dinner that included fresh sea urchin, I never regretted these impromptu meals.
Street snacks made by "hawkers," i.e. licensed street vendors, in Hong Kong are often amazing noshes. And way back when, they also were cheap enough to fit our budget as a young married couple just starting out in the then crowded British territory. (It was handed back to China in 1997 after 156 years of British rule.)
Here’s a one-pan enchilada dinner that’s an easy vegetarian dish and is ready, start-to-finish, in just 15 minutes. No rolling needed! Read moreSkillet enchiladas in just one pan
Picadillo is a popular Latin dish made with ground meat, onions, green bell pepper, tomato sauce, capers, and raisins. The success of this dish lies in the blending of sweet and savory flavors. Read moreChicken picadillo blends sweet and savory
Is there anything more soul-lifting than staring down a big pile of spring leaf lettuce, and imaging all the different things you can do with it? Read more4 fresh ideas for spring lettuce
Fresh ideas for dinner can spring from so many places: the pages of a new cookbook or food magazine, a funny TikTok or instructional video on Instagram or (among my favorite sources for inspir… Read morePork and asparagus stir-fry with spicy cucumber salad
While I dream of daffodils and pussy willows, of fat asparagus and sweet snap peas, the first spring days in the heartland are often crowned with snow or washed in rain. Read moreAll you need to put some spring in your dinner
I don't pay attention to all the viral food trends on TikTok and Instagram. There are so many crazy recipes screaming for attention, and so many of them just seem dumb. But every once in a whi… Read moreMake your own Dubai chocolate
The best food is often vacation food because everything tastes better when it's served within sight of sand and sea or under a canopy of stars � and you're not responsible for any of the cooking. Read moreConjure a taste of Puerto Rico for two at just $13
Here’s an easy vegetarian dish filled with vibrant flavors, from a blend of curry powder, cumin, turmeric and ginger. To simplify the preparation, I use frozen okra which comes pre-sliced. You… Read moreCurried vegetables to go with brown rice
When I was thinking about making a comforting meatloaf but wanted to make a quick dinner, I created a way to cut down on the baking time. I divided the meatloaf into two small loafs and placed… Read moreMeatloaf with Garlic Carrots and Peas
Maple syrup, naturally sweet with its lush notes of vanilla and caramel, is one of the first signs of spring. Now, maple’s lesser-known forest cousin birch is having its day. Nature’s unrequit… Read moreMeet birch syrup, maple’s wilder cousin
It’s been nearly three decades since there were just two of us at home. Back then, in those early days, we had jobs with odd hours and a love of eating out, so that’s what we did. Read moreHow becoming an empty nester changed the way I cook
