This is one of my favorite dishes from Taiwan…but I feel like I say something is my favorite is quite often. I’m a little homesick for the island that’s rich in seafood and fruit. The plan is to be able to take my daughter there in the near future and I can’t wait to show her our roots. For 4 servings (adapted from Cathy Erway’s The Food of Taiwan): 2 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon minced ginger 4 garlic cloves, chopped 2 cups rice wine 1 tablespoon light soy sauce 2 pounds clams (I used Littleneck instead of the preferred Manila, since that’s what I had access to) 1 cup packed fresh ..read more

This is part of a paid partnership with Halo Top® Daylight savings got you down? Maybe you’re dreaming about a little tropical escape too! From now until November 20, Halo Top fans can enter the sweeps by visiting www.halotoplightenup.com after sunset (ET) when the Daylight Saving Time darkness descends, for a chance to win a trip to Rio de Janeiro, and other great prizes. You can also step into a warm weather mindset with this warm-weathered inspired recipe: pan-fried bananas with cinnamon-sugar brings out the salty caramel flavor of the creamy Vanilla Caramel Milkshake Halo Top ice cream. F ..read more

Thank you Karo® Syrup for sponsoring this post. Celebrate sweet moments together with Karo®! You might be familiar with caramel or candied apples, but meet Tanghulu! This Northern Chinese treat is versatile for many different kinds of fruit. It’s traditionally made with a fruit called hawberry or hawthorn, which are like tiny apples. And similar to caramel apples, you get that sweet, sticky exterior except each bite is crunchy and it doesn’t stick to your teeth. I love the contrast of biting into Tanghulu with softer fruits like strawberries and grapes. Grapes are a particular favorite of mine ..read more

This is part of a paid partnership with Halo Top® We’re getting into cozy sweater and holiday overindulgence season, but before you reach for that PSL with extra whip (or whatever it is that sets your mood for fall), there’s a new dessert in town and it comes in the form of pumpkin pie ice cream. Yep, Halo Top Pumpkin Pie tastes just like rich and creamy pumpkin pie – even with the 360-calorie label. Plus, delicious treats shouldn’t have the guilt attached to it. Now, kick it up a notch by turning it into an ice cream roll. You’ll see. Want to try the Pumpkin Pie flavor? Or perhaps another fl ..read more

Crust off or on? The crust is usually kept off for this particular kind of egg sandwich, but frankly, I just can’t be bothered. For 1 sandwich: 3 hard-boiled eggs 1 tsp. whole milk 2 tbsp. kewpie ¼ tsp. granulated sugar 1/8 tsp. kosher salt ½ tbsp. butter, softened 2 slices milk bread (I purchased my milk bread from an Asian bakery) In a mixing bowl, mash 2 eggs with milk, kewpie, sugar and salt until the eggs are smashed into sunflower seed sized chunky bits. Note: You can smash the third egg if you like, but I like having a whole egg in there! Butter the milk bread slices, but only on one ..read more

I don’t share a lot of chicken recipes because…I don’t particularly care for chicken that much but it’s an easy go-to for weekday meals. The quality and consistency of chicken is a reason why: how chicken breast often gets cooked to death, issues like “wooden breast syndrome”, factory farming and this thread. How am I supposed to follow-up what I just wrote with a chicken recipe? To be honest, it was just the first thing that came to mind when I tried to draft some copy for this post. My anxiety-ridden brain just seems to go into these deadly spirals more and more lately, but it’s probably be ..read more

When people create stuff online, it’s often in the mindset of what readers what. And you know what? It makes sense. Higher engagement –> more followers and/or visibility –> more revenue –> lots of money. Let’s face it: I would be consistent about this model too, if I was not a one-woman show. And I’m not seeking to make money directly through this blog: this blog really serves as a portfolio of sorts. Because the internet is forever, my great-great-grandchildren might have a decent idea of my personality and aesthetic too. Pork and generally healthy recipes are some of my least liked ..read more

I used to consider myself a person with a black thumb, because I could barely keep an indoor plant alive. But a garden. You know, an outside garden, is just different. Perhaps it’s this reliance on nature, but I’ve also made it habit to water it when I’m coming to or from school drop-off. I’m making the most of the fresh produce from my garden – THAT I GREW WITH MY VERY OWN HANDS – with this summer salad recipe! Salad: Spinach leaves Cilantro leaves Mint leaves Sliced jalapeno Sliced green onion Lime slices (obviously cannot be grown in Minnesota…) Protein/starch options: shrimp, tofu, lotus ..read more

I can’t believe it took me this long to discovered homemade potato chips made in an air fryer. These spicy chips are tossed in piri piri for a seasoning like no other! For 4-6 servings: 2 medium russet potatoes, unpeeled cold water 1 ½ tbsp. piri piri (I purchased mine from my friends at Leaves & Loaves instead of making it!) ¾ tsp. kosher salt [Method adapted from Diethood, because it works so well.] Preheat air fryer to 375F. Using a mandoline, cut potatoes into thin slices. Add sliced potatoes to a large bowl filled with cold water; cover and let stand 20 minutes. Drain potato slices ..read more

A double-duty smoothie that’s could be considered breakfast and a morning pick-me-up. For 1 serving: The purple part: ¾ c. dairy or non-dairy milk ¼ c. frozen mango chunks (I used Cascadian Farm) ¼ c. frozen banana chunks ¼ c. fresh dragonfruit, cut into chunks Combine all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour into a tall glass. The green part: ½ c. whipped cream (you could totally cheat with Reddi-wip if needed) ½ to 1 tsp. matcha Gently fold matcha into whipped cream until incorporated. Spoon desired amount of whipped mixture on top of the dragonfruit smoothi ..read more