Cookbook

I once read a fascinating article that explained how Indian cooking is unique from other world cuisines because of how it pairs flavors on a molecular level. Whereas most (especially Western) cuisines feature flavors that are of a similar chemistry, Indian cooking pairs ingredients with opposing flavor profiles. It’s like the difference between putting blue and green together (adjacent on the color wheel) versus putting blue and orange together (opposite). …

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If you’re looking to adopt a clean, whole-food way of eating, or perhaps you’re facing an issue like gluten or dairy intolerance/sensitivity, you’ve probably come across the Paleo diet. It’s become very trendy in recent years. At first glance, it can be a pretty restrictive way of eating. But enthusiasts promise that there are delicious recipes and many benefits to enjoy. Although I haven’t gotten fully into Paleo myself, I …

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After I got home from work as a teacher in Thailand, I’d stroll down my soi (street) and grab dinner for that night, as well as some fruit to have in the morning for breakfast. My dinner was usually som tam (green papaya salad) and BBQ chicken from the street vendor I called “Mom and Dad” because they were so warm and welcoming to me, a foreigner away from my …

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Today, more and more people are turning to a gluten-free diet for health reasons, particularly Celiac disease and gluten intolerance. But, this protein is in so many things that avoiding gluten can make for a very restrictive diet. Cooking at home becomes an important way to still enjoy variety and taste in your diet, without the gluten. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons for adopting a …

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What a surprise when I went to China and the food was nothing like I was expecting. What most people know outside of this huge country as “Chinese food” bears little resemblance to the real thing. I was in northern China, but most Chinese food outside of China is closer to Cantonese cuisine. In this article, I’ll take a quick look at the different regional styles of Chinese food, share …

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I swear, even the highway rest stops in Italy have incredible food. Italy is one of those countries where food is more than fuel or nutrition—it’s about life, togetherness, pleasure. The food reflects that importance—it’s fresh and whole, an opportunity for social interaction, and it’s delightful to eat. Of course, North American “Italian” food has in many ways been reduced to basic flavor pairings and standard dishes you find everywhere, …

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I still remember the first time I had sushi. I was with my friend who was two years older and much more sophisticated. She was in university at the time; I was still in high school. I’d always been a little nervous about the idea of sushi (raw fish?!), but my mind was blown when I tasted it. The freshness, the flavors, the way it made me feel like I …

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My 4-year-old’s favorite outing is to our local science centre. After exploring, we always get a cup of soup from the cafeteria and share it between the two of us. It’s a sweet little tradition that I treasure (and I love that she always asks for soup instead of being tempted by the hot dogs, pizza, and other less-than-healthy foods available). Every culture on Earth, every cuisine, makes soup. A …

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