It’s Christmas Eve! Around here, that means prepping for the in-laws’ annual tamale feast and perhaps the most competitive pirate’s gift exchange that ever was. Our particular version features plenty of red wine and tequila and a particularly obscene vase that makes a comeback every year. It’s a raucous good time and one of those small things I know we’ll enjoy savoring in its current glory before things like an unfortunate floral receptacle that seriously resembles a vagina and nothing else takes a backseat to our inevitably lovely little piglet. How well do you feel like you know my family right know? I’m … Read More
fennel-spiced turkey + bacon breakfast sausage with crispy parmesan home fries
In case you missed it, we’re having a babes. A babes! After years of wanting this, we’re excited, of course. But we — or maybe I should just say I — am also a little…lost with how to feel. And that, in itself, feels more than a little confusing. Chris is full of pure elation and joy and anticipation, his eyes literally alight in a way they’ve never been before as he imagines our new little life with this new little love and all the overwhelming emotion that will surely accompany the growth of our family. And while I have warm-fuzzies … Read More
two-potato latkes with smoky eggplant relish, spiced persimmon-apple sauce + sour cream
My mom has always said that we, the Chinese people, have an unspoken kinship with Jewish folks — insofar as “where Jewish people have guilt, Chinese people have shame.” That, and we both love to eat. Thirty seconds ago, I shared this theory with my Jewish friend, Randi (we’re sitting on her sofa, re-watching the latest episode of Parenthood — because apparently we gluttons for punishment also share a passion for fug-faced sobbing) and she laughed. And then she agreed. And then she offered me a popsicle. So, there ya go, Momma. #nailedit And with that, I give you: Chinese-approved Hanukkah foods. … Read More
duck fat-roasted potato + wilted kale salad with miso-mustard dressing (gluten-free)
I can already tell that this winter is going to be about DUCK FAT IN ALL THE THINGS. If you’re a veggie-terry-an or a vegan or a fish-a-whateveran, feel free to read that as OLIVE OIL IN ALL THE THINGS. Just know your tastebuds are getting royally ripped off. Because le fat of le duck is le bombdiggidamndamn. (Would you believe I almost considered going into technical writing in college? True story. Something about wanting a paycheck.) Per the usj, for this Thanksgiving’s brunch we ditched the turkey (figuring everyone heads off to a turkey household for dinner) and opted … Read More
(10 minute) pear + ricotta crostini with honey + thyme
So, just to get a few things off the table before I go all (non) recipe on your butts: Spain is RIDICULOUSLY gorgeous. I’d heard all the things about all the cities we’d be visiting, and I went in completely assuming I’d leave with a strong bias toward one or the other, but so far I’ve fallen in love with little bits of Barcelona (the jamón, Gaudi everything, and some of the most excellently executed vegetarian food I’ve had in a while), San Sebastian (pintxos, of course — and the views!) and Madrid (palaces and patatas — what’s not to like??). … Read More