Thank you so kindly for the dramatic outpouring of support I received here and across social media following my last post. While I’ve been a bit delinquent about responding to comments and messages, it’s only because your generous gestures have left me without adequate words. ♥ I’ve thought a lot over the past few weeks about how to start this blog post. In the wake of my last post, I’ve experienced no shortage of heart-warming gestures of love, support and generosity, any of which would make a fine anecdote with which to kick off this recipe for wintry spice cake. If you fancy … Read More
Ultimate Fall Chopped Salad with Honeyed Tangerine-Turmeric Vinaigrette

There are no new words to communicate how quickly this holiday season came upon us. There are even fewer words to relay how unprepared I am for the coming days of packing, travel and stretchy pants. And the internet knows far more than me about how to put your best bird forward, so I’ll spare you my attempt. Instead, as has become habit of late, I’ll keep things on the short side (I’m actually working on a new pigtales piece that will exhaust whatever vocabulary I leave on the table in this post) and just drop this most colorful salad into … Read More
grain-free mini persimmon spice cakes (+ eggnog parfaits)

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
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