Chicken Rendang
Rendang is a spicy meat dish that originated from Indonesia, and is a very popular dish throughout Southeast Asia. The dish is rich in spices and traditionally takes about four hours to cook. The meat pieces are usually slow cooked in coconut milk and a paste of mixed ground spices called pemasak (usually ginger, galangal, tumeric, … Continue reading
Tomato Rice
We prepared this deliciously easy tomato rice dish during our Penang Cooking Class, which was served with Penang Achar and Chicken Rendang. Of all the dished we made during this class, this is probably the only one I could manage at home (aka this was the easiest to prepare and took the least amount of … Continue reading
Penang Cooking Class
One of the best parts about being in Singapore is… well, how easy it is to get out. Singapore’s central location in Southeast Asia makes it the ultimate travel hub for quick weekend getaways. My goal is to travel at least once a month and so far, I’m right on track! I tend to choose … Continue reading
Aji De Gallina
Aji De Gallina is a traditional pulled chicken dish with aji sauce that we prepared as the main entrée in the Peruvian Cooking Class in Lima. It is a stew of chicken strips in a cheese sauce served with rice and boiled egg. Because of time constraints, our instructor pre-cooked the chicken itself prior to our arrival. Chef … Continue reading
Tiradito
Tiradito is a popular Peruvian appetizer that reflects how Japanese cuisine has influenced Peruvian cooking. It is prepared with sashimi-style fresh fish that is marinated with lime juice. Tiradito is similar to ceviche, but the fish isn’t diced into cubes and no onions are used. Both are typically garnished with boiled potatoes and Peruvian corn. … Continue reading
Papa A La Huancaina
I made this appetizer in my Peruvian Cooking Class in Lima. In the interest of saving time, the chef had pre-boiled the potatoes and eggs for us. The dish is a relatively heavy appetizer, since it is potato based with a creamy cheese sauce, so it’s a pretty strong start to a meal. Some of … Continue reading
Peruvian Cooking Class – Lunch
The main thing I wanted to do when planning a few days around Lima was to take a Peruvian cooking class. I was initially intrigued by Peruvian cuisine after visiting a few restaurants in New York: Lima’s Taste (weirdly on Cinco de Mayo years ago because it was “close enough to Mexican” when all Mexican … Continue reading
Chilean Cuisine Cooking Class
In December 2011, Natalya and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to South America for a holiday. In Argentina, we were able to fulfill all our foodie dreams of Argentine steak, chimichurri, and bold red wines. By the time we had crossed the Andean Lakes into Chile, we were completely beef-ed out and the cow population had probably … Continue reading
Chirimoya Alegre (Happy Custard Apple)
Mark Twain once called the chirimoya “the most delicious fruit known to men” and I wholeheartedly agree. On my most recent trip to Chile, I was able to taste the rich, velvety sweetness of a chirimoya for the first time. Chirimoya, also spelled cherimoya, is a fruit native to the Andes and is grown throughout … Continue reading
Ensalada Chilena
On our most recent holiday in South America, Natalya and I were completely wowed by the cuisine of Chile. Chilean cuisine and cooking techniques are quite simplistic but what defines Chilean cuisine to me is the ultimate freshness of the produce. I felt that every fruit and vegetable I tasted in Chile was by far the best I had … Continue reading






















