Posts By: Xin Xu

Cassandra Wang

Cassandra Wang hails from Edmonton, Alberta. But before settling in, she lived in Shanghai for the first 7 years of her life. That’s where she grew up and got her taste of the vibrant food culture. Since moving to Edmonton, she has fallen in love with international cuisine. If there’s a new restaurant in town, she would be the first to line up outside the door. At home, you can find her experimenting with recipes around the world. She hopes to share these experiences with all who care to listen.

In her spare time, Xin cares for 6 rescue budgies. Many of which she found stranded in parks or her backyard. On weekends, she drives out to Banff or Jasper where she can be found hiking new trails. She’s thankful Athabasca University has allowed her to work full-time as a researcher while taking courses that interest her such as abnormal psychology.

The Not-So Starving Student—DIY Garlic Pesto Lamb Chop

Some of my favorite lamb recipes are the ones I’ve compiled from multiple sources, including Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver.  Then, by using a mash-up of recipes from celebrity chefs and my grandmother’s traditional recipes, I’ve created something unique for individuals who are a fan of lamb.  Lamb is challenging to prepare due to its… Read more »

The Not-So Starving Student—Exotic Beef 101

While for most AU students, splurging on the perfect slice of steak may seem far-fetched, especially with rising tuitions.  However, that doesn’t mean that one day there won’t be an opportunity to test out these succulent gourmet beef options.  As a big fan of steak, myself, I’ve found that the perfect slice of steak can… Read more »

Spicy Ramen Challenge

As a student, I’ve tried so many brands of instant ramen that I can list at least six of them from memory.  I’ve had ramen ranging every flavor imaginable and always leaned toward purchasing flavorful, spicy ramen.  Despite being a giant fan of spice, I have never officially competed in a competition to devour the… Read more »

China vs Canada: Tim Hortons Comparison

For many, Tim Hortons brand represents Canadian identity almost as well as our hockey fanaticism and our cravings for the iconic maple syrup. Halfway across the world, I came across a rare find – a Tim Hortons Cafe in the middle of a bustling street in Shanghai, China. I was also feeling slightly homesick and… Read more »

The Not-So Starving Student—Food Waste

Canadians are among the top contributors to food waste in the world (Janus, 2019).  One of the first things we find in grocery stores are the rows upon rows of beautifully stacked, glossy apples and pears that meet the eye.  But what happens to the crates of avocados that are oddly shaped or the bananas… Read more »

The Not-So Starving Student—Cast Iron Wok Review

As a student living independently, I am always on the lookout for kitchen hacks that improve my cooking and meal preparation experience.  Having perfected my stir-fry recipes but not having the right tool to prepare them was a frustrating experience.  Using a flat saucepan for my stir fries meant my vegetables never had the proper… Read more »