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.
Growing up, hard boiled eggs were never my favorite. In fact, I either had to dip them in sauce or eat them while drinking a glass of milk. They were bland and flavorless. However, tea eggs were an entirely different beast. I enjoyed the aroma of tea eggs, the flavor profile that is infused into… Read more »
Growing up with some non-traditional brunch and breakfast options means that when you’re an adult, you still miss the taste of childhood. One of my childhood favorites are Chinese crepes, which resemble a green onion cake and are easy to make as well as nutritionally rich and delicious. Chinese crepes, also known as “jianbing”, are… Read more »
Among some of my favorite breakfast items from Chinese bakeries include these pork floss buns. You might be wondering, “what the heck is pork floss?” Pork floss, also known as “rousong” in Chinese, is a dried, fluffy, and flavorful shredded pork product that is commonly used in East Asian cuisine. It is made by stewing… Read more »
Recently a lot of family members had the chance to visit me from overseas and I was looking for easy recipes as appetizers for my guests. I wanted appetizers that would be unique, not store-bought. Then after asking around my auntie, a kitchen snob, she recommended that I start with caramelized onion and garlic flatbread. … Read more »
Bao zi or (steamed buns) is a popular Chinese staple that can be filled with a variety of ingredients. My family would enjoy making this on weekend afternoons as a way of meal prepping for the next week. It’s hearty and delicious when prepared fresh. While you can purchase these from Asian supermarkets in the… Read more »
Finally, Calgary summers are reaching peak temperatures after the later start to summer this year. One of my favorite activities in the summer is hosting a BBQ in my yard. Throughout the years, I’ve hosted a number of these events and thought I’d share my wisdom in hosting the perfect summer BBQ with friends or… Read more »
Matcha is finely ground green tea powder with a vibrant green color. It has been the cornerstone of Japanese cuisine and tea culture for years. The taste of matcha is earthy, bold, and perhaps an acquired taste; one that is becoming more popular across the world. Matcha Swiss roll is essentially a soft fluffy cake… Read more »
I recently had the opportunity to go golfing for the first time in Calgary, Alberta. I grew up with very little knowledge and understanding of this sport. Recently some of my friends (who are avid golfers) took me to the driving range and later to a city golf course and helped me gain a better… Read more »
One of my favorite items to order at Korean bakeries (such as Paris Baguette) has always been the iconic salty and sweet garlic bread. Their garlic bread is unique to traditional garlic bread with its soft, buttery, milky and extra fluffy brioche buns. Moreover, the cream cheese filling is slightly sweetened compared to store-bought garlic… Read more »
Stepping into London for the first time is almost like a fantasy. You hear about the rich history of a vast empire, the settings in the fantastical world of Harry Potter, and the home of the Royal Family. As a first-time tourist, it is a lot to take in. Landing in London was already an… Read more »