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.
Recently I had a chance to tour Vancouver and try some of the freshest seafood in Canada. However, one thing that had been on my bucket list for a long time was “omakase”. Omakase is a Japanese word that translates to “I leave it up to you” or “chef’s choice”. In the context of dining,… Read more »
Over the weekend I went on a camping trip in Canmore with my extended family and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. Despite my initial skepticism at the idea of living in a tent and cooking outdoors, it was a unique experience that was both stimulating and relaxing. In today’s fast-paced… Read more »
I spent a weekend recently in Vancouver and Nanaimo, BC. It was the first weekend BC trip I had made for a long time, since pre-COVID. As an Albertan, weekend adventures in BC are the perfect getaway because they are so convenient. The plane ride is only about an hour and a half. The coastal… Read more »
Last weekend was May long weekend. While I typically work a part-time job during the weekends, I found that this year I wanted to take a breather and take my parents out for dinner. My folks are from out of town, and I found that the older I get, the less time I feel I… Read more »
When we think of pickled cabbages, we might think of sauerkraut: finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and distinctively tangy flavor. For myself, I like a crunchier variety of pickled cabbage. I grew up eating a Chinese cabbage pickle variety that is… Read more »
I recently attended a performance hosted by Candlelight, a live, multi-sensory musical concert that is hosted across the world. Local musicians showcase their interpretation of classical and contemporary pieces. For example, I attended a classical quartet featuring Bach, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. If you’re someone who hasn’t been to a classical music quartet before, the idea… Read more »
Lately I’ve been craving some Southeast Asian recipes such as laksa soup, Thai green curry, and tom yum soup. However, every time I purchase premade sauces, my food tastes unsatisfying. Either the broth is not flavorful enough or the dishes taste like Thai frozen dinners. It lacks the strong aromas of Southeast Asian cooking. Shrimp… Read more »
Spicy food is a popular culinary trend that has been enjoyed by people all over the world for centuries. From the fiery cuisine of Southeast Asia to the spicy dishes of Latin America, the love of spicy food transcends borders and cultures. I’ve always wondered why this became a trend and how some people can… Read more »
As the weather warms up, there are a lot of activities that are also opening up in the city. For myself, I moved to Calgary about two years ago and have been exploring the city on the weekends and weekday evenings. Since I don’t have any children, evening activities are an important part of my… Read more »
Thai cuisine remains one of the most memorable and flavorful cuisines I’ve tried. I have been meaning to travel to Bangkok to experience Thai street food, but have yet to have the chance. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I had a lot of time to travel but since I’ve become swamped from both my personal life… Read more »