Asian Cuisine

Posted by June Chua

As June is also the month I was born in, I thought I'd focus on the cuisine of this wonderful nation that I came from. Malaysian food has plenty of spice, aromatic herbs and flavourful dishes including Beef Rendang, Satay and Laksa. Watch out this month as I introduce new recipes from my mother's old, beaten blue recipe book and also a review of Sri Lankan/Malaysian cook Carol Selva Rajah's Heavenly Fragrance. Makan, Makan!

Posted by June Chua

Outside of that famous hamburger joint, Chinese cuisine is likely the most ubiquitous food in the world. My essay "Eggrolls and Chicken Balls" has been published online by the Chinese Canadian National Council 150 Years online project which aims to archive the collective history of this particular ethnic group. There's many Chinese restos in all sorts of places. I've eaten fried noodles in Prague, La Paz and Lund, Sweden. It's not something that I seek, but hey, why resist the obvious? Enjoy.

Posted by June Chua

Iron Chef Morimoto made a North American tour last fall, promoting his first ever cookbook - Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking - and the experience is something I could never forget. With barely 15 minutes to interview the formidable epicurean talent, I managed to get a profound glimpse into what drives the chef. In the spring 2008 issue of Asian Gourmet Magazine, you can find my interview with Morimoto. It's a perspective you won't get anywhere else. Oh yes, test out some of his recipes: Lobster Masala and Grilled Pork Chops.

Posted by June Chua

It's rare to encounter authentic spicy Asian cuisine in Northern countries. I had the privilege of being in Norway in January for the screening of my documentary, Twin Trek, and had some time to dine at a great Thai place called Yayas. It was a little bizarre (thatched areas, bird sounds) but the food more than made up for the strangeness. For those closer to North America, I discovered a lovely place that serves South Indian cuisine, Maroli. It dares you to give it's kickin' dishes a try, with a poster in the window stating: "If you want bland go two doors down the street" - a reference to the KFC outlet nearby.

Posted by June Chua

I was delighted to get the animated movie Ratatouille for Christmas! Remy the rat will surely waltz his way into your heart and stomach. Appropriately, starting Feb. 7, 2008, the Chinese will be ringing in the Year of the Rat. What a terrific year for new starts and your ambitions. Celebrate it with food: Baked Fish, Duck, Stir-Fried Pea Shoots, Steamed Fish and Fried Noodles. Eat and Be Prosperous! Happy 2008 readers.

Posted by June Chua

My mother is Catholic so Christmas was something we always celebrated. Although our holiday meals were somewhat untraditional (goose, duck and sometimes, hot pot), we always had sweet goodies such as my mother's Almond Biscuits and Peanut Cookies. And, if you're in the mood for more sweets, try out the Cashew Nut Cookies, Filipino Rice Cake and Pineapple Tarts.

Posted by June Chua

Periplus Editions wants you to experience Asian food the way a person living there would. The publishing house has a collection of about a dozen Authentic Recipes From .... cookbooks that focus on Asia. These are inexpensive, well thought-out books in which the recipes are considered "classics" from the countries they originate from. Consider wrapping these delectable books and placing them under the tree.

Posted by June Chua

The rich flavours of Indian Masala (chili, cumin, ginger, garam masala, cayenne) with lemon cream for a fabulous Lobster Masala recipe, which Chef Morimoto has made his own. This is just one of many luscious recipes featured in his first cookbook.

Posted by June Chua

Iron Chef Morimoto has a fearsome gaze and when invited to meet him in person as he embarked on his first book tour, I was all sweaty palms. He greeted me with little emotion and as I set my two recording devices out and joked that I do not trust technology, he laughed and agreed with me. Whew! After that, we proceeded to talk about his first cookbook (Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking), his difficult childhood and his love of sushi (a love the is deeper than one could ever envision). Morimoto was expansive, jolly and warm, opposite of my first image -- no wonder his food speaks of surprising flavours!

Posted by June Chua

I Love New York. Who doesn't? I paid a visit there recently after a 7-year absence and its vitality is still intact, I'm happy to report. Besides noshing down slippery, savoury chive and pork dumplings in Chinatown, I was also content to slurp up some spicy Malaysian food at Soho's Franklin Station Cafe: a Malaysian and French boite! Other culinary wonders include the beautifully-anointed WD-50 in the East Village (super smoked eels and buttery wangyu beef). I must return.