As an American traveller, there has never been much room to haul along all the goodies and appliances from home. In my 9-month Masters last year, I rather haphazardly acquired the random plates, pots and pans required to boil noodles and microwave rice (alternating between soy-saucy carb or Italian seasoned carb). On the occasion, I attempted to gather some of my cohorts for a pot-luck, innovating with what was to be had on hand. Though at times a tad frustrating and nerve-wracking, I found the challenge quite fun and promised, if I were to start my doctorate in England, I would collect a wider array of kitchen accoutrements and devote myself to not only eating healthier, but also to enjoy cooking for myself as much as I love cooking at home for my family with all my mom's gadgets and spices.
So, conjuring up images of the magnificent Julia Child in Paris (and the film I very much enjoy), I left my extra pair of heels behind and threw a frying pan in my suitcase last summer. Though I have been eating out more than I would like to admit (and heated one too many Uncle Ben's packs for my liking), that frying pan has already undergone quite a bit of use! I have dared to cook chicken on my own, something I have feared to attempt.
Yes, a small thing - no boeuf bourguignon for sure! - but I will count it as a small early victory on this cooking venture. And I hope, as a part of this blog, I might add a few installations to diary the humble discoveries and turmoils of my journey so perhaps others may take courage to take up a pan during this long stretch of study. For now, I shall add a few links to cooks I have found inspiring (first and foremost, my mom - who else!):
Some of my mom's delicious recipes from the farm back home - the best!
Always loved watching Rachel Khoo's Kitchen Notebook show
And the lovely Italian couple, Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos, in their show Extra Virgin
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