My souperinspiration: Boston Clam Chowder Chowders make a meal “ The day has the colour and the sound of winter. Thoughts turn to chowder. So agreeable the word of those who know chowder’s charm. Chowder breathes reassurance.” These were the words of Clementine Paddleford, an American food journalist for an article titled “Chowders make a […]

My souperinspiration: French Onion Soup Julia Child and her Soupe à l’oignon Nobody doesn’t like Julia Child, and I’m no exception after watching the movie Julie & Julia. Her recipes taught a generation of Americans about French food, and her approach instilled the confidence to cook it. Julia Child is absolutely one of my idols . If […]

My souperinspiration: Prawn Bitsque Meaning of Bitsque Every year, when we make this soup, we always have kind souls writing to me, informing me that we have accidentally spelled Bisque wrongly. I had to reply clarifying that our version is meant to be Bitsque, a bisque with bits. We wanted to make our bisque a little different, […]

My Souperinspiration: Bhutanese Spicy Chicken Stew Bjasha Maroo The inspiration behind my Bhutanese spicy chicken stew. Bhutanese cuisine is simple beyond our conception. In 2014, this was the one of the first stew we learnt to make in the home of Ugyen’s brother, Kinzang. Our guide told us that most Bhutanese only eat meat once a week. […]

My souperinspiration: Bhutanese Potato cheese chilli with buckwheat balls Kewa Datse Cheese is a favourite ingredient and in fact ema datse – chillies and cheese “ema” means “chili” and “datse” means “cheese” in the Dzongkha language, is among the most famous dishes in Bhutanese cuisine and is Bhutan’s ubiquitous national dish of green or red chilies, […]

My souperinspiration:  Mixed Grain Dhal with Chicken In 2005, Ruth Reichl (then editor of Gourmet) was quoted as saying that the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan had, “the world’s worst cuisine”. Reichl’s proclamation is born of ignorance of the full depth and breadth of Bhutan’s cuisine. As a kingdom sandwiched between the Asian giants of India […]

My Souper Inspiration Daio Wasabi Farm (3640 Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano Prefecture 399-8303, Japan) The global vogue for all things wasabi have seen products such as wasabi peas, wasabi popcorn, wasabi seaweed snacks, wasabi hummus and dips hit the shelves and becoming popular. My recent trip to Japan especially to Daio Wasabi farm made me jump on […]

My souperinspirations Mentaiko at Yamaguchi Aburaya Fukutaro (1-1-1, Gojikkawa, Minami-ku, Fukuoka) Japan is obsessed with food and at no time is this more obvious than when you take a trip to a new part of Japan. Every town seems to have its own delicacy or speciality to try. Mentaiko is the star product of the Hakata ward […]

One question that comes to mind when travelling in Andorra. Is it ruggedly beautiful or concrete ugliness? High in the Pyrenees is the nation of Andorra. Sandwiched between France to the West and Spain to the East, this mountain kingdom is one of Europe’s coveted vacation and skiing destinations and is well known for pristine […]

The inspiration behind Vegan Arroz Samfaina la Cassola. The Rocas brothers’ El Celler de Can Roca had just been crowned the world’s best restaurant and given 3 Michelin Stars. I have heard that it is a year’s wait to dine there since each service sits only 45 thereabout. I had the privilege to dine at their parents’ […]

Inspiration behind Basquaise Spicy Seafood Stew: When we were in Zaragoza, capital of Aragon, we were asked by the front desk where we had been. We accounted our visit to Basque Country of Donostia and Bilboa, and he chuckled and said “It will never be the same again.” I truly understand why he said so. Inspired by […]