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Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad): A Medicinal Look at a Beloved Dish
What if your favorite salad was also a guide to natural remedies? Som Tam, Thai green papaya salad, balances flavor and healing: garlic supports immunity, papaya aids digestion, shrimp strengthens bones, lime refreshes with vitamin C, chili awakens blood circulation, and nuts sustain heart and mind.
lyukum
Aug 255 min read


Learning Koobideh Kebab — Chef Saeed’s Way
Koobideh is more than ground meat on a skewer — it’s memory, tradition, and soul. Chef Saeed Zarei taught me his way: halal beef ground several times with red onion and kneaded until smooth, ~160 g portions shaped by hand on wide sikh, grilled until smoky-juicy and served with his signature vegetable sides. It’s food as connection, respect, and hospitality.
lyukum
Aug 204 min read


Why Hatch Chile Is So Irresistibly Special (and Why I Can’t Stop Talking About It)
Hatch chile is more than a pepper — it’s New Mexico’s terroir on your plate. This short-season treasure offers smoky sweetness, gentle heat, and a rich history dating back to the 1500s. Discover why it pairs beautifully with seafood, how its unique growing conditions shape its flavor, and what science says about its health benefits. Once you taste it, you’ll see why I can’t stop talking about it.
lyukum
Aug 164 min read


The 2,500‑Year Journey Inside an Eggplant Roll
Unroll 2,500 years of flavor—from Georgian walnut rolls to Soviet‑Korean carrot wraps—in this globetrotting guide to eggplant involtini.
lyukum
Jun 303 min read


The 13-Hole Dumpling: A Modern Take on Xi’an’s Imperial Lotus Dumpling
Discover the story behind the 13-hole lotus dumpling from Xi’an, and learn how to shape it at home with a beginner-friendly method. My version features whole scallops and miso butter—simple, elegant, unforgettable.
lyukum
May 63 min read


When Cooking Feels Like a Workout—And Why That’s a Good Thing
Many people want to eat well, cook at home, take care of themselves and their loved ones. But somehow, the kitchen becomes a place of dread. But what if the kitchen could become something else entirely?What if cooking—like a workout—wasn’t just something you survive, but something you look forward to?
lyukum
Apr 164 min read


Nowadays, cooking at home is NOT a necessity. Then why spend time on it?
There’s something magical about truly tuning in to your senses when you cook.
lyukum
Feb 84 min read
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