30-minute shortcut Mohinga (Burmese fish vermicelli soup)

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I always feel like November is a month of a preparation for change. I like to stress here the word “preparation” because the change may not have happened yet, but the seeds have been planted and there is potential of replacement.

Burmese chickpea tofu salad (soy-free)

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When I was a kid, my only wish was to become an adult so that I can buy and eat whatever and whenever I want. Kids are not allowed to touch money in my family. Naturally, the first time I felt like a grown-up was not the day I lost my virginity, but the very first day of fifth grade when I finally received my first pocket money. As soon as I arrived school, I went straight to the cafeteria with thirty kyats (3 cents) in my hand. Of course, with the prospect of food within the next 5-10 minutes, my face was beaming like a Ferrari’s headlight. Despite the cafeteria’s small size, it was mostly flooded with candy shops. I literally was a kid in a candy store; unable to decide who should get my 30 kyats. But, of course, as a child taste prodigy, I was not tempted by the lowly high-fructose corn syrup. I somehow ended up at a salad station, and finally got myself a Burmese chikpea tofu salad with a complex flavor profile. That day, I learned two very important lessons- that autonomy is priceless and unsanitary hands give you a very bad stomachache.

Meatless Acorn Squash Curry Ramen

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Growing up in Myanmar (Burma), I personally found meeting people was an uncomplicated process. I went to school, and I liked Power Rangers, there were a few kids who want to talk to me about our shared undying obsession with how we would also become Power Rangers one day. Then, we became friends. It was almost as if the universe wanted us to meet. It was so freaking weird that we bonded over trivial things like that. Now that, I am a well functioning adult I don’t do such childish things like that anymore. Adults often make friends differently – we like to talk about the most interesting stuffs like what we did over the weekend, how our cat foods always run out, and most importantly, the weather. Kids are missing out. It is usually quite fun zoning out, opps, I meant, listening while others are talking. (Well, sometimes, I wonder, may be, once you turn 21, the universe just says adios and lets you find your compatible friends on your own).

Reclaiming solo-cooking - turmeric ice-cream and tomato syrup

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The idea of cooking for oneself has received a bad rap universally. It is not inherently evil to make and enjoy yourself an incredible meal, but somehow the society made it seems like it is. Well, f*k this.