Adventures in cooking, entertaining and travel. — Karen Tripson

My All American Pok Pok Rotisserie

My All American Pok Pok Rotisserie

David Chang's Lucky Peach magazine is my favorite culinary read and when he featured the Pok Pok chicken recipe I had to immediately get a rotisserie attachment.

Cookbooks, main entree, rotisserie cookingKaren TripsonNovember 11, 2013Pok Pok, Andy Ricker, pok pok chicken, pok pok portland, pok pok ny, david chang, peter meehan, lucky peach, ivanramen tokyo, i love america, horse drawn farms, book larder seattle, pok pok cookbook

Out of the Comfort Zone: Making Chocolate Candy

Out of the Comfort Zone: Making Chocolate Candy

The power of David Lebovitz is to inspire the non-baker into a candy maker.

dessert, storesKaren TripsonOctober 16, 2013Trader Joe's Pound Plus, Chez Pannisse, George Geary, David Lebovitz, Home Cake Decorating Supply Co, Callabaut Chocolate

Easy After Dinner Sweets for a Crowd: Kulfi

Easy After Dinner Sweets for a Crowd: Kulfi

How to serve 24 home-made, unusual desserts easily without turning on the oven.

Cookbooks, dessert, ingredientsKaren TripsonSeptember 5, 2013

Block Paaarty!!!!

Block Paaarty!!!!

Is the block party an American cultural phenomenon? I don't know. I like my neighbors but I seldom see them. Why is that?

Culture, Seattle WAKaren TripsonAugust 7, 2013

A Small Tasting Menu for a Book Signing

A Small Tasting Menu for a Book Signing

The Cliff Notes of Malaysian flavors in three bites and a sip: Shrimp with Coconut Curry, Anchovies, Tropical Salad and the Jungle Bird Cocktail.

Event, Houston TXKaren TripsonJuly 10, 2013

Enjoying the Underbelly in Houston, TX

Enjoying the Underbelly in Houston, TX

...doing serious research at Underbelly in the Montrose neighborhood, the easy to miss place across the street from the El Real Tex Mex neon sign.

restaurants, Houston TXKaren TripsonJune 25, 2013Korean goat, burrata, kung pao lamb, vinegar pie, bibimap

Go for the Whole Hog Head

Go for the Whole Hog Head

Craft cocktails and bacon worship get trumped by the smokin' chefs at Radiator Whiskey.

restaurants, Distillery, Seattle WAKaren TripsonMay 23, 2013craft cocktails, pork, smoked pork, Pike Market, whole pig head smoked

Cookbooks with Malaysian Recipes

Cookbooks with Malaysian Recipes

If you want to learn more about cooking Malaysian food here are a few titles I enjoyed reading that will provide you with the recipes, information about ingredients and more about the wonderful people who live there and make the cuisine what it is.

Writers, CookbooksKaren TripsonApril 23, 2013

Malaysian Take-Out Window in Seattle Became a Busy Restaurant

Malaysian Take-Out Window in Seattle Became a Busy Restaurant

After working hard in a food truck, this team, Kevin Burzell and Alysson Wilson, opened Kedai Makan a take-out window restaurant on Olive Way, which became a busy restaurant.

restaurantsKaren TripsonApril 23, 2013

My Favorite Blogger About Asian Food and Culture--Robyn Eckhardt

My Favorite Blogger About Asian Food and Culture--Robyn Eckhardt

Robyn Eckhardt has added to her resume with a beautiful book about living and cooking in Turkey.

Writers, good readingKaren TripsonApril 23, 2013Asia, Malaysia, Turkey, Penang, Georgetown, Robyn Eckhardt, David Hagerman

Curry Laksa

This laksa recipe was worth traveling thousands of miles for.

ingredientsKaren TripsonApril 11, 2013laksa, shrimp, tofu, rice noodles, egg noodles

Rendang (Chicken, Beef or Shrimp)

How pleasurable were the citrus aromas and flavors as bright accents on the rich coconut cream that coated his tongue.

ingredients, Event, appetizer, party foodKaren TripsonApril 11, 2013chicken, beef, entree, traditional, dried coconut

Fruit Rojak Salad

A popular street vendor dish with fresh fruit and vegetables in a tangy fish sauce dressing

ingredientsKaren TripsonApril 11, 2013pineapple, jicama, cucumber, shrimp paste

Black Sticky Rice Pudding

The dessert was disturbingly black, a surprising texture and very sweet.

ingredientsKaren TripsonApril 11, 2013rice, pandan, coconut milk

Roti Jala

Roti Jala

The roti jala crepes were light and delicate

ingredientsKaren TripsonApril 11, 2013roti jala, pandan leaf, Malaysian crepe

Otak-Otak

Yin and yang could be understood in this dish; delicate yet powerful, creamy texture but substantial in the mouth.

ingredientsKaren TripsonApril 11, 2013fish, curry paste, eggs

Key Malaysian Ingredients

Key Malaysian Ingredients

Shallots, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, turmeric, coconut milk and chiles are common in many dishes.

ingredientsKaren TripsonOctober 31, 2012lemongrass, falangal, kaffir lime leaf, tumeric, coconut milk, chiles