After my road trip through Ireland, I made my way to Liverpool, a city that has always held a special place in my heart. This visit in 2016 was just a stopover before heading down to London, but somehow Liverpool always feels like more than just a stop. I think it’s because I spent myContinueContinue reading “🇬🇧 Liverpool, One Memory at a Time”
Author Archives: Jen Lu
☘️ Ireland, One Road at a Time
In early 2016, I decided to take a career break and spend some time in the UK visiting friends, it was a pause I didn’t know I needed until I finally took it. It felt like the right moment to step back, reconnect, and remind myself what it felt like to move without a schedule.ContinueContinue reading “☘️ Ireland, One Road at a Time”
🇹🇼 Taiwan, One Bite at a Time
Back in 2014, I flew to Taiwan for a friend’s wedding, not knowing it would turn into one of those quiet solo adventures that stay with you for quite a long time. It began with celebrations. The pre-wedding dinner was at a seafood restaurant, I can’t recall the name now (it was 2014, and IContinueContinue reading “🇹🇼 Taiwan, One Bite at a Time”
Maple Almond Cranberry Biscotti with a Rusk Heart
This bake actually started out with me wanting to make rusks, that is classic South African hard, dry biscuit that’s twice baked and made for dunking. We call it “beskuit” back home. But somewhere along the way, I decided to make things a little easier for myself, and it turned into a rustic biscotti, stillContinueContinue reading “Maple Almond Cranberry Biscotti with a Rusk Heart”
My First Pepper Pot🇬🇾
A few years ago, a now good girlfriend of mine introduced me to her culture. She made a very special meal for me, Pepper Pot and can I tell you, I was completely in love. Not just with the food, but with the culture, the people, and, of course, her kindness, the kind that instantlyContinueContinue reading “My First Pepper Pot🇬🇾”
Boerewors: The Taste of Home 🇿🇦
When I think about home – South Africa and braais (aka BBQs), the first thing that comes to mind is Boerewors. It’s a traditional South African sausage made from coarse-ground beef, pork, or lamb with the perfect balance of meat and fat, seasoned with coriander, nutmeg, black pepper, and cloves. When it hits the grillContinueContinue reading “Boerewors: The Taste of Home 🇿🇦”
Every Culture Has a Pot on the Fire
It’s been a while since I’ve written here. Life’s been full, work, motherhood, and everything in between. But lately, I’ve been craving something grounding. Something that feels like home. And nothing does that quite like potjie kos. If you’ve never heard of it, potjie kos (pronounced “poy-key kos”) means small pot food in Afrikaans, it’sContinueContinue reading “Every Culture Has a Pot on the Fire”
Tamatie Bredie (South African Tomato Stew)
It’s become a tradition in our home every year, on my husband’s birthday, I make Tamatie Bredie (tomato stew). It’s rich, slow-simmered, and comforting, the kind of dish that feels like love in a pot. This stew also holds a special place in my heart. Growing up in Cape Town, my grandma made tomato stewContinueContinue reading “Tamatie Bredie (South African Tomato Stew)”
Beef Back Rib Stew with Green Beans
This stew is special for two reasons: my mom gifted me a gorgeous Dutch oven, and she also introduced me to beef back ribs. If you’ve never cooked them, they’re cut from the backbone, it’s meaty, rich, and perfect for slow cooking. Together, they make comfort food you’ll want in every season. This recipe isContinueContinue reading “Beef Back Rib Stew with Green Beans”
From Cape Town to Costco: Easy Garlic Lemon Trout
A few days ago, I picked up some trout. Well, to be honest, I only did because Costco didn’t have the salmon I wanted (and I love me some Costco 😆). Trout is basically salmon’s meatier cousin, similar in flavour, just a bit richer, so I figured, why not? Growing up in Cape Town, withContinueContinue reading “From Cape Town to Costco: Easy Garlic Lemon Trout”
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