Xin Xu hails from Edmonton, Alberta. But before settling in, she lived in Shanghai for the first 7 years of her life. That’s where she grew up and got her taste of the vibrant food culture. Since moving to Edmonton, she has fallen in love with international cuisine. If there’s a new restaurant in town, she would be the first to line up outside the door. At home, you can find her experimenting with recipes around the world. She hopes to share these experiences with all who care to listen.
In her spare time, Xin cares for 6 rescue budgies. Many of which she found stranded in parks or her backyard. On weekends, she drives out to Banff or Jasper where she can be found hiking new trails. She’s thankful Athabasca University has allowed her to work full-time as a researcher while taking courses that interest her such as abnormal psychology.
As a student, I’ve tried so many brands of instant ramen that I can list at least six of them from memory. I’ve had ramen ranging every flavor imaginable and always leaned toward purchasing flavorful, spicy ramen. Despite being a giant fan of spice, I have never officially competed in a competition to devour the… Read more »
For many, Tim Hortons brand represents Canadian identity almost as well as our hockey fanaticism and our cravings for the iconic maple syrup. Halfway across the world, I came across a rare find – a Tim Hortons Cafe in the middle of a bustling street in Shanghai, China. I was also feeling slightly homesick and… Read more »
As the days are becoming cooler and roasted foods take over the dinner menu, I decided to try my hand at roasting. To make things more complex, I opted to roast a whole duck. Initially, I was concerned with my lack of experience in the kitchen to attempt such a feat. Unlike chicken, duck protein… Read more »
Canadians are among the top contributors to food waste in the world (Janus, 2019). One of the first things we find in grocery stores are the rows upon rows of beautifully stacked, glossy apples and pears that meet the eye. But what happens to the crates of avocados that are oddly shaped or the bananas… Read more »
As a student living independently, I am always on the lookout for kitchen hacks that improve my cooking and meal preparation experience. Having perfected my stir-fry recipes but not having the right tool to prepare them was a frustrating experience. Using a flat saucepan for my stir fries meant my vegetables never had the proper… Read more »
Sometimes the fridge can be a disaster or a blessing, depending on how well it is organized. For busy AU students, waiting to clean and manage the fridge until the end of the school year could mean a logistical nightmare during the semester. So how can we make this space more effective, regardless of whether… Read more »
Since venturing upon various Indian restaurants throughout the city, I’ve grown an appreciation for Indian cuisine. Traditional Indian dishes are packed with flavor and complexity and hold a special place in my list of favorite comfort foods. Indian food is heavily influenced by religion and history. Particularly, centuries of Islamic rule followed by Hindu rule… Read more »
Ethnic grocery stores hold gems that adventurous foodies would be thrilled to explore. Recently I had the opportunity to visit a local ethnic grocery store chain known as H-mart that specializes in retailing South Korean food. Some ethnic grocery stores are like supermarkets, featuring imported products from fresh veggies and fruit to packaged non-perishables such… Read more »
One drink that has taken the world by storm is the iconic bubble tea. Often the first thing that comes to mind is a clear cup filled with milk tea with tapioca “bubbles” at the bottom of the cup. The tapioca and other toppings added give bubble tea a certain flare quite unlike any other… Read more »
Over the weekend I had the opportunity to visit one of the most exotic locations in the province of Hangzhou: green tea village. Situated on the outskirts of the West Lake, the village spans as far as the eyes can see, and this has been both a therapeutic and culturally meaningful trip for me. For… Read more »