Xine 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.
The classic comfort food that has won the hearts of children and adults everywhere is fried chicken. The love for fried chicken is so universal that besides your local fast food chains, fried chicken has appeared on the menu of five-star restaurants. Despite trying to recreate healthier versions of fried chicken in my kitchen using… Read more »
Breakfast is one of the most important meals in a day. Eating an adequate portion early in the day can provide lasting energy to tackle the rest of the day. For AU students, this means more effective studying sessions and a fruitful day spent juggling between academics, personal, and professional lives. Hence, shortly after waking… Read more »
Have you ever been dying to host a dinner party, wanted to impress the guests, but also not to drain your wallet? I realized the crux to hosting an excellent party doesn’t all depend on the food, but it certainly is one of the highlights. So instead of going out of your way to scroll… Read more »
For a caffeine degenerate like me, I always wished there was a natural substitute for caffeine. Although there isn’t any perfect substitute, over the years I’ve found some ways to help me beat the afternoon slump without resorting to Starbucks. As a busy AU student, my philosophy is that caffeine should be a last resort… Read more »
A few years ago, when the first French fondue restaurant opened in Edmonton, I recall the amount of hype it received in the community. Everyone around me was bringing their spouse, children, friends, and relatives to gather around a pot dipping their various entrees into liquified cheese. The sight reminded me of my days in… Read more »
Having grown up overseas in in the bustling city of Shanghai, China, Christmas was always a foreign concept. It symbolized a mysterious yet exciting festival, complete with vibrant LED lights, whipped-cream snow, and, of course, endless days of feasting. I used to equate this exotic festival with the likes of Chinese New Year, where family… Read more »
The holidays are just around the corner, but before we get there some AU students might be wrapping up their fall semesters with a round of old-fashioned finals. This week we’re here to help you take care of yourself and power through the last stretch with delicious and nutritious superfoods. The brain will need the… Read more »
The entire fall and winter season highlights the importance of pumpkins. Whether it’s pumpkin carving, pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin pies, or more, we savour the king of squashes not only for its bright colors and delicious pulp but also for its nutrient content. Pumpkin is a specially cultivated member of the gourd family, abundant in… Read more »
Last week, I landed in the sun-kissed 22 degrees clime of Las Vegas. Among other things that are jaw-dropping in the entertainment capital of the world, the buffet was a mouth-watering highlight of my trip. As AU students looking for a budget vacation, Vegas can provide an affordable vacation while offering an unforgettable dining experience. … Read more »
For an essential and versatile ingredient found in nearly every meal you’d think we have better ways of cooking the yolky contents. But when it comes to eggs, we resort to the mundane poached, scrambled, or pan-fried varieties. Occasionally we might treat ourselves to an eggs benedict, but few of us have experimented with making… Read more »