USING: 

Tofu Press (Amazon)

Why: Dry your tofu in seconds and waste no kitchen towels for crispy frying.

If you’re a frequent tofu consumer, then you’re familiar with the arduous task of draining it. My approach to draining tofu used to be the following: Wrap 5-10 pieces of paper towel around the block of tofu, sandwich the tofu between two plates, place canned goods on top to create as much weight as possible, and hope the stack doesn’t topple over. I got so fed up with wasting paper towels that I decided to give this press a try. 

Not only does it save paper waste – it also saves time! This tofu press is designed to work its magic over the span of 4-8 hours, giving you a perfectly-pressed and drained block of tofu. The press has a tray to catch the water, so you can put it in the fridge and forget about it until you’re ready to cook. It’s also compact and easy to clean.

 WATCHING: 

Take Out With Lisa Ling (HBO Max)

Come for the food porn, stay for the fascinating, unexplored stories.

Former co-host of the View, Lisa Ling has become an acclaimed journalist and documentarian – and it shows in Take Out With Lisa Ling. It’s a fantastic and captivating combination of history, culture and food. The show highlights the importance of cultures that are left out of the common narrative of American History. For example, in her first episode, titled Mix Mix, Lisa travels to the Louisiana bayous to explore the lesser-known story and impact of the deeply-rooted Filipino-Americans. We couldn’t put it better than Joel Keller when he writes, “Take Out With Lisa Ling has the journalist visiting different parts of the United States to examine how Asian cultures have not only influenced what Americans eat, but how big of a part they have had in how this country was built.”  

 EATING: 

Kung Pow Chicken (See Recipe)

Why: Why not? Nothing’s more empowering than mastering classic takeout recipes at home.

While we’re still on the topic of takeout, we’re currently eating a classic: Kung Pow Chicken. Our recipe is cooked to crispy perfection by using Tea Seed Oil. It’s an easy weeknight dish, taking only 30 minutes to prep and cook. Kung Pow Chicken, a name so familiar it needs no translation, has generally been associated with westernized Chinese cuisine, but its origins stay in China. The dish was invented in the mid-to-late 19th century Sichuan region of China. The dish is believed to be named after late Qing Dynasty official Ding Baozhen. It’s supposedly one of his favorite dishes, and we totally see why. Its nutty, crunchy, salty, spicy, and sweet. We love to pair ours with white rice.

 DRINKING: 

Ippodo Matcha (Amazon)

Matcha’s combination of caffeine and healthy antioxidants give you a calm, focused boost of energy.

There’s so many ways to get caffeine these days, but we’re currently loving Matcha. Its earthy flavor, creamy texture, and savory-sweet taste makes it a delicious alternative to coffee, without compromising on energy. Matcha got its start in the 9th century, where Japanese Buddhist monks drank the tea to aid in their meditation efforts. Sounds counterintuitive, right? Research shows matcha provides a less jittery energy boost than coffee, due to its high concentration of flavonoids and L-theanine. According to Healthline, this high concentration “increases the brain’s alpha frequency band and produces relaxing effects by raising serotonin, GABA, and dopamine levels.” These high levels of antioxidants and vitamins are the result of actually consuming the tea leaf, opposed to the common practice of steeping tea leaves. We’re all for a smooth, calm concentration. As if that wasn’t enough to convince us Matcha reigns superior to coffee, there’s tons of additional health benefits, including: Lowering cholesterol, protecting the liver, and boosting the immune system.

 READING: 

101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die (Amazon)

Impress yourself and your friends by mastering approachable, authentic, and delicious Thai recipes.

It’s no surprise Chef Jet Tila’s third installment of “101 dishes” is a #1 Amazon Best Seller in Thai Cooking and Food & Wine. You You fan, celebrity chef, and restaurateur, Jet shares his Thai heritage through mouth-watering and approachable recipes. Recipes include Street-Style Basil Pork, New Thai BBQ Chicken, Glass Noodle Stir-Fry and so much more. We love the beautiful photography paired with easily understandable instructions and explanations. Bonus: Jet includes a collection of plant-based takes on classic Thai dishes. Consider it the gold standard for authentic Thai cooking. Not convinced? Take it from the iconic Alton Brown, who says, ““There’s nothing better than when a born teacher teaches the cuisine he was born to cook. Jet Tila is that teacher and Thai is that cuisine.”If you’d rather dip your toe into Thai cooking, try his Ma Po Tofu recipe, featured on our blog.