it's paradoxically simultaneously therapeutic and exciting and i think it's amazing to be able to create a dish with your own two hands, from scratch- seeing it from start to finish.

my dad was the one that got me into cooking. i wasn't really into it at first, but there's something about making a dish for someone to nourish their body and soul that feels so good. and it's so unregretfully infectious.

giving credit to where it's due.

my first cooking teacher. whenever i'd come back home from college, i knew that i'd have oxtail soup or beef rendang waiting on the stove for me. new orleans had damn good food, but home-cooked indonesian food just can't be replaced.

he never used measurements- always eyeballed everything, and his nasi goreng would always taste a little different every time.

no, you won't be getting any of his recipes here, or ever- they only live rent-free in my head.