An expat living in Shanghai, with a puppy and a fiance. Learning to stay in to eat when the rest of the city (especially its expats) are eating out.
What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
Well I have lived in China for three years now, and traveled all over the country. This country never disappoints for surprising uses of food. Baby bullfrogs in Nanjing, chicken's feet in Beijing, and much much more. Chinese banquets always provide a wealth of odd food that you would never order yourself, but in order not to offend your hosts you must take a bite or two. Sometimes you just shouldn't ask what it is they've ordered.
What do you cook when home alone?
I usually make eggs for myself. I'm very bad about cooking just me, and I rarely make a large effort. I'll scramble some eggs and top with salsa, and call it dinner. Sometimes oatmeal instead, or a bowl of cereal... Really any breakfast food.
Your most treasured kitchen possession:
My grandmother's ramekins. Last year when I was back in the States, and going through my grandparents' storage unit, I found a box labeled "For Kate's first apartment." I've been on my own for quite a while now, and my grandmother's Alzheimer's seems to have gotten the best of her. But I found the box, opened it, and inside there were beautiful, simple little ramekins, simple dishware and glasses. While I couldn't truck the entire box back home, I wrapped the ramekins very carefully in newspaper, and packed them in my suitcase. My grandmother was never a very good cook - she was a pediatrician who learned to be a doctor instead of learning to cook - I think of her every time I have the opportunity to use those ramekins.
The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
6 - the exact amount of dinner plates, salad plates, coffee mugs, and bowls that I bought from IKEA in a set. Any more than six, and people have to start eating off of paper plates.
