Cooking with Love: Nu's Fab Dinner

The lovely Nu

You remember Nu, my cooking buddy and cousin's girlfriend from the fabulous Easter dinner last year. A little over a week ago, this lovely young lady and fabulous cook, treated my parents to a sumptuous dinner at my aunt's place since they were visiting Toronto for the first time. I had told my parents about the feasts Nu used to put together for my cousin's, aunt and me last year while I was living at my aunt's place. So it was little surprise they were only too happy to have a chance to meet her and sample some of her food.

Chow mein- it looked like a restaurant meal

Now the one reason Nu and I get along so well is because we are both really passionate about cooking, just as we are about eating. She also has the natural talent of decorating gorgeous birthday cakes and seems to be able to turn any recipe into something more inspired and special. When we visited my aunt's place, Nu cooked up a fabulous meal of chow mein, slow cooked short ribs and mussels in a coconut broth for us to enjoy. We were just glad that the dessert was lighter fare of strawberries dipped in chocolate because we were stuffed!

Sweet and sticky short ribs and basil-coconut mussels 

And you see that naughty smile on her face? That's how relaxed and happy Nu is when running about the kitchen preparing a meal for everyone (though she won't admit it). She reminds me of my mother in that sense - always ready to conjure something up in the kitchen and provide nourishment for the people around her. No crowd is too big or meal to difficult to handle. But I know the one reason why whatever recipe Nu tries, just like my mother (and hopefully me), always turns out delicious. That's because the main ingredient we all use is love. And you really can't deny that being a strong ingredient. 

Dessert