Ask Me Anything & What I Cooked Last Week
AMA (my go-to meal for impressing guests, my biggest annoyance when cooking, what inspires me, and more), Healthy Quinoa Taco Bowl, Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli Bowls, Avocado Caesar Tostadas
Hi everyone,
I hope you had a great week! I’m halfway through my cookbook shoot and it’s been so fun to see the book come to life! I’m working with an incredibly talented photography team, and the photos look stunning. We’ve been enjoying the food on set—every dish has been a hit, which makes me so happy. You’re going to love these recipes!
Below I’ll be answering some questions I got from my broadcast channel, including my favorite food when I’m feeling blue, what I studied in college, and how I balance it all 🤪Thank you for submitting so many questions—I’m excited to share my answers with you all!
But first, here’s a recipe for a delicious and healthy quinoa bowl. It’s loaded with flavorful taco meat, colorful veggies, and a drizzle of an irresistible cilantro-lime sauce. It’s balanced, refreshing, and so good.
What I Cooked Last Week! ↓
Healthy Quinoa Taco Bowl
This bowl comes together with a creamy, tangy, cilantro-lime sauce on top and has the perfect crunch from tortilla chips and romaine lettuce.
You can download the PDF recipe above and watch the video here :)
Ask Me Anything! 💬
When did you really get into cooking and how did you get to where you are now?
I’ve always loved food—maybe even a little too much since I struggled with my weight as a kid. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of me and my mom (aka my best friend) huddled around the kitchen island, cooking together. In middle school, after falling out with my friends, I spent a lot of time at home, learning all the family recipes—like my grandma’s wontons and Nana’s stuffed chicken.
Years later, when I was living in a tiny 300-square-foot apartment in NYC, I wasn’t cooking as much. But then I started dating Doug, and I wanted to impress him with home-cooked meals. That spark brought me right back to the magic of cooking.
In 2018, I started Maxi’s Kitchen as a fun side hobby while working in tech. A few years later, when I got laid off, I decided to go all in and see if I could turn my love of food into a full-time career. Since then, cooking (and now writing a cookbook!) has been my whole world, and I feel incredibly lucky to be doing what I love. It sounds cheesy, but I really believe this is what I was meant to do.
How do you balance it all when it feels like too much?
I’m very routine-oriented, and I honestly think my routine is what keeps me grounded. My mornings are especially important: I walk Kimchi, work out, and meditate. About a year ago, I started seeing a therapist who’s been a huge help with managing my stresses and anxieties. As a perfectionist, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. She’s taught me to be more realistic about what I can actually accomplish in a day, even when it feels like there aren’t enough hours.
That said, even with my routine, I still have days when it all feels like too much. Sometimes I break down crying and call my mom—but those moments are happening less often, so I’ll take that as progress!
What is the most challenging thing about being in the public eye, and do you have any advice for getting comfortable with putting yourself out there?
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