HOW TO HOST A STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING

Every year, I look forward to hosting the biggest event of year at our home -- Thanksgiving.  Growing up, my parents would host about 40-60 of our closest local relatives, newly immigrated family members, new additions to the family, and friends of family.  Nowadays, my parents are usually travelling during this time of year.  While some family members who choose to spend their Thanksgivings at other homes, we have new guests that join our festivities each year.

It's an honor to continue this longstanding tradition and I have a few tips to share on how to keep a large (or small) gathering simple & stress-free.

RECIPE :: PENNE PASTA WITH LEMON, KALE + PARMESAN

This lemon kale pasta is refreshing, tasty and easy to make.  Done in less than 30 minutes, it's great for weeknight meals or a summer potluck.

RECIPE :: PRIME RIB - REVERSE SEAR METHOD

My mom & uncle had a very successful restaurant while I was growing up.  Our family gatherings consisted of spending hours debating over the best recipes, trading cooking tips & perfecting our craft of international cuisine in the kitchen.  With a family full of adventurous eaters & food critics, they are a tough bunch to please.

I take a lot of pride in making sure that my guests are happy & well-fed.  When I'm throwing a party, I like to look for recipes that are easy and impressive.  Enter: Prime rib for the win.  This is a newfound family-favorite that I mastered this Christmas.  And it's already been requested as a repeat entree for the next party.  

PACKAGE-FREE GROCERIES

Eating healthy is not always easy, but I try to squeeze in fruits & vegetables whenever possible.  We live in one of the most culinary diverse cities in U.S.  In fact, our hometown won Rand McNally's 2013 Best of the Road competition for "Best Small Town for Food."  Locals and visitors get to experience everything from traditional steakhouses, to ramen bars with 1-hour long wait times, to Italian sandwich shops, and gourmet cafes.  We even host three Michelin-star restaurants (Wakuriya, Sushi Yoshizumi & All Spice).  It's tempting not to cook after a long day of work.  I enjoy cooking and often like to use fresh ingredients.  

This is nature's beauty at its finest -- in it's natural form without any packaging.  Whether I'm shopping for groceries in a supermarket or farmer's market, I try to look for produce that does not come pre-packaged for a couple of reasons: