Appetizer

Roasted eggplant dip

The English-speaking world knows it as eggplant caviar. A misnomer, no doubt, considering that there is no salt-cured fish roe in this dish. But this dip of smoky, slightly charred mashed sweet eggplants mixed with spices, herbs, olive oil and lemon juice is delightful.

Cook time: 10

Servings: 2 people

Crispy beef tripe

Beef tripe cooked until tender is cooled, sliced, marinated in Vietnamese mixed fish sauce, tossed in starch, and deep fried until golden and crisp. Served with a tangy and spicy dipping sauce, crispy beef tripe may be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack or main course.

Cook time: 8 15

Servings: 3 people

Grilled beef bone marrow

Rich. Indulgent. You may just scoop the marrow with a spoon and pop it into your mouth. Or you may enjoy it the way the French and Hungarians do by spreading the marrow on crusty bread.

Cook time: 12

Servings: 2 people

Taro puffs (wu gok)

A beloved dim sum dish, the outside is crisp but the taro is soft and creamy beneath the crust. And, inside, a generous amount of well-seasoned moist meat.

Cook time: 40

Servings: 10 taro puffs

Chinese-style beef tendon

Sticky, gelatinous and melt-in-the mouth tender, beef tendon is a delicacy in Asia. This slow cooker beef tendon recipe includes instructions for serving it for yum cha and as a soup.

Cook time: 8

Servings: 6 people