Asia McLain
School
University Of Southern California, School Of Cinematic Arts
Expertise
Southern/New Orleans Style Cooking, Disney Parks Food, Celebrity Chefs & Cookbooks
- Asia once won a neighborhood "Iron Chef" competition where the secret ingredient was sweet potato. The highlight of the winning menu was her Caribbean sweet potato salad.
- Her celebrity doppelganger (or dopplegangers) are Tia and Tamera Mowry, and when she interviewed Tamera in 2022, even she was tickled by the resemblance.
- The celebrity chef she'd most like to have a meal with (and had her first celebrity chef crush on) is Bobby Flay.
Experience
Asia has been writing since she could hold a pencil, and she has worked as a professional writer for over a decade. She began her media writing career as a parenting writer and content creator for BuzzFeed and has since expanded her coverage to a diverse variety of lifestyle topics, including TV, movies, travel, food, women's issues, health, and Disney Parks. She has also conducted interviews with celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, Kristen Bell, and "Supernanny" Jo Frost. Asia's articles have also been featured in Multiples of America's "Notebook" national magazine and the Disney Food Blog. She has been contributing to Daily Meal since 2023.
Education
Asia has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in writing for screen and television from the University of Southern California (USC)'s School of Cinematic Arts.
The Daily Meal’s content comes from an authoritative editorial staff that is dedicated to current and comprehensive coverage. With an aim to provide only informative and engaging content, our writers, editors, and experts take care to craft clear and concise copy on all things food-related, from news in the food service industry to in-depth explainers about what’s found in readers’ refrigerators, original recipes from experienced chefs, and more.
Our team also regularly reviews and updates articles as necessary to ensure they are accurate. For more information on our editorial process, view our full policies page.
Stories By Asia McLain
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Cooking up a batch of burgers makes for a simple, satisfying meal. But, try adding baking soda to your meat for next-level burgers. Here's why.
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You've likely had guacamole with the avocado mashed into a spread, but you've been missing out if you've never made the dip with larger chunks of diced avocado.
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The ultimate disappointment is banana bread that becomes dry and crumbly. It turns out all you need is a zip-top bag and a little patience to lock in moisture.
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A small sprinkle of flaky sea salt can deliciously brighten up your peanut butter and jelly sandwich, balancing out its sweetness and mouthfeel.
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Sometimes you want a sandwich a little on the lighter side. Doing an easy swap for nutrient-rich eggs instead of bacon can help get you there.
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Serving food on colored dishware can enhance the presentation - and your diners' appetites. Some plate and bowl colors are the best, and some are the worst.
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In life, it's all about timing. And making breakfast is no different. For the best egg texture, you want to pay attention to the order of events.
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If you feel like your cheesecake could use a bit of a textural improvement, then you'll want to reach for a tub of mascarpone cheese as your secret ingredient.
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There's an easy switch to make dips that are heavy in fat and calories lighter and healthier. All you have to do is swap sour cream with Greek yogurt.
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Add a bit of Greek yogurt to your next batch of homemade hummus and you'll enjoy thick, creamy dip for days to come.
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If you're looking to bake the most chewy cookies that are rich and fudgy in texture and have a delectable custard-like flavor, look no further than egg yolks.
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For an enjoyable and unexpected twist, try throwing your garlic on the grill at your next cookout for a richer flavor and even softer texture.
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Cheese can be difficult to grate for recipes, especially harder varieties. Luckily, there's a trick that helps add moisture that makes grating it much easier.
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Potato salad is always delicious, but who isn't on the lookout for new ways to add some zing? Reach for that bottle of sriracha and you'll never look back.
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When making berry pancakes, the obvious method would be to mix the berries into the batter. But for the best results, you should wait to add them to the pan.
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Making croissants at home can be a tricky endeavor, but if you want to have an easier go of things, try using softened butter instead of a cold slab.
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If you love sour cocktails like sidecards and Mai Tais, try your favorite recipes with a dash of nocino, a wonderfully sweet, bitter, and nutty Italian liqueur.
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Crispy shallots are just the right topping for a creamy lentil soup or fluffy scrambled eggs. Here's the oil mistake to avoid to get the texture just right.
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When it comes to lava cake, chocolate is the go-to flavor for molten decadence. However, there are a number of other flavor combos you might want to try.
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No one likes a smelly kitchen. Luckily, all you need to freshen up your sink is some lime juice, especially when overwhelming fishy scents linger.
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Tamales can be tricky to reheat, as they can easily dry out. The best way to reheat these handmade delights requires a bit of patience and a steam bath.
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Steaming broccoli in the microwave is faster than other methods, and following a few tips for doing it right can give you a delicious veggie dish in no time.
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If there's any complaint about donuts, it's how difficult it can be to keep them fresh for long periods, and just how quickly they can go stale in the box.
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Adding honey directly to your pizza dough is the real magic move, and it will completely elevate both the flavor and presentation of your homemade pizza.
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There's an art to cooking shrimp and grits. The beloved Southern dish requires a lot of TLC, and timing is everything when it comes to making your own.
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When your rice is done cooking, let it sit undisturbed in the pan for 45 seconds to allow the bottom of your rice to transform into a delightfully crispy crust.
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If you're looking for a surefire way to elevate your skillet cookie with heaps of delectable, melty gooeyness, look no further than a simple chocolate bar.