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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Smoking meat is a popular way to level up barbecue, but you can elevate yours even further by adding smoked sugar to your recipe -- here's how to do it.
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Swapping bread for crispy hash browns is just the ticket to preparing some seriously next-level avocado toast that also happens to be gluten-free.
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Although a delicious throwback to our childhood, making Rice Krispie treats can turn into a sticky mess. Fortunately there are ways to lessen the hassle.
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Don't toss your flat, leftover Champagne - instead, use it to add a vibrant zest to your homemade vinaigrettes and level up your salad game.
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There are certain ingredients and methods used to make paella for it to be authentic. But if you're prepared to break conventions, cook it on the grill.
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Deviled eggs are a great appetizer for any occasion. Try adding ranch seasoning into the mix to pack in heaps more flavor and level up your deviled egg game.
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A molcajete is a tool used in kitchens all across Mexico that dates back thousands of years. And there's a way to tell if what you're buying is authentic.
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If you're looking to take your hummus up a notch with an extra-velvety consistency (not to mention added health benefits) avocado is the way to go.
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Drizzling some milk over the edges of your lasagna before baking will help prevent the edges from getting overly dry and burning in the oven.
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Zesty, flavorful, and possessing a smooth, thick consistency perfect for mixing in savory drinks, it can definitely accentuate the tartness of the tomato juice.
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Just when you think sweet potato pie can't get any better, someone comes along with a new idea to bring the sweet satisfaction to another level.
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Who doesn't love a classic toasty grilled cheese sandwich? It's a near-perfect combo. If you want to add some tang to your next grilled cheese, look to pickles.
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We love a good kitchen hack. We love it even more when it helps prevent a lot of cleanup. Break out your muffin tin to create an organized array of condiments.
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Plain white rice is great for soaking up the flavors of whatever you pair it with. But for rice on its own, orange juice is your secret ingredient to amp it up.
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Bacon: If you've had it, you (likely) love it. If you want to enjoy the flavor but don't want to eat meat, you can have coconut bacon. But what exactly is it?
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Plantains are increasingly popular on restaurant menus, but they can be just as good at home. You can make delicious plantains in your air fryer.
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Making dip is helpful if you can cut out some of the chopping and cooking of included ingredients. For homemade spinach dip, you can totally use canned spinach.
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For creating an inviting aroma throughout your kitchen, simmer pots are all the rage. Here's how to make a perfect citrusy simmer pot for your next gathering.
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Jambalaya is a tasty dish to master, and you can include your own secret ingredients to help. Add instant coffee to your next batch for a toasty flavor boost.
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Canned biscuits are a quick replacement for your homemade version, but they could use an upgrade. Try this cheese trick that cleverly enhances canned biscuits.
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You know lemon cocktails; you love lemon cocktails. If you're looking for a unique twist on your next lemon drop cocktail, swap vodka for tequila.
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Crawfish is a staple of Louisiana cooking and is seriously delicious. But what's the best way to reheat this tasty crustacean and avoid that rubbery texture?
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Do you think your maple syrup tastes the best that it can? Think again. Put a vanilla bean pod in your maple syrup bottle and thank us later.
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Burritos are a hearty meal stuffed into a convenient package, they're filling and tasty, but pretty messy. Try using a bundt pan to make them mess-free.
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Yes, there's a simple substitute for baking soda when you're whipping up a loaf of banana bread. Here's what you need to know when you're in a pinch.
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Take your soups to the next level with this cookie cutter technique from Ina Garten for making simple soup toppers that look and taste great.