Alia Ali
Location
Langkawi, Malaysia
School
University Of South Australia
Expertise
Southeast Asian Cuisines, Home Cooking, Asian Food History
- Alia owns a pair of cooking chopsticks that was used and autographed by Martin Yan.
- She is currently working on several research projects about the foodways of the Nusantara region.
- She almost always has a fermentation project going on—these days she experiments with Malaysian jungle produce.
Experience
Alia is a translator and food enthusiast. She has worked in and around Malaysian media (with a focus on food) for over 10 years. She is a co-founder of the Malaysian food website www.periuk.my, and has bylines in Serious Eats, Eater, and Whetstone.
Education
Alia graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of South Australia.
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Stories By Alia Ali
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Egg drop soup, sometimes called egg flower soup, is a staple dish on Chinese restaurant menus. But, what techniques and flavors define the classic soup?
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Nothing beats a chocolate chip cookie, except maybe a chocolate cookie that's been speckled with something savory. Add your fav salty snacks for a game changer.
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Grilled cheese is the queen of hot sandwiches. It's customizable, so it's never dull. If you want a new upgrade, it's time to add a chile corn concoction.
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Sometimes, the salad dressing you buy at the grocery store just doesn't have enough oomph. Luckily, all it takes to kick yours up a notch is vinegar.
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While you could baste the potatoes in hot honey before leaving them in the oven to roast, it's a better idea to dress the potatoes after the roasting process.
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If you find yourself buying yogurt every time you go to the grocery store, why not make it instead? All you need is a slow cooker and two simple ingredients.
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Braised dishes add a flavorful and juicy item to your meals but when it comes to reheating, here's the proper way to reheat braised dishes without ruining them.
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While it may be cumbersome, cleaning your fridge coils is not too difficult. If you do it regularly, your fridge will run better and use less electricity.
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Curries offer spice, flavor, and comfort. If you don't want meat or seafood in your homemade curry, try boiling an egg for a different added protein.
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When grilling season is over, you might wonder what you can do with all of your leftover frozen hamburger patties. Luckily, your options go way beyond burgers.
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Meat is often the centerpiece of a meal. But when factoring in the environment and flavor profiles, meat often works better as a complement to your dish.
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If you are the kind of person who likes to go out for sushi, there is an alternative that will not put as much of a dent in your wallet: Making your own sushi.
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When purchasing fresh celery to use in home-cooked dishes, it's important to know how to properly clean the stalks for superior crunch and flavor.
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Similar to anchovies, fish sauce does not quite give a fishy flavor. Instead, it adds a savory depth to dishes. Here's how to make sure to buy a quality sauce.
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Usually made of stainless steel mesh, splatter guards are notorious for being easy to stain and hard to clean — but not anymore with these tips.
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Adding just a pinch of the Indian spice asafoetida to your butter chicken can turn it from a regular homemade dish to a bona fide restaurant-quality meal.
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If you've only ever tasted the fresh stuff, there are a number of things you should be aware of before attempting to cook with canned huitlacoche.
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Cutting boards are a must-have in any cook's arsenal. The criteria for choosing a cutting board for meat overlap whether it is used for raw or cooked meat.
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Did you know you can cook delicious omelets in plastic zip-top bags submerged in hot water? You get all the flavor of an omelet with minimal mess.
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There's an easy hack to make sure that your meatballs are caramelized on all sides, while also maintaining their round shape: place them on a wire baking rack.
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Making your own salad dressing is a great way to have a delicious product that you can customize to your heart's content. Make things easier with this trick.
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Grilling fish doesn't have to be a guessing game when there's an easy trick to keep in mind. Here's the timing ratio you need for the perfect doneness.
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Maybe you want to branch out your canning skills into making your own canned tuna. What's the best variety of tuna to use for home canning?
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Mayonnaise may seem like an odd addition to soup, but it can both thicken the mixture and add tangy, creamy flavor that can seriously amp up your next meal.
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Had a busy week and now have a fridge full of leftovers? The solution is easier than you think: A delicious and filling frittata can clean out your fridge.
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You may have heard you can microwave eggs, but can you make a whole breakfast in 30 seconds? Preparing an omelet in a mug is easier than you think.
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Large cuts of meat often cook unevenly on the grill, but prepping the meat in a slow cooker can help you achieve the perfect sear.