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HI Cookery is 13!

Ah…the number 13 is considered unlucky. And perhaps it reflects our past year when it was Highlander’s turn to deal his own health issues (which required hospitalization and surgeries—yes, plural). We also got mild COVID last fall, though we have been vaxxed and boosted. What a stressful time yet we are trying to do what we can to still keep living life to the fullest!

Cooking has been a wonderful distraction from the stress. Trying new recipes and sharing them have been quite therapeutic mentally and physically. We reiterate that this little blog has never ever been for fame and fortune. We still get a few offers to be featured on other media and be monetized through affiliations. No, thank you! We are fine doing our own thing—and appreciate the unsolicited validation from our supporters. Yes, thank you!

This year, we added under our Theme Menus tab a section for “Oodles of Noodles”. In some cultures, noodles symbolize longevity. As we are getting older now and facing all the age-related issues, we pray for many more happy and healthy years ahead. Just us reaching our senior years is a blessing.

And HI Cookery turning 13 is…lucky!

Tapadh leat! Mahalo! Thanks!

Highlander and Islander

HI Cookery is 12!

A dozen years later…we are still around cooking ethnic and eclectic recipes!

This past year has been especially difficult, though, as Islander developed a rare blood clot in her lung following a procedure in her leg last spring (Highlander himself had a pulmonary embolism back in 2016). Fortunately, there were a few hospital beds still available for her during the pandemic to get excellent but expensive medical treatment. It was a long road to recovery and getting healthy took priority over food blogging and other aspects of our lives. We are grateful for your patience as we slowly return to this little hobby of ours.

HI Cookery started out simply as an online cook “book” to share recipes and memories with family and friends. The encouragement and prayers we receive from 200+ followers have been enough appreciation and motivation throughout the 12 years we have been posting on this website.

So cheers to a dozen years…and, God willing, many more for HI Cookery!

Tapadh leat! Mahalo! Thanks!

Highlander and Islander

HI Cookery is 11!

Since 2010, we were “cooking our way through the calendar”. Having completed that challenge last year, after a decade, we aim to continue “cooking our way through the countries”, as we like to feature ethnic and eclectic recipes on our blog. We already had a head start posting some ethnic recipes in the last 10 years and have since moved them from under the “Theme Menus” to a new tab of its own above, “A-Z Countries Recipes”. It is our newest culinary journey to try cooking foods from around the world. There are many other blogs that are attempting the same thing (especially during quarantine and as a pandemic project) and we are joining in on the adventure!

We often get asked how we met so many people from around the world and how our global outlook influences what we eat and cook. 

  • Firstly, we grew up in mixed families (Islander is of Asian-Pacific Islander heritage and Highlander is of Scottish, Canadian and English descent). We want our marriage to combine both the best of the East and the West! 
  • Secondly, Highlander’s job moved us around the USA a lot; we lived in many multiculturally diverse cities, giving us the opportunity to attend cultural festivals, shop at ethnic grocery stores and eat at a variety of ethnic restaurants. 
  • Thirdly, we were involved in international student association activities at our universities and have kept in contact with roommates and friends from all over the world. We try to visit them in their countries and enjoy international travel when we can. They have graciously shared recipes and continue to inspire us with their cultural cuisines.
  • Fourthly, Islander’s college courses were in intercultural and international communications and her jobs included tutoring English as a Second Language and doing freelance media work for different ethnic businesses. These connections allow us to interact with many people from all over the globe.
  • Last but not least, we serve in a marriage ministry at our church and, because of our background and experiences, are frequently assigned as mentors to mixed couples. 

HI Cookery reflects all of the above on our eating and cooking experiences. Our life is enriched by the people who have shared their culture and cuisine with us. In turn, we hope to pay it forward through our blog as long as we are able. As always…

Tapadh leat! Mahalo! Thanks!

Highlander and Islander

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