Asian

This dish is a wonderful alternative to more traditional dressing. It's normal for a crust to develop on the bottom of the pot — after scooping out most of the rice, you can cook the crust a bit longer, then chip off the tasty morsels.

There are many kinds of Korean pancakes, but bindaedok, made with yellow mung beans and whipped eggs, have a light, airy texture. They are very versatile, and work well as an hors d'oeuvre, side dish, or vegetarian main course.

This simple Chinese preparation enhances the briny flavor of cockles. If cockles are hard to find in your area, you can substitute other small hard-shelled clams (though steaming time will vary with the type and size).

Inspired by Eat Drink Man Woman A retired master chef in contemporary Taiwan makes elaborate Sunday dinners for his three increasingly uninterested daughters in this 1994 film. While the women carry on their busy lives, the chef discovers he is losing his sense of taste and finds solace in a new love.

This chutney requires a lot of herbs. If the bunches at your supermarket are small, buy two or three.

Use a block of Asian (Thai) tamarind rather than the Indian kind. It's usually thicker, softer, and easier to work with.

Inspired by American Adobo In this 2001 film, a group of Filipino-American college friends get together to eat and share stories about their loves and lives. Their experiences of assimilating to American society vary, but all of the characters recognize their need for the comfort derived from friendship and familiar foods. For this dish, be sure your plaintains are completely black, since the fruit becomes sweeter as it ripens. (Yellow or mottled brown plantains are very starchy and usually take about a week to fully ripen.) Serve these fritters as a snackor pair them with ice cream for a delicious dessert.

Inspired by Monsoon Wedding Monsoon Wedding is an intensely colorful chronicle of a wealthy northern Indian family's preparations for their daughter's marriage. During the run-up to the event, the bumbling wedding planner falls in love with the family's maid. Food plays a central role in the nuptial festivities.

Bhel poori is a savory puffed rice snack that's usually served with crackers (we like to eat it with a fork). The recipe for this one, which combines a surprising range of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors, was given to us by our art director Erika Oliveira's mother, who is Indian. The sev you buy should be thin but not very thin, or your bhel poori will be too mushy.

This recipe sponsored by Black Swan Vineyards

Es alpukat, a surprisingly delicious and refreshing Indonesian coffee drink, gets its richness and body from avocado. In Indonesia, they often serve it over ice, but we prefer the ice blended right in, milkshake-style.

(Coriander, Ginger, and Chili Lassi)Lassi is a refreshing yogurt drink that is very popular in its native India and Pakistan.

This chai recipe—inspired by versions in India—combines black tea, spices, and milk. The savory notes from black pepper and cardamom in this version give it a wonderful aromatic complexity.

Yogurt drinks, known as lassi in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, are served in New York City's numerous Indian restaurants. Salty and sweet versions accompany spicy meals to cool the heat.

Nahm Takrai This lightly sweetened drink, served with both lunch and dinner in Thailand, is very cooling with spicy foods.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.