I’ll be honest. Bouchercon has intimidated me for years. A mystery fan convention that regularly boasts over 1000 attendees? That’s scary for an introvert like me. This year, though, I wanted to go in person, to mingle with authors and fans, and also to celebrate Sisters in Crime’s (SinC) 35th anniversary. (I’m currently VP on the national board and nominated to become President starting October 1, when the new term rolls around.) Here are highlights from my trip: SinC Executive … [Read more...]
The Countdown Begins
June 10, 2022 2 Comments
It’s panic time. Less than one month before my next book launches. Even though I’ve done it several times now (Bookshop link to all my books), I’m still nervous. I have a checklist of places and people to contact: bloggers, bookstores, fellow authors. Yet I still wonder, Am I forgetting someone? My next release is Death By Bubble Tea, and it comes out July 5 (preorder here). Interesting timing. Will it launch with fireworks or fizzle out? If you want to know more about my new culinary cozy … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Boba Cake
March 5, 2021 Leave a Comment
Boba cake: vanilla cake roll with embedded boba I did a double-take when I first saw this cake. Could boba actually be placed inside a baked dessert (and survive)? This was a really great vanilla cake that had cream inside it flavored with a hint of milk tea. The tapioca balls inside were also quite tender, although not as springy as those in a boba drink. I would give this a thumbs-up as a unique dessert, but for the most part, I still prefer drinking pearl milk tea. … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Boba milk tea ice cream bar
July 31, 2020 2 Comments
Boba milk tea ice cream bar: boba—but as a popsicle! My brother kept telling me about these, but whenever I popped by the grocery store, I couldn’t find them in the freezer aisle. I finally located a box the other week. Hurrah!They actually really taste like milk tea, with that decadent flavor combo of rich black tea and sweetened milk. (Perhaps a little too sweet.) The tapioca balls are frozen, so they’re not quite the same chewy texture. If you lick the ice cream bar, though, it … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Bubble Milk Tea Cakes
January 31, 2020 Leave a Comment
Bubble milk tea cake: a cross between pineapple cake and boba One of the treats I got from my recent Taiwan trip was a box of bubble milk tea cakes. Essentially, they’re pineapple cakes—baked delicacies reminiscent of Fig Newtons, down to their square shape. Instead of a fig filling, though, they use pineapple paste in them. This bubble milk tea version swaps out the traditional flavor and uses boba inside the treats. When I first saw the combo, I was hesitant to try them, but the … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Popping Boba
November 4, 2016 2 Comments
I've had plenty of boba before. However, I had yet to try popping boba until now. Popping boba: balls that pop with juice They're still ball-shaped. Instead of having a chewy center, though, the inside is filled with juice. (Mine was lychee.) Once you chew down on one, the liquid pops out. It's like crunching on a bubble. The skin is super thin, and it's very light in terms of texture. I'm still inclined for the more interesting chewiness of regular tapioca balls, but it's kind of fun … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Boba
March 15, 2013 3 Comments
In an attempt to change up my blog, I'm adding a new themed weekly post, hereafter known as "Foodie Friday." I'll be rotating through various foods inspired by the cultures I'm most familiar with: Chinese, Malaysian, Taiwanese, and yes, Americanized Chinese. There will be a photo and a brief paragraph about each featured food. I'll cycle through appetizers, main dishes, and desserts to keep things mixed up. Here's appetizer #1... Boba: usually refers to milk tea; the only food that you can … [Read more...]
