These are some homemade meals I had at my aunt’s house while I was in China. My grandma has 5 sisters, so I have a very large extended family. While I was there, every meal was a team effort of 2 or more women cooking for sisters, husbands, children, and grandchildren. Each meal was eaten together and was filled with delicious food, warmth, and conversation with family I rarely get to see. Some popular dishes I remember are sautéed water spinach, tomato and beef soup, and steamed eggs. I associate the food with not only the taste, but also the people and the memories which is what I miss most.

(Ivy Huang)