Despite its name, the Moscow Mule is actually an American creation. The story goes that in the 1940s, John Martin, who owned the rights to a Russian vodka brand, met Jack Morgan, the owner of a struggling ginger beer company, at the Chatham Hotel in New York City.

This beef and arugula salad is one of my favorite go-to meals when I want something hearty but not too heavy. The beef gets a quick marinade to soak up all the good stuff—garlic, sesame, and a little sweetness, then it’s seared and tossed with sautéed onions, peanuts, and a punchy lime dressing. Served over fresh arugula, it’s a great mix of warm and cool, crunchy and tender.

There’s nothing more refreshing in the summertime than a sweet watermelon. You might not think of a salad made with cubes of watermelon and vine-ripe tomatoes, but the combination is perfect, especially with the tangy flavor of Greek feta. I like to add red onion and toasted pistachios with a spicy dressing for one of the best salads of the summer.

Potstickers are delicious dumplings with a crusty base and tender top and filling. They are perfect party appetizers, but at my house, they’re kept in a freezer bag so we can grab as many as we want to cook for a quick lunch or snack. It is rumored that the original potsticker was made by accident. 

Pho Ga is a classic Vietnamese dish made with rich broth, noodles, and shredded chicken. When I was in the city of Saigon (also called Ho Chi Mihn), I spent a day learning how to make it perfectly with charred shallots and ginger, and toasted spices. My young teacher taught me the importance of rinsing the chicken after boiling it for a few minutes, before simmering it slowly for hours. The addition of toasted spices, sugar, and fish sauce at the end of the cooking is what gives the chicken broth its unique flavor.