At Steamy Kitchen, Jaden Hair practices modern Asian cooking that’s fast, fresh and simple enough for tonight’s dinner. A member of our Cookthinktank, Jaden is a food columnist and cooking instructor who does frequent live cooking segments on her local ABC News morning show. Her first book, “Steamy Kitchen’s Modern Asian,” will be published in 2009 by Periplus/Tuttle.

We’ve been fans of Steamy Kitchen for a long time, so we’re happy to feature Jaden in the inaugural Cookthink Questionnaire. Look for it every Monday and Thursday.

Sweet or salty?

Salty.

Which ingredient(s) do you use most?

Grated fresh ginger.

What’s the cooking sound you most love?

The ssssssttttzzzzaaaa of garlic hitting hot oil in a wok.

What’s your favorite cooking smell?

Spicy chilies + garlic + ginger sizzling in the wok.

What are the qualities you most admire in a dish?

The harmonious combination of sweet/salty/sour.

What is your most treasured possession in the kitchen?

The well-seasoned wok that my mother gave to me.

What is a dirty word in your kitchen?

*%&!)&%)(!@&%!(@%!@% (the string of words that follow dropping precious food on the floor!)

What won’t you eat?

I don’t think I’ve ever refused to eat anything ever. I mean, if I can eat codfish sperm sac soup, I can eat anything.

If you could choose one historical or living cook to make you a meal right now, who and what would it be?

Rocco. Wearing only an apron. A small very apron.

Who are your favorite cookbook authors/food writers?

Nigel Slater is my current beau. I love his style of recipe writing, so sensual! He describes the cooking method using all five of your senses — like describing what the fat bubbling imunderneath the chicken skin should look like, sound like, smell like.

What is your favorite food-related word?

NOT “foodie.”

What is your favorite food-related scene from literature or the movies?

Eat Drink Man Woman — when the little schoolgirl is surrounded by her classmates and she’s taking orders for “Uncle” to cook the next day.

What’s your favorite food-shopping errand or journey?

Exploring an open air market with a big basket with wheels and a pocketful of cash.

To which country would you move for the food?

I don’t think I would. I love the U.S. Now, if you asked me from which country/region I would sponsor a live-in chef to come stay at my home and cook glorious meals everyday — I’d say Hong Kong.

If you wanted to seduce someone, what would you cook?

For my husband, sticking a frozen California Pizza Kitchen Barbequed Chicken pizza in the oven. Seriously, that’s his favorite food!

You wish to die with what in your stomach?

A bottle of wine? Might make slipping away easier.

If heaven exists, what do you hope they have on the menu?

If heaven exists and it’s one big giant kitchen, I hope my Grandmother (Po-Po) is there and she can cook anything she wants for me!

If you died and came back as a fruit or a vegetable, which one would it be?

A luscious fig.

What’s your poison?

Chocolate-covered chocolate dipped in chocolate.

What are you craving right now?

Chocolate, of course!

For more about Jaden, browse recipes from Steamy Kitchen or read her Cookthinktank profile.

(Image created at Wordle.)

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