“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” Anais Nin (1903–1977)
making a home...
I’m in Westport, CT, a place I visited for the first time last Fall and instantly fell in love with. From the new deck of my charming little cottage, I see the Long Island Sound and the beautiful indigo sky over it. Beneath is the beach, a mixture of soft sand, tiny round pebbles, seashells, and algae. Brutal is the cold this morning, but I can’t help standing here. Leaning against the railing, I look out into the horizon, the view so calming I feel the weight of New York City where I’ve lived for the last 20 or more years slowly lifting off my shoulders.
There’s something about starting fresh. In short, it’s exciting. I like to ease into my day, waking up at 5:30 AM or so, looking at the beautiful sunrise against the puffy white clouds displaying a myriad of reflected shades of red, pink, orange and yellow and everything in between. My bed faces in that direction for the first glimpse of that stunning, painterly view. The tide is low, the birds walking on the basin’s ocean floor for hundreds of feet beyond the shoreline. Getting up, I have a good stretch, walk over to the porch and can’t believe that I have this, now, today.
oatmeal to warm the heart...
Opposite this amazing view is a most humble kitchen. Nothing like I’ve ever worked in or have had in the past, but somehow it feels right at this moment. And the old electric stove with a little boost from me puts out beautiful food. Perhaps, it’s because this new place is inspiring me to be open and create. This morning I have steel-cut oatmeal cooking in a small copper pot. And while most of my plates and bowls are still in boxes on the floor, I manage to get a bowl out for my first breakfast in my new home. Topped with crushed walnuts and goji berries, I’m enjoying every spoonful, following a few sips of hot, honey-sweetened, milk-stained Earl Grey tea to celebrate my new life. On the stove still, I have a Thai-inspired coconut milk-based bean soup, fragrant with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal simmering, waiting to be shared with friends at any given time. The heart of the home is warm!
it works...
Sitting out on the porch for now, enjoying my breakfast while scanning a most stunning view, I recall being enthralled in a similar fashion by my many trips abroad whether in Italy, Thailand, Sweden, Corsica, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Korea, and so on. I’ve traveled the world and have always been captured in some way or another by the local culture and its people. Here in Westport, I feel similarly. I’m enthralled by my surroundings, excited to get to know this New England town. After a couple of months here, I’m ready to dig deeper into Westport and its neighboring towns that make up Fairfield County. My friends say that Westport is great, but New York City has more with regards to food. While that might be true, I’m still convinced that there are little pockets needing some serious exploring and I’m up for the challenge. I’ve already found a great Asian market in Norwalk!
me in my new office!
Everything is always exciting when it’s new and fresh, but I have a feeling that Westport will keep being just that for me for many years to come. Having loved the mountain air, with no desire to live near the water until now, it is interesting to me, at this moment, that it was a boat ride and fishing excursion that got me here in the first place. Well, fishing season is coming up and what better place to be than right here in Westport, CT. It seems to me that I’ve come home.
Corinne Trang is an award-winning cookbook author, expert on Asian cuisines and cultures, beverage and food consultant, lecturer, spokesperson, chef, recipe developer, and lifestyle writer. A frequent radio and television guest, she is the chief east coast correspondent for 
Welcome home!
Man you worked your magic on this little place. It looks great! Congrats to you.
Thank you both for visiting, John and Chuck. Hope to see you soon. Cheers! CT
My friend in Oregon, Suzanne Dos Passos, gave me your web site to have a look. I, too, just moved to Connecticut (Ridgefield,) and thoroughly enjoyed reading your article. I was just in Westport this afternoon and had a fabulous lunch at Matsu. Isn’t Connecticut wonderful? I had no idea! Susan
Hi Susan, thanks for visiting my website. Glad you enjoyed the article. Westport is absolutely wonderful for sure.
Congrats Corinne! Miss you here in NYC but I am so happy that you have found a place you can call home. All the best and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, Anne! NYC is only but a 1-hour train ride away, Indeed I was there yesterday. Super convenient when I need to be in the City. Super fantastic when I can return to paradise in a jiffy!
Well that sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see your cottage. XX Jeanine
Can’t wait until you visit, Jeanine. Thanks for visiting here
You’re a wonderful writer Corinne, your imagery with words really paints a picture for all of us and you are an inspiration to all those who are looking to eat well and live better lives.
Thanks!
Tony, thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words. Cheers!
Corinne,
I checked out your book from Los Angeles public library and I am have a great time exploring your recipe. For me, cooking is my way to unwind at the end of the day, use creativity and imagination, and an avenue to experience the joy of sharing. I love the way you measure everything. You know, we asians don’t have recipe cards from grandma that has exact recipe formula. This is very helpful. I just went through your book on Vietnamese dish, and I am now onto Aisan Grill. I love your elaboration on each recipe; stories of your Aunt Loan, and your father, and your mom’s dislike for cinnamonstick yet loves your beef stock…. It is beaufiful to feel the heritage in your cookbook. Hope to see your next book soon.
Hester, thank you so much for visiting my website and your kind words. I’m happy you’re enjoying the books and the recipes. Come back soon, for this summer I’ll be sharing more fun Asian-inspired BBQ recipes from my deck at home. All my best!
Welcome to Westport Corrine! You will soon realize the many great food places to eat at in Westport. Come visit Fairfield too, lots to see and explore. If you need any advice on places to eat or shop, contact me! Heather
That is one beautiful rendering of your newfound sensibility in space and time. Blessed be your humble abode and you- worth way more than a Palace and more abundant!!!! Love!!!
Thanks Heather! I’ll check out your site as well. Cheers!
Nicole, thanks for visiting both my new home and my blog. See you again soon. XO!