Stand-up comic, writer and “Space Force” actor Jimmy O. Yang has a loose goal he sets out to accomplish each day. “I try to learn something new,” he says. “It can be a new word, a new recipe or a new cooking technique.”
Yang excitedly notes that he put his mantra to good (if not delicious) use, thanks to his new partnership with meal kit company HelloFresh. He and Grammy-winning hip-hop artist T-Pain teamed up to showcase unexpected pairings in the kitchen by providing customers with limited-edition recipes featuring surprising flavor combos and ingredients. “I’d say I’m a pretty good cook and I love teaching and encouraging others to cook more,” he explains. “And I’ve been a fan of T-Pain my entire adult life, so it was a no-brainer.”
Yang — who launched the popular YouTube cooking show “Jimmy’s Kitchen” during the pandemic — used some of his favorite Asian-inspired flavors to help develop two eclectic dishes. For the Hoisin Chicken Flatbread, “I made sure to add my favorite ginger scallion sauce to add an extra twist and dimension,” he says. The Pork Meatball Curry, he adds, is a “super-simple curry that I whipped up one day for a quick lunch and then worked with the HelloFresh team to elevate the taste and now it’s so good.” (T-Pain, meanwhile, drew on his Southern upbringing to contribute to the Spicy Garlic Chicken Sandwiches and Hot Chicken Mashed Potato Bowls.)
And when he’s not experimenting in his newly remodeled kitchen, Yang enjoys gardening, playing video games and listening to podcasts.
Ahead, he shares six of his everyday essentials with CNN Underscored.
Yang’s kitchen confidential: “I have a weird obsession with tongs. I think they’re brave extensions of our fragile hands.” He adds that he owns pairs in an array of sizes, lengths and materials. This nonstick, corrosion-resistant set of three features easy-to-grip handles and is made from stainless steel.
Related: The essentials list: New “Top Chef” host Kristen Kish shares her kitchen must-haves
He's a fan of this pillow because of its perfect adjustable fit. Designed for comfort and support, it comes overstuffed with shredded plush foam fill so he can decide how much to put in. (More foam adds height and volume, while less foam causes it to flatten.) “I have these pillows at home and take one with me everywhere,” he says. “It’s super comfy!”
Related: The best pillows in 2023, tried and tested
Working out can be less than fun. Yang's solution? Using this wireless 360-degree immersive virtual reality headset to get in the game. And though many fitness and sports options are available, “I like boxing because I’ve found that it’s a fun way to trick myself into working out,” he says.?
Related: Why the Meta Quest 2 is still the virtual reality headset to buy
Though he’s not a big snacker, Yang shares that he does have a weakness for old-school chips and salsa. For the crunch? Yang opts for the flavor-packed Sweet Maui Onion chips. For the dip? “I try to make my own salsa,” he says.
Related: Partake Foods CEO Denise Woodard shares her pantry must-haves
Yang is a fan of these creamy, dairy-free matcha lattes that elevate your energy, focus and clarity courtesy of its plant-based ingredients. Made with organic ceremonial-grade matcha, MCT oil, macadamia milk and pink Himalayan salt, these lattes come in a case of 12 and are sugar-free.??
When it comes to apparel, his collection of brimmed baseball caps, which he jokingly calls “dad hats,” tops his list. “A dad hat is nice. Everyone sells one; it comes in a lot of different colors and offers sun coverage and anonymity,” he explains. He adds that his Billy Joel hat is his “pride and joy.”?
