Everybody loves teriyaki and who doesn't go crazy for noodles? This is a match made in heaven: Teriyaki Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein with fresh Asian-styled lo mein egg noodles is great for any season or occasion. Our noodle recipe is healthy, savory and family-friendly. Vegetarian? Simply omit the meat. Be creative and add any of your favorite stir fry or seasonal farmers ... Continue Reading
4,000 year-old Bowl of Noodles found in China!
A 4,000 year-old bowl of noodles was unearthed in Northwest China! See article in National Geographic... Ramen, beanthread, soba, udon, egg noodle, lo mein, mi fen, buckwheat, rice vermicelli... Go noodle crazy and learn about the wide variety of noodles (plus "noodles vs. pasta") on one of Natalie's fun Asian International Supermarket Tours. Choose your date for a ... Continue Reading
Father Knows Best: Johnny Cash, Whoppers & Wings
"I want one like that," my father said, holding his burger in the air with one hand while pointing to the over-sized Whopper photo on the wall poster with its glistening juiciness and colorful, fresh slices of tomato and lettuce. Other customers in line smiled and nodded in agreement. It was a far bite from the real thing. The young cashier obliged and messaged the kitchen by ... Continue Reading
Food and Culture Crossovers, Mother-Daughter Share Asian and Southern Heritage
"Culinary Crossovers," Atlanta Journal-Constitution cover story, Food section, Entrepreneurial mother, daughter blend their Chinese heritage with Southern ways for entertaining adventures. (Print version included recipes and photos.) https://youtu.be/sWQX1wgtAuY ... Continue Reading
Mother’s Day Every Day with Tigger Mom!
Traditional Chinese Tiger Mother?? No way! My mother celebrates and embraces creativity, learning, new friendships and adventures, as much as she honors her own family and heritage. With her help and encouragement, I'm able to pursue my dream of sharing food, culture and diversity through Chinese Southern Belle adventures. She's my beloved TIGGER mom! Luckily for my sisters ... Continue Reading
Earth Day Every Day: Grains of Wisdom: Sustainable Rice Cultivation
In honor of Earth Day, food for thought... When most of us think of rice fields, we vision expanses of flooded rice patties, Asian peasants with traditional conical hats, knee-deep in muddy waters, planting rows upon rows of seedlings... There is a movement a-field that is impacting how rice is grown around the world for the better. S.R.I. (system of rice ... Continue Reading
Food For Thought: MSG and Chinese Restaurant Food Syndrome
Next to ginger and soy sauce, MSG is probably the most common "spice" associated with Chinese food, especially popular Chinese takeout food. While some people may be allergic and others experience negative physical reactions (like my dad), apparently, there are some who don't seem to be affected by the ingredient (or don't know they are). Companies that use it claim ... Continue Reading
2017 Chinese and Asian Lunar New Year Celebrations Around Atlanta
Happy Lunar New Year, Y'All! Gong xi fa cai! Gung hay fat choy! Upcoming Asian Lunar New Year-themed events around town: 2017 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival More info: Facebook Date: Sat- Sun, Jan. 28-29, 2017 Time: 10 am – 4 pm Venue: Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Atlanta 5377 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341 Ticket: ... Continue Reading
How to Make a Chinese Hot Pot
Also known as Mongolian Hot Pot, Chinese fondue or shabu-shabu, Chinese hot pots are a 1000 year-old tradition across Asia. Since many homes in East Asia do not have central heat, hot pots filled with broth, fresh vegetables and meat are a perfect way to bring family and friends together to eat, chat and warm up during the fall and winter, especially popular around Chinese New ... Continue Reading
Asian Bakery: Buns, Bings and Baozi
Welcome to the world of Asian balls, buns, bings and baozi! (And you thought Sally by the seashore was a tongue twister!) Talk about "lost in translation." There are whole aisles of buns, bings and baozi at the Asian grocery, in bamboo steamers at restaurants and on food carts on street corners all over China and Taiwan. It's a comfort food, street snack and ... Continue Reading
Secrets to Long Life: Sushi, Sleep, Squats
Oldest woman in the world is Japanese, 116 years young! Her secret? Eating sushi, getting plenty of sleep and doing exercise squats! http://usat.ly/1rPTQ6p ... Continue Reading
Ultimate Comfort Food: Asian Hot Pots
The Hot Pot, also known as huo guo, Mongolian Hot Pot, Chinese Fondue, or shabu-shabu in Japanese, boasts a history of over 1000 years (!) With a simmering pot of stock in the center of the table and an array of hot pot healthy and fresh ingredients -- sliced meat, leafy vegetables, tofu, fish balls, dumplings, noodles “ plus savory dipping sauces, the hotpot is a popular ... Continue Reading
Asian Restaurant Recommendations, Tips
There are a plethora of great restaurant reviewers, critics and food bloggers in Atlanta who do this full-time professionally or as an enthusiastic gastronomical hobby. I'm not one of them. I'm less a food critic and much more a food fan! Remember, I'm a Raccoon Foodie who enjoys everything from Waffle House to the Biltmore House! My all-time favorite, ... Continue Reading
Spicy Hunan Catfish
Recipe Type: Seafood Cuisine: Chinese Author: Chinese Southern Belle Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 25 mins Serves: 4 Fish is a very auspicious Chinese symbol and represents "extra" or "plenty." Cooked and eaten whole, the fish head is reserved for the guest of honor to eat. Mom loved to go fishing at the local lake or pier - so fresh! "Eat and ... Continue Reading
Black is the New Green!
My grandmother told me eating black sesame made my hair shiny, black and healthy. She fed me black sesame soup (zhima tang), sticky rice balls oozing with sweet black sesame paste (tangyuan) and black sesame candy. Black sesame have protein and fiber, plus B vitamins and minerals, manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. It didn't take much lobbying. As a ... Continue Reading