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 intensification) is a sustainable method of growing rice that ... Continue Reading
Chinese Lunar New Year Traditions: Gathering ‘Round the Stove
Chinese Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China and is celebrated in several other Asian countries like Vietnam. Festive traditions and beliefs include: Lunar New Year's Eve and New Year's Day feature family rituals like a night of unity, reunion, harmony, and paying respects to ancestors. Kind of like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Rockin' Eve all rolled into ... Continue Reading
Add an Asian Fusion Twist to Your Holiday Table!
From our table to yours, a few delicious ways to add a little Chinese Southern Belle fusion twist to your holiday dishes, from appetizers to entrees: Wasabi Butter Mashed Potatoes - YUM! Mix a squirt (2 tbs) of wasabi paste or powder into your mashed potatoes. Color your stuffing: mix in 1/2 cup of Wild Sweet Black Chinese Rice or Red Vietnamese Rice Glazed, Gingered ... Continue Reading
Unsung Heroes, Memorial Day: Veterans of Color
In honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month and Memorial Day, many APA veterans are still unsung heroes in their 60's, even 90's. According to a recent U.S. Census release, there are 258,183 Asian military veterans, with about one in three veterans was 65 years and older (and this number does not include many multiracial Asian veterans). The animated short film AN AMERICAN HERO: ... 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 restaurants, especially popular Chinese takeout food. While some people may be allergic and others experience distinct negative physical reactions (like Dad), there are some who don't seem to be affected by MSG (or don't know they are). Companies that use it claim that there is "no ... Continue Reading
Chinese Southern Belle Partners with Atlanta-based PeachDish Southern-Inspired Meal Kits
HELLO what? Try Atlanta-based PeachDish.com meal kits! Fresh, creative, Southern-inspired recipes featuring our yummy sauces and other awesome Georgia Grown & local/regional suppliers and chefs. Order online and now **NEW** look for "goodness-to-go" kits in Whole Foods Market stores, South region. Save $10 off first order: enter discount code Natalie17 (online orders ... Continue Reading
Natalie’s Diary: In the Heart a Brother, a Christmas Baby
"That's terrible. Do you get cheated on presents?" Chalk up another negative reaction to a holiday birthday! It's funny how folks are either delighted or downright negative when they find out that I'm a Christmas baby. I didn't think it was a bad thing growing up--my family would give me extra gifts and my sister would make me any homemade birthday cake of my choosing ... Continue Reading
Black, Hispanic Kids Targeted by Ads for Junk Foods
Black, Hispanic Kids Targeted by Ads for Junk Foods Education, awareness (and exercise) are needed from all sides to address poor eating habits and improve children's health especially in low income communities: parents, kids, schools. Media isn't to blame but highly influential. Education and awareness obviously starts at home. Sedentary habits like watching more ... Continue Reading
Chicken Wings Pioneer and Entrepreneur
I saw a billboard advertising Wendy's Asian Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings. Checkers sells teriyaki wings. Pizza Hut has 30 flavors of wings with zing. When my dad transitioned from running full-service, full-menu Chinese restaurants, he invented a new fast-food business model based on the original and first "Honey-braised wings." Back in the 1980s, wings were cheap and ... Continue Reading
Black Rice, Black Sesame is the New Green!
Grandma said eating black rice and 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 rice and black sesame has protein and fiber, plus B vitamins and minerals, manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. We make our sushi and ... Continue Reading
Pancake flap: Aunt Jemima Mammy Stereotype in Question
Pancake flap: Born a slave in 1834 in Kentucky, Nancy Green was the first Aunt Jemima "Mammy" in 1890. More about the case Diane Roberts, a professor of Southern culture at Florida State University in Tallahassee and author of The Myth of Aunt Jemima, said that "Mammy" stereotype "romanticized the cruelty of slavery for a nation reconciling the trauma of the Civil War. "It's ... Continue Reading
Teriyaki Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein
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
Cultural and Culinary Crossovers, Mother-Daughter Share Asian and Southern Heritage
Cultural and Culinary Crossovers, Mother-Daughter Share Asian and Southern Heritage Years before "fusion cuisine" became a buzz phrase, a Smyrna woman who immigrated from China was introducing her family to cross-cultural cooking. Today her daughter tells the AJC how she and her mother continue to build upon these ... Continue Reading