Fusion at its Best My Mom: Country Asian Chef and Teacher of the Year My mother was born in Hunan, China, grew up in Taiwan, and immigrated to the U.S. to attend graduate school. Her dream was to become a journalist but decided to became a schoolteacher. First landing with a host family in Houston, Margaret got her first job working in the law office of her dear “Jewish ... Continue Reading
Asian Barbecue Pork Sliders with Sweet Chili Peach Slaw
Southern barbecue is world-famous and Asian spices are legendary. In Georgia, my Grandma ("Nai Nai") fixed my favorite after-school snack: teriyaki pork chops. Therefore, our sauces fuse the best of both East-West traditions and pleases vegetable lovers and grill fans alike. Chinese and Southern chefs love pork. In addition, Chinese barbecue pork (char siu) is a popular way ... Continue Reading
Spring Rolls for Any Season
Homemade spring rolls are so good, it’s worth the effort! Directly translated from Chinese Mandarin, "spring rolls" often marked the end of the long winter and the beginning of spring and warmer weather. Spring rolls served during Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. Also filled with baby spring onions, cabbage and other seasonal greens. Our restaurant, Egg Rolls By Keng, was the ... Continue Reading
Supporting Local Talent, Community: Asian Voices Festival, Good Gracious Variety Shows
FIRST-EVER ATLANTA FESTIVAL OF ASIAN-AMERICAN ARTS IN THEATER, MUSIC, AND DANCE ANNOUNCES ARTIST LINE-UP ATLANTA, GA -- Three Atlanta-based artists, Pam Joyce, Michelle Pokopac, and Amee Vyas, are bringing Asian-American Artists of the Southeast together to perform for four days in a festival of theater, dance, music, and conversation. The four-day festival, titled East by ... Continue Reading
Shake-in-a-Bowl: Asian Sweet & Sour Slaw
Day in the Life of Chinese Southern Belle: Backseat Cookin' I had a full day TV shoot then had to go directly to an annual meeting potluck. What to do? I had a Tupperware-style bowl with a lid and a bottle of our My Sweet Hottie (sweet chili peach) dressing. Grabbed a bag of super food, kale mixed with cabbage, carrots slaw mix. Mixed it all together --shake, shake, shake-- ... Continue Reading
Media Interview: Intergenerational Businesses Unite Food, Family, Culture
Teaching with mom: 'Priceless' Sharing stories about family and how they've influenced our journeys or inspired "less than traditional" career choices or start-up businesses--from childhood favorite dishes like Pepper Steak and Rice-a-Roni to working in the family restaurant after school --this is our heritage and what grounds us. Read more Intergenerational Businesses ... Continue Reading
Honoring Mother’s Day Every Day!
To all moms who have taken on one of the most challenging, admirable, inspiring and underappreciated roles in the world, Happy Mother’s Day! 💖 And, of course, a very special toast to my one and only “Tigger Mom” who has been my co-culinarian, co-chef instructor, co-tour guide, rain or shine, and continues to support my dream of sharing food and culture to the world, for a ... Continue Reading
Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps
History and Appeal Lettuce wraps originated in China but are popular throughout Southeast Asia. Especially in Thailand as larb kai. "Teriyaki" is thought to have originated in 17th century Japan and means "glossed/glazed grilling or searing." In our house, Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps were inspired by hot weather and busy schedules. In addition the cool combination of fresh ... Continue Reading
Joy of Being Yourself: Authenticity in Food & Life
Natalie shares how her cooking style and recipes reflect family, a sense of place, and heritage as a Chinese American and Southerner. “As a little kid, I thought it was only about being Chinese,” she says. “That's what I was teased about, so that's how I defined myself – foreign, different, un-American. In actuality, as a native Georgian, I'm not only more American, but ... Continue Reading
Chinese Soul Food: Intersections of Race and Gender in What We Eat
A Dash of Faith and a Dollop of Love Like many traditional dishes around the world where written recipes are virtually non-existent because the cooks -- women, people of color and other groups considered second-class citizens-- were not allowed to attend school and often couldn’t read or write, their culinary legacies were handed down verbally with a dash of faith and a dollop ... Continue Reading
1-Minute Vegetable Stir Fry!
Want a break from salads or craving something hot and saucy? This vegetable stir fry is so fast, easy, delicious and versatile, we enjoy it every week! No special wok or tools needed. Use your own favorite stir fry sauce or use ours, You Saucy Thing Soy Ginger Vidalia. It's my grandma's classic recipe, natural and fresh ingredients all in one bottle! (Store locations in SE or ... Continue Reading
Wild About Rice: Choosing Sushi Rice, Growing Rice and Saving the Earth and MORE Tips
Here's a quick video for choosing sushi rice. Using the correct type of rice is an important part to making delicious, healthy rolls that don’t fall apart! Avoid sushi spillage and watch this video! Check out more of Natalie's helpful tips on cooking rice; original, creative twists on sushi rolls and more about rice history: Black Rice is Tasty and Good For You! Black is ... Continue Reading
Leave It To Cleaver: 5 Best Chinese Veggie Cleavers for Your Kitchen
Leave It to Cleaver At our house growing up, dinner was always cooked with fresh, mostly local ingredients. Mom boasted that she could prepare an 8-course meal using only a wok, pair of chopsticks, and her favorite Asian cleaver. And she did–slice, dice, shred, chop, tenderize, bang, even scoop! After a full day working as a public schools teacher, Mom whipped up fast, healthy ... Continue Reading
Tips: Easy Chinese Dumplings, Wrappers
Question: I’d like to get into the realm of steamed Chinese dumplings! I bought a bamboo steamer and even found an Asian market that sells the Chinese dumpling skins (because there’s no way I’m gonna try to make the dough myself!). Any tips about making Chinese dumplings? Do I need a wok to use the steamer? Wow, I just found your page from a Facebook ad. Great ... Continue Reading
Lunar New Year Holiday Celebrations Around Town, Cultural Dinner Photos
THANK YOU for a fantastic event at our sold-out Chinese Lunar New Year Cultural Dinner with almost 200 guests! Everyone raved about the 8 custom traditional courses, Margaret's creative, artistic calligraphy and fun (competitive!) Chopsticks Races. It was a fun night of camaraderie, scrumptious food, new friendships and culinary, cultural history. Proceeds supported local, ... Continue Reading