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
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
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
PeachDish Meal Kit Magazine: Getting Real Asian, Real Southern with Natalie Keng
Getting Real Asian, Real Southern PeachDish Magazine article Natalie Keng The Joy of Being Yourself As a little kid, I thought it was only about being Chinese. That's what I was teased about so that's how I defined yourself--foreign, different, un-American. In actuality, as a native Georgian, I'm not only more American, but "more Southern" than most ... 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
Spicy Hunan Catfish (or Mom’s Fresh Catch of the Day)
Recipe Type: Seafood Cuisine: Chinese Author: Chinese Southern Belle Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 30 mins Serves: 4Fish 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
Humor at the Table: Chicken Surprise
Dad loves jokes and is a great joke-teller. Sometimes he translates Chinese jokes into English for us and other times, they lose meaning in English (play on tones or vocabulary) so he tells them in lively Chinese! Since Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language (Be careful: don't call your mother a horse (same word, different tones!) These are the times I am glad that I can speak ... Continue Reading
Chinese Lunar New Year Events 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:Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-14 Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration, Chinatown Taipei Cultural Center, 10AM-4PM, 5377 New Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341. Festive and chaotic but the food is good and authentic. Benefits several student and nonprofit ... Continue Reading
Catch Natalie on TV: Cooking Videos & Food Tours
I had the good fortune of hosting and producing several episodes with the PBS affiliate, GPB TV and the wonderful folks at Georgia Traveler. Also more food & culture clips (some on the road or older, less polished but still fun) Enjoy!Chinese Southern Belle YouTube ChannelBuford Highway International Tasting Tour Asian International Supermarkets Tour Asian Home ... Continue Reading
TV Episode 809: Farm to Wok Cooking Demo – Gourmet Stir Fry!
Ni Hao, Y'All! Here's Natalie Keng, guest host of Georgia Traveler TV, showing you how to make one of her favorite and most popular recipes, Asian Napa Slaw (aka Harvard Hottie Salad).Watch Farm to Wok Cooking Demo: Flower Garlic Chives, Bok Choy Chicken Stir Fry (#809, starts 11:30)Did you miss Natalie's other episodes or need a refresher on the list of eateries and recipe ... Continue Reading
TV Episode 808: Asian Napa Salad Cooking Demo!
Ni Hao, Y'All! Here's Natalie Keng, guest host of Georgia Traveler TV, showing you how to make one of her favorite and most popular recipes, Asian Napa Slaw (aka Harvard Hottie Salad).Watch Cooking Lesson: Asian Napa Salad (#808, starts 13:22)Did you miss Natalie's other episodes or want a re-take on the list of eateries and recipe ingredients? Highlights include a ... Continue Reading
Watch Sauce Fan Video, Fish Taco Recipe
My Sweet Hottie sauce fan makes Fish Tacos "one of the best meals ever"!: http://youtu.be/E_HItK4KMjECSB Flexipe: Easy and Healthy Fish Tacos!1-2 fillets grilled or baked fish (salmon, whitefish, tilapia or tuna) 1-2 cup shredded lettuce, mixed greens or Napa cabbage 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes 1/4 cup My Sweet Hottie Sauce (mild) 4-6 taco shells ... Continue Reading
Lucky Chinese Dumplings
Lucky Chinese DumplingsRecipe Type: Appetizer Cuisine: Asian Author: Chinese Southern Belle Prep time: 45 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 55 mins Serves: 4 Dumplings date back to the Song Dynasty (960-1260 A.D.) in China and represent prosperity, wealth and good luck. They are a main dish for Chinese Lunar New Year and eaten year-round in northern China. ... Continue Reading
Honey Ginger Whole Leaf Green Tea
Research shows that tea brewed from high quality, whole green tea leaves contain healthful anti-oxidants and other benefits. Ginger has medicinal properties (aids digestion, circulation) and local honey may help with allergies. I enjoy the hot version during the fall and winter then switch to iced in the summertime. Yin-yang seasonal harmony, baby! As an Asian and a ... Continue Reading
Five Spice Rutabaga
Five-Spice RutabagaRecipe Type: Appetizer Cuisine: Fusion Author: Chinese Southern Belle Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 20 mins Serves: 4 Natalie's "invention is the mother of necessity" creation after a farm share pick up that had more turnips and rutabagas than she knew what to do with. The natural sweetness comes from the steamed rutabaga. Turnips or ... Continue Reading