My earliest memory of grass jelly is from my Cantonese neighbor who lived above us way back when I lived in Shanghai. We all called her Ah–Mou, a respectful way to address an elderly woman in Cantonese. I still remember what she looked like, and the stainless steel plates of varying sizes that she used […]
Celebrating the Last Days of Summer in Montauk
This summer, we found ourselves in Montauk for the first time in almost 20 years (tried and failed to write that sentence without feeling old). The last time our family visited, Sarah and I were much younger. My memories of that trip are of camping on a deserted beach to fish from shore, getting way […]
Chinese Winter Melon Soup with Meatballs
Now that the air’s beginning to turn crisp, it’s time for us to share this Chinese Winter Melon Soup recipe with meatballs. Winter melons are grown in summer and harvested in late summer through early winter, making this a great summer/fall transition recipe! (Plus, who doesn’t love meatballs?) A Light, Nourishing Winter Melon Soup You […]
Baobing Chinese Shaved Ice
Chinese Shaved Ice, or baobing, is something I’ve only seen made the right way in China. On hot days in Beijing, when my parents and sister lived there for a 3-year stretch while I was in college, there was nothing better than a tower of fluffy, snow-like shaved ice with all the toppings. Sweet red adzuki beans […]
10 Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival Foods
The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here! It falls on September 13 this year. I hope you’re ready, but in case you’re not, we’re sharing 10 traditional Mid-Autumn Festival Foods served during this holiday! Mid-Autumn Festival Memories The Mid-Autumn Festival can get lost in the American mainstream, but it’s an important Chinese holiday, and one that […]
Pork Fried Rice
Pork fried rice is probably one of the most popular Chinese take-out dishes out there. Anything involving rice and pork is likely to be a winner with a Chinese audience (or any audience that loves Chinese food). In my parents’ restaurant, we used to serve pork fried rice as a side dish accompanying many other […]
Hunan Beef
You may have ordered Hunan Beef from your local takeout joint before. The Americanized version is pretty variable, depending on who’s making it. I once asked my father and other Chinese restaurant chefs—what’s the deal with Hunan Beef? Even they confessed to not know much about it other than the way that particular restaurant prepared […]
Mom’s Chicken Wontons
This post is sponsored by Knorr Chicken Powder. All thoughts and opinions are our own. Enjoy! Today, we’re sharing my grandma’s recipe for chicken wontons. I’ve had countless bowls of delicious wonton soup served up to me by both my grandma and my mom. It’s Chinese comfort food––or really comfort food, period. Growing up, there […]
