Zongzi with Lee and Angela (My Mom and Dad)
Learn how to make this sticky rice with pork, tofu and shiitake mushrooms with my parents! They've been tag teaming this dish for decades.
It's Kind of Deep
Enjoy the podcast and give Mikey and Rinne a follow! They are some of my favorite people who love to eat, cook and laugh as much as I do. Note: Earmuffs for the kids. Mikey brings out the F bombs in me.
Wild Mushroom and Cashew Ricotta Tortellini in a Sage Beurre Monté
Feed those you care for with little tiny pockets of love. A fancy dish that will win anyone’s heart.
Pork and Napa Cabbage Wontons and Dumplings
The best meals are ones made with friends and family. Grab a group of people and start making some dumplings!
A New Schedule for a New Time
It was 7am. Time to wake up and do it all over again. Paul McCartney’s song would begin in my head, “It’s just another day.”Start the coffee, boil the water for tea (it’s a press of a button) and make breakfast for the family. Take E to school, thank goodness they were still open. Come back home to find Carrie has done the dishes and Taylor will start online Kindergarten for an hour.
Fresh Pasta with Guanciale and Veggies
The year was 2009. I would wake up at 7am, get ready, make coffee for us and send Carrie to work. I then opened my laptop and did freelance agency design work until lunch time. Went to the corner cafe on Court St and grabbed a small pretzel bun ham sandwich with butter and another coffee. Back to freelance work until 1:45pm. Then walk five blocks to Chestnut and start prepping for service.
Let's Talk About It...
What happened in Atlanta was a tragedy and awful moment, and what is happening around the country to Asian people is terrifying, but I don’t have to tell you that. I don’t have to tell you that the world still has a lot of work to do.
Don't Worry, I Focaccia!
In 1990, dinner was at 6. Snacking on any dish that my dad had made after having three hours of basketball practice. Those chicken wings. Deep fried goodness in the perfect soy sauce, garlic and ginger marinade. He added corn starch so the marinade would stick to the chicken wing adding that tang with every bite.
Dad's Chicken Noodle (Noo Noo) Soup in an Instant Pot
Chicken soup is easy to make and it always makes you feel better. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's the love that we put into making the soup or what, but this soup just makes everything okay. For at least a couple minutes. Enjoy a simple and easy Instant Pot recipe. Set it and forget it. Then put it all together and take one deep sigh of relief. Then get back to work.
Dad's Roast Pork Belly in an Instant Pot with Grandma's Cucumbers and Rice
I'm making my dad's recipe in an Instant Pot so it doesn't take as long and is a perfect budget friendly dish for the family. The cucumber can be served with anything and, well, you know, white rice! I finally got the recipe from dad a year ago. I got my Instant Pot a couple years ago. I cook in it at least once or twice a week. All the rice bowls and pork belly. You can find the cucumbers and how to make rice videos on Tips + Tricks.
Fresh Pasta with Guanciale and Veggies
A simple formula to make a delicious family meal. All you need is pasta, fresh veggies and some guanciale (or bacon). No biggie. If you haven’t used guanciale before, you are missing out! It’s so good. I had never heard of it until I started working at Chestnut. Tiny bits of cured pork jowl that adds the perfect salt flavor to your veggie pasta. If you need to learn how to make fresh pasta, check out my how to video. Enjoy!
Focaccia Bread (A La the Nut)
At Chestnut, if you didn’t have time to eat a lot at staff meal, which was usually the case, we snacked on this bread when no one was looking. Enjoy!
Shi-Fan - Rice Porridge - Congee (Water and Rice)
Yum. Rice porridge is where it's at. A healing bowl that will make you melt.
How to Make Grandma's Cucumbers
An easy pickling recipe. Just rice vinegar and salt. Add some chili peppers to bring an extra spice. Goes well over any leftover rice bowl.
How to Slice and Dice an Onion
The easy way to chop up onions. I put onions on everything. I'll cut up a batch and save it for the week!
How to Cook Rice
To cook rice, just get a rice cooker. You won't be sorry. It's the easiest way to cook rice! No more burnt rice at the bottom of your pot.
How to Make Fresh Pasta
It's easy to make the pasta. It's also fun and meditative. I use what I have. AP flour, eggs and salt. If you want to buy fancy pasta flour, go for it!
How to Sharpen Your Knife
After a while, your brand new knife will start to dull, no matter what that infomercial said. Learn how to sharpen your knife the Huang way.
How to Break Down a Chicken
Buying a whole chicken is cheaper than buying legs, breasts, wings and chicken stock separately. Cut up your chicken, freeze parts you're not cooking that night and make fresh chicken stock for your recipes!