Chef's Notes Plus

Lucky Noodles to Welcome the Year of the Tiger

February 1 marks the beginning of Lunar New Year, and as we celebrate the new year of the Tiger, we can’t help but hope for a little extra luck in the coming year. Though the traditions of Lunar New Year are as diverse as the communities who celebrate—like China, Korea, […]

Allergen Friendly, Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals

Moo Shu Vegetables

Makes 8 servings Sweet and spicy crisp vegetables wrapped in paper thin pancakes make a healthy and easy alternative to ordering in. Moo shu pancakes are available in Asian groceries and well-stocked supermarkets, but if you cannot find the pancakes, flour tortillas can be used as a substitute. Don’t be […]

Salads, Side Dishes

Salad of Bean Starch Sheets

Makes 8 servings Bean starch sheets, also known as Tianjin green bean sheets, are translucent sheets made from mung bean starch that visually resemble Vietnamese rice paper. The slippery texture of the bean starch sheets is comparable to cellophane noodles, another product made from mung bean starch. Ingredients 1 lb […]

Main Dishes

Spicy Tofu with Mushrooms

Makes 4 portions If you can’t find oyster mushrooms, you can use any mix of mushrooms that are available. For the cornstarch slurry, combine about 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. You may not use it all; add it slowly to avoid a gummy sauce. Ingredients 3/4 tsp Sichuan […]

Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals

Take Out-Style Chicken and Broccoli

Makes 4 to 6 servings This dish may not be authentically Chinese, but it is a kid-friendly introduction to a common Chinese cooking method: stir-frying. Once you get the hang of the technique, you can experiment with new ingredients, like chiles, Szechuan peppercorns, and and bok choy. Ingredients 3 tablespoons […]

Chef's Blog

The Chinese Pantry

It’s a fact that Americans love eating Chinese food. There are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S.; there are more Chinese restaurants than McDonald’s. You can probably name a favorite Chinese restaurant and a dish or two you love. It is also a fact that many cooks feel intimidated […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Try New Things: Gai Lan

We love all veggies (yes, even beets!), but there are some that really suit our fancy. Gai lan is one! Sometimes called Chinese broccoli, gai lan is, well, not particularly extraordinary. It’s relatively neutral in flavor, a lot like regular old broccoli, with a familiar texture (yup, like broccoli!). It […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

What Makes Food Spicy?

Do you like spicy food? If the answer is yes – join the club! If the answer is no – well, join the other club, because there are lots of people just like you! Have you ever wondered why certain foods are so spicy? Spicy foods burn our mouths thanks […]

Soups and Stews

Wonton Soup

Makes 8 servings Wontons Ingredients 3 oz ground pork 1/2 cup finely chopped Napa cabbage 2 tablespoons Chicken Broth 1 tablespoon finely chopped scallion greens 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger 3/4 teaspoon soy sauce 3/4 teaspoon sesame oil Pinch salt Pinch freshly ground white pepper 1 package wonton wrappers 1 […]