I grew up in Southern China, where watercress was a familiar vegetable in my youth. My mom often used them when making soup with herbs. According to Chinese folk remedies, the soup helps cool one in the heat and detoxify. Watercress soup was a staple in many Cantonese households when the weather was hot and […]
Dumplings
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Dumplings and Tea at the Carwash
Even in a rainy month, Auto Spa in McKinleyville still sees a little traffic since the bright blue Auntie Hao’s truck is parked out front Thursday through Saturday (1642 Holly Drive). The trim menu of Chinese crepes, dumplings, fried noodles and tea stands out amid bumper-to-bumper taco and sandwich trucks, and it’s likely the only […]
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What’s Good
Dumplings and Tea at the Carwash Even in a rainy month, Auto Spa in McKinleyville still sees a little traffic since the bright blue Auntie Hao’s truck is parked out front Thursday through Saturday (1642 Holly Drive). The trim menu of Chinese crepes, dumplings, fried noodles and tea stands out amid bumper-to-bumper taco and sandwich […]
Posted inEat + Drink
No Skinny Pierogi
The lineage of the pierogi, a deceptively simple boiled dumpling filled mainly with mashed potato, is murky and contentious, with Poland, Russia, Ukraine and others laying claim. There’s Europe’s Middle Ages introduction to Chinese dumplings along the Silk Road, the arrival of potatoes from the Americas and the first appearance of pierogi in a Polish […]
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Buddha’s Fists in Chicken Coops
Chayote, or Buddha’s fists squash as we call it in Chinese, is a thin-skinned squash. Some are smooth and others are prickly. I’m ecstatic to share some of my harvest this year and have given over a dozen of the sprouted squash for friends to plant next year. Chayote is a prolific producer in Humboldt. […]
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Young Pumpkin, Little Jewel of Fall
Fall, my favorite season of all — the abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, the joy of celebrating the Harvest Moon, and the brilliant sunsets in the still warm evenings. This fall, I’m extra happy because my parents have come to visit. I have been busy in the kitchen with my mom experimenting with few […]
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Wrapping Up Zongzi
Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are a classic treat to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival for Chinese all over the world. This festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and when I was growing up in China, I always looked forward to it. There was so much preparation for making the dumplings […]
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Chicken and Dumplings from Here and There
Over the 30 years that I’ve lived in the United States, I still haven’t tried American chicken and dumplings. When I saw a few posts from fellow foodies, I was curious about this traditional comfort food. After reading some recipes, I found some similarities to my rural hometown’s dough soup. I know its name is […]
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Chinese Comfort Food
The “Secret Menu” at Szechuan Garden (753 18th St., Arcata) might be more accurately titled the Student Menu. Owner Nina Zhao, a native of Shenyang in Northern China who took over the place five years ago, added the page and a half list because so many Chinese and Chinese American students from Humboldt State University […]
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Sweet and Savory New Year Dumplings
Gong hei fat choi, or congratulations and be prosperous, is one way to wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year. Food is another. When it comes to Chinese New Year feasts, there are so many dishes to prepare, like fresh fish, chicken, goose, roast pork belly, noodles and so on. Dumplings are a must for […]