Chinese Stir Fry Green Beans
Soy + Ginger recipe # 45: Chinese stir fry green beans—your new go-to side dish, it’s quick and easy but packs a punch. Green beans are the standard, but feel free to mix and match with yellow and purple beans.
Read MoreMa Po Tofu 2.0
Soy + Ginger Recipe #42: Ma Po Tofu 2.0 takes from the recipe that Mom shared with me in 2016 and gets an upgrade to the big girl’s table with more flavor (re: heat) than ever before.
Read MoreRamp Fried Rice
Soy + Ginger recipe #40 highlights the most prized farmer’s market find — ramps! It grows in the wild and is usually foraged for, but after telling Mom about these jewels, she’s determined to try and grow them. While I wait with baited breath on the impossible, I’m going to share a mom-approved fried rice dish that stars the darling allium.
Read MoreBraised Bitter Melon
Soy + Ginger recipe #35, the simplicity of braised bitter melon will blow your mind. It's only a few ingredients, it's super healthy, and so delicious. And you know what they say (they as in Mamma Li), if you can withstand the bitterness of bitter melon, you can withstand the bitterness of life.
Read MoreMamma Li's Edamame Beans
Soy + Ginger recipe #34, Mamma Li's edamame beans will blow your mind—it's so simple and easy yet so delicious. You'll be surprised at how good such simple flavors can be, thanks to the natural yumminess of the edamame—the perfect way to honor Mamma Li on Mother's Day, sharing one of her favorite on-the-good recipes.
Read MoreScallion Pancake
Soy + Ginger recipe #27: Scallion pancakes, among other Chinese pancakes, were a staple breakfast item that Mom would make on Sundays, and they would carry us through at least part of the week. They're easy to make and SO satisfying in their doughy, oily, allium-filled goodness.
Read MoreBeef Chow Fun
Soy + Ginger recipe #24: Beef chow fun, a classic Cantonese dish made with ho fun, or wide flat rice noodles. It's pretty mainstream, but sometimes that's okay because it's mainstream for a reason—it's delicious AF.
Read MoreScrambled Eggs and Tomato
Soy + Ginger recipe #23: The go-to breakfast at the Phan household, scrambled eggs and tomatoes, is as easy and delicious as it sounds. And you definitely have the ingredients in your pantry.
Read MoreBeef and Bitter Melon
Soy + Ginger Recipe #20: Beef and bitter melon, or the original beef and broccoli—because Mamma Li never allowed take-out Chinese in the Phan household...which happens to be yours truly's guilty pleasure and secret shame.
Read MoreSticky Rice with Shiitake Mushroom and Chinese Sausage
Soy + Ginger Recipe #19: Sticky rice with shiitake mushrooms and Chinese sausage, relayed by Mom and improved by Auntie Six, who is very much the big sister to Mom, who is the second youngest in a family of eight girls. Shout out to Granddaddy and all the Fathers who love their daughters. Happy Father's Day!
Read MoreMa Po Tofu
Soy + Ginger Recipe #14: Ma Po Tofu redefines simplicity in terms of Chinese dishes, and with so much flexibility, this dish really is for everyone and anyone. It's another go-to quick dish for the Phan family.
Read MoreDad's Take on Ratatouille
Soy + Ginger Recipe # 2: Dad's Take on Ratatouille—a family recipe that has its origins in French Indochina, uses the classic American condiment: ketchup (à la mom). It's a wonderful blend of tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onions, and beef. It sits somewhere between a stew and a sauce, so it pairs nicely with pasta or rice...but because we're a Chinese family, we're partial to the rice (surprise, surprise, right?).
Read MoreLemongrass Pork Chops
Soy + Ginger Recipe #1—Bold but simple, lemongrass pork chop is one of mom's favorite recipes, and therefore the natural choice for the first dish of many to come on the culinary adventure I plan to embark on with her and dad. They tell me how to make all the traditional goodies I grew up with, I attempt to master them, and you become privy to the provincial dishes of China and Vietnam, without having to step further than your local grocery store...with the occasional visit to Chinatown.
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