I’m really loving all of the popularity that Asian food has gained over the years. Not only is Asian food kind of in now but it’s gone way beyond Panda Express and other questionable MSG heavy Chinese take-out. And it’s not just chefs getting creative with Asian food. It’s home cooks, regular people like you and me, and people turning their lives around starting freaking Asian fusion food revolutions. Two words: Kogi Tacos.
And it’s not just Chinese food, it’s Japanese, it’s Korean and Vietnamese. I love it.
I’m Korean and so growing up, we always had kimchi in the fridge, our house would usually smell like fish or garlic after my mom cooked and I remember being a little embarrassed when friends would come over and see a container of dry seaweed, some Ginseng drink sitting around or – God forbid- anything non-American sitting out in our kitchen. I was a young, silly kid who just wanted to fit in. (All throughout elementary all the way through high school, I attended schools with maybe 2-3% (if even that) of Asian kids and probably less than 5% of other ethnicities.) Both of my parents worked full-time so fortunately, I remember always buying my lunch and I have no recollection of bringing my lunch, which, for me back then, may have caused additional stress and worry for me and my mother. I think about my friends now who have young kids who are embarrassed to take their lunch to school because they don’t want to be teased for having something other than a ham, turkey or PB&J sandwich in their lunch bag.
But times are a changin’ my friends.
The Asian section at the grocery store has gotten a little bigger. My friend told me there’s an Asian food section at Target. Asian markets are growing in popularity and familiarity. I think people are getting more adventurous in what they eat out at Asian restaurants and what they cook at home. I think this is so fantastic. Even within the food blogging community, I’ve been seeing more and more people incorporating kimchi or other Asian-specific ingredients into their recipes and some people are even making kimchi at home. I freaking love this. And as for packing school lunches, I pack my daughter kimbap for lunch at least once a week; but the really simple kind. Literally just brown rice wrapped in dried seaweed. She loves it.
When the notification came out within our Sunday Supper group that we were going to be doing an event with Jaden Hair from Steamy Kitchen to help promote and give away copies of her new cookbook, Healthy Asian Favorites, I was totally excited. Because I love Asian food and I follow a lot of the popular food blogs out there and Jaden’s is- of course- one of them.
This cookbook is legit. If you love Asian food, this cookbook is for you. From staples like Asian sauce recipes to some of your Asian favorites like Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, Fried Rice, Singapore Rice Noodles, Pot Stickers and Vietnamese Summer Rolls, it’s all in here. And I personally love that the Korean Beef Bites made it on the cover of her book. Woot woot! I think this cookbook makes Asian food and cooking approachable and non-intimidating, especially for those who might be new to the idea of Asian food.
We had a list of recipes we could choose from, which was helpful because I want to make like 30 recipes in this cookbook. I ended up with Mapo Tofu, which for me, is a staple in Asian food. A really good Mapo Tofu dish is a wonderful combination of flavorful and spicy. And Jaden’s recipe does not disappoint. When I made this, I made a spicy and a non-spicy version (for the kids). The non-spicy version is photographed in this post.
- 2 teaspoons cooking oil
- ½ onion, diced
- ¼ pound ground turkey, chicken lean ground beef or pork
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 14 oz firm tofu, diced
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or other thickener of your choice)
- 1 green onion, chopped
- Hot chili sauce, such as Sriracha Sauce or Jaden's Sriracha Sauce (pg 42 in cookbook)
- Heat a saute pan or wok over medium-high heat. When hot, swirl in the oil, add the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until onion is softened and translucent. Add the meat and use your spatula to stir and break up.
- When the meat begins to lose its pink color, add the garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in the stock and oyster sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the tofu and peas and carrots. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Stir this mixture into the pan and let cook for 2 minutes longer. Stir in the green onions and season with the hot sauce, to taste. Serve immediately.
Reprinted with permission from Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites by Jaden Hair, copyright © 2013. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.
Join the Sunday Supper Team along with Jaden Hair today, Sunday, at 7pm EST on Twitter, just follow the #SundaySupper hashtag. We are giving away 20 copies of Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook. You don’t want to miss today’s #SundaySupper Event!
Here is the list of #SundaySupper Contributors who will be giving away a copy of Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook and the recipes they are sharing from Jaden’s cookbook:
Tofu-Mushroom Miso Soup
Crispy Rice Patties
Thai Larb Lettuce Chicken Cups
Miso Cod
Sake Steamed Mussels
Salmon Honey Teriyaki
Korean Beef Bites
Mapo Tofu
Mango Brulee
We are sharing more Steamy Kitchen inspired recipes. The following Sunday Supper Contributors are joining us with some of their favorite recipes from the Steamy Kitchen website:
- Kung Pao Chicken by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Prime Rib Roast with Miso au jus by The Urban Mrs.
- Kickin’ Tequila Shrimp by Gourmet Drizzles
- Korean Beef Rice Bowl by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Pan Fried Shrimp and Pork Fried Potstickers by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Shrimp Curry by Ninja Baking
To Enter the Giveaway!
You must do both, #1 and #2, to have an eligible entry:
1. Tell me what your favorite Asian dish is in a comment below – AND – with your Twitter handle in the comment. Your comment must be posted by 8pm Eastern time today (Sunday, March 10, 2013).
2. Join in the conversation during the live #SundaySupper chat on Twitter from 7 to 8pm EST today (Sunday, March 10, 2013). Your tweet(s) must contain the #SundaySupper hashtag.
The winner will be chosen randomly from the eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email. Note: Giveaway open for United States residents only. Contest ends on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 8pm EST.
Disclosure Statement:
I was provided with a copy of Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites cookbook for my review. All opinions are my own.
Follow Steamy Kitchen: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Purchase Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook
Tofu is a staple in the Ninja Baker’s kitchen. However, I’m the only one who eats it. But with this recipe that you’ve shared, Alice, I believe I could serve this super healthy dish to my husband. Thank you for the brilliant idea =)
Different subject: So odd to think about at school without Asians as the American School in Japan I attended was filled with people of many ethnicities. And in my primarily Japanese neighborhood, I got accustomed to being the gaijin – the foreigner – even tho’ I speak, read and write Japanese. Funny how life deals us all different experiences and blessings.
Anyway, ditto to your sentiments about the rising popularity of Asian food. That said, of course, I want a copy of Healthy Asian Favorites. One of my favorite dishes is futomaki =)
P.s. My Twitter handle is @NinjaBaking
To repeat just in case it’s needed – one of my favorite Asian dishes is futomaki =)
Even I have a pantry with most common asian ingredients from hoisin to miso, soba and rice noodles, mirin, etc. Not only are the flavors wonderful, but they are healthy unless you stir fry everything. It´s certainly here to stay in my kitchen. Lovely dish Alice! Have a wonderfu day my friend!
I like that this dish combines tofu and meat together. Even though it’s just a little meat, it gives the tofu such a nice flavor. Yours looks super hearty and delicious.
Oh my goodness Alice, what great photos! It makes me want to dive into that bowl right now.
I love that homecooked Asian food is growing in popularity. I really think a lot of Americans are embracing new cuisines and flavors and it is awesome. We have an international market just down the street that I stop into every few weeks. I can always find fun things to make for dinner there. Oh and I really love this recipe! High protein and spicy. Yum!!
You make this look amazing!
Your presentation of Mapo Tofu is absolutely amazing, Alice. This dish – like the other dishes is this cookbook – looks fantastic and I cannot wait to try more of them!
Reading your post brought me back to my childhood. I felt the same way about Portuguese Cuisine… our house always smelled different than my friends houses…. and I thought it was weird. Now I love Portuguese Cuisine… what smells better than Chorizo, Garlic, Paprika and Bay Leaves? I am so glad you enjoyed Jaden’s cookbook as much as I did.
Back in the day my parents would receive bundled packages from Korea filled with Korean food staples. And regardless of the layers and layers of plastic and paper, the package reeked of fishy pungency. I always wondered what the mailman thought when he made this shipment every 6 months.
Anyway, I grew up in a small dinky town with 2 other Korean families for a total of 12 Asians in a town of 16,000. Everyone thought we were related.
The weekend food posts have taught me to eat a hearty before making the rounds, and your photos here are good examples of why. Just gorgeous. Favorite Asian food: BBQ pork steamed buns. On twitter: @of_books.
Oh, dear. Meant to say a hearty breakfast.
It’s so funny, because growing up, I always wanted to be at my friends homes who had parents and/or grandparents from other countries. I loved the crazy delicious smells escaping from their kitchens and the “unusual” food piled on their plates! (the grass is always greener, huh…) Cannot wait to try this Mapo Tofu, it looks and sounds delicious!
I enjoyed reading your narrative very much, and your photos do justice to the recipe, and then some! As a high-school teacher, I can tell you that I’ve noticed that students proudly bring in their dishes from home here (Washington, D.C. area). I smile when I see that. Wonderful post!
What an absolutely beautiful bowl of food! I really like the sound of the ingredients in this one, since there’s turkey and tofu involved: a good step for those who aren’t ready to go completely meatless (like my husband), but want to go that route gradually…
I love your story about growing up. We cook a LOT of Polish food in our house, and I remember my step-daughter HATING how it would smell– especially fermented sour soups and cabbage. One year, we even gave her sauerkraut as a gag gift– so, the embarassment of ethnicity is universal, my friend! 🙂
My favorite dish is Vegetarian Hot & Soup Soup, but after today I think I might have to try the tofu-mushroom miso… I just might have a new favorite! @FF2FFBlog
Beautiful photos!! And I agree, I’m so glad that parents are teaching their kids that life does exist outside of PB&J’s… to much more health, and yummy options!
And my fav. dish is Mongolian Beef, and my Twitter is @GourmetDrizzles
After having spent 3 years living in Japan I have come to love so many Asian dishes. One of which is anything that has Tofu in it and this recipe just looks so delicious! I am going to have to try it out! One of my personal favorites though is cold soba noodles served with wasabi and scallions! I just love Asian cuisine though and very excited about the #SundaySupper this week! @frogger097
That looks fantastic, and I’m not even a huge fan of tofu.
I love Asian food. I love trying new things, and experimenting with different cultures. I have never heard of map tofu before, but it looks amazing!
I love fried rice. I know, not very inventive.
@NotherAnneOther
My favorite Asian dish Chicken and Broccoli with Fried Rice. @CarolYemola
You almost make me want to try tofu! My favorite Asian dish is pad see ew. (Twitter: @kmurrayphoto)
lol another US only contest! I’m going to have to move so that I’m eligible! Your mapo tofu looks like the real deal, Alice. It’s one of my favourite dishes. Tony’s mom makes a kick ass version, I have yet to learn how. Thankfully, when I was growing up in Vancouver, there was a huge Asian population in my elementary and high school. Now, we’re pretty much taking over the lower mainland of BC. And we have some of the best Asian food around – I can’t imagine life without all of this amazing cuisine. You should come and visit Vancouver/Richmond sometime – we’d go crazy eating!
This used to be our (my friends and I) go-to lunch in college. It’s been a while since I had it and I’m gonna give it a try. Love Jaden and her new book!
Okay your photos are absolutely stunning. I love this dish, it’s gorgeous.
That looks so good!
So when I saw your picture of mapo tofu I went and got some tofu the next day and I had to make some. I love mapo tofu. Especially really spicy! I’m totally with you and am happy to see Asian food gaining popularity and the recognition it deserves. Josh and I were talking yesterday about giving something spicy to Levi, and Josh was like, “oh it’s too spicy for him.” and I’m like, “he’s Korean!” he can handle spice. lol
Such beautiful presentation! I remember my Taiwanese friend in school who always brought her lunch, we were so curious about all the new foods (this was elementary school) and she’d be more than happy to share. Going over to her house was fun to eat too!
What I didn’t realize was how much better Asian food could be than what my experience of it was. A lot of Chinese cuisine in America is actually nothing like the traditional style. It is much too greasy, and dominated by a simple array of flavors that doesn’t really capture the complexity of Asian cooking.^
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