Racoon Foodie Musings: EDIBLE OXYMORONS

"MultiGrain Aged Cheddar Cheese Puffs"- 40% less fat, 20g whole grains, but with artificial color and msg added. I blinked to check my vision. How could I resist? They were speaking to me. Tasty but why the additives? I'm imagining an interesting marketing meeting: target group aged 35-45, females, health-minded, like cheese puffs, enjoy outdoor recreation in the North Georgia mountains...

Multigrain waffles at Waffle House? – Waffle House is a longtime family favorite and often the first stop on the way home from the airport. My mom loves their pork chops and for years, it was the only spot for my favorite--grits! So, when I saw the multigrain waffle poster, I was giddy! No more carrying wheat germ and embarrassing my family, right? I ordered one, to the astonishment of my server. Unfortunately, my joy was short-lived and they stopped selling it. I can see the market data now: “a single order from an enthusiastic short Asian woman in Smyrna." Guess that didn't carry enough ROI to launch it up there with the topped, covered, smothered hash browns.

Popular fast-food chain’s new offering: Asian Boneless Sweet & Spicy Chicken Nuggets. Authenticity alert! That’s like Paula Deen coming out with fat-free biscuits. Traditionally, Asians prefer eating the whole animal--with bone, head, tail, skin, innards and all. (Coming soon: “Bones, Heads and Pits”)

Did you know--fried pork skins, a snack that we used to eat on fishing trips to Lake Allatoona, has fewer fat grams than some crackers? Try them dipped in Thai sweet chili sauce for a flavor overload. :)

BYOWG - I carry my own wheat germ in a little pouch in my purse and sprinkle it on WFF (white flour food) as needed. At which point my eating companions move to the next table like they don’t know me...

The Varsity –an Atlanta tradition since 1928, home of the chili cheese dog, fried pies and the Frosted Orange—had a sign that read “we use 100% vegetable oil with no transfats” and “whole wheat bread available on request.” Great, make mine a double order! Krispy Kreme had a similar sign. I'll take a dozen!

Marietta Diner –twice the price for twice the food and a waiting list to get in. Impressive in this economy when many restaurants are struggling. Kids plates are the size of steering wheels. Cakes are 3-storied and photogenic. (I recommend the cheesecake.) The spinach feta pies a.k.a. “spanikopita” bring back memories of the Vassar dining hall and the 24-hour diners in NY and NJ, run predominantly by Greek families. If only they would offer spinach or whole pasta as an option...

Have Your Multi-Grain Pound Cake and Eat It, Too?

I wish that more restaurants and schools would offer whole wheat bread, pasta and multi-grain flours. Flying Biscuit and Thumps Up offers multigrain biscuits. Whole wheat buns are readily available in grocery stores. A change to more whole grain breads and pastas would make a difference. Diabetes is viewed as an epidemic by the medical community, especially among ethnic populations where simple starches and white flour dominate, like in Latino, Asian and Native American communities.

There are other factors that affect our health, of course, genes, stress management, exercise, but with some fairly simple institutional changes, we could have our cake and fiber, too! Here are a few comfort food adaptations that I make that now include whole grains, beans, vegetables, sometimes mixing white/wheat or adding wheat germ.

A few Raccoon Foodie Adaptations:

*Mac n' cheese Deluxe - add small-cut veggies, whole wheat macaroni, topped with toasted wheat germ

*PB & J (& B & A) on toasted whole wheat, add banana or apple slices, sometimes honey instead of jam

*Like Poptarts? Try figtarts - toasted fig newtons...yum.

*Whole wheat cinnamon rolls - reduce the sugar, drizzle maple syrup or honey instead of icing.

* Pound cake - add1/4 cup of wheat germ and substitute whole wheat pastry flour. A pound of organic butter is still a pound of butter, unfortunately.

Besides, isn't the main point of exercise to enable us to eat comfort food?? :)

Country Asian Tapas hosted by Chinese Southern Belle

Our Country Asian Tapas event Sunday night, May 31 was a "smashing success" as one guest exclaimed. Held at Urban Oasis B&B in Atlanta's historic neighborhood, Inman Park, new friends from around town (and from MD, OK, CA) mingled and munched over a dozen selections of Chinese Southern Belle Asian Tapas creations, including Plum Wine Sangria (couldn't keep punch bowl filled), 5-Spice Roast Beef, "Keng's Wings" Original Honey Braised Wings (they put me through college!) and local/organic Garlicky Greens Stir-Fry.

Big thanks to our partners--Sevananda Natural Foods Market; Slow Food Atlanta; Urban Oasis; New Tricks; China Cafeteria; Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts; and Chinese Southern Belle, LLC.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the fun, delicious evening making new connections and supporting "good, clean, fair food" (a portion of proceeds benefit Slow Food Atlanta).

Maybe this will become an annual tradition....Enjoy the pics!

Natalie

Cross-Cultural Slips

* Who’s at the door? “Look through the pee hole and check who it is.” (peep hole)

* Where’s Frank? “He’s downstairs getting ready. He takes a long time pimping himself!” (primping)

* “We used to have an old Volkswagon Beetle so I know how to drive a car with a stick and a crutch!” (clutch)

* While reading People magazine, “I can’t believe Angelini and the Pitts are trying to have another baby!” and “I think Bandino is very hot [Antonio Banderas]!” (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt)

* As my sister was putting tokens in and ushering her kids through the subway turnstile, she waved quickly to her last little one to go through saying, “Hurry up, go, you’re free!” Reluctantly, the child slid under but not without protesting, “But mommy, I’m four!”

The Beat of A Different Hummer

Steve and my mom have been friends for almost thirty years now. He’s her “fishing buddy” but his nickname to us is Space Alien. Steve’s been by our side through four weddings and a few funerals. He is the only person I know who doesn’t eat anything at my mother’s glorious dinner parties and sometimes, brings his own roasted turkey and canned peas while we feast on a table-full of fabulous Country Pan-Asian cuisine!

About seventeen years ago, Steve bought my mom a birthday gift she’ll always remember. Not because she treasured it but because the story has been retold so many times that we all remember the gift!

According to legend, my mom opened a “mystery gift” and plugged it in. After hearing only a faint humming noise, seeing no other features and having no earthly idea what the thing was, she assumed it was broken and disappointedly, threw it in the trash. “How did you like your gift?” asked Steve. Feeling bad, my mom quickly said, “Fine” and tried to change the subject. Steve continued, “Well, I hope you’ll like it because I special ordered it from Hammacher Schlemmer and it’s been a life-saver for me.” Sheepishly, my mom asked, “What was, I mean, what is it?” Steve said it was a “sleep sound generator,” a noise blocker to help her sleep. “Ohhhhhhh!” as she dug through the trash to find the device.

After that, Steve doesn’t order gifts for Margaret anymore. Now, every year when her birthday comes around, they do the same ritual. He escorts her to the Macy’s Shiseido cosmetics counter and she picks out her favorite facial cream. He asks for the price, and upon hearing, exclaims, “for a GALLON??” He then wraps it and gives it to her after dinner. They have performed this tradition every year for the last seventeen years now. My mother is thrilled with her new Shiseido Man and no more gadgets from Steve go in the landfill!

Register now for April and May events!

Cook's Warehouse-Midtown (our debut!), "Eggrolls 'n' Sweet Tea, Hands-on class, Monday, April 13, 6:30-9:30pm https://www.cookswarehouse.com/ClassReg/Public/classes.asp?id=2162

Asian Market Tour & Lunch, Saturday, April 18, 10am-1pm Register here http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/62997 or call 800-838-3006

Cook's Warehouse-Decatur, "Chinese Southern Belle Express" Demo & Tasting, Saturday, May 2, 11am-1pm. Register
https://www.cookswarehouse.com/ClassReg/Public/classes.asp?id=2163

Country Asian Tapas with Natalie & Margaret, A Benefit Dinner for Slow Food Atlanta, May 31, 6-9pm, Inman Park. Register here http://http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/63011 or call 800-838-3006

Look forward to seeing y'all soon!

Chinese Southern Belle - Intro

I started documenting, writing and sharing my Chinese family’s history and journey, in China, Taiwan and the Deep South with the hope that it would add an entertaining and enriching cross-cultural dimension to the tapestry of Atlanta’s history. It was a journey marked by a constant juxtaposition of cultures and customs, from egg rolls and Big Macs to Taoism and Dow Jones.

Asian American culture has come a long way since my parents landed in Houston, Texas then Atlanta, Georgia in the early 1960's. We were the only Asian family in the neighborhood and tofu and soy sauce were unheard of in the local grocery stores. Now, of course, Asian food and culture, in all its diversity, is accessible and very popular. Many of my friends have traveled to China and now teach me about the nuances of taichi, karate or Indian yoga. The cooking class my mother taught in 1988 stretched culinary boundaries with Hot and Sour Soup. In 2009, our new course will cover sushi, bibimbap, pad thai and a tour of an Asian market the size of Wal-Mart.

While the motivation was personal, I also hope that these stories will help create a stronger, shared sense of community across our differences and similarities through an appreciation and remembrance of one family's immigrant experience. Perhaps, we will find insight and inspiration in the commonality of the American experience.

May we all enjoy more cross-cultural friendships, potlucks and eggrolls n’ sweet tea!

Happy Winter Soulstice!