Asian Cookbook Gifts for the Holidays from Minnesota Authors

by Phyllis Louise Harris

December 2013

Minnesota is home to thousands of Asian cooks, chefs and home cooks who have made their traditional cooking a part of our culture. A few wrote cookbooks to provide cooks with traditional dishes that can be made in everyone’s kitchen. Surprise someone on your list with cookbooks that capture the flavors of the Asia Pacific Rim. Here are just a few available in bookstores and at amazon.com:

Raghavan Iyer’s Indian Cooking Unfolded published this fall by Workman Publishing Inc.

Raghavan just returned from a 40-city tour of the U.S. and Canada where his fans lined up to get his newest cookbook. Indian Cooking Unfolded features 100 easy recipes using 10 ingredients or less so even beginning cooks will find Indian cooking truly a pleasure. The seven fold-out cooking lessons make things even easier. He will be making another book signing appearance and tasting December 20 at Kitchen in the Market in Minneapolis. For details call 612-568-5486.

Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875 published last fall by the Minnesota Historical Society Press

This one-of-a-kind cookbook went on to be the basis for the EMMY® winning television show “Asian Flavors” produced by Twin Cities Public Television and now available for viewing on their TPT MN channel reaching all parts of Minnesota. I created the book to bring together stories about a few of the many Asia Pacific Minnesotans who have enhanced our culinary experiences. Raghavan was included in the book and contributed four chapters of additional stories.

Wing Ying Huie and his father Joe Huie brought their Chinese home cooking to Duluth through their popular restaurants. David Fong was the first to bring Chinese food to Bloomington and after 55 years he and his family continue treating Minnesota diners at David Fong’s Chinese Restaurant in Bloomington, his daughter Amy’s Fong’s Restaurant and Bar in Prior Lake and his son David, Jr.’s D Fong’s Chinese Cuisine in Savage. Leeann Chin created the areas’ largest and most recognized chain of Chinese restaurants. Reiko Weston opened Fujiya, the first Japanese restaurant in the state and Supenn Harrison introduced residents to Thai egg rolls at the 1976 Minnesota State Fair, then went on to create the chain of Sawatdee Thai restaurants. Home cooks also shared their traditional dishes with friends and neighbors including Mena-li Canalas and Abe Malicsi who share their Filipino food traditions with nearly everyone they meet. The Minnesota Hmong community has brought a wealth of new flavors to this land they now call home. The book includes their stories and recipes, and dozens more.

Asian Flavors also includes more than 160 recipes from more than 14 Pacific Rim countries, a historical timeline of the growth of Asian food in Minnesota and gorgeous four-color photography by Tom Nelson. It is an ideal gift for the history buff, anyone who likes to read about people, and cooks who want to try some of the many dishes now a part of Minnesota’s heritage. Even if I did write it, Asian Flavors is truly special!

Crying Tiger: Thai Recipes from the Heart by Supatra Johnson published in 2004

It does not need to be a new book to be important. When Supatra published the recipes of her homeland, Thailand, she created a book that gives readers a tour of the country and a wonderful collection of recipes. At ACAI we used it to teach Thai cooking to a group of food scientists. Some of the favorites of the class were Pad Thai, Pork with Peanut Curry Sauce, Steamed Walleye with Vegetables and Pumpkin Coconut Soup. All easy to make and all delicious! Supatra and her husband Randy own and operate Supatra’s Thai Restaurant in St. Paul where she is the chef offering a wide variety of Thai dishes. She also offers Thai cooking classes. For a copy of Crying Tiger and a wealth of information about Thai food visit their website at supatra.com. Or visit the restaurant at 967 West Seventh Street.

Everyday Chinese Cooking by Leeann Chin and Katie Chin published in 2000 by Clarkson Potter Publishers

This oldie but goodie was created by the legendary Leeann Chin and her daughter Katie to offer readers simple Chinese recipes for fun, family cooking. It is still a treasure of flavorful dishes that any home cook can create. Diners will recognize many of the dishes served in the Leeann Chin restaurants even today. For chow mein lovers, it includes Canton-style Chicken Chow Mein that is made with chicken, snow peas, shitake mushrooms, and bean sprouts flavored with fresh ginger and oyster sauce: not a stick of celery in sight. With more than 150 easy-to-follow recipes, Everyday Chinese Cooking is an ageless gift that keeps on giving.

Or pick up a copy of Katie’s newest cookbook Everyday Thai Cooking published this fall by Tuttle Publishing. She dedicates the book “For my late mother Leeann Chin, an amazing chef and teacher who continues to inspire me everyday.” Clearly Katie also loves Thai cooking, so much so that her husband took her on a trip through Thailand for their honeymoon. Now living in California with her husband and children, Katie continues to refer to her Minnesota roots and her mother’s amazing food. Everyday Thai Cooking is a beautiful, colorful cookbook that is as much fun to read as to use.

These are just a few of the wonderful Asian cookbooks by Minnesota authors that are great for gift giving or just to enjoy yourself. Happy holidays!!

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Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, in bookstores and on amazon.com.
 
Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875 

Watch the EMMY® award winning “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tpt MN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at: 
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0

Fil-Minnesotan Association’s 38th annual Paskong Pilipino, December 7 / Bring the whole family to taste Filipino food and enjoy Christmas traditions

by Phyllis Louise Harris

November 2013

Maintaining Filipino traditions is one goal of the Fil-Minnesotan Association and on December 7^th it will hold its 38^th annual Paskong Pilipino Christmas celebration for children. The Filipino community comes together for an afternoon of carols, talent show, nativity scene, raffle, manuhan, Santa and, of course, a wide variety of Filipino food…and it is free!

What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and have an opportunity to taste authentic food of the Philippines. Lunch, also free, includes some of the Philippines most popular dishes: pansit, chicken or pork adobo, steamed white rice and biko, sweet rice topped with caramel. In addition there will be food vendors at the event selling a wide variety of Filipino favorites such as barbeques, desserts, and more.

The traditional manuhan is a ceremony by children to honor their grandparents by kissing the hand of grandpa and grandma who then give their grandchildren small holiday packets filled with candy canes

and money. Another traditional event is the swinging of the pabitin, a bamboo square with gift pouches attached for children to grab and remove.

The annual Paskong Pilipino runs from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Parish Community of St. Joseph, 8701 36^th Avenue North in New Hope. The entire event is organized and presented by Fil-Minnesotan volunteers. If you are planning to bring children, please bring a wrapped gift for each child with their name clearly marked on the gift so Santa will get it to the right child.

Fil-Minnesotan Association seeking donations for victims of Typhoon Haiyan

While Paskong Pilipino celebrates one of the joys of Filipino life, there is also the reality of the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines on November 8 leaving an estimated one million people without homes, food, water and the basic essentials for daily life. To put it in perspective if the typhoon had hit the Twin Cities, everyone living in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Woodbury, Blaine, Maple Grove, Bloomington and Edina would be looking for assistance just to survive.

The Fil-Minnesotan Association is currently raising funds to assist Philippine relief efforts.  Since the organization is non-profit all money sent to them for the relief effort is tax deductible and will be sent in full to the Philippines. Every donation is essential, no matter how large or small. If it can buy a pound of rice or a dozen eggs your donation will play an important role in getting Filipinos back on their feet. It may even save a life!

For additional information contact them at www/Fil-Minnesotan.org, or info@fil-minnesotan.org, or 651-300-4FMA. Checks should be made out to Fil-Minnesotan Association with a note for Storm Relief. Mail to Fil-Minnesotan Association, Attn: Storm Relief, c/o Philippine Center of Minnesota, 1380 Frost Ave., Maplewood, MN 55109. Every donation will make a difference!

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Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875 

Watch the EMMY® award winning “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tpt MN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at: 
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0

And the EMMY® goes to… Asian Flavors for outstanding documentary-culture

by Phyllis Louise Harris

October 2013

On Saturday, September 28, the Midwest Region EMMY® awards show was held at the State Theater in downtown Minneapolis. There were three nominees in the documentary-culture category and the EMMY® was awarded to Asian Flavors.

Based on the book “Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875,” the Asian Flavors television show included interviews with just a few of the people responsible for bringing the tastes of their homeland to Minnesota. Filled with historic photos and information, on-site food shots and anecdotes, the show was a tribute to the thousands of immigrants and their descendents from the Asian Pacific Rim who changed the flavor palette of Minnesota.

The show was produced and directed for TPT by Daniel Pierce Bergin, senior producer and partner manager at Twin Cities Public Television. It was a project created by the Asian Culinary Arts Institutes and produced by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. Underwriting for the show was provided by funding to the Minnesota Historical Society Press for special, non-production activities for the Asian Flavors project from the Clean Water Land & Legacy amendment, and by contributions from Leeann Chin, Inc., United Noodles, TeaSource, Chinese Heritage Foundation, Sawatdee, Dennis Christian, Theo A Park and Sherri Gebert Fuller in memory of Lucia Jane Wilson, David Fong’s Restaurant, Asian Foods, Sakura, David and Evelyn Lee.

The book/television project was four years in the making and I am happy to say the results have been most rewarding. Pick up a copy of the book or see the television show using the link below. They are just a glimpse at the story that will go on for years to come.

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Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875 
 
Watch the EMMY® award winning “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tpt MN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at: 
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0

 

Katie Chin’s “Everyday Thai Cooking” is a labor of love

by Phyllis Louise Harris

September 2013

Katie Chin grew up in a household of seven where mom’s home cooking was provided by one of Minnesota’s best known names in Chinese cooking, Leeann Chin. It was also her late mother who introduced Katie to the cooking of Thailand. One taste of this complex south Asian cuisine and Katie became a lifelong fan.  Now she has turned that interest into her newest cookbook, “Everyday Thai Cooking: Quick and Easy Family Style Recipes.”

While there are influences in the cuisine from Thailand’s neighbors, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Burma, India and China, the country’s cooking evolved within its borders.  Thailand was never occupied or governed by an outside force so its cuisine is strictly homegrown. Fish sauce, lemon grass, curry pastes, rice and the food of the tropics are the base of everything from street food to gourmet restaurants.

Katie removes some of the mystique of Thai cooking so home cooks can master the complexity of flavor-building that makes this cuisine so delicious. While satays, curries, pad Thai and peanut sauce are familiar to diners in the U.S., Thai favorites include so much more. To get a better understanding of Thai cooking Katie and her husband spent their honeymoon traveling throughout Thailand tasting everything along the way from street food to small cafés to elegant restaurants.

She came back to the states with an even broader understanding of and love for the cuisine that shows throughout her book. Then she added her own touch to dishes such as Thai Crab Cakes, Sizzling Rice Seafood Soup, Crispy Mango Coconut Chicken, and Sweet Ripe Mango with Sticky Rice.

Katie dedicates the book to her late mother, “…an amazing chef and teacher who continues to inspire me every day.” Even the book’s title “Everyday Thai Cooking” is a reminder of the first cookbook she wrote in 2000 with Leeann, “Everyday Chinese Cooking.” Katie also wrote “300 Best Rice Cooker Recipes in 2011, has appeared on numerous television shows, and was recently a judge on the Food Network’s Iron Chef. In 2003, Katie and Leeann hosted a PBS television cooking series, Double Happiness. Katie currently lives in California with her husband and their children.

“Everyday Thai Cooking” was published by Tuttle Publishing, has a hardcover price of $24.95 and is now available in bookstores and at http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Thai-Cooking-Family-Recipes/dp/0804843716.

Katie will be in Minneapolis at book signings October 24 and 25, 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Leeann Chin City Center location, 40 South 7^th Street. Books will be available to purchase at the events.

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Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, in bookstores and on amazon.com. 

Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875 

Watch the Emmy nominated  “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tptMN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at: 
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0

Harry Singh’s Caribbean food at the State Fair is filled with Asian flavors and island spices

by Phyllis Louise Harris
August/September

Among the corndogs, miniature donuts and things on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair you will find the wonderful food of Trinidad and Tobago at Harry Singh’s Caribbean Restaurant in the Food Building.

Now in his fifth year at the fair, Harry Singh offers the food of his homeland filled with Asian flavors developed since the mid-1800s when the British occupied the island and brought in workers from China and India. Combined with the island’s hot and spicy cuisine, the melding of these three cuisines has created the Caribbean dishes we have come to enjoy today.

At the fair Harry will be serving roti dhalpourie, jerk chicken, curry chicken, Jamaican jerk fries, Caribbean punch and ginger beer: all tastes of the island in the middle of America’s breadbasket.

They are just a few of the dishes Harry features year ‘round in his East Street restaurant at 2653 Nicollet Avenue South in Minneapolis. One of the favorites there is Harry’s version of chow mein with island flavors and a variety of vegetables depending on the season. Also Caribbean style Creole rice dishes, jerk pork or lamb and goat curry.

For a taste of the Caribbean plan to stop at Harry Singh’s in the Food Building at the fair or visit his restaurant on East Street after the fair.

Bring Asian cooking into your own kitchen through the more than 150 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, now in bookstores and on amazon.com. 

Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875 

Also watch the “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tptMN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at: 

http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0

Raghavan Iyer’s “Indian Cooking Unfolded” takes the mystery out of this complex cuisine

By Phyllis Louise Harris

August 2013

More than a billion people call the food of India “Mom’s home cooking.” But, to anyone who grew up with the comfort food of most other countries, India’s distinctive cooking is a mystery.

To Raghavan Iyer it was both: Mother’s home cooking and a mystery! The youngest of seven children growing up in Mumbai (Bombay), Raghavan was not allowed in the kitchen when his mother and sisters prepared the family meals. Traditionally, cooking was “women’s work.” So when he came to Minnesota to pursue a culinary career, he had no idea how to cook the food of his homeland. Even worse, he could not find the ingredients to create the flavors from his childhood.

A lot has changed in the 31 years Raghavan has lived and worked in the U.S. Starting with a steady stream of letters to and from his mother and sisters with recipes and cooking instructions, to the four cookbooks he has written, to teaching more than 25,000 culinary students nationwide about Indian food, Raghavan has become a nationally recognized authority on the cooking of India.

With his “long-distance” cooking lessons he taught himself how to cook and then begin teaching others the mysteries of Indian food. Next, he wrote “Betty Crocker’s Indian Home Cooking” in 2001. That was followed by “The Turmeric Trail” a year later and in 2008 “660 Curries.” In 2012 he contributed four chapters to my book, “Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875” and served as narrator on the television show based on “Asian Flavors” by Twin Cities Public Television (tpt).

And now he has written a book that takes us back to the beginning: Mom’s home cooking. “Indian Cooking Unfolded” is filled with 100 recipes using 10 ingredients or less. It is the perfect home schooling for the cook who wants to see each step clearly explained and seven recipes illustrated in foldout pages. It is a collection of traditional and original recipes that Raghavan likes to call his own home cooking.

The cooking of India is based on layering flavors at the right time and temperature throughout the cooking process. Adding a particular spice at the wrong time or in the wrong form will change the flavor of the finished dish. So for those cooks who like to toss in things at will, be prepared to change old habits. Following Raghavan’s step-by-step instructions ensures a tasty result. It takes patience and practice, but “Indian Cooking Unfolded” almost makes it fun. A little like a treasure hunt with the prize being perfectly balanced flavors, Indian cooking can become a favorite of cooks everywhere. And just as easy to make as apple pie!

“Indian Cooking Unfolded” was published this month by Workman Publishing, has a cover price of $19.95 and is available in bookstores and on amazon.com.

Here are a few places to meet Raghavan, learn more about Indian cooking and get a signed copy of “Indian Cooking Unfolded:”

August 8, Byerly’s
St. Louis Park, MN – cooking class 6:00 – 7:30 pm

August 10, Minnesota Garlic Festival,
McLeod County Fairgrounds, Hutchinson, MN 11:30am-12: 30pm

September 17 – 18, Cooks Warehouse,
Atlanta, GA – master classes 6:30 – 9:30 pm

September 20, Kitchen in the Market at Global Market,
Minneapolis, MN – tasting and signing 6 – 9 pm

September 24 - 25, A Southern Season,
Chapel Hill and Charleston, NC – classes 6:00 pm

October 27, Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks,
Vancouver, BC – tasting and signing 5:00 – 7:00 pm

For additional events go to raghavan.com

Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try some of Raghavan’s recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, now in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875

Also watch the “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tptMN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at:
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0

Eden Prairie Opening Celebrates Sawatdee’s 30-year History

By Phyllis Louise Harris

July 2013

July 9th marked the official ribbon cutting ceremony at Sawatdee’s latest Thai restaurant in Eden Prairie. Just 30 years ago Supenn Harrison and her sister Gat Jones opened the first Sawatdee Thai restaurant in St. Paul.  In the ensuing years Supenn opened Sawatdee restaurants in Minneapolis, Bloomington, St. Cloud, Maple Grove and now Eden Prairie.

Supenn’s initial commercial Thai food offering was at the 1976 State Fair where Sue’s Egg Rolls introduced Minnesotans to Thai cooking. It was not an immediate success with just a few egg rolls sold on the first day.  Then a few more on the second day and as each day went by the numbers increased until by the end of the ten-day fair Supenn knew she had a winner.  She continued the booth for a total of twenty-five years until the fair board decided Thai egg rolls were no longer novelty items.

By 1979 Supenn could see the interest in Thai food growing and purchased the Gopher Grill on Lake Street in Minneapolis.  Within two years she changed the name to the Siam Café and introduced a full Thai menu.  As the café’s popularity grew so did the need for more space and after selling the café she opened the first Sawatdee in 1983.

Sawatdee has been a family business from the start with her husband Bruce Harrison handling the business side and eventually their daughters Jennifer and Cynthia working in both the fair booth and now in the Sawatdee restaurants.  In addition one sister helped her open the initial St. Paul location and another operates the St. Cloud Sawatdee.

Sawatdee Eden Prairie has a full bar and outdoor patio overlooking a sparkling pond and the rolling hills beyond.  The menu includes Sawatdee favorites with lunch specials and a variety of rice bowls that may be topped with an egg, sunny side up.

For additional information go to sawatdee.com or call the Eden Prairie restaurant at 952-641-5777.  It is located at 13300 Technology Drive in Eden Prairie with free parking at the door.

Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try some of Supenn’s recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, now in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875

Filipino Picnic Food from Tita Li’s Kitchen at the Pines Market in Circle Pines

By Phyllis Louise Harris

June 2013

Lumpia, langonisa, empanadas, lengua machado and ube rolls would make a very tasty picnic and are some of the dishes available for takeout at the Pines Market every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. when Mena-li Canlas and her staff offer their Filipino Sunday brunches.  If meat and vegetable wraps (lumpia), pork sausage links (langonisa), deep fried meat and vegetable puffs (empanadas), sliced beef tongue (lengua mechado) and cake rolls (ube) are some of your favorite foods stop by the Pines Market, 2 South Pine Drive in Circle Pines on Sunday, then head down Lexington Avenue to Como Park for a truly delicious picnic.  Or eat in the store at tables and chairs that can seat about thirty people.  The menu changes each Sunday so check the current offerings on Facebook, Tita Li’s desserts and merienda pinoy brunch @ Pines Market.

On a recent Sunday I stopped by to sample a number of dishes including Chicken Afritada, a tasty example of the Spanish influence on the food of the Philippine Islands.  It is one of those homemade dishes you would long for from your childhood if you were raised in the Philippines. Succulent chicken slowly simmered in a bright tomato sauce with potatoes, and green and red bell peppers is a meal in itself and costs $5.00.  Add garlic fried rice or steamed rice and your picnic is complete.  Add another entrée and the whole cost is just $6.25.  Add two entrees and the total is only $7.50.  If you want to start with appetizers pick up meat or vegetable egg rolls or barbecued pork on a stick and suddenly your picnic is a feast.

But don’t forget dessert.  In the Filipino community Mena-li is known as the “cake lady” who makes amazing desserts.  This Sunday she offered nine desserts including a Ube Roll made from the island’s purple ube root and frosted with purple icing.  For something a little lighter there were Putos, the small two-bite sized steamed breads that would be wonderful with fresh raspberries or blueberries or just by themselves.  Mena-li’s versions are as light as chiffon cake.  There is also Halo-Halo, Flan, Cassava Bjbingka and Frozen Siopao.

Additional Sunday entrees included Talong Torta (eggplant), Binagoongan (pork with shrimp paste), and Palabok (noodles with beef, tofu, bacon and shrimp).  While some dishes are repeated from week to week, Mena-li likes to offer a variety of flavors from her homeland so check her Facebook listing for this week’s choices.

Mena-li started the Pinoy Brunch and Merienda at the Pines Market eighteen months ago and has been attracting a growing group of Filipino food fans.  It is one of just a few places in Minnesota where you can taste the wonderful cuisine from the Philippine Islands so stop by soon.

 

Read more about Filipino cooking and try some of Mena-li’s recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, now in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online:  Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875