2024-04-16 06:49
Clay Pot Fish and Tofu is one of the most popular Cantonese casserole or clay pot recipes. This dish is inspired by the classic Cantonese yee tou bo (fish head pot) or yee nam bo (fish colla… Read More
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The Woks Of Life - A Culinary Genealogy Blog
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A foodie family of four living between a NJ suburb, a college town, and a Beijing apartment, cooking, traveling and keeping each other updated on their culinary exploits.
2024-04-13 07:01
Cabbage is versatile, cheap, delicious, and a true blank canvas! Today we’re reminding you of some of our favorite cabbage recipes so you too can jump on the cabbage bandwagon. L… Read More
2024-04-07 06:25
You probably haven’t heard of tong ho, or Chrysanthemum greens, because they’re not often talked about or seen in the Western world. However, it’s recently become one of ou… Read More
2024-04-04 06:16
This apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe has familiar, comforting flavors, but also some special ingredients that make it both tastier and healthier! I’ve taken some ingredients out of the T… Read More
2024-04-01 04:39
In this quick asparagus stir-fry recipe, we’ll talk about the proper way to prepare and slice asparagus (with minimal waste) and how to make it delicious! Take Advantage of Aspar… Read More
2024-03-29 05:15
This all-purpose Chinese meat sauce (家常肉酱) is a meaty relish of mushroom, shallot, fermented black bean, and chili that can make an exciting, satisfying meal out… Read More
2024-03-26 04:22
This easy Egg Salad Sandwich recipe is my unique take on the indulgent lunchtime treat. Fresh garlic, scallions, and cilantro come together with perfectly boiled eggs, on soft and fluffy bre… Read More
2024-03-23 04:58
This Shanghai-style steamed salmon recipe may just become your new favorite salmon preparation. This simple, fragrant, and delicious dish takes minutes to prepare. It’s basically one s… Read More
2024-03-20 04:09
Most Chinese holidays center around food and family, and the Qingming Festival, or Qīngmíng jié (清明节) is no different. Also known as the Tomb-sweeping… Read More
2024-03-17 05:58
This steamed chicken with black bean sauce (蒜蓉豉汁蒸滑鸡) is a comforting home-cooked recipe that’s super simple, yet flavorful, and produce… Read More
2024-03-11 04:02
Hi everyone! We’re coming at you with not a recipe, but a quick article gathering some thoughts and kitchen tips / wisdom from the parental half of The Woks of Life. Here are some key… Read More
2024-03-08 13:00
This baked sesame chicken recipe yields deliciously crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken—without the need for deep-frying! We toss it in a slightly sweet, savory sauce that tastes just… Read More
2024-03-05 07:28
Today we’re talking about how to make pan-fried wontons. Because while wontons are primarily meant to be used in soups, you can also pan-fry them—if you would rather have some cr… Read More
2024-03-02 06:25
Hi everyone, this is an essay that I wrote for our cookbook, The Woks of Life: Recipes to Know and Love from a Chinese American Family, now available wherever books are sold. (If you haven&r&hell…Read More
2024-02-28 16:22
This Vegetable Chow Mein recipe is a truly delicious meatless option for all you vegetarians out there. It’s also a light and satisfying side dish or meal for anyone looking for a vegg… Read More
2024-02-25 06:28
This stir-fry of beef with bamboo shoots & peppers was inspired by a favorite dish we used to eat at a restaurant that we frequented a lot as a family in my childhood. It’s savory… Read More
2024-02-22 10:49
Did you buy a carbon steel wok years ago and promptly forget about it? If it’s rusty or otherwise a little worse for wear, don’t worry. In this post, we’re talking about ho… Read More
2024-02-19 12:01
We all need a go-to green vegetable side dish to go with any main course, and this bok choy stir-fry recipe is a great candidate. Today, we’re sharing restaurant tips and tricks to mak… Read More
2024-02-16 08:04
As the Lantern Festival, known in Chinese as Yuánxiāo jié (元宵节), approaches, it’s time to start thinking about eating yuanxiao or tang yuan. The… Read More
2024-02-09 19:45
Today we’re sharing our (very informal) guide to Chinese zodiac compatibility! If you grew up in a Chinese family, chances are that over the years you’ve had parents and relative… Read More
2024-02-07 08:09
Braised Pork Chops Shanghai-style, 葱烤排骨 (cōng kǎo páigǔ), are one of the pinnacles of Shanghainese home cooking. Pork chops are pounde… Read More
2024-02-01 08:24
This vegan mushroom noodle soup is made with three kinds of mushrooms to make the most deliciously potent broth. It was inspired by a dish known as “double mushroom soup” (… Read More
2024-01-23 13:54
With Chinese New Year gatherings coming up, you may find yourself either hosting a dinner or invited to a gathering. Today, we’re going to talk about party hosting tips from a Chinese… Read More
2024-01-20 08:15
Lobster Yee Mein (or yi mein), pronounced lóng xiā yī miàn in Mandarin or loong ha yee meen in Cantonese (龙虾伊面), is a dish combining long… Read More
2024-01-14 08:15
We’ve posted many Chinese dumpling filling recipes over the years, each with their own unique flavor and character, including fillings made with ground pork, chicken, beef, fish, and v… Read More
2024-01-11 15:30
“A Chinese Roast Duck.” Those roast ducks glistening suspended in Chinatown windows across the globe are iconic. They’re a culinary masterpiece—admittedly an intimida… Read More
2024-01-08 17:03
Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival (春节 – chūnjié) is the year of the Dragon (pronounced “loong” in Chinese) and festivities start February 10, 2… Read More
2024-01-05 16:11
This pork and chive dumpling recipe is truly restaurant-worthy. While we posted a recipe from our cousin (who grew up in Beijing) back in 2014, we have since come up with a new version that… Read More
2024-01-02 00:43
Hi everyone, and happy new year! We’re kicking off 2024 with a cultural post. Today, I’m talking a little bit about my Chinese post-childbirth confinement experience after having… Read More
2023-12-26 05:05
This red braised beef (hóngshāo niúròu – 红烧牛肉) is a savory, delicious dish that’s also very simple to make! As the weather c… Read More
2023-12-22 07:07
If you read the words pig feet papaya soup and are still reading—thank you for the vote of confidence! You’d never think to put pork trotters and papaya in the same pot, but this… Read More
2023-12-16 08:39
With Lunar New Year coming up, many a Chinese table will soon be graced by a whole chicken. Whether it’s poached, braised, or salt-baked, a whole chicken is a deeply symbolic food in C… Read More
2023-12-13 08:06
Sweet and sour sauce dishes are some of the most iconic out there. Even in China, dishes like sweet and sour pork (咕噜肉 – gū lū ròu) and Sweet and… Read More
2023-12-10 17:00
A Prime Rib Roast is almost always our choice for a crowd-pleasing holiday dinner. Turkey is for Thanksgiving, and we’ve never been a big ham family, so prime rib is often our choice!… Read More
2023-12-05 16:09
Today we’ve got a recipe for you that harkens back to the early days of Chinese immigration to the United States: Chop Suey. Chinese food in America has evolved much since then, to the… Read More
2023-12-01 00:25
Today we have some very exciting news to share—a new addition to The Woks of Life family: Baby Ethan! Sarah and Justin recently welcomed this bundle of joy into the world, and despite… Read More
2023-11-27 09:53
Welcome to our How to Grow Chinese Vegetables series. It’s the last post of the 2023 growing season, and we’re talking about how to grow watercress, or xīyáng c&agrav&hell…Read More
2023-11-19 08:17
Welcome to our latest farm update! Somehow, we’re again at the end of another growing season at our farm (well—our “working mini-farm,” if we’re being technical… Read More
2023-11-16 06:22
Black pepper chicken is a Chinese American dish that combines a comforting Chinese takeout-style brown sauce with a good amount of black pepper. While you mostly see Chinese cooks using whit… Read More
2023-11-13 17:02
Up until now, I’ve never thought about sharing a turkey gravy recipe. At our house, making the gravy for Thanksgiving dinner has always just been the assumed final step of cooking a tu… Read More
2023-11-10 06:16
A Wife Cake, or lao po bing (lǎopó bìng in Mandarin or lou po beng—pronounced more like “baeng“—in Cantonese – 老婆饼), is… Read More
2023-11-08 06:50
If your mind is turning to holiday gifting, we’ve got a gift guide for every kind of person in your life, whether they be unfailingly practical, a constant traveler, a little artsy, a… Read More
2023-11-08 06:50
Host or Hostess gifts can be so much more than a bottle of wine or other alcohol! A gift for the host of your evening (whatever gender they may be) is a lovely opportunity to preemptively th… Read More
2023-11-08 06:50
It’s our Kitchen and Garden gift guide, full of the select items we reach for again and again—for that cooking and/or gardening enthusiast in your life. The Kitchen and Garden Gi… Read More
2023-11-06 05:08
We finally have a wrapper recipe to make gluten-free dumplings! The dough can be thrown together with a few ingredients from your gluten-free baking arsenal. Rolling them out is easy, and yo… Read More
2023-11-04 06:47
Chinese lemon chicken is a delicious, refreshing alternative to the usual sweet and sour chicken. Fresh lemons really make this chicken dish, and although our sweet and sour chicken recipe n… Read More
2023-11-01 04:53
This siu mai recipe, made with pork and shrimp, can stand up to any siu mai from any dim sum restaurant! They’ll transport you to those big dim sum halls of old, filled with push carts… Read More
2023-10-26 07:27
Kabocha squash is one of our favorite squashes/pumpkins to enjoy in the fall! It has a lovely texture—almost like a cross between butternut squash and chestnuts. The skin is also edibl… Read More
2023-10-23 05:28
Today we have another recipe in our postpartum series—a lightly sweet postpartum porridge made with 7 nourishing Chinese ingredients. In Chinese, the porridge is called yuè zi z… Read More
2023-10-20 11:55
This Beef Stir-Fry recipe with vegetables is one of those quick and easy dishes that you can throw together in minutes if you prepare properly ahead of time. Tender beef, crunchy vegetables… Read More
2023-10-17 05:33
We make this delicious chicken chow mein recipe with real Chinese chow mein noodles (while many recipes out there use a soft lo-mein-like noodle), crunchy vegetables, and lots of juicy chick… Read More
2023-10-14 07:55
We’ve gotten lots of questions over the years about how to cook low sodium Chinese food, especially as it pertains to the many fermented and salted ingredients you might encounter, fro… Read More
2023-10-08 04:28
This recipe for pickled daikon with carrots is a classic appetizer that was once often served as a freebie in Cantonese restaurants, along with fried peanuts. I would usually let my pa… Read More
2023-10-05 06:31
This Panda Express Super Greens mix of kale, cabbage, and broccoli is a beloved side from the popular chain, but my mom has been making a version of it for years when we have odds and ends o… Read More
2023-09-29 05:31
Welcome to our How to Grow Chinese Vegetables series: Choy Sum edition! In this post, we’ll talk about how to grow choy sum or cài xīn (菜心), AKA yu choy or y… Read More
2023-09-26 04:20
Today, we’re coming to you with a new mooncake recipe for the Mid-Autumn Festival! This one is a bit non-traditional. We’re making Pecan Pie Mooncakes! This recipe is for a… Read More
2023-09-23 04:24
Winter melon soup is a popular home-cooked Chinese dish when winter melons are in season (late summer through fall). It’s also probably the most popular application of winter melon in… Read More
2023-09-20 07:28
This loofah stir-fry with chicken is a super tasty and satisfying way to cook loofah (luffa?), a Chinese vegetable (ahem, fruit) that doesn’t get enough love! What is Loofah?&nbs&hell…Read More
2023-09-17 07:10
This stuffed bitter melon recipe in black bean sauce is a classic Cantonese dish that highlights a produce item in abundance right now in Chinese groceries and backyard gardens: bitter melon… Read More
2023-09-12 11:10
The end of summer is approaching, and it’s time to review how the season went at The Woks of Life HQ. We had some excitement this year with our first real fruit harvests (last year we… Read More
2023-09-08 04:26
This miso fish comes together with just four ingredients (not counting the fish, hehe). All you need is white miso, mirin, and sesame oil. It’s also REALLY easy. It’s a rec… Read More
2023-09-02 18:04
When I think of a good steak salad, I want freshly grilled steak served over crisp mixed greens and a summery dressing (no matter the season). This Thai Beef Salad fits the bill for me! You… Read More
2023-08-30 11:50
Hi everyone! It’s the end of August, and it’s time to talk about how to grow bitter melon in your garden. Some of you out there may never have heard of bitter melon, and we&rsquo&hell…Read More
2023-08-27 07:01
We’ve collected a bunch of back to school ideas for meals, with tons of recipes to help you get into the swing of the school year hustle. Summer may be ending, but we hope you can find… Read More
2023-08-21 04:01
Hainan Chicken Rice is a classic dish beloved by people in Singapore and all over Asia. Served room temperature, the chicken is incredibly silky. But the rice is really the star—cooked… Read More
2023-08-17 07:38
Salt and Pepper Chicken is a dish that we realized was missing from our lives. I’m sure this is a long overdue recipe for all of you who don’t eat pork, and I have to admit, I wi… Read More
2023-08-14 05:00
I’m sharing our trip to Ireland! We rented a couple of cars and drove from Dublin down and across the country and back, and today we’re sharing some of the amazing things to do i… Read More
2023-08-11 14:39
Gyudon is a Japanese beef bowl consisting of thinly sliced fatty beef and onions in a lightly sweet mixture of mirin and soy sauce. Serve it over rice with a fried egg for a simple and… Read More
2023-08-07 17:30
Today, we’re talking about cooking gluten-free Chinese food. Many of you have asked questions about which Chinese ingredients contain gluten or about gluten-free substitutions over the… Read More
2023-08-05 06:57
Today, we’re making Vegan Ants Climbing a Tree—a vegan and vegetarian version of a beloved Chinese dish! Traditional Ants Climbing a Tree (蚂蚁上树… Read More
2023-08-03 04:32
We rarely share restaurant experiences, but felt the need to share this one as a travel post. Because this restaurant? It’s a destination! Today, we’re sharing our recent experie… Read More
2023-07-27 04:20
This simple tomato potato soup is a summer staple, with just 5 ingredients (plus water). It’s a light snack or side dish that replenishes your body with fluids and salt on those sweat… Read More
2023-07-24 11:22
Today, let’s talk about one of my favorite ingredients: Thai Basil. We’ll learn how to grow Thai basil in your garden, different varieties, and the many recipes we love using it… Read More
2023-07-21 04:01
This quinoa rice mix is a great way to get the enjoyment of eating steamed white rice with your stir-fries and other dishes—but with the high-protein and fiber rich addition of quinoa!… Read More
2023-07-18 13:58
This home style tofu recipe is as delicious as it is comforting. With a small amount of ground pork, some aromatics, and a light sauce, it’s perfect over rice and so easy to make. Note… Read More
2023-07-15 04:32
Learn how to make Thai Iced Tea to go with your favorite spicy Thai dishes, or just as a delicious, cooling beverage to make in the warmer months! We have two versions: the Thai Tea Mi… Read More
2023-07-12 04:29
This snap pea salad is easy, delicious, and refreshing. I made good use of our Asian pantry with go-to’s like sesame seeds, sesame oil, rice vinegar, coriander seeds, and a couple clov… Read More
2023-07-09 15:00
This Hunan Chicken recipe references traditional Hunan flavors, including black bean, chilies, ginger, and garlic. Make it with chicken breast or thighs! This Hunan Chicken is *Not* a Chines… Read More
2023-07-03 04:09
Sesame beef is a Chinese dish made of fried crispy beef, tossed in a lightly sweet sauce with balanced acidity, toasted sesame oil, and sesame seeds. No wonder it’s a household hit!&nb&hell…Read More
2023-07-01 04:01
A hearty meal of braised ground pork, potato, and Chinese flavors is our unique take on “meat and potatoes”! This easy and simple formula is one I turn to again and again when I… Read More
2023-06-29 19:58
Welcome to the first 2023 post of our How to Grow Chinese Vegetables Series, which is now in its second season! Today, we’re talking about how to grow garlic, which is a key ingredient… Read More
2023-06-24 04:53
Now that we’ve officially moved from spring into summer, we’re recapping our spring season at The Woks of Life working mini farm—which is what we’ve decided to call t… Read More
2023-06-22 04:22
It’s easy to create umami (the savory fifth taste) when you’re cooking with meat or seafood. But what about with vegan and vegetarian umami ingredients? In this post, we’ll… Read More
2023-06-20 05:15
We’ve been making this simple stir-fry of rice cakes and napa cabbage (白菜肉丝年糕) for years, so we couldn’t believe that it still hadn&rsqu&hell…Read More
2023-06-15 23:30
This quick takeout-style Chinese chicken curry is so easy to make, with just 9 staple ingredients and 15 minutes in the kitchen. But that small investment in time yields big rewards—an… Read More
2023-06-07 00:53
This Chinese chicken noodle soup is an easy traditional noodle soup you can make any day of the week. It’s often served as a birthday noodle soup, topped with 2 fried eggs! While… Read More
2023-06-01 16:45
You’ll see these fried peanuts often in Cantonese restaurants, served in small dishes around a Lazy Susan along with pots of tea. They’re the perfect little appetizer while you w… Read More
2023-05-23 04:01
Memorial Day BBQs have always been events at our house to look forward to––sunshine, spring temperatures, the smell of fresh cut grass, and yes, delicious food! Check out this li… Read More
2023-05-19 16:01
Chicken Satay is a delicious alternative to your standard saucy Thai curries, with chicken marinated in a positively potent mixture of red curry paste and coconut. We sear the skewers to per… Read More
2023-05-17 19:43
Duck noodle soup is a simple, yet extremely flavorful dish you can make with very little time. It’s also a great way to use up leftover Cantonese roast duck. For a quick meal, ke… Read More
2023-05-12 18:00
Lo mein noodles are one of the most recognizable types of Chinese noodles in the U.S. Today, we’ll teach you how to cook lo mein noodles properly, so that they’re perfect—n… Read More
2023-05-10 16:35
Nothing is quite as daunting as walking into the kitchen with the expectation of churning out bakery-quality bread. However, this deliciously soft multigrain bread recipe will help you do ju… Read More
2023-05-04 19:35
This is an easy, classic chicken fried rice recipe you can make for a quick dinner on any weeknight. It’s also heavier on the chicken than you might be used to when getting takeou… Read More
2023-05-01 20:48
After developing recipes for 10 years now, I feel like I’ve gained a better intuition when it comes to cooking with garlic in just about any kind of dish or flavor combination. It&rsqu&hell…Read More
2023-04-27 17:40
In yet another pinch-me moment surrounding our cookbook (First pinch-me moment: the book we’ve worked on for years gets published. Second: getting amazing feedback from some of our fav… Read More
2023-04-23 15:15
The allure of Orange Chicken is all in its name—crunchy pieces of shallow-fried chicken tossed in an aromatic orange sauce with a little sweetness and tang. This restaurant-quality rec… Read More
2023-04-21 18:09
Today, we’re talking about Arches and Canyonlands, the national parks of Eastern Utah. Ever since Kaitlin and I saw Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef back in 2017, I’ve wanted… Read More
2023-04-19 13:01
This pressed tofu (dòufu gān – 豆腐干), is a necessary recipe for our readers who live far away from an Asian market. Firm tofu is (somewhat) widely avail… Read More
2023-04-17 12:00
Today, we’re going to talk about our experience over the past year raising ducks: brooding ducklings, building a duck run, how they’re different from our chickens, how many eggs… Read More
2023-04-15 13:30
This Asian milk bread recipe is a triumph. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that for months, we’ve searched, tested, and failed time and time again to nail down a perfect rec… Read More
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