Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 59

Did You Watch The Boomer List?

“Always have old memories and young hopes.”

I was so excited to watch The Boomer List on American Masters last week. A series of video interviews by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, it highlights some iconic figures from the baby boomer generation. (Greenfield-Sanders has also done other films, like “The Black List,” “The Latino List,” and “The Out List.”)

As a geriatric social worker, I was taught to look for trends in cohorts. People who’ve experienced the same major events might behave in similar ways. A few major experiences baby boomers went through were the JFK assassination (by the way, King’s 11/22/63 book is excellent), the Vietnam War, the AIDS epidemic, and the feminist movement.

Here are some other facts about baby boomers:

Born between 1946 and 1964
Wealthier, more active generation than previous eras
First generation to grow up with television
Most common baby boomer names are James and Mary
California has largest grouping in one state

Of course, one of my favorite authors, Amy Tan, was interviewed on the film. What struck me was her portrait of her mom. Tan’s father died while she was young, but her mother strove on. Even though Tan’s mother was traditional, Tan considered her “very modern.” Her mother said that Tan was not just equal to a man but “better than a man.” Those are some strong words.

I think Tan’s productivity stems from her childhood encouragement. In fact, a lot of Boomers are important leaders. They’re innovators in their various and diverse fields. They were go-getters from early on–and they’re not stopping any time soon.

Did you watch The Boomer List? What’s your take on this generation?

Foodie Friday: Pineapple Fried Rice

Pineapple fried rice: classic rice dish with tropical overtones

Craving an exotic twist to simple fried rice? Layer some pineapple on top and voilà!

Here are some fun pineapple facts:

Name comes from its resemblance to the pine cone
Produces beautiful flowers, ranging various shades of purple and red
Sailors carried it to prevent scurvy
Area near the base of the fruit is sweeter and more tender
Dole Plantation’s Pineapple Garden Maze is the world’s largest maze

The first time I tasted pineapple fried rice was in a Malaysian restaurant. A combination of savory and sweet, it got a thumbs up from adults and kids. But the pineapple bowl itself was so impressive that I’d order it on esthetics alone!

Do Online Friends Make Good Real-Life Friends?

“The social scene can be fun today.”

Writing used to be a lonely profession. With the advent of modern technology, it’s turned out to be more of a creative party.

Boundary lines between online friends and in-person ones are getting blurred. In fact, I’m meeting more and more with virtual buddies in real places. I’ve gotten valuable critique partners from online classes. And years of connecting via the Web led me to a side trip last Christmas to meet up with Wordsmith Studio buddies.

But where do you draw the line? With Facebook, I have both an author page and a personal page. Fans, for sure, head on over to the former. What about people I meet at writing conventions or on forums? I’m still navigating that one.

Any clues on how to chart these unmarked territories?

Anyway, I’m off to a coffee date to meet some new in-person/online friends!

Foodie Friday First: Mantu

Mantu: steamed ground beef and lamb dumplings, served with sour cream and a meat sauce

I confess: I’ve never had Afghan food. So when my hubby mentioned a local restaurant, I was intrigued. The decor was luscious, with dark-toned long tables. Along the sides of the room were cushioned benches embellished with jewel-encrusted throw pillows. Now on to the food…

Mantu is a very popular dish in Afghanistan and is cooked in a multi-layered steamer. People sell it on the street corners, kind of like our American hot dog stands. Mantu dates back to the time of Mongol horsemen, and it’s believed that the dumplings were boiled over camp fires for dinner.

I’ve had many dumplings in my life, but mantu was totally different than my previous culinary experiences. The stuffing of ground beef and lamb gave it a very meaty taste, while the wrappers were steamed to fall-apart softness. It’s got an interesting take on condiments, with its two sauces. The first is a tomato-based style and the second, the sharp tang of sour cream (although some recipes call for yogurt).

Mantu is pretty tasty, but it requires a new mindset on my part, not to lump it together with other dumplings like the wonton.

 

I’ve Got a Tiger Claw

“Courage is the hallmark of a warrior.”

When times are tough, I revert to childhood comforts. One of these is an actual physical object: my tiger claw. Given to me by my dad, this unique pendant passed down to him from my uncle. My dad’s older brother was the quintessential tough guy–he loved getting into fist fights and showing off his martial arts skills.

Sometimes I touch the claw and think of how tough my uncle was; it reminds me to be strong. Then I reflect on my dad, who was also tough to give this to me. He broke tradition and thought enough of a daughter to allow me to have this heirloom.

I also need to be strong at times. During my Live Write!, I wore this necklace to give me courage. Now, I’m going through some emotionally trying times. I rub my tiger claw to stay brave.

What helps you stay strong?

Foodie Friday: Wonton

Wonton: tender dumplings, often boiled

Want the quickest meal ever? Toss some wonton with instant ramen noodles.

Wontons have a delicate wrapper. In modern-day Chinese, eating them is often known as “swallowing clouds.” (The original definition is very different.) Their soft exterior melts in your mouth and contrasts well with the heartier stuffing. (By the way, I hear they have great shrimp wontons in bulk at your local Costco.)

During the Tang and Song Dynasties, poets even wrote about wonton. In some regions, the warming soup would be eaten on a midwinter’s day to fight against the cold weather. A famous doctor, Zhang Zhongjing, even decided to stuff wontons with medicine to provide cures for frostbite.

Have you eaten these delicious clouds before?

Where the Ginseng Grows

“You have great physical powers and an iron constitution.”–fortune cookie

I recently received a gift of ginseng tea from my family. Ginseng’s genus is panax, coming from the Greek word for “all cure.” It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years.

A finicky plant, it doesn’t like being exposed to direct sunlight. That’s why growers will provide a shading structure for the sprouts, shrouding them in 75% shade. Ginseng also needs “virgin soil” because it utilizes all the minerals in the ground. When those micronutrients are depleted, the same soil cannot be used to produce ginseng again.

There is an Asian and an American version (the U.S. one is known as Panax quinquefolius). While the Eastern version has yang properties (stimulating qualities), the Western type offers yin traits (calming effects). Its numerous health benefits include:

Boosting the immune system
Lowering blood sugar levels
Promoting weight loss
Treating indigestion
Increasing energy

In the United States, Wisconsin is a high producer of ginseng. It started when Paul Hsu decided to pursue the “green gold,” switching from social work into becoming the first Taiwanese ginseng farmer in the United States. In the 1970s, he started a mail order business to sell ginseng to Chinese people living in the States. Eventually, his business expanded overseas.

The recent gift I received was from Canada, where they offer wild ginseng. Canadian harvesting began in 1716 when a Jesuit priest heard about the healing root; he ended up scouring the forests for the plant and discovered some growing near Montreal.

Ginseng can be cooked in a soup, steeped for tea, or chewed on raw (I wouldn’t recommend the latter unless you’re a fan of medicinal root taste).

Have you ever tried ginseng? Gotten any health benefits from it?

 

 

Foodie Friday: Larb

Trying my first… larb.

Larb: a tangy salad with minced meat

It’s apparently the national dish of Laos, but I never tried it until now. (It’s also served in Thai communities because of the Laotian influence.) It’s a recipe that calls for an addictive mix of spicy, pungent, and sweet. Think of its key ingredients as lime, fish sauce, and chili. It’s a tantalizing dish because everything is balanced out by the lettuce, which adds a nice freshness to it all. (It also means that I can indulge without feeling too guilty.) A thumbs up for my first larb!

What’s your latest dish love?

What’s in a Title?

“Gentle hints will help you to decide the best answer.” –fortune cookie

Words always give an impression.

I recently joined the launch team for a friend’s book. This means that I get to witness her publishing process, provide input on the manuscript, and sneak a first peek at the book. And I get to provide authentic feedback for her work and help spread the word. The first question she posed for her team was about her title. What would be the best title for her book?

It’s an interesting question. When writing, I create a few working titles for a manuscript in progress. The finalized title, though, is a key player for a reader. It needs to convey the tone of the book and its genre. That’s trickier than expected.

For example, the current book I’m reading is CITY OF DRAGONS. What do you think is its premise? The cover provides a significant clue:

The words alone, though, could be about a science fiction world where dragons reign. In fact, though, it’s a noir mystery set in 1940s San Francisco Chinatown.

I also took a look at a few of my favorite books at different milestones during my life:

CHARLOTTE’S WEB (Is it a sinister book about deadly secrets? Nope, a beloved childhood classic with a word-loving spider at its heart.)
1984 (A historical piece? Of course not. It’s the original dystopian novel.)
THE BOOK OF UNKNOWN AMERICANS (Perhaps a mystery? This novel is pretty true to the title. It is a novel that details the unknown Americans in our lives, stories of men and women who’ve come to the U.S. from various Latin American locations.)

How about a quiz on the classics? What do you think the book is about based on its title?

THE WOMAN IN WHITE

(a gripping mystery involving identity)
TENDER IS THE NIGHT

(a story of a psychiatrist and his wife, with a lovely marriage on the surface but deep insecurity underneath)
THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS

(a book about the changing fortunes of three generations in a prominent American family)

What’s your take on titles?

 

 

Foodie Friday: Squid Balls

Squid balls: deep-fried squid appetizers

Having a snack attack? Seafood to the rescue! Here’s a treat that can come on a skewer or a plate. They’re the perfect size to share with friends. The texture of the snack combines a nice chewiness with a slight crisp outer edge. Happy munching!

What’s your favorite snack to share?