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.

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!

• Tangy craving:   Dried green mango strips
• Salty craving:  Japanese seaweed crackers
• A little kick:  Wasabi peas
• Sweet:  Hi-chew taffy (mango or melon) or black sesame brittle
• Feeling munchy:  Laver soda crackers (Korean and Japanese)
• Sour-Sucking-Mouthwatering: Preserved plums!  (Pavlov’s right, my mouth waters every time I think of them)
• On-the-go or in the car:  Hot oatmeal mixed with Black Sesame Powder, honey and soy milk in my thermal mug
• Suddenly I’m starving:  Multi-grain, high-protein cereal biscuits (Taiwan) with a glass of water
• Feeling anti-social:  Cuttlefish jerky
• New favorite:  Sliced almonds with dried, seasoned minnows (sold at Tomato Japanese grocery)
• New import: Green tea smoked tofu packs (Taiwan)

Many of these can be found either at Tomato (mini-Japanese grocery at Windy Hill/Smyrna or one of the Asian groceries (Buford Highway Farmers Market, H-Mart, Assi, 99 Ranch, Dingho, Hong Kong Supermarket)

Snack-a-holic Chinese Southern Belles, Chicago Sweets & Snacks Expo

Just landed in Chicago and took the train and bus to the 2010 Sweets & Snacks Expo, a snack-a-holics dream come true! My mom already turned into a kid and started gobbling up welcome treats which included a 15-lb bag of taffies, chocolates, gummies, chewies and crunchies. Who says you can’t love sushi and swedish fish at the same time?! Of course, my weakness is chocolate…twist my arm, I’ll try a sample here…and there…and there…

Whew! We just finished a marathon 2-day Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show at the Cobb Galleria over the weekend!  We were an exhibitor, shot pilot video footage, saw old friends, made lots of new fans, and mom and I shared our favorite snacks & candies; eco-cookware and kitchen gadgets! (a.k.a. MK gidgets).

• “Gimme a Gummy” Mango and Lychee Gummies with real fruit.
• “Open Sesame” Black Sesame Candy (Grandma said it would make our hair black and shiny!)
• “Wasabi Blast Green Peas” (top vote-getter even for the spicy-shy)
• “Everybody Loves Pocky” (dark chocolate sticks gobbled by kids and adults, supply ran out)

• “Ginger Chews to the Rescue” (after food samples from 150 booths, your stomach appreciated this! Also great for improving circulation, treating motion sickness, nausea, morning sickness or as an afternoon pick-me-up, non-caffeine alternative)
• Thermal vacuum cooking pot
• Tuff Sports Thermos
• Natalie’s Favorite Tuff Mug
• Light-weight knives and Heavy-duty cleavers

For details or to order, see right-side bar “Natalie’s Favorite Products”

Look  for us next year!!

Bento Cafe is a colorful slice of Taipei in Norcross, 5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd. not far from 285/85 interchange. Sometimes I drive out to Bento just for the beverages. Few other places make fresh bubble tea anymore (mostly powders). I also recall that Bento is run/owned by a young female artist/designer. Good to support her efforts at entrepreneurship.

For more on Bento Cafe and what to order, see Creative Loafing review

* Curious, overwhelmed or intimidated by Asian markets?
* Want to learn about popular Asian produce, products and shortcut tips for making authentic, healthy and fusion Asian meals at home?
* Do you enjoy new food, cultural, travel and shopping experiences?

Join mother-daughter Chinese Southern Belles (and Atlanta natives), Natalie and Margaret, for a popular, fun, unique, interactive culinary and cultural experience!

Tour highlights include:

-Fresh Asian Fruits & Vegetables
-Oodles of Noodles
-Mad About Rice
-Some Like It Hot – Spices!
-Kitchen Tools & Pantry Essentials
-Chinese Hot Pot aisle
-Asian Snack Attack
-Food Court tasting

Price: $40 per person, 2 hours, includes all materials, samples, food court. (Students, kids and group discounts available)  Minimum 10 participants for private group bookings.

Sign up 10 friends and organizer gets 25% off! Great for birthdays, clubs, company teams or visitors.

*   *    *    *    *

Featured in Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cook’s Warehouse, Taste of Atlanta, Whole Foods and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Natalie and Margaret enrich their tours with Buddha-to-Bubba family stories from China to America’s Deep South and their passion for international travel, diversity, healthy living and sustainability.

By sharing their tips and tales, Margaret and Natalie hope to add a fun fusion touch to the kitchen, a cross-cultural dimension to Atlanta’s immigrant history, and a shared sense of community through the celebration of food, family and culture. Opening Minds, One Mouth at a Time!

Follow Natalie’s cross-cultural and food adventures on www.chinesesouthernbelle.com and Facebook and Twitter!

Tour/instructor/media questions: info@chinesesouthernbelle.com or call Natalie 404-494-0088

I enjoy the atmosphere and I’m usually there with good friends, family or even business colleagues so for me, it’s not just about the food.

A few of my favorites:

* Hot green latte (very chic)

* Green tea buns and cakes

* Almond and coconut cookie crisps (can’t eat just one)

* Fresh fruit smoothies (mango, kiwi or mixed with peach)

* Sweet Potato Pastry (can’t remember exact name but very good!)

* Sticky Rice Red Bean Buns

On Buford Highway, just outside I-285, next to big Tower Liquor store. Enjoy!

• Fresh soymilk (traditional-style, minimal processing,  sweetened or unsweetened, maybe too beany for some, often available still warm in the jug! If it looks light green, it’s not an illusion, it’s pandan leaf extract)
• Soft tofu pudding/custard (with syrup/honey, popular, simple, light dessert/snack for Asians)
• Sweet, sticky rice with coconut and variety of beans (Asians often eat beans sweet)
• Fresh soursop or avocado smoothie/shake, tapioca balls optional (not always available so call ahead)
• Vietnamese sub sandwich, only $2.50!  (I get mine with extra vegetables, white bread but still good. Stuffed with pickled carrots, daikon, roasted pork, cilantro, jalapenos, dressing. BYOBread?)
• Ready-made dishes (I tried a variety of the veggie ones–stew, salad, lemongrass chili tofu)
• Black sesame crepe crisps (new discovery–super-thin, made fresh in clear bags near the entrance/window)
• Tofu Hot Bar! (different flavors, sizes, mostly fried–good plain or cut up in stir fries, soups, kebabs)

Let me know if you discover favorites and share them here!

“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, female, health-minded, like cheese puffs, shops at REI…

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 assessment: “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.

The Varsity –an Atlanta tradition since 1928, home of the chili cheese dog, fried pies and the