Hi,
My Name is Asma. I’m a transfer student from L.A. Harbor college and this is my first semester at CSUDH. I’m a mother of six. I have two sets of twins and my life is like a roller coaster. I work as an Instructional aide,part time, for two different school, and is a full time student at CSUDH. I Am the first in my family to graduate from college and on my way to earn my B.A. Family is everything to me! I come from a big and multicultural family. If we did not live in this beautiful country, the interracial marriages would’ve been almost impossible.
My mouth has a taste for all sorts of food. Although, most of the food I cook is of Middle Eastern recipes, but my specialties are of other cultures. One of my favorite dish is my Japanese sister-in law’s Chinese Chicken salad. She had made it a tradition during Thanksgiving dinner to serve the Chinese Chicken salad along with the turkey. This salad consists of Lots of romaine lettuce, thinly sliced cucumbers, pitted raw sunflower seeds,sliced almonds(optional), and shredded cooked boneless skinless chicken. The dressing is made with little mayo, cooking oil, sesame seed oil,vinegar,garlic,sugar,black pepper,and salt.
As food brings us together during special occasions and holidays, it is also the healthy minds which brings us to offer beautiful dishes to please one another, and continue to pass on the good tastes to those who are willing to try out something different. Different is sometimes good!
Hi Asma, I enjoyed your Chinese chicken salad, was delicious. My family also prepares it using the canned mini oranges, or Mandarines and tossed with a bit sweeter Chinese salad dressing. That’s interesting that you make your own Chinese croutons; I think that’s a great idea since you can alter the recipe a bit and use specific oil.
Asma, loved your Chinese chicken salad that you brought to share and what a nice sister in law you have to share her recipe with you. Mixed marriages have come along way and that is so amazing that in your family you all have different races that have become a melting pot of sorts. Love is a beautiful thing and coming together and being a family and sharing recipes is something that your children will remember and treasure their whole lives. Congrats on being the first one in your family to graduate with your Bachelors Degree. Good luck to you~
I LOVE Chinese Chicken Salad. There is just something about the tangy flavor of the dressing mixed with the delightful crunch of the romaine leaves. It’s very interesting to me that it would be mixed with a Thanksgiving meal because that dish isn’t considered to be “typical” holiday fare. I can, however, appreciate the reasoning behind why it is served during this time. Thanksgiving as we know it has been boiled down from an event that brought together different cultures in a peaceful sharing of native dishes to a near-meaningless holiday filled with greed and gluttony. I feel that your family has the ability to echo the mindset of the Pilgrims & Indians in that you all come together and celebrate your differences in harmony.
Asma,
Your Chinese Chicken Salad was amazing and light! Your presentation was also great because you shared with us so much about your family, how they came to the United States and how they have influenced your food choices.