Tag: writing & blogging

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Mama Chang

A few weeks ago, my brother recommended reviewing an upscale but casual Chinese restaurant. Mama Chang’s that recently opened in the DC metropolitan area off of Fairfax Circle.

My friend Quy and I welcomed the challenge of evaluating this establishment so, we popped in to partake in the culinary experience dealing in the Hunan, Szechuan, and Hubei style of cooking.  

Seated in a wood lined booth near the windows created a bit of privacy, while we shared several dishes starting with steamed shrimp dumplings and crispy duck spring rolls. Next, was the beef chow fun with wide flat rice noodles and thinly sliced sirloin, lots of onions and garlic. Our main meal was the seafood & tofu in a clay pot [hot pot] that had fish, scallops, shrimp and wood-ear mushrooms to be served over a bowl of white rice. All the dishes were phenomenal in flavor and taste.

On the weekends they do a dim sum brunch that we hope to try very soon!!!

Mama Chang
3251 Blenheim Blvd ste101
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-268-5556

Stay stylish,
Kathleen

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Hoppin’ New Year

Black-eyed peas and collard greens have always been a staple in our household, and my mom being a true southerner served them throughout the year…… especially on New Year’s Day. The custom of serving the peas and greens on the first day of the year stems from the belief they will bring good luck to whoever eats them. There are many recipes for cooking these beans, more popularly known as “Hoppin’ John”. My aunts and uncles each had their own style of preparing the dish.

My Aunt Glenn and my mother both would have the pots on the stove early on New Year’s Day as the meal must be eaten before midnight. Their menu was simple: black-eyed peas, ham-hocks, smoked neck-bones with ribs as a side dish and rice.

The stories and theories as to the origins of this meal is something I’m still researching and hope to share next year. But in the meantime, stay safe and have a most prosperous New Year!!!

Kathleen