On 14th February its Valentine’s Day  – a day that evokes such an amazing energy at Sweet Mandarin because the room is filled with love. The banquet this year comprises of amazing dishes  including blackbeans dried in spring sunshine and steamed with tender chunks of beef or the Love Dare which is tender strips of chicken breast lightly battered in a fruity Shanghai inspired sauce.

As the couples enter Sweet Mandarin, the excitement level is electric; as if they were on a first date. I see the ladies smooth their silky dresses, their fingers play across their hair to make sure all their pins are in place and some even resting a hand across their heart – probably to stop its desperate, anxious beating. The dimly lit room provides some solace for blushing men who delight in their partner’s soft mist of hair, their rosebud shaped painted lips and the warmth emanating from their body.

As each of the three courses are enjoyed the couples build up courage and they reach out to hold hands resting on the cool wenge wood surface. In between the courses, they don’t seem to move and their eyes interlock almost paralysed, too in love to move, too in love to speak. Finally I hear a gentleman look intently to his date and say ‘You are beautiful here (touches her heart) and here (touches her face).’ Her face glows with joy and love. It is such a tender moment that I am transfixed. It took willpower for me to turn away and head back to the kitchen and I could hear the blood pounding in my ears as the temperature soared.

The Valentine’s Menu at Sweet Mandarin is available for the whole of February 2012. To book a table click here

Sweet Mandarin is a 10minute walk to the MEN Area. Perfect for a Pre-concert meal. Book here

Strictly Come Dancing 2011 winner Harry Judd will lead an all-star celebrity line-up at this year’s live Manchester shows.

Fellow finalists Australian acting and singing superstar Jason Donovan and local actress Chelsee Healey plus ex-Eastenders legend Anita Dobson, former footballer Robbie Savage, feisty property lawyer and entrepreneur Nancy Dell’Olio and ex-Olympic swimmer Mark Foster will join McFly’s Harry in Manchester for the Tuesday 31 January & Wednesday 1 February shows. Kate Thornton will return as the host of the live shows.

Alongside the exciting celebrity line-up will be judges Lee Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, who is also directing the live tour for a second year running.

Former Blackburn Rovers footballer Robbie Savage said: I’m enjoying each week more and more and I’m really glad to be continuing the experience on tour. I can’t wait to be out on the floor every night, hopefully there won’t be any cameras to crash into this time!”.

Eccles-born Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey said: “I’m so thrilled to be part of the Strictly tour, the TV show has been more fun than I ever could have imagined and I can’t wait to carry on dancing every week”.

Jason Donovan added: “I have been overwhelmed with the support I have had so far on the show and I have really enjoyed dancing every week. Learning so many different dances has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait to see the new routines we’ll be performing on the tour”.

The ultimate in feel-good entertainment, Strictly Come Dancing Live features all the must-haves from the hugely popular BBC1 TV series. Stunning costumes, outspoken judges, dazzling dances from your favourite celebrity contestants and some brand new routines courtesy of the ever-popular professional dancers make this a must-see show.

More than 9 million viewers tuned in to watch the series’ launch show on BBC1.  The television format, also known as Dancing With The Stars, entered the Guinness Book of World Records three years ago as the world’s most successful reality television show and has been sold by BBC Worldwide to over 35 international broadcasters.  2010′s final saw more than 14 million people tune in to see Kara Tointon raise the Strictly glitterball.

To book a table at Sweet Mandarin click here

This series of blogs is addressed to Oprah and all those out there battling the bulge and excess weight. I am often asked by my clients to prepare for them a special detox meal over a period of a week to a month. The following recipes are just a sample of our offerings and are unique to Sweet Mandarin (www.sweetmandarin.com). If you would like a one-to-one consultation, contact me, Lisa Tse on lisa@sweetmandarin.com.

Lisa

Bean sprouts and Chinese Chives

This dish calls for Chinese chives, which have a lighter, more “oniony” flavour. Beansprouts are delicious, healthy and ideal for yang (warm bodied people) as these are yin foods. (Dear Reader – Please refer to my earlier post on Yin and Yang balancing of foods.)

Serves 2 – 3

INGREDIENTS:

1 sprig of flowering garlic chives or scallions.

3 cups (about 5 1/2 ounces) mung bean sprouts

3 tablespoons oil for stir-frying

1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger

2 teaspoons light soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon sugar

PREPARATION:

1. Wash and drain the mung bean sprouts.
2. Wash and drain the chives, and cut into strips about the same length as the bean sprouts.
3. Add 1 tablespoon oil to a preheated wok.
4. When the oil is hot, add the minced ginger and stir briefly until aromatic (about 15 seconds). Add the mung bean sprouts and stir-fry until they change colour (about 1 minute), then add the chives, soy sauce and sugar.
5. Stir-fry for about another 1 – 2 minutes, until the chives have just turned limp, taking care not to overcook the bean sprouts.
   

Wishing you all a very Happy Chinese New Year for 2012 and thank you for your continued support and friendship.

1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters.

Please do book via our Book a Table page (below or click here) and we look forward to accomodating you.

Follow me on Twitter @sweetmandarin

Wishing you a very Happy Chinese New Year

All the best and see you soon.

Lisa, Helen and Janet
www.sweetmandarin.com

A New Year’s Message to You All

HELLO!

We hope you have recovered from all the Christmas festivities and raring to go for 2011. At Sweet Mandarin there are early preparations  to make the celebration of  the year of the Rabbit a magnificent one. As we await this celebration, let us see what is in store for the year of the Rabbit.

To ease you into the brand new year why not start the new year with our lovely jubbly tips to get the NEW YEAR OFF TO A BANG and most importantly a NEW YOU…Every day we keep you up to date with New Recipes and Cooking tips on our blog.

We are open on Saturday 1st January 2012- book your table here

Happy New Year To YOU

Best Wishes and Sweet Dishes to You and Your Family

Lisa, Helen and Janet

TIP TOP TIPS FOR 2012

1. LOOK FORWARD
2012 welcomes the Year of the Dragon – the sign symbolizes strength and innovation.  Reward yourself with a dinner at Sweet Mandarin to celebrate your year ahead.

2. RECHARGE YOU
A great Chinese proverb: ” Getting up when the sun is up and rest when the sun is down” Remember to recharge your batteries after the christmas rush. Enjoy a sumptuous meal at Sweet Mandarin and book a table (click here).

3. COOKING YOUR WAY TO HEALTH
Try something different by taking part in the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School (Featured in the Sunday Times and CityLife). Learn how to make fast, healthy super suppers and impress you, your friends and family.

4. TREAT THE NEW YOU
Calorific mouthwatering dishes at Sweet Mandarin to celebrate the new year – Try the Sizzling King Prawns bursting with fresh vegetables and light soya flavour. Join Sweet Mandarin’s fortnightly detox menu and see the New You.

5. ME MYSELF AND I
Take advantage of the special offers for Sweet Mandarin Newsletter subscribers. Win a bottle of champagne, a meal for 4 or a place on the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School. Enter here and we wish you luck on the monthly prize draw.

Best wishes and Sweet Dishes to You and Your Family

Lisa

“Cutting stalks at noon time

Perspiration drips to the earth

Know you that your bowl of rice

Each grain from hardship comes?”

(Cheng Chan-Pao, Chinese philosopher)

Rice is the staple diet of the Chinese around the world – a symbol of life itself. The Chinese greet each other by asking “Have you had your rice today?” rather than “How are you?”. If you haven’t eaten all your rice, it is considered an insult to the host.

According to local folktales, five celestial deities rode into the Guangzhou area of China on five rams, each with an ear of rice in its mouth. The immortals gave the rice ears to the farmers and promised them that there would never be famine in Guangzhou. This is the region where my family originated from and like other farming families, we grew rice as well as soy beans.

Rice is used to make porridge or ‘congee’ and also a type of noodle. It is an ideal alternative for those with a wheat allergy who cannot eat bread or wheat pasta.

A harvested rice kernel contains a bran layer, and is enclosed by a hull. White rice has had both the bran and hull removed during the milling process. By contrast, brown rice has had only the hull removed. The result is a much more nutritious dish, containing protein and several minerals. However, parboiled white rice has been processed before milling and thus retains most of its nutrients.

Rice Types

The Chinese normally use long grain rice, which produces a fluffier rice. If you are following a recipe that calls for long grain rice, and need to use medium or short grain rice instead, remember that rice grains have different absorption rates and adjust the amount of water accordingly. (In this case you would reduce the amount of water by 1/4 to 1/2 cup per cup of rice).

In China, glutinous or “sticky” rice is used mainly for snacks and sweets. However, in other parts of Asia it is used in place of regular rice. For example, a reader recently shared with me his experience living in Laos and northern Thailand, where glutinous rice is a staple food. The rice is soaked for at least two hours, and then steamed. People take the steamed rice and knead it in a ball. It is then dipped in one of the courses and you use a finger to collect some of the course. (Glutinous rice is available at most Asian grocery markets).

Two less well-known types of rice are black rice and red rice. Grown throughout Asia, red rice is a member of the glutinous rice family. It is not considered to be very edible, but there is a great deal of interest in the potential health benefits of red rice extract. You’ll often find it in health food stores, as it is believed to help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation.

Grown in China and Thailand, black rice is also a type of sticky rice. A layer of bran covers the rice grains, giving them a brown or blackish colour. Black rice is used mainly in Chinese, Thai and Pilipino desserts. Like red rice, black rice is considered to have numerous health benefits, particularly the purplish-black variety.

MAKING PERFECT BOILED RICE

Here are classic rice recipes that you’ll want to learn how to make.

Like hard boiling eggs, cooking rice is one of those tasks that appear to be easy, but can go wrong very quickly if you don’t follow the right steps. Here are simple instructions that will help you make rice that turns out light and fluffy every time.

Serves 3-4

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups of long grain rice

41/2 cups of cold water

PREPARATION

1. Rinse the rice – rinsing rice helps get rid of any starch and impurities. Rinse until the water is clear and not cloudy.
2. Combine the long grain rice and water – For every cup of long grain rice, add 1 1/2 cups water.
3. Boil the rice – Bring the rice to a boil, uncovered, at medium heat.
4. Turn down heat put rice at an angle – When the rice is boiling, turn the heat down to medium low. Place the lid on the pot, tilting it to allow steam to escape.
5. After the rice has been cooking for a few minutes, check for holes or “craters.”
6. When you can see the holes or craters, put the lid on tight. Turn the heat down to low.
7. Simmer the covered rice for another 15 minutes. Fluff it up with a fork and serve hot.

Dear Friends,

I don’t know where the year went but its nearly Christmas already. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day – my only two days off in the whole year and I can’t wait :0)

Some dear customers have asked how do the Chinese celebrate Christmas…I guess in response, the Chinese like any other nationality celebrate with Family and Food.

Our family has always cooked two turkeys for Christmas. One British style with pork and sage stuffing, baby sausages wrapped in bacon, roast potatoes and Brussel sprouts, and the other braised in soy sauce and crammed with glutinous rice and mushroom. Both are delicious and typically represent my identity being British Born Chinese (‘BBC’).

At Christmas, we also remember our dearly beloved grandmother, Lily Kwok who passed away in 2007, aged 89. My grandmother had so much courage. Pop, thank you for your sacrifice and determination. I wish you were here.

Wishing you and your family a safe happy Christmas filled with love and good food.

Lisa, Helen and Janet

Every Christmas, we reflect on our lives and pay our respects to our grandma who passed away December 2007. I loved my grandma. She was my hero. More than pop stars. More than footballers. She had integrity and courage.  She was my hero, because she was kind to everyone. She didn’t bow to peer pressure and he didn’t care who you were. She just cooked for everyone and satisfied everyone’s hungry bellies. What a chef. I wanted to be just like my grandma and now I’m living my dream. I wake up every day to cook for my customers at Sweet Mandarin and this Christmas, is our 8^th Christmas and we’re still standing tall, still looking after our customers, still teaching people how to cook healthy Chinese at the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School and loving everything we do.

One day, when I was a few years younger with a dodgy fringe do, I remember the Christmas banquet at Sweet Mandarin we cooked the crab claws in ginger and spring onion. They were the most massive of crab claws and it was as big as her hand!  My did she enjoy that! What a memory. Unconditionally beautiful. It was an amazing night. Filled with delicious food, hearty laughter and tears of joy.

We’re not from a rich background. In actual fact, I lived in a very poor, working-class estate in an urban sprawl called Middleton, about 8 miles north west of Manchester. My father and mother ran a chip shop and after years helping out in the business, I grew out of my ashamedness of poverty. It became almost noble. Also, everyone I knew was in the same situation, and I had everything I needed. Also I was happy and learnt how to cook my way out of poverty. A huge relief for my parents. You see, growing up where I did, mums didn’t hope as high as their kids growing up to be doctors; they just hoped their kids didn’t go to jail. So I guess I’ve not done too badly – seeing as I grew up above a chip shop.

There are two things my grandma was fastidious about – the first was be honest. She instilled in me to live an honest life and for that you need the truth. That’s the other thing I learned from my childhood, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, in the end leads to liberation and dignity.

The second was “Do unto others as you would do to yourself”. So I live by that.

My offering at Sweet Mandarin is just that; honest good food which I love and hope my clients will love too. I’m not perfect but I strive to try my best and look after my clients the way my grandma looked after hers. During this Christmas season, I am grateful for my life, for Sweet Mandarin and my clients. I live to cook for you good people and hope to do so for four decades – just as my grandma did. Thank you to my grandma, Lily Kwok – who passed me her curry recipe, and her love.

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. May you treasure the times you have at Sweet Mandarin with friends and family. I am honoured to cook for you.

Wishing you and yours the sweetest Christmas.

Love

Lisa

If you want unique gifts for Christmas, buy a Sweet Mandarin Cookery School Gift Voucher for your friends and family. Click here for our courses, course dates and purchase an evoucher via paypal.

Nosebleeds may be a symptom of high blood pressure so if you are getting them regularly please please please go check yourself at the doctors.

The best thing to alleviate nosebleeds is good ole fashioned tea. PG tips is my favourite breakfast tea. Its the tannin in the tea that prevents nosebleeds. The used cold teabags can be placed on the nose to stop the bleeding. I know you might feel like a plonker, but its worth it.

Best wishes and Sweet Dishes to You and Your Family

Lisa

Ginger Tea

Treat yourself to a cup of piping hot ginger tea, a healthy drink that’s great for digestion.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 thin slices raw ginger

• water

PREPARATION:

Boil enough water to fill your cup, remove from heat, and add the slices of ginger. Allow to steep to desired strength (3-5 minutes), strain and enjoy!

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Ginger – Besides being appreciated for its distinct flavor and ability to diffuse other strong odors, ginger has long been used as a digestive aid. Thought to get rid of air in the body, it is used to treat both stomach acidity and motion sickness. In China, women customarily drink a mixture of ginger cooked in wine and sesame oil shortly after giving birth.

That’s better. Now your talking. This is more the Kiss I’m talking about. Sweet, tender, loving. Sunset or no sunset. Do you keep your eyes shut when you’re kissing and is it therefore sweeter?

Coeliac Disease is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the intolerance of the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. Basically no bread allowed. It can be quite serious as the gluten damages the intestinal lining, therefore the sufferer cannot absorb nutrients.

Some clients didn’t even know they had this disease – but often felt bloated, tired, anaemic, depressed, had pain in their joints or even had diarrhorea or constipation. If in doubt, just go check it out at your GP.

What I have done at Sweet Mandarin is to thicken our sauces with potato starch so there is no gluten involved. For the aromatic peking duck, we replace the pancakes with lettuce wraps. Spring rolls which are wrapped in wheat pastries are replaced with cabbage leaves. One can no longer enjoy the good ole chow mein…but don’t worry, I’ve created the most amazing Singapore Vermicelli (made with rice noodles) that you won’t even miss the chow mein! Even the batter for the salt and pepper chilli ribs or the sweet and sour chicken uses potato starch and not corn flour, so its all good at Sweet Mandarin. If in doubt, email lisa before you visit and I’ll personally oversee your dinner is gluten free.

Best wishes and Sweet Dishes to You and Your Family

Lisa

EGG DROP SOUP

The basic recipe for Egg Drop Soup (also called Egg Flower Soup) is very simple; I’ve included a few variations below. Serves 3 to 4.

Traditionally, the broth for Egg Drop Soup is rather bland, allowing the egg flavor to stand out.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups chicken broth or stock

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 -2 spring onions finely sliced

• Salt to taste

• A few drops of sesame oil (optional)

PREPARATION:

In a wok or saucepan, bring the 4 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add the salt, and the sesame oil if using. Cook for about another minute.

Very slowly pour in the beaten eggs in a steady stream.

To make shreds, stir the egg rapidly in a clockwise direction for one minute. To make thin streams or ribbons, gently stir the eggs in a clockwise direction until they form.

Garnish with spring onion and serve.

Nutritional Breakdown – 4 servings

Each serving contains: Calories 81, 2 g Carbohydrates, 8 g Protein, 4 g Total Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 106 mg Cholesterol, trace Fibre, 866 mg Sodium

Egg Drop Soup Variations

These would be added after the seasonings. After adding, let the soup cook for a few more minutes and then add the beaten egg.

**1/2 cup frozen peas (defrosted).

**1/2 cup sweetcorn and finely diced chicken breast meat (cooked) – this makes Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup.

**If you are preparing the soup for someone who is ill, try adding a slice of fresh, grated ginger. Among its many benefits, ginger is believed to be helpful in treating colds and flue.

Egg Drop Soup is frequently thickened with cornstarch in restaurants. To add a cornstarch thickener, mix 2 – 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/2 cup water. Just before adding the beaten egg, stir in the cornstarch/water mixture, remove the soup from the heat, and then add the beaten egg.

Contact Lisa to book your Christmas Do at Sweet Mandarin click here or 0161 832 8848

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Put your hands up if you have a cold – that awful sneezing, wheezing, blocked up nose, cough and temperature. Its man’s worst enemy and it spreads virally – in the air, by touch and pounces on those with a weak immune system or are stressed.

Here is my suggested diet to fight away a cold – foods rich in vitamin C and zinc, spiced up with ginger, chillies and ginger.

Oranges for breakfast or dessert. Lots of them. Whole or juiced – preferrably raw.

Sizzling king prawns with ginger and spring onions. Ginger itself has healing qualities that warm the body and fight infection.

Wok tossed kale greens with fermented blackbeans and garlic – rich in vitamin A (beta carotene), super delicious and fast to cook up.

Noted if you have catarrh – avoid chocolate or foods which are fatty – these are mucus forming and could really make your situation worse.

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here ).

Following her Arena show in May of this year, the Barbados-native returns next October and November to showcase tracks from Loud – including the UK number one single Only Girl (In The World) - alongside the chart-topping hits Umbrella, Don’t Stop The Music, SOS, Disturbia and Shut Up And Drive.

Earlier this year Rihanna became the first female artist of the past decade to score six number one’s on Billboard’s Hot List 100 when Rude Boy topped the charts.

Earlier this year Rihanna became the first female artist of the past decade to score six number one’s on Hot List 100 when topped the charts.

The second single to be taken from Rihanna’s fifth studio album – What’s My Name? featuring Drake – is out now.

A couple of days ago, a young lady by the name of Alicja dropped off an invitation for the opening of the Holiday Inn Express which is 30 footsteps, yes 30 footsteps away from Sweet Mandarin. So tonight, we went to meet the team and look at the hotel and rooms. I must say, Bob and his team are THE most friendliest staff in the hotel industry that I have ever met. They are a big brand but they integrate well into the local community and include people like us, and other local businesses to help foster a neighbourhood community feel which is fantastic. We welcome you with open arms and look forward to serving your team and your guests at Sweet Mandarin.

This series of blogs is addressed to Oprah and all those out there battling the bulge and excess weight. I am often asked by my clients to prepare for them a special detox meal over a period of a week to a month. The following recipes are just a sample of our offerings and are unique to Sweet Mandarin (www.sweetmandarin.com). If you would like a one-to-one consultation, contact me, Lisa Tse on lisa@sweetmandarin.com .

Best wishes and Sweet Dishes to You and Your Family

Lisa

STEAMED FISH WITH GARLIC BUTTER

Serves 3 – 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 fish fillets, about 4 – 6 ounces each

• 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons butter

PREPARATION:

Prepare the wok for steaming. Rinse the fish fillets and pat dry with paper towels. Cover and steam the fish over high heat until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (10 – 15 minutes).

Separately, in a small pan, melt the butter, adding the chopped garlic and salt –mix until garlic goes golden brown. Take off the heat.

Place the fish fillets on a deep, heat-proof plate that will fit inside the steamer basket. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the fish.

Serve hot with steamed leafy greens.

Nutritional Breakdown for Steamed Fish (based on 4 servings of 6 ounces fish each) Each serving contains: Calories 157, 3 g Carbohydrates, 31 g Protein, 2 g Total Fat, 73 mg Cholesterol, trace dietary Fibre, 232 mg Sodium, 774 mg Potassium.

Garlic is claimed to help prevent heart disease including atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cancer. Garlic is also useful to treat a common cold, and help regulate blood levels

Butter in moderation is allowed.

GOADSBY STREET, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

Hotel Reservations : 0871 423 4876

The brand new, modern and contemporary Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre-MEN Arena is situated right in the heart of Manchester on the doorstep of Sweet Mandarin (www.sweetmandarin.com).

The Northern Quarter, MEN Arena, Printworks, Arndale Centre, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Millennium Square and the big wheel are just a few minutes walk. Located in the vibrant northern quarter with its cosmopolitan mix of boutique shops, captivating nightlife, fashion designers, creative agencies, art galleries, home to the iconic Afflecks Palace, popular cafes, bars and restaurants, the northern quarter is the cultural heart of Manchester. The Manchester Central convention complex, Man Utd & Man City Football Stadiums are all within easy reach. Ideally located for the business and leisure traveller the hotel provides you with the gateway to what the city has to offer.

To book a table at Sweet Mandarin click here

We met Sion (@RevHoly) and Jo (@basketcasejo) on Twitter (@sweetmandarin). Sion and Jo are celebrating Sion’s birthday with a masterclass at Sweet Mandarin Cookery School. On the Intermediate course, they learnt Sweet and Sour Chicken bonus dish Salt and Pepper chicken balls (Sion’s favourite), beef green peppers and blackbean, Singapore Vermicelli, Steamed fish with ginger and spring onions, Sichuan spicy prawns and the perfect egg fried rice. Bon Appetite and enjoy your video. Love Lisa and Helen
www.sweetmandarin.com Tweet us (@sweetmandarin). Like our facebook page www.facebook.com/sweetmandarins

Song  is Photosynthesis by Frank Turner (Sion’s favourite song)

CING stands for The Creative Industries Networking Group – and boasts some of the most connected people on social media i.e. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. So when they invited me to join their panel of speakers to share how Sweet Mandarin uses social media, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. I tweet my +7,000 followers, Facebook my +2,000 fans, write blogs to my 10,000 website visitors per month and create YouTube videos for over 10,000 viewers. So the CING network is something that excites me, and to be invited to speak is a great honour. Meeting the other speakers and listening to audience commentary in real life as well as on live tweet made the talk electrifying. Just a huge thanks to the CING team – Phil and Benny for organising – and their members for making me feel so welcome. All CING members are most welcome at Sweet Mandarin. Follow us on Twitter (@sweetmandarin).

Here is a youtube video giving a snapshot of the talk I gave at CING (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJlTukvXLlk).

Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Chinese Moon Festival, takes place at the 15th day of the eighth Chinese lunar month. The reason for celebrating the festival during that time is that it is the time when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.

2011 Mid-Autumn Festival will be on September 12, and the China public holiday for this festival lasts for three days from September 12th to September 19th.

The Mid-autumn festival is one of the two most important occasions in Chinese calendar (the other being the Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year) and it is an official holiday. It is a time for families to be together, so people far from home will gaze longingly at the moon and think about their families.

The traditional food for mid-autumn festival is the moon cake which is round and symbolizes reunion.

History and Origin of Mid-autumn Festival

Celebration of Mid-autumn festival has a long history. Chinese Mid-autumn FestivaIn ancient times, the emperors had the tradition of worshiping the Sun in spring, and the Moon in autumn. The word “Mid-Autumn” first appeared in the famous ancient book “Zhou Li” (The Zhou Rituals, a book telling the rituals in the Zhou Dynasty). However, it was not until the early Tang Dynasty that the day was officially celebrated as a traditional festival. It became a established festival during the Song Dynasty, and has become as popular as the Spring Festival since the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Celebrations has continued ever since and more customs for marking this occasion have been formed.

There are several explanations on when and where the festival began and some of the most convincing versions are as follows:

Version One: Nanjing and Mid-autumn Festival

A much-told story about the beginning of the Mid-autumn Festival celebration comes from Niuzhu (a place in ancient Nanjing). As early as 1,600 years ago, Nanjing which was called Jianye served as capital of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. On a Mid-autumn night when Xie Shangyue, the governor of Niuzhu, was boating on a river he met Yuan Hong, a poor, frustrated but gifted scholar who had to earn his living by renting boats. Admiring his ability, Xie made friend with him and Yuan had a rise to fame with the help of Xie. Later on, having heard of the story, many refined scholars from all over the country followed suit to boat in the river, climb up the towers, and watch the moon. Famous poets like Li Bai and Ou Yangzhan were all touched by the story, and then wrote numbers of poems about it. Because of this, the tradition of watching the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival gradually came into being.

Version Two: Season and Climate

The Mid-Autumn day is the very moment of rice maturity. And at that day farmers will worship the local God of land, whose birthday is exactly on that day. Mid-Autumn day is possibly an old tradition of telling the coming of autumn. In terms of the seasons in a year, the Mid-Autumn day can be named as “Harvest Day”, when the crops sowed in the spring can be reaped. Since ancient times, people would drink, dance, and sing on that day, celebrating the harvest. This scene can be found in the Books of Odes (the earliest collection of poems in ancient China).

According to the previous descriptions, the ancient emperors had the tradition of worshiping the moon, yet the day was initially on the day of Autumn Equinox, and not on the Mid-Autumn day. However, the Autumn Equinox is not a fixed day and there may or may not be a full moon on that day. Therefore, the day for worshipping the moon was accepted as a convention on the Mid-Autumn day, when the moon is in its fullest.

Meanwhile, it’s proven by scientific research that the inclination of the earth and the sun will gradually increase in autumn, thus the cool air up in the sky will fade away while the northwest wind is still very weak. In this way, the moisture is removed and the air in the sky would become pure and clean. So the moon would appear to be relatively fuller and bigger. And this would be the best time to appreciate the beauty of the moon.

Version Three: Moon Cake


The tradition of eating moon-cakes on this festival has a long history in China, yet there are different versions of statements about its origin.

The most common version is that during the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Taizong ordered his ablest general Li Jing to go for a battle against the Turkic clan in north ancient China to suppress their frequent invasions. The 15th day of the 8th month was exactly the day for the general’s triumphant return. In order to celebrate his victory, fireworks were set off and music was played in and out of Chang’an City (the capital of the Tang dynasty), and citizens were happily enjoying a riotous night together with warriors. At that time, a business man, coming from the Tubo Kingdom (the ancient name for Tibet), presented Taizong with a kind of round cakes to celebrate Tang’s victory. Taizong gladly received the magnificently-decorated boxes and took the multi-colored round cakes out of the boxes and handed them out to his officials and generals. From then on, the tradition of eating round moon-cakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival was formed.

Versions Four: Wuyan


One of the legends behind this festival tells the story of a plain girl named Wuyan, who was from Qi; an ancient nation in China. Wuyan was chosen for the Emperor’s palace because of her outstanding morality but she never attracted the attention of the Emperor due to her appearance.

However, as a youngster Wuyan had worshipped the Moon and this gave her special powers so that on the night of the 15th of August, when she met the emperor in the moonlight, he saw her as beautiful and fell in love with her immediately. Wuyan later married the Emperor and became the queen of Qi, and from this moment on the tradition of worshipping the Moon on the 15th of August began.

However, young Chinese ladies to also worship the Moon for another reason – in the hope that they can become as beautiful as Chang’e, a girl who, according to Chinese legend, lives in the moon.

Thank God for Peter Kay. I love the Bolton born comic and man-of-a-thousand-faces who loves Chinese food.
Here’s my favourite joke (thanks Peter) ….. So I went to the Chinese restaurant and this duck came up to me with a red rose and says “Your eyes sparkle like diamonds”. I said, “Waiter, I asked for a-ROMATIC duck”.

Finally, Peter has returned to us in Manchester with his tour which has people in stitches as he turns the most trivial of daily nuisances in the world of the working class family, and turns them into comedy gold. Without this man, life would, quite simply, be a bit boring.

I’ll feed Peter and I’ll feed all you lovely people who are going to see Peter Kay’s show at the MEN. We are next door to the Crowne Plaza Hotel which is a short 5-10 minute walk to the MEN Arena. Approximately 40 furry footsteps and you are door to door. Click HERE for the AA Routeplanner and Map.

OK, and I’ll get you revved up with that uber-annoying (because once heard you can’t get it out of your head) ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo’ song that Peter forced upon us, Peter Kay at his exasperated best.

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Sweet Mandarin Address: 19 Copperas Street (off High Street), Manchester M4 1HS

‘I have just returned from our one day cooking course with Lisa Tse and wanted to say thanks for such a fantastic day!! We were very much made to feel involved in everything and can’t wait to try out the recipes at home!  My daughter had booked this course for me as I have always wanted to learn how to cook Chinese food and this will be one that I’ll always remember.

The amount of information imparted was immense and I am now studying the recipes to practice so that I can impress my wife and produce something similar, although unlikely to be quite so good! It was also of course great fun, and I have not laughed so much for about ten years.

Please pass on my best wishes and thanks to all the team and especially to Lisa -  the world would not be the same without your amazing Cookery School at Sweet Mandarin!!!

Dr Sharma

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Cystitis is a bladder infection. When one goes to wee, only a few drops pass but the burning sensation could possibly knock you to the ground its that painful. If left untreated, the kidneys may get infected especially if you are passing blood. Gorry stuff, but it should be talked about so people can understand its common – not embarrasing – and more importantly, can be treated with a bout of anti-biotics.

There is the humble cranberry that when drank in 50ml doses can halve the risk of getting cystitis and lessen the onslaught of the attack. If you feel the burning sensation – stop drinking tea, coffee and alcohol. Drink plenty of water to dilute the urine which makes it less painful to pass as well as reducing infecting bacteria. Chemists have packets of potassium citrate that neutralizes the urine so takes the pain out of going to the loo.  Ultimately, the message is whilst cranberry juice can help, if you get these symptons, go to the doctor immediately.

This series of blogs is addressed to Oprah and all those out there battling the bulge and excess weight. I am often asked by my clients to prepare for them a special detox meal over a period of a week to a month. The following recipes are just a sample of our offerings and are unique to Sweet Mandarin (www.sweetmandarin.com). If you would like a one-to-one consultation, contact me, Lisa Tse on lisa@sweetmandarin.com.

Best wishes and Sweet Dishes to You and Your Family

Lisa

Instead of meat try ordering the tofu – it is made of soybeans, high in protein and not too high in fat and calories – it soaks up the flavor of the foods that it is cooked with. Avoid dishes using fried tofu.

MABEL’S CLAYPOT TOFU

This is a family favourite of my mother, Mabel. It evokes home cooking at its best and will draw you to the warmth of the family table after tasting this delicious and nutritious dish. The story behind this dish stems from when my mother was only a child of seven and immigrated to the UK. She felt so home sick and hated the rainy cold weather, the fact that she couldn’t speak of word of English and had no friends. Her mother made her this dish, and it immediately transported her back to the warm climate of Hong Kong to a place where she felt safe and secure. This claypot was her comfort dish – her comfort food – and helped her transition to a new world.

INGREDIENTS:

•           1 packet of firm Tofu

•           1 1/2 teaspoons (7 mL) dark soy sauce

•           1 ½  teaspoons (7 mL) Chinese rice vinegar

•           1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) salt

•           ¼ teaspoon (1 mL) sugar

•           3/4 cup (187.5 mL) chicken or vegetable stock

•           1 teaspoon (5 mL) cornstarch mixed

•           2 tablespoons (25 mL) water

•           1 tablespoon (15 mL) vegetable oil

•           1 tablespoon (15 mL) sesame oil

•           2 spring onions sliced in one inch pieces

•           2 baby bok choy, cut into rough squares

•           Quarter Chinese sausage (lap cheung) finely sliced – or replace with salami (optional – don’t add if vegetarian)

•           1/2 onion, sliced.

•           1 tablespoon (15 mL) grated ginger

•           1 teaspoon (5 mL) garlic

•           1 large shallot, chopped

•           5 Chinese mushrooms from can or if dried, soak until soft

•           2 sprigs cilantro

•           2 cups (500 mL) jasmine rice

PREPARATION:

1. Pre-heat oven to 360–375?F

(180–190?C or Gas Mark 4–5).

2. Soak mushrooms in hot water for one hour (alternatively use ready-to-cook tinned

Chinese mushrooms).

3. Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces.

4. Mix the marinade ingredients (salt, sugar, Chinese rice wine and corn starch) in a large

bowl, add the tofu pieces and stir gently.

5. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

6. Place wok on high heat. Add the oil, stir in the ginger and garlic, and cook until golden.

7. Drain the tofu (reserve the marinade). Stir-fry the tofu until it’s cooked through.

8. Add spring onions, mushrooms, lap cheung and bok choy. Stir-fry for three minutes until the vegetables soften slightly.

9. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and salt.

10. Add chicken /vegetable broth and marinade and bring to a boil.

11. Add cornstarch mixture and mix well until consistency thickens.

12. Switch off heat. Pour the tofu, vegetables and stock into a clay pot.

13. Cover and place the pot in the oven.

14. Bake for 5-10 mins until mixture is bubbling.

15. Serve with fragrant jasmine rice.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Each serving includes:  Calories 269, 26 g Carbohydrates, 21 g Protein, 10 g Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 50 mg Cholesterol, 4 g Fibre, 330 mg Sodium, 420 mg Potassium. An excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and niacin. A good source of fibre, vitamin E, vitamin B-6 and folacin.

Chinese Black Mushrooms – No need to visit the Chinese pharmacist for these – you’ll find bins of Chinese black mushrooms packed to overflowing in any Chinese grocery store. Used in soups stir-fries and braised dishes, they are thought to be helpful in lowering blood pressure.

Ginger – Besides being appreciated for its distinct flavor and ability to diffuse other strong odors, ginger has long been used as a digestive aid. Thought to get rid of air in the body, it is used to treat both stomach acidity and motion sickness. In China, women customarily drink a mixture of ginger cooked in wine and sesame oil shortly after giving birth.

To learn more about the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School – www.sweetmandarin.com To book your place on the course or to order specific detox menus – email Lisa Tse on lisa@sweetmandarin.com

My philosophy is that you can never learn enough, especially about different styles of cuisine. So, what did Paulette, a foodie expert think of the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School?  This is her lovely quote that she sent to www.onionring.co.uk (the go-to website for Restaurants,  Take aways, Events, Caterers and Hotels in the North of England).

“My Mum and I attended the beginner’s cookery course last Saturday and we thought it was amazing! Lisa’s a great teacher and she taught our intimate class at a perfect speed! We learnt the basics of traditional and modern Chinese cooking and we even got to eat the food that we had made which was so tasty! I will definitely be recommending the Sweet Mandarin – Thanks a million Lisa!”

Paulette Kirsch

Take away Menu

As T.S. Eliot wrote, “April is the crullest month”. Very true, I thought as I shook my head like a wet dog- its rainy every month! It feels particularly cruel in Manchester because we get lashings and lashings of rain, and another bucket or so for good measure. If you are as unfortunate as I have been these last evenings, I’ve become caught in the rain, drenched and shrivelled like a prune to serve my customers their takeaways.

I was chatting to my friends who are also my customers (its funny how customers become friends after a while) and getting their feedback on Sweet Mandarin’s takeaway offering – always listening and trying to improve our service.

My friend Julia said many nights, she had gone home hungry – craving good Sweet Mandarin food – she remembered our wholesome Chinese food with a steaming bowl of rice after a corporate night out with her firm. She said “No where else does what you do – offer simple but delicious food at reasonable prices.” That’s true. Most restaurants will charge you restaurant prices for takeaway. What we offer is takeaway at takeaway prices with restaurant quality. We’ve also chosen our containers with thought, to ensure it comes to your door piping hot. We consider takeaway to be one of our core businesses and we value customers at home, as if they were sitting at Sweet Mandarin.  We’ll even accompany the dinner with our choicest wines, so you can have the Sweet Mandarin experience in the comfort of your own home.

You can’t beat a takeaway  – here are Julia’s top ten reasons:

1. I am home alone

2. Its raining/cold/late

3. Just in time for Eastenders

4. I just want to eat some decent Chinese food – no one else does Lily’s curry or Mabel’s claypot and the more I think about their food, the more hungry I get.

5. The fridge is bare apart from some mouldy cheese and stale bread – even a mouse would decline that offer!

6. I don’t want to cook, and even if I did, I have no food. Can’t cook won’t cook.

7. Its cheaper to get Sweet Mandarin take-out, than to buy all the ingredients and try to cook it yourself.

8. When I cook it tastes funny- I’ll leave it to the experts at Sweet Mandarin.

9. Takeout is great for a romatic night in, especially accompanied by the fine selection of wine Sweet Mandarin has (hehehe, I’m not alone, so you can ignore point 1 tonight :0))

10. Sweet Mandarin takeaway is the best…because the staff are friendly,  the food is superb and the price is right.

Now that you are in a state of ravenous hunger, here’s what to do – call 0161 832 8848 and see their online new menu for takeaway here.

where’s the phone?

who’s taken my phone?

I need takeout NOW!

spring rolls – sweet and sour chicken – peking duck – firecracker prawns – special fried rice – chicken chow mein – one hot and sour soups – no make it two – and some prawn crackers…..and hurry. i’m about to faint with hunger.

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Nausea is a feeling of queasiness or sickness which may or may not result in vomiting. My clients are an international crowd and sometimes the travel can disrupt one’s well being.

On of the best cures is fresh ginger. I grate them a grated fresh ginger and make them a ginger wine which I send to their hotel room. If they don’t like ginger, then peppermint tea also helps.

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Acne is caused by the over production of oil which sits in the pores of the skin, especially the face and back. The pores clog and get infected and produces unsightly clumped together spots otherwise known as acne.

Solution: I make a lunchbox rich in beta-carotene such as carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli, with apricots for dessert. The body turns the beta-carotene into Vitamin A which maintains a healthy skin.
In addition, for evening meals, I focus on zinc-rich foods such as shellfish, lean meat and nuts as the acne suffer may have a zinc deficiency. The desserts focus on vitamin C boosters such as fresh fruits especially oranges – which help fight infection.

If the doctor has prescribed an antibiotic, taken for long times it can affect the gut – so balance this out with eating bio live yoghurt.

Sudocreme, lavender and rosemary oil applied at night could soothe itching, prevent infection and heal the skin.

Given that Captain America was filming around the Northern Quarter (where Sweet Mandarin is located), I enjoyed taking a stroll on the set of Captain America to deliver delicious Chinese cuisine and even found myself a walk on part (lol -as I’m walking into Meyers Bros I’m going to say ‘I wonder if they do sweet mandarins here’  lol). The whole place has been turned into New York City 1940s. I’m loving it, loving it, loving it.  If you are coming to Sweet Mandarin over the next few weeks watch out for superheros, fast cars and villans.

Facebook Competition Announcement

‎8 CHANCES TO WIN A MEAL FOR 2 AT THE AMAZING SWEET MANDARIN

SIMPLY ‘LIKE’ OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND YOU COULD BE ONE OF THE 8 LUCKY FANS TO WIN A TASTY MEAL FOR 2.

CLICK HERE AND ‘LIKE’:
http://www.facebook.com/sw​eetmandarins

“For those not in the know, Sweet Mandarin is a restaurant in the Northern Quarter of Manchester offering some of the countries top Chinese nosh! You may have seen these talented ladies WIN their heat on Gordon Ramsay’s F Word. I did. Outstanding.” M Dog www.mdog.me

One lucky winner will be announced and contacted per hour – 1.08pm, 2.08pm, 3.08pm, 4.08pm, 5.08pm, 6.08pm, 7.08pm and 8.08pm – on 8th August 2011.

Winners can dine whenever they choose.

Crazy but true. Hollywood descended on the sleepy Northern Quarter and now the movie is finally released today. Although we are less than 25 yards from the polished doors of the Arndale Centre, half of Manchester probably will never ever wander in the Northern Quarter – and although those members of the public are missing out on an absolute unique dining and shopping experience, the majority of the shopkeepers in the Northern Quarter, including myself are not too fussed. We’re more easy going and have the 20,000 residents in the area to cater for most of the time. Having said that, its always nice to meet more people outside of the enclaves of the four streets that make up the Northern Quarter.

The Northern Quarter is a get together of independents who don’t want huge chains descending upon us and creating pure and utter blandness. What we at Sweet Mandarin stand for is something different, something fun, something unique. That’s why we opted for the Northern Quarter rather than elsewhere in Manchester. We deliberately placed ourselves outside of Chinatown to make a statement.And I suppose its working. Gordon Ramsay crowned us with the Best Chinese Restaurant in the UK on his F Word Programme and we’ve recently been awarded the coveted 1AA Rosette.

I have also noticed there have been a significant number of American clients visiting us but I never in a million years would suspect that Tinseltown would zero in on the Northern Quarter (I mean they have the whole world at their fingertips) and say “I have found the perfect location for Captain America. Manchester’s Northern Quarter.”  LOL That is quite funny. I better tell you now Captain America, Manchester has signed a huge disclaimer for the weather. It rains here. Sorry about that but I hope that adds some dramatic effect for your movie. Today, outside Sweet Mandarin I witnessed a mini waterfall and a running stream. Anyhow, we welcome you to the Northern Quarter and to Sweet Mandarin.

When they filmed around the corner, it was great to meet the stars and their entourage – and we’re talking mega entourages whose presence could be mistaken for a union meeting. Talking about pre-orders for food at Sweet Mandarin….it got a bit crazy at Sweet Mandarin but I say bring it on. I can’t wait to cook for Tommy Lee Jones (I got your dim sum won tons right here right now), Samuel L Jackson (I got your chicken wings ready for you here!) and the superhero Captain America aka Chris Evans (the perfect portion of prawn twitters lol here ) (and we’re not talking the ginger Chris Evans).

Amazingly, in the midst of our Rainy City, I have been rescued by Captain America, my hero!

About Captain America

Based on the Marvel Comics character from World War II. A brave, yet mild-mannered young soldier named Steve Rogers volunteers to undergo a series of experiments for a US army Super Soldier program. The military succeeds in transforming him into a human weapon, but quickly decide that their Super Soldier is far too expensive a creation to risk in combat. So, they decide to put him to use as an army celebrity and parade him across Europe to boost morale by performing in USO shows for American troops. He is even given a costume that bear the colors of Old Glory for the stage. Then, when a Nazi plot reveals itself Rogers must rise up and and become the First Avenger, in order to save his country. Steve Rogers becomes Captain America and he earns his way into the hearts and souls of every American, bringing hope and justice to a war-weary nation. Later, during a mission to Germany to stop his archenemy – The Red Skull, from launching rockets at the allies, Captain America sacrifices himself and winds up frozen in ice for almost six decades! Revived, Steve Rogers now must join forces with new heroes and become an Avenger of the modern age.

Media

Here’s the Manchester Evening News Bulletin about Captain America being filmed in the Northern Quarter (link)

Book Your Front Row Seat at Sweet Mandarin

If you want to star gaze from the comfort of Sweet Mandarin as Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Evans and Samuel L Jackson whizz around in their car chases and jump from the Smithfield Fishmarket Wall, click here

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden will return to the M.E.N Arena next summer for their first Manchester show in five years.

Iron Maiden’s return to the city is part of The Final Frontier – Around The World In 66 Days tour – a fifty thousand mile journey aboard ‘Ed Force One’, the specially customised Boeing 757 piloted by airline captain and lead singer Bruce Dickinson.

Ahead of touching down in Manchester, Bruce said: “As our fans all know from the Flight 666 film, which documented the trials and tribulations we underwent in order to get the whole project literally off the ground, the end result was well worth all the effort and complex logistics we had to deal with! The band and crew enjoyed themselves so much travelling that way, it seemed only logical to set up this part of The Final Frontier tour in the same way.”

July’s M.E.N Arena show will see the British Heavy Metal pioneers perform tracks from their latest album, The Final Frontier, alongside classics from their 35 year back catalogue including Aces High, Run To The Hills, Can I Play With Madness and The Number Of The Beast.

Band mascot Eddie, who has appeared on all Iron Maiden’s album and single covers, will also appear as part of the group’s legendary live shows next summer.

Congratulations to all the Graduates.

We see new friends coming in and old friends are about to leave. Graduates now have a big decision to make in their life track. Some of them will start their career next summer while others will plan for their further study. Time flies. Three years at university transform a person from a high school student to a professional ready to serve society. We at Sweet Mandarin congratulate you on your hard earned degrees and give you our best wishes.

But before you start to fly high, please slow down and spend a quiet moment on your university campus, where you have been studying, working and making friends for three years. Give sincere thanks to every road you went through, every book you read, and every friend you made. Because once you begin to work, you will see how different it is from university life.

At university, all moments, happy or sad, have been treasures from heaven. Pack them up in your mind, and embark on a new journey. Plenty more such moments are waiting for you in the years to come. Whether these moments are good or bad, you will understand life through experiencing them.

Years later, when you are in another part of the world, the moment you think of your youth, you will realise that part of your heart is still at university and Manchester will always be your home!

To celebrate, join us at Sweet Mandarin for a graduation banquet. To book a table email Lisa@sweetmandarin.com or book here