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.

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.
   

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

“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

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

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

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

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).

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.

I have joined Empire Avenue https://www.empireavenue.com/tse who else is on there? Please connect with me. Also huge thanks to Aron Stevenson for guiding me through this new social media. Aron – you are a star!
Best wishes
Lisa
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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

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

I know one day will never make up for all the universal joys and incredible memories of childhood that I’ve shared with my Dad but I wanted to thank you Dad, for being there for me, always, unconditionally and always fighting our corner. Together with the entire world – in celebrations of Dads all over the world on Father’s Day 20th June, I wanted to say I love you Dad.

I remember the midnight jogging sessions to Chaddy park with Dad, my siblings and our dog, Choy Sum as Mum drove the old banger alongside us. Even though we never managed to jog back as we all went home in the car – I loved that sense of adventure you instilled in us.

I remember Mum had gone out to buy the groceries and you decided to be a hairdresser for the day. We all had pudding bowl haircuts……and it was so atrocious you bought us an ice cream to make up for it. I learnt quickly not to let you touch my hair ever again!

I remember the amazing dinners you made us ranging from spare ribs to a whole steamed fish to chicken tomato with an egg in it and your amazing red cooked melt in the mouth chicken. And you allowed me to go on the woks and you taught me how to cook the perfect egg fried rice. Wow – Dad you’re the best.

And now you and the fat baby are partners in crime!

For everyone out there, don’t forget its Father’s Day on Sunday 20th June. We only have a few tables left that evening (5-11pm). If you’d like to tell your Dad you love him by treating him to a delicious Chinese banquet, I’d be honoured to serve you our sumptuous food and ice cold beers. To book your table call 0161 832 8848 or email me lisa@sweetmandarin.com or click here