Kristina Cho grew up in Ohio, blending Cantonese cooking with Midwestern flavors. Her new cookbook, Chinese Enough: Homestyle Recipes for Noodles, Dumplings, Stirfries, and More, explores the journey of first-generation Americans trying to feel at home in two cultures.
Kristina reflects on her time living in San Francisco, where she experienced a vibrant Asian community for the first time. Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, she often felt caught between different worlds, balancing her Asian heritage with her American life. Her childhood was filled with visits to her grandparents in Chinatown and time spent in their restaurant, shaping her relationship with food and identity.
Her latest book organizes recipes thematically rather than by category. For instance, one chapter is titled “Best With Rice,” featuring quick weeknight meals like Tomato Eggs and Sticky Maple Tofu Sticks. These dishes are designed to cook alongside rice, making them perfect for busy evenings.
Tomato Eggs, a beloved dish on social media, is prepared differently than traditional scrambled eggs. In her version, the tomatoes become a silky sauce thickened with corn starch before eggs are added, creating a comforting and flavorful meal. The sauce includes oyster sauce and white pepper, enhancing the overall taste, even with winter tomatoes.
Kristina also emphasizes the love for fresh herbs in her cooking. She often uses wilting herbs from her fridge in recipes like steamed eggs, which are lightly blended and steamed to create a soft, custard-like texture. This approach not only minimizes waste but adds vibrant flavors to her dishes.
As a former architecture student, Kristina found herself leaning into vegetarian meals. One of her favorites is the Sticky Maple Tofu Sticks. These crispy tofu logs are coated in a sweet and tangy sauce made from maple syrup, vinegar, and spices, creating a delightful balance of flavors. Complete the meal with a simple stir-fried vegetable side, like Gai Lan, which she shares a quick cooking technique for in her book.
The idea of bridging cultures resonates deeply with Kristina. One standout recipe reflecting this blend is her Mom’s Spaghetti, a unique take that many Chinese American families can relate to. This dish showcases how traditional recipes can evolve while maintaining their roots.
Kristina Cho’s journey reflects the experience of many immigrants, merging culinary traditions, family history, and personal memories into delicious and accessible home-cooked meals.
