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10 Bucket List Chinese Dishes

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Photo Credit: Flickr SnowPea&BokChoiTurnip Cake

What are some comfort foods from your childhood that you want to make as an adult? I plan to make the following Chinese Dishes by 2027:

1. Chinese Turnip Cake
This was my favorite childhood dim sum. I prefer it over the popular har gow (shrimp dumplings).

Photo Credit: Flickr Star5112 Lion’s Head Meatball

2. Lion’s Head Meatballs
I love the crisp water chestnuts in this dim sum.

Photo Credit: Flickr  Annie Mole Foo Juk 

3. Soy Bean Curd Wrapped Dim Sum
I want to learn how to use dried soy bean curd sticks in savory dishes. I used to drink a refreshing bean curd and rock sugar beverage in the summers.

4. Char Siu So
This BBQ pork pastry is wrapped in a deep golden crust that my hubby adores.

Photo Credit: Flickr Jettalone Mapo Tofu

5. Mapo Tofu
I can’t believe the origins of this dish. It’s named after a mature woman with a bad complexion. However, the sweet-hot chili spice for this tofu is gorgeous.

6. Ginger Eggs
This is for women who just gave birth. The Chinese tradition is to allow a woman to say for 30-days, in her home, to regain her strength. During this “sitting month” relatives bring tonics and food gifts to the mother. These hard boiled eggs are stewed in sweet black vinegar and pig’s feet.  Yep. Pig’s feet.

Photo Credit: Flickr Mike Czyzewski Beef Chow Hor Fun

7. Beef Chow Hor Fun
This was the favorite dish of my paternal grandma. He loved the carmelized onions, green onions and tender beef with thick rice noodles.

8. Peking Duck
My sister insists that she prefers the Chinese American version over the authentic version she ate when she visited China. I like the crisp duck skin that is sweetened with honey. Imagine maple bacon.

Photo Credit: Flickr FootosVanRobin Preserved Duck Egg

9. Pork and Preserved Egg Rice Soup
This lean pork and freaky duck egg congee is soul satisfyingly warming during winter. The preserved duck egg is for the intrepid foodie.

Photo Credit: Flickr Martiniko Sio Mai

10. Shiu Mai
These pork dumplings are lovely and decorated with a tiny garnish of steamed carrot.

Exercising Leadership: 3 Classroom Management Tips

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Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons Classroom

This evening, on the third night of Chinese New Year, I interviewed a private school elementary school teacher assistant for leadership tips. Why? Boomerangers, young adults living under their parents’ roof in suburbia who are recent college graduates, are finding it hard to find employment in their field. Some of them have accepted temporary or part-time teaching jobs while the economy sets itself right. College graduates are useful resources for school-aged children who may lack male role models. Plus having a comparative literature major or film studies graduate from one of the University of California campuses,  as your TA,  is pretty cool.

Many recent college grads in art and science may accept part-time teaching roles because the unemployment rate for education and health services is only 6.3%. This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in their September 2011 report.

I asked a 26-year-old TA for some tips he’d like to share with other Boomerangers.

Summary of Classroom Management Tips:
1. Show yourself as credible.
2. Manage your time and pick your non-negotiables.
3. Be consistent and fair. 

What transferable skills does your current job give you for future careers more specific to your area of study?
Of course all jobs have transferable skills, however, I know that future employers may be skeptical of employment in teaching so I’m ready with a good answer.

I plan to sell the time management, project planning and people motivation aspects of the job. For example, as an assistant at this private school I have autonomy in what sequence I complete my daily and weekly tasks.

To illustrate, I have responsibilities at two hubs of the private school. At both centers I have duties to print out curriculum and aid the primary teacher in the classrooms. I meet my objectives and the goals set by my supervisor by prioritizing. Project planning is another term for what I do. I also coordinate operational tasks such as transporting some students from their day school to the after school center.

You mentioned motivating others. Do you mean using psychology principles?
Yes. I understand that this population is different from leading adults in an office setting. However, these K through 5th graders must be trained, inspired, and motivated like any other group. In some cases, correction is needed after evaluating performance.

For example, I suggest that a TA pick his discipline battles. Know which children have special needs such as autism or a history of behavior problems. Win the respect of the students by presenting yourself as confident, knowledgeable and strict. There is nothing that undermines credibility of a TA than answering, “I dunno” when a student asks where to get this or that resource. Lack of courage or knowledge are weaknesses that your students will not tolerate. They will eat you alive.

Be aware how you are perceived and have a thick skin when parents complain to your supervisor about you being too strict. Have management on board that you are a TA and the number one concern, even above academics is the safety of your students. That’s why you separate discipline problems and verbally correct unsafe behavior. This is also called managing Social Quotient (SQ) or the Social Intelligence/emotions of others according to Author Daniel Goleman.

How do you motivate yourself as a professional who may not choose to remain in teaching?
Every audience can teach you something valuable. For instance, this age group is exceptionally good at listening. Specifically overhearing. This aids me to think about the long-term affects of what I say. Otherwise I’ll likely be in a parent-teacher conference where I need to explain myself why I was not consistent in enforcing a class rule. Being fair is essential no matter how tired you might feel. This self-control and awareness is useful for personal growth and future work in any industry.

Boomerangers, keep on trucking!

How to Become a Manager in 5 Months

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Do you anticipate production slowdown in your department? Can you identify a bottleneck? Do you have several good ideas how to solve it? How is your relationship with your peers, bosses and subordinates? Are you on good terms with point persons from other departments? If you have answered “yes” to these questions and confirmed that your social influence network is strong, this may be a good opportunity to fast-track to becoming a department or project manager?

Why become a manager? First, you’ll control a greater measure of your job security. Second, if the company goes belly up you’ll have managerial experience to sell to the next employer. Third, you’ll reduce your frustration at work with problems that you witness as recurring.

Cultivate both style and substance and you’ll be a manager material in 5 months.

STYLE

What are 5 political things you must do to prepare for this promotion?
1. Listen to overheard conversations in your department, among the upper management and other departments (i.e. IT, accounting and sales). Is there an opportunity to solve an integrated problem? In other words, is there something you can untangle to make everyone’sjob easier and add revenue to the company? Hear challenges. Compare problem overlaps between departments. Draft solutions that you can spearhead and are under your authority in your current department.

2. Be subtle. However, mix it up who you each lunch with. Why? You are not being manipulative. You are being politically astute. Think Game of Thrones without the dirty dealings, of course. Let decision makers and major players feel heard by you. Even if you don’t say a word and nod for 15 minutes while he or she talks about how this past weekend was a nightmare because he or she had to bring home work to meet a deadline, this is beneficial. Two benefits? First he/she will feel heard and understood, regardless of whether or not you agree. Second you will be perceived as neutral and maybe even a potential ally at the workplace. This does not mean to abandon your authentic friendships at work. If you trust, that your career ambition won’t stir jealousy, cue your friends in that you are doing some reconaissance to see if there is potential for growth for you at this office.

3. When you joke or make someone else’s day more bearable, drop a casual remark about business news that affects their project. Make certain that this does not come off as being a know-at-all. Mention it as: “No kidding? I just read something about that. Did you know X is doing Y as a possible solution to Z? What do you think of that”

4. Create an air of mystery. Dress up twice week as if you are going to an important dinner or interview after work or during lunch? Why? Because competition for your skill set creates a welcome jealousy in upper management. If someone else wants you, then you must be worth even more than they thought. Consider one or two genuine interviews during your lunch break by Skype or phone. You can set up informational interviews, even, via Linkedin contacts.

5. Appear as an untroubled equal to current middle management. In other words, do not freeze like a deer in headlights when an upper manager walks over to your department. Shape his or her pereption of you as a go-getter, a leader, an equal. Be relaxed. Do not brown nose. Seem unconcerned about job security because you’ve got other irons in the fire. For instance, mention relevant recreation or associations that you take part in off-hours. Be seen as a up-and-comer, a player. Do not thank upper management profusely for everyday things. This will appear as if you are undeserving. Learn to accept compliments about your work.

SUBSTANCE

None of these 5 actions will get you far if you don’t have the chops to do anything of real value to affect the company’s bottom line. Do the following analysis.

1. How does the company get its money? How are deadlines prioritized to make the most money in the shortest amount of time? What part does your department play in this?

2. What systems can you automate to be more efficient as a group leader in your department? Would others be on board? Do you know how to draw others into a discussion about problem solving without seeming like an oppressive leader-type? Can you inspire peers to act rather than direct like a teacher?

3. After you’ve identified three problems that your boss would care about, prioritize them according to risk and reward. For instance, which solution has the lowest risk but greatest return on investment? Collaborate with willing individuals in your department to pick their brains. Do not create more work for others. Lighten the load. Be organized and only email those who want to volunteer time and information. Give credit where credit is due when your boss gives you 5 minutes of his or her time to pitch added value changes to operations.

Use these tips in a way that is natural to you, find a way to integrate this slowly over 5 months and you’ll be ready to discuss career advancement before the half year mark. Don’t get an inflated ego though. Be aware that your peers are gunning for management too. If the company does not respond, remember that you are sharper now about the industry and more desirable to competiting companies because of your past 5 months. You can send out feelers for rival companies in the same industry who may want to offer you a sweeter job offer.

Happy Fast-tracking!

Chinese New Year Recipe 2 Lotus Root Soup

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Say what? You want me to put dried cuttlefish in a soup pot? Yup. Add some pork soup bones too.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons Miso Soup

Are you up to the task? Do this self-inventory first. Have you tried Japanese Miso Soup? Are you okay with sea vegetables like wakame? You don’t have seafood allergies? If you replied in the affirmative, I invite you to the take the next step.

How “spicy” is this cooking adventure? Figuratively, this is medium hot rather than mild. This will be a gateway to traditional Chinese cooking and ancient tonics. After this, you’ll share something in common with Anthony Bourdain: indoctrination into the exotic.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons Vietnamese Pho

What’s a similar food I already know? Yes, I’m asking you to be adventurous. Have you even seen a Vietnamese Noodle Soup menu that shows pictures of two category of dishes: basic and “adventurous”? This is a Chinese recipe with ingredients that fall under the “adventurous” category.

I suggest listening to a PG-13 version of Missy Elliot’s “Shake Yo Pom Pom” for this brave cuisine excursion if you want a music selection for your kitchen playlist.

As I mentioned, my dad Peter was the best char siu maker and lotus root soup chef I know. I think of him because today is the second day of a 15 day Chinese New Year Celebration usually spent with extended family. Feel free to modify my recipe below to include chicken instead of pork and vegetables instead of meat protein.

Lotus Root Soup

1 pound of pork bones such as pork shoulder blade
1/2 cup of sliced lotus root discs

Photo Credit: Creative Commons Shitake Mushrooms

1 tsp of sea salt
6 oz of dried Shitake mushrooms
1/2″ fresh ginger root
4 oz unseasoned dried cuttlefish
8 cups of water

8 oz dried Chinese red dates (optional)
1 oz dried tangerine peel (optional)

Photo Credit: Creative Commons Lotus Root Chips

Step 1: Soak cuttlefish and shitake mushrooms in 1 cup of water for 20 minutes. Save the soaking liquid to add to the pot.

Step 2: Choose a tall stockpot, add the soaking liquid with the contents from step one. Fill the pot with with the remaining 7 cups of water. Add salt, bones, and ginger root. Set burner on high to boil for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Drop the lotus slices into the liquid, carefully. Add the optional ingredients and turn burner to medium heat to boil for 40 minutes. Simmer for another hour.

Step 4: Strain the stock so that it is free of bones, cuttlefish and mushrooms. Serve the opaque stock with floating slices of cooked lotus.

Note: Cooked lotus root has a delightful crunch and peeling layers that may remind you of bamboo shoots. Phantom strings from the lotus root are normal. Remember the Lotus Eaters from Homer’s Odyssey? You might feel sleepy afterwards from contentment.