Six Family Recipes to Try for AANHPI Heritage Month
Food traditions are a major part of how we pass culture on down to future generations. They're central not just to our everyday routines, but to our milestones, celebrations, and our connection to family. So it's not surprising that when her beloved grandmother passed away, one of the items that Susan Allen, daughter of T&C co-founder Don Nakata – and an Executive Director at Town & Country Markets – was most touched to receive was her recipe box.
"I have such fond memories being with my grandmother and cooking in the kitchen," says Susan. "Her recipes always had special notes on them: memories of Thanksgiving, a name of someone who shared the recipe with her, comments on what she thought of the recipe or a note that a particular family member enjoyed this recipe. I’ve been in love with recipes my whole life and to have hers was a real gift."
During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we’re celebrating with a collection of recipes from our T&C family and community. We're honored that the Nakatas, the Chou-Riddles, and the Price families have shared these family dishes with us.
Garlic Shrimp with Gai Lan
This recipe comes from our friends Hsiao-Ching Chou and Meilee Chou Riddle, authors of Feasts of Good Fortune, which examines Chinese American celebrations through an intergenerational lens. This quick and easy dish is fast enough for a weeknight dinner yet special enough for a celebration.
Stir-Fried Romaine
Another crowd pleaser from Hsiao-Ching and Meilee that will have you eyeing your crisper drawer with newfound appreciation. In Mandarin, lettuce symbolizes prosperity because its name sounds like the phrase “growing your fortune.”
Nakata Family Apple Cake
This sweet and simple recipe comes from our founders, the Nakata family, who make it with apples handpicked from their MiddleField Farm on Bainbridge Island. The cake comes together in under an hour; pick up some Washington-grown apples on your next T&C run and try it for yourself.
Nakata Family Everyday Baked Salmon
Simple, comforting, and full of bright, savory flavor, this easy baked salmon comes from the Nakata family's handwritten recipe cards. It's a little piece of history we’re lucky to enjoy, and the kind of dish you’ll come back to again and again.
Pancit
Marea Price, Poulsbo Market Manager finds joy in keeping her family’s culinary traditions alive. She collaborated with Chef Joya on this recipe for pancit, inspired by the version her lola (grandmother) made. Pancit is a traditional Filipino noodle dish made with Bihon rice stick noodles. You can add chicken, pork, shrimp or keep it vegetarian—all are delicious.
Filipino Pork Adobo
Here's another staple from Lola's kitchen, as interpreted by Marea and Chef Joya. One of the most beloved Filipino dishes, Adobo is packed with flavor while using minimal ingredients. It has great acidity from vinegar and aroma from garlic and peppercorns. Perfect served over a bowl of rice. For added freshness, serve it with Kamatis, Filipino tomato cucumber salad.