A New Wok

 The Wok Shop

My latest culinary journey is Chinese cooking.  

Chinese cuisine has been a favorite of mine my entire life.  The night before I was born, my parents went out for Chinese food.  Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I always picked The House of Lee in Oakland, California for my birthday dinner.  And, one of the very first cookbooks I ever bought was Chopsticks, Cleaver and Wok by Jennie Low about home-style Chinese cooking.  

 Grace Young Cook Books

Cookbook author, Grace Young has fueled my Chinese cooking journey.  I recently discovered her wonderful cookbooks and Craftsy class The Art of Stir Frying.  Grace is known as The Wok Queen and definitely knows a thing or two about woks.  She generously shares her expertise on the best type of woks to buy along with how to season and care for them.

A wok is essential for authentic Chinese stir-fry cooking.  And, since I believe in having the right kitchen tools for cooking, I decided to replace my older Magnalite aluminum wok with a a real Chinese wok.  And, according to Grace, the best place to buy a wok is San Francisco's The Wok Shop.  So during Chinese New Year, my husband and I made a trip to The Wok Shop.

The Wok

For those of us that cook on residential ranges, Grace recommends the wok shown above which is a 14" carbon steel, flat bottom wok.  Its small flat bottom gets it closer to the flame for high heat stir-frying.  And a nice feature are its wood handles so you don't have to run after pot holders while stir-frying. 

Wok Ambassador, Tane Chan

When you visit The Wok Shop, all you have to do is tell them that Grace Young sent you.  I lucked out on my visit and was helped by the charming owner, Tane Chan.  I didn't have to tell Tane a thing, she knew just the wok I was meant to have. 

If you need a wok, The Wok Shop is the place to go!  

(And they have an online store.)

The Wok Shop

718 Grant Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94108

(415) 989-3797

Savouring the Seasons

The farm is a place

down the dirt rode

where the animals are kept

and our food is grown

by Lisette King 

June 15, 1973

I think I was destined to live by a farm...

I made this plaque when I was 13 years old with a magazine photo of a farm.  Even though I was raised a Bay Area city girl...I've always had a love for farming. I attribute my love for farms to my dad who grew up on a 100 acre farm outside of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.  

All my life, I've lived in the suburbs.  Not anymore.  Now I live close to the country where farms are just down the road.  About two years ago, we moved(for my husband's job)to a small town in rural Northern California where I've been adjusting to a more country way of life.  And that life is good.  

I never meant to take such a long break from blogging here but it happened.  I am back now and inspired in a slightly new direction.  So I am continuing this blog but have given it a new name, Savouring the Seasons.  I hope you'll join me in savouring the seasons in my kitchen, through my lens and in my travels.