Asian American Heritage Month 2022: East Asian Traditions and Celebrations

Front Office Manager
Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge

 

In the photo, Woe is wearing a traditional Tibetan dress called a Chupa.

Asian American Heritage Month is about recognizing and celebrating contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders to the building of the U.S. nation. As a first generation Asian American that immigrated from India in 2013 – originally from Tibet – I feel blessed to live in such a diverse country where many cultures share similar values and morals. It feels like a little piece of home is here with me which is comforting especially for someone who just moved here. This month helps me better understand and embrace my own heritage and culture by reflecting on my identity and continuously learning more about our history and its contribution to this country. It also reminds me to not forget my roots and culture, since my ancestors overcame many challenges so that I can live a life filled with opportunities such as working for an inspiring company like Davidson Hospitality that not only celebrates inclusivity but also uses it as a competitive advantage.

I’ll be sharing a recipe for “Momo” also known as soup dumplings, which is the hallmark Tibetan dish that represents my heritage and culture. Due to its popularity, it is now found in other countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and India.

Momo (Soup Dumplings)

INGREDIENTS:

Flour – 2 cups
Ground Beef – ½ lb
Red Onions  – ½ medium
Green Onions – ⅓ bunch
Coriander – ⅓ bunch
Oil – 2 tbsp
Water – 2 tbsp
Salt  – 1 tsp
Pepper – 1 tsp

DIRECTIONS:

1. First knead the dough with flour and water. Let it sit for about 10 – 15 minutes.
2. For the filling, chop red onions, green onions and coriander and mix it with the ground beef while slowly adding oil and water.
3. Season it with salt and pepper and mix it again.
4. Roll the dough and pinch a small ball sized dough and flatten with a palm.
5. Dust some flour and start to roll with a rolling pin. Roll it to a medium circle – around 4-5 inch in diameter. Make sure to keep the center medium thick while keeping the outer circle slightly thinner to prevent the dough from ripping apart.
6. Take 1 tbsp of the filling and place it on the dough. Start pleating the edges slowly and gather everything. Make sure to seal the momos so that all the juices stay inside.
7. Heat a steamer and arrange the momos in the tray without touching each other.
8. Let it steam for 11 – 13 minutes.
9. It is now ready to serve. People usually eat it with a dipping sauce but you can enjoy this delicious meal by itself as well.

Creative Services Manager
Davidson Hospitality Group

As a first generation Asian American, the month of May is always an important month for me to not only reflect on my own Chinese culture, but to also raise awareness for the rest of the AAPI community. There is so much history, traditi

ons, food, and language that makes for many stories to tell, and I am glad there is an entire month dedicated to learning about it.

My parents were immigrants that came to America from China in the late 80’s. They didn’t know a slick of English, but I watched them work tirelessly to raise me, their only daughter, so I could pursue my passion in this country. In return, I always try my best to embrace something that is important to them – our Chinese heritage.

It was their efforts led me here today to be part of the Davidson Marketing team, and I am proud to share a little piece of my culture with the rest of you.

In Chinese culture, congee is staple comfort food that people eat for breakfast or whenever one is sick. Growing up, I ate congee almost every week, and as an adult, it is still the one favorite food no matter what the occasion. Here is short-cut recipe for quick savory congee that will be sure to warm the tummy.