Making authentic Asian food just got easier
Trang Moreland at Fresh the Market in New Philadelphia with her new products, Trang's Asian Delectables meal packages.
Last year Trang Moreland of Dennison released her second book, “I Am You,” a cookbook of mostly Vietnamese recipes she grew up cooking in Vietnam before moving to the United States at the age of 21. As she spent time promoting the book, a common theme developed — people were afraid to try something new.
“People are scared to buy all the ingredients that they might never use again,” Moreland said. “Same with me, when I have a cookbook, I really want to make the dish, but I don't want to go out and buy five, six ingredients. What am I going to do with it if I don't like it?”
On March 1, two weeks before this year’s opening of Fresh the Market, Moreland had an idea. She had been selling her books there and some food items, but what could she do to make using the recipes from her cookbook easier for people to try?
Trang’s Asian Delectables was born. The meal-starter packages contain ingredients and seasonings that may not be found in the typical American kitchen. Each package also contains an easy-to-follow recipe and other information such as how to rinse and cook rice. Cooks only have to add their own fresh ingredients to make a meal with no fear.
Everything included in the packages is premeasured. If an ingredient is used twice, there are two packages of the exact amount needed.
Three varieties are currently available: chicken fried rice, rice noodles with cabbage and chicken curry. Moreland hopes to expand and offer additional recipes as meal packages in the future.
Moreland gave out food samples of the packaged dishes on opening day at Fresh the Market. Sales have grown quickly.
“So many people loved it,” Moreland said. “People did not just buy one package. Some people bought five.”
With its success, Moreland has sometimes been up until the wee hours of the morning packaging more at her home. She hopes to have the dinner kits mass produced at some point.
Moreland credits her husband Jay and her friend Cherie Kail with helping get her newest business project off the ground so quickly.
Another new product Moreland is featuring this year is Vietnamese coffee, which is a sweeter tasting drink.
An abbreviated version of her story can be found on the back of each Trang’s Asian Delectables starter packages. Work has been a way of life for Moreland because she wanted to help her family back in Vietnam. As a child she worked in a rice field in Vietnam.
“One thing people don't know is the hard work that my mom trained me to do when I was young,” Moreland said. “You work long days with the heat and with your hunger. That was built in me because success requires hard work.”
Moreland sees many opportunities in America.
In addition to being an author, once in the United States, she began by operating a restaurant, then a hair salon, and flipping and renting homes along the way. She read books to gain the knowledge she needed for some projects, took classes near and far, and joined leadership groups.
“Fear and doubt are just temporary, because every time you start a new project, you have fear, and the minute you work on it, the fear just falls off,” Moreland said. “I know that you always have it when you start a business, and they go away the minute you accomplish something.”
Moreland is grateful for the help of others.
“When I came to this country, I didn't know anything. I feel like the people here like to share ideas, their success,” Moreland said.
Moreland’s first book “Just Smile and Say Hello” tells her journey from poverty to prosperity. Trang’s Asian Delectables meal packages are sold at Fresh the Market in New Philadelphia and Walnut Creek Market Place in Holmes County.
Moreland is available for speaking engagements. She uses her speakers fee to provide notebooks for school children in Vietnam. She feels it’s important to give back.
“My grandma always said, ‘What you ate is gone, but what you give is always going to be there,’” Moreland said.