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42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

Chow on Chef J Chong’s breakfast congee

Chef J Chong’s recipe for breakfast congee

What a way to start your day. | Photo provided

Chef J Chong dazzled the country last winter by becoming a finalist on HBO’s cooking competition, The Big Brunch. Her creations included dishes like dim sum and congee with grilled prawns. Fortunately for us, this local talent has generously shared a similar recipe: breakfast congee.

A hearty (and healing) dish, it reflects J’s belief that “food is medicine.” In fact, she says congee is “typically made and eaten when we are feeling under the weather.” She adds, “I grew up eating it, and because it is soothing, it’s easy to digest.”

Ready to try it for yourself? Here’s what you need.

Ingredients:

1 cup jasmine rice (rinsed in fine mesh strainer until the water is not cloudy)
7 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
6 slices of ginger, julienned
1 tbsp. coarse salt (or to taste)
1 tsp. ground white pepper

Toppings:

10 pieces cooked bacon. Pro tip: Vegans + vegetarians can use fried tofu puffs from YZ Asian Market.
4 large local eggs
4 tsp. of J Chong Eats chili oil or to taste
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. cilantro, finely chopped
4 tsp. olive oil or ghee

FULL INSTRUCTIONS HERE

Events

Tuesday, March 21

Punch Bucket Lit: One Year Anniversary | Tuesday, Mar. 21 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Celebrate one year of literary readings with fiction writer Taylor Sykes and poet Eric Tran — attendees will have the chance to win free signed copies of the authors’ books.

Wednesday, March 22

Rewilding Your Space | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 2-3 p.m. | North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | Free | Learn practical tips from Buncombe County’s environmental educators on how to “re-wild” your space to support a healthy habitat for butterflies, birds, and native plants..

Thursday, March 23

Old School Line Dancing | Thursday, March 23 | 6:15-7:15 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Bust a move to all your favorite old school dances from back in the day.
Swipes Right: An Incomplete Guide to the Ultimate Date Night | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr., Cullowhee | $5-$25 | The Second City will perform an improv set about about love, dating, relationships, and everything else between the sheets.

Friday, March 24

Women’s History Month Movie: A League of Their Own | Friday, Mar. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate Women’s History Month with a free viewing of the beloved film, “A League of Their Own” — drinks and popcorn included.

Saturday, March 25

Therapeutic Slow Flow Yoga | Saturday, March 25 | 10-11 a.m. | Mount Inspiration Apparel, 444 Haywood St., Asheville | $0-$15 | All bodies are welcome at this class, which explores meditation, breathwork, and movement.
Groove at the Grove | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 3-6 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove St., Asheville | Free | Choose from ten tables of games, including cards, board games + billiards.

Sunday, March 26

Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club | Sunday, March 26 | 12:15-4:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Come by to play your favorite word game — it’s okay to come late or leave early.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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100+ MORE EVENTS

News Notes

Weather

58º | Partly cloudy | 1% chance of rain

Civic

Asheville City Council has approved the $7.3 million I-26 connector project. The plan is designed to better connect areas like West Asheville and downtown and make it easier for pedestrians to travel the city and includes walking and biking paths. Get more info. (WLOS)

Coming Soon

South Asheville keeps on glowing up. New eatery Margarita’s Grill Chicken & Ribs (1996 Hendersonville Rd.) is setting up shop in the space formerly occupied by El Patron. That’s all we know for now, but we’ll share info as it becomes available.
Patton Avenue Pet Company is expanding. The pet shop has signed a lease for its fourth spot, located at 211 Merrimon Ave., which will be smaller and feature self wash tubs + limited canine retail. Help the store decide on its new name for the chance to win 12 free baths and a $250 gift certificate.

Community

Meet the folks behind the Racial Justice Coalition on Friday, March 24 at East Fork Pottery (15 W. Walnut St.) from 5-6 p.m. Learn about East Fork’s current community partner and its work to address systemic racism in the Asheville area.”

Learn

Gov. Roy Cooper has declared April to be Stem Education Month in North Carolina. To celebrate, the 2023 NC Science Festival is offering virtual and in-person events throughout the state. Find local events.

Eat

Buxton Hall BBQ has launched a lunch special devoted to locals. The 828 Special, which is available Monday-Friday during lunch hours, features an $8 sandwich, any side for $2, and an optional lunch cocktail for an added $8. Let’s eat.

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Active

You (and the fam) can run wild, walk, slither, or slide your way across the finish line while supporting the animals you love at the WNC Nature Center’s Running of the Goats 5k & Nature Walk on Sunday, April 23. Register today. Pro tip: Prices go up on April 10, so register soon.*

Home

Whether you’re a new or seasoned homeowner, navigating home maintenance can be overwhelming. Here’s an ultimate home maintenance checklist with 20+ ways to keep your home’s heating, cooling, plumbing + electrical running efficiently this spring. 🪠*

Featured Home

St. Patrick’s Day is behind us, but we’ve got a way to celebrate green all month long — The Cedarcliff Residence by Altura Architects is an energy-efficient house that proves new construction + sustainable strategies can blend seamlessly into established neighborhoods. Take a photo tour of the stunning first LEED-certified house in Biltmore Forest.*

Wellness

What’s in: red light therapy. What’s out: forms of treatment that are painful and invasive. Red light therapy is non-invasive and painless, and evidence suggests it may be able to ease body aches, heal sun damage, and build collagen. Brb — we’re adding this easy-to-prop light and this facial massager to our Amazon cart.

TRY THIS

The pizza showdown continues

AVLtoday’s 2023 pizza bracket

AVLtoday-MarchMadness-Feature Image (3).png

What’s your favorite pizza in the 828? | Graphic by 6AM City

We’ve got some passionate readers. After 2400+ votes, here’s what pies moved on to the next round:

PIE.ZAA vs. 828 Family Pizzeria
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. vs. Del Vecchios

Who will face off in the championship? Cast your votes now through Monday, March 27.

The Wrap

Todays Edition By:
Brook

From the Editor

Thanks so much to the folks who told me about canine birthday cakes. You can find them at Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming in Biltmore Park and Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery in Waynesville.

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