SAVOR SAN DIEGO WITH SU-MEI YU: The Yin-Yang Of Protein

Food is at the heart of many of San Diego’s most fascinating stories. Our food community is vibrant, diverse and unique, full of history, passionate people and delicious treasures. Join Su-Mei Yu, noted local cook, author and restaurant owner, as she explores and cooks her way around San Diego sharing the captivating tales of our culinary bounty on SAVOR SAN DIEGO.

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Soy beans from the San Diego Soy Dairy.

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Grinding soy beans at San Diego Soy Dairy.

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Soy Bean Pulp

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Tofu makers at San Diego Soy Dairy.

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Tofu makers at San Diego Soy Dairy.

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Tofu making at San Diego Soy Dairy.

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Tofu Making at San Diego Soy Dairy.

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Joel Mendenhall and Su-Mei Yu at Mendenhall Ranch.

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Su-Mei Yu and Joel Mendenhall exploring Mendenhall Ranch on horseback.

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Mendenhall Family enjoying a meal with Su-Mei Yu, Mendenhall Ranch.

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Mendenhall Ranch Grass Fed Cattle.

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Mama Yu's Stir Fry

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"The Yin-Yang Of Protein" - In Thailand, where Su-Mei grew up, it is common to cook beef and tofu together in the same dish. They create a delicious yin-yang combination of protein. Here in San Diego, we have our own yin-yang forces at work. The yin is a small batch tofu maker in El Cajon, and the yang is a sixth generation grass fed cattle rancher in Palomar Mountain. On this episode, Su-Mei visits and explores these yin-yang protein sources then shows viewers how to create Mama Yu’s Stir Fry – a delicious protein packed dish with a Thai kick!

SAVOR SAN DIEGO is on Facebook, and you can follow @saffronsd on Twitter. Su-Mei Yu is the owner of the award-winning Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken, San Diego’s first authentic Thai restaurant.

ABOUT CHEF SU-MEI YU

Su-Mei Yu is a celebrated San Diego chef, restaurateur and cookbook author. Her cookbooks include "Asian Grilling," the 2000 IACP Award-winning "Cracking the Coconut," and "The Elements of Life: A Contemporary Guide to Thai Cooking and Traditions for Healthier Living."

Courtesy of Savor San Diego

Su-Mei is a frequent contributor to Fine Cooking magazine, the Bangkok Post, and the U-T San Diego. She is chef-owner of the acclaimed Saffron restaurants in San Diego, California and has made numerous appearances on national television programs such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, and Martha Stewart Living. She is a regular and popular morning show guest on local news programs as well because of her outgoing and high energy personality along with her delicious and healthful cooking tips.

Born of Chinese parents in Thailand, she came to America to attend boarding school at the age of fifteen, and worked as a social worker and as an assistant professor at San Diego State University before opening Saffron, one of San Diego’s first authentic Thai restaurants in Mission Hills in 1985.

Su-Mei later expanded the Saffron brand with Saffron Noodles & Sate, a comfortable eatery with indoor and outdoor seating. Located next to each other, both restaurants have become San Diego favorites featuring traditional Thai dishes made from recipes Su-Mei learned as a child in Thailand. Saffron’s menus offer guests delicious and affordable fare prepared with Su-Mei’s philosophy of “food for the mind, body and soul.”

Episodes of SAVOR SAN DIEGO will be available for online viewing following the broadcast.