‘Sauce Maven’ Natalie Keng releases debut cookbook

By Sammie Purcell

Natalie Keng is celebrating the release of her new cookbook.

Keng, a Smyrna resident and formerly of the food company Chinese Southern Belle, now goes by the name “Sauce Maven” and owns the company Global Hearth. She released her new cookbook, “Egg Rolls & Sweet Tea,” in June. The book combines Asian-American and Southern fusion dishes, sauces, and drinks, and also features stories from Keng’s childhood growing up in the deep south.

“When we learn to love the food, we are more open to the people,” Keng said in an emailed statement. “The dishes in this collection are my version of authentic, even if they don’t fit perfectly into any textbook genre. I present these cherished recipes in the hope that they will become part of your family’s supper-table favorites and evolve into the reader’s own version of authentic.”

Recipes in the book include fried chicken spring rolls with honey, rainbow black rice salad, okra and tomato stir-fry, black-eyed pea hummus, Georgia bourbon Coca-Cola meatloaf, and so much more.

“Egg Rolls & Sweet Tea” is available at Global Hearth, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and through independent booksellers.

Proceeds from purchases made through Global Hearth (globalhearth. com) will support local food and health initiatives along with women authors and entrepreneurs.