Entertainment

A quick and easy squid recipe is gaining traction online, thanks to content creator Cherry妈咪. The dish, described as intensely flavorful, is quickly becoming a favorite among followers on TikTok and 小红书 (Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform).

Cherry妈咪, a popular figure on Chinese social media, has shared a straightforward method for preparing squid that emphasizes simplicity and taste. The recipe focuses on maximizing the natural flavors of the squid with minimal ingredients, appealing to home cooks looking for a fuss-free meal. The growing interest in quick and accessible easy seafood recipes is evident in the engagement surrounding Cherry妈咪’s post.

The Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

The recipe, as shared by Cherry妈咪, begins with preparing the squid. It involves cutting the squid into smaller, bite-sized pieces. The squid is then briefly boiled in water, seasoned with salt and oil. This simple preparation method aims to retain the squid’s tenderness and enhance its natural umami flavor. The focus on a quick boil ensures the squid doesn’t become rubbery, a common concern when cooking this seafood.

Cherry妈咪 encourages viewers to “关注按赞分享TikTok 小红书cherry妈咪” – which translates to “Follow, like and share on TikTok and Xiaohongshu Cherry妈咪.” This call to action highlights the creator’s desire to build a community around her content and share her culinary creations with a wider audience. The employ of both TikTok and Xiaohongshu demonstrates a strategy to reach different demographics within the Chinese-speaking online community.

Cherry妈咪’s Online Presence

Cherry妈咪 maintains an active presence on multiple platforms. According to search results, she has a TikTok account (@cherry._.667) featuring the squid recipe video, and her original sound is also available on TikTok here. She also has a presence on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) with multiple accounts, including yyx1018m with 6.8k likes and 4283 followers, and 56019048462, a Cherry妈妈英语学习中心 (Cherry Mama English Learning Center) account with 2941 likes and 1294 followers as detailed on Douyin. Another Douyin account, Xn_5217, has 9.1k likes and 4344 followers.

Beyond recipes, Cherry妈咪 also shares content related to parenting, as evidenced by a Douyin post discussing vaginal versus Cesarean births according to search results. This suggests a diverse content strategy aimed at engaging a broad audience interested in both culinary and lifestyle topics.

The Appeal of Simple Seafood Dishes

The popularity of Cherry妈咪’s squid recipe reflects a broader trend towards simple, flavorful cooking. Many home cooks are seeking recipes that require minimal ingredients and preparation time, without sacrificing taste. Quick seafood recipes, in particular, are gaining popularity due to the health benefits and versatility of seafood. The emphasis on fresh ingredients and straightforward techniques aligns with the growing demand for authentic and accessible culinary experiences. Easy Asian recipes are also trending, and this recipe fits that category. Squid cooking methods are also a popular search term, indicating a desire for diverse ways to prepare this ingredient. Chinese cooking tutorials are consistently popular, and Cherry妈咪’s content contributes to this trend. TikTok food trends often drive recipe popularity, and this recipe appears to be benefiting from that effect. Home cooking inspiration is a key driver for social media food content, and Cherry妈咪 provides that for her followers. Flavorful squid recipes are specifically sought after, and this recipe delivers on that promise. Simple Asian cuisine is increasingly popular, and this recipe is a great example. Easy weeknight meals are always in demand, and this recipe fits the bill. Seafood preparation tips are valuable for home cooks, and Cherry妈咪 offers a straightforward approach.

As Cherry妈咪 continues to share her culinary creations, her influence on online food trends is likely to grow. Her focus on simplicity, flavor, and accessibility resonates with a wide audience, making her a prominent voice in the online cooking community. The continued success of her content will likely depend on her ability to consistently deliver engaging and easy-to-follow recipes that cater to the evolving tastes of her followers.

What are your favorite quick and easy seafood recipes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Six female authors and illustrators have been honored with the 2026 Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) awards, celebrating UK-published titles that champion diversity and inclusivity for young readers. The awards, which recognize excellence in storytelling across three age categories – baby & toddler, picture books, and children’s fiction – come with a shared £30,000 prize fund and the opportunity to showcase their operate at the Hay Festival in May.

This year’s winners represent a significant milestone, marking the second time since the awards’ inception in 2023 that all recipients are women. The IBC Awards are particularly timely, coinciding with the UK government’s designation of 2026 as the National Year of Reading, an initiative aimed at fostering a love of reading and giving young voices a platform.

In the children’s fiction category, Chanté Timothy’s graphic novel, Supa Nova, took the top prize. The story centers on a young Black girl with a passion for science. Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane were awarded for their picture book, The Beautiful Layers of Me, which explores a young girl’s journey to confidently embrace her cultural heritage by wearing a salwar kameez for the first time. Rounding out the winners, Alex Strick, Annie Kubler, and Sarah Dellow received recognition in the baby & toddler category for Let’s Play, a touch-and-feel book incorporating words in sign language and braille.

“These books are pushing boundaries and opening pathways into worlds that need to be represented more,” said judge, illustrator, and author Mei Matsuoka. “I was delighted to see how inclusivity was incorporated into sweet, funny and engaging stories without overpowering them.” The judging panel, comprised of educators, authors, and illustrators, praised the winning titles for their “compelling storytelling, strong visual composition and authentic representation,” according to the IBC.

Inaugural Children’s Choice Awards Reflect Young Readers’ Voices

Complementing the main IBC Awards, the inaugural Children’s Choice Awards saw primary school pupils across the UK vote for their favorite titles. Won’t Go! by Sumana Seeboruth and Fotini Tikkou, Cloud Boy by Greg Stobbs, and Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy were selected as the winners by young readers.

Addressing Representation Gaps in Children’s Literature

The announcement of the IBC Awards arrives at a critical moment for children’s publishing. Recent research from the Inclusive Books for Children organization revealed a concerning decline in representation, particularly for Black characters. A report found that the number of children’s books featuring a Black main character dropped by more than a fifth – 21.5% – between 2023 and 2024. Of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 (1.9%) featured a Black main character. The IBC described this as a “catastrophic decline in Black representation” and highlighted “stark inequalities” within the UK publishing industry.

This trend occurs against a backdrop of declining reading enjoyment among young people. The National Literacy Trust found that just one in three children and young people aged eight to 18 say they enjoy reading “particularly much” or “quite a lot,” marking the lowest recorded level. The National Year of Reading campaign aims to address this by encouraging children to engage with books that align with their interests and passions.

The IBC Awards, and the growing emphasis on inclusive storytelling, are seen as vital steps toward creating a more representative and engaging literary landscape for all children. The winning authors and illustrators will present their work at the Hay Festival in May, further amplifying their message of inclusivity and the power of diverse narratives.

As the National Year of Reading unfolds, the focus will remain on fostering a love of reading and ensuring that all children see themselves reflected in the stories they encounter. The IBC Awards serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of diverse representation in children’s literature and the positive impact it can have on young readers.

What are your thoughts on the importance of inclusive children’s literature? Share your comments below and facilitate us continue the conversation.