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2-28-2010 Sun. cold, windy, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | homemade bread | cheese | apple AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea DINNER --- ( a meal of Jiang-nan food, South of Yangtze) noodle soup | threaded chicken and bean sprouts | smoked tofu, cilantro and peanuts salad dressed in sesame oil and fragrant vinegar | stir-fried chicken, winter bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, sweet peas and nuts | sauteed vegetables with scallops | steamed short ribs coated with ground toasted rice and five-spice sauce | rice - What a miracle South of Yangtze is / with all its scenery in my dreams / Flaming red flowers at sunrise / and verdantly green rivers at spring / How can I not miss South of Yangtze ---- Bai Ju Yi (772–846 AD)
- 江南好，风景旧曾谙。日出江花红胜火，春来江水绿如蓝。能不忆江南 －－ 白居易 （唐）
2-27-2010 Sat. mild, full moon
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee |
coconut cream bread | grape fruit | scallion pancake AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- Tiantai Mountain green tea | roasted ginkgo nutsDINNER --- sauteed winter green Swiss chard | winter's treasure: sauteed snow peas, winter bamboo shoots, shiitake and ginkgo nuts | stuffed red snapper with ginger and scallion sauce | rice | white wine- the winter's tale is still going on, but near the end. Winter bamboo shoots and ginkgo nuts are at the end of the season.
2-26-2010 Fri. Cold, strong wind
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | flute cookieLUNCH --- sliced rice cake with vegetables ( leftover from yesterday's dinner)AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | appleDINNER --- egg soup with mushroom, napa cabbage and pickled radish | re-fried black beans | Turkish clam rice | sauteed snow peas | red wine - Mediterranean and Mexican dishes mingle well somehow. probably because the two regions have similar climate.
2-25-2010 Thu. cold and windy, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with stir-fry of chive flowers and smoked tofu ( leftover from yesterday's dinner)AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | flute cookie | apple DINNER --- fried spring rolls | Yangzhu-style seasoned rice dumplings | stewed melange of sliced rice cake, napa cabbage, bean sprouts, and sliced lamb | red wine
- Yangzhu-style cooking is famous for the delicate flavors and superb art of cutting.
2-24-2010 Wed. cold, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee LUNCH --- Indian rice and pureed spinach AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple | flute cookie DINNER --- roasted Japanese sweet potatoes | stir-fried Chinese chive flowers with winter bamboo shoots and smoked tofu | stir-fried shrimp, mushroom, green chili and chayote | rice | red wine
- there were six kinds of vegetables to be chopped into small cubes, thin slices and threads. A good stir-fry very much depends on how ingredients are cut into the right size and shape.
2-23-2010 Tue. cold, drizzle
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with puree of sauteed Tong-ho leaves (leftover from yesterday's dinner)
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | appleDINNER --- Chinese soup noodles with braised beef, napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms and hot chili sauce
- a damp and gray day in every way. "You probably need to eat something," the baker said. "I hope you'll eat some of my hot rolls. You have to eat and keep going. Eating is a small, good thing in a time like this," he said. --- Raymond Carver, "a Small, good Thing", 1983
2-22-2010 Mon. mild, rain
BREAKFAST --- coffee |
Pocky pretzel sticksLUNCH --- rice with simmered winter vegetables
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- puree of sauteed Tong-ho leaves and crushed peanuts | Sichuan-style spiced eggplant ( Yu-xiang eggplant)| twice-cooked beef with green and red peppers | rice | red wine
- Yu-xiang (" fish-fragrant ", no fish involved though) is a richly spiced flavor with fresh garlic and ginger, Sichuan red peppercorns, Sichuan hot chili bean paste. eggplant absorbs the flavor very well.
2-21-2010 Sun. mild, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | apple AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | dried fruit | seaweed crackers DINNER --- (at Wansu's) giant hot pot of assorted meat, seafood, tofu, winter greens and egg dumplings with sha-cha dipping sauce | twice-cooked pork in sweet soy and rice wine sauce | steamed sea bass | riesling wine | cream pear cake and white chocolate cake - We gathered at Wansu's and had a full table of family of eleven. Two hot pots were boiling. There were sliced lamb or beef, shrimp with shell or not, tofu in fried golden or snow white, winter greens and egg dumplings. Wansu's twice-cooked pork was a hit, it was finished to the bone.
2-20-2010 Sat. not as cold, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- (at Le Pain Quotidien) espresso | baguette | apple pear turnover | baguette | whole wheat rustic bread with hummus AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- sauteed winter Swiss chard | homemade pizza with toppings of winter mushroom, eggplant, caramelized onion and tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and asiago cheese | red wine
- The kitchen gets rather messy during the pizza making and baking, flour everywhere. The pizza dough was started yesterday to relax for a day to get a more elastic texture in the crust. The dough has to be hand-stretched into the right shape and thickness. These three vegetable pizzas are delicious!
2-19-2010 Fri. cold, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- steamed dumplings | apple
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | Pocky pretzel sticks DINNER --- (at Raji's cooking class of Indian food) vegetable fritters (Bhajias) | green chutney | puree of sauteed spinach with fried Indian cheese cubes ( Saag Paneer) | spiced chicken and basmati rice ( Badshahi Biryani) | cucumber yogurt with savory fried chickpea balls (Boondi Raita) |
sweet carrot cake | cardamom chai
- Raji gave a wonderful cooking class in her spacious kitchen. The fresh vegetable dishes are particularly delicious with various spices and chickpea flour.
2-18-2010 Thu. cold, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffee |
Pocky pretzel sticksLUNCH --- steamed dumplings with spicy-soy dipping sauce
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea |
apple | dried fruitDINNER --- roasted Japanese sweet potatoes | steamed and sauteed Brussels sprouts | claypot dish: simmered winter bamboo shoots, winter shiitake mushrooms, citron daylily, wood-ear fungi, and carrots (winter's delight) | rice | red wine
- This one-pot dish gathers delightful flavors from a few of my favorite things in winter season.
2-17-2010 Wed. cold, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee | Pocky pretzel sticks LUNCH ---- rice with fish and potato stew ( leftover from yesterday's dinner)AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- hot-sour soup of tomato, pea leaves, wood-ear, and fish-meat balls | steamed dumplings with fillings of minced chicken, shiitake, and bok choy | red wine
- dumplings are as good as ever. it felt good to make these little plump dumplings at home after a stressful drive in bad traffic.
2-16-2010 Tue. cold, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee |
Pocky pretzel sticksLUNCH --- rice with boiled winter greens and roasted red pepper
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | appleDINNER --- roasted long green chili glazed with caramel sugar and rice vinegar | sauteed napa cabbage, shiitake, and dried tofu thread | fish and potato stew with the Catalan-style tomato sauce | rice | red wine
- The rest of the sea bass (with fish bones and skin) made into a hearty stew with potatoes and tomato sauce.
2-15-2010 Mon. cloudy turning light snow
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | scallion pancake | apple | grape fruitAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- latte | green tea DINNER --- deep-fried spring rolls with fillings of shiitake, napa cabbage, winter bamboo shoots, dried tofu thread and dried shrimp | boiled winter greens | teriyaki Chilean sea bass | rice | red wine poached bosc pear
- The deep-frying of spring rolls is improved, now we have some tips for the recipe. The simulated grill in oven works pretty well for the teriyake fish.
2-14-2010 Sun. cold, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | Norwegian pancake with apple and brown sugar | grape fruitAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | appleDINNER --- deep-fried spring rolls with fillings of shiitake, napa cabbage, winter bamboo shoots, dried tofu threads, and dried shrimp | rice congee | pickled gourd | hot-spiced bamboo shoots | hot-spiced fermented tofu
- Never an easy task to deep-fry spring rolls at home. The balance between moist fillings and crispy wraps is tricky to achieve. It is limited to once a year on the Chinese New Year's Day.
2-13-2010 Sat. snow and icicles abound, occasional sun
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | coconut cream bread | homemade rustic bread | sheep cheese | grape fruitAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | roasted hickory nuts | roasted peanuts DINNER --- soup of egg dumplings, lotus root, wood-ear, mung bean vermicelli and greens | winter melon stuffed with minced shrimp and simmered in bonito stock | broiled whole fish seasoned with five-spices | roasted then marinated red pepper and king mushroom | rice | red wine
- It is Eve of Year of the Tiger. Following the Chinese new year traditions, we made soup dumplings with egg sheet wraps, and cooked a whole fish (these two dishes symbolize prosperity and good luck for the new year).
2-12-2010 Fri. cold, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffee LUNCH --- rice with sauteed chive flowers and smoked tofu (leftover from yesterday's dinner)AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | Pocky pretzel stick DINNER --- soba noodles with shiitake, lotus root, and winter greens | roasted Japanese sweet potatoes |(at Sonia's party) Austrian mulled wine, German brezels, French cheese, Swiss chocolate and a big birthday cake - Soba noodles are quick to prepare and good as a light dinner before a party. Sonia threw a very nice party tonight for her birthday and for the Winter Olympic opening night.
2-11-2010 Thu. cold, windy, sunny
LATE-MORNING BREAKFAST --- coffee | homemade rustic bread | Pyrenees sheep cheese | apple
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | sweetened lotus seeds
DINNER --- wonton soup | stir-fried chive flowers and smoked tofu | clay pot of winter melon, ginkgo nuts, mushroom and braised beef shank | rice | red wine
- Clay pot can be a symbol for slow food. Seasonal ingredients are gathered in one pot and simmered for hours over low heat.
2-10-2010 Wed. blizzard
LATE-MORNING BREAKFAST --- coffee | scallion pancake | apple AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- black tea | green tea | homemade rustic bread DINNER --- soup dumplings with fillings of minced shrimp and pea leaves | stir-fry of threaded potatoes | sauteed shiitake and bean sprouts | fried rice with sunny-side-up eggs | red wine - Oh storm and its fury broke today / crushing hopes we cherished so dear / the clouds and storm will in time pass away / the sun again will shine bright and clear -- "Keep on the sunny side", bluegrass lyrics
2-09-2010 Tue. cold, cloudy turned snow
LATE-MORNING BREAKFAST --- coffee | steamed Boston brown bread | Pyrenees sheep cheese AFTERNOON-TEATIME ---wulong green tea | apple DINNER --- steamed open-face dumplings with seasoned rice fillings (Shanghai shao-mai) | hot pot of thin-sliced lamb, shiitake, button mushrooms, Chinese winter greens, shrimp, and mung bean noodles with sha-cha dipping sauce (Shabu-shabu) | red wine - The hot pot cheered us up on a gloomy Tuesday.
2-08-2010 Mon. cold, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffee | toasted Limpa bread with chocolate spreadLUNCH --- pan-fried dumplings | apple AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- Chai | baked cranberry lace crackers | roasted pumpkin seedsDINNER --- ten-in-one-pot: Shanghai style stew of rice cake, napa cabbage, smoked tofu, shiitake, lotus root, dried shrimp, smoked mussels, vegetable pickles and green onions (shi jin sha guo) | red wine
- still stuck at home because of the snow storm, had more time in the kitchen cutting and cooking.
2-07-2010 Sun. cold, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | toasted Limpa bread | eggnog | grape fruit | apple
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea
DINNER --- fries of Japanese sweet potatoes | sauteed king mushroom, fresh lily bulb petals and smoked tofu | pan-roasted long green chili with rice vinegar sauce | broiled lamb chop with Dijon mustard | rice pilaf | red wine
- Particularly enjoyed a hearty dinner after hours of digging through the deep snow.
2-06-2010 Sat. blizzard
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee |
Norwegian pancakes with brown sugar and apple (pannekaken) | grape fruitAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | roasted ginkgo nutsDINNER --- tempura of stuffed lotus root with ponzu dipping sauce | popover | boiled pea leaves | pan-fried whole fish ( gray sole) | rice | wine 
popover
- The blizzard caused damages out there. We had almost three feet snow, the scene outside looked more like Norway today, Norwegian pancakes fit in perfectly.
2-05-2010 Fri. cold, snow storm
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- pan-fried dumplings | appleAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- Fujian Kongfu tea | roasted ginkgo nutsDINNER --- Italian rolls enriched with olive oil (panini all'olio) | mussels in white wine sauce | miso soup with fried tofu, pea leaves and seaweed | white wine- A big snow storm is covering the area. The shelves in local supermarket were most empty, we got a bag of mussels instead of bread. Offices were closed early. We stayed home and baked Italian rolls in three shapes: wreath, finger, and artichoke. A stormy day is not so bad when you can dunk fresh bread into wine infused mussel juice.
2-04-2010 Thu. cold, cloudy
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee |
Pocky pretzel stick LUNCH --- pasta with sofrito sauce (leftover from yesterday's dinner)
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- Wulong green tea | apple DINNER --- egg soup with shiitake mushroom, tomato, pea leaves, and fried tofu | steamed dumplings with minced chicken, shiitake mushroom, and bok choy | wine
- The silky and rich consistency of the soup was achieved by adding a little sofrito to the vegetable broth, then add the egg slowly and stir into the liquid.
2-03-2010 Wed. cold, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH --- rice with puree of Tong-ho leaves | steamed bun with mustard green fillings
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple
DINNER --- roasted red pepper, chayote and smoked mussels | roasted Japanese sweet potatoes | linguine fini with sofrito sauce | red wine
- Another evening with limited cooking time. Though pasta is relatively quick to prepare, you cannot rush cooking sofrito. it just needs that much time to get the rich and sweet flavor out of onions and tomatoes.
2-02-2010 Tue. cold, snow
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- steamed buns with mustard green fillings
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple | dried fruit DINNER --- (at S.S. Chinese restaurant) drunken chicken | pickled cabbage | roasted peanuts with dried moss seasoning | steamed manila clams in ginger and scallion sauce | stir-fried threaded pork, sliced rice cake and mustard greens ( Shanghai chao-nian-gao ) | rice with Taiwan-style meat gravy - We went to S.S. after the concert. It was late and snowing hard, we were the only customers in the restaurant. The food was decent, the stir-fry of rice cake and pork is a Shanghai special.
2-01-2010 Mon. cold, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffee |
Pocky pretzel stickLUNCH ---
rice with braised lamb and carrots |
clementine AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- avocado and tomato with lemon dressing | pan-fried spring rolls | Vietnamese rice noddles in spiced beef soup (Pho)
- Pho is an excellent comfort food. In cold days nothing can warm you up faster than a big bowl of rich beef broth loaded with slippery noddles, tender beef slices, and fragrant Asian basil. The beef broth has been cooked for long hours in advance. Then the soup noddles can be done quickly in weekday evenings.
