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3-31-2010 Wed. warm, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- (at H.G. Chinese restaurant) Kong pao chicken |rice | spinach and beef noodle soup AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple
DINNER --- steamed dumplings with fillings of minced chicken, shiitake and bok choy | red wine
- making dumplings makes a relaxed evening
3-30-2010 Tue. chilly, strong wind, rain
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice and kale puree
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- fried rice with eggs, sweet peas, roasted chicken, sesame flat bread and red pepper cream sauce | red wine
- the strong wind caused a power outage, the fried rice is a ad hoc dinner assembled from various leftovers after the power came back after 10pm.
3-29-2010 Mon. mild, rain
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with sauteed canola leaves and potatoes AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- (at Francesca's) white wine | chan-dal ( chickpea with kale sauce) | parata bread | raita ( yogurt sauce) | hot chili and garlic chutney | red wine | baked pasta with chipotle smoked chili and porcini mushroom sauce | Meade
- it is an interesting Indo-Mex-Italic dinner. and there was a good discussion on pairing drinks with books.
3-28-2010 Sun. mild, cloudy
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | croissant |
grape fruit | pan-fried gyoza | appleAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | Xingjiang green raisinsDINNER --- Nan-jing fermented tofu steamed in shrimp sauce and sesame oil | Matsuzaka noodles with shiitake, snow pea leaves and shrimp | red wine
- there are many kinds of fermented tofu, some are like blue cheese, with strong taste and interesting flavor that not for everyone. The tender white square of Nan-jing style is also nicknamed " stinky tofu", and has very distinguished smell and texture.
3-27-2010 Sat. chilly, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | croissant | grape fruit
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | Xing-jiang green raisins
DINNER --- cilantro and smoked tofu salad | sauteed chayote and king mushroom | sea bass and potato stew in roasted red pepper cream sauce | smoked chicken | basmati rice | red wine
- green raisins from Xing-jiang or central Asian regions are dried in the shade, not in the sun. they keep translucent light green color, are sweet but not sticky, and have a subtle citrus fragrance.
3-26-2010 Fri. chilly, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- steamed rice dumplings | rice with Tong-ho puree AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- steamed egg custard (chowan mushi) | boiled canola leaves with ponzu sauce | pan-roasted Italian sweet peppers stuffed with minced chicken and shrimp | rice | sweet rice cake tempura | red wine
- it takes practice to make a perfect smooth and silky egg custard. Japanese method calls for filtering the egg water mixture before steaming.
3-25-2010 Thu. warm, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH ---- (at Cafe 34 ) Thai curry soup
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple
DINNER ---cilantro and tofu salad | curried angel hair potatoes | Tong-ho puree with crushed peanuts | rice | red wine
- Francesca ground fresh curry leaves and spices to make the curry mixture. It has amazing aroma and subtle flavor.
3-24-2010 Wed. mild, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with sauteed chive flowers and smoked tofuAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- apple DINNER --- (at Oreste's) white wine | rasam ( Indian vegetable soup) | potato vada | timpano (baked pasta) | sheep cheese | red wine
- a good meal at good friends' place.
3-23-2010 Tue. chilly, windy, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH --- rice with fish stew
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple
DINNER --- sauteed chive flowers and smoked tofu | stir-fried cabbage with red chili | pan-fried pork chop | rice | red wine
- a combo of Shanghai cafeteria food: cabbage and pork chop on the top of a bowl of rice
3-22-2010 Mon. cool, rain
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- pasta with red pepper sauce
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- apple DINNER --- roasted red pepper and mushroom | sauteed kale | sea bass and baby potato stew with cream red pepper sauce |
rice | red wine
3-21-2010 Sun. warm, cloudy
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | scallion pancake | grape fruit AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- apple | green tea DINNER --- green salad of Japanese dandelion and cucumber | pennoni pasta with red cream sauce of roasted pepper, garlic and Dijon mustard | sauteed shrimp and mushroom | red wine - This red sauce has no tomatoes. the roasted garlic and red pepper gives the sauce a smoky taste and bright color, Dijon mustard adds a little spiciness.
3-20-2010 Sat. warm, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | homemade bread | grape fruit | scrambled eggsAFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea DINNER --- stew of stuffed fried gluten balls and shiitake | Japanese dandeline salad | sauteed kale | rice | red wine
- Susann brought a bouquet of daffodils from her garden. We got some fresh dandelion greens from the neighborhood Japanese Japanese food store. the spring is here.
3-20-2010 Fri. warm, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- steamed dumplings
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea DINNER --- white wine | stuffed lotus root tempura | cilantro and smoked dried tofu salad | roasted red pepper and king mushroom | chayote and white fish pickled by rice vinegar and sake | noodle soup with mushroom, bamboo shoots, dried shrimp, and radish sprouts | red wine | kale sauteed with caramelized onion | baked Yukon potatoes with anise seed and sea salt | osso bucco braised in spiced wine | strawberry Bavarian cream |
green tea | almond brittle 
3-18-2010 Thu. warm, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with carrots and tong-ho puree (leftovers)
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | flute cookie | apple DINNER --- steamed dumplings with fillings of minced chicken, shiitake and bok choy |
wine
- the spring is finally showing its signs, our hazelnut tree is blooming. Dumplings are as good as usual.
3-17-2010 Wed. warm, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- steamed Shao-mai and vegetable buns
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- oven-roasted egg rolls | sauteed king mushroom and bean sprouts | tong-ho puree with crushed peanuts | caramelized onion and carrots with cilantro and bacon | rice | red wine
- We first had this carrot dish at Nadia's garden dinner in Paris, we got the recipe from her and have been cooking it for years. It probably is a North African dish with some french twist.
3-16-2010 Tue. mild, cloudy to sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with salsa verde |apple
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | flute cookie
DINNER --- broiled chicken wings with hot and sweet sauce | Matsuzaka noodles with Tong-ho leaves, bean sprouts, pickled bamboo shoots, and radish |
red wine
- Matsuzaka is famous for its beef. These "matsuzaka noodles "（松阪刀削面) are excellent as well. they look like long ruffled ribbons, about half of inch wide and quite thin in thickness. Cooked in the dashi broth as soup noodles, they hold the shape with a bouncy texture.
3-15-2010 Mon. chilly, drizzle
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with stir-fried onion and winter greens
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- salsa of radish, onion, cilantro and cucumber | refried black beans | Mexican rice with tomatillo sauce | sunny-side-up egg | homemade flour tortillas | red wine - this is a 100% Mexican meal, no meat, no cheese, only turned a hearty breakfast into a dinner.
3-14-2010 Sun. chilly, drizzle
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | scallion pancake | apple | grape fruit AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea |
mini custard DINNER --- poached Swiss chard with ponzu dressing | pan-roasted cubanelle pepper with sweet-sour sauce | shanghai-style short ribs | rice | red wine
- used the European and Caribbean ingredients, cooked in Asian cuisine style.
3-13-2010 Sat. chilly, rain
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | coconut cream bread | grape fruit | scallion pan cake AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | mini custard DINNER --- poached clams | sauteed Swiss chard | sauteed asparagus | salad of cilantro, smoked tofu and roasted peanuts (Shanghai Salsa) | pan-fried whole fish with tomato sauce | rice | white wine
- cilantro is also called Chinese parsley. The shanghai special of cilantro salad has much in common with salsa, the ingredients are chopped finely and mixed to let the flavors mingle well.
3-12-2010 Fri. mild, rain
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with stir-fried chive flowers and smoked tofu AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- Sichuan style spicy frog legs with onion and cabbage | poached winter greens with ponzu dressing | rice | red wine
- Poached winter greens taste just very much GREEN
3-11-2010 Thu. warm, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH --- pasta with tomato and onion sauce
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- black tea | madeleine | apple
DINNER --- scrambled eggs with tomatoes | stir-fried chive flowers and smoked tofu | sauteed shrimp and mushrooms | rice | white wine
- scrambled eggs with tomatoes is actually a famous Chinese food, one of the very few dishes commonly cooked at home regardless regions.
3-10-2010 Wed. mild, cloudy
BREAKFAST --- coffee LUNCH --- rice with vegetable stew (leftover) AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- pan-roasted jalapeno with twice-cooked pork and tofu | pasta with sofrito sauce | red wine
- Pan-roasting works very well with peppers, medium to high heat, hot pan, with very little or no oil at all. jalapeno becomes sweet and fragrant when cooked this way.
3-09-2010 Tue. mild, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffee | flute cookieLUNCH --- rice with sauteed winter greens and bean sprouts AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- tempura of sliced sweet rice cake | sauteed kale with garlic and hot chili | clay pot stew of shittake, wheat gluten, winter bamboo shoots, and dried citron daylily
- Kale from the local farmer's market has young and tender curly leaves in bluish green color, so pretty.
3-08-2010 Mon. mild, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffee | flute cookieLUNCH --- paella rice (leftover)AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- salad cilantro, marinated tofu and peanuts | stir-fried chayote, shiitake, wood-ear fungi, and bamboo shoots | sauteed bean sprouts with Sichuan pickled hot chili | rice | red wine
- a new week starts with a dinner of vegetables rich in colors and textures. Sichuan pickled hot chili is a beauty, bright red and quite hot.
3-07-2010 Sun. mild, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee |
homemade bread | jarlsberg cheese | grape fruit AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple |
(at Rita's Crepes ) lemon butter crepe DINNER --- salad of cilantro, smoked tofu and roasted peanuts in citron dressing | pan-roasted cubanelle peppers with caramelized sauce | osso bucco braised in spiced red wine | basmati rice | red wine
- finally the weather is nice enough to take a long walk to Rita's Crepes. Osso Bucco is an underrated veal cut, it is tender and flavorful if braised long enough in red wine.
3-06-2010 Sat. mild, windy, sunny
WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee |
coconut cream bread | pan-fried dumplings | apple AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | roasted ginkgo nuts DINNER --- sauteed Swiss chard | white wine poached clams | mushroom and frog legs paella | white wine
- Recently NY Times ran an article titled " don't tell the kids" in the Food and Wine section, about rabbit for dinner. Here the frog legs are used like chicken thighs in this special paella.
3-05-2010 Fri. chilly, windy, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- steamed dumplings AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- vegetable soup of napa cabbage, mushrooms, pickled bamboo shoots and seaweed | steamed taco-shaped buns with oven-braised pork brisket and pickled gourd
- these taco-shaped steamed pork buns made David Chang of Momofuku famous. In China the bun is called "lotus leaf folder", it looks like a steamed fluffy pancake folded in half, with pork and pickles in between. these pork buns are easier to make than the closed-form kind such as Xiao-long-bao, mainly because the shells and fillings are cooked separately, and assembled at the serving time, just like a taco.
3-04-2010 Thu. chilly, windy, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- (at Chevy's Restaurant ) tortilla soup (work lunch, terrible food) AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea DINNER --- (at Francesca and Oreste's ) potato vada with cilantro chutney | dal -lentil soup ( tamatar moung dal ) | eggplant with fenugreek ( meti baigan ) | radish in yogurt sauce ( mooli kari ) | string beans with chickpea flour ragu ( besam baji ) | rice with curry leaves and mustard seeds | two kinds German White wine (Liebfraumilch & Mosel valley Riesling ) | chai
- Francesca worked the whole day preparing this wonderful Northern Indian dinner. She started with grinding and mixing spices, did painstakingly work on various vegetables, legumes, and grains, and finished with beautiful presentation of six dishes in traditional Indian plates and bowls.
3-03-2010 Wed. chilly, drizzle
BREAKFAST --- coffee | flute cookieLUNCH --- pasta with sauteed shrimp (leftover)AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- egg and tomato soup | steamed dumplings with fillings of minced chicken, shiitake and bok choy | red wine - yes, got to have dumplings every two weeks or life would lose its stability.
3-02-2010 Tue. chilly, rain
BREAKFAST --- coffeeLUNCH --- rice with Yangzhou Gan Si (leftover)
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | flute cookie | apple DINNER --- sauteed winter greens and mushrooms | shrimp sauteed in white wine with minced garlic and peminton dolce | pasta with garlic olive oil | fresh mozzarella | white wine
- it is a no-sauce pasta, with a little garlic olive oil, salt and pepper. a rushed dinner, as usual, on Tuesday.
3-01-2010 Mon. mild, sunny
BREAKFAST --- coffee |
flute cookieLUNCH --- rice with steamed short ribs (leftover)
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- green tea | apple DINNER --- sauteed winter greens (you-cai) | dried tofu threads poached in chicken broth with threaded Jing-hua prosciutto, needle mushrooms, radish sprouts, pickled bamboo shoots, and fresh ginger ( Yangzhou Gan Si) | rice | red wine
- You left at the Yellow Crane Terrace / down to Yangzhou in the misty month of March / Your sail , a single shadow, becomes one with the blue sky / till now I only see the Yangtze, on its way to the horizon and beyond -- Li Bai (701-762AD)
- 故人西辞黄鹤楼, 烟花三月下扬州. 孤帆远影碧空尽, 唯见长江天际流. -李白
