rare catch of the week: sable fish and Icelandic poppy

4-17--23-2023 

 

 DINNERS ---  Nobu's miso-marinated and broiled black cod | dashi-braised spring bamboo shoots with oyster mushroom | grilled lamb chop | parboiled young kale | pasta with clam source, shiitake mushroom and zucchini | salad of radicchio, radish , cucumber and fennel | opera cake | yuzu cake 

 

 black cod ( sable fish ) from a new local shop 

miso marinade

 

broiled 

 

 

***

 local flower farm at farmer's market

Icelandic poppy

unformed terrine and formed burrata

5-26-2014 Mon. warm, sunny.


WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | scallion pancake |  bread and cheese | raspberries | apple 
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- tea 
DINNER --- burrata cheese with beefsteak tomato |  unformed terrine of braised lamb shank |Shanghai salsa | steamed zong-zi ( seasoned rice bundle with braised pork) | stir-fried spring bamboo shoots, mustard green and tofu skin | salad | wine || cognac and French chocolate  

 

• the end note of the holiday: Port and Cognac. a food and drink tour started in Portugal, then to Italy, jumped to Shanghai, looped back to France.

simply delightful

5-25-2014 Sun. warm, sunny. 


 WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | baguette | French cheese | apple | raspberries 
 AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- tea | French nougat 
 gin and tonic | cheese twist |
 DINNER --- gin and tonic | beefsteak tomato and watercress | raspberries | oysters || steamed artichoke with citrous butter | grilled chanterelle mushroom with live oil and sea salt | poached white fish with white miso and citrous custard | grilled fresh lamb sausage | sauteed spring bamboo shoots and tofu skin | fingerling potatoes | wine 

mushroom stands at farmer's market 

Chinese dumplings at farmer's market 

 

• no complains,  beautiful day, lively market,  delightful flowers , delicious food and drink

spring shoots

5-28-2013 Tue. warm, clouds.  


 BREAKFAST --- coffee
 LUNCH --- Mexican rice and beans | mango
 AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- apple
 DINNER --- guacamole and chips | sauteed mustard green and spring bamboo shoots | sauteed asparagus | pan-fried mackerel | rice | wine 

 

• asparagus is called "reed shoots" in Chinese

shoots of spring

5-19-2013 Sun. mild, rain.  


WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | bread and cheese | apple | mango 
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- guacamole  and chips | wine
DINNER --- steamed artichoke with lemon olive oil dip | stir-fried mustard green shoots and spring bamboo shoots | homemade focaccia bread with sage and garlic | wine 

 

 

• they shoot up from the earth in the spring.

Clay-pot stew of wheat gluten

5-12-2011 Thur. warm, sunny.

BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH --- rice with tofu | steamed vegetable bun
AFTERNOON-TEATIME ---apple
DINNER --- stew of wheat gluten, shiitake, wood-ear, bamboo shoots, and cabbage | sauteed Chinese spring squash and tomato with savory | rice | salad of lettuce, arugula, radish and tomato | wine

• wheat gluten stew is a traditional regional food in Shanghai, big texture contrast from ingredients and wheat gluten sponges and hold flavored sauce.
  

Fava beans and scallops

5-07-2011 Sat. mild, some clouds.


WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | coconut cream bread | apple | Persian grapes | yogurt drink AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- tea
PRE-CONCERT-DINNER --- Persian flat bread with goose liver pate | salad of lettuce, fennel, radish and tomato | pan-seared scallops with leek | sauteed fresh fava beans and spring bamboo shoots with fermented fava bean sauce | mojito

• fresh fava beans from the local Persian market, they are in season right now thousands of miles away in Shanghai as well.
• Mahler's magnificent " Das Lied von der Erde " (Song of the Earth) , based on ancient Chinese poems.
  

wild and not so wild

4-30-2011 Sat. mild, sunny.


WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | coconut cream bread | apple | scallion pancake | bread | cheese | Lachsschinken
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- ( at the local Japanese food store) sushi ( mackerel , salmon)
AFTER-CONCERT-DINNER --- wild watercress and spring bamboo shoots salad | bread with roasted red pepper relish | tofu soup with spring bamboo shoots, maitake mushroom and mitsuba Japanese parsley | patato and chorizo stew | wine

wild watercress

wild Japanese parsley

chorizo and potato

• a few wild delicacies that spring brings us, and a few refined food such as silky tofu and rich chorizo sausages
  

Spring bamboo shoots with white miso dressing

• a bunch spring bamboo shoots, shelled
  
• 4 tbs white miso paste
  
• 1 tsp mirin
• 1 cup dashi broth
• 1 tbs lemon juice
  
• 1 tsp seaweed flakes
  
• 1 tbs pickled vegetables ( daikon, celtuce, etc), finely chopped
  
• salt and sugar
  

1. cut the bamboo shoots into irregular small pieces (about 1 inch )
   
2. heat a pot of water to boil, put bamboo shoots in and poach for 3 minutes, drain the water
   
3. add the dashi broth the pot, simmer bamboo shoots for 10 minutes.
   
4. put miso paste in a small bowl, add 1 tbs of the dashi broth, mix well
   
5. remove the bamboo shoots from the broth and put in a big bowl, cool to room temperautre
   
6. add mirin and miso to the bowl, mix well
7. add lemon juice and pickled vegetables, add salt and sugar, mix well
8. sprinkle seaweed flakes on the top before serving