Monday, February 25, 2013

breakfast, lunch, dinner... and everything in between

Savory Crepe with spinach, cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes
Breakfast might be my favorite meal of the day. So why limit having breakfast dishes (both savory and sweet) to the early hours of the morning? Though these may not be the healthiest of choices, they are some of my favorite breakfast or "early snack" dishes of the east and the west - available throughout most hours of the day - and can be found in Shanghai.

Sweet Crepe with bananas, Baileys, vanilla ice cream, powdered sugar
Chicken Sandwich with homemade chips and pickle
French toast with Challah and fresh berries
Soup dumplings with chicken and foie gras
yum!
This past Sunday was also the Lantern Festival, aka 元宵節. After a lovely walk around Xintiandi in the afternoon to enjoy the lovely weather, I made sure I got my 湯圓 fix in the evening. 





Crepes are from Crepes and Co.
French toast and chicken sandwich are from Bloc
Soup dumplings are from Din Tai Fung
Tang yuan from my local Taiwanese grocery store

Monday, February 18, 2013

gumbo: my version


Gumbo is a Creole dish that I enjoy - especially on a cold and rainy day. But when it's cold and rainy in Shanghai, gumbo can seem to be further out of reach than most comfort foods. So yes, I had to make it. :)

Here's my version of gumbo. What people don't realize is that it can be really healthy and easy to make!
The funny thing is, today, I happened to make gumbo without okra - which is usually known to be quite an important ingredient in gumbo (the name gumbo is derived from the word ki ngombo, meaning okra in Bantu, an African dialect). My market didn't have any and I didn't get to visit the avocado lady today (she usually has it - even in the cold seasons.) So for this reason, I will include okra in my recipe, though today I made the exception of cooking without it.

One teaspoon garlic powder
Two cans of chicken broth
One tomato, one red pepper (seeded), one green pepper (seeded) , one yellow onion  (peeled) - all chopped.
Two stalks of celery, chopped.
Half a garlic, peeled and chopped coarsely.
One teaspoon hot sauce
Half a cup of long grain rice, rinsed
Half a teaspoons of thyme, two teaspoons of oregano, half a teaspoon of sea salt
Two bay leaves
Not pictured: 
One pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into one-inch cubes
Half a teaspoon of black pepper
A pinch of white pepper
Two cups of fresh okra, chopped

In a non-stick slow cooker,  use low heat and blend all ingredients - including chicken. Mix well and cover.
Simmer. After four hours on low heat, check on flavor/texture. I added mustard here for more "zing".
Cover and cook for another one-two hours.
Please note that traditionally gumbo is served over rice and rice is not cooked with the gumbo. However, I chose to add a little bit of rice in my version - but feel free to omit. 

Enjoy and happy cooking/eating!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

shangholidays


I hope everyone had a great Valentine's day. I sure did. Despite the fact that Shanghai was more quiet than usual due to Chinese New Year (with the exception of fireworks) and most places were closed, Albert and I really enjoyed quality time together. It was also pretty cool staying in town during Chinese New Year to take part of the festivities and to be in touch with the culture and spirit here.

Malls filled with Chinese New Year Decor
Candied fruits for sale

Temples filled with visitors to pray for blessings for the Year of the Snake
Dancers to gather on New Year's Day
A friendly bird by a local shop saying "Ni Hao" and greetings to add to the New Year Cheer
Buds and cacti to welcome a New Spring

Happy New Year, the Year of the Snake!


Thursday, February 7, 2013

to paint

I've always loved to create art since I was a child. But like many, when having become an adult, forgot about making time for these loves and prioritized work and other commitments. I didn't start painting again until moving to Shanghai - thanks to the encouragement and inspiration from Albert. These are paintings I created for him - all with specific "themes". 

"好幸福的Compromise“ - December 2011
On Top of the World - April 2012
Albert, me, little molly, Taipei 101
Lovers in the French Concession - June 2012
AY+LC+Molly=4Ever. A Pair of brooms and life on a street sandwiched in a twin lane of trees
A pair of bikes. Us and Molly. Double Happiness Gates
Kites - August, 2012
Art supplies might seem like they are hard to get hold of here in Shanghai, but with a little research - they are actually quite available and affordable. I get all my paint supplies at Painter's Street, (213 Wending Lu, near Nan Dan Lu) a cute little alley way that is actually known for making replicas of artwork. But like most places in Shanghai, you can bargain for their canvases, brushes and paints like I have. 




Monday, February 4, 2013

weekend discovery

Victoria and I spent some quality time walking through the city this weekend. The weather was surprisingly pleasant, so we felt the need to take advantage and enjoy it.

Sproutworks - yummy and healthy. They actually have kale! 
...and unlimited refills of strawberry lemonade available.

Lunch at Sproutworks Cafe
Address: 167 Xinle Lu, Cross street is Dong Hu Lu
Phone: 5466-1677

I found this wall to be so beautiful! It's on Huai Hai Lu, close to Dong Hu Lu.

Baker One for the sweet tooth - which in this case, was the both of us.

This was my choice of the two desserts we shared. Raspberry Lychee Mousse.

Afternoon Tea at Baker One (加焙坊)
Address: 559 Nanchang Lu, near  Shaanxi Nan Lu
Phone: 6211-8217

Jiashan Market, every other Saturday - rain or shine

Our new friends from France
A stroll through Jiashan Market, where I brought home a bottle of red, and some homemade organic soap!
Address: Lane 550 off Shaanxi South Road, or the lane entrance by 259 Jiashan Lu
Phone: 54659519

And these, to brighten up my living room.