Taiwan is known for the delicious street foods found in night markets - open-air street bazaars that operate at night. Traditionally located on in the corners and outskirts of large cities, night markets trace their roots back to Tang dynasty China (618-907CE). From the Song dynasty onwards, night markets played a central role in Chinese… Continue reading Oyster Omelet
The Chung Yeung Festival (重阳节) falls on the ninth day of the ninth Chinese lunar month, which this year happened to be on a Saturday - October 28. I celebrated the day with friends in the Catskills; hiking in the woods, drinking chrysanthemum tea and sharing Chungyeung cake. Literally translated, the festival's name in Chinese means "double yang". In… Continue reading Celebrating Chung Yeung
The perfect macarons have a crisp shell on the outside leading to a layer of chewy goodness and concludes with a melt-in-your mouth center. They are not to be confused with macaroons - those toasted coconut clusters. Originating in Italy, they were brought to France by Catherine de Medicis on the occasion of her marriage… Continue reading Macaron Love
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated every year on August 15 of the Chinese lunar calendar (and falls this year on 8 September - today!). *** Read the background story below or scroll down directly for how to make "ice-skin" 冰(bing)皮(pi) mooncakes, or in all practicality, mochi.*** In Chinese tradition, the year is divided into 4… Continue reading Unify under the Autumn Moon
After the food, no good Labor Day celebration is complete without drinks, namely beer. Admittedly, I've never cared much for the abundant cans of Budweiser, Coors, Molson and to a lesser extent Heineken and Beck's at Labor Day parties. Yet, it was because of these typical omnipresent beers (all pale lagers as I would later… Continue reading Beer and BBQ: Part II
I've been meaning to write this for a while now, and this being Labor Day weekend, there's no better time to indulge in the topic. (Scroll down directly for recipes to Vegetable Shish Kebabs and Apple and Cheese Chicken Sausage.) Grilled foods are a mainstay of Labor Day festivities. Especially in the Northeast, Labor Day… Continue reading Beer and BBQ: Part I
In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are viewed as complementary yet opposing forces that balance each other to maintain order and preserve harmony. Stemming from this belief, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sees the healthy body as being in a balanced state of yin and yang. Disease arises when one of the forces becomes disproportionate and… Continue reading Cool and Healthy Homemade Matcha Ice Cream
As we tumble into the summer days, here's a breezy and light starter (or dessert) to beat the heat and stay refreshed. Ingredients: honeydew, yogurt, brown sugar Tools: cutting board, knife, melon ball spoon (or regular spoon), cookie cutter Steps: 1. Slice the honeydew in half, clear out the seeds 2. Use the spoon to… Continue reading O’sweet sweet honeydew
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