A Food Aficionado – Chinese New Year Memories
A Food Aficionado – Chinese New Year Memories
By Anna Ing
Growing up in my Chinese family on Cape Cod had its ups and downs. My parents who hailed from the Canton Province tried their best to instill traditional Chinese customs and culture to myself and my siblings. But my favorite Chinese holiday that was more important to us than even Thanksgiving and Christmas was the Lunar New Year Celebrations, and most importantly our big feast. I always tell my friends, if you are invited to a Chinese Wedding banquet or Chinese New Year meal then be extremely excited for an awesome meal!
Our parents took their time beforehand to make many preparations. From cleaning the house top to bottom, making sure we wore new clothes, had our new haircuts before the New Year and making sure we ate the appropriate foods. For us kids, we loved receiving our lucky money or “lai see” after saying, “Gung Hay Fat Choy” or “Congratulations/Best wishes and have good luck and prosperity.”
We always made sure we had an eight compartment prosperity tray or red box filled with sweetened candied fruits and red melon seeds. Each item inside has a special meaning. My fave are the coconut which symbolizes togetherness, kumquats are for prosperity, candied melon meant good health, lychee nuts symbolize family ties, longan represents fertility (in particular for bearing sons), lotus seeds mean the wish to have a big family, peanuts are for a long life and the red melon seeds mean happiness and truth. All these candies also wish for long term sweetness for you. Whenever someone came over during the Lunar New Year period, they were offered this tray along with orange and tangerines.
Among my favorite fruits are the oranges and tangerines which are passed out (plus they are at their sweetest during this time of year). Both fruits represent wealth and good luck. Tangerines when they have leaves are associated with “longevity.” These are freely served and offered during the Chinese New Year as well. The pomelo (ancestor to the grapefruit) is also served and this fruit symbolizes prosperity and status. Nothing is served with the number four as it sounds like “death” in Chinese. Instead, the number eight is widely desired as it is associated with good luck.
My father would prepare an elaborate multi-course meal that we would eat slowly over the next few days. (The left-overs were always yummy!) Cutting with a cleaver was not allowed as this might cut off your good luck in the New Year. In the meal, we had to have a whole uncut chicken for family togetherness. A whole fish usually steamed with scallions, ginger, in a light soy sauce (head and tail intact) meant wealth and abundance. A dish of delicious roasted meats-pig (peace) and duck (fidelity) were also served. One my favorites included a dish with black moss (prosperity), dried oysters (auspicious event), lotus root (fertility) with vegetables and dried bean curd sheets. Lettuce usually lined this dish and it meant growing into wealth. Long and uncut noodles were a must too as that represented a desire for a long life. Stir fried lobster (energy) with scallions, black beans and ginger sure beats any boiled lobster in my book. Also we always tried to have at least five dishes for five blessings in the New Year that include a wish for a long life, prosperity, peace, virtue and wisdom.
So eating this delicious meal was the only one we ate late at night, but it sure was the most delicious for us. We kept our New Year’s meal celebration very simple, but it will always be a warm and loving memory of my childhood years.
Link: http://sampan.org/2012/01/a-food-aficionado-chinese-new-year-memories/
A Food Aficionado – Shiki
A Food Aficionado – Shiki
By Anna Ing
All Photos By Anna Ing
When Shiki (aka Four Seasons in Japanese) located at 9 Babcock Street, Brookline [617-738-0200] opened up a few years ago, it filled a much needed void. While in the highly competitive Brookline area, riddled with Japanese places, they still deliver delicious food and different Japanese food from the mainstream Japanese sushi houses. This is one of the few places around I always hear Japanese spoken amongst the patrons. This is a sure sign of a winner! After discovering Shiki as a great homey izakaya style establishment (Japanese pub food) that had an extensive sake (Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice) selection coupled with delicious food and their amazing, beautiful kaiseki (multicourse or haute cuisine)lunches (one of their trademarks!), I was ecstatic. Are you a sake lover? Then you should try their sake sampler flight too! This was not another ho-hum Japanese place with only the usual menu choices.
A burnt orange colored sign is outside of this garden level restaurant space (about 8 steps down). The lower level is welcoming with few chairs and tables with soothing autumn colors and simple décor. Shiki is closed on Mondays, while they are open for lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Over time some menu standards are now occasional specials or their will have some special meals too. Their extensive menus has some favorites as such tempura, tonkatsu, udon, sushi and even the much maligned but also beloved fermented natto beans (stinky smelling and gooey texture) is not for everyone even to some Japanese. One can eat a variety of delicious dishes and explore or just stick to the basics. Plus their bountiful menu choices range from a few dollars up until the teens, so depending on what one eats, it doesn’t have to be a break the bank experience.
Off the special tapas menu, we got the Ankimo (monkfish liver) which is amazing and if you are a foie gras fan, here is the ocean’s equivalent! Nestled in a silvery bowl with a bright broth with pickled seaweed, radish, and topped with scallions accentuates the smooth silky texture and taste of the sea without the guilt. Next came the Beef Tongue, sliced thinly and cooked to perfection with simple seasoning garnished with a lemon wedge. Each bit was heavenly and not overly greasy but the taste and chewiness that tongue was enjoyable. Note that both these dishes are not always available.
It was a cold night, so the Chawanmushi we ordered totally hit the spot. A Japanese steamed egg custard dish served with a delicate broth studded with many surprises of mushrooms, chicken, fish cake and seafood really satisfied with its lightness, warmth and freshness. Next came the artful Scallop Tartar, it consists of chopped raw scallops mixed with mayo and shiso (Japanese Perilla herb) then encased by smoked salmon in a log shape. The mayo mix and the scallop’s sweetness were a good balanced by the slight saltiness from the smoked salmon.
You never can go wrong with Black Cod Miso, which is my favorite ever since I first ate it in LA many moons ago. This oily, flaky fish black cod (aka sable fish) is cooked after being marinated in the house miso marinade. Cooked to perfection, the tastes all balance out to accentuate the soy miso marinade but the richness of this fish pairs nicely with some rice. Then next was the Sea Eel Millefeuille that had layers of sea eel and nagaimo (Japanese yam) topped by a poached egg in a light broth. The texture of this dish might not be for everyone, but the flavors with the soft marinated eel, crunchy yam, runny egg with the broth makes for a pleasant and interesting texture and taste combination.
We ended our meal simply with ice cream-one scoop of green tea and one scoop of red bean. Both flavors were delicious and not overpowered by sugar while maintaining a great balance of green tea and red bean flavor respectively. The other two dessert choices the green tea milk cake and the sweet potato apple cake were sold out for the night. Maybe another night, but the next time you want to try some different Japanese food in a cozy atmosphere, go check out Shiki!
This post is also available in: Chinese
A Food Aficionado -Amma
A Food Aficionado – AMMA
By Anna Ing
Photo by Anna IngNew York City is a mecca of good eats and a hub for a wide range of cuisines from all around the world. Recently while in Manhattan’s East Side in search of a now-defunct ramen shop, we stumbled upon ‘Amma‘.
We thanked our lucky stars we went there and though our wallets were a bit lighter it was worth it. Amma (or mother) is a 40-seat, upscale Pan Indian restaurant with ochre splashed walls and lovely antique decorations located on 246 East 51st Street [between 2nd and 3rd] New York, NY 10022 (212) 644-8330. One of the owners, Anju Sharma, wanted a relaxed and cozy atmosphere while serving food reminiscent of what her mom would make. ‘Amma‘ is her homage to her mother and mother-in-law’s great cooking with a twist fit for a restaurant.
To start our meal, an amuse bouche (literally amusement for the mouth aka small bite of food) of fried lentil fritters came out courtesy of the chef. They were small, compact triangles that were not overcooked but their flavors were further accentuated by the same two accompanying chutneys we saw alot of (the two sauces were versatile and could be wet or dry, spicy or sweet but usually had a spice, fruit, herb or vegetable in it). For our appetizers, we opted for the Paneer Tikka ($6) and Trio of Vegetarian Samosas ($9). The paneer (a simple fresh cheese made of milk & acid) was cooked in the tandoor (cylindrical clay oven) after being marinated with aromatic spices and yogurt. It was simple but delicious, and its’ texture reminded me of fresh mozzarella but the mild cheese complemented the lovely spices and yogurt. The samosas (stuffed pastry and a popular snack) were stuffed with potato, lentil and paneer. The chutney sauces enhanced these vegetarian samosas and though they were a bit on the dry side, were still flavorful.
Next came our rice and entrees which were served individually onto our plates. Indian food tends to be rich and creamy but very delicious. The Saag Paneer ($14) [any green leaf vegetable but here it is spinach with paneer] is a common Punjab food (The Punjab state is located in the Northwest region of the Republic of India and close to Pakistan. This region is known as Indian’s Breadbasket and is the producer of 1% of the world’s rice). The combination of the paneer with the lovely spinach mixture with spices, chilies and ghee (traditional Indian clarified butter) tasted similar but comforting in its sameness. The Chicken Xacuti – Roasted Coconut Sauce (spicy) ($22) caught our attention as something new to try. Xacuti is a Goan region curry that utilizes fresh and dry coconut, chilies, white poppy seeds along with other spices and it is usually cooked with chicken or lamb. Easily our spiciest dish of the night, but still the coconut and Indian spices melded well together in this dish.
Indian food tends to be served in smaller portions, but they are rather filling due to the rich sauces. Our final entree selection was recommended to us by our server. He suggested the ubiquitous Chicken Tikka Masala ($18) or Butter Chicken on their menu. Definitely an influence from during the time Britain colonized India, Chicken Tikka Masala was created specifically for the British palate. In fact in Britain, Chicken Tikka Masala was hailed by former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to be “a true British national dish.” There are many variations of this orange colored dish but there is always the masala (mixture of spices), cream and tomatoes combined with the tandoor baked, spices and yogurt marinated chicken. A survey found there were at least 48 different recipes for this one dish! For us, by far the BEST sauce of all the dishes! When we heard this dish initially suggested to us, we were a bit apprehensive. The velvety creamy sauce coupled with the spices and tomatoes complimented each other well. We ordered more Onion Kulch that had 4 pieces per order ($6) [a Punjab bread baked in the tandoor oven and it is similar to Naan] and rice to make sure we did not miss any of the sauces.
Regretfully, we had to pass on dessert after eating such a wonderful meal. It is my experience that a person either really falls in love or avoids Indian food. Fortunately, one person at our table never had Indian food before and became smitten with the flavors, spicy and creamy sauces. Also note that the restaurant offers a five course regular and vegetarian tasting menu as an alternative for $50 or paired with wine for $85.
Our servers were knowledgeable, courteous, and helpful. We are still dreaming about wanting more of that great chicken tikka masala! My New York buddy has now added this restaurant as a must go to place on her list. For a night of fine Indian Food dining, be sure to check them out when in New York City.
Anthony Bourdain-No Reservations
I caught it last week on Monday-the latest of No Reservations. The first one of the next season. Next week is Colombia and that should prove interesting. Turns out that Anthony has always wanted to check out Laos since reading about it many years ago. He admitted that he did not have his usual snark and bite because given the situation he was in, I would have done the same.
In one section, he was welcome with warm hospitality by those who would rightfully dislike Americans and could refuse him. One gentleman lost his limbs due to the millions of landmines all over Laos. One question this gentleman asked, are you afraid? Anthony answered honestly and with sensitivity that people should be aware of what happens with war.
The plain of Jars was interesting where he traveled to Xieng Khouang, Laos (Southeast of Phonsavan) which people found after the Vietnam War.
The cuisine in Laos has the influences of its neighboring countries-Thailand and Vietnam. It all looks good and one of these days I want to have the chance to visit!
OTHER
Blog by Gadling on this episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations (season 3 episode 11) here
Snippet of the episode in Laos here
Starpulse.com on Laos episode here
Travel Channel’s webpage on the show in Laos here
Anthony’s blog while in Laos (back in January 2008) here
Be My Guest 志雲飯局 (TVB-HK SHOW)
Photo credit: WIKIPEDIA
If stars whom everybody would like to know more about, good food, good wine, and sensational chats appeal to you, Be My Guest is definitely the star interview that you will regret if missed.
Firstly, its host is no ordinary host but Stephen Chan, General Manager of Television Broadcasts Limited. Secondly, only those who are real success stories will be invited. Thirdly, unlike conventional talk shows which are usually shot in a studio, this one takes place at the finest restaurants in town where Chan and his guests get to enjoy good food while having a good chat. And last but not least, you get to listen to stars telling you things that have been kept under wraps!
A heavy-weighted host, the hottest guests and the most controversial topics, Be My Guest is definitely a talk show not to be missed.
(Synopsis (above) from Sensasian)
I caught it with my mom, the first season and it has been popular and around for a few years. I believe it started in 2006 and I caught the first few episodes-Connie Chan, Do Do, Kelly Tsang, Joey Yung and Andy Lau. I really enjoyed it and Stephen does not shy away from asking hard hitting questions. Plus I enjoyed the candor of his guests to his questions. Great show and Be My Guest is something I want to watch more of now! As some reviews I have read said, reminds you of Barbara Walters except it is set in a lovely place with a gorgeous meal. Better late than never knowing about this show!
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Following information thanks to D-Addicts.com:
Guests:
Episode 1: Connie Chan Bo Chu 陳寶珠 (beloved 1960′s Teen Idols in HK)
Episode 2: Dodo Cheng /Carol Cheng 鄭裕玲
Episode 3: Kelly Chen 陳慧琳 Singer/Actress/Model-graduated parsons school of design
Episode 4: Andy Lau 劉德華
Episode 5: Joey Yung 容祖兒 Singer/Actress
Episode 6: Eric Tsang (Part 1)
Episode 7: Eric Tsang (Part 2)
Episode 8: Hacken Lee (Part 1)
Episode 9: Hacken Lee (Part 2)
Episode 10: Lydia Shum
Episode 11: Jan Lamb and Eric Kot
Episode 12: Leo Ku
Episode 13: Dina Leung
Episode 14: Eason Chan
Episode 15: Liza Wang
Episode 16: Miriam Yeung
Episode 17: Donald Tsang (Chief Executive of Hong Kong)
Episode 18: Michael Hui
Episode 19: Adam Cheng
Episode 20: Ekin Cheng
Episode 21: Anthony Wong
Episode 22: Kenny Bee
Episode 23: Jenny Tseng
Episode 24: Jimmy Lai
Official website: http://www.tvb.com/tvb_lifestyle/bemyguest…0923/index.html
(info taken from http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=295648&hl=be+my+guest)
Clam Box-Fried Seafood galore
Clam Box-206 High Street, Ipswich, MA (978) 356 9707
Yesterday, my friend, mom and I went to Ipswich (a good 50 miles outside of Beantown) to get our fried seafood fix satisfied! My mom and I share a love for fried clams with big bellies! (Strips are not fried clams! So HOJO’s fried clam strips are a joke to us!) When ordering my water, they asked bottled or tap. I thought was nice. But a bottle water only costs $1.25. The prices are reasonable for the quality and amount of food that you get. We ruminated over getting a “meal” plate but did not want fries, onion rings or even cole slaw with our fried clams.
This large order of goodness set us back $22! They clean their oil every afternoon and have been in business since 1935. Their next big competitor in the area is Woodmans in nearby Essex. It was a gorgeous day to drive up there to get clams. The line was small for 11:30am (opened at 11am) but by the time we were done and leaving at noon-the line was out the door!
You can order “big bellies” and we made sure we did. The fried clams did not taste overly greasy and I did not have that usual queasy feeling when eating fried foods. (A good thing due to the clean oil, makes a big difference! Plus my mom is the litmus test, if the oil is not clean she gets sick or does not feel well within 10 minutes of consuming the food item.)
We loved our fried clams and dipped them in a combo of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. The cocktail sauce had a nice horseradish bite. The side of cole slaw was got was good which my friend ordered to share. Reminded me of KFC, my friend thought it needed a bit more acid. I agreed but I was still over the moon over the fried clams.
The dining room is off to the side of the ordering area and if you wanted to eat outside, there were a few picnic tables off to the side of the parking lot. The service was efficient and friendly.
You cannot miss the Clam Box as it is in the shape of a Clam Box. Cute! Tons of stuff to buy hats, t-shirts, magnets, note cards and post cards if you want to buy them.
9 forks out of 10 forks
Vlora in Copley Square
Earlier this week went to Vlora Restaurant with some friends. It is located in a basement level space (so you can easily miss out) right outside of 545 Boylston Street in the heart of Copley Square across from Trinity Church. Here is the restaurant’s blog to read all the updates. The space was very quiet and modern. One part was full of light by the windows looking upstairs. Very spartan and not overly adorned.
The waitstaff was very attentive and polite. We did get two lunch menus by accident and the waitress got the wrong wine. The wine we did get $32 for the bottle was the Sileni Sauvignon Blanc and it was delicious! I don’t like overly dry whites. It smelled yummy and had a wonderful tang and sweetness too it. Everyone raved about it! One friend who selected it had tried Sileni wines before. Bravo and excellent choice!
We each were served a nice warm piece of bread accompanied with good olive oil and some nice olives.
Here is the clams stuffed with crabmeat which was good. The dipping sauce was spicy but nice. The salad with red peppers and lettuce was good to have some on the plate. More bread than crab but still good and fresh.
I also got a side of dill mash potatoes that were delicious. Another is I got a trio of pies served with yogurt sauce-one was filled with feta and spinach, yogurt and tomato and onion. The pies were great with the pastry puff exterior and it was simple. The tartness of the yogurt sauce was nice.
Overall I give Vlora 8 forks out of 10 forks.
JNT Turo Turo-Filipino Cuisine in Quincy
I went with my good friend NY and my sis last weekend to Quincy. On 143 Water Street, you can find JNT Turo Toro. A cute hole in the wall serving home made Filipino food with a daily changing menu and permanent but smaller menu. Everything is listed on a board by the cash register. This small space was bright, cheery and alot the furniture from IKEA. (My friend noted she had similar furniture that was found in the restaurant.)
We ate alot of pork and had to bring leftovers home with us. So we got Kare Kare, Dinuguan, Lechon Kawal, Pancit Bihon, Lumpia with Meat, Pork Afritada, Bicol Express and Pork Adobo. If we were vegetarians, we would have been in trouble! I have only had select dishes of Filipino food in the past made by friends namely Pancit and Lumpia (both were I have had before were delicious!)
The staff was very friendly and looks to be a family run business. We ordered all the four dishes in the front, got some rice and other dishes. We were forewarned we would not be able to finish, we weren’t. We had not room for dessert. We enjoyed the Kare Kare-pork, tripe in peanut sauce. We were instructed do add the fish paste (what Filipinos do) and it was delicious. Theshrimp paste is strong but different from Chinese shrimp paste. It added an extra zing to the dish and tripe. The Pork Afritada reminded my sis and I of our dad’s veggie soup with tomato and potato. The Bicol Express was lovely with green beans, pork with coconut milk and shrimp paste. We loved it! We were not sure with the coconut milk but it added a nice contrast and lessened the potency of the shrimp paste. The Lechon Kawal or fried pork belly was simple and the dipping sauce was a litte sweet with some spices making it a nice accent. The Pork Adobo (marinated meat in soy, garlic, bay leaf and peppercorns usually) was good (a staple Filipino food but my friend’s is better.) The meat lumpia was a hit (as my friend NY said, maybe because it was fried?). The dipping sauce was not and not overly sweet. The two things we were not as enthused over were the Pancit Bihon and the Dinuguan. I love noodle dishes but this simplie rice noodle pancit flavored with soy was too light and tasteless for me. The Dinuguan was pork cooked in blood was different from anything I had but the murky blood broth was a disappointment.
We got there at the right time, as we were leaving the place was very busy for a Saturday afternoon. There is a certain niche needed for Filipino families and alot of them were ordering and eating there at Turo Turo last Saturday afternoon. Plus the prices are very reasonable too.
Service: 9 forks out of 10 forks
Food: 8.5 forks out of 10 forks
Total overall: 8.5 forks out of 10
5/2/2008
ICA-new Talking Taste series 7.11.08
Jody Adam’s of Rialto did a cooking demo (second one) of a new series called Talking Taste at the ICA. Thanks to my friend SB, we went together. Admission is free to it with regular admission but tickets are first come and first serve.
Fresh from a 10 day biking trip from Sicily, she was happy, relaxed and full of ideas. She also did a book signing after the cooking demo of one dish-steamed mussels with spicy cous cous. One unexpected treat was everyone in the audience got to sample a little of it. This dish will be served at an upcoming BBQ event at her restaurant in Cambridge.
I admit the food at Rialto is lovely, great service and I always have a good time there. She does not call her cooking Italian but American with Italian influences. Her love of her ingredients and cooking is apparent. She was funny when asking the audience with help on following the recipe. She was excited about fennel seeds and had everyone in the audience smell them. (The seeds smelled divine, something I did not expect.)
While cooking she talked and shared some good tips such as:
1) Do not put shallots, onions, garlic in a food processor-gases released turn acrid in the processor
2) When swiping food across the chopping board (use the back of the knife-so the knife is not dulled)
3) When chopping onions, cut under water or try to make cuts into the onion and later cut it once (lessen the chances of crying with gases all over) to release the pieces (She is a stickler about knife skills.)
4) Recommended a Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Whole Foods Aria
5) Canned tomatoes are great if you don’t have access to good fresh tomatoes. She recommended this brand: San Marzano
Jody has not tried Molecular Gastronomy yet nor has she gone to Per Se. She tried to have a glass of wine unsuccessfully at the latter once.
The final one in the Talking Taste series is this Friday, July 18th with Barbara Lynch.
Talking Taste: Barbara Lynch
Friday , July 18, 06:30 pm Boston’s premier chefs talk about their latest flavors and sign copies of their cookbooks while you sample their tempting recipes. The Fort Point neighborhood will welcome one of America’s foremost chefs as Barbara Lynch opens three new concepts in the area. Another James Beard Award-winner, Lynch is well known for her Beacon Hill restaurant, No. 9 Park, named to several magazines’ “Best Restaurant” lists, including Bon Appétit, Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, and Gourmet. Lynch has expanded her culinary influence in Boston with B&G Oysters, The Butcher Shop, a full-service catering company, produce shop, and demonstration kitchen. She has been featured in Saveur, Boston Common, Bon Appetit, and The New York Times. Free with museum admission. Talking Taste is made possible through the generous support of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC. Free with museum admission. Space is limited. Free tickets available first-come, first-served at the admissions desk one hour before the program. (source: photo and blurb-ICA)
Abe & Louie’s in the Back Bay
Abe & Louie’s -793 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 (617) 536-6300
This past Sunday I had a chance to go to Abe & Louie’s steakhouse. Now I have heard alot of great things about this place. (There is another location in Boca Raton, Florida) This steakhouse is part of the Back Bay Restaurant group.
Well, I was with a group of people and we had the whole second floor to ourselves on a hot sunday night. From the personalized menus (I was there for a private event), service and food, we all had a blast. The bread plate was wonderful-I loved the crisps with the baked in cheese, the multigrain bread, or even the thin raisin bread crisps-you could not go wrong. The butter was a bit hard, I like mine a little softer as it is easier to spread.
Starters-I got the lump crab cake with mango fruit salsa and giant shrimp cocktail. My friend loved her giant shrimps (she mentioned she had never seen shrimp this big before!). I enjoyed my lump crab cake and the accent of the fresh mango salsa added a great accent and texture component. I opted to get the pear, blue cheese house salad and I enjoyed it. The hint of cinnamon crusted pear slices with the great dressing tossed with the greens and nuggets of blue cheese did please. The caesar was enjoyed by my friend but she didn’t eat all the shaved parmesan cheese.
For my entree, I got the one pound sirloin and I was pleased. My sis thought the outer part was too “black” but it as a perfect medium in the center. It was flavorful and so big that I had to eat only half of it (I did want to eat dessert.) Such a lovely tender piece with nice marbleization. The sides did their job-grilled asparagus, mixed mushrooms and whipped potatoes. The finale was the dessert. I didn’t have the cheese cake but the BIG chocolate dipped strawberry sure got my attention! (But I must admit it looked forlorn with no sauces or other adornment.) The warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream hit the spot and all the right notes. Good basic and great meal overall.
9 Forks out of 10 Forks
