Happy Chinese New Year!

All pictures are creations of Chef Jereme Leung & courtesy of Whampoa Club Shanghai

Happy Chinese New Year all! Year of the Tiger ... an extra special year, given that my sister was born in the year of the Tiger, and it's a big year for me in general (graduation, wedding, move to China, ...)

In honor of the new year, another tribute to Chinese food and all its glories. As one of my good friends (who has a wonderful culinary excursion business in BJ) once said, Chinese cuisine - like Chinese culture - is so rich in tradition and culture but so often misunderstood ...

... Agreed, and one of these days, with her help, I'll sit down and write the limited amount I know about the regional cuisines, flavors, spices, cooking techniques, etc ... but for now, just beautiful pictures courtesy of Whampoa Club Shanghai of Chinese cuisine photographed in its splendor and beauty. I promise it tastes good too. :)

My newest (and easiest) experiment

My love for granola started only after college, when it became the selected girls night snack of choice, since it was the only thing in our San Francisco apartment. Between a particularly close girl friend of mine (recently married :) congrats hon), we used to finish a whole box between the two of us in a few hours.

I've always meant to try to make it myself, particularly since the one I like best is a homemade one sold as a topping at Fraiche yogurt, one of my all-time favorite Bay Area snack destinations. I finally got around to it yesterday, since I thought it would be fun to make into V-Day snack packages for friends. (The healthier alternative to chocolate, hah.)

It was surprisingly easy to make and very yum ... with the key ingredient for me being shredded coconut (I think that's why I like the one at Fraiche so much.) I think what I like most about making my own granola is the fact that I can tailor the sweetness (sugar, maple syrup or honey), clumpiness (oil, maple syrup or honey), and 'flavor' (other nuts, spices, dried fruit, ...).

For this first trial, I just used whatever was in our pantry: coconut flakes, pistachios, hazelnuts, and it was terrific. I like the fact that this batch was loose and not clumpy, so that each flake was slightly sweet and wonderfully toasty! I put them in little V-Day baggies for friends. To be delivered on Monday. :)

THE Whole Foods ... to rule them all

Thought I'd write about a happy event, which was my recent, most fabulous weekend trip to Austin - the capital of Texas, the destination of my sorority class' reunion (it's in the middle of the country), and the HOME of Whole Foods!

As many know already, Whole Foods is one of my favorite places in the world. Sounds silly ... but I find grocery stores fascinating, and Whole Foods in particular makes the typical grocery story experience a supremely interactive, engaging, premium, 'feel good' experience.

This particular Whole Foods in Austin wow-ed me so much that I started thinking about what it would be like to live in Austin ... heh. There were four levels of parking, most of it filled. When I went in, I saw why. The place was three times the size of the Whole Foods in Cupertino (the flagship one in Northern California) and had in the store:

• A dedicated burrito bar section (including burritos - normal and breakfast and tacos)
• A barbecue bar (to sit and enjoy some Texan bbq ... I had a free rib sample :))
• A vegan bar (New, I think)
• A dessert bar
• A chocolate station, with a chocolate fountain, large chocolate carmel apples, ...
• A bread station and tasting with all of its loafs laid out in separately compartments with little signs and a small basket with samples to taste each one
• A walk-in beer freezer
• An aisle full of stainless steel oil vats so that you can pour your own oil
• A 'make your own trail mix' station
• ... ... ...

The pictures don't really do the store justice ... but try to imagine your most beautiful grocery store, and that was it. :) Sort of. In any event, thanks to all my loveliest 'sisters' for indulging my desire to visit. Much appreciated.

A new book recommendation

Ordered it but have not yet read it ... a recommended reading about the power of positive attitude in health and healing. 'Anatomy of an Illness: As perceived by the patient,' by Norman Cousins ... an autobiography about his own journey with his illness and ability to make himself better through reframing his experience through a more positive light.

I know it sounds very hard to grasp, but the book has been so well received, so I have high hopes. Will update post reading!