What's the Big Deal Anyway?

They are all craze. I mean, c'mon they sell them at the Starbuck's inside Safeway. If that doesn't scream mainstream, I don't know what does. I thought I'd give them a try.



Haha. So I get it now. Easy to make. Easy to eat. Easy at the waist. Easy to transport. Easy to store. Great for kids and adults. What's not to love?

I went a little crazy and made another batch two days later..

Happy Birthday to Me

Thank you Noe Valley Bakery..

and Eric, Nosh, Cat, Regina and Cruz, Hannah and Aaron, ading Jason, Jorge, and Mimi for the comfortable bed..

love you guys.

g

Seahorses, Gater Bites and the Best Pesto Mac and Cheese

Le Bistro Montage

Sunshine, Bikes and Fresh Pupusas

Saturday night was crazy to say the least. It ended with us watching a confrontation between two egotistical maniacs outside of a bar. A few paces later, gunfire, then gasps and "OH my god!", and finally sirens. We locked up our bikes and hauled ass home.

It is now Sunday morning. We woke up recapping all the events from the night before. Although most of it was a blur, we remembered ditching our bikes somewhere. Half awake we rolled out of bed and walked down to the Mission. We stopped in a few shops picking up freshly squeezed orange juice and a pumpkin muffin. The sun was shining and the closer we got to Mission Street, the clearer the blaring music became. Carnival! Ethnically dressed dance teams, half-naked women, men on stilts, parade floats and capoeira groups were so colorful and energetic. It was hard to believe this was the same street from last night.

We turned down 16th and found a woman freshly preparing pupusas outside of the El Salavadorean restaraunt next to Skylark. We sat curbside, in a shaded alley across the street scarfing down this traditional Salvadorian dish. I couldn't be happier.

We eventually found our bikes and Mimi's seat was stolen.

blah

I still love San Francisco.

Squid Ink and Smiling Faces

Pop into any bakery in Taipei and you'll find baked goods so black you can't help but wonder what it is.

We picked up a Garlic Chicken filled Squid Ink roll from Champs-Élysées Bakery. Sooooo good!



Other bakeries carry baked goods that make you smile with just one look.

Convenience Stores

5 Reasons why convenience stores in Taipei rock

1) That bottle of Poca Sweat costs the same whether you are buying it from High Life or OK Mart down the street

2) You can buy beer and enjoy it sitting at either their tables indoors or outdoors

3) When you spend 60NT at 7-11 you earn points towards a special edition Paddington bear

4) You can submit payment for your utility bill

5) 7-11 sells sliced white guava (seasonings included)

MOS Burger

Before coming out here, I kept hearing about MOS Burger, but never in the context of YOU HAVE TO TRY IT. It wasn't until I found out they served a peanut butter breakfast sandwich with lettuce, egg, and sliced ham, did they jump on the to-do list.

They stop serving breakfast after 10:30 am. The clock said 9:45, perfect. I walked in, asked to see a menu and they handed me a laminated sheet with pictures and descriptions in english. #7 Found it. I pointed. The woman replied, "Mei you". I officially had my first Mandarin lesson. I frowned, hopped on my bike and headed for another Mos Burger down the street.

Score! I forked over the cash and popped a squat on the nearest bench. I unwrapped and examined the sandwich. I wasn't sure of what to expect, but I was excited. How could you possibly go wrong with peanut butter?



MMMmm.. Mos Burger PB breakfast sandwiches. Not too sweet, salty, gooey or crunchy. I can't wait to share this combination with the rest of the world. No wonder their motto is "Making people happy through food."



Check out their Main Menu

Welcome to Taipei

I'll admit it. I wasn't looking forward to the food on this trip. Why? Because I'm obviously closed-minded enough to think Taiwanese food = Chinese food. Tisk tisk. Lesson learned.

Eating out in Taipei is like dining out in any other metropolitan city in the world. Restaurants, take away joints and food carts are found on every block.

Whenever I travel, I try to eat like a local because it is usually the most cultural (not to mention cost-effective) alternative. In Taipei, you really can't go wrong with checking out crowded mom and pop shops.

Here are some of my favorite spots and dishes.

Dan Bing - Normally served for breakfast, eggs, scallions, and either, pork, cheese, chicken, ham, or bacon are wrapped in a thin pancake. I frequented the JSP across the street. 140NT or $4.40 USD will get you more than enough food to feed two people. And yes the hash browns and radish cakes also yummy local favorites. The women at this place are so friendly - you can tell they are smiling behind their masks. And don't forget to give their heavy set dog some love too.













Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian) is another Taiwanese staple and can be found everywhere. There is a spot on the corner of San Min and Minsheng (Songshang) that had the best dan bing and niu rou mian. Restaurants almost always offered a side of fresh greens - yumm.




Beef Noodle Soup (120NT)


Pork Roll with green onions(75NT)


Some Kind of vegetable (40NT)

The only thing I didn't try was the stinky tofu. If you have ever been to Taipei, you know why.

Pizza Pizza, Mama Mia

12:00 pm, Sunday afternoon
On our way to the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, I see a long line formed outside of a small building. I must have been hiding under a rock because I had never heard of Grimaldi's in my life. Apparently, it is a legendary pizzeria with three locations scattered around NYC. The average wait time is about an hour and half - even if you are ordering a pizza to go. I'm convinced that I have to eat here before I leave.

8:15 pm Monday night, we bundle up and brace ourselves for the long wait outside in the cold. No line! Can you believe it? They must have known I was coming.

One small with pepperoni, sausage and mushroom, please.

Three slices later.

Grimaldi's IS the best pizza. Thin crust and fresh ingredients. You know it's fresh because you can watch them make it.

I could get used to this.

Sample picture courtesy of c00lmarie

Dua Nasi Campur

They weren't kidding, the days easily turn into weeks in Ubud - I have never felt so at home. The people, the smiles, the culture and of course the food. You can eat for as little as $0.50 USD. Visit the warung at the east end of Jalan Raya Ubud (Ubud Main Road) towards Campuan. It doesn't have a name, we always referred to it as the warung in front of Renta's rice paddy. It is just past the clinic up the steep hill on your left hand side. They have the basic warung necessities (drinks, pastries, dried fish cakes, cigarettes, bras, face wash) and the best nasi campur (mixed rice)! The dish slightly changes from day to day. Usual ingredients: rice, the most tender chicken, tempeh, tofu, peanuts, glass noodles, dried fish, etc. The food moves fast so you know it hasn't been sitting in the glass case for too long. It is run by the sweetest lady who wears the biggest smile (not unlike all the other Balinese). We call her Ma.

My First Local Experience

Warong Ocha, Seminyak, Bali
6pm, and I was starving. I threw up about three times earlier today on my flight from SFO to my layover in TPE (stupid dramamine). I wanted something local. Jules from the Teka-Teki House had mentioned a dish called gado-gado (blanched vegetables covered in peanut sauce and krupuk served on the side). I poppped in Warong Ocha - it was close by, had open air seating, and served fresh mango juice for about $1.50 USD. The gado-gado was good ... I could get used to this.

Sample picture courtesty of goyo80

Rice has a New Best Friend

Seto Fumi Furikake. Shaved bonito, sesame seed, seaweed, potato starch, sugar, salt, soy sauce, dried yolk powder. A harmonious balance of textured sweet and salty. Rice will never be the same.

Arizmendi Bakery SF

I have been wanting to try Arizmendi SF's pizza for some time now. (The line is always out the door at their Oakland location) They generally close up shop around 7pm and I almost never get back into the city in time. With slight overcast, I hopped on my bike and headed over to 9th and Irvine. If you don't know about Arizmendi pizza, the menu changes daily. They offer hot or lite-baked, by the slice ($2.25), half ($9) or whole ($18).

Today's pizza was mushroom, arugula and olive oil, served over thin crust. YUMM.. they have a monthly calendar.. check them out at www.arizmendibakery.org.

Too Many Strawberries

Strawberry lemonade is the perfect fix for leftover strawberries. The longer they sit in juice, the better. Cool, sweet and tart, what's not to love?

Trader Joe's strawberry lemonade*
Fresh strawberries

1. Pour lemonade into a pitcher or beverage dispenser
2. Add 1 basket of clean, hulled and halved strawberries

*TJ's lemonade is soooo sweet I always dilute it with water

Cheap Eats: Spam Musubi Bowl

Today was one of those days I didn't want to fuss over dinner.

Ingredients
- Rice Vinegar
- Soy Sauce
- Granulated Sugar
- Single Serve Spam Lite
- Shredded toasted nori
- Edamame beans*
- Avocado*

1. Marinate Spam in sugar, soy sauce and vinegar for five minutes
2. Fry Spam until each side is golden brown
3. Cut up Spam in small pieces and serve over a bowl of brown rice seasoned with rice vinegar
4. Add edamame beans or avocado and nori


*optional

Chorizo for Dinner

Chorizo refers to a variety of different sausages usually made out of pork. It can be salty, sweet, and/or smokey. The one used in this recipe is Mexican chorizo. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
- Chorizo
- Spinach
- Basil

1. In a skillet over medium heat, squeeze chorizo out of its casing and into the pan (you won't need to oil - all the fat in the chorizo will take care of that. Also I prefer using Mexican chorizo sparingly, because I find it really salty)
2. Once the chorizo has shrunk, add spinach
3. Add basil and remove from heat
4. Serve with an over-easy egg, brown rice and cherry tomatoes (Add more vegetables if you like to balance out the chorizo's salty nature)

*If you like, you can make an omelet using the same ingredients.

Pork Carnitas and Cuban Black Beans

Why Trader Joe's is so awesome:
Reason #47 - Ready made pork carnitas and Cuban black beans

Ingredients:
- brown rice
- garlic (minced)
- Trader Joe's Pork Carnitas
- Trader Joe's Cuban black beans (strained)
- sour cream
- eggs
- olive oil
- black peper

1. In a skillet brown garlic and add ready made brown rice. Add black pepper to taste
2. In a separate skillet add diced carnitas and beans. Cook over medium high heat. Add black pepper to taste
3. Remove rice from skillet and transfer onto a plate. Cook eggs over hard (or however you like 'em)
4. Serve warm

And just like that you have a delicious, home-cooked meal ready in about twenty minutes. Enjoy!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

To say I don't like eating at Chinese restaurants would be an understatement. Too much salt, too much oil, and too much MSG should make anyone an unsatisfied customer. There exists however a vegetarian Chinese place that I can't rave enough about - Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant in the Inner Sunset. This place is perfect for those who need to watch their diet (due to weight management, religious affiliations, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout, etc.), but don't want to sacrifice flavor.

We ordered the family special - a $69 preset menu that feeds about 9 people, although it says 6-8.. It is also a good way to try some of the best dishes this restaurant has to offer.

Combination Platter*: (Soybean Sheet, BBQ Pork, Tofu, Sweet & Sour Wheat Gluten)


Fragrant Crispy Chicken*:


Veggie Shark Fin Soup*:


Black Pepper Sauce with Steak Meat & Green Vegetable:


Bean Curd Rolls stuffed with Cabbage and Mushroom. Served with baby bok choy:


Lotus Root, Lily, Vegetables, Peas & Ginko*:


String Beans w/ Shredded Homemade Dry Tofu:


Eggplant with Sea Bass*:


Taro, Sesame Veggie Chicken Cooked with Coconut Sauce*:


Dessert is always different every time we come here. Unfortunately, I have NO idea what we had, but it was really good.




* indicate personal favorites.

My mom's birthday is next week and I am already looking forward to her dinner.