just the smell of it alone....

NOTHING LIKE THE SMELL OF FRESH BAKED COOKIES - AM LOVING IT!!! OH THE WONDERS of having a new BAKING OVEN!!!OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES - could rival those of MRS. FIELDS - REALLY!!!
Over the weekend, we TRADED in our old oven for a brand new one... long overdue, but we just never got around to it.... and it sure did revitalized marketchow's penchant for baking... so far the last few nites we have been baking up a storm... breaking in the new oven... good for the oven but bad for the diet - am sure... but heck, who cares.... loving them!

2009 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition

The Annual Taiwan Culinary Exhibition celebrates it's 20th Anniversary with another lavish display of, mouth watering and feast to the eyes, culinary creations. Held once again at the Taipei World Trade Center (Hall 1) - it runs from the 20th thru the 23rd of this month, AUGUST.

In addition to promoting Taiwanese delicacies and cooking, the major function of this delicious event is to advance the development of local, tourism and cultural industries. Hoping that more foreign tourists will also be able to have a better understanding of Taiwan gourmet paradise.
We were BRAVE ENOUGH to join the masses of foodies all eager to SEE and hopefully, TASTE some of the Newest and Best Creations from both Local and International Chefs participating in the event. Some of the Highlights for marketchow and myself are:
-Debut of the TRI-MOUNTAIN NATIONAL CUISINE
-The World Culinary Contest
-Giant Grouper Gourmet
-Fine Dining Exhibit - Gold Medal Dishes
-The Suzhou Water Country Riverboat Banquet
-LOHAS Back-to-Basics Banquet
-Five Star Chefs’ Live Show - Cooking Classes

MORE DELICIOUS PHOTOS HERE

Rose House Revisited

Wow, I cannot believe that i has been, basically, a year since we first visited Rose House @ the Miramar Mall in Taipei.

With a little time to spare the afternoon of the 27th, we decided to take the opportunity and revisit the place. You can say, David and I were both in the mood for WAFFLES - which is one of the place's specialty... besides the various exotic teas they serve, of course.This time around, we opted to share an order of the regular waffle with Honey Syrup and something a bit different, Waffles with Chicken Salad Topping. It was different alright... so different that I reserve my rights to not have an opinion about it. HAHAHAHAHAHA......

The Herbal & Fruit tea we ordered were delicious as always... and the service, Impeccable. The staff were just as pleasant, friendly and accommodating as the first visit... and the place just as relaxing, albeit country style girly. LOLs....

It was DEFINITELY worth the second visit. Photos Here.
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LINKS to the First Visit @ Rose Tea July 1st, 2008:
-Photos
-Story

marketchow X AHIMSA

Marketchow's (David) new career digs is AHIMSA, restaurant part of the YOGA LIVING on Da-An Rd., in Taipei.

Ahimsa is SANSKRIT word that is a rule of conduct that bars the killing or injuring of living beings. And in this vegetarian kitchen, this is firmly observed with the focus on, not only healthy products used, but in making sure the Ahimsa practice is followed in its' meal offerings.David heads the kitchen staff, and one of his main objective is to make sure that the ever changing menu - changed every two weeks - is followed at it's utmost in compliance to the Ahimsa practice and making sure that the finest & freshest ingredients are used for every meal served. He also have to entertain the clientele, making sure all is satisfactory to their liking and making sure they have a nice dining experience.

As an added bonus, David is able to cook now and again - filling in for the cooks... and taking care of Special party Reservations on weekends and/or evenings. You know this part he LOVES most!!!Had the PLEASURE of visiting and checking out the place - and of course, snapping a few photos. SEE THEM HERE.

Gusto Italianao : Multo Bella...

March 21st: Another get-together weekend with friends... this time around - we all decided to eat out - as everyone is way too busy for an in-house get together cooking session....

The Place of choice was GUSTO ITALIANO, an Italian restaurant tucked in the Nei Hu district... it is also the place of David's work - and one that we all have been wanting to try for quite a while now after seeing their website, menu, and numerous blogs by Marketchow fueled with beautiful photos of tasty offerings... and the place did not disappoint at all!!! From the clean, nicely lit surroundings, to the attentive staff -- the place is worth a try.

The Food totally lived up to marketchow's photographs and descriptions.... tasty, scrumptious, and what a great selection... for about NT$700 ($20US) per person - you will get an entree of your choice, soup and beverage plus your fill of all-you-can-eat SALAD, BREAD, and delicious desserts... Each of our entrees were deliciously prepared and nicely presented... the servings are just the right amount considering you are already getting full from the choices of breads to start with... not to mention the salad bar.. what a variety of fresh veggies to try as well as, some fully prepared starters as salmon, clams, bratwurst sausages, apple veggie salads, etc... I mean, the salad bar alone would have sufficed but one MUST have the entree for the complete dining experience.......

Of course, the best part for me is the all-you-can-eat Dessert offerings... the selection changes as each cake is gobbled up -- so how can I stop.... Bread Pudding, explosion of Chocolate cakes, fruity tarts, etc.... I think, even with the slices of each cake offered that nite, I was still able to eat half of the bread pudding laid out... I could LIVE on these sweets for sure!!!The only thing sweeter, I must add, is the company of some really good friends... Juliana, Sue, Cecilia & David... till the next time guys.... am already salivating just thinking about it....
More Photos here.

and this is why am FAT!!!

Yummy homemade Brazo de Mercedes -- must have eaten it all in two days!!!
was just wondering tonite why I gained weight and a bit of a tummy this Holiday Season -- though I ate not more than I usually do -- I even did a lot of running around for the wedding this past weekend and did not ge to eat much of the feasts....

I believe I finally figured it out... it is all the sweet treats... home made cakes by David & Ace... cakes from Red Ribbon, Goldilocks & Max's... kakanins from just about everywhere.... and now, SEE's Chocolates all the way from America that my friend sent to me after seeing my XMAS wish list -- boy, how I have missed See's candies (Thanks Keeennnnniiiieeeee!!!! For Making Another Wish Come True!!!)...

Lasagna ala Marketchow

Friday nite, while I was coloring Shaun's hair, David was doing what he does BEST -- making something of what ingredients we do have in the refrigerator... after taking out a few things, he realized we happen to have enough for a SPINACH LASAGNA... Freestyle that is, as he was making do of what's available...
The Challenge: Spinach Lasagna ala Freestyle
Available Ingredients: Tri color Pepper, Onions, Garlic, Bayleaf, Carrots, Spinach Pasta & Sauce.Layers of Spinach Pasta filled with the sauteed veggies and sauce.
The Tasty Result, complete with slices of Baguette.

surprise! surprise!

YOWZA!!! I never even knew there was such a thing as Open Faced Pancakes!!!

When David told me he was making pancakess for breakfast one morning; then I was served these flat croissants; I thought for sure he had messed up somewhere.... and that he was just making it up when he kept calling them Open Faced... so I had to google it later on, and Lo and Behold, they do EXISTS!!!
and I can honestly say, I like this version sooooo much more... it was tasty and endless possibilities as to what to eat them with....

so keep the surprises coming, Marketchow!!!

mon cheri roselle

Another concoction of DAVID with a WOW factor!
One nite, David came home from work sooo excited and could not wait to gather all his ingredients for what he promises something different, tasty and good for you... something he just knew I would LOVE! and boy was he right on!!!

The cake is your basic one with flour, baking powder, sugar, egg mixed in with delicious French White Chocolate by Michel Cluizel and for the twist of something unexpected, roselle, in tea form.

Roselle are wild-grown flowers usually found along the side of pure and unpolluted hills and gorges. More often used to make tea and much more common in European countries, as well as, in South East Asia. In the East it is commonly referred to as "Oriental Beauty Fruit" due to its reputation for promoting good skin. Roselle is also known for its ability to dispel the effects of alcohol and amends circulatory insufficiencies.

So on all counts -- "different, tasty and good for you" -- David delivered.

Pumpkin Treats

With Halloween just looming around the corner, I have been dropping hints, almost everyday, about what I miss most about this HOLIDAY - more than the costumes, more than the festivities, I miss Just Desserts' Pumpkin Cookies & Cakes.... and probably because he is soooo tired of hearing me go on and on about it, David actually made some PUMKIN treats for everyone... and for two consecutive days, too!!!
Yesterday he made us all Pumpkin Flats (pictured above)... simple and healthy with sprinklings of Cranraisins (who invents these stuff?)... and tonight his variation of the Pumpkin Cookies (Pictured Below)... some topped with white chocolates... some with cherry preserves... so you see, it helps to drop hints... okay, whine about these kind of things...
Okie Dokie... now that I have satisfied my Pumpkin Cookies desires - bring on the REAL HALLOWEEN!!!!

The Hills are Alive.... with FRUITS!!!

Growing up in California - I had the pleasure of doing weekend treks to the Napa County now and again... am not much of a drinker,well, none at all but still one can savour the views, the fresh air, and seeing all that grapes growing... Who would have thought I would end up having the same kind of experience here in Taiwan... while visiting one of my roomates' home in the Nantou County -- we were treated to a whole different kind of living... away from the hustle and bustle of city life... and into the relaxing calmness of country life... with lots of FRESH AIR to boot...

Saturday morning, while most are still asleep, we decided to take advantage of the fresh air and walkabout the neighborhood.... first we come across papaya trees, then lycee trees - lot so of them - too bad the season is over so none to try... we lucked out though as we came across some LONGYUEN (Dragon Eye Fruit) - the season is almost over but still some lingers on unharvested.... and they were just so easy to reach, practically growing on the sides of the roads... so needless to say, we picked them off the trees and ate - A LOT!!! Sweet, Juicy & Delicious!!!!

Then it was lot, after lot, after lot of grapes.... unripe green grapes, just beautiful to look at and feel.... good thing they were not ripe yet or else we would have been in biiiig trouble... we learned later on that grapes grown in this area are very much sought after Island wide... David talked to a couple of the farmers... interrogated them actually about growing grapes and when is harvest season... so we learned that is is around December when they start ripening and farmers get ready to harvest... YOU CAN BET WE WILL BE BACK THEN!!!

Bawan : Taiwan's Meat Balls

Bawan is Taiwanese for Rou Wan and is also known, amongst foreigners like me, as Taiwanese Meat Ball.

This Taiwanese delicacy is such a popular street food, and is actually one of David's most favorite street style dishes. They are basically dumplings stuffed with meat, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, with the glutinous outer part is of sweet potato flour or steamed rice dough (for me, the BEST PART of the dish!). There are also regional variations to this dish but for the most part it is consistent to the ingredients above.
The sauce, am told, is made of 3 different kinds of things... no one - to date - has been able to tell me what they are, but it is definitely good.
This one above we drove around looking for in Yulin, for about 20 minutes, we specifically stopped by this area to taste this - which is the town's special dish -- and it was worth looking for, indeed!

LUGAR: Home Bread Bar

Saturday - Sept 4th
Another get together brunch with Juliana... David and I met up with her at this place called LUGAR, a type of Bread Bar that DAVID happened upon online.... I thought the name alone is worth checking out - as LUGAR, in TAGALOG literally translates to Place... so it had a nice ring to it - for me anyway....

The concept is very interesting, different types of freshly baked bread to choose from and all sorts of sauces to dipped them into... one can have PASTA meals, as well, but for the most part the BREAD is what people come here for....

For a lite brunch - it is not a bad choice at all... filling enough especially if you opt for the SET meal... by adding another NT$130 (a little above US$4.00) soup, salad, dessert and coffee will be included.... but if you are on the really HUNGRY side - then I suggest going elsewhere as the portions are not very much...

The Best part of going to this place, for me, was that i got to walk around this neighborhood that I was completely oblivious of... such a cool nice neighborhood with lots of little restaurants running the gamut of fancy to home-style, quaint little shops (one even sells retro furniture) and other specialty shops...

oh what a treat!!!

Last nite, David came home with a wonderful dessert called Canele... I had never heard of it before but am sure I have seen it at one point in bakeries in the US, if not Europe or Asia... but it was never anything I cared to order as it did not even look good -- as you can see in my accompanying photos (or maybe my photos are just bad... lols) -- anyway, it was never one to tempt my sweet tooth.... it looked like a miniature size pound cake that was a bit burnt from over baking....

I cannot even tell you how glad I am that DAVID did bring it home -- it was like biting into a piece of heaven, SWEET HEAVEN!!!! The brownish shade of the outside is due to the caramelization of the crust... But one bite into it and you will surely enjoy the soft and tender, savory taste of the custard center. Like my other favorite dessert, Flan, caneles are made of egg, milk & flour... and rum and vanilla are used to caramelize the outer part.

So this just goes to show me, once again, "I should never, ever "judge a book by it's cover...", this French dessert will surely become one of my all time FAVE!!!!

The Thing ABout Seafood

All my life I have always hated eating seafood... not because I do not like their taste... on the contrary I love the taste of most.... growing up I had gotten used to eating nothing but fish and veggies...as it was all that my MOM liked to feed us.... then in High School our DAD would drag us to go crabbing around the Bay Area, almost every other weekend... then it would be CRAB FEST at home....

The thing that I HATE about them is the trouble one has to go through in order to savour each taste.... I hate having to de-shell shrimps -- so I only like them when they are made the tempura way.... I hate having to pick all the bones off of them... not to mention having to deal with one that you actually makes it to your mouth and pricks you... Lols... then there's crabs - tastes GREAT but even messier to eat.... So when at parties or out to dinner in public, I do try to avoid eating these -- as much as I would love to have them...

Instead, I look forward to the times when am dining with family and they actually debone, de-shell, de-everything and anything for me... as they all know that it is one of the things I hate having to deal with the most... right up there with lining up for anything....

Then there are the, even more special times, when David gets inspired and actually cooks seafood for all of us.... he knows enough to choose fish that are not too bony... or larger shrimp which he prepares and de-shell already.... and now and again, SQUID.... already cleaned and one can pretty much eat everything and not fret about having to make a mess.... Recently he treated us all to this delicious SQUID dish... made totally from his IMAGINATION and just sooo full of flavour... it was savory, chewy and most of all, not messy to eat... TO me that IS the BEST TYPE of SEAFOOD!!!

Something Different: Dairy Queen

Last nite of the Manila Trip in September...we decided to go and check out the progress on the CONDO high rise in Eastwoods City... we were caught in such heavy rain that we decided to weather it out and enjoy some desserts --being that was COLD & WET, we opted for ICE CREAM - naturally!!! Hahahahahaha....

Our choice was Dairy Queen.... something different for the family as they have never had it before.... Haagen Daaz is much more available in Shopping Malls in Manila... though I know of this place growing up in the Bay Area (California, USA), I did not get to have it again till I went to Vancouver to visit David, who was studying at the Culinary School at the time.... his rented home happens to be walking distance to a Dairy Queen.... and no matter where we are headed, we seems to be walking by it... so enticing but alas, always too crowded and busy... We did manage to enjoy it a couple of times though... once while suffering through the long lines... and another time in LANGLEY with Larraine and Jill (With David in photo above)... such a sweet treat and very much lining up for!!!

So during this last trip in Manila, it was such a pleasant surprise finding one at GATEWAY Mall, in the Cubao Area... needless to say, we immediately went up to the counter and ordered a couple of BLIZZARDS -- just as good as we remember it... So I made it a point to take the whole family to try it out.... and it worked out well as the last nite before heading back to Taiwan, after checking up on the progress of the EASTWOODS Condos, I was able to take everyone for Blizzards at the DAIRY QUEEN branch there... so everyone got to try something different and became Dairy Queen converts instantly...

And a bit more INFO according to WIKI:
"Dairy Queen, often abbreviated to DQ, is a international chain of ice cream and fast food restaurants. Its first location was founded in 1938 by John McCullough and since 1940 it has used a franchise system to expand its operations globally. Its largest franchisee is the Texas Dairy Queen Operating Council which runs the majority of DQ locations in the state of Texas.

Dairy Queen International is the parent company of Dairy Queen. In the US it operates under the American Dairy Queen title. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. At the end of its fiscal year 2006, Dairy Queen reported over 5,600 stores in more than a dozen countries; about 4,600 of its stores (or approximately 85%) were located within the United States."

Burger, Burger, & Burjer???

...and they say AMERICA has more BURGER joints!!! During last month's visit in Manila -- we came to realize that The Philippines comes close in being the second Burger capital in the world.... sooo many Burger Joints to choose from, ranging from dives to upper class joints... and that is not counting TGIF, WENDY's, Burger King, McDonalds & The Philippines' answer to McDo, Jollibee -- the latter two btw, can be found not just in every mall in The Philippines but a lot of busy street corners as well....This trip though, we opted to check out a few other places.... off the beaten, tried, path, as one would say.... with the first being Burger Machine... now these joints are practically everywhere there are a lot of foot traffic... mostly where there are blue collar worker... they look like little buses that was turned into an eatery.... and true to their clientle, the menu is simple and really, really cheap... of course, the actual burger leaves a lot to be desired...

2nd stop was quite an improvement, Belgian Fries... not sure really why this is the joint's name as their most famous products are burgers called, SLAMMER... the Burgers are quite tasty and packs a punch in the cheese department... they are also a good size so most would opt to get 2 to satisfy the hunger.... Price is Moderate... I would definitely recommend this one and for sure, will go back to again and again... I only know of the one at Greenhills.... really worth trying out....

Another disappointing stop was Ben's Burjer, a new joint recently opened on Libertad Street...walking distance from our CONDO.... the name alone should have tipped us off... when I asked the cashier why is it called Burjer (thinking that they might have just spelled it wrong, she simply replied: "just to be different..." It was different alright.... different as in hardly edible and price on the high side...

There are other places to try am sure... ace even insists we need to go to the all you can eat burgers in 1 hr for one price... or the one where yo ahve to down a big sized burger in a matters of seconds, and you get your money back... LOLs, my stomach is hurting just thinking about them.... For now this is all my stomach could handle... and the one thing we have decided on is that - nothing still beats the YUMMY taste of the YUM Burgers from Jollibee...

Biscotti ala David

Biscotti with my morning coffee - YUM!!!

This morning I woke up to a special treat - freshly baked BISCOTTI.... David was inspired once again to bake something different and so he tried his hands at these Italian treat cookies....

He basically tried to retraced the way of making it, learned from Chef Fausto, from his stint in Turino, Northern Italy... made his own twists by changing it a bit... instead of a regular biscotti - he made it a chocolate flavoured one ... and even added raisins instead of chopped nuts.... I have not had them in a while so it was a very nice treat to start the day, indeed!!!


And as an added bonus - I even get to learn more about Biscottis, as David also fed me some facts:
-Biscotti is the plural form of Biscotto in Italian - which literally means "twiced baked".
-They were prepared this way during the war eras to preserve them longer for journeys.

Shabu Shabu : Taiwanese Style

Shabu-Shabu is a Japanese variant of hot pot and quite a RAGE in Taiwan. It seems that no matter what part of Taiwan you happen to be - there will always be a neighborhood Shabu-Shabu Restaurant. The dish is related to sukiyaki in style, where both use thinly sliced meat and vegetables, and usually served with dipping sauces. The difference is in the taste; shabu-shabu is more savory and less sweet than sukiyaki. Normally considered a winter dish, which makes sense considering it is all cooked in hot boiling broth and the Taiwanese opts to have theirs with so much HOT spices. Shabu-shabu is eaten all year-round.

In Taiwan, all you can eat Shabu-Shabu is the more popular fare for the family, company outings, and just friends getting together for a nite of food and chatting.
Choices of all sorts of thinly sliced meat (beef, pork, duck, chicken, sheep, etc are staples...as well as the seasonal vegetables. Seafood such as crap, shrimps, clams & oysters are available, too. Rich or Noodles are available for carb lovers but I guarantee you - you will not want to be filled with those when you have so many other choices...

Pls Note: there are no real "rules" for eating Shabu-Shabu. Your Choice, your way all the way. You are your own chef. Just cook what you want, when you want, and enjoy it the way you want...


Shabu-Shabu has become one of my MOST FAVE types of food to eat in Taipei... I always welcome guests for a great excuse to make a nite of it... I really love having it, not because I eat a lot, though I do -- but because of all the little choices that comes with having it.... meat... veggies... seafood.... desserts (fruits, pudding, & different flavor Ice Cream by MEIJI, Japan) ... drinks.... only $10.00US per person...and the BEST part, NO TIME LIMIT!!!!

Recently was able to enjoy a Shabu-Shabu feast dinner with Todd, his GF & David at the neighborhood Shabu Shabu place, Hen Ji Shabu Shabu.

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Shabu-shabu is sooooo POPULAR in Taiwan - there was even a POP song of the same name, that became a HIT !!!

A Nite with Peter Rabbit

Finally got around to posting these photos on Flickr... have I been that busy???

A Wonderful Dinner Treat by Juliana, at this quaint little themed restaurant - tucked away in the back streets of Chung Hsiao East Rd.. it is actually my second time but Juliana wanted to take DAVID as he missed out on the experience our first trip there.. My first time dining there - I did not have my digi cam with me so I missed out on documenting the experience...t his time out - I came prepared and took a lot of photos..... The business card above is in Chinese... sorry no English translation... and though they may have started out as a vegetarian restaurant - one can actually select from a few meaty meals... whatever is fresh that the chef can get for the day....

It seems that the proprietress/chef Love's and is a BIIIG FAN of Peter Rabbit - hence, the whole restaurant decorated with so much Peter rabbit memorabilia... The restaurant has been around for a few years now... and their clientele has grown so much... through word of mouth... rightly so as the FOOD is really well made - fresh & tasty, beautifully presented, and the set meals nicely priced.

It was such a nice experience.... and one of the BEST KEPT SECRET of Taipei themed dining that is perfect for a fun nite out with friends and/or family........

SATISFIED FOODIES!!!