Here are pictures of my students in action during the cooking class I taught last week. Pics of the food are forthcoming.

Dan

I went to Daily King's Diner in Jeongja with a couple of friends of mine and my first impression was "Wow!" and then as the meal progressed I just felt like it was "meh." The interior is impressive-it's on the 5th floor of a building and there are beautiful curved windows to look out of. The concept is "The Original American Dining" and it tries to live up to that moniker. The 50's white furniture, hot rod red trim, and stainless steel fixings make you feel like you're in a Quentin Tarantino movie.

It's a great atmosphere to have a pleasant chat with friends and it's quiet (something that I'm sure the management is a bit peeved about). Now the food could be better. I mean it's ok, but if I'm going to spend 16-18,000 on a hamburger then I expect it to be premium. I didn't feel like it was. I think could have been tastier. I felt like I was eating a frozen preformed burger. It was of ample size but I want the bite of beef mixed with the savoriness of pork and grilled till the fat forms little flavor blisters of goodness.

I guess, I'm too particular with my burgers huh?

Oh, the chili is awesome and so are the french fries. The coleslaw is just like Momma used to make it.^^

**
2 out of 4 stars
Jeongja, Bundang - Seoul
031.711.5341
www.dailykingsdiner.com

Simple and healthy. An omelette with a salad topped with Noah's red wine vinegarette, and a strawberry tomato smoothie for dessert. Yes, you heard me correctly: Strawberry tomato smoothie. I'm a big fan. Carol was not.

Dan

For a franchise restaurant, it’s not bad. Once you get past the gimmicky name, “Mad for Garlic,” you realize that this is a place that has reliable and fun Italian food- and there are even some standout dishes. This is a great restaurant to take a crowd (the vast menu has something for everyone) and the stylish interior is great for a date.

I am a sucker for novelty. And when I went to “Mad for Garlic” I decided to simply have fun. My date and I started out with the Dracula Killer: roasted garlic with anchovies served with baguette. I thought it was a bit too oily, but the subtle sweetness of the garlic paired well with the fish. My date loved it and sent the waiter for more and more bread so she could get at every drop of the garlicky oil. The Sautéed Fresh Mussels was another nice starter, but I would stay away from the Garlic Fondue. The amount of cheese given was an utter disappointment and where were the fondue forks?

On to course two: Fresh Spinach Salad. So do garlic, bacon, and balsamic dressing get along with spinach? Why, yes. The caramelized garlic, tart balsamic, and the savory bacon are an eclectic ensemble on the bed of crisp greens. Next time, I’ll have to try the Pasa Pasa Salad: lettuce stuffed with teriyaki sautéed mushrooms.

For the main course we decided on the trendy “Gorgonzola Pizza” and the Jalapeño Garlic Rice with Steak. The Gorgonzola Pizza is one of my favorite items at Mad for Garlic. The tangy bleu cheese on the nice oven baked crust always entices me to eat a little bit more. The Jalapeno Garlic Rice was just ok. The steak was too moist because it absorbed the steam from the rice and the spicy peppers and the garlic didn’t exactly “marry.” It’s not a standout in my mind, but my date (whom must not have eaten for days prior to our get together) loved the rice. She said that- like many Koreans- “the meal is not complete without rice.”

We ended the meal with a nice strong espresso. We skipped the dessert, even though the Lemon Cake did look tempting. And after an evening of garlic we also decided to forego the good night kiss. It didn’t seem wise to ruin a perfectly fine meeting. Next time I’ll come prepared with a toothbrush for two.

Dramatic Gopher, Afro Ninja, Diet Coke and Mentos,Leave Britney Alone!, Tay Zonday, Daft Hands and much more! Only Weezer could pull off something this awesome.

Dan

The little girl is amazing. I am so envious! I need to study harder!

Dan

I'm figuring to Korea in the next month, it will be announced. I will buy one and then I will be happy^^

Dan

Here's a very specific and through evaluation of Dutch Processed Chocolate versus Cocoa Powder. I found it pretty enlightening.

Recently I rummaged through my chocolate collection, looking for a snack. As always, the chocolate-bar cupboard was well stocked. There were various Pound Plus bars from Trader Joe's, a Venezuelan 70-percent criollo bar from Chocovic, and some unsweetened Scharffen Berger bars for making brownies.

As I broke off a square of Chocovic, I noticed my lone can of Hershey's cocoa powder, and found myself wondering: Was I missing the potential of cocoa powder just because it has zero snack potential?

The short answer, it turns out, is yes. And now I have a cocoa-powder collection to rival my chocolate-bar stash, and a new understanding of this neglected ingredient. Here’s the long answer, aka The Mamster’s Cocoa-Powder FAQ.


Clockwise from top: Penzeys Dutched cocoa powder, Green & Black organic natural cocoa powder, and Penzeys natural cocoa powder.

What is cocoa powder?
Cocoa powder is unsweetened chocolate (technically, chocolate liquor) that has been partially defatted and then ground into a powder.

Click here for the rest.

I'm cooking tonight because I got some decent steaks at Costco. I'm going to make coffee and cashew encrusted steaks with a creme hollandaise sauce, a salad with a red wine and lemon vinaigrette, and chai smoothies for dessert. Pictures will follow. Now the question is: why don't I have a girlfriend? Maybe I should obsess about something other than food^^

Dan

Hahaha! "Kicking it in Geumchon" is the greatest Expat music song ever created.

Here are the lyrics^^and a link to the website. Thanks Lofboom

Intro:
This song goes out to all the waygooks lookin’ for the place to be

Chorus:
Kickin’ it in Geumchon, Oh, Oh
Komsomnida, Annyong Haseyo
Kickin’ it in Geumchon, Oh, Oh,
Komsomnida, Annyong Haseyo
Kickin’ It, Where? In Geumchon Where?
In Geumchon. Where? In Geumchon Where?
Kickin’ it in Geumchon, Oh, Oh

Verse 1:
South Korea’s got Jeju, South Korea’s got Seoul
Busan and Ilsan if that’s how you roll
But when you work at EV, and live in Paju
Then the town to get down is 15 minutes from you, How do I get there?
Hop on the 900 bus
I use my T-money card so there’s never no fuss
Jump off at the station, or shall I say “yuk”
Are you fluent in Korean? No I got a phrasebook
Pang Pang, now we’re off to the races
To the backstreet market checkin’ out pig faces
Octupus on sale, squid 2 for 1
Let’s hit the waterpark for fun in the sun, I got my swimcap!
Baskin Robbins and Pizza Hut
Knock Domino’s down then slam Dunkin’ Donuts
Geumchon rocks, then it rocks some more
The street meat is sweet and corndogs galore

Chorus:
Kickin’ it in Gumcheon, Oh, Oh
Komsomnida, Annyong Haseyo
Kickin’ it in Gumcheon, Oh, Oh,
Komsomnida, Annyong Haseyo
Kickin’ It, Where? In Gumcheon Where?
In Gumcheon. Where? In Gumcheon Where?
Kickin’ it in Gumcheon, Oh, Oh

Verse 2:
Sometimes it’s spelled with a G, I’ve seen it spelled with a K
Sometimes it’s spelled with an E, I’ve seen the E go away
But regardless of spelling, pronunciation’s the same
The town’s so explosive, Boomchon could be it’s name
The movie theater keeps it real with no subtitles
But we never go cuz there’s no subtitles
But birthday party time it’s so simple to rally
We alls grab our balls at the bowling alley
Then to the Sky Golf hittin’ nothin’ but net
The locals wanna wager but it’s illegal to bet
If your mouth is dry, or if your throat’s got a tickle
Part for the Family Mart, to lick a popsicle
Hungry for bibim bop? The choices never stop
The spice is so nice could make a tear drop
We dedicate the bridge, but not in haste
To the cabbage that we ravage with the chili paste taste

Bridge:
Kimchi, Kimchi, it is good for you and me
Kimchi, Kimchi, it is good for you and me
Kimchi, Kimchi, it is good for you and me
Kimchi, Kimchi, it is good for you and me

Pre-Verse 3:
Kickin’ it
In Boomchon
Kickin’ it
in Boomchon

Verse 3:
When I go to Geumchon, I look at all the hotties
Those ahgashis, they got the hottest bodies
The padded bras, the high heeled shoes
Hey ladies? Can I buy you some brews?
Drinkin’ Cass-uh, drinkin’ Hite-uh
Feelin’ alright-uh, drinkin’ all night-uh
La festa’s no longer the best
Ride your scooter to Guemchon and head over to Zest
The barman’s got flair, flippin’ bottles in the air
Tom Cruise in Cocktail can’t even compare
Upstairs at Posse yogurt soju’s flowin’
Plus Froot Loop balls and the roofdeck’s blowin’
Nature videos while I’m singin’ my song
Number six one three seven at the local Noraebong
Want a night on the town? Wanna spend some won?
Come kick it with us, come kick it in Gumcheon

Chorus:
Kickin’ it in Gumcheon, Oh, Oh
Komsomnida, Annyong Haseyo
Kickin’ it in Gumcheon, Oh, Oh,
Komsomnida, Annyong Haseyo
Kickin’ It, Where? In Gumcheon Where?
In Gumcheon. Where? In Gumcheon Where?
Kickin’ it in Gumcheon, Oh, Oh

(Written by Christian Zonts. The EV Boyz are Christian Zonts, Mike Nance, and Brian Peterson)

I am going to be teaching a cooking class at Wein Bakery in Gumi-dong. Directions, map and contact information is on the second poster. Anyway, I'm going to be teaching how to make Yorkshire Pudding, Potato Frittatta, and Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes. I'm going to teach people how to make a basic pancake base and then use it to make a variety of different pancakes such as lemon and green tea, banana and chocolate chip,mango, oatmeal raisin, and whatever else I can think of. I think it's going to be really fun. If you are interested, contact me and I'll give you a special discount.

Dan

By the way, I'm in love with Elinza^^ I don't know how she pulled this off, but she did and we had almost 100 people come out to Wein Bakery on a rainy rainy Sunday.

Dan

My ex-roommate Ed (WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME ED! :( heard about my pancakes from other guests in my house, but he never got to experience them even though he lived with me for 4 months. It was because a series of unfortunate coincidences. Anyway, the day before he left I made him pancake after pancake after pancake. I think his pancake cravings were appeased.

Dan

The Marrekech Nights has moved from it's cozy local (across from the McDonalds in Itaewon). It is now in the space that was inhabited by New Delhi. The upgrade is much appreciated. The food is great and bountiful. My friend Ed and I like to go there for lunch and for 5,000 won you have a choice of falafel, or chicken or beef kebab. Most places would just give you the sandwich and be done with it, but at Marrekech Nights you get a salad dish, french fries, and a slightly spicy, marinated, eggplant dish. Besides being plentiful (and cheap), the food is good. I highly recommend you check it out!

Oh, and by the way, the eggplant dish on panel 3 with the bread was an extra order of eggplant that Ed and I had. It was 4 or 5 thousand won.

Dan

Ongoing
Outdoor Terrace ‘Beer Garden’ at the Renaissance Seoul Hotel. At the Beer Garden, many international cuisines along with cold beer and international beverages are provided daily. ‘Happy Hour’ is available from 6 pm to 8 pm and unlimited cold beer and drinks are provided. In addition, on every Friday, named ‘BBQ Night’, buffet style cuisines are provided along with Happy Hour benefits. Menus include pork barbeque, chicken wings, mini burger with cheddar cheese, and bacon and German style sausage and cabbage. The prices are 12,000 won for the Happy Hour and 33,000 for BBQ Night. Happy Hour from 6-8pm. 2222-8630.

June 5-8th
Tea World Festival in the Indian Hall at the COEX. Come see and try Green Teas, Oolong Teas, Black Teas, foods and drinks made with teas, and new products made of tea such as medicines, cosmetics, health care items. There will also be Tea Wares and Porcelain. If it has to do with tea, expect it to be at this event. 10-6pm. 6000-8000/6000-8888. teaworld@empal.com

Thru June 30th
Fresh Tuna Special at Mikado restaurant in JW Marriot Hotel. Savor succulent tuna belly sashimi and all the other tastes of traditional Japanese cuisine prepared as fine contemporary art. Choose from two tuna sets. Set A has sea urchin tofu, grilled squid, herring roe, tuna sushi, asparagus and butterbur. These courses are followed by fresh tuna belly sashimi; grilled wagyu beef filled with truffle sauce; braised sea bream; tempura; and finally tresh tuna ochatsuke. Set B has Fresh tuna sashimi; unfolded sweet fish, black miso and bamboo shoot; and tuna belly sushi. Sesame tofu with shiitake mushrooms is garnished with cherry blossoms for a beautiful flourish. Set A W120,000. Set B W95,000. 6282-6751.

Thru June 30th.
Various Sichuan Specials at Man Ho restaurant in JW Marriot Hotel. Man Ho restaurant is offering two six-course lunch menus which have dishes such as Sichuan chili and beef double soup, stir-fried abalone with scallops and cashew nuts and Whole Shark’s Fin. And for dinner there is an extravagant 8 course meal that starts with BBQ pork, braised whole shark’s fin, king crab and sweet and sour grouper. Prices range from W65,000 to W135,000. 6282-6741.

Here's the article in the JoongAng Daily! Go Elinza and Josephine!


It took longer than usual for Alicia Fredericks to bake peppermint crisp mini-tarts and lemon poppy seed cake last Sunday morning.

The 25-year-old television actress from South Africa was preparing her favorite recipes for a baking competition later that day in Itaewon, Seoul.

The competition, which pitted her against 11 other expats, had alluring prizes such as wine and free meals at expensive restaurants up for grabs.

For most of the participants including Fredericks, however, those prizes came second to their desire to contribute to a good cause.

The event, a bake-off, was part of the Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative.

As part of worldwide social initiatives, Little Travellers, or human-shaped bead pins made by South African women, are sold at events with all proceeds going to help HIV/AIDS patients.

Sunday s was the first baking event organized for that purpose in Korea.

Even if I had won nothing, I would have still felt good, said a smiling Fredericks after she received two prizes in a vote: the tasters choice award and the strangest concoction prize.

This event is for a very good cause, she said.

The event organizer was Elinza Pretorious, also a 25-year-old South African.

She became aware of the Little Travellers AIDS initiative after she saw her close expat friend, Craig Kulyk, from Canada, wearing a Little Traveller pin.

Through individual efforts and a group fund-raising event, Kulyk introduced the Little Travellers initiative in Korea.

If Canadians come to Korea and do something for South Africa, then I thought I really should do something for South Africa, because I am from South Africa, Pretorious said.

She became more involved in the campaign last December, when she visited Hillcrest AIDS Centre in South Africa. The center launched the Little Travellers AIDS initiative.

Upon returning to Korea, Pretorius, a business owner, came up with the idea of raising funds through a bake-off.

The owner of the Cake House Wien Bakery in Itaewon, whom Pretorious sometimes helps cater for, lent the event venue for free.

Besides the 12 bakers from South Africa, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Serbia, around 100 expats and some Koreans took part in the cause as tasters on Sunday, according to Pretorius.

For the bake-off, tasters paid 10,000 won ($9.60) and bakers paid 5,000 won.

The proceeds will be used for relief efforts by Hillcrest AIDS Centre and for the pin makers, she said.

This combines our talent with a good cause, and has turned out to be a great success, Pretorious said.

Those who missed the chance to participate on Sunday will have another opportunity on May 31. Kulyk, along with 15 other expats and Korean volunteers, is organizing another Little Travellers fund-raising event in Itaewon.

Three Itaewon bars Rocky Mountain Tavern, the Wolfhound Irish Pub and B1 will provide live music and drinks to people buying the Little Travellers pins for 10,000 won.

The May 31 event is about people who want to go out and have a few drinks and also support a worthy cause, said Kulyk, 26.

Hopefully we can use this event to expand Little Travellers initiatives throughout Korea, not only among the expat community but also among Koreans, he said.


By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Reporter [joe@joongang.co.kr]

Believe it!

Thanks Catherine!

Dear all,

This year's 4th Annual Expat Beautiful Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 24 from noon to 4pm in the Duksung High School gym,
centrally located next to Anguk Station (the sale will be signposted from exits 1 and 6).
Tables of big and small bargains, the perfect sale for those ex-pats moving on or for passing on spring-cleaned treasures,
and a perfect place to buy for everyone else!
Sellers keep their revenues, and everything not sold on the day can be donated to The Beautiful Store,
a Korean nonprofit organisation that works with the poor
(for more info on this organisation, see http://www.bstore.org/eng_new/index.asp).
Lots of free parking. For more info and to book a table (15,000 won each), email Susan at 'suseric@hotmail.com'.

Kind regards, Hope to see you there,
Catherine

May 30th (Friday) from 7.30 pm: Live Classical Fusion Concert at Kabinett Wine Bar rooftop in Itaewon.

A unique artistic experience dedicated to the pleasure of all your senses.

Price: 30,000 KW, with RSVP, 40,000 KW at the door.

Includes buffet dinner and 1 free glass of wine. 2 for 1 offer for all glasses of wine ordered during the evening.

Registration to Catherine : cg.hamel@hotmail.com / 010-9497-0343 directly to Kabinett : gmgr@kabinett.co.kr , 02-711-917

Thank you Sena Lee from the Grand InterContinental Hotel for the e-mail.

Dan

“Pioneering New Frontiers in Culinary Achievement”



Team Korea from the Grand InterContinental Seoul took top honors at the MLA Blackbox Global Finals held at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai on May 13 and 14.

On May 14, after a grueling day of competition cooking, Team Korea came up as the winner out of 19 international teams competing in bi-annual MLA Black Box Global Finals. Representing the Grand InterContinental Seoul, the team won its chance to represent its country by winning the country heats.

The three person team was headed by team manager Chef Bok Jon Dae, and his three team members included chefs Kim Yoo Shik and Lim Ho Teak, both 3rd cooks in the Grand InterContinental Seoul’s flagship restaurant Table 34, and patissier Choi Jin Bok. South Korea also received the awards for Best Soup course, a creamy mushroom veloute, and for Best Main Course.

This MLA Blackbox, which first started in Bali in 1996 is a WACs endorsed competition and has grown from strength to strength in its 12 years of operations. Overall, Asian countries took home most of the awards. Singapore received the award for Best Appetizer, for its Quattro of Norwegian seafood, and Indonesia won the Best Dessert category.


** What's it all about?
Teams are given a Black Box filled with mystery ingredients including prime Australian beef, sheepmeat or goatmeat, seafood, spices, fruit and vegetables as well as dairy products and stocks. The teams are given one hour to devise a 4-course menu using all of the ingredients. The meal is prepared the following evening and is judged by a panel of international chefs at a gala dinner. Points are awarded for taste, skill, creativity and artistic merit.



(국문자료)

세계 요리 대회, 한국 우승!
한국 대표, 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔 조리팀 19개국 중 1등!


그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔이 지난 5월 13일과 14일, 양일간 두바이에서 호주축산공사가 주최하고 총 19개국의 대표팀이 참가한 제4회 “블랙박스 글로벌 그랜드 파이널 대회(The 4th Black Box Global Grand Final)”에서 1등을 차지했다. 두바이 마디나트 주메이라 호텔(Madinat Jumeirah Hotel)에서 개최된 이번 대회의 우승을 통해 한국 대표로 출전한 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔은 전 세계로부터 최상의 요리 솜씨를 인정 받게 되었다.

한국 대표로 출전한 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔 조리팀은 이번 대회에서 전체 애피타이저, 수프, 메인 요리, 디저트로 구성된 4개 부분에서 수프와 메인 요리의 우승을 차지했으며, 동시에 전체 우승을 차지하는 영예를 안았다. 이번 대회에서는 전반적으로 아시아 국가들의 호전이 돋보였는데 전체 2위는 싱가포르, 3위는 스리랑카 팀이 차지했으며, 싱가포르는 ‘애피타이저’ 부문 1위를, 인도네시아가 ‘디저트’ 부문 1위를 수상했다.

호주축산공사에서 주최하는 블랙박스 요리 경연대회는 요리실력은 물론, 창의성과 독창성을 겨루어 젊고 유능한 요리사를 발굴, 육성하는데 그 취지를 두고 있다. 난이도와 공정한 대회 운영으로 해를 거듭할수록 권위를 인정 받고 있는 범 세계적 요리 대회로, 올해는 한국의 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔을 포함해 미국의 워싱턴 DC 윌러드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔, 아랍 에미레이트의 주메이라 비치 호텔, 이집트의 그랜드 하이얏트 호텔 외에도 일본, 인도네시아, 홍콩, 싱가폴, 중국, 태국, 베트남, 쿠웨이트 등 전세계 총 19개국이 참가해 그 어느 때보다 경쟁의 열기가 뜨거웠다.

행사 첫날인 13일 오후 1시, 드디어 참가팀들에게 요리 경연대회의 식자재가 담긴 블랙박스(Black Box)가 공개되고, 각 팀들은 식자재가 공개된 후,1시간 내에 네 가지 코스 메뉴를 작성해 제출했다. 이어 각 팀들은 24시간 이후인 다음날 14일 오후 2시까지 총 30명분의 요리를 제공할 수 있도록 준비하여 대회장에 2시까지 집합, 오후 3시 반부터 준비한 4가지 코스에 대해 세계 유수의 주방장들로 구성된 심판단으로부터 평가를 받았다. 심사위원단과 WACS 총회 대표단, 이외 VIP 등 570명의 참석자들에게 각국 대표들의 요리들이 갈라 디너로 선을 보이며 마무리된다.

이번 행사에서 행사 기획 및 진행을 총괄하는 알란 팔머(Alan Palmer)씨는 “젊은 조리사들의 기량이 해를 거듭할수록 발전하고 있으며, 특히 한국팀은 독창적인 아이디어 뿐만 아니라 맛에서도 뛰어날 기량이 돋보였다”고 평가하며 “최근 젊은 조리사들이 요리의 모양에 치중하는 경향이 있지만 무엇보다 맛이 중요하다”고 덧붙였다. 이 날 우승한 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔과 2등의 싱가포르 팀과의 점수차는 현격했다는 후문이다.

한국 대표로 참가한 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔 조리팀은 지난 2007년 7월 25일과 26일 양일간 코엑스 인터컨티넨탈 호텔에서 열린 제 8회 호주축산공사 요리 국내 경연대회에서 전체 1위를 차지해 한국 대표로 선발 되었다. 이번 이번 세계대회에서 우승한 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔은 수상의 영광 외에도 호주를 일주일간 여행할 수 있게 된다.


** 이번 한국을 대표하는 그랜드 인터컨티넨탈 호텔 대표팀의 인원 구성?


팀원 (32세 미만)
김유식 : ‘테이블 34’ (유럽식 최고급 레스토랑) 근무, 스프 및 더운 음식 담당
임호택 : ‘테이블 34’ (유럽식 최고급 레스토랑) 근무, 찬 음식 담당
최진복 : 패이스트리 주방 근무, 초콜릿 및 디저트 담당

팀장
복종대 (1962년)
현재 ‘그랜드 키친’ 뷔페 레스토랑 주방을 책임지고 있다.
* 복종대 주방장은 하얏트리젠시제주 등을 거쳐, 1988년 인터컨티넨탈 호텔 서울에 입사하여 호텔 내의 그랑카페, 메인 주방, 연회 주방 등 여러 주방을 거치며 경력을 쌓았다. 특히 1988년 서울 올림픽과 2000년에 있었던 26개국 정상들의 아셈 회의 만찬 등 크고 다양한 국제행사와 셰인드로티세르 디너 행사에 참여하며 20여년의 경력을 쌓아온 베테랑 주방장이다.

It's kinda tough trying to decide which place to go. Here's my research on Boracay.

Wikitravel

Here's a cool blog site I found.


I like this resort. It's called the Asya Boracay Resort.

Oh...I should probably do some work today instead of blogging all afternoon.

Dan

Check out this site! They have great recipes and pictures. I'm going to make the fava bean dip with spinach and feta cheese!

http://www.elise.com/recipes/

Dan

It's springtime so I should try to eat more salads right. Here's what I'm thinking. I'd like to make a smoked salmon salad with avocado and cranberry. I think the cranberry and the avocado would pair well.

Then I'm thinking a spinach salad with feta cheese, candied walnuts, and watermelon.

I should use the Korean chamwei. It's a kind of white melon. I think it would go great with some ham or even prosciutto.

Oh, by the way, the Avian Bird Flu scare in Korea has made me a bit paranoid. 15 million chicken were put to death in Seoul. I was going to make a balsamic chicken wrap with sugared pecan but 1) pecans are damn expensive and 2) everyone is scared of chicken in this country.

I should make a BLT sandwich. That's a classic that always pleases. I think it would be pleasant with yogurt infused with lemon zest and pepper...hmmmm...bacon tastes good.^^

What else, what else???

I'm going to do a sugared walnut recipe tonight. I'll let you know how they turn out. I think I'm going to flavor them with orange zest, cinnamon, and brown sugar. I know it's not that creative, but they'll taste good.

I wish strawberries were still in season because I make an awesome strawberry and parmesan canape.

Well...I should get back to work instead of daydreaming about food.

Dan

There are a whole lot of exciting food events this weekend. Tomorrow at 6:30pm there will be a art gallery event at Gasan Gallery in Bundang for artist Lee Jung Tae. The Gallery will have a 4 piece classical quartet play at 7 and there will be a food and wine reception after the concert. The food will be catered by myself and Cafe Di Elena.

Yes, that is correct. I'll be partly catering the event. I'm going to make some balsamic chicken wraps with sugared pecans and mandarin oranges and a spicy curry chicken wrap with yogurt sauce.

The entire event will cost 30,000. It is in Gumi-dong in Bundang. The map is attached. You can e-mail the gallery at 031-712-1580 or e-mail at gasan91@hanmail.com

And on Sunday there will be the Little Traveller's Bakeoff at Wien Bakery in Itaewon. This is going to be an amazing event. Aspiring bakers should come and show off their wares-hey you could win prizes (plus you get to eat a whole lotta cake.) All proceeds go to support women with AIDS. Bakers should get there at 1pm and everyone else (those who just wanna eat cake should get there at 3pm.) It is 5,000won for bakers and 10,000 won for everyone else.

Contact korea@littletravellers.net for more information. Here is the weblink.

Alrighty. Now it's time for me to get moving.

Here is a video of my sister's very cute cat: Marbles.

Sidney Crosby as Cindy. (Instead of Sidney...she called him Cindy AKA he's a girl.)

Well...Flyers fans are not known for their wit.

Here are some more Thailand Pics

Is to plan the next vacation. I am currently thinking Cebu in the Phillipines. Here is what my research has uncovered. First of all it is 7th on Conde Nast's most desirable islands. It looks like a very desirable place.

Here is a great blog review with hotel information:
http://nilatanzil.blogspot.com/2008/05/exploring-cebu-island-philippines.html

Hmmm...Here's a classified site. I'll check it out later.

Here are some videos of Cebu.

Here's an interesting review site on Cebu.

Here's a hotel that has Spanish Flair.

And here's what the Lonely Planet has to say.

BINGO! Here's a blog with price lists of places to stay in Cebu.

Here's the Crown Regency.

This is the year I've been waiting for! With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar,Marian Hossa, and Marc-Andre Fleury how can this team go wrong. This is the team that will make hockey cool for the masses again. Mario Lemieux's love and ardor for the city of Pittsburgh has brought the new hockey dynasty to Steel Town. In only a couple of weeks, the Stanley Cup will return to the city of Pittsburgh and herald in the new era of hockey.

Philadelphia may be aggressive, but they can't play a lick of hockey. They are simply goons and bullies. Who do they have on their team? Daniel Beardless: the pubescent wunderwhat?; Vinny Prospect: he's the tinman that plays without heart; ummm...Derian Hatcher: Goon; Jason Smith: Goon (Now that I think about it, the entire blueline is composed of goons.).

The only person that I respect on their team is Simon Gagne. Now that guy has hands and he can skate. I can't wait to see him play in the series-no, wait!-he was concussed. Darn. So many good players in Philly suffered from career ending concussions such as Keith Primeau, Peter Forsberg, and Eric Lindros. (It's because the goon defensemen are too dumb to distinguish their own players from their opponents.) Not to pick old wounds, but remember Bernie Parent? That guy was an amazing goalie-too bad that his own teammate (Jimmy Watson) poked out his eye.

O.k. RJ Umberger is a playoff performer. I hold him in higher esteem than his goon colleagues. But you know why he is the only descent performer on the team? HE GREW UP IN PITTSBURGH! He grew up idolizing Lemieux, Jagr, Francis, Recchi, and all the other Great, Great players of the past. He must have learned a few things. I promise you here that R.J. Umberger will be so star-struck by being in his hometown and transfixed by the black and yellow jerseys that he will, HE WILL, score a goal for the Penguins.

I know I haven't mentioned Martin Biron in this blog post yet. Here is why: there is a reason why he was a second round draft pick and why he has been a back-up goalie his entire life. Philadelphia can't seem to pick a solid starter (well, since Bernie Parent that is). I mean look at their history. He had Hextal (gimpy glove), Brian Boucher (does he even play anymore), Jeff Hackett (who?), Roman Chechmanek (just being a Czech doesn't make you Hasek), John Vanbiesbrouck (that guy had his 15 minutes of fame and a fat contract)-the list goes on and on.

Philadelphia will continue to be famous for 3 things: the cracked liberty bell, cheesesteaks, and cream cheese. Hockey will never be on that list.

Talk about fusion. This sounds amazing. Lush, meaty salmon paired with a sesame soy marinade.

Salmon "Bulgogi" With Bok Choy And Mushrooms

Bulgogi—beef marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings—is a popular Korean dish. Here, we've subbed in salmon for the sirloin.

Total: 15 minutes

Servings: Makes 4 servings


2 large garlic cloves, peeled, divided
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry Sherry
1 3/4-inch cube peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce*
4 6-ounce center-cut skinless salmon fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large bok choy, cut crosswise into
1/2-inch-wide strips (about 7 cups)
4 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps sliced

Go to the link for the recipe.
Thanks Carol for the link.

I'm going to post more in detail about Chang Mai, but for now here is a hint of my time there.

Cafes in Seoul
Café Yeon: Traveler’s Hangout

This is an eclectic little joint in Samcheong-dong that has the styling of a modern han-ok (Korean traditional house). The café is located in the center of a raised area on the main street. You’ll see a sign for “Toy Kino2” and it is right above that. Even though, it is a bit out of the way, it is always packed and it has the vibe of a hippie hangout. The servers rarely wear shoes (even in winter) and dreads on top of their heads have seeped into their personality. It’s a chill place to grab a cup of tea, a beer, or a bottle of wine. They have a diverse selection of books to browse and the atmosphere evokes existential conversations.
There is standard café fare like nachos and beef jerky, as well as, food like banana pancakes and chicken tikka masala. This is a great place to spend a Sunday.

Café Yeon: Traveler’s Hangout
Samcheong-dong
734-3009
cafeyeon.cyworld.com

Bookcafe

If books are your thing, then I recommend the “Bookcafe” in Samcheong-dong. The walls are lined with books for you to browse and the atmosphere is subdued and tranquil. This is a place where people go to read- not to have loud conversations about all the ins and outs of their monotone day. They have very nice standard café drinks. The cappuccino has a wonderful satiny head on it. It’s just coffee done with care and done right.

Bookcafe
Samcheong-dong
730-1087
www.mybookcafe.co.kr

75015 French Bistro

Getting a decent galette or a tart in Seoul can be a hit of a hassle. I’ve found that 75015 in Hongdae has a wonderful flair for food and for atmosphere. The walls are the color of a leaf that is just beginning to sprout in the dawn of spring; the wine bar is fiesta orange, and the back wall is white brick that is artfully decorated with photographs. As gaudy as this might sound, it works. This is one of my favorite places to get a bottle of wine with a couple of friends late at night. Their wine selection is very palpable and affordable (30-80,000 won) and they have wonderful, wonderful food. Apparently, the owner is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu and the food is the proof. I highly recommend the eggplant, mushroom, pumpkin, and cream sauce galette and the blueberry tart.

75015 French Bistro
Hong-dae
332-1113

The first thing that you will notice when you enter the “Aa Design Museum” in Hongdae is the multi-orbed light fixture that looms over head like a spiteful alien from H.G. Well’s War of the Worlds. But as your eyes focus on the spacious interior, you realize that lamp “fits.” Then you get comfortably settled in one of the designer chairs, open up your book, and settle into an hour or two of personal reverie. The high ceilings and bricked walls make you feel like you’re in a converted loft apartment in NYC owned by a very affluent, hip artist. It’s a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Seoul.

The Americano coffee is robust- no complaints here-and it was served in a mug with a very peculiar handle. All their drinks range in normal café prices (W4,000-6,000) and they have a nice selection of beers, including Guinness, on tap. Their wine selection ranges from the affordable to the extravagant and their food is on par to bistro dining in other parts of the world (This is a rare feat in Korea; they should be commended.) I had a wonderful club sandwich that was served on toasted foccaccia. The bread had nice density- not too soft- and it had nice accents of rosemary and black olives. This is clearly one of the better sandwiches in Seoul. Their salad was great, too. I got the chicken salad with grilled vegetables. The leaves looked as fresh as a child on the first day of school, the dressing was piquant, the chicken was juicy, and the grilled vegetables were done right. They had other items on the menu such as a sausage dish and a variety of spaghetti; however, I like to stick to my perceived, “regular,” café fare.

Desserts. 1 word: yummy. They have a nice selection of cheesecakes, chocolate cakes, and opera cakes. The cheesecake is velvety and with a nice crunchy crust (this in my view, is the mark of a good cheesecake) and the opera cake had enough complexity to keep me intrigued till the last bite.

Oh, and if the café is not enough to lure you, there is a fabulous design museum in the basement (hence the name). The museum is chock-a-block with mind boggling chic furniture. All in all: very hip, very cool.

Basic Info:
Location: Hongdae
Style: Light Café fare
Hours: 12:00pm-12:30am
Phone: 3147-7312

Food: **
Atmosphere: ****
Service: ***
Value: ***

Eat a Cake and Help a Traveller The newly opened WIEN Cake house in Itaewon will be hosting the first Little Traveller’s BAKE-OFF. Enter your baked goods to be judged and stand a chance to win some awesome prizes.

Cakes, muffins, pies, breads, cookies-anything sweet and baked are welcome. Not a wiz in the kitchen? Well, pay 10,000W at the door, receive your Little Traveller and get a chance to sample the cakes and vote for your favorite dish!

Doors open to the public at 3 o’clock! (Contestants must sign in at 1 o’clock and must be available for preliminary judging and photographs). For more information on this event and for the entry-form, please visit www.littletravellers.net/little-travellers-korea and e-mail korea@littletravellers.net. Or phone 010-8694-6561 (English) and 011-9029-3094 (Korean).

Like an egg, mango and sticky rice gave birth to my imagination.
I would ravage each dish like a pubescent boy and then let the sweet milk linger on the corner of my mouth; It becoming a sculpture, and then lick it off just before my next encounter.

My Chang Mai mistress, the city was our bedroom as we romped through the streets, the restaurants, the bedrooms, the hole-in-the-wall cafes, and in private kitchens.
Neither of us cared if others stared at our affection.

Oh, my love: like the scent of crackling creme bulee; When we had to part, I would see you everywhere. I would see you on the halo of Jesus, the reflection of the sun in a muddy pond, the smile of a child, and each petal dancing in the breeze.

I remember, as my spoon hovered over you, how I wished I could keep the image of you whole, while indulging in the flavor at the same time. And when I could, since the spoon is such an inadequate carrier for flavor, I would use my hands to reach into you and let you kiss my lips. How I relished holding each grain of rice, each grain of rice, each grain of rice between my fingers: the coconut scent with a hint of salt would whaff into my hypothalamus.

And the mango: the supple flesh would caress my tongue and I would, with great apprehension, pulp it between my teeth. Then, in unison, I would swallow each al dente grain with silky flesh bit by bit by bit.

You are in Thailand now and I am days away, how I wish I appreciated you more.

My great love, my Chang Mai mistress, as soon as I am able, I will return.

This link is from Miss Koco (whom, I miss dearly).

The pictures make me realize that I need to take a photography class and invest in a much better camera.

Check it out here.

Dan