Bursts of flavour at Din Tai Fung!

The most delightful Taiwanese food, ever!

The more I say about the experience of having xiao long bao at Hong Kong's Din Tai Fung, the more convinced I become that this is something no words can do justice to. It has to be eaten experienced to be truly appreciated. In the mean time, I'll let the pictures do the talking!

I must stop myself before I go overboard and give you the impression that the xiao long bao is the only thing worth having at Din Tai Fung. Their food in general is consistently good and the prawn and noodle soup has a soothing effect.

I also totally love their spicy prawn wantons. The chilli and soya oil used in the wantons makes for a great accompaniment to the soup noodles adding that burst of spice that I love.

The dessert of strawberries in almond syrup was equally stunning although I wonder if it will appeal to an Indian palate. 

Vishal, my husband, and I first visited Din Tai Fung on a Saturday, went back on Sunday, then again next Sunday. And again two weeks later when my father-in-law was in town. And we are going back to Din Tai Fung with my sister and dad sometime this week!

This Michelin starred restaurant cannot be given a miss when visiting Hong Kong!

Recipe: Delish stuffed mushrooms in minutes!

One of the most flexible vegetables I have come across is the mushroom. Super delicious, super healthy and super flexible mushroom.

One of my favourite mushroom preparations is stuffed mushrooms. Baked mushrooms chock full of whatever catches my fancy. Yumm! The glaze on the cherry on the icing on the cake? It's ready in all of 20 minutes, making it the perfect after-work snack! 

Recipe -

• White button mushrooms
• Finely chopped onions
• Finely chopped bellpeppers
• Crumbled reduced fat feta cheese
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Lime juice

Preparation -

Pour 1 teaspoon olive oil in a bowl. Add the lime juice, feta cheese, paprika, salt and pepper, onions and bell peppers. Mix well and keep aside.
Wash the mushrooms well and clean thoroughly. Break the stems.
Stuff the mushroom hollows with the feta cheese mix.

Place the mushrooms on a baking tray, drizzle with drops of olive oil (optional).

Pop into the oven for 8-10 minutes.

 Top with chilli flakes, basil leaves and serve!

P.S. - feta cheese can be substituted with paneer or cous cous.

Do let me know what you think about this recipe? What else can we used as feta cheese substitutes?

Good start

 

A good start to the day makes for a great day!

Berries and hot lime water kickstarted my day on a great note and I am happy to report there's not been a single negative thought in my head all day, and it's waaay past mid-day!

Love relaxed mornings which are not get up-get ready-get out-miss breakfast-think of grabbing breakfast-decide to not have croissants early morning-wait for lunch-smile deliriously when lunch delivery guy says he's arrived-wolf down lunch-feel full and drowsy-down several cups of coffee-keep working!

Sugar rush

Secret stash
 

Emergency sugar rush stash. For the days when I have to keep working, on and on and on, like the Energiser bunny!

Plus, couldn't keep my hands off shattering chocolate called, 'Violet Crumble'. A bite a day to keep motivation coming my way!

What's hidden away in your work place drawer? ;-)

Diwali, our style!

Three days of Diwali have come and gone and all we have left are memories and gunjiyas!

It was our first Diwali as a married couple and our first Diwali in Hong Kong. While we missed our family and friends, we decided to make the most of it and celebrate!

Diwali, as the world knows it, is the festival of lights. Diwali, as I know it, is the festival of good food and lights! Had I been home, I would have been feasting on gujiyas, pethas, mathri and so on. The highlight would have the package coming all the way from Calcutta with some of mamiji's choicest mithais and namkeens.

But, I was not home and we were on our own. And instead of saying, "ghar main aisa hota hai", we decided to start our own Diwali traditions and do things our way. I guess this is what marriage feels like - being team players. So while I cooked, the husband decorated, cooked and was sous chef extraordinaire!

The cooking...

... the decorating...

... the puja...

... poker with friends...

... and the fireworks!!

The Narayans had a Happy Diwali in Hong Kong indeed! Hope you ate a lot and made merry during Diwali too!! :D