All posts filed under: Asian Delights

Harvesting Happiness: Microgreens & Culinary Inspiration

Microgreens are young, edible greens harvested at a seedling stage stage of growth, typically before the onset of the first true leaves. These tiny greens are packed with nutrients and flavor, making them a favorite addition to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. I had been contemplating growing microgreens for awhile now, as they often come in handy for plating and garnishes. The best part of growing microgreens is that you may use some of your pantry staples such as mustard, fenugreek, coriander or sunflowers seeds. I like to grow them in some organic potting soil that I use growing my herbs. However you may try growing them hydroponically too. Here are some handy tips in growing Microgreens: Microgreens can be a wonderful and visually appealing garnish to may dishes, adding a burst of flavour and tons of nutrition too. These tiny shoots are a powerhouse of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Mustard microgreens at Day 4 of sowing the seeds. Mustard microgreens at day 11 Use Microgreens In: I have rounded up a series of some of …

Vietnamese Chicken Pho

Pho is a popular street food and perhaps the simplest of soups and an utterly flavorful dish served commonly in all households in Vietnam. Vietnamese Chicken Pho ( to be pronounced as Fuh), essentially called Pho Ga translates into rice noodles with chicken in a fragrant and delicious broth. Pho literally means Rice noodles and Ga is for chicken. This aromatic noodle soup originated in Hanoi and is a milder form of the traditional beef Pho. Quite easily the epitome of Vietnamese cuisine and named the national dish of the country, this aromatic soup originated in Hanoi and is a milder form of the traditional beef Pho. Traditionally Pho Bo, is where the broth is made with beef with an addition of bean sprouts, rice noodles, mixed herbs and lemon juice. The broth is prepared separately and includes whole spices such as star anise, fennel and ginger as flavourings. This makes up for a hearty and healthy one bowl meal that is bursting with flavours. I recently sampled a delectable Pho, here in Toronto at …

Eating My Way Through Toronto: Pan Asian Flavors & Hidden Gems Around the City

Toronto has a plethora of Pan asian joints ranging from Chinese takeouts, street foods, Ramen bars,Thai bistros, food trucks and fine dining fare serving up some great exotic cuisine.It has now become a serious foodie destination. Looking for quality asian restaurants could turn into quite a daunting task as each neighbourhood focuses on specific cuisine, given the multi cultural diversity. The Chinatown neighbourhood around the city does offer a spectacular fare spanning across Vietnamese, Dim sum, Japanese and Cantonese. While the mid town and places up north too quite easily match upto some great dining experiences. Each year the food scene in Toronto seems to be getting increasingly interesting with new eateries opening up and lending a vibrant and eclectic vibe around the city. Whilst some focus  on the classic traditional menus ,others twist it around to cater to the modern new age or Asian fusion cuisine, alluring younger un-conventional palettes.Either ways there is a lot of extraordinary cuisine on offer and to fit every budget. I’m a glutton for good food, and it goes …

Travel Diaries:Bangkok Revisited & A Thai Recipe Too

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return… Leonardo da Vinci   Our vacations most often are pre planned with a lot of thought into the destination,food,sight-seeing etc.However, I love it when a travel plan happens just out of the blue,spontaneously,sort of an impromptu one so to speak.Well the dear husband had work related travels to Singapore and suggested that my son and I come along and we could club it with a short trip to Bangkok too he said. It’s always fun travelling to the Far East,for one the travel time is fairly short, and of course the food,night life and shopping,admittedly make it an alluring proposition,albeit revisited.We have travelled to  both cities a couple of times, Bangkok several years ago.The city has changed and modernised is what I heard from friends who travelled there recently.So yes of course, I jumped at the idea of a quick family vacay. Our time in Singapore was …

Thai Red Curry with Shrimp: 30 Minute Meal

My blog seems to be forming a pattern ,or so I think. I tend to write-up a post that takes you on a food journey of sorts,perhaps a culinary trail,a visit to an exotic land coupled with a food demo and a recipe.These posts are then followed by a tried and tested recipe that I  have experimented with in my kitchen.Well I quite like this format as it gives the reader a variety and my aim of course is to take you down some parts unknown with a guide to some unique culinary attractions. Now there is a section that I had been meaning to start off for sometime now and well here it is.I want to add-on some fuss free,easy to cook up,ready in 30 minute meals that have less prep time and aim at making weeknight less stressful for all of us.So here we go with the first of the recipes.This is my to go Curry in a hurry for times where the family is craving a good quick fix Asian delight.It is …