Are You a "Food Racist"?

I stumbled upon this really funny article one day from The Atlantic: Diary of a 'Food Racist' - Andrea Scotting

I'm pretty sure that I'm not as extreme as the author, Andrea, when it comes to her food cravings. She claims that whenever she meets a person of a different ethnicity, she immediately forms a picture in her head about the food from the place where that particular person is from. Here are some examples from her article:

- "Whenever I get in a taxi with an Indian driver, it kicks in: almost immediately, I start craving a plateful of creamy, tomato-y tikka masala. Pillowy naan. Saag with cubes of spongy paneer. Chut. Ney. Yes. Please."

- "When the Korean mailman says "good morning," I smile back and daydream of tender bulgogi wrapped in crisp lettuce. A steaming bowl of bibimbap topped with oozy egg yolk. Lacy kimchi pancakes."

- "When our kindly Trinidadian office security guard greets me, it's all I can do not to turn around and race right out for a bowl of callaloo." 


She goes on and says that sometimes, it doesn't even need to be a person to trigger these cravings - she can start imagining about food from reading the news:

- "Google is having all those issues in China, so juicy, porky soup dumplings sound nice. But look at what's happening with Israel, so maybe some crispy falafel is in order. And Afghanistan! Horrific! Kebabs!"


She realizes that she is just truly, deeply, and madly in love with food. The rest of the article talks about how 'racism' may be the wrong word since it is associated with such negative connotation and it's not that she has any dislike towards any group, just that she tends to "frame everything in life through food".


Personally, I think it's questionable when it comes to her proclaimed and extreme love for food. I'm not sure if she's just writing it for entertainment purposes, or is she really that crazy about food.  It seems so out of this world! So obsessed to think about food whenever she talks to a person from a different ethnic or skims a newspaper article (although she did admit that she is food obsessed). It just seems a bit exaggerated, no? I can't imagine how she wouldn't be like 300 pounds by now if she is how she claims to be. One thing for sure is she cannot live in Toronto, or any multicultural city at that. However, seeing that The Atlantic is based out of Washington, D.C. and not some hick town, she can't be that deprived of food.


Nonetheless, her article is a really enjoyable read and made me smile. It's always entertaining to read the thoughts of another "foodie". Having said that, do you think you are a "Food Racist"? =)

Taste of Asia 2010

Every year, the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham (FCCM), the Association of Progressive Muslims of Ontario (APMO), with the support of Canadian Heritage, Social Services Network (SSN), Canadian Federation of Intercultural Friendship (CFIF), York Regional Police, Asian Canadian Entrepreneurs and Professionals (ACEP) in cooperation with the Town of Markham and the Regional Municipality of York, all take part in hosting a multicultural event called Taste of Asia. According to its website, Taste of Asia began in 2002 during the SARS period in hopes to boost the local economy as well as creating "harmony between different ethnic groups through an event of mutual respect and co-operation". 


Taste of Asia is a two-day event on a weekend. This year, it was held on Saturday, June 26th, and Sunday, June 27th. Several streets were blocked off for easy pedestrian access to over hundreds of street vendors, various concerts and shows, a kid zone playground area, a job fair, a car show, a pet show, and the largest 3 on 3 Street Basketball Tournament.


I went to Taste of Asia for the past two years (this is because my boyfriend was a participant in the basketball tournament). Not sure if it is bad luck or what, but it rained for both years =( Nevertheless, I managed to sneak in shots of some of the food vendors when the rain was taking a breather.


First up, we have smelly/stinky tofu. There were 3 to 4 stands selling smelly tofu, this one being the most popular based on the lineup. 

For those who don't know what smelly (or stinky) tofu is, it is a form of fermented tofu that has a very very strong stinky odor, akin to a toilet smell. It is a popular snack in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Mainland China, where it is usually found in night markets or roadside stands, or as side dish in lunch bars.

My Chubby Cinnamon Buns

Not many things can beat the taste of a cinnamon bun, especially during times when you are suddenly craving something warm, something doughy, and something really really sweet, then a cinnamon bun will definitely do the trick. 


Although I say that, I know not many people like cinnamon buns either because 1) they are not a healthy snack (an average cinnamon bun with frosting contains over 500 calories, with lots of fat and no nutrients), or 2) because they are too sweet (probably enough to create hyperactivity lol), or 3) some people just don't like cinnamon, or 4) they like cinnamon buns but they don't like it enough to buy them at Cinnabon, one of the most obvious place to get a cinnamon bun. I fall into category 2 and 4. I sometimes think they are too sweet, especially if they slather on too much frosting. And in terms of actually buying them, not sure if I'm just cheap or something, but I usually don't feel like forking out $4-$5 for a snack made of dough, cinnamon, and brown sugar, all of which are super super cheap ingredients. 

Personally, I don't know how many times I have walked by a Cinnabon at a shopping mall and think "wow that smells soooo good". Probably every time! It is just plain dangerous because the aroma of cinnamon buns can travel far and wide, even before you SEE the Cinnabon store you know it's coming up. So then, how many times have I actually stopped by to buy one? Two times. That's a pretty low number considering how much I go to the mall lol.


Solution? Make my own cinnamon buns without the frosting, although I did include the recipe for the frosting in case you feel your cinnamon buns would be incomplete without it. The cinnamon buns turned out absolutely wonderful and delicious - my boyfriend loved them too =) These chubby bad boys are quite filling.

Caplansky's Delicatessen

WARNING: THIS POST CONSISTS OF MANY MOUTH-WATERING PICTURES THAT MAY MAKE YOU DROOL - PLEASE HAVE KLEENEX NEARBY IF YOU ARE READING THIS AT WORK. =)


A few days ago, I attended my first ever Tweetup at Caplansky's. For those who do not use Twitter (and I hope that at least you have heard of Twitter), a "Tweetup" is an organized or impromptu gathering of people that use Twitter; so a "tweetup" is a play on words for a "meetup" for people who "tweet" on Twitter. The DeliTweetup wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Jaollore (@clickflickca), Joel (@foodie411), and Zane (@Capalansky) for organizing it, so THANK YOU GUYS! =) 


I had great fun seeing some of the fellow foodies again, several of whom I met from my Stratford culinary trip a few weeks ago. I also met a few new people who I already tweet with regularly but haven't had the chance to meet them in real life. Whether or not they were self-described "foodies", I'm sure each person who attended this DeliTweetup embraces food and good conversation.  


Here's a picture of us taking up the whole patio at Caplansky's . We originally expected around 12 people, but somehow 20 of us showed up. No matter though, the more the merrier! 

Below is Zane Caplansky, owner of Caplanky's Delicatessen. He gave us a brief introduction about himself, his restaurant, as well as what his menu is all about. On the left is Zane in his work attire, and on the right, is also Zane but in his time-to-relax attire =)

My Love for Ruby Watchco

When I found out about Ruby Watchco, I knew I had to go. Why? Because of many reasons, one being that the owner / head chef is Lynn Crawford! The Lynn Crawford who I saw in the episode of Iron Chef America where she competed against Iron Chef Bobby Flay (Chef Lynn is the third Canadian chef to appear on the show). The Lynn Crawford who appeared in the Food Network's show Restaurant Makeover. The Lynn Crawford who has her own new show now called Pitchin' In (also on the Food Network) in which she goes and takes on the challenge of getting the freshest local ingredients. The Lynn Crawford who was formally the executive chef at the Four Seasons in Toronto AND New York, the most prestigious job in North American hotel cooking. And precisely the Lynn Crawford who has resigned from that job last fall after 24 years, and has now opened a restaurant at Queen street east where she would be preparing and cooking all the dishes herself.  


I know many people out there are skeptical when it comes to "celebrity chefs" and their ability to produce consistent high quality food and to run a restaurant. But hey, I personally think it is cool to have previously seen Chef Lynn on T.V and now have the opportunity to have meal prepared by her.  In all honestly I knew I would go to Ruby Watchco. Nothing, and no one, could've stopped me...it was just a matter of when.


But thanks to Ray, my wonderful best friend, who surprised me one day during work by bbm'ing me, saying that he got both of us a reservation at Ruby Watchco for my birthday (which was earlier this month). I was sooooo deliriously happy!!!


We arrived at 6pm (the restaurant only has two seatings available for dinner, one at 6pm and the other at 8pm). Once I walked in, I fell in love with the decor. I was really digging the dark brown / mahogany tables and chairs, the simple lines, and the lighting.

Father's Day BBQ

We shucked oysters at my brother's house for Mother's Day, and a month later it is Father's Day. Should we go out to eat this time? But like most of the time, we didn't feel like getting ripped off by restaurants, especially Chinese restaurants, with their "Father's Day Special Set Menu", nor did we feel like joining the herd of people trying to get a table, and ending up eating over-priced mediocre food. So should we stay in again? If we stay in, what were we gonna eat? Don't know if we feel like oysters again lol. Well thank goodness for the beautiful weather this past Sunday, my Dad suggested we get together at my brother's place for a nice little BBQ to celebrate. 


The weather on Sunday was actually perfect for BBQ-ing. It was not humid, and even in the shade you wouldn't feel cold. At times there was also a nice little breeze. The weather on Sunday, being the day before the first day of summer, was way better than the weather we are having right now in Toronto as I'm typing this (today is the day after the first day of summer, and its pouring outside, with the forecast predicting rain for the rest of the week *sad*).


My brother and my sister-in-law prepped everything, from the cutting of veggies to marinating the meats, to grilling the food too. Oh yeah, my Mom prepped the salad as well. That leaves only my Dad and I, so I guess our duty was to eat. O, how lucky we were =) 

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I was itching to bake one day. Itching. But I knew I was also too lazy to go out and get ingredients at the store - I basically wanted to bake in my pajamas without having to change. Solution? Rummage around the house to see what's available. 


I wanted to use up the white chocolate that I bought extra the last time I made the Earl Grey White Chocolate Chunk Muffins, so I went to allrecipes.com, typed in "white chocolate" in the ingredient search field, and found this Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Perfect! My mom has a huge bag of Craisins that she uses for her biscotti, and my house always has oats because my parents sometimes make oatmeal for breakfast.

I ♥ Sukhothai

Many people often ask me where I would recommend for Thai food, or in other words, what is my favourite Thai restaurant? Before having dinner a few weeks ago at Sukhothai, I would've answered "Sorry, I have no idea". Not that I don't like Thai food, I love Thai food. It's just that I honestly haven't been to any Thai restaurant in Toronto that has "WOW'ed" me, so I feel like there was no point in telling people about those average-at-best Thai restaurants. 


There are several Thai restaurants that I've been to where I would come out afterwards feeling indifferent. Or worse, I would feel like I ate something that had an identity crisis. Not sure if you know what I mean, but for example at Spring Rolls, their menu consists of dishes from Cantonese dim sum, to Szechuan noodles, Vietnamese pho, to Japanese chicken teriyaki, Thai mango chicken, and back the good ol' Chinese wonton soup. Once I had the mango chicken there and I felt like I was eating sweet and sour chicken, which can also pass for a Chinese dish. So what is Spring Rolls exactly? I know I know, Spring Rolls' theme is "Pan-Asian" so it has an excuse to provide such variety, but it doesn't help when every dish they serve at the place is so...blah. Not only targeting Spring Rolls, I find that a lot of "Thai" restaurants these days are trying to please too many people by adopting this "Pan-Asian" approach. Do you get my point?  Even if you don't, I was just sick of these "jack-of-all-trades" places that label themselves as a "Thai" restaurant but at the same time having a menu that's 80% non-Thai. I gave up on trying to find a decent and authentic Thai restaurant after awhile. 


About two months ago, a friend of mine, Anthony, told me about Sukhothai. He told me that it is his favourite Thai place and I must go try it out. He says it has a small menu but serves very authentic Thai food and that I must go early because it is a very small restaurant with only 6-7 tables. He recommended me a few dishes to try there and told me he was sure I wouldn't be disappointed. Let me just say now that everything he said to me is 100% accurate.


My friend Julia and I went one day after work. It wasn't busy then but that's because we were there around 5:30 or so. We didn't doubt that it would become very busy later on since Sukhothai is located pretty close to Ryerson University.


The laminated menu is small yet very colourful with a picture for each dish. And yes, every dish on the menu is Thai.

Potato Pancakes

I'm not a huge potato fan. Actually no, let me clarify, I think the only kind of potato (preparation wise) I don't like would be mashed potatoes - it's a bit too bland for me...well unless it has lots of butter in it. And if I'm having a baked potato, it needs to be "loaded" with sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, green onions, etc., basically the "works" you know? With lots and lots toppings piled up high. Oh, I also love fried potatoes (as in french fries, chips) or pan-fried potatoes pancakes or fritters. Basically, I like all unhealthy ways of preparing potatoes. 


I bought this BIG BOOK of BREAKFAST long time ago, several years back probably. Haven't really used it at all because the book has no pictures. OK I admit it, I only got it because it was on sale for super cheap. If it was selling for regular price, I probably wouldn't have got it. Recipe books without even one picture in them will not inspire nor motivate me to make whatever is in it. Go ahead, judge me!!!


Anyway, I digress. My boyfriend has this huge bag of potatoes at his place which he doesn't know what to do with (the bag of potatoes were given to him by his mom, don't know why, so don't ask haha). I decided to to flip through this book in hopes of finding a recipe with potatoes, I mean since it is a breakfast book . I found this potato pancakes recipe and it was perfect because he also had green onions and yellow onions at home. 


I like this recipe because it is quick and easy, and it doesn't necessarily have to be eaten for breakfast (we ate it during dinner with other dishes). And most importantly, it is PAN-FRIED! I truly believe that if you put together a bunch of seemingly boring ingredients together, combine them together, fry it or pan fry it, there's a pretty good chance that it will come out at least decent - that's my theory lol!


Oh, this recipe is also good for all of you out there that had once wanted to just buy maybe 5-6 potatoes for dinner, but opted for the big 5lb bag instead because it was a "better deal", and is now stuck with it, forever.

Grano? "NO!"

Grano is an Italian restaurant near the Yonge and Eglinton area. One day I met up with my friend Jean and instead of going to Grazie, which is also nearby, we decided to try out Grano, which is also in the neighbourhood. Before heading down, I took a look at their website. The restaurant seems to be very well established - according to the website, Grano will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2011. The restaurant also sells its own gift cards, does catering, and offers Italian lessons along with dinner (a 20-year tradition at the restaurant). They have also recently hosted the post premiere screening party for the film Letters to Juliet for 300 people. Sounds promising, right? All I gotta say is, thank goodness for the yummy desserts at Panorama afterwards or else it would've been a sad, sad night in terms of food.


Well, the front of the restaurant looks cool and stylish, I give them that.