Shōyu (醤油, basic soy sauce) ramen 

Early this year Momofuku Ando, the Japanese inventor of instant noodles died at the age of 96.  He founded Nissin Food Products Co.  1948.   Faced with food shortages in post World War II Japan, Ando developed the idea that a quality, convenient noodle product would help feed the masses.

 Little did he know then that ramen would become popular the world over with young and old alike.

 Cooking in Front of the Camera

Sakoon Voelz prepares tuna toast, a Thai appetizer, for "Thai Food Tonight" while the family's dog, Billie Jean, stands by for any wayward scraps.

The bare-bones budget of "Thai Food Tonight" requires Cathy Geefay, left, and her mother, Dim Geefay, to take care of their own hair and makeup before taping of their cooking show begins in the family's dining room.

Ernie Geefay ponders how he'll shoot the next scene as his wife, Dim Geefay, and daughter Cathy Geefay wait for taping of "Thai Food Tonight" to resume.

Asia's Fast Food gives a whole new approach to fast foods.  

Forget Mc D's and leave all those other high calorie fat-loaded fast foods behind.

 Healthful Aspects of Tropical Fruits Pineapple Guava-flowers are also edible and so pretty 

Recent research conducted by scientists from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) investigated the healthful aspects of several tropical fruits, including guava, which was shown to be high in antioxidants, total phenolics, vitamin C and dietary fiber.

I have two Pineapple Guavas in my yard and they are so pretty when in bloom.

Starfruit always is a star in a dish!

When I was shopping the other day at 99 Ranch, a large Asian Market here in California (also Taiwan and Indonesia) I noticed a 250ml bottle of something called Bunge Prickley Ash Oil.  I picked one up and at the checkout asked the lady what it was.  She looked at it, and said I am Vietnamese and don't know this one.

 On the back label it does say chilli Oil and is from Sichuan product of China.  Well, I became quite curious as I haven't seen this before and have many shopping Asian markets for over 20 years and have been to various regions of China dozens of times, and we had a Vietnamese/Chinese foster daughter for many years who taught me alot of the cuisines.

A performer at a Chinese play during the annual vegetarian festival, Talaat Noi held in Chinatown, Bangkok

When Ganesh asked what do Thais eat for breakfast?  I got to thinking about this not so easy to answer question.  It isn't like the US where it's cold cereal and milk, bacon and eggs, or say pancakes unless in a Bangkok Western Hotel.  Actually all over Southeast Asia breakfasts are often of a savoury or non sweet choice.

 

In Thailand it is common to grab breakfast and most meals from street cooks.  They place your food in small plastic bags, or you can sit on low small stools and eat at child-size tables nearby.

Street vendor Bangkok

Bangkok rice and tea being cooked for morning early risers.

Chinese cuisine originated from different regions of China and has become widespread in many other parts of the world — from East Asia to North America, Australia and Western Europe.

A meal in Chinese culture is typically seen as consisting of two or more general components: (1) a carbohydrate source or starch,typically rice, noodles, or mantou (steamed buns), and (2) accompanying dishes of vegetables, meat or fish. Here is a vegetarian Chinese Menu...

 

 

 

 

Thai cuisine is known for its balance of five fundamental flavors in each dish or the overall meal - hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty and bitter (optional). Thai food is known for its enthusiastic use of fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices as well as fish sauce.

Thai food is popular in many Western countries especially in Australia, New Zealand, some countries in Europe such as the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, and Canada.

Delicious Thai Dinner Menu:

A Special Chinese Dinner Menu :

 

1.Ma Po Tofu:

 

2.Shrimp Stir Fry:

 

3.Spicy Orange Chicken:

 

 We usually head to SE Asia in Dec/Jan as it is Winter and dry then with temps averaging mid 80's.  We sort of spur of the moment decided to pop over to Cambodia and Thailand in a couple of weeks. 

I am buying an HD video cam so there will be lotsa videos to share with you all.  I'll have my favourite Nikon D80 with me plus a couple good Nikor lenses.  (Some have asked me about my photos and equipment.)  If any have suggestions on which video Cam to buy please let me know.  It must be compatible with Vista and I prefer HD.

I am really looking forward to our first visit to Cambodia and the antiquities.  Roaming about the wats and temples will provide many photo opportunities.

 

We'll be mainly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. 

Travel Health & Safety: To eat seafood or not?

Our lobster girl is back!

We love seafood and often when traveling near the seaside opt for fresh seafood, or fresh water creatures. Also living just minutes from the ocean we eat seafood including shellfish several times a week. Fish and shellfish are low in calories and cholestrol.Dungeness Crab out of San Francisco Bay

Recently when we were in Boston we ate seafood every day dining on softshell crabs, oysters on the half shell, huge diver scallopd and a plethora of fresh fish.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season!

Have been offline getting ready for our holiday trip. I am learning to use the new Sony Video-cam and we'll be filming many great foodie things including street food, markets, and top chefs in Cambodia and Thailand to share here at iFood.TV.

Of course I'll be taking many stills as usual of the trip including Angkor Wat and foodie stuff.  I'll try and pop in here to say hallo to my foodie-friends and share some recipes I learn over there while on holiday.

Not cooking much these days - just getting ready for the trip and planting garlic and onions in the garden.  Dug up about a dozen large special chile plants to over winter in the house with the hibiscus and Curry Leaf tree.

Pad Thai submitted by Hari at ifood.tvSteamed Mussels with Red Curry Sauce submitted by CurrySimple at ifood.tvThank You Chefs.

Thai cuisine is known for its balance of five fundamental flavors in each dish or the overall meal - hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty and bitter (optional). Thai food is known for its enthusiastic use of fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices as well as fish sauce.

 

Thai food is popular in many Western countries especially in Australia, New Zealand, some countries in Europe such as the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, and Canada.

A Special Thai Lunch Menu :