In the words of author Randy Pausch in his book The Last Lecture, "I won the parent lottery. I was born with the winning ticket." I was born to loving and supportive parents who, to this day, continue to sacrifice unconditionally for their children. My father is one of the kindest, gentlest, most generous souls you could ever meet.
Bacon has become quite the trend over the past couple of years. I've seen bacon flavored candy and mints, bacon shaped throw pillows, T-shirts with all kinds of bacon sayings, and even bacon perfume. Historically bacon has been a flavoring agent in many cuisines before it became a popular stand alone breakfast food and topping for burgers and baked potatoes. Now bacon has come into its own as a leading role.
While conversing with a chef friend one day in the break room, we talked about the Greenmarkets in New York where she grew up, and recalled a time when there were no Greenmarkets. She remembers a time when Union Square was known as "needle park."
When people find out that I'm originally from San Jose, California, there are typically a few responses that I get. "What are you doing out here?" "Why would you leave the beautiful weather?" and often times a rendition of, "Do you know the way to San Jose?” followed by, “Are you even old enough to know that song?" These are all legitimate questions, I suppose.
Chinese New Year has a few different names. It is also known as Lunar new year, since many Asian cultures celebrate the new year according to the lunar calendar, and it is also called Spring Festival in China. It is not a single day and evening event like we celebrate according to the Gregorian calendar. Chinese New Year is a national holiday that mandates that Chinese citizens have seven days off.
Soup is considered a comfort food for a reason. It is a great way to combat the cold in winter and a great way to combat a cold. Why is it that when I’m sick, I long for my mother’s chicken soup? Is it a myth that chicken soup helps cure your cold? In 2007, the New York Times cited two studies that showed that chicken soup has more than just a placebo effect and does, in fact, reduce cold symptoms, but it would be better not to discuss the unappetizing details of it here.
December marks the holiday season. It is a time for family get togethers, tree decorations, baked goods, gift exchanges, and evergreen and mistletoe. While my family does partake in all of these things, there is one tradition that we have which is particularly tasty, satisfying, and communal. That tradition is dim sum.
