I am back at last!
I am fully recovered and already working full blast! i have been moved to a new station where most of our desserts are sent out during service. It is super hard and intense but I am learning so much and the season is coming so I need to get ready...

This time I will introduce to you one of my all time favorite Chinese pastries - pineapple bun - There is absolutely no pineapple in the bun itself, but it is the top that is made in a way to resemble a pineapple. The dough is so soft and kinda chewy and the top is dryish and crispy, like a cookie. M m m.



And now let me tell you about one of the most appreciated Chinese delicacy - Bird's nest soup. I was invited by a true Chinese to try it and honestly, I was quite privileged. So what is a Bird's nest soup?
A few species of swift, especially the the cave swifts, are renowned for building the saliva nests used to produce the unique texture of the soup. The nests have been used in Chinese cooking for over 400 years and are among the most expensive animal products consumed by the humans. A kilogram of white nest can cost up to $2,000 and a kilogram of "red blood" nest up to $10,000. It is known for many health benefits mostly to improve the beauty of the skin.

There is no particular flavor of the soup, it is almost like a thicker simple syrup (sugar syrup) with gelatinous pieces with a very mild aroma.

I finally have some time to experiment with cooking, catch up with friends and family,and of course...take pictures.
Last week I found out I had appendicitis and I had to get it removed, so I am taking some time off work and recovering. Everything went well and I was fortunate to have the surgery right away.

Since I have been spending a lot of time with my Chinese male friend, I am completely under the influence of Asian cuisine and I love it. I am becoming a pro at cooking rice which perfectly compliments each dish. Even though it is cooked on the stove, it is basically steaming in a little amount of water.




Along with that I enjoyed a spicy cucumber salad with toasted sesame oil, chili flakes and soy sauce.



After seeing these in the health food store, I had to get it. Sunflower seed shoots are my favorite. I season them with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, but you can do anything you want with them. After seasoning eat them right away because they wilt very quickly.



And of course, dessert...Thanks to Stacey I discovered this coconut ice cream which contains only coconut milk, dried coconut, and is sweetened with agave! How fantastic is that. Because of that and the addition of chicory root extract I believe it is super healthy so I can have a bit more...well, quite a bit more actually :)))