Monday, December 28, 2009

Yan Can Cook - Anna's Cookbook Recommendation

Have my blog inspired you to learn cooking Chinese food? Actually there are quick, easy and healthy Chinese cooking methods that you can learn from professional Chinese chefs. Here are my most respected Chinese chefs and their cookbooks - Martin Yan and Nicholas Zhou.

Martin Yan started his culinary career in Hong Kong, so I am proud to present him first.

Before my introduction, you might have already known him from his TV Show “Yan Can Cook” – a show which has been seen in 70 countries and has won many awards. First time I saw him on TV, I was completely impressed by his professional cooking skills and great sense of humour.

Yan moved to North America and has worked in restaurants in Canada and the United States. He received a Master Chinese Chef Certification from the Ontario Restaurant Association and holds a Master’s in Food Science from the University of California Davis. Chef Yan has written numerous cookbooks and has consulted with restaurants and culinary schools throughout the country.


Among his cookbooks, the following being most popular: Martin Yan's Chinatown Cooking: 200 Traditional Recipes from 11 Chinatowns Around the World (intro by Julia Child), Martin Yan Quick and Easy, and his latest, Martin Yan's China (a cookbook that documents his travels throughout the far reaches of China, and his culinary discoveries).

Hong Kong Chinese Food - Cookbook Review

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Dim Sum Tea Time Special

My brother took me to a late lunch in Shatin last week. We arrived at the restaurant just after 2pm, so were entitled to special dim sum prices. You cannot imagine how low the prices were. Below are two examples. My favourite dessert Steamed Egg Custard costed even less than that from convenience stores.

Steamed Egg Custard
HK$3.8 (US$0.49)
Stir Fried Flat Noodle with Eggs and Prawns
HK$28.8 (US$3.7)
less than half price comparing to peak hour
Some readers asked me about the tea time in Hong Kong. Broadly speaking from 2pm to 6pm. However there are variations among restaurants. Dim sum restaurants usually start at 2pm. Food at this period is generally the cheapest in a day. Master your time and you can enjoy great food at greatly reduced price.

Hong Kong Chinese Food - Tea Time Dim Sum Special

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Chinese Wedding Banquet

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December 5, 2009
Wedding Banquet at Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hotel, Hong Kong. The host told me that hotel wedding package included one suite for one night plus a Mercedes with driver.

Following the wedding cakes, I was invited to the wedding banquet. A typical Chinese wedding banquet has 8 courses plus noodle/rice, dessert and fruits. All guests should go home with an over-feed stomach. Usually we are not able to finish the desserts/fruits and have to take them home.

Below is a report of a classic Chinese (Cantonese) wedding banquet. Most of the dishes are available in everyday dining, however in a smaller portion while crab meat usually required advance ordering. A standard banquet table has 12 guests.

The names of the dishes are usually designed for good luck.


BBQ Piglet 鴻運乳豬全體 Stir Fried Brocolli with Scallops 翡翠花枝玉帶
Deep Fried Crab Meat 百花炸釀蟹箝
Vegetable with Dual Mushrooms
瑤柱金菰鴛鴦蔬
Abalone with Lecttuce
蠔皇福祿鮮鮑片
Shark Fin Soup with Sliced Chicken
紅燒竹笙雞絲大生翅
Steamed Garoupe 清蒸大海班
(I have chosen to enjoy the giant fish head)
Deep Fried Chicken 當紅脆皮炸子雞
Noodle 幸福伊面
Dual Dessert 美點雙輝
Wolfberries Jelly Cake / Coconut Juice Cake
Hong Kong Chinese Food - Cantonese Wedding Banquet