Lotus root is a root vegetable that's indigenous to Asia. A tubular squash infiltrated with holes, it has the unique element of fibrous strands as you cut through .

When chopped in stick forms, the crunchiness resembles celery and carrot sticks. You can also use them in stir-fry with a mix of vegetables or with sliced meat of your choice. It's a very versatile ingredient. Nutrition-wise, it contains iron, vitamins B annd C. The rich fiber content stimulates peristalsis and relieves constipation.

The lotus is also associated with enlightenment and the Buddha. While we appreciate the flowery part, let's not forget the rhizome that supports the life of this plant.

A Success! Matcha Cookies!

It's raining cats and dogs in NYC today! But I still ventured out and paid the consequences with soggy socks, drooping sneakers, and wet feet.

A rainy day is the perfect excuse to stay indoor, but I'm not the type who bows down to water saturation. No. I'm crazy enough to fight away the wind and slanted raindrops just to run minuscule errands that could've waited till a sunnier day. I'm stubborn like that.

Though I did stay indoor the second half of the day...by getting some work and also baking some cookies. To be more specific, MATCHA COOKIES! I haven't made these for quite awhile and since I'm meeting a friend tomorrow and I don't want to go empty-handed, I decided to take a therapeutic break in the kitchen and whip up a batch. I actually got more dough than needed, so I froze the other half for later occasions.

Now feast your eyes on some green deliciousness. :)

Brownies anyone?

Sometimes, it's ok to indulge in a little sweet, especially if it's a one bowl miracle. That's right, this is a "one bowl brownie". No need to whip out your mixer; but alright, you do need to sift your flour and cocoa powder. I made this for a new friend I met. I hope she liked it. :)

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
1eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter it up.
3. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and cocoa and stir until cocoa is dissolved.
4. Add sugar and mix well.
5. Add egg, vanilla extract, sifted flour and salt, but don't overmix.
6. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.

ENJOY!

Lily Bulbs

People are becoming more and more health conscious nowadays. We are more aware of the nutrition label on a food package, invest more time in exercising or pay more attention to the media for the latest health updates. However, this is really just old news. Our ancestors already knew that each food owns its particular nutritional value. Granted they didn't have the jargon of vitamin A, B, C or D, they knew that certain food could heal or maintain a healthy body.

For example, Chinese cuisine is very particular with food combination, especially in soups. If you're not feeling well, then a particular organ is 'lacking' something. It's like the ying-yang concept. For myself, I prefer warming food in the evening. I can have a salad in the afternoon, but at the end of the day, I want to warm my body with something soothing and comforting. This post will feature a 'warming' food - lily bulbs. They are also used in herbal remedies. You can find them in Asian supermarkets. Once you open up the small package, you just peel them and make sure to wash them well (lots of dirt since they are 'bulbs' from the soil afterall). You can add the snowy petals to an Asian dessert soup, but I like to stir fry mine with other vegetables. I love their natural sweetness and delicate texture and innocent appearance. You just want to handle them with care and love. Here, I stir-fried the lily bulbs with watercress, wood ears, and brown rice.

Snow Storm 2010

Will this be the last of it before spring arrives??

Did you enjoy the quiet time during the snowfall?

I could only remember two things - wet socks and an aching back from snow shovelling. In all, it wasn't that bad. At least I survived. NYC survived.

Random thoughts...

I took this random picture while I strolled around the Meatpacking District in Manhattan. I love rundown, realistic objects. If I had a choice of career, I would love to be a documentary photographer. It's a risky job, but it would be so fulfilling and meaningful.

When I saw this fan, I could imagine it had labored through many hours of usage, keeping the person/space cool and comfortable. Now that the weather is cold, this machine has no further purpose, but only as a decoration by a barred window. The fan's weathered condition hasn't been remedied by anyone. For once, I felt sorry for this object, wishing someone would at least brush off the prolific dust or at least adjust the fan so it isn't drooping its 'head'. We often under appreciate the small details around our lives.

Just a thought. A random thought.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Happy Lunar New Year! Today is the start of the Year of the Tiger. Roaaarrr!

According to the lunar calendar, this year's New Year's Day conveniently falls on Valentine's Day as well, so people can just celebrate both holiday all in one! Recession-proof holiday I tell ya. :)

Lunar New Year isn't solely celebrated by the Chinese, as most expected, but rather other Asian countries also take part of the festivities as well, such as Taiwan, Korea, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Yes, more excuses to indulge in various types of Asian cuisine!

As for Chinese traditions, there are dishes that are especially created for our new year and one of them is my favorite 'dessert', which is 'sweet mochi cake', also known as 'Nián gāo', which is a homonym for "higher year", but really a symbol for growth and prosperity. I love it because it's chewy, slightly sweet, and just very warming. I like to pan fry it a little to give it a more 'mochi' chewiness.

I was also in Chinatown, NY to join in the festivity (and crowdiness). Lots of confetti were flying around and kids everywhere were slapping firecrackers on the ground. Scared me to death! :)

Hope everyone had a fun Lunar New Year/Valentine's Day!