Deep Fried Winter Vegetables, healthy or not?

 Every winter I miss one particular snack that I used to get as a child in Korea.

Loaded with thinly sliced winter root vegetables, and coated with simple batter, then deep fried in hot oil..., this deep fried vegetables are perfect winter snack not only on the streets of Korea but in any household.

My dilemma is that, can this be considered as healthy?

Well, yes and no - depends on how you see it.

I would like to consider it to more of "yes" side.

Root vegetables are packed in nutrients and fiber. No comments on that.

Korean Fried Chicken 2, the spicy version

I received a revelation (?).
"Thou shall make another KFC (Korean Fried Chicken), nevertheless it shall be spicy...".
It was a still small voice that came from my hungry stomach, ha ha ha!
I had posted a non-spicy version of KFC and this is a sequel episode.

Yangzhou Style Fried Rice, and trip to Yangshuo

"Oh my! Look what I got?"
To my surprise, I found these gorgeous royal blue rice bowls hidden in a box that I abandoned in the storage.
I totally forgot about these beautiful bowls for a few years.
The memory started to flow and I remembered that I got them somewhere near Yanzhou Yangshuo, China.

I traveled Guilin and Yanzhou Yangshuo, two of the most scenic old town of China, several years ago. The scenery along the Li-river supposed to be stunningly beautiful and I was excited to enjoy it, but alas! It was raining and foggy when I took the cruise. All I saw was the misty fogs and the silhouettes of gorges behind.
With disappointment, I was walking on rural streets of unknown town near Yangzhou Yangshuo without much expectation after I landed.
 It was quiet and peaceful to wander around. I peaked at local's daily life, seeing them playing Mahjong, many sitting on their front door smoking...

Bindaetteok - Savory Mung Bean Pancakes

 

I am very excited to present a special recipe today.

A while ago I was contacted by "Kimchi Chronicles", the sentational PBS series on Korean food. 

Marja Vongerichten, the wife of famous chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, shared true beauties of not only many Korean delicacies but the cultures that follows. I have been a big fan of the show and enjoyed many episodes.

It is my honor to be as their first guest blogger to present a post.

So here I am, presenting a wonderful savory mung bean pancakes called Bindatteok.

Kimchee Tofu Dumpling, Our New Year Tradition

If you come to my house, you will find at least one or two packages of frozen dumplings stored in my freezer any time of the year. I purchase them from the grocery stores, of course.

But during the New Year, I like to make home-made dumplings with my family.

It is a fun activity that you can do with anyone - young or old, and you can store them in the freezer for later use if you can't finish them all at once.

Koreans love dumplings. We steam them, pan-fry them, deep-fry them, boil them, and throw them into soups and stews. Yes, some even juggle with them (?). 

What can I say more?

Trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope all of you had a wonderful time during Christmas and the New Year, enjoyed glorious food with your families and friends. 

Last week I put my family on a budget airline and flew to Chiang Mai, Thailand to spend a week. We had a fabulous time. 

Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand, close to the border to Myanmar and Laos.
You will find an amazing beauties and cultures of Thailand in this area.  I thought I would share with you some of highlights on my trip to this exotic place.