Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all my Chinese Friends!

I was at Siam Paragon to meet my relatives who were visiting Bangkok today when I chanced upon  a big sign for Moon Cake Festival. I saw  customers queuing up in different shops selling  moon cakes. I am not Chinese. I don't celebrate the festival but I love these Chinese delicacy so I was one to line up to sample these delicious mooncakes.

A Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner

Vegetarian Honey and Nut Cupcake

The Vegetarian Festival is upon us. This means there will be many festivities in the nine-day long celebration all throughout Thailand. As for me, the best part of the festival is having a lot of vegetarian dishes to choose from. I am not vegetarian but my diet consists of protein and vegetables eighty percent of the time.

I know this post is too early for the October Vegetarian Festival. I  got up early a few days ago and I was in the mood for these healthy cupcakes.

Ginataang Mongo (Mung Beans in Coconut Milk)

There was a time during my childhood years when mung beans in coconut milk was part of my staple diet. Mom was assigned to work in another town. As mommy's little girl, I would always tag along on weekends and holidays. Sometimes, my vacay would fall on the time when  mung beans were in season. During those times, the caretaker of mom's office  would bring kilos of newly harvested mung beans from the farm her family owned. She would cook them once a day until our stocks last. I tell you, I had never gotten tired of it. In fact, I would always look forward to meal time as I knew there's mung bean dish on the table waiting.

For Friday night dinner last week, my sis and friends requested mung beans in coconut milk. Being the obedient personal chef, I cooked this dish and served it with fried fish and  tofu as  side dishes.

Japanese Cha Soba with Garlic and Olive Oil

Who would have thought that Japanese noodles are also good with garlic and olive oil? I had a pack of Japanese green tea noodles which I bought at the trade fair and I didn't know what to do with them. I didn't have the ingredients to make the sauce. It's my last day of work that week. I was starving and exhausted.  All I wanted was to have a delicious and healthy comfort food which I could whip up in a short time. An idea struck me when I saw the bottle of olive oil.

The Aston Gastro Bar at Crystal Design Center, Bangkapi

Aston Gastro Bar has been featured several times in food magazine and on TV. The restaurant is considered to be one of the best in Thailand. The owner who is also the chef, is a friend and former classmate at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School. Eating at Aston was at the top of my  to-do list for months. Since most of us live in the suburb, my friends and I will always hit  the city center every time we  dine out. So my chances of experiencing fine dining food which Aston offers are slim.

This week, a friend was in town for business. I proposed taking her out to dinner. I suggested we check out my friend's restaurant at CDC. Imagine how big my smile was when they all agreed! I couldn't wait!

The Convenience of Pancake and Waffle Mix

When I attended the Food and Hotel Trade Show, I'd  met and talked to many bakery suppliers in the city. As a baker, I have to establish contact with these people to gain more information about their products and compare their prices and services. One company representative I met had given me a sample of pancake and waffle mix. I love cooking and baking from scratch so it was left sitting in the cabinet for many days. 

Last Saturday, the Children's Ministry Department was scheduled to lead out in the Sabbath School Program. My sister being the one in-charge of the program had to be in church  before 8. I didn't want to miss the kids' program so I got up just a few minutes after  she got  up. I headed to the kitchen to start cooking breakfast.  The moment I saw the pancake mix, I knew what  I had do.

My favorite morning and evening drink

One of the many loots I took home from  the Food and Hotel Trade Show last week was this roasted grain with lactobacillus powdered drink. I was looking for a soy milk powder but instead found this. It instantly caught my attention. The Korean lady at the counter asked me if I wanted to try it. I nodded. There were three flavors available - Yam, Ginkgo and Mixed Grains. I chose the latter. My friend chose Ginkgo. She asked me how do I prefer it, hot or cold. I chose cold. She put a teaspoon of the powdered drink into a small plastic cup, poured cold milk and stirred. I drank it. Ahhh, it's mash-eet-da (informal way of saying delicious in Korean). I was immediately smitten. I took a little sip of Ginkgo and I didn't like it.  There's more to see at the trade show so I didn't buy it right away. I don't like having to carry heavy stuff as I walk around.I promised to come back. And before leaving the trade show, I bought Mixed Grains Powdered Drink.

Bei Otto German Restaurant on Sukhumvit 20

Weeks back, a friend gave me an assignment to find a place for his birthday celebration.  His birthday had long  since passed but he wanted to treat the group anyway. Due to our busy schedule, my friends and I couldn't find the time to meet together so  dinner had been postponed several times.

While the others were doing their business, I was busy searching for a restaurant. As I was contemplating, Bei Otto German Restaurant came to mind. I was there with my "adoptive" family for some occasion 13 years ago. I don't remember the dishes but what I remember was the food being good. We've had Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai and Indian food together but never German. I suggested it to them and everyone seemed okay with it.

Last weekend, everyone was able to spare some time to meet up for dinner, finally!

The 20th Food and Hospitality Event, BITEC Bangna - Chocolate and Sugar Work Competition Entries

These are  pictures of  some entries to the chocolate and sugar showpiece competition held during the 20th International Food and Hospitality Trade Show. I was lucky to snap before they were taken away.

Assembled Chocolate Showpiece. Will I ever get to make chocolate showpiece this beautiful and stunning? I wonder.

The 20th Food and Hospitality Event at BITEC Bangna - Warning! These images will make you hungry!

I got invited to the 20th International  Food and Hospitality Trade Show held at BITEC Bangna from September 5-8 2012. It was my third time to participate in the event. As  expected, it did not disappoint. I was able to establish more contact with distributors/suppliers, experience  firsthand the new products and services offered and expand my knowledge on the latest developments and trends in the hospitality industry.

Here's a peek at some of the highlights of  Food and Hotel Trade Show.

Entrance to the trade show

Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

I have had so much scrambled eggs with tomatoes when I was young. When I moved to the Middle Kingdom in 2001, I was surprised to see this pre-made eggs and tomato dish everyday in a university cafeteria counter. It became one of my best loved dishes during my time in China. Oh well, I love Chinese food. Period.

When I'm in a rush to feed hungry stomach, this is my lifesaver. Easy and tasty dish which can be prepared in a few  minutes.