Food as Culture

Food may shape events or celebrations that become cultural norms, or assimilate into another culture, become intrinsic to it, and then work to shape or drive agricultural demands and practices. In this context, any meal is more than a sustenance…but culture.

An indigenized version of the Mexican tamal through the galleon trade under the vice royalty of Spain is the Philippine tamal “tamales” found in Mexico in the central plains of the Philippines.  It is a steamed delicacy made with a mixture of ground white and brown (toasted) rice, ground peanuts and coconut milk topped with strips of chicken, chorizo and slices of hard boiled eggs or red eggs (salted) and wrapped in banana leaves.

TRAVELOGUE: Hong Kong jiē, jiē dào

Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where "East meets West", reflecting the culture's mix of the territory's Chinese roots with influences from its time as a British colony.

Hong Kong balances a modernised way of life with traditional Chinese practices. Like New York, a city that never sleeps....but it does.

Spanning bridges between islands

Bird's eye view of Hong Kong side

 Skyscrapers abound

Shopping haven

Hong Kong does sleep after all...

Another shopping/bargain area perpendicular to Nathan Road

Gourmet row

Icon Hotel

Vertical garden

Empty alleys

 

Classified ads

 

Heartwarmers

Bouillabaisse

Crevette Bisque

Miso Shooters

Cream of Nacho Soup

Soupe L'oignon

Holiday Recipe

INGREDIENTS: Yield: 4 to 6 servings x 2 for two layers
4 eggs
100 g butter, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
¾ cup water
2 cups raw almonds, ground
Zest (rind) of 1 lemon
Confectioners’ (icing) sugar for decorating
Avoset Pour N’ Whip for side icing
350g peeled sliced white almonds for side icing garnish
Almond paste for filling

PROCEDURE

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (170°C/Gas 3).
2. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy with a paddle attachment. Beat in the eggs.
3. Beat in the flour and baking soda, gradually adding the water. Add the ground almonds and lemon zest.
4. Grease a 2-9 inch round cake pan and pour in the mixture for each pan.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Prick with a long needle to check whether it is cooked. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
6. Remove from the oven; allow cooling, and then turning out of the pan.
7. Spread almond paste on top of one layer of the cake and place the other layer on top.
8. Place whipped cream on side of the cake and carefully stick sliced on the side. Sprinkle confectioner’s sugar on top of cake.

 

TRAVELOGUE: Macau Culture

 Região Administrativa Especial de Macau for "Macao Special Administrative Region"

Macau was a Portuguese colony and both the first and last European colony in China.
Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 16th century and subsequently administered the region until the handover on 20 December 1999.

The mixing of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures and religious traditions for more than four centuries has left Macau with an inimitable collection of holidays, festivals and events.

A-Ma Temple, a temple built in 1448 dedicated to the goddess Matsu.

 The Statue of Guan Yin, a blend between the traditional images 

of the Bodhisattva Guan Yin and Holy Mary.

 Ruins of St. Paul's, façade of originally The Cathedral of St. Paul built in 1602.

View from the former interior. Under the glass cases were the convent

Adjacent to the ruins of St Pau is a shoppers haven or "tiangge" Notice the sign in tagalog....