Ever since C started to visit Sweden (in total 3 times in the 4 years I have known him) it has become our tradition to spend a night in Copenhagen. This makes more sense when you realise that my parents have their house in Skåne which is in the South of Sweden and our closest international airport is in fact Copenhagen, Denmark and that is where we always fly into.
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I have received far too many complaints that its been awfully quite here on the Travelling Chopsticks for a number of months, and I apologise. Although I’m not going to go into any details (as that would just be far too boring and tedious) but it was a combination of travelling, wedding planning, lack of inspiration and general funk that I did not managed to bring fingertips to key board for several months.
However that is all about to change and what better comeback recipe than Lomo Saltado. Lomo Saltado is a classic Peruvian dish, which for me is the perfect example of Peruvian cuisine and its diversity. An absolute testament to Peru’s Asian influence which so surprised me when I first got to know C. Essentially it’s a stir fry with strips of beef, onion, tomato, soy, vinegar and potatoes giving this dish a wonderful aromatic flavour yet a punchy kick with the aji (Peruvian chili) and vinegar. Keen on reading
We all know how comforting food from home is – and every so often, no matter what exciting country you find yourself in, or what stage of your life you are in, you will at some point or the other feel immense nostalgia for the food of your childhood. Maybe it’s not so much for the flavours (although that is a very large part of it), but for all the memories that comes hand in hand with those flavours.
A couple of months ago, C and I were watching old seasons of Top Chef where the finale was in Singapore. I was so incredibly excited about seeing those final two episodes and sharing the moment with C who has not yet been to Singapore, that I could barely sit still on the sofa. I found myself shouting and pointing at the telly with every new screen shot: “oh my goodness that is Seetoh!”, “there is lau pau sat” or “clark quay” or in a rather condescending way “what?! you guys don’t know what a rambutan is?”
I think I worked myself up into quite an emotional state, as when the show was over – I felt this incredibly emptiness and for the first time since I left Singapore almost 2 years ago I real sense of homesickness. Although I know without a doubt that moving to Mexico was the best decision I have ever made, I cannot help but be nostalgic about my old life and remember all my good friends that I left behind, and of course my parents who still live there – and the amazing life style that Singapore has to offer. I find myself with this lingering question in my head of will I ever move back?
That night, I posted something on facebook about missing Singapore, and a couple of weeks later look what I received:
A packet-and with the beautiful and familiar slogan of Singapore Post!
What a fantastic feeling and better yet when I opened it, it had these brilliant gems inside..box after box of my favourite mixes of these Singaporean dishes: Hainanese Chicken Rice; Laksa; Bak ku te; Mee Goreng; Prawn Mee; Chili Crab; Singaporean Curry – I could of cried.
Two of my very good friends back in Singapore saw my little distressed facebook post, and decided to send me a care package from home. Justine and Michelle it meant the world to me! I have all the boxes neatly lined up in my larder and every time I walk past them I am not only reminded about home, but the amazing friends that I have!
Thank you with all my heart!
XXXX
The Sunday before last C and I, along with a friend decided to spend the day at Tepotzlan – a little town about 1.5 hour south of Mexico City. If I’m going to be honest, I am the one that wanted to spend the day at Tepotzlan, and I bullied C into driving us :)
We had been to Tepotzlan a few months prior with some good friends of ours, and I really wanted to return as not only is it a very picturesque little town with cobbled streets, but there is hike up a hill that I wanted to do to go visit an old temple called Tepoztecalt.
Keep ReadingI’m not sure if anyone remembers – but in December I boldly stated that every month, I intended to try at least 4 recipes from the Bon Appetite magazine and blog about them? Well I managed that one time and failed miserably the following months. Now there are a variety of reasons for this. One, after I made that bold statement, I didn’t receive a BA magazine for a while, and Two, recently the BA magazines I have received have not inspired me in the slightest – and I feel as though I’m slowly losing interest in them.
However, thanks to my wonderful Australian relatives who signed me up for a year subscription of Donna Hay’s magazine as an engagement present along with these wonderful ceramic Australian bowls they sent all the way to Mexico (Bison Australia), I have only just discovered this well known Australian food talent. Keep Reading
After two weeks of being away, C flew back into town last week and took me out on a surprise date night! He didn’t say where we were going, just that we had dinner reservations at 9pm and to wear something nice!
Although C and I are really fortunate to have a lovely social life here in D.F. there is something still so exciting for me about Date Night! Maybe it is because C and I never really ‘dated’ so to speak. We went from a long distance relationship (C in D.C and me in Singapore), to living together straight away in Mexico. Not that I would change that for the world – but when we do go out for a special evening just the two of us – I think I enjoy it that much more!
I have to admit that this brown rice salad does not look very exciting in this photo – but I promise you, looks can be deceiving! It has this level freshness and lightness which cannot be captured by the camera and will be such a fabulous side dish at a BBQ or picnics or if you just want to eat it on its own! Keep Reading
When I’m on my own, I tend to make a lot of vegetarian dishes or one-pot meals, as they generally are quick and easy, and I can make enough for lunch the following day. However, one evening last week, I really had a craving for chicken – and although I must admit that this wasn’t the best dish I have ever made (it was incredibly salty), it was however, incredibly simple and goes to show that you can make a really good, healthy meal just for yourself with very little hassle. Keep Reading
On the last Thursday of every month the four of my closest girlfriends in Mexico City make a point of meeting up for dinner. We found that with all our work commitments, various social commitments and of course boyfriend/husband commitments it was very easy for months to have gone by without seeing each other.
I really look forward to these Thursdays. Not only is it a chance to hang out with 4 lovely ladies and talk about everything of importance and of non-importance going on in our lives, but it also gives me a chance to try restaurants that I may not have found on my own. Keep Reading
So – I was quite excited to share this recipe with you as it was so simple and tasty, but now as I was going through my old recipes, I see that I almost have an exact replica of it, but using another type of bean. Nevertheless, I still think it is worth a mention, if nothing more than to remind you how easy it can be to whip up something healthy and fast straight after work.
Also this is the kind of food that I love making when I’m on my own. One pot meal, strong flavours, no more than 20 mins preparation and perfect to bring for lunch the next day. Although I am sure this will taste great with naan or rice – however you really don’t need to serve this with anything, it is incredibly filling just on its own. Keep Reading
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