MEET TONY

Tony. With his wife Maria, they were the first couple to invite me over for dinner when I moved to Calgary all those years ago. Tony is from Hungary, so you can guess what we have in common. Yes, food. Of course. Good food. Amongst other things.

Tony wanted to go to China and who better to go with him than me. A few years back Tony tried to get into the import business but was thrown under the bus by his best friend and that guy's greedy wife. ( Now they are going to send their Ivory tower lawyers after me again...)
A sad tale really, but Tony never complained, licked his wounds and moved on. It seems he is ready to jump back into the fray and I can't wait to see what he is up to.

A great trip it was, as Tony is not only fun to travel with, but he has some brilliant ideas as well. Not all Chinese food was well received by him, but we did manage to find some Euro food to make him happy!

Joining the Red Army?

"You so tall, Mister"

Tourist!

Construction material

A bench for his backyard

Fruits are better than chicken feet

Head cheese in China?

Not his favorite food.

AUSTRIAN RUMBALLS

Rumballs there are many. I ate them all. But what it really comes down to, is the Rum. Many, too many pastry chefs use the flavor only. Some use Bacardi or similar rums from the Caribbean and they are OK, but not what brings back memories of my childhood Christmas times in Austria. Imagine as a kid, being allowed to "eat some alcohol". of course by the time we got the rumballs, all alcohol has evaporated.

Lauren used my mother's recipe after she found STROH RUM 54% at the liquor store here in Calgary. Available now at GF PATISSERIE!

HUNAN FOOD

SPICY BEEF

Snowy Calgary. I did not miss it. AT ALL! -22C, what the heck? Needless to say, below images of my first dinner in Shanghai make my mouth water. That's the sort of comfort food I could use today. Minus 22....I am very peed off.

Hunan cuisine make great use of hot chili peppers, garlic and other great spices. It was a special request to my dining companions and they took me to a great spot in Pudong to experience some spicy food. Apparently hot foods such as red chili peppers dry out and cool down the body, making it easier to handle the heat and humidity in the Hunan region. Huh. Cool down? I was steaming after a few dishes...and sweating.

BRAISED PORK (YES, SKIN ON!)

SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD

LOTUS FLOWER ROOTS (NOT MY FAV)
EXCELLENT FISH

SOME VEGETABLE, SPICY OF COURSE

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SPICY AGAIN....

THEY ALL LOVE CHICKEN FEET (NOT ME)

HIGH TECH WAIT STAFF WITH DIRECT PDA LINK TO THE CHEF