cookbook challenge: Lamb Korma with Cashews

When my friend Kiki came for a visit last month I also made another curry for us. Because Kiki loves lamb curry, the decision was almost easy. I chose the Lamb Korma this time because it doesn't need much ingredients but many spices X3

Lamb Korma with Cashews

Ingredients (4 portions)

800 g lamb meat, sliced in pieces

4 onions + 6 garlic cloves, chopped

2 tsp caraway seeds

2 dried chilis

1 tsp black pepper & green cardamom each

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp mustard grains

1 tsp fenugreek seed

4 tbs vinegar + 2 tsp palm sugar

Salt + 10 g ginger, grated

4 tbs oil

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp curcuma

4-6 tbs roasted cashews

preparation

Roast the spices and pestle them. Mix the spice powder with vinegar, sugar and salt. Mash garlic and ginger with a bit of water und put it aside.

Heat oil and roast the onions till they are golden. Mash the onions with 4 tbs water and add the spice mixture to make a paste.

Heat up the rest of the oil and fry the meat from every side. Put it aside.

Roast the ginger-garlic-paste shortly. Add coriander and curcuma and stir fry it. Mix in meat, the spice paste and 300 ml water, let everything cook covered on low heat for about 45 minutes. Taste korma with salt, garnish it with the cashews and serve with basmati rice.

The taste was very good but the sauce boiled almost dry so it was just a bit left for the rice >.<
Maybe the heat wasn't low enough... 

Chinatown in San Francisco & Japanese Tea Shop

The day after the Cherry Blosson Festival in Japantown we had booked a bootstour through the San Francisco Bay starting at Fisherman's Wharf passing under the Golden Gate Bridge and around the prison of Alkatraz. We got there by Cable Car, that was really cool. It's pretty old but nice to ride and the up and downs of the city are really funny to drive.

Cable Car (Turning Point)

The boat trip was also a great idea to view all the sightseeings of San Francisco mentioned above, the only bothering thing were the mny Chinese tourists on the boat. They were loud and running up and down to take the best photos of everything.

But it is also obwious that many Chinese live in Amerika. You hear Chinese everywhere. Even some bus announcements are in Chinese.

On our way back from Fisherman'S Wharf we walked along the business streets of San Francisco till we arrived in Chinatown. It was really big and this time it looked quite pretty. In the main street were many shops selling Chinese and American merchandise and of course restaurants and some business shops were located there.

main shopping street in Chinatown

shopwindow of one of the many (Chinese) souvenir shops

We also entered a Chinese backery like always but this looked really shabby from the inside. The food weren't so special as well and we didn't find any Pandan cake (like we did in London) though it is a Chinese speciality and really delicious.

Down the street we passed the little Chinese Gate and from one step to another we were back in 'America' so to say.

But this Chinatown is one of the nicest one I have visited so far. It has much more atmosphere than the one in Los Angeles for example!

In the evening we also went a little shopping in the Westfield and Nordstorm shopping center on Market Street. Inside the Westfield Center is a beautiful Japanese Tea shop. I couldn't resist to enter it because now is Cherry Blossom season and they sold many different kinds of Sakura Tea. You could see and smell every single tea what was really inviting. In the end I bought a box with two different Sakura teas in beaufitul tea cases^.^

I also got a single tea bag of green tea called 'Happiness' for free. I'm looking forward to taste everything^.^

(but because of my excitement I forgot to take photos of the shop >.<)

my gets and a catalog of Sakura Tea^^

Chinatown & Little Tokyo in Los Angeles

Hello everybody!

I am in California/USA at the moment and I'm travelling with my friend Lau through different cities. Currently we have been to Los Angeles (L.A.) - a really great city!

We had a hotel directly in the middle of Chinatown, kind of funny, because of course I didn't tell my travel agency that I love Asian countries, ha ha.

So here we are, in the middle of the Asian quarter.

our hotel: Dragon Gate Inn

The Chinese Plaza was pretty nice but the rest of Chinatown is quite unexited. The main street behind the 'Dragon Gate' (which marks the entrance of Chinatown) is kind of shabby >.<

Chinese Plaza

From there we took the Metro Rail Gold Line to Little Tokyo^^ (it's really called that way and it was only two stations from Chinatown)

This quarter is totally different from Chinatown and much more nicer!!! It's clean and filled with nice shops, hotels and restaurants and the Japanese American Museum. Even the traffic Lights are pieping like in Japan, that was so cute X3

In the centre of the quarter the Japanese Village Plaza is located. It's a circle walk with many typical Japanese shops and restaurants. We were totally happy because it is really a little Japan.

There was a great supermarket where many super delicious sweets were on sale *_*

We had to buy a package of Matcha KitKat there X3

choice of sweets

But there were also drug stores (where my friend Lau had to buy some eye lashes *lol *), backeries &cafés (I bought a Matcha Mochi Mochi),goodie & souvenir shops and of course some restaurants serving sushi. Udon, Ramen and other typical dishes (I could post a picture of almost every shop, but that would be too much^^;). Down in a centre were also a Anime store, a Lolita shop and shop selling cosplays and stuff like that. It even had some purikura machines. Of course we had to try one X3

centre of the plaza

shop with puri-machines

inside the drugstore; Lau buying her lashes^^

We went there in the morning but after our tour through the city we came back in the evening for dinner. We chose a nice restaurant called 'Maruya' which served Sushi. Ramen, Donburi and several side dishes. We both longed for a good Katsudon and weren't disappointed, it was totally delicious!!! and pretty much, we were so full afterwards XD

I also tried a cocktail there: Chu-Hi Cocktail – White Peach (sake) with soda and ice, it tasted fresh and sweet^^

Maruya

my cocktail

Katsudon X3

So we had much fun and it is worth a visit - even if you are not so into Japanese stuff like I am XD

~*~

During the day we have also been to Santa Monica and Hollywood, so here also some impressions of our trip:

Santa Monica Beach

Chinese Theatre

Hollywood sigh between the houses^^'

Book Fair Frankfurt ~ Public Days

On Saturday (11th October) I arrived at the Fair again around half past 11 and meet my friend Kim at her booth. My friend Lynn from Stuttgart wanted to meet me in one hour, so I had some time with Kim because her next meeting would also be at 2 o'clock. I supposed Lynn to meet at the booth because I also wanted to introduce her to Kim. Lynn is working at a Library in the children's books section, so I thought it would be interesting for both to talk about some business. And the chat was better than I expected, it was really a business meeting XD Lynn could gave her quite good tips and they exchanged their business email-adress to have further communication. I was impressed and felt like doing a good job for them both^^v

our group sitting in the booth

Lynn and I stayed together at the booth while Kim went to her next meeting, so we had time for chatting. Kims Korean friend (who lives in Germany now) also stayed at the booth and checked some books. While I was reporting my last travel to Japan to Lynn, he interrupted surprisingly and asked me if I write travel books O.o

What an idea. But he liked the way I was talking about it and suggested that maybe I should give it try. Really? But when I told Kim, she also liked the idea O.o So maybe another idea to consider in the future...

After Kim had returned, Lynn and I left the booth and went to the inner court of the Fair. Outside were also many people because there were also many interesting things to look: The Paddington Bear (Bus) and the Finnish Library Bus (Finnland was special guest of the Fair).

Of course outside was the place most of the cosplayers were gathering, so Lynn and I hoped to find some other friends there. We separated and soon and I met my friend Kirschu who was cosplaying 'Little Witch' with her friend Regi. So was the photographer XD It's always fun making a cosplay photo session.

I'm sorry that I didn't take any pictures outside >.<

After we finished I accompanied Kirschu to another group of her friends and I was surprised to meet some people I already know, too. The world is really a village *lol*

We spend the afternoon together and this day I left with Kirschu and her group because of us would overnight at her friend's Mara's place. And what a travel. We had to wait one hour for the train, change trains in nowhere and ended up behind nowhere where Mara's father fetched us at the station. But that was not the end because they live in a Forsthouse in the middle of a forest. Quite an adventure XD

We planned to watch a DVD that evening but Mara didn't found the one, so we decided for the movie 'Dogma' but we were all so tired that we broke up in the middle of the movie and went to bed XD

The next morning Mara surprised us with totally great pancakes for breakfast *_*

She made so many that we could take some in a lunchbox to the fair.

We left quite early that morning to catch our train, change trains again and get back to civilization XD

At the fair we separated because I wanted to greet Kim at first again. But I didn't stay long because she also wanted to take a look around, so I checked out Hall 5 (International Hall) where Middle Asian countries and North European countries had their booth but also international working instituts. I had an interesting talk with someone from the German Institut for culturel exchange, he gave me the last magazines of their institut for free (normally they cost 7,50 €!), that was nice^.^

Directly opposite were the so called 'World Stage' situated where interviews and screenings were held or political movies were shown. I stayed there to watch a movie about the growing city/state of Singapore. It was really amazing and I think it would be interesting to visit. So the next travel destination on my list^^

Movie screening 'Singapore'

I knew that Kim would leave early today to catch her flight back to Korea, so I stayed with her the last hour and helped her packing up the things of the booth. I will really miss her but at the latest we will meet again on the next Book Fair in Frankfurt!

I said goodbye to her and met my friends Kirschu and Sato at the Inner court again. Both were cosplaying today again but everybody was so exhausted of the two days (and me of four XD) that we just sat down, chat a little and tried not to fall asleep.

Unfortunately I took a late train back home >.<

But the ride was quite funny. First the conductor said that the train had some damagaes: the seat reservations couldn't be displayed, the fridge in the bistro wasn't working and the toilets in car no. 24-26 weren't working either... so we were all happy that the train itself was running *lol*

And finally I arrived safely and in time in Düsseldorf^^

It was a great weekend and give me much motivation for my further plans...

Book Fair Franfurt ~ Exhibitor Days

The International Book Fair in Frankfurt took place from 8th-12th October. My Korean friend Kim would have her own booth again on the fair and had asked if I could help her out there. I managed to get holidays, so I agreed to be there from Thursday (9th) till Sunday (12th). Beforehand she had sent me an Exhibitor Pass for the Fair, so I needn't buy me an entrance ticket or a train ticket (the use of the trains is included in the Fair Ticket^^v).

For saving money I didn't stay at a hotel but visit my friend in Mainz from Thurday to Saturday. So on the 9th I took the early train from Düsseldorf to Mainz and arrived at his house around 9 am. His grandmother welcomed me warmly and asked me if I still wanted some breakfast but I refused because I have already in the train. I didn't stay long because I wanted to take the 10 o'clock train from Mainz to Frankfurt which took one hour to the Fair.

Everything went well. At first I entered the Fair and went straight to Hall 6.1 (International Hall with countries from East Asia, France & Kanada) where I found Kim at her booth. It was so great to see her again, we haven't seen eath other since my travel to Korea at the end of March this year. So we had a lot to talk about... and not so much time currently^^;

First thing she told me that yesterday her bag was stolen while she arranged the booth (hang on some posters on the wall etc.) so she was happy that I will be there now to take care of the booth while she wants to have some meetings. I was really shocked and we found out later that it also happened to other people in the hall >.<

So Kim's first day just consisted of running to different places, making phone calls and get a new passport from the embassy. So no time for real business...

So I took care of the booth while she was happy to catch a meeting in the afternoon. Kim is working for a translation company and also offered children's learning books for grammar school (especially for maths and science) from another company. If someone was interested, we had a little chat and I gave away Kim's business card.

me sitting in the booth

When she came back after an hour, she introduced me to a good Japanese friend of hers. She is working for a publishing firm and the two of them also met at the Fair for the first time and have become good friends^^

We arranged to meet eath other for dinner after the fair, I was really happy about it.

Finally Kim and I could talk a bit more about our jobs and what happened the last month. We share so many positive energy and motivation, it's always so bracing talking to her^^

Then I also took a first round through the hall and stopped by the other South Korean booth, by Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. I got myself some information sheets especially from Japan and I also collect some material for Kim who hasn't managed to take a look around so far.

Taiwan

Hong Kong

Japan

Then at 5 pm many people gathered at the Singapore booth which was just diagonally opposite to us. Kim told me that in the last few years, they liked to give some kind of party and buffet to the exhibitors and she was right: they had prepared a great Singaporian buffet for everybody with a great variation of warm and cold food and drinks (soft drinks, wine and beer). It was amazing O.o

I couldn't resist and taste some things. The beef curry was great, also some marinated chicken and I loved the chocolate cake *_* When Kim saw my plate, she couldn't resist either and had to try, too XD

Singapore brownie with a raspberry^^

A few minutes later Kim's friend arrived and we tried to get to the taxi stand. It was easy to get a taxi but the traffic was awful >.< It took quite some time to get to the Korean restaurant in the inner city where Kim has made a reservation.

The restaurant was called 'Mr. Lee' XD A nice Korean man who already knew Kim because she goes there every year after the Fair.

She recommend to share a Kimchi pancake and Bulgogi (she also knows that I love Bulgogi = marinated beef with onions fried in a hot pan). I must say I have eaten better Bulgogi than that but it was good and everybody was full atferwards.

Kim, her friend & me^^

Kimchi pancake & starters  Bulgogi

I was asked many things about my travels to Korea and Japan, both of them were really interested^^

Finally we went back to the main station and said goodbye till tomorrow. I was happy to arrive in Mainz again and get some more sleep tonight...

~*~

The next day I had breakfast with my friend's grandmother together (he would be arriving just that day) before I departed around half past 9. When I arrived at the Fair I started in Hall 8 this time. It was my first visiting Hall 8, it's also an International Hall with British publishers and from the American continent. I checked some stands for Kim and stopped by the Konfuzius Institut. It's an institut especialized on Chinese language and culture (I wondered why they weren't in Hall 6). I talked a lot with the guy from the Institut. He was as much in love with China as I am with Japan, it was very interesting to share some experiences. He also convinced me that a visit to China could be worth a travel because he praised the beautiful landscape and the kindness of the people.

They also sold really cute panda plush toys, so I had to buy one X3

Chinese Panda^.^

Aorund noon I met with Kim again, so that she could go to meeting. One hour later we changed again because I liked to visit a cooking show in the Gourmet Gallery in Hall 3. It was about Indonesian Cuisine. The cook had been in Germany for a few years and was really addicted to German Grey bread *lol* But he explained very well and it was interesting to watch him. I also arrived in time to get a seat in the first row so I managed to taste everything he cooked^.^

He made a soup, fish balls, marinated beef and a salad with peanut dressing. Everything tasted really great!

time for cooking^o^

When I came back to Kim, she had a conversation with another Korean woman. She introduced me to Mrs. Han who lives in Cologne. She was really fascinated of my passion for Korea and gave me her business card, too, because she likes to meet me. She gives seminars in Korean culture and business and wants to show me some ideas. That was really nice and I am sure to write her when I am back home^^

Finally Kim and I had some time to talk and I showed her my photo book from my Korea travel. She was totally impressed and asked me if I could give her this copy. I was very surprised but of course I couldn't refuse. She was really excited to show it to her collegues and the children's to whom she teaches English. She liked it to see how a German saw Korea and also asked me to write some reports for a Korean Tourism organization with which she works together. I like that idea and maybe I will give it a try.

Then her Japanese friend from yesterday came by and told Kim about an interesting appointement she should take part in. So I said she should leave and I took care of the booth again.

When the Fair was about to close, we met again and Kim wanted to invite me for a Korean dinner again. This time we took the train to the main station and found the restaurant on a street where many foreign restaurants were settled. I have to keep that in mind^^

The restaurant looked nice though I was shocked about the prices of the menue >.<

It was hard to decide for something but I wanted to eat fish today. Kim convinced to try Korean mackerel and it wasn't a bad choice. The fish was perfectly grilled and tasted very good *_*

She chose for a spicy beef stew which was also pretty good.

starters & grilled mackerel

In the restaurant Korean TV was also running. But there weren't good news because the newsreader told about another missile test from North Korea >.< We were worried what South Korea would do now...

But nevertheless we had a nice evening and departed at the station again.

I was happy to meet my friend in Mainz this evening because we had to talk a lot XD

If he hadn't had a job interview tomorrow, he would have accompany me to the fair, what a pity U.U

But so I had another great day^__^

The weekend I will have more time for myself because Saturday and Sunday is also open for the public and some of my friends will come for a visit. I'm looking forward to meet them X3
But that report will come in the next post!

Chinese National Circus ~ Shanghai Nights

Hello everyone^__^

Since Beginning of Octobre 2013 the "Chinese National Circus" is on tour with its new Show "Shanghai Nights". They also tour through Germany and on February the 6th they made a stop in Recklinghausen which is near my hometown. So my friend Silvia and I took the chance and went to see the show.

show poster

The event took around 2 hours plus 15 minutes break in the middle. It was quite a show! They played some kind of story which takes place in the busy and lively town of Shanghai. Many characters showed their skills while acting with each other. The women showed amazing acrobatic moves while the men presented some comedy acts and impressive jugglery performances. I also liked the scenery and music very much.

We really liked the whole show, so it was a fantastic evening^__^

Here is at least some kind of TRAILER of the show.

The tour still goes on for some months.

Travel through Asia on the Book Fair Frankfurt 2013

From October 12th to 13th I visited the International Book Fair in Frankfurt. It was amazing as ever! Besides the many German authors, publishers and television channels there were three halls full of international Exhibitors. So I also visited the Halls with the Asian publishers. It was really interesting!

First I entered Hall 6 with following countries: Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore (and also France, Belgium and Switzerland but that was not my interested area).

At once after you passed the door you already arrive in Japan.

way to hall 6.1

Japan

They presented many books about culture and especially children’s books. Even the Manga publisher ‘Shogakukan’ had an extra area. It was very cool^^

stand of Shogakukan

Right beside Japan were the Korean area. I met a very Korean woman who was looking into a cooking book. When she recognized me she started talking about the book’s content… and it was all about Kimchi *lol* but it was very interesting, I haven’t known that Kimchi was so versatile (and the title of the book was ‘Good Morning Kimchi’ XD). I didn’t mean to talk about this topic but the woman were so enthusiastic about it that I just listened to her. Right after she finished the cooking lesson we started to talk about other stuff. And right after I mentioned that I will visit Korea next year, she was totally amazed and wanted to know about my journey and if she can help me with anything. She gave me her business card and said I shall send her an email no matter what. We also made photos together so we should change them, too. It was so great, she was so happy to meet me and I was very thankful for her information; it was the best part of the day!

But the other members of Korean crew were also very nice. They introduced electric products to help children with their (language) learning. Really cool technics but if this will come to Euorpe…

most things for tablets or TV

The main point of Japan and Korea was obviously learning material for children.

But this was also an interesting theme in Singapore. They introduced many science comics to help children lean science in a funny way.

Singapore

Science Adventures with Isaac Newton

Chinese and Hong Kong weren’t so interesting. Not many things to see and the people were very reserved.

China

Hong Kong

Surprisingly Taiwan made me have a good time, too. The women who worked there were very kind and attentive. They offered information material and audio samples from their favourite books. Even a Mangaka were there. The girl and her female friend published some Artbooks and other merchandise stuff of her manga. It looked very cute and I bought a little notepad from her. She also signed it and drew myself as a comic character into it. Very lovely X3

Taiwan

manga merchandise

the notebook

I was really surprised about the variation of manga in Taiwan. And they looked pretty good! I hope some of them will be published in Germany. But the girl there seemed to be in contact with ‘Carlsen Comics’, so maybe it will be lucky.

Taiwanese Manga

On Saturday afternoon the Taiwanese Pavillion also offered a little Calligraphy lesson. They put ink and brushes on a table, offered the special paper and help you writing Chinese ideographs. I tried but I'm really bad at it. It doesn't nearly look any kind of beautiful...
But it was fun because we talked a little and also two Taiwanese guys tried it and they did really well^^

left: my try; right: from the Taiwanese Girl (the signs mean "life")

That was the main part of day one ^^;

The rest of the day I spend with a friend. She wore a Cosplay and I made some photos. The Book Fair is really famous for Cosplayers nowadays! The Fair has also a great comic area but it’s always so crowded that I don’t manage to visit it *drop*

But on Sunday I watched the German Cosplay Championship. It was an amazing show. 26 participants were on stage with great cosplays and cool performances! But before the Championship started they had hired a Kendo group for a little performance. It was an interesting show.

the Kendoka on stage

everyone is waiting for the DCM to start

After that the day was almost already over X.x

I just got a quick look in Hall 5 where the following Asian countries were situated: Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

But strangely everything has been tidied up already. The fair should close at 17:30 h and it was still just before 17 h… I was really disappointed that everything and everyone has gone already. There weren’t even any books or so to take a look. I just got this magazine from Thailand which was left there:

Thai magazine

So I just took photos of the areas (which looked really good though). So next year I will be there earlier.

Bangkok (Thailand)

Malaysia

Vietnam

Indonesia

In the end I had a great time, met many nice people (the guys of the wardrobe were the best *lol*) and I can say that I will visit next year again for sure^^v