Holiday Eating Wrap-Up

SO it's 8 o'clock right now, and I'm still at work trying to get shit done. Actually, I'm sitting at my desk thinking about how I still need to pack for my trip to Argentina, which I leave for tonight at 3:00 a.m., and I suddenly realize that I haven't shared my holiday eating adventure with everyone. What shame! Here are some highlights:

CHRISTMAS DAY: Chinatown meandering with Mom and Hans

We had some Shanghainese dim sum at the place next to the gigantic Cantonese dim sum place in Chinatown (there was a private party)


Taro cake


Hans enjoys some delicious Oil Sticks - Chinese churros, really


Some real Chinatown kids, unlike us fake suburban Chinese!


Egg tarts from "Egg Tart King"

CHRISTMAS DINNER: PEI FAMILY STYLE (selected highlights)
You know, Christmas used to be such a novelty, funny cause no one in my whole extended family was Christian (though my grandfather was Muslim, and so is my uncle). Now all the sudden there's at least 3 - 4 of them! Someone explain that one to me.


Aunt # 4, #5, and #1 (L-R)


Simmering whole fish in garlic. Mouthwatering.


Beef sauteed with dried tofu, peppers, and scallions


A Taiwanese dish - tofu skin wrapped around taro and chicken liver. People in Taiwan used to make this dish out of leftovers when guests came over unannounced. Trick them into thinking it's fresh!


Pig's feet. Yes, pig's feet.


Jellyfish


Some kind of fresh special shrimp that melted in your mouth. This was my favorite of the night.


Crab with Sticky Rice.


Tofu with Crab meat.


Red Bean yum yum cake


Tiramisu Cake


Uncle #5 made Chinese soy dessert. It's kind of like silky sweet tofu-pudding.


Mochi


Cyrena's vegan ginger cookies.





There were a ton more dishes...



Thanks Aunt #4!!

THANKSGIVING: The Fat Kid's Day of All Days (Part I)

Ahh Thanksgiving. That joyous, wondrous holiday where families get together and feast to show thanks for all they have (especially each other). As the official unelected president of the fat kid's club (me:world of food = bush43:u.s.), I declare Thanksgiving to be the noblest and fairest of all holidays. Oh Genius of Geniuses.

As per any Pei Family Event, this Thanksgiving was not to be denied her fair share of gambling, melodrama, and most importantly, delicious Chinese food. Just wait to see how much we ate! (to be revealed in Part II)

Aunt #4 - the Pei Family Resident Chef

She is my hero. Everything she makes tastes like a little bit of Chinese heaven.

Her Palette


Favorite family activity: Mah Jong

Not sure a family gathering could function without it. I definitely don't know what everyone else would do to kill time while Aunt #4 was cooking.

2nd Favorite Family Activity


And this was before we ate.

(I think she died from the anticipation of the fullness to come.)

Where Vultures Feast


My plate: round 1


To Be Continued...