169. Shadow Shot Sunday

Temperate rain forest in British Columbia

Shadow Shot Sunday #145

168. Pink Saturday

This shop provides cel phone service -   I bet you could get a sweet deal on a pink phone

Pink Saturday

167. Savoury tofu

Room reflected inside a lacquer bowl

Some people don't like tofu but I think this dish might change their view.  It is like eating a savoury custard.  And it healthy, cheap and easy to make.  What more do you want?  Try it.

Ingredients:

A.

A package silken tofu (I used the kind in a plastic tube)


B.

Some minced ginger and scallions
A bit of soy sauce
A bit of sesame oil
A bit of sugar
Some cracked pepper
A bit of hot sauce (optional)


C.  Garnish

Chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds

Method:

1. Put the sauce ingredients "B" in a microwave-safe bowl and mix everything together.
2. Cut the plastic tofu package according to the directions and squeeze the tofu out of the tube. Slice it in pieces about an inch thick and put it in a microwave-safe plate. If you are using tofu in a box, use a piece of dental floss to divide the square into thirds, vertically and horizontally.
3. Put the plate in the microwave and cook for 20 or 30 seconds,  Cooking time varies according to the  microwave.  The tofu should be hot.
4. Put the bowl with the sauce in the microwave and cook for 20 seconds.
5. Pour the sauce over the tofu and garnish with chopped cilantro. Sprinkle some sesame seeds too.
6. Serve this dish with some hot rice.

Note:  For a Asian-Italian version, use garlic, oregano or basil, tomato sauce, olive oil and Italian parsley

Foodie Friday

Weekend reflections #75

166. Flying ducks

I am linking this post to Thursday Photo Challenge - Movement

Not the best pictures but there is a feeling of frantic movement.

A dog ran into the water and disturbed the ducks.  They took off.  I just snapped them.  I could hear their wings flapping and the water churning.  I was splashed too.

Watery Wednesday #128

165. F is Forbidden

"Forbidden" designed by Vera Neumann

I collect this pattern, plus the other patterns designed by VN and made in Jamaica by the Island Worcester Company.  The underglaze is hand painted so each piece is unique.

Who else is a Vera Neumann fan?

ABC Wednesday - F

164. Today's flowers

Agapanthus, aka The flower of love

Today's flowers #132

163. Macro Flowers Saturday

Chrysanthemums that I bought for Chinese New Year

They have been blooming for two weeks

Macro Flowers Saturday

162. Pink water lilies

Water lilies in Kew Garden

Weekend Reflections #74

Pink Saturday

161. Thursday Photo Challenge - Trees

Magnolia trees in Messina, Italy

Blooms the size of chop platters

A breeze carried  the fragrance of magnolias!  Heaven!

I am linking this post to Thursday Photo Challenge - trees

160. Watery Wednesday

Water lily ponds at Kew Garden

Watery Wednesday #127

159. E is for English ivy

English Ivy, Hedera helix

When we lived in Montreal,  I actually bought a pot of English ivy as a houseplant. 

Here in Vancouver, English ivy is a very invasive plant and a serious threat in the garden.

ABC Wednesday

158. Macro Monday

Dragon's teeth

Close ups of lion costumes at Chinese New Year Parade in Vancouver

Macro Monday

157. Mellow Yellow Monday

I have camera envy.  The guy has the Nikon D700.

Mellow Yellow Monday #108

156. Blue at the Chinese New Year parade

Members of the Gitksan band in traditional aboriginal dress participate in "Dances with Dragons" at the 2011 Chinese New Year Parade

You can see more and hear the drumming on youtube

Blue Monday

Happy Valentine's Day

Midweek Blues

155. Pink galore

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011 Chinese New Year parade in Vancouver, BC

 

Pink Saturday

(Image courtesy of Valentine's Clipart)

154. Foodie Friday

Grilled cheese wafer

I make these wafers for ladies lunch.  Everybody loves them.  The ones on diet glare at me but can't resist.  They always have a few.

Try my recipe.  It is so easy.

 Ingredients:

• A baguette or a loaf of bread, frozen 

• Cheese, sliced thin. I used cheddar 
• Butter, softened
• Mustard, or Chili oil 

Method:

1.  Cut the frozen bread into very thin slices.
2.  Add some mustard or chili oil to the butter and stir to mix well
3.  Butter the bread on one side.
4.  Put the sliced cheese between the bread, buttered side on the outside.
5.  Place the sandwiches on a heated cast iron pan and cover with another pan or use a pannini press.
6.  Fry or grill the bread till it is golden and crispy.
7.  Turn over and do the same for the other side of the sandwich. Remove and keep warm.
8.  Put a piece of bread, mustard side up on the pan. Top with a slice of cheese and a grilled cheese wafer.
9.  Fry till golden. Keep the bread weighed down.
10. Keep adding cheese and bread till you have many layers of buttery, cheesy, crispy wafers.

Foodie Friday