Plane talk

I am on a plane once again, now on my way back to San Jose after a holiday trip to visit my family up in Toronto.

It seems my method of travel has been the most exciting thing about the trip.

1) I flew out on Christmas eve, my original departing flight from SJC to DFW was cancelled, I was rebook to another one 2 hrs later
2) the flight I was rebooked on was delayed repeatedly due to weather in Dallas, eventually we took off
3) the flight was held in a holding pattern due to storm on the ground in Dallas
4) flight had to go to Houston to refuel after being in a holding pattern too long
5) flight finally lands in DFW, 5 + hrs late from schedule and 8+ hr late from my original itinerary
6) I had 55 minutes to get to my flight to Toronto, which was also delayed as the plane was coming from SNA. My arrival gate and the departure gate for the Toronto flight was at the opposite end of the airport...as far as one can get. Go to the Skylink (the train that connects the terminals at DFW), Skylink was OUT OF ORDER!!!! Run (in 2 inch heel boots) through entire terminal C, and to the gate in terminal D. Turns out flight from SNA hasn't even arrived yet..nice departure board..couldn't be bother to update that.

I finally arrive in Toronto at 5:30 am Christmas Day. I was originally scheduled to arrive at 11:05 pm on Christmas Eve. I felt bad that my mom, dad, brother and cousins stayed up late thinking I was going to arrive (thanks to repeated delays), finally went to sleep to have to wake up so early to pick me up.

Returning on Dec 30th. With all the new security restrictions in place for US bound flights...I suppose I should be glad I didn't fly out on Monday, when it was complete chaos and restrictions changing by the hour.

1) cut short meeting up with my old friends the night before, so I could pack and get a a few hours sleep/nap
2) woke up at 1:00 am to shower and eat something before leaving for the airport
3) arrived at airport by 2:30 am. There were already quite a few people lining up for check in for the main cabin (the roped off queue was already full), I was the first in line for the business class checkin (I got upgraded on the flight). Everyone had to check bags thanks to the restriction on only 1 carry on per person, and the carry on could only be a small purse, computer, camera, medical equipment...so no computer bag stuff with crapload of stuff, backpacks or rolling bags. People had to just carry their laptop..nothing else. Luckily my netbook, camera all fit into my small purse.
4) they opened the checkin at around 3:20 am. Explain to me this..if the earliest flight out of the airport for the airline is at 6 am. And you ask passengers to checkin 3 hrs before flight....shouldn't you open the checkin AND immigration at the latest, 3 hrs before the flight?
By this time the line for the main cabin was weaving around as far as I can see. I was the first person to get checked in. I got some evil looks from people in the main cabin who arrive earlier than I did.
5) Was 2nd in line for US immigration to open their gate at 4:30 am.
6) Usual security check point, and then a more detailed one. They did a complete pat down of everyone and their carry on. Does checking the waistband of my jeans AND underwear help anyone?
7) Was at my departure gate by 4:50 am.
8) Flight boarded and departed on time...I think...I was asleep as soon as I sat down in my seat.

So my experience wasn't too bad, just a lot of waiting around for things to open. But as I was leaving, I saw the huge lines for both checkin AND going into immigration. I have flown the earliest flight out of YYZ before..this is NOT close to normal...normal is still a pain, with long lines, but this was at least twice as bad. I imagine, the waiting would only increasing as people get backed up at the security check points.

On the funny side, I went to get a Beef Brisket BBQ in DFW, the guy actually recognized me from 3 weeks ago. Geesh..he just worked a hectic holiday season, with crapload of stranded passengers on Christmas eve and he still remembered me?

Now, sitting on the flight back to SJC (hurray for wifi on planes), I reflect on my out of norm flying experiences in the past 9 years:

1 - theft of personal goods at airport
3 - number of times I missed a connecting fight
3 - number of times my flight got diverted to an alternative airport due to fuel/weather
2 - number of times my flight landed in an alternative airport (both times to JFK due to high winds, couldn't land at LGA)
2 - nightmare lines due to security concerns during holiday travel (Thanksgiving 2001, Christmas 2009)
countless - number of fro yo eating at DFW airport
Crossing my fingers that I don't add lost luggage to my list of out of norm travel experience. Can't wait to get home and into my bed....I need to sleep very badly.

Stollen making

Yeah, I know, I have been baking like crazy...I made a batch of Blueberry biscotti for my dad, and attempted Stollen for the first time.

Stollen are german fruit bread/cake...traditionally made with liquor soaked dry fruit, and with a marzipan center.

I really dislike raisins (and most dry fruit), and marizpan. So I was never a fan of Stollen until 2 years ago, Sterntaler Bakery sold their Stollen at the Mountain View farmer's market. I fell in love with their praline Stollen, filled with hazelnut and chocolately goodness...no marzipan or raisin insight! I was so disappointed when they ceased to make the praline Stollen.

Having never found a replacement, I searched for a easy (i.e. easy enough for lazy me) Stollen recipe. I can across one at http://www.freshloaf.com/recipes/stollen . It looked easy enough, didn't require waiting overnight, and only required 4 tablespoon of butter.

The result, fantastic..I filled it with nutella and cocoa powder. It's definitely better after drying out in a paper bag overnight.

Below is the recipe:

Nutella Stollen
Makes 2 big loaves or 1 giant one!

Sponge
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 packets of Active Dry Yeast

Dough
2 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 to 1/2 cup of water

Filling
Cocoa powder
Nutella, refridgerated
or
Fill with anything you like, my second attempt, I used a filling of brown sugar, cocoa powder, and a hot mocha mix

spray oil

Topping:
melted butter
powder sugar

Warm milk to 110 F. Mix yeast into the milk and stir into the flour. Cover in plastic wrap and ferment for 1 hr. Sponge will be very foamy.

When the sponge is ready, combine the remaining flour, salt, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in the sponge, egg, softened butter, and enough water to form a soft but not sticky dough.

Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic or a damp towel, and set aside to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hr.

On a floured surface, shape the dough into a rectangle by pressing with your hands. Spread your filling over the dough. If using nutella, cut the cold nutella into "logs" and roll the dough over it. Fold the dough over leaving a bit of an edge. Fold the edge over the dough, and seal it with your hands.

Spray plastic wrap with oil and cover the loaf with the plastic. Let raise for approximately 1 hr to 1.5 hr.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

When fully risen, bake the stollen for 20 minutes to 30 minutes until it's golden brown.

Remove stollen from oven. Brush with melted butter while the loaf is still hot. Sprinkle with powder sugar. Let the stollen cool.

Put stollen in a paper bag over night to dry out.

Chistmas baking

It's been cold here in the bay area...and that means I have been baking like crazy in between my trips.

I went on a crazy cookie baking blitz prior to my trip to NYC in early December. Trying out new recipes, using up ingredients I had around the house. I even tackled pretzels.


Lime cookies: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spring-Lime-Tea-Cookies/Detail.aspx


Sugar Cookies basic dough and various ideas (the jam filled, the glazed, and chocolate filled ones). Dough can be frozen (I divided the dough in 2, wrapped it in plastic wrap and threw it in the freezer), and taken out to defrost for 1/2 hr before shaping. It actually works much better and easier if the dough is fridge temperature.
Recipe at: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/baking/ten-ways-with-sugar-cookie-dough-00000000024244/


Pretzel: I used 1 pkg Active Yeast instead of Instant Yeast. And instead of throwing it all together, I proof it first, added the yeast to warm (110 F) water and sugar, let it sit 5 minutes or so until it's foamy, and then threw it in with all the rest of the ingredients. I just made plain ones. Mixing with wet hands is easiest.
Recipe at: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/soft-pretzels-recipe

Blueberry Scones

More trip inspired baking. This time it's blueberry scones, base on the the Simple Scones recipe from allrecipes.com. As usual, I made my own lazy modifications, using a food processor and greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Makes 12 - 14 scones


Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, frozen (1 stick)
1/2 cup dry blueberries (or raisins or currants)
1/2 cup fat free greek yogurt
1 large egg

Directions:
1. Adjust oven rack to lower - middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the food processor. Pulse until ingredients are mix together
3. cut frozen butter into chunks, and add to flour mix in food processor. Pulse until mixture resemble course meal.
4. add in blueberries, pulse until mixed
5. add in egg and yogurt. Mix until the dough comes together when press together (it might be stick in places). Turn onto a floured work surface and press the dough together until it forms a dough. The dough is quite sticky, just wet your hands to prevent sticking. Pat dough to 3/4 inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut one scones. Or just form small round balls of dough and pat it down.
6. Bake until golden brown (around 15 to 17 minutes) 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet.

Result...buttery blueberry scones with Very Berry Preseves from Prevedelli Farms of Watsonville. Wish I had some clotted cream though.

I made the dough and froze them on mini muffin cup liners...here is hoping that I could just pop them frozen, right into the oven for fresh baked scones.

Kanelbullar - Swedish cinnamon roll

As usual, my trip inspired me to attempt a new recipe. This time, it's Kanelbullar, Swedish cinnamon roll that is very popular with the swedes, to have with their afternoon coffee. Every bakery, supermarket, even 7-11 sells them. They are a yeast dough pastry with cinnamon in side, sprinkle of pearl sugar on top. No where near as sweet as a Cinnamon bun.

I found a recipe for them at wikihow, and hurray, it uses a food processor... we all know how lazy I am when making any sort of dough. If I can use a food processor, I will! The ingredients are fairly simple, except for pearl sugar. I got a jar of "String of Pearls" sugar from Sur La Table, which gives it a sweet crunch.

Recipe can be found here. The only modification to the recipe I made, use brown sugar for the filling.

I think I over mix the dough, because it didn't rise as much as it should. I placed them onto mini muffin cups.

After a egg wash and sprinkle of pearl sugar:

I probably had my convection oven too high, and left it in a bit too long, but it's still tasty. I think I will use less butter in the filling next time, and maybe a tad more cinnamon. the 2 top ones are the end bits of the roll. The bottom one is the "good" cinnamon roll. The rest I put in the freezer to make another day. Hope they survive the freeze.

Back in the USA...in Manhattan

It's been a hectic few weeks, I am now back at my brother's place in Manhattan!
Surprisingly, everything fit in my backpack, despite it being 60% food!

I uploaded some pics to my facebook page, here are the links:

Switzerland
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=126646&id=728786429&l=35a4d5460e

Sweden
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=126648&id=728786429&l=34096fd331

France
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=126654&id=728786429&l=26ddd2b77c

UK
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=126765&id=728786429&l=8f0643f300

Mmmm Paris

I think all I did since I arrived in Paris was eat! Most of it baked goods and duck confit!

Things eaten of note:

- macarons from Laudrée and Pierre Hérmes
- petite financiers

- baguette traditionelle from Gosselin on Rue St Honorè

- pain au chocolate (ate a mini version too!)
- duck confit twice
- french onion soup

Also did shopping for stuff my mom and brother wanted from Paris. Walked a lot, but no doubt not enough to burn off the calories from all the food I ate.

I have been couch surfing in Paris. Staying first with Claire, who has lovely little flat in the 9th arr, with an amazing view of the city. I hung out with her and her friends in the Marais one evening.

Now I am staying with Florence in her big flat just across from Gare du Nord. We went to a Paris Couch surfer quiz night last night. It was the one year anniversary of the weekly event. It was really crowded all night, people spilling out on to the street until after midnight. Our team didn't win, but it was fun to meet and hear about all the different couchsurfing experiences and stories.

Parisian baguette

Typing on a french difficult!

The breakfast buffet @ the Nordic Sea Hotel in Stockholm is huge! Most of yesterday was spent going to airport, waiting for flight; 2 hr + flight, travelling from airport. Not the most exciting of days, the weather got cold and rainy in Stockholm just as I was leaving.

I found the first of my 2 couchsurfing host in Paris with no problem. Her cute flat is right near the Eiffel tower in a lovely posh neighborhood.

We had a lovely breakfast this morning perched on the roof of the building, overlooking the city... eating some cinnamon rolls from Stockholm that I bought.

It's fashion week in Paris, I was at the Louvre and I almost got ran over by a tiny little blond, her entourage, security and a bunch of photographers...got no clue who it was.

Most importantly, I ate the first of no doubt many baguettes today; €1.15 for the Bqguette traditionalle qt Gosellins. Yes, there are pictures, but I forgot , USB card reader, perhaps tomorrow.

One too many museums.

I think I lost count of the number of museums I have covered in Stockholm.

I went to Sdansk and Vasa museum yesterday. Ate some seriously whacked Stockholm street food. It's a bratwurst, with 3(!!!) scoops of mash potatoes, tomato, ketchup, onions, wrapped in a flat bread. I think I will need to see a cardiologist when I get home. I will upload the pictures later, Elisa got a great shot of me receiving it!

There was some weird NHL, detroit red wings thingee at the train station. Was not sure what that was about.

It was great catching with Elisa after all these years. This morning she headed south towards Copenhagen.

I had my little adventure going back to the airport to pick up my permanent residence card, which I did not even notice I dropped till the lovely people at the airport left a message for me! Apparently, giving a contact information on your flight booking IS important, because that is how they found me and my phone number!

Oh the way back to Stockholm, I encounter two other couchsurfers (coming in on a flight from Berlin), had a nice chat. Found out that the Detroit red wings are in town playing the NHL premier game against St. Louis, and it's a HUGE deal. Hmm that explain the people in Detroit red wing gear in the city. Tickets are over 100 euros!

Got back to the city by 11:30, proceeded to check out the treasury, royal apartment, state apartments and the post museum all before checking into my hotel.

I am no checked into a tiny but clean, nice functional room at the Nordic Sea Hotel.

Tomorrow, off to Paris!

There are no Swedish fish in Sweden?

I had a great experience couchsurfing in Zurich.

Hannes, my couchsurfing host, is a musician (now a software engineer). He was helping friends with an Zurich guild activity that day I arrived, and I got to learn all about the guild system that is alive and well, even if these days, it´s just a social club, not related to their occupations.

I got to help out making bottles into instruments, seeing grown men learn to play a song in 30 minutes, in a historic and scenic part of Zurich.

Afterwards, I tagged along to a lovely BBQ, meeting a bunch of lovely people, former Swiss boy scouts. Learned the differences between the system, explained couch surfing, ate some seriously delicious meringues with double cream on it, and watch a swiss movie in the backyard.

While there, I also got to meet Eva, Hannes room mate, and fellow couchsurfer. We had a great lazy Sunday morning vegging and talking on roof with great cappuccinos made from Hannes' very serious expresso machine. Oh yes, I got raccoon eyes again. It was in the mid 20's (celcius) and sunny all the days I was in Switzerland.

I also got to meet Melissa (a fellow couch surfer) and her friend Jaynie from Corvallis. We had a great time walking around Zurich, the promenade, and having dinner.

On Monday, I stocked up on Ovalmaltine (Ovaltine to the rest of the world) products...that means 15 (yes 15!!) bars of chocolate, 1 bag of the ovalmaltine, and 1 jar of ovalmaltine spread (for myself), in addition to a few other bars of chocolate. My backpack's content is now 50% chocolate!

I head off to Basel on Tuesday, as I had a flight to Stockholm to catch that afternoon. It is a short 1 hr ride from Zurich to Basel. I spend a few hrs exploring Basel, the old town center is actually quite nice, I wish I had more time to explore. The Euroairport is a mere 20 minutes from the hauptbahnhof.

The Ryanair flight to Stockholm was uneventful. I found my hotel easily. Met up with my friend Elisa.

I spend today exploring Stockholm with her, visiting various museums. Tomorrow, more museums and more Stockholm!

Things to note:
* They don´t sell Swedish fish in Stockholm
* I saw the bat mobile near the hotel this afternoon
* I saw them filming something (not sure what) near the hotel

I will post photo if/when I get to an internet terminal with an USB port.

On the way to Zurich

I love NYC!

I have been lounging around, eating good food (Billy's Cupcake, Japanese Grill, Ippudo Ramen, New York Pizza). But it was hot and humid for the last 2 days. It's always my luck to land in the middle of heatwave in NYC!

I am flying out this afternoon for Zurich, and wouldn't you know it, NYC is absolutely gorgeous with cool autumn weather!

Anticipating cold weather (cold for me, as I have been spoiled by bay area weather), I stole (technically borrowed) the alpaca hat that I knitted for my brother last winter.

Next stop Zurich Switzerland.

NYC - Ming Tsai at Prosperity Dumpling

I had a fairly uneventful flight from San Jose to Newark (via Dallas Fort Worth). It's been years since I went into Manhattan from New Jersey. Much has changed on that side of the river. It's now all condos.

Today I went to dim sum with my brother in Chinatown. As usual, I accompanied him on the task of restocking his freezer. This means stopping by Eldridge Street and going to buy frozen dumplings.

So we go to Prosperity Dumpling (46 Eldridge St), where for $1.25, you can get 5 steamed or fried dumplings. They also sell wonton soup, hot and sour soup, and other food for super low prices.

This shop is very popular with the local kids (there is school across the street), and NYC foodies. As we were leaving, there were other customers who bought dumplings to go. It was 3 asians, a man and two women. One of the women had a large professional camera. It's not unusual to see foodies take picture of their food, but it was when the men said "This is so good!" regarding the fried dumplings, that I realized. It was Ming Tsai, the celebrity chef from Simply Ming on PBS!

Update: this is what it was for

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/09/ming_tsai_picks_his_favorite_downtown_dumpling.html?e=grubstreet--20090929

Ready. Set. Go.

A friend told me, bad things happens in 3's. If so, does having windows on your one and only computer crash, loosing all data count? The computer is fine, I just had to re-install windows, but my data are all gone. I sure hope it counts...the good vibes needs to start happening NOW!

All my major trip bookings are done. I am even checked in for my flights from Basel to Stockholm and Stockholm to Paris. Packing is mostly complete, just did my last load of laundry, it's in a pile on my couch, awaiting processing.

Almost all perishables gone from my fridge. What to do with napa cabbage, one tomato & one red pepper? Baked cookies, to be distributed tomorrow, and some to bring to my brother in NYC.

Trip Stats:

Total cost of air/train/hotel: $1956.34
Approx cost per night: $67.46

My destinations:
NYC
Zurich
Stockholm
Paris
London
Norwich

Trip Bookings almost done.

I have been procrastinating finishing the booking for my trip..but alas, I am almost done, except for the accommodation for my first night in Stockholm. Cost has been kept very low thanks to flying Ryanair (which I will no doubt regret later), booking train tickets early (eurostar, trainline), priceline (for London) and generous Couchsurfers (crossing fingers).

Stockholm is probably my most expensive destination, but I am sharing accommodation cost for 2 nights with the high school friend I am meeting up with. I also got a good deal at the Nordic Sea Hotel (known for the Absolut Vodka Ice Bar) for one night in a single express room for SEK 490 ... a fantastic deal.

The cost so far:

Total Airfare/Train Cost: $1254.98 (that includes the fare to europe and to NYC)
Total Accommodation Cost: $600.83 (still need to book one night in Stockholm)

Home made pizza..sort of...

Decided to attempt to clean out my fridge & freezer a bit before my trip, so I made pizza from a some frozen steaks (from Costco), frozen garlic naan (Trader Joe's), cheese, mushroom. I did end up buying sauce, tomato and sweet peppers at the farmer's market.

Gathering the stuff I need for hitting the road

It has been over 16 months since my last trip overseas... that trip was easy. Just two stops, Tokyo and Hong Kong. That is the longest between big trips since 2000.

Every day I am remembering things I need to find and bring with me.

Plug adapter for my electronic goods. I am packing light, won't be bringing my laptop. But I do need the plugs to recharge the batteries for my camera and mp3 player. I need to check my phone's charger is dual voltage...hope I can take advantage of the WiFi on it to keep in touch while I am away.

Also need to bring the mini tripod...though when was the last time I really used it...to bring or not to bring?

New blog, new adventures....

Welcome to Baguette & Nutella, named after my favorite breakfast combination.


I am about to embark on some new adventures: traveling, no doubt lot's of food, maybe a change in career. I am not sure what is around the corner, but come what may...hopefully I will learn something new, about the world, and myself.