Pile Flower Again by ?

We took one of those swan boats and paddled all the way to the middle of the lake.

We stayed for a while, lost ourselves in the serenity of being there but not really anywhere.

I don’t think I would like to settle down in a small town, at least not yet, but having a peaceful moment like that, away from civilization and away from people, it was perfect.

(by xiuxiu_sh)

Five-Spiced Stewed Pork ??

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. Belly pork, 4 cloves garlic, 1 leek

SEASONINGS

1T cooking wine, 1C soy sauce, 2T sugar, 3 star anises, 4C soup broth

METHODS

1. Blanch the whole belly pork in boiling water to remove the blood, then remove to clean water and cook for 20 minutes until done. Remove and cool, then cut into large square pieces.

2. Heat 2T of cooking oil in wok to stir-fry garlic cloves until fragrant. Return pork and add seasonings to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes until the pork is tender and soft. Remove to serving plate and sprinkle with shredded leak. Serve.

[POINT]

1. Select belly pork with tight, square layers for this dish.

2. During the cooking process do not let the pork stick to the pan. When the pork starts to soften, turn the skin face up because skin sticks to the bottom easily.

Peter:

This is probably one of my favorite Taiwanese dishes right now. Not only from what we cooked, but just in general. I love this dish. And the longer you stew it, the softer the meat gets. Mmm. Even the fatty layer is so delicious. Especially when it has soaked up all the juice. YUM!

Rice Cooker Style Scooter Helmet - from my EVA.

2011 Chinese New Year decorations.

Today has so far been as I mentioned in the post title.

I started my day with meetings and lunch at one of the two major DPP-affiliated think tanks in Taiwan to get the lowdown on all things “Green.” (For those of you who don’t know, green is the color associated with the DPP. The KMT is the blue camp.)

It seems as if there is still a ways to go until a coherent party platform is articulated, especially as it relates to what the DPP will use instead of the “1992 Consensus” when it comes to negotiations with mainland China. However, there is still time before the joint presidential and LY (Legislative Yuan) elections in January 2012.

Then, as promised yesterday, I went to Ikea.

Ikeas in Asia are fun. In China, I used to marvel at how they were a happening “date night” spot. Young couples sitting on the Drvla sofa, with their feet propped up on the Oblinoe ottoman (or whatever those Swedes call crap), planning out their futures which may or may not include plywood furniture you put together yourself…

It was sort of similar in Taipei, though I went during the day so I saw more young people studying, or old ladies napping, or mothers with young children playing.

All in all, I think my visit was quite successful. I got another set of sheets (hopefully that will fit), another set of towels, a bathmat, a bedside lamp (which requires a screwdriver that I DON’T have), and some hooks which will need to be returned because they don’t fit over the door.

Grand total — 1582NTD or about $58.50.

Now, I’m off to National Chengchi University to meet an old friend and have some dinner. Though it is pouring rain, which isn’t incredibly exciting.

Taichung_20110501_13 (by Lordcolus)

Taiwan

hakka-styled greens

Island by HW.Wang on Flickr.

110603 2AM Taiwan FP - ???????/You wouldn’t Answer My Calls 

Rice Cooker Style Scooter Helmet - from my EVA.

???? (feat. Soft Lipa ??)

December 28, 2010 - Hualien, Taiwan

People who are sitting and reading book are the most intriguing people I can ever meet in streets or parks. Especially if they are quite old because they’ve got a lot of stories to tell. =P

I’m painting (Taken with instagram)

Taiwan coastline.

traditional beef rice

Tree Lights.

Some books and magazines I bought yesterday #taipei (Taken with instagram)

Zhongxiao east Rd. #taipei (Taken with instagram)

???? (feat. Soft Lipa ??)

taiwanese style nujabes for ya