Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 18
February 24, 2020
Cover Reveal!
Oh, happy day! My second book with Mimi and Marshmallow has a cover–and I absolutely love it!
You can preorder MIMI LEE READS BETWEEN THE LINES here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605897/mimi-lee-reads-between-the-lines-by-jennifer-j-chow/
February 21, 2020
Foodie Friday: Ginger Cake
Ginger cake: local baked goodie made with lots of ginger and spices
This is a kind of cake roll made specially at a local bakery.
My friend told me that it’s a seasonal item. The rich spices, which include a
heavy dose of ginger, provide winter immunity.
It’s got a ton of flavor, including ginger, cloves,
and cinnamon. Think of it as the baked love child of a cinnamon roll and a
gingerbread cookie. Delicious and good for you? That’s a winner in my book!
February 12, 2020
February 3, 2020
#BookReview: Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune
5 stars
Genre: Magical realism
Pros:
Strong weaving in of cultural observationsPoetic and lyricalBonus recipes
Cons:
Appears to be a predictable narrative (but stick with it!)
Absolutely loved this book! Lim’s lyrical prose really draws you in. I love the magical aspects of this book and all the cultural details artfully woven into it.
To be honest, I thought this book might be very straight-forward, with its transformative recipes. I was very glad to be proven wrong and provided with a lovely twist in the book. It was great reading how Natalie has to battle her circumstances and really take charge of the restaurant–and the surrounding neighborhood as well.
A book that beautifully explores homecoming, grief, and drive. Highly recommended.
Find more of my book ratings and reviews here.
January 31, 2020
Foodie Friday: Bubble Milk Tea Cakes
Bubble milk tea cake: a cross between pineapple cake and boba
One of the treats I got from my recent Taiwan trip was a box of bubble milk tea cakes. Essentially, they’re pineapple cakes—baked delicacies reminiscent of Fig Newtons, down to their square shape. Instead of a fig filling, though, they use pineapple paste in them.
This bubble milk tea version swaps out the traditional flavor and uses boba inside the treats. When I first saw the combo, I was hesitant to try them, but the fusion works really well. The tapioca balls add a nice chewy surprise in the middle, and the milk tea flavoring pairs deliciously with the crumbly crust.
Happy eating!
January 22, 2020
January 13, 2020
Holiday Trip: Taiwan and Japan
Hello, all! I’ve enjoyed a lovely extended holiday overseas. I’m still battling jet lag, but I have enough energy to highlight some of the spots I visited.
Taiwan
I launched a sky lantern. There’s space on the four sides of the lantern to draw pictures and write well wishes or dreams.
I got a treat at breakfast. Look at these cute steamed buns!
An amazing sight I visited was the Fire and Water Spring!
I learned more about the history of indigenous peoples in Taiwan.
I visited two night markets!
I admired the local street art.
Of course, I took a pic of the famous Taipei 101.
Japan
I went to two cities in Japan: Kyoto and Tokyo. It was a whirlwind trip, but a lot of fun.
Local Kyoto cuisine: obanzai, simple seasonal dishes.
The iconic Golden Pavilion
At the Ghibli Museum–look at this kawaii cat faucet.
The floating lantern room at the digital art museum in Tokyo.
December 18, 2019
December 9, 2019
Catalina Island
“Allow disruptions to deepen your concentration.”
I spent Thanksgiving off the mainland! A short ferry ride away from Los Angeles lies Catalina Island.
It was nice to walk around the quaint town and relax by watching the boats bobbing in the water. We even spied a school of Garibaldi (our state fish) swimming below the pier.
Due to the off and on rain, though, we spent a lot of
time indoors. I loved visiting the Catalina Island Museum and learning about
the history of the island.
Swimsuits from the past (top is a man’s; bottom is a woman’s)There was even a special exhibit on Esther Williams, the movie actress known for her swimming roles.
The outdoor installations were also breathtaking. An interactive art piece shows the migration of birds and humanity’s role in affecting the bird population. They also had a Chihuly chandelier, which reminded me of my fabulous time visiting Seattle!
We also checked out the Catalina Casino, a beautiful and ornate building that has an extravagant ballroom and also shows first-run movies. (Frozen 2 was showing when we visited.)
Despite the slight rain, it was a lovely respite a
boat ride away from L.A. And—bonus—we even saw a few rainbows!
Fun fact: The casino on the island has never been a site for gambling. Its name comes from the Italian word for “gathering place.”
