AYM Yoga School, Association For Yoga and Meditation Rishikesh

When I was looking at places to go to do yoga teacher training in Rishikesh I struggled to find many reviews that seemed to have people's complete opinions, every review seemed to be 100% positive which let's face it nothing is completely perfect so here are all my thoughts from the course. No matter what I have written I would defiantly recommend anyone thinking of signing up for this course to do it. I had a great time and met some wonderful people, I did the June-July 2016 200h teacher training course.

Simple Scalloped Potatoes

Oozy creamy cheesy sauce crisp potato edges the perfect snack or simple side dish for grilled steak or chicken. These potatoes are so simple to make all you need to do is peel, slice and pour cream on top and sprinkle with cheese, salt and pepper!

Japan - Furano - Where to Eat Sushi

unagi (eel) & king crab sushi - Fukuzushi

regular chirashi bowl - Fukuzushi

I had been craving sushi on our way to Furano Japan and I was particularly looking forward to visiting a sushi restaurant that I had been when I last visited Furano, when I arrive we were informed that it was now closed which was a little disappointing. We asked around and were able to find a few other places to try,  they are all located in Furano town which is about a 5 minute taxi from the ski hill or a 15 minute walk.

Chocolate, Cranberry, Apricot Hot Cross Buns

Usually about 3 weeks before an upcoming holiday I think I must cook something special for the occasion and post it on the blog but as usual I seem to have gotten so busy with work that I have had little time to cook anything. But with Ollie away sailing and most of my friends away for easter break I have had a bit more time to myself to do some baking and cooking. I quite like hot cross buns but I have never been a big fan of raisins and dried fruit peel.

Baked Sweet Potatoe Wedges with Caper Yogurt Dip

I have been a bit lazy the last few nights, Ollie is racing in the Rolex China Sea Race to the Philippines and I always prefer cooking when there is someone else to cook for. So I seem to be making mostly snacks and eggs for my dinner... Sweet potato wedges are so tasty and so easy to make they are perfect healthy snack or great served beside grilled chicken or a homemade burger if your not being lazy.

Japan - Furano - Soba Lady Kitanomine Area

soba with tempura prawns

A few people told us to visit the "soba lady"; she is located on the main street that runs up towards the Kitanomine gondola. She is quite the character and has no reservations about telling you to eat your food as soon as it arrives as well as point out if you're doing it wrong. After our meal we took a photo with her, at which point she realised she could easily walk under my outstretched arm and proceeded to do so repeatedly finding it very amusing - she was very cute (I am almost 6 feet tall and Ollie is a few inches taller).

Japan - Furano - Rising Sun

eggs & croissants and eggs benedict

We first went to the Rising Sun because of a recommendation from a fellow skier. We almost didn't go in because from the outside, it's rather unassuming - almost like a coffee shop. However, venture inside and you'll find a cozy wood panelled restaurant with a warm chalet atmosphere and very friendly staff. Waiter Yoshi, Japanese by birth but substantially ozzy from the 45 years he's lived there, was absolutely delightful and a pleasure to chat to during our drop-ins.

Japan - Furano -Teppan Okonomi yaki Masaya

We recently went snowboarding and skiing in Furano Japan for 9 days. It was my second time in Furano, a small town in Hokkaido Japan that is about 3 hours from New Chitose Airport, Sapporo. We had an amazing time, lots of powder snow and delicious Japanese food. I am already trying to figure out when we can get back for our next visit! We tried quite a few restaurants during our stay in Furano and my next few blog posts will be on our favourites.

Saturday Morning Warm Berry & Chocolate Chip Muffins

This morning I couldn't quite decide if I should make muffins or crepes, I just wanted to avoid having to go to the grocery store. I decided on muffins, we were in Japan last week snowboarding in Furano Hokkaido and we had savoury muffins at the end of most days with a beer and it reminded me I had not made muffins in ages.

Mini German Pancakes with Strawberries, Blackberries and Pomegranate

Pillowy golden pancakes topped with fresh strawberries,  blackberries, pomegranate, whip cream and maple syrup! These pancakes are baked rather then fried on the stove top. I am not sure where this recipe came from but my mom has been making them for years as a treat on Christmas morning.

Black Rice Pudding Recipe and Casa Luna Ubud Cooking School

When I first moved to Hong Kong I was not a big fan of asian desserts but they grow on me the more time I spend traveling throughout Asia. We were in Bali for my friend's wedding last year and did a day trip to Ubud to take the cooking course. We made this delicious black rice pudding with coconut milk among other dishes at a cooking class at Casa Luna Cooking School.

Roasted Lemongrass Coconut Butternut Squash Soup

Do you ever get on the MTR in the morning and see everyone wearing masks and have the sudden realisation that it might be a good idea to take another form of transport? Cue a big pot of butternut squash soup which will hopefully keep the colds away.

Cranberry Orange Snowflake Welsh Cakes

Do you like baking but lack an oven because you have no place for it in your apartment in Hong Kong? Welsh cakes are perfect - they are like cookies but cooked in a cast iron skillet or non stick frying pan!

Caramelized Onion and Lemonzest Pierogies

I have been procrastinating for ages, I really need to try to get more posts up on my blog, but sometimes everything just gets crazy busy. I feel like I have not spent much time in Hong Kong over the past few months, first was a trip to Canada, then Newport RI to go sailing then another trip to Canada on a sad occasion as my nan (grandmother) passed away. Then only back for about 2 weeks and a holiday to Vietnam with Ollie and his parents. Besides that working freelance for about 4 companies and sewing tons of aprons and kitchen accessories for my chopcookdine online store has kept me running around like crazy for awhile. I am not complaining I love going on holidays :) and I prefer working this way but sometimes it is a bit hectic!

How To: Make Coconut Yogurt With Fresh Young Coconuts

I have been meaning to try and make coconut yogurt for ages but the daunting tasks of trying to open a coconut always got the better of me, and the thought of possibly loosing a finger didn't help. Ollie can attest to frequent shrikes from the kitchen when I burn myself and ect so it seemed like I might be pushing my luck!

Blueberry Peach Gallette

Nothing is better in the summer then warm freshly made pie coming out of the oven. Especially served with scoop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream! I found this recipe in a freebie magazine in Canada and true to form I didn't really follow it.. and used it more for some inspiration.

Pear, Chocolate, Crystallised Ginger Muffins

This recipe was inspired by Whitewater Marvellous Muffins from Whitewater Cooks by Shelly Adams, I like the whitewater recipe find there are a few to many steps to make the muffin. I want to be able to make a muffin quickly when I get up in the morning before I go to work, I don't want to have to soften butter, I don't have time I like to sleep in.

How To: Prepare Bitter Melon 苦瓜

Bitter melon is found is abundant in the markets of Hong Kong in the summer months, it has the appearance of bright lime green cucumber covered with bumps.

Quinoa, Wild Rice and Halloumi Salad

Not sure I should mention this but this salad is generally what I make to use up all the leftover ingredients from my fridge. Last week I added grated beet, cooked beet greens and feta.

One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Old brown bananas? Time to make banana bread or is it called banana cake? We seem to have this discussion every time I make banana bread...Ollie insists its called cake, I say its bread! After a quick google we still cant quite decide.