Best Restaurant to Celebrate a Birthday, Shanghai, China, New Year

A birthday to remember, that’s for sure!  I wanted to get the whole kitchen team together for a big celebration for my 33^rd… How often do you get to spend your birthday in China with a bunch of locals, and of course a few X-Pats.

Our birthday traditions are quite different to the Chinese.  Celebrating here in China was more like a brutal night at a frat house with new found friends drowning you with beer and great food!  Not that I have any complaints with either of those two topics!

One of the traditions that was most memorable that evening (and the following morning….) was that anytime someone toasts you (as the birthday boy) you need to finish all the beer in your glass!  That sounds easy enough…but when you celebrate any event in China, plan on a large group… we had 18 people (and somehow everyone “forgot to say something” during their toasts…so had to raise their glass again…and again…and again…)

The girls in the kitchen asked me what I wanted to eat on my birthday- hmmm, tough decision.. I choose roasted duck.  So they quickly worked their magic, booked us a private room and preordered 3 roasted Beijing style roasted duck.  The Chinese say the best duck is prepared in Beijing (the capital city)-so that was the highlight of the dinner.

I had the girls order a whole bunch of other items, because this guy can only do the “point and order”, so why not leave it to the pros!

Raw Food for “RAW”-na-vores

The natural energy was in flowing after day 4… everyday was a new adventure in food!   Away from the granola hippie style of RAW.. I had to push the cuisine into new realms. Kicking off with the veggie spring roll found in most Vietnamese restaurants (typically with shrimp or pork), which would have made at least one of us happier.. but you know doing my best to stick with the integrity of the challenge into RAW.

I must say some days felt like we were in search for the holy grail… because raw nuts and fruits were quickly becoming extinct much like my desire to wait 36 hours to dehydrate papaya and other various goodies just to have a snack.  Yet, will power prevailed and here we are… a few more of the veggie/RAW inspired creations.

Raw Food Snacks

For me, it is not about writing on  meaningless topics & nonsense (especially critiquing restaurants) .. it’s about sharing things that have expanded my knowledge, inspired my creativity, or bring back an emotional tie.  In addition, educating others from my experiences is my goal-whatever the topic may be.

My ultimate goal is to inspire others to–TRAVEL. COOK. & EAT.

“Un-cooked” madness-

After 2 days of nipping at raw seeds and nuts, I realized I needed to put together some “snacks”.. this being a bit challenging because most people grab the box of wheat thins and kick back in front of the tube…  Not this week—it was all about that wonderful food I was set out to create all with the wonderful and challenging factor of that magic 120 degree mark!

Some of the snacks that were basic and fairly tasty were…

Cinnamon and nutmeg dehydrated banana chips (make sure to use raw bananas!), papaya chips, Asian marinated beef jerky (which turned out more like crackers…) I was a big fan, but had mixed reviews from the co-pilot.

The preparation time for each item took between 24-36 hours.… tisk tisk.. there is no question I should have started preparing these items in advance.

Cooking Wild Game Recipes with Martha at Tambuti Wilderness, Namibia (Part III)

Martha, a true character has really shown that she is the master of replication!  I have really been stunned by her abilities to mirror my every move!  While we have been cooking this week.. Martha has been giving me the “NOD” that she is grasping everything… you know from being in so many kitchens over the years the “NOD” does not always imply that the procedures are comprehended 100%… What else was I to do but put Martha to the test!  I told her that tomorrow night she was going to have to mimic the recreated classic that I had prepared with her a few nights previously… The Gemsbok Wellington!

I was blown away!  Martha made me speechless… everything was perfectly seasoned, and yes, did simplify the steps and presentations for her (than what I would normally whip up) but none the less- Martha blew us all away with her perfection!

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Walvis Bay Oysters

We headed to Swakopmund (not exactly on the route) was to visit the Walvis Bay Oyster Farm & Salt refinery (30 km away).  They are producing some of the best oysters in the world.  I am not one for eating oysters on a regular basis.. it had something to do with dissecting them in the 10th grade.

These were some of the best oysters I have ever had!!!  A MUST DO for everyone!