End of a chapter, a look back, and a new beginning/最後的一章、回顧、新的開始

It has been a year and a half since we started working on this blog. We had a great start but life has been up and down for me since. As I announced on Facebook recently, my beloved cat and our main character here, Soji, has been ill. This came suddenly and unexpectly, therefore, I have not been able to write as much as I'd like to.

Under some other difficult circumstances as well, we've decided to end this blog. Though it makes me sad to announce that this will be my last post here, I had a great time writing and sharing my thoughts, recipes, things, and places I love over the past year and a half (both here and on our Facebook page).

I know it hasn't been long, but I've learned a great deal and have grown a lot over this period of time. I want to thank everyone who has given their support and encouragement to 2 Sisters et 1 Cat. You enabled me to free a lot of my thoughts. Whenever I get responses from people I don't know, I'm always very moved and feel very grateful.

As I pass through this difficult path, I'm also finding that my creativity, style, and approach have been growing in a slightly different direction as well. It became very clear that I'd have to do something different. For those of you who would like to continue following my cooking as well as Soji's stories (plus more), this doesn't have to mean goodbye; I have begun a brand NEW BLOG called My chouchoux (click here)! I will be working with my dearest brother, a professional artist and food stylist who lives in Paris - a place where everyone dreams to live!! (By the way, he's also the designer of the 2 Sisters et 1 Cat logo!) We will be sharing even more interesting recipes, designs, health tips, and places! I hope you stick with me and please do come visit my new blog--it will be a new journey!

Vanilla-Peach Cupcakes/桃子香草杯子蛋糕

I apologize for not posting for such a long time. A lot has been happening in my life lately and it seems to continue to be that way. I'm not complaining. It has been a great summer, and I've done a lot of what I wanted and needed to do, but I just haven't been able to write and come up with many words. One thing that keeps me going is that I'm still able to function in the kitchen!

(閱讀中文請看續文)

Dolfin Chocolate/比利時黛芙巧克力

As much as I'm a foodie, I have to confess that I'm not a chocolate person. I know, I'm guilty. I live with a chocoholic and, naturally, I've tried many different kinds of chocolate bars, but I can't say there are many that wow me.


When we first came to Quebec, my hubby's biggest mission was to find good quality chocolate here. When we lived in NY, we could find a huge selection, including some organic and fair trade ones at Whole Foods, and most of them were very reasonably priced and good quality. Here, we found that the selection of chocolate isn't as good, and forget about the cost--it's usually at least $4-5 per bar (if you're looking for better quality ones). I don't mind paying more, but it has to be worth it!

(閱讀中文請看續文)

黛黛走跳 - 『2013 聶撼人心的武陵美』

位於Taiwan, 宜蘭和台中之間的武陵農場, 這一兩年因為滿地遍野的櫻花盛開到不行而瘋狂走紅, 大家一窩蜂的湧入此荒山野嶺的地方, 拍照留念.. (喀嚓喀嚓)

今年國光客運跟7-11 iBON聯合推出一個『武陵國光假期』,讓想帶著全家大小或跟曖昧對象一起到郊外走走踏青的捧油們, 有這個不必自己開車, 又能舒舒服服搭遊覽車上來安心玩就好的機會喔!!

所以, 黛黛也不落人後的, 搭遊覽車上去湊湊熱鬧惹...

(圖多, 請在小腿上綑綁鉛球直到無法順利的離開電腦桌把這篇看完 XD)

Chez Michel (神秘嘉賓Michel), 1

 

I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and finally, I have the opportunity to introduce you to our first guest, Michel. Over the holidays in December, our friend Michel invited us to his place for dinner. This is the second year that he's invited us over for the holidays, and for that, we're very grateful! Being in a foreign country alone during the holiday season can be a little bit depressing, but he's always letting us know that we're not alone here.

Besides being such a kind and generous person, he is also an extremely talented musician, and one of the best cooks I've ever met! He's also a dear friend of mine. There are so many great things to say about him that I could go on and on... I do not know anyone who does not like Michel, and everyone wants to be invited over to his place, as well!

(閱讀中文請看續文)

Salade Lyonnaise (里昂風沙拉)

As you can see from the name of the dish, it takes its name from the city Lyon in France. The dish is usually composed with a kind of bitter green (traditionally frisée, though my friend Michel made it for me, he used chicory instead and it worked perfectly fine. See related post, Chez Michel, 1) , crispy bacon, croutons, poached eggs, and a warm vinaigrette. How delicious is that!

I added the pear myself; the traditional salade Lyonnaise does not have it. I like pears in salad and I thought they would go pretty well with it, but don't worry, you can leave them out if you wish. I know it's a bit more work than most salads, and poaching the egg is a bit tricky, but once you mastered it, you'll be glad you did, because you won't have to fly to Lyon to enjoy this special regional dish!

(閱讀中文請看續文)

Rösti (Potato Pancake/瑞士風馬鈴薯絲煎餅)

This is essentially a Swiss potato pancake; it's crispy on the outside and very similar to hash browns, and a little bit like Jewish latkas, as well. It makes a nice presentation and is still fairly easy to manage.  

I've tried different recipes and made it different ways before, but the way my friend Michel (see related post, Chez Michel, 1)made it--and how I like it--is to first cook the potatoes 75% done before shredding them. I know it adds one more step to the process, but the result is crispier! Also, if you have a cast iron pan, this would also certainly help the crispiness factor. If not, it can still turn out very well with a stainless steel pan. Enjoy the recipe and I wouldn't be surprised if you want to make this for your next Sunday brunch as well (...maybe with some poached eggs)!

(閱讀中文請看續文)