Nuit Blanche at The Old Port Market /魁北克老港市場

This past December 27th was the premiere of Nuit Blanche (All-nighter) in Quebec, a special night where stores were open late and activities were planned throughout the city. Coincidentally, it was also one of the biggest snow storms of the year. The event took place at the Marché du Vieux Port (Old Port Market), Place Royale and the Quartier Petit-Champlain. Due to the storm, we had to leave the car at home, so we decided to just take the bus to one location, which, of course, had to be one of my favorites: The Old Port Market! (or should I say, it's more like we choose to go there because it's indoors! XD)

Since we didn't go to the other two locations, I can't really say what they were like; I only know that there was supposed to be some ice sculptures shown, a DJ, some live performances, and late-night boutiques until 2h. At the market where we went, they featured a live gospel choir that sang until about 22h30. Besides that, it was also a great oppotunity to explore some boutiques and food vendors in the late hours (since the market usually closes at 17h).

Smoked duck (on the left) and deer truffle (on the right)

The minute we walked in, people came over to offer us some hors d'oeuvres right away. Since this event was free, we did not expect to get any delicate hors d'oeuvres like these. 

 

上圖從左到右為: 燻鴨肉、鹿肉

一入會場，馬上就有工作人員很友善的招待我們一些一口塞小點心，由於這個活動是免費的，我們壓根兒沒想到可以吃到這樣精緻的食物，對於蕭貪的我簡直樂翻天了！

(閱讀中文請看續文)

Bûche de Noël (Christmas Log/樹幹年輪蛋糕)

This is my last post for 2012, so I want to introduce to you a traditional French holiday dessert that they have here in Quebec: bûche de Noël (Christmas log). My friend, who's a local, told me that he and his family have it every Christmas, and that it's an old French tradition. If you walk around Quebec, you'll see that all the bakeries and supermarkets offer them during this time of the year. 

We were in the Vieux Quebec (Old City) a few days ago and saw many different kinds of bûche de Noël in this bakery and café. 

 

聖誕節前夕在城裡閒逛，正好看到這家咖啡廳販賣很多種的樹幹年輪蛋糕

(閱讀中文請看續文)

Chinese Valentine's Day (七夕情人節)

Before I decided to post this, I got a special request a few days ago from my little sis in Taiwan. Apparently August 23rd is Chinese Valentine's Day! (Actually, it's July 7th on the Chinese lunar calendar.) I've been living outside of Taiwan for so long that not only I did not know when the holiday is, but I don't have much of a clue about it either! Yes, shame on me! I guess out of "guilt", I'd better post the two recipes she requested for this special holiday.

She told me that she wanted to make 2 things for her special "other half": One is a chocolate dessert so she can write her messages to him; the other one is the famous Chinese dish, Kung Pao Tofu (宮保豆腐). Why Kung Pao tofu, and not chicken? Well, her beloved one does not like eating meat, she explained.

As a Taiwanese person raised on traditional Taiwanese food, I never had this dish while I was growing up, until I went to NY and saw it in all the Chinese restaurants. It's kind of a standard, must-have dish in Chinese restaurants for Westerners (like her "other half"). It is typically quite a flavorful dish, with marinated chicken and lots of chilis, but when you think of tofu, it's rather bland and boring, so to make it as good as the traditional chicken dish is a challenge! I tried my best to fulfill my little sis' wish, so if you're looking for a healthy alternative for this dish, hopefully you'll take a peek at my vegetarian version and maybe even try it.