Starfruit

Just a short post today.

Someone gave The Cat a couple of starfruit this week. She thought is was cute that it actually looked like a star. Here’s the Wikipedia description of the fruit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carambola

The Cat especially likes that starfruit is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.

Starfruit

I usually just trim the ribs along the “points” of the fruit, like string beans (the skin doesn’t need to be peeled). I then slice and seed the starfruit (the fruit has a few seeds that look like watermelon seeds).

Enjoy.

The Mouse and The Cat

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Sardines in Soybean Paste

I bought a can of sardines in soybean paste from the Japanese warehouse membership store the other day. We usually but sardines in soybean oil but sometimes, I like to try something different.

Sardines in Soybean Paste

Inside, the sardines looks like its packed in miso sauce. I know, soybean paste and miso should be one and the same but the label said soybean paste.

Sardines in Soybean Paste

For me, one of the best ways to eat canned sardines is over hot rice.

Sardines and Soybean Paste Over Steamed Rice

Add some chopped green onions for color (and vegetables, heehee).

Ready to Eat

I usually sprinkle some shoyu over the sardines, but since this can was in soybean paste, I wanted to try it without additional flavorings.

The sardines were good, but it had a slight tinny aftertaste. I get the same aftertaste eating sardines in tomato sauce or mustard. I don’t get that aftertaste if the sardines are packed in oil. The can was good just to try.

Enjoy.

The Mouse

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Sunday Lunch and Dinner

On Sunday, we had a busy day at the air show (see previous post), and we had to run some errands, no time for cooking.

We ended up at our favorite chop suey house, Kin Wah, for a late lunch.

Special Plate “A”

From bottom, beef with broccoli, gon lo mein, rice, three crispy won tons, and lemon chicken, all for six dollars, mmm, what a deal. At first, The Cat wasn’t going to eat since she already ate at the air show. But when the food came she ordered fried rice, and choi sum with sauce on the side (must be a Pavlovian response).

Choi Sum

For dinner, The Cat wanted more vegetables, so we headed to Bangkok Chef in town for Pad Raumit #16 (stir-fried vegetables and tofu)(I’ve posted about this previously).

Pad Raumit #16

I wasn’t in the mood for any hot or spicy food (it was kind of hot on Sunday). I ordered the fish patties plate #2. Fried fish cake patties. I liked it, The Cat, not so much (The Cat has a dislike of fishcake).

Fish Patties Plate

I really liked the brown jasmine rice. The grains didn’t stick together, the texture was almost like eating fried rice (without the oil).

The Cat wanted to try the Thai iced coffee but she was concerned it might be too caffeinated, so she had her Thai iced tea instead.

Thai Iced Tea

The table next to us came to Bangkok Chef only for dessert. One of their desserts was a green tapioca. We thought it was green tea flavored tapioca. It turned out to be pandan flavored tapioca. Here’s more information about pandan: http://thaifood.about.com/od/glossary/g/pandanleaf.htm. It had a kind of green herb taste, not bad.

Pandan Flavored Tapioca

The dessert looks a little sloppy, The Cat dove in before I could get a picture.

A full day (both in activities and food). I’m is returning to my diet and ku ding cha on Monday.

Enjoy

The Mouse

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Field Trip to Kaneohe Bay Air Show

Yesterday, at the spur of the moment, we decided to go to the Kaneohe Bay Air Show. The show is put on by Marine Corp Community Services.

The Cat has never been to an air show before. Growing up, my father used to take me to every air show there was on the island. We also went to do some research, if the plan comes to fruition, I post about it later.

This is another post where it’s better to let the pictures tell the story.

This is a blog about food after all. In the midst of all this machinery, technology, and equipment, I’m wondering what kind of food is served on military transports. You can take the mouse out of the country, but you cannot take … (Oh well). 🙂

I was thinking about the story of Jonah and the Whale right about now.

You’re probably wondering by now, “Where’s the food?” Here’s a sample of the food booths.

Windward side represent.

By now The Cat was getting hungry. She bought a kalua pork and rice “bowl” from the Gordon Biersch booth.

Kalua Pork "Bowl"

The Cat said the pork was a little dry, but it was okay.

There was no seating or shade on the tarmac.

By then, the temperature was getting kind of hot. We saw about 75 percent of the displays and decided to leave. The Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels weren’t scheduled to perform for another couple of hours.

The Cat really liked all the air stunt performances. She didn’t even mind we missed the Blue Angels performance.

We saw the Blue Angels as they flew through Kaneohe to turn around. The Cat got very excited (four paws).

The Cat now wants to become a pilot when she grows up. 🙂

Enjoy.

The Mouse

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Field Trip to United Fishing Agency

Yesterday, I had an early orthodontist appointment. Since I had to get up earlier than usual, I thought I might get up even earlier and check out the Honolulu fish auction. I got there a little after 6 a.m. and the activity was already winding down.

I’m going to let the pictures tell the story with very little narration from me today (whew).

Pier 38

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Here’s the location: United Fishing Agency.

The agency is next to where the fishing boats dock.

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No Slippers!

Only in Hawaii. 🙂

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I wasn’t quite sure of the names of the fishes. Didn’t want to label them incorrectly. More information here: http://www.hawaii-seafood.org/resources/resources-pdfs/

A Lonely Pallet of Octopuses

A Cat's Dream

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Fish Being Auctioned

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To test the quality of the fish, a core sample is taken from the tail.

Core Sample

A detailed description of the process can be found here: http://www.hawaii-seafood.org/resources/auction/

After the bid is completed for each pallet, fishmongers move the pallets to the buyer’s trucks.

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If you plan on visiting the agency to watch the auction, bring a jacket. The warehouse is one giant refrigerator, and it got kind of cold.

Included in my list of things to do is visit the Fulton Fish Market in New York and the Tsukiji Fish Market in Japan. I can cross the Honolulu fish auction off the list.

For some reason, I’m in the mood for sashimi. 🙂

Enjoy.

The Mouse.

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