:: Chinese Steam Buns (nikuman) ::

Chinese Steam Buns or Nikuman*

*Nikuman are steamed stuffed buns and often sold as streetfood throughout Asia.

Nope as you can see I didn't make these from scratch I was more curious to try them than to make them. Definetly this is one of those foods that requires more of an aquired taste.
The buns are small and as I found out one is enough since the dough tends to expand and fill you up. Purchased these frozen buns and bamboo steamer at the same time and market (Saigon Taipei / Address: 2206 S Collins St, Arlington, TX 76010) to try them with the bamboo steamer. The buns are celery, tofu and mushroom flavor. I only liked the mushroom ones.

As for the bambo steamer this is my 3rd time using it and I LOVE IT!!! it is such a neat cooking tool. The water heats within minutes in the cast iron wok (about 1.5 cups water) and creates steam instantly the bamboo steamer heats up just as quick and in say 10-12 minutes it cooks whatever you put in. The buns where frozen and they went directly from the freezer to the steamer and cooked in 8 min. flat!
I have used the bamboo steamer to bring back to life homemade bread that gets a bit hard after a couple of days and to reheat food too... just place the entire plate in the steamer and VOILA! the food comes out hot and moist. The bread reheats extreamly well it comes out like if you had just baked it fresh!!!

:: Molten Chocolate Raspberry Brownie ::

A line of cocoa dusted plates (15) awaiting for their brownie! mmm!
/ Plated :: Molten Chocolate Raspberry Brownie :: topped with Homemade peach ice cream! MMM! Made this plated dessert all from scratch for a little get together on Saturday...quite a success! I had no left overs and people took what was left in the brownie dish to-go! :)

International Cuisine / Week 7 - Scandinavia, Russia and East Europe

Group 1: Cabbage Soup (Sweden, Denmark) + Beef Stroganov (Russia, Beef Stroganoff) + Agurkesalat (Denmark) Pickled Cucumber Salad.

Group 2: Bramborove Knedliky (Czech Republic) > Bohemian Potato Dumplings with Frikadeller (Denmark) > meat patties.

Group 3: Morbrad med Svedsker og aebler (Denmark) > Pork Loin stuffed with prunes and apples ... in a bed of Paistetut Sienet (Finland) > Mushrooms with sour cream.

Group 4 : Lanttulaatikko (Finland) Rutabaga Pudding ... it tasted like corn bread to me LOL though some strongly disagree LOL

Group 4 : Csirke Paprikas (Hungary) chicken Paprika. This was the BEST from all the dishes in my opinion and in others too. Nice creamy and fullof flavor! MMM Good Job Jose & group 4!

Group 5: Pierogi (Poland) Filled Dumplings

Group 5: Potatoes and Mushrooms in Sour Cream (Poland). Topping was MMM!

Group 5: 2 Toskakakes (Almond Caramel Cake, from Norway) MMM Ready for service!!!
In the background... Chef Warner, Erinn, Mitchell and Jose.

Close-up on Toskakake

MMM!!! Chef Warners face reads. LOL. Karima seems not so sure and it seems that everybody else has made up their mind....about what? LOL Can't remember but here we are all explaining what me made for our Scandinavia, Russia and East Europe Lab; Which turned out MMM YUMM!

Sweet Endings... I had made this lil' flag a day prior to class thinking how nice it will look on the cake but it all went so FAST! the food and both of the cakes... HEY but the very last slice had the honor of holding the Norwegian flag.