Tuesday, November 22, 2016

TRAVEL / FOODIE SPECIAL .....Take a cake walk

Take a cake walk

We all know and love cake, but Taiwan presents a whole new way of enjoying this baked goodie ­ some savoury too

Ask a Taiwanese about hisher meat preference and the response is like ly to be, “Anything that moves!“ And true enough, the choice of meats that the state offers can test even the hardy carnivores among us. But this East Asian jewel has a well-kept secret ­ the world of Taiwanese cakes. From meat ball cakes, egg yolk filled pancakes, dumpling cakes, rice cakes to green tea cakes ­ this baked goodie comes in many shapes and sizes here. The main influences range from Mainland Chinese, Japanese to European ­ there's a cake for every occasion and time of the day. And their names, or rather English names, are as fascinating as the preparations.
MOON CAKE AND SUNCAKE
Moon cakes or round pastries with a red bean or a lotus seed paste filling and yolks of duck eggs used to be a Cantonese speciality served during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now, they are available the year round at any good bakery here.There are ample variants of traditional moon cake with the new variants filled with green tea, chocolate, sweet fruit and tiramisu. While moon cake is a common Chinese delicacy, suncake is a true-blue Taiwanese treat. The typical suncake filling consists of maltose (condensed malt sugar), and is sold in special gift boxes as souvenirs. It has a flaky crust and pairs well with Chinese tea. You can even dissolve it in hot water to make a porridge-like dessert.
WHEEL CAKE AND WIFE CAKE
Wheel cake is a local pancake that can be found at almost every night market in Taiwan. This fast food is available in sweet or savoury fillings ranging from peanut butter, cream and red bean paste and literally sells like hot cakes! Competing with cake for popularity is the wife cake or laopo bing ­ a pastry with winter melon and almond paste filling. Enjoy this wife cake with tales about how a husband came up with the recipe.
PINEAPPLE CAKE AND RICE CAKE
A pineapple pastry with butter, egg yolk sugar and pineapple jam filling is one of the most popular and staple desserts of Taiwan.
It's a common after-meal dessert. Supermarkets and grocery stores too offer packed pineapple cakes. The rice cake, signifying Japanese influence, is like a dim sum made with sweet rice dough and stuffed with veggies.
PIG BLOOD CAKE
This may sound outlandish but is a yummy treat that you'd not forget in a hurry.It's a night market staple. Made with pork blood and rice, this cake is served on a stick.You can dip it in a soy sauce and sprinkle powdered peanut on it.
TEA TIME
Tea is an essential part of Taiwanese culture. There are tea houses that tell you about the tea and its links to the history and culture of the island. You can also take a tea-making masterclass here.
HAUTE HOT POT
A simmering broth pot is set in the middle of your table with accompaniments (meats, veg gies and seasonings) on the side.
Make your own soup right in front of you. Locals prefer cuts like chicken feet and head too.
NIGHT BINGE
Night markets in Taiwan are a must-do shopping and bingeing experience.Kenting and Tahoe are the go-to hotspots.
ADD CHARMS TO YOUR LIFE
Shop for lucky charms here. There are ample trinkets available to ward off the evil eye, bring in good luck, for health and wealth, and even lasting marriages.
Nausheen Tareen
TL13NOV16


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