Sharing Childhood Food Memories

As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up in Asia and visited many of the countries in the region – particularly around Southeast Asia. Now that I’m living in Canada, I LOVE going to the Asian grocery store, and picking up familiar food items to share with my family. This is what I purchased today:Orange Bottle: Korean Bulgogi Marinade. I just pour this on thinly sliced beef, leave overnight, and fry the next day. Delicious served with white rice and kimchi.Hello Panda: Yummy Japanese chocolate filled cookie bites – what’s not to love?Goldilocks Polvoron: Addictive pressed powder cookies from the Philippines – they are very crumbly!Golden Curry: Japanese curry blocks – so easy to make. You fry onions, chicken, and veggies, then add water and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in a curry block – and the whole thing becomes a flavourful stew. It’s a great comfort food.Mama Sita’s BBQ marinade: I haven’t made this yet, but I have tried other mixes from this Filipino line, including their Pancit mix.Nivea tin from Thailand: Yup – I realise this is not food! It is just hard to get Nivea in a tin in most shops here – they only sell them in big plastic tubs. I picked this up to slip in my handbag – it’s great to protect my kids’ skin in winter. I usually try to get organic/natural skin care for them – but this is a classic – and I haven’t found a good substitute for it.*I must mention that packaged food mixes are a great way to recreate authentic regional dishes – but of course, they are not the most healthy thing to eat (i.e. they all have MSG). Still, they are perfect to enjoy *occasionally*.