Homemade Chinese Style Pork Soup with Turnip & Carrots

Since I've moved back home now that I've graduated from university, it allows me to make use of my parents kitchen! The additional benefit in moving home is that I can indulge in larger cooking projects since I'm not going to be the only one enjoying it.

A common tradition for Asian households is soup, also known as "tong" in Cantonese. I'm not sure if this is a specific tradition in all Asian backgrounds, but it is extremely common in Chinese households. It's believed that different soups have different health benefits. Today, I made a simple pork soup boiled with turnips and carrots. This particular soup is supposed to nourish blood, strengthen the body, improve the spleen, benefit the stomach, stimulate fluids, and decrease dryness. It also helps with symptoms of a low fever, dizziness, sore throat, and fatigue.

First place raw pork bones in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Subsequently remove and rinse bones. I usually do this in a separate pot so the actual soup pot can start to boil on its own. Place pork bones into soup pot. The soup pot should have approximately 10 cups of water.

Then skin and cut the carrots and turnips roughly into 1 inch pieces. Don't forget to wash prior to cutting.

Add a few (I used 3) dried red dates to the soup pot.

Add the chopped vegetables. 

Bring the soup to a boil and then lower it to low heat. Allow to simmer for 2-3 hours.

Add salt for taste & ready for serving!

Templeton's :: Third & Final Stop

Carson and I stumbled into Templeton's out of the moon. We were actually headed to Bar Isabel which was yet to be open for the day and our second choice, Torito Tapas Bar, was not yet open for dinner. Templeton's was quite empty and we were hesitant to try, but having a 77% rating on Urbanspoon pushed us to walk in. Templeton's has a "hobo-hipster" vibe - I don't know how else to describe it - only one waiter was present managing the whole restaurant, the lighting is dim, and  furniture was mismatched. All in all, if you are looking for a decent food at a decent price (ie: students), Templeton's your place.

Japanese Salad (small $4)

dried onions, seaweed, lotus root, avocado served with homemade Japanese dressing

{ The larger version of this salad rings in at $7 - but when I asked the waiter what the size difference was I was mislead to believe that the small was actually larger than it is. However, given the fact that I already had other snacks on the way here, the small salad was the perfect size. As such, this is a great appetizer size, but if you are looking for a light dinner, I'd recommend going for a large (but at $4 for a small you can try the Pear & Feta Salad and the Japanese Salad for a $1 more! - I would like to try the Pear & Feta Salad next time). The fried lotus root tasted great with gingery Japanese dressing and the avocado slices presented a refreshing aspect of the salad. The seaweed was a welcomed texture change providing some cruchiness amongst the soft leafy greens. All in all, the salad was good. }

Moroccan Style Paella ($9)

{ I didn't eat the Moroccan Style Paella, though looking at it I definitely wanted to try it. However, Carson told me it was quite spicy and I decided against it (since I don't care for spicy foods). Carson's brief comments on the paella was that it wasn't worth the $9. He claimed that the clams were sandy, it had too much spice, the rice was undercooked, and the shrimps were not properly de-shelled. Check out Carson's Instagram here. }

Templeton's

19 Augusta Avenue

Toronto, ON

Jelly Modern Doughnuts :: Stop Two!

Whoopie Pie & Red Velvet 3 Bite Doughnuts with Organic Root Beer

Jelly Modern Doughnuts

376 College St.

Toronto, ON

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The Mad Italian :: Stop 1 of the Day with Carson

Blood Orange & Green Apple Gelato

The Mad Italian

589 College St.

Toronto, ON M6G 1B2

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Salad King :: Secret Menu Dinner with Marc

Springrolls

compliments of Residence Inn

Islamic Thai Noodles with Chicken

Salad King

340 Yonge Street

Toronto, ON M5B 1R8

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Windsor Arms :: Birthday Brunch

Windsor Arms

18 St. Thomas Street

Toronto, ON M6S 3E7

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Hokkaido Ramen Santouka :: Dinner with Chris

Shio Ramen (Salt Flavour)

shio ramen is our signature ramen which is mild and creamy soup seasoned with salt. shio ramen isthe only ramen that is topped off with a Japanese pickled plum.

Based on the Shio Ramen from both Santouka and Sansotei, both broths, noodles, and pork were extremely similar in taste and quality. The soup was perfectly creamy without a terrible after taste (which is often experienced in some ramen restaurants) and the noodles were cooked with a little structure, but not too hard. I thoroughly enjoy ramen from both locations and would highly recommend either restaurant to anyone in the vicinity of Dundas Square. As a personal preference, I did not enjoy the Japanese pickled plum, but its taste was reminiscent of dried golgi berries. In comparison to Sansotei, food quality and included ingredients were identical aside from the Japanese pickled plum - but the portions at Santouka were sightly smaller and was a dollar more expensive.

Santouka Ramen

91 Dundas St E 

Toronto, ON M5B 1E1

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