Comments for Red Cook

Comment on The White Rabbit Candy Incident by Diana

Diana — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:25:00 +0000

White Rabbit Candy was also recalled in the Philippines a few years ago because of formalin.

Interestingly, I used to be a lot more careful about food shopping when I lived in the US. I almost always bought meat that was organic or free-range, and stayed away from anything containing high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated crap. I did this less so in China. NOT because I felt food in China was safer, but only because I knew I would drive myself crazy and probably starve if I held onto the same standards I had in the US. It’s almost impossible to buy organic meat, produce, and packaged products here. And almost everything packaged has MSG.

So I do the same things you did, which is to first buy foreign brands, which can be very costly. I would buy things like Skippy peanut butter, the same stuff I shunned a year ago. But really, I’ve bought more than my fair share of local stuff. And with things like produce and meat, it’s impossible to buy anything but local. Sigh.

Comment on The White Rabbit Candy Incident by Chou

Chou — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:52:05 +0000

Wow–I just tried White Rabbit for the first time two weeks ago! This is one of the difficulties with food; as it’s been said, eating is a sort of continual game of chance, and has been for thousands of years. However, it’s even more concerning that those who we have entrusted with food production occasionally fail us. I think your strategies are sound, and that at some point one must accept the risk inherent in our food systems while giving thanks for the progress that has been made.

Comment on The White Rabbit Candy Incident by Jessie

Jessie — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:41:35 +0000

Oh, gosh. I’ll look for them the next time we’re out, but I’ll bet they’re on the shelves in Boston, too.

Comment on Hong Shao Rou (Red Cooked Pork) by them apples

them apples — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:50:12 +0000

Great recipe - this is a superb dish.

Comment on Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet by billy@atablefortwo

billy@atablefortwo — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:33:23 +0000

Found your blog over 24,24,24 post. As a fellow chinese, I am super impressed with the effort you’ve put in for this banquet. I know how much hard work involved to create so many dishes, not to mention you even made your own mooncake!! I bow to you, si fu….

Comment on Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet by Emily

Emily — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:52:19 +0000

The dinner sounds so delicious. I enjoyed reading your blog.
I am curious what you used to make your winter melon soup. Also, did you put the whole melon in (in the Chinese banquet style)?
My winter melon has just been harvested and I am going to cook it this weekend — using seafood, ham, and mushrooms.

Comment on The White Rabbit Candy Incident by Kian

Kian — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:24:28 +0000

Cadbury recalled their products made in China yesterday. More global brand products are being affected. It is really rather unsettling.

FDA recalled the White Rabbit candies on Sep 26th. But they are still on Chinatown store shelves. Obviously there is something wrong with our enforcement system.

Comment on Full “Moon” Mooncakes by Kate

Kate — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:21:37 +0000

Uh….yeah…..watch where you bite!!!!

hehehe

I might NOT eat those ones, but the other Mooncakes looked divine.

Comment on Red Bean Paste and Meringue? by The Ten Worst Things I Have Ever Cooked | Fine Furious Life

The Ten Worst Things I Have Ever Cooked | Fine Furious Life — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:16:35 +0000

[...] I should have known far, far better. It’s only been a week since I attempted to revolutionize the traditional Chinese dessert that encloses a nugget of sweet red bean paste in a fluffy pillow of meringue before launching [...]

Comment on The White Rabbit Candy Incident by Jessie

Jessie — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:10:17 +0000

Really thoughtful post. And gosh, this is so scary. I like the idea that the American gov’t would catch any and all tainted products, I’m just not sure that that’s reality of the situation.

Your shopping methods seem pretty sound to me. In the end, there’s probably (sadly) only so much you can do, aside from staying as informed as you can by reading the news.

I’d like to think that sticking to popular brands cuts down on your chances of getting some kind of bad food. (In theory, the more folks who eat something, the more likely that it will be reported if someone gets sick, etc.)

+Jessie
a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse