Local Ice Cream Love

It's summertime and that means that it's time for my annual pilgrimage home - to Amherst, NY.  Amherst is a suburb that sits between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY and it is home to my family, my childhood memories and my favorite summertime treat... Perry's Ice Cream. If you don't live in Western New York, you may not be aware of this particular ice cream brand. If you live in the Buffalo, NY region then Perry's is probably an integral part of your summers. 

Perry's got us hooked young in WNY. For as long as I can remember, Perry's was the only ice cream offered in our school cafeterias. The last day of school (aka field day) was always finished sitting on the grass with a cup of vanilla ice cream, complete with its accompanying wooden spoon.

When I moved away from WNY for graduate school, I was astonished at the number of items that I couldn't find at the grocery store - including Perry's Ice Cream. It was so disappointing. It became tradition during my summer visits to go bike riding with my dad, with a stop at the ice cream stand for a double scoop of black raspberry. Nothing says home better than a bowl of Perry's by the river.

A few years ago I started working with Perry's as a member of their Inside Scooper program. Through this partnership I have been able to test out new flavors, visit the Perry's factory and learn the inside "scoop" to why the ice cream is so good. If you are ever in the WNY region, or find yourself inside of a Wegmans, be sure to pick up a quart of Perry's. It's a local treat that just screams summer to me.

For Summer 2016, Perry's came out with several new small batch flavors including Deep Sea Treasure and Lemon Chillo. I decided to incorporate these flavors into a few recipes of my own, then I ate the rest of the ice cream right from the container. You can find the full details over at my other blog - Wilde in the Kitchen!

Have you moved away from your hometown and find yourself missing certain foods and drinks from your hometown? Do you have friends and family send you care packages? Let me know what is special about your part of the world! What should I taste test when visiting your hometown?

Disclaimer - As a member of Perry's Inside Scooper Program, I receive free ice cream about twice a year. Perry's does not compensate me in any manner other than free ice cream. I am happy to partner with this local brand, as I have been a lifelong fan!

Real Chinese Food

Before we went to China, people were concerned about what we were going to eat. They had heard horror stories about thousand year eggs, chicken feet and mystery vegetables. It was suggested on more than one occasion that we pack plenty of granola bars and trail mix.  Rather than be daunted by the options, I decided to try a little bit of everything.

We went out to dinner with my colleagues twice and our friends once. It was at these dinners where we were able to try different things, with the direction of a local. If you have friends in town, be sure to use them! They either know the language or have experience with the menu! I would have never ordered the green bean eye fish myself, but it was amazing. I have ordered it several times since.

Cafeterias are a great place to try new things on the cheap. The boyfriend and I went and piled our trays high with vegetables, dumplings and noodles. We avoided the odd plates of squid, beef stomach and mystery buns, but still wound up with an amazing variety of food. Bonus - it all cost maybe $8.

Practice your chop stick skills while in China! Don't worry if they aren't your forte, a waiter will see the struggle and offer you a fork. Alternatively, just bring the bowl/plate of food close to your mouth and shovel the food into your mouth.

Don't be worried if this all seems a little out of your comfort zone. Shanghai is incredibly diverse and you can get everything from Italian, to French to American. You can take in a delicious brunch in the French Concession neighborhood at Naked Bite on Wuyuan Road. Our waitress was British, we ate on the patio and enjoyed a quiet brunch on a tree-lined street.

Street markets are a fun place to try strange and unusual things. Why not drink a mystery beverage from an IV bag, or a steamed bun that looks like a panda? I did not try any scorpions, mostly because those guys you see above were still moving...

And if all else fails...

There is always McDonalds. Order by pointing at the English menu that the cashier will likely place on the counter. We stopped in after a long day on the Great Wall when we were too tired to bother with anything else. FYI - it tastes the same.

Shanghai, China

After procuring a visa and spending 15 hours on a plane, I finally found myself in Shanghai, China! We landed in Shanghai, Pudong International Airport, around 2:00 in the afternoon and were greeted by two of my colleagues. Even though I insisted that I could make it to my hotel via the Maglev train, they refused to let me wander China alone. Hospitality is key and my Chinese colleagues felt it was their duty to welcome me to their country. I appreciated the airport pickup, the drive into Shanghai was a little more death-defying that I would have preferred!  If given the choice, try the Maglev train and avoid the taxi line.

When riding in the car from the airport, my colleagues gave us three suggestions of what to see while in Shanghai - 1. The Bund, 2. Jing'an Temple & 3. Nanjing Road. That's it. They kept repeating these three things over and over again. Shanghai isn't really a historical city because mostly everything old have been wiped out and built over. We did see all three of these things, but there was so much more to see and do.

I wasn't alone for this trip, the boyfriend joined me on this journey to China and we were looking forward to a few days of touring before I had to get to work. We rested in the hotel room for about an hour before heading out into the city, only to be greeted with cloudy skies that threatened rain all week long. We were visiting in late June, which is apparently the tail end of the rainy season. 

And yes, it did rain. Luckily we brought a few umbrellas and were prepared for the weather. One good thing about the rain? It cut down on the number of people wandering the streets.

We managed to tick off all three "must see" locations in one day. You can start at the Jing'an temple, walk east along Nanjing road and you will eventually find yourself at the Bund. This strip is fairly touristy and you will see lots of people with cameras. If you happen to be 5'9" and blonde, these cameras will occasionally be turned on you! My 6'3" boyfriend garnered a lot of attention on Nanjing road.

We loved the Jing'an temple, but be warned that it is not an ancient temple. There has been a temple on the site since 1216, but the pagoda was completed in 2010. The architecture is beautiful and many people come to the temple to burn incense and pray. My favorite was the ancient ladies who would light their incense, wave it around for two seconds and leave. They were all about getting in, taking care of business and getting out of the temple! I recommend spending some time throwing coins into the bronze vessel in the center of the courtyard.  

Due to the fact that I was in Shanghai for work, we stayed at a hotel in Pudong. Pudong is across the river from Shanghai and nearly everything in Pudong is less than twenty years old. It is the newer, Western side of Shanghai. You can find massive shopping malls and the tallest towers in the city in Pudong. The Oriental Pearl Radio Tower is not one of the three tallest buildings in Pudong, but it is certainly the coolest to take photos of!  The light show that the tower puts on each evening is really fun. Take it in from below or across the river.

For a taste of old Shanghai, you can head to Tian Zi Fang. A series of tiny alleys, packed with shops, restaurants and about a million people. Tian zi fang is a fun place to try the hippest food trends in Shanghai, including beverages in IV bags or baby bottles, blue slushy ice cream floats and macaron ice cream sandwiches.

Or you can get food at a real restaurant! They food is tasty and weird and nothing like American Chinese food. There was an overabundance of pork in everything we ate, with less emphasis on chicken and barely any beef. Fish and seafood was available, but we didn't order any because someone (the boyfriend...) doesn't like fish. If you are concerned about the food, just get the fried thing. Those were generally safe and all tasted the same. I'll be doing a post next about the food, so come back next week for a bore in depth look at Chinese food!

You can also head over to "Old Shanghai" and the Yu Gardens. This is an amazing pedestrian zone, but there is nothing "old" about this part of town. You'll find wholesale markets, toy stores, pearl markets, turkish ice cream vendors and two Starbucks. The wholesale market is a great place to get souvenirs for next to nothing. Personally I am terrible at bargaining. I generally get down to a price that I am willing to pay and just give up. I don't like to haggle over what amounts to twenty cents.

Yu Garden and Old Shanghai is another touristy location. Beware nice people looking to practice their English and take you out for tea. They are simply looking to take you for all your money.

One attraction that was not suggested by my colleagues was the Shanghai World Financial Center, aka The Bottle Opener. For 180 RMB ($30) you can go to the observation deck and enjoy a bird's eye view of the city. Be sure to choose a day when the tower is not shrouded in fog! If you can see the top from the ground, you are good to go. There is a glass floor to test your nerves and a bathroom with the best view of Shanghai!

You definitely want to visit The Bund at night. The buildings in Pudong all light up at night with an ever-changing array of color. Some of the buildings scroll advertisements, mostly for new cell phones. Also, if you happen to be non-Chinese, it is easier to blend in at night and enjoy your walk without being asked for a photo.

Shanghai World Financial Center is the tall blue building that is disappearing into the clouds!

If you are non-Chinese, you will likely not get out of China without having someone ask to take your photo. We were heading onward from Shanghai to Beijing via the high speed train. Our taxi dropped us off at the station and I was immediately stopped for a photo. This man picked up his little girl and put her down right  next to me.  He proceeded to take several photos of the two of us.  She looked very confused, I was used to it by then.

Have you been to Shanghai? What were your favorite things to see, do and eat? 

Holiday Gift Guide - For the Baker/Cook

For your one friend who just loves being in the kitchen... Whether they are creating a high-rise cake or dishing out an amazing dinner, every food enthusiast would love a little something kitchen-inspired! I have quite a few of these items in my own kitchen already!

1. Sweetapolita Sprinkles - I have always been jealous of the cake sprinkles on Sweetapolita. Thankfully, Rosie started selling her sprinkle mixtures on Etsy (and recently on her own store). Pick up an assorted pack of these and pretty up any cake!

2. Ikea - Kitchen Cart - I've had many a small kitchen over the past ten years. These adorable Ikea kitchen carts are life-savers for people with low storage space. You don't have to relegate them to the kitchen either, these are super handy to have all over the house!

3. H&M Home - Ceramic Cutting Board - We all need a pretty cutting board for when our friends come over and you don't want to serve your cheese on a scratched up plastic cutting board.

4. HAM Cake Baking Pig Print - I fell in love with HAM prints earlier this year. I have the bouncing bunny print in my office. If you know someone with a blank kitchen wall, this adorable piggy baker may be just the ticket!

5. King Arthur Flour - Baker's Companion - By far my favorite baking cookbook. I've made so many successful recipes from this book that the edges are stained with chocolate and vanilla extract. Get this for the beginner baker and watch them blossom!

6. Williams-Sonoma Striped Apron - If you could see how stained and covered in ingredients my cookbooks have become, you know what I would look like without an apron. Always a good idea for the kitchen, and you look so cool and professional!

7. Doctor Who Cookie Jar - I have this cookie jar in my kitchen, it's filled with K-cups. When you press the lamp on the top of the TARDIS, it makes TARDIS-y noises and lights up! Perfect for any Whovian.

8. Kitchenaid Stand Mixer Decals - I can't afford to replace my stand mixer each time I get bored with the color. What I can do is cover it with stickers! Stand mixer decals abound on Etsy and they aren't too expensive! Get your loved one a few to choose from and they can enjoy having a personalized mixer!

9. Penzeys - Bakers Gift Box - Penzeys is my favorite place to get spices. Each time I visit the store, I always find something new to try out. The gift boxes are the perfect way to try out a number of different spices, depending on your giftee's preferences. One year I was given the Curry box and it was a huge hit in my kitchen!

Haven't found the perfect gift yet? Here are some more options that are a little bit food, a little bit fashion!

Wilde in the World - Siem Reap, Cambodia

A few weeks ago, I had to attend a conference in Kuala Lumpur. After asking the BF to join me on each of my work trips this year, he finally was able to take time from work and come along! We decided to take a few extra vacation days before the conference and take a mini vacation. At first we were torn between the beaches of Malaysia and the temples of Cambodia.  Since this post is titled "Siem Reap, Cambodia" I think you know which one we chose.

Why did we decide to go to Cambodia rather than the beach? We have actually been to the beaches of Thailand, which are just north of the Malaysian beaches. Plus, we were headed to Florida for Thanksgiving and I had major beach plans for that trip. So off to the temples we went!

Day one of our trip was really really long. Our flight path to Cambodia was Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL to Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Siem Reap, Cambodia. It took a total of 36 hours to get from home to hotel. Luckily, we were greeted with a beautiful room and a treat!

The room had an amazing tub that was in the middle of the room! We also had our own little garden! If you are ever planning on heading to Siem Reap, check out the Heritage Suites Hotel. It's a bit pricier than most options in Cambodia, but we're not really hostel people. We like to have our own bathroom.

The reason you visit Siem Reap, Cambodia? To visit the temples! Day one of our trip included the most famous of them all - Angkor Wat.

Then is was into our tuk tuk (with Mr Phuc Me!)...

And onto the Bayon temple via this bridge. These stone men are all holding onto the long tail of a serpent.

All the peaks of the Bayon temple look like blobs...

but they are all faces!

I'm huge in Cambodia. So tall.

Finally, I conquered the Phimeanakas temple. See me in red at the top?

Then we ate some food...

And then passed out for the next ten hours.

Stop by tomorrow for more Cambodia!

Wilde in the World - San Diego, California

Between all of my jet setting around the world, I've been heading to some more local destinations. I had to visit Buffalo, New York for a day last month, just before I had to head across the country to California!

Every year, I head to the AACR annual conference. AACR is the American Association of Cancer Researchers and this conference attracts over 15,000 scientists, oncologists, clinicians, regulatory specialists and a wide variety of hospital, university and pharmaceutical employees. When the AACR is in town, the conversations that you hear on the street will tend toward PFS, BTD and PKPD.

With the closing of my company last year, the employees of OSI pharmaceuticals were spread to the wind. As it so happens, several of them stayed in the oncology research area and attended this years conference. So in addition to all the great science and fantastic weather that I was able to enjoy, I also got to meet up with so many of my former colleagues (and meet their new colleagues).

If you are ever thinking about attending a conference in San Diego, I would highly recommend it. The conference center boasts an enormous outdoor seating area, for those moments between sessions. It is also three or four blocks long, so you will get a lot of exercise in while walking from room to room. The food was also surprisingly good with a great variety of healthy options. Book that conference, you won't regret it!

When it comes to the city itself, I can't complain about the food. I had several delicious meals that were packed with fresh seafood and followed up with succulent desserts. The meal that sticks in my mind the most is an evening spent with a friend and a few of his friends.

The restaurant was Osetra The Fishhouse and the menu was Italian seafood. If you love wine, they have the most amazing selection. In order to access all of the wines, they have to strap a bar tender in a harness and climb up to the ceiling. I started with their combination appetizer plate of the day and had a buttery Chilean sea bass as my main course. I was outed as a bit of a foodie during dinner and was forced to order dessert for the table. I settled on an almond and pear tarte and shared a few pieces with my companions. It was all so amazing, I didn't have to eat until lunch the next day.

Actually, I had to hit the streets with my new friends and run off some of those buttery calories. Luckily the weather in San Diego made the morning run much less of a chore. The conversation actually made it a delight! I think I might need to make another trip to the west coast for a vacation. The year-round warm weather is quite tempting, especially when spring is so manic-depressing in New Jersey!

Wilde in the World - Oxford, UK

After a week on conferencing in Geneva, we made a quick stopover in the UK for a meeting. Specifically, we went to Oxford. I've been to London before and there is no comparing the two cities. While London is loud and speckled with skyscrapers, Oxford is quiet, quaint and mostly historic.  Case in point - I stayed in a prison.

When booking our hotel, my group decided to have a little fun and chose the Malmaison Oxford. Malmaison is a hotel group, with locations all over Europe, but their hotels are anything but traditional. The Malmaison Oxford was built out of an old prison, on the site of the Oxford castle. The transformation was completed in 2009 and the hotel now boasts beautiful rooms, that were once prison cells! This is most evident when you stand in the center of the main cellblock and look up. 

We were only in Oxford for two days, so I had to pick and choose my tourist attractions carefully. There was no time to spend wandering through the museums in town, or spend money on a quick visit to Christchurch cathedral (the original inspiration for the Hogwarts Great Hall!), no I just did a lot of walking. And eating. So much eating.

Our first night in Oxford was spent eating some seriously good British food at The Big Bang. What do they serve? Bangers and Mash, gourmet style. You see my plate of food up there? It was three different types of sausage - The traditional, Welsh pork & leek and wild boar & pigeon, all piled on top of grain mustardy potato mash. There were some peas there too, just for garnish.  Not only was the main course delicious, we indulged in dessert too. That purple fluff was their Oxford Mess and it was anything but light. So rich and creamy, I was only able to finish half of it.

What else did I do on my day in Oxford? A whole lot of walking. I walked through the Oxford University gardens, along the tiny alleys with strange names and up and down the main streets.  It was fun to soak in all of the history and visit buildings that are older than America.

My favorite excursion on my trip to Oxford? I went for a run. Seriously! The Thames path runs along the river for miles and miles and so did I. Originally, I was on a hunt for the Iris inn. A sweet inn that is accessible only via this path. They serve dinner and are apparently a perfect place to wile away the evening hours. Unfortunately for me, they weren't open for business when I ran by. Tables were set up in a glen with daffodils sprouting around the legs. In plain view of the river, but tucked away from any street, I can see how it would be the perfect place to spend an evening with friends.

With my recent European adventure finished, I hopped back to Heathrow (via the Airline bus!) and enjoyed three full seats on my plane ride home. Where was I off to next? The much less exotic location of San Diego, California.