China - SHANGHAI (Christmas Holiday)

Shanghai is considered the culinary capital of China and the Paris of the East. Due to mild weather, this region teams with freshwater fish and offers abundant produce, rice and, most importantly, tea and wine. Local cuisine, referred to as red cooking, features slow-simmering dishes. Complex sauces are usually seasoned with plenty of sugar and rich dark soy sauce.

"Even though Christmas is not often celebrated in China, as the economy expands, people are becoming more interested in Western Culture. In Shanghai, a metropolis of 16 million people, the great variety of restaurants offers everything from Western style cooking to traditional Shanghai cuisine. Among the most popular traditional foods are the juicy Shanghai steamed buns and, of course, the marble tea eggs. If you have the opportunity to make it to Shanghai, be sure to sample these wonderful Shanghai dishes. I'm sure you would agree with me that they are perfect to enjoy with family and friends during the holiday season.

"Following my recipes, you can create these traditional delicacies right at home. You can even prepare them ahead and freeze them."

Appetizers
Steamed Shanghai Dumplings
Marbled Eggs

Soup
Asparagus with Crabmeat Soup

Entrees
Black Tea Braised Short Ribs
Fish in Lucky Treasure Sauce

Dessert
Baked Bananas with a Creamy Sauce

Rice Wine

Black Tea

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