Saturday, January 28, 2012

The largest “Doh”( means Island in Cantonese) in the world

Have you been asked this question before? In Cantonese, the question sounded like this, “Jui tai ker doh, hai mak yeh doh?” (What is the largest "Doh" (island) in the world? First, it is useless to ask me, it is like “pong wor seong jay saw” (asking a monk for a comb). Why? Because I dropped the subject, Geography altogether when I was in high school. I have no clue at all. 

Now coming back to the question. Anyone know the answer? You must be thinking of the names of many famous "Doh"( island) in the world right ? Haiyah, me too, throwing limited names of those islands I knew but they were ALL WRONG! The biggest “doh” in the world is called “Char Doh”. Of course there is no such island in the world lah. “Char Doh” in Cantonese means (got squeezed!) LOL! I believe Cantonese speaking people will have a good laugh out of this joke but I am not sure my Western friends and readers will get it or find this funny. Honestly, sometimes, when my Quay Lo cracked a Quay Lo joke, I don’t get it and vice versa. This also applies to certain things we said to each other. Certain phrases that he used may be normal to him but I find it offensive. For example, I told my Quay Lo, I am going to the store. He would say “Knock yourself out.” What?? Knock myself out?? Or he would say, “I don’t care.” That makes me angry.  It sounded rude and dismissive to me but he told me it is perfectly alright to speak like that to the Westerners and they will not be offended. Then, it irritates him to the max when he said something to me  and I answered with a big “NO” before I continue what I wanted to say. Usually, that will not offend any of my Asian friends either. I guess that is truly culture difference.

So today I have “KNOCKED MYSELF OUT” and prepared this dessert.  I told my Quay Lo, I made this for my neighbor and not for him and I am going to give both the pies to them and know what he said to me? “I don’t care.” GRRRRR!! “Char Doh!!” (Got squeezed) big time!

Banana Pie with Chocolate Ganache 
and Salted Caramel Sauce
Inspired by Amanda Hesser's The Essential New York Times Cookbook.

Ingredients:
Pie Crust


Ganache Layer:
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
(about 1/2 cup chocolate chips)
Salted Caramel Sauce
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon water
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel (or kosher salt)

For Assembly:
3 medium bananas, cut in thin slices

Make the ganache:
Set the chocolate into a bowl. Heat the heavy cream to boiling point and pour over the chocolate. Let stand a couple of minutes and gently stir until fully incorporated and glossy. It should be the consistency of warmed chocolate syrup. Cool to room temperature. Pour over the cooled pie crust and refrigerate.

Make the caramel sauce:
In a heavy saucepan set over medium-high heat, stir together sugar and water, and bring to a boil. Let boil until amber-colored. Once it starts taking on color, keep a close eye because it will turn quickly. Immediately add butter and stir to incorporate. Remove from heat, add cream and salt (be careful, it will splatter), and mix well. It should be smooth and have a syrup-like consistency. Let cool to room temperature.

To assemble:
Decorate with banana slices. Drizzle some caramel sauce over the banana slices. Chill, and serve within 24 hours. 

50 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Next time there is a house for sale in my neighborhood, I will alert you! hehe

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    2. Quay PO, am looking for house...pls alert me if ur neighbour move out.hehe

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  2. Dear Quay Po really these look delicious and beautiful, and yes I would like be your neighbor too lol:)

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  3. I WANT!!! It's going to get pretty congested with everyone wanting to be your neighbor. You know what? I have no idea what those cantonese phrases mean .... but I do get "knock yourself out". I guess I that makes me the banana!

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  4. Oh heavenly! reading this at 230am...I wish I have all the ingredients to make it right now for my early breakfast. Ahhhh I wish I am your neighbour.

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    1. Why are you still not in bed at 2.30am?? Good God!! :D

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  5. Diana seems to have a lot of fun making the apple pie. Excellent pictures.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes, Diana had a lot of fun making the apple pie. It was her first time make a pie crust from scratch.

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  6. I was teaching Geography until they didn't have enough English teachers so I had to teach the language full time. Never had banana pie, usually apple...but anything with shortcrust pastry, I like! ;)

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    1. I know, your breed is going to be extinct soon! hehe

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  7. Hahahaha As always you made me grin so early in the morning ;D The pie looks spectacular ! That pastry crust looks perfect ! *sigh* I should TRY to making it sooner rather than procrastinating er later :P :D Come to think of it , Diana looks a bit like you ! ;) GORGEOUS profile pic ;D

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    1. It is good to know my post put grin on your face. the pie crust is very easy to make. Don't procrastinate, just do it!! hehe... Thanks for the compliment on the profile pic.

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  8. That looks fantastic! What a great combo of bananas, chocolate and caramel!

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  9. Jar doh been doh??
    Hahaha!
    Ng hou luen luen jar hoh!

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  10. Gong xi fatt chai to you n family,

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. I hope you are still enjoying the rest of the CNY.

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  11. Replies
    1. Ya, this pie is very delicious. Banana, chocolate and caramel, combo made in heaven.

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  12. Lucky its not 7 early 8 early pei nei 'Char Doh'. Happy Birthday today its our birthday it's CNY VII its 'yan yat' *people's day*

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    1. hahaha, your "7 early 8 early" made me think for a while what you are trying to say but when I got it, I ROFL!!

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  13. this is so strange but i didn't get the cantonese joke although I understand the 'knock yourself out' comment - my dad always tells me that when i go shopping too ;p

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  14. reading your answer ' cha doh' , i really "pei nei cha doh" cos when i was thinking of some islands. You very naughty!

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    Replies
    1. hahaha, like Wendy said, "Char doh pin doh?" Looking forward to see you soon!

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  15. Can I move next door please :) Diane

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    Replies
    1. I would love to be your neighbor too, so that I can follow you on your tour to all the beautiful places.

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  16. Dear Veronica:
    just drop by to say gong xi fa cai to you and your family. After coming back to Malaysia and joining back to working field, for a while not so active in food blogging. Hope to catch up more with you maybe to arrange a meet up :-P

    Yin

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    1. Yin!! What a pleasant surprise!! Gong Xi Fa Cai to you and your family too. You are back to Malaysia? OH yes, let's meet up someday soon for lunch or tea. I can appreciate when you are on a full time job, you will have less time to spend on your blog. Email me your handphone number if that's okay with you. My email. quaypocooks@gmail.com

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  17. Hmm I get the 'knock yourself out' but the 'I don't care' still doesn't sound good!

    Ooh I KNOW I would love this pie.

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  18. I'm salivating by just looking at the picture of your chocolate ganache.Why giving all away, should leave some for yourself or to your girlfriend, Diana!And if my hubby told me he doesn't care, I will also feel "char doh!" You are hilarious! I thought this word is a bit rude to say it out, hahaha!

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    1. Actually, I want to "Char" my Quay Lo but instead, I got "Char" back! LOL! Oh ya, this phrase for old lady like me, not for sweet young thing like you to say. hehehe

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  19. Gong xi Fa Cai...sedapnya pie tu...:)

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  20. Hi Veron, Gong Xi Fa Cai to you and family. Gong Xi Gong Xi.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks my dear. Same to you and hope you are enjoying the rest of CNY

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  21. HAHAHA....You're so hilarous! What a good laugh! Thanks for the day.
    Kristy

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  22. This looks simply ravishing - I could eat this whole tart in one!
    Beautiful site!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    Latest: Fresh Fruit Tart
    http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/

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    1. I remember clearly I have replied to your comment but it is gone now. Thanks for dropping by and leave your kind comment.

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  23. You can sure tell that you "knocked yourself out" making this...it's perfect! and I don't know I might be a little offended if I told my husband I was going to the store and he said "I don't care" :)

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    1. I remember clearly I have replied to your comment but it is gone now. haha, so you too don't really like the phrase, I don't care. High five!

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  24. Awwwwwwwwww........Jamie used to say that and I dislike it a lot. So, I told him when we initially got married and he pretty much dropped the "I don't care" phrase and replaced it with "Have fun,Honey!" Problem solved.

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