Chicken & Mushroom Parmesan Risotto

Ingredients:
2 chicken breast halves
6 medium mushrooms
1 onion
1 Tbsp garlic
1 lemon
1 1/2 c rice (or 1 1/2 c risotto)
4 c chicken broth (3 c for risotto)
1/3 c parmesan

Mince mushroom & onion then saute.  Add garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice.  Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the pan.  Chicken doesn't need to be cooked thoroughly before adding  rice/risotto.  Stir for a couple of minutes then add broth.  Bring to a boil.  Cook on medium covered for 20 minutes stirring occasionally.  (cook 15 minutes for risotto).  Take off heat and add parmesan.

Mom's Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

4 c sliced & peeled apples in the bottom of an 8x10 pyrex dish.

Mixture 1- pour over apples

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt

1/2 c sugar

1 c water

Mixture 2-Cream together

1 square butter

1/2 c brown sugar

 1 c flour

1/2 t salt

1/2 t baking powder

Slice & peel apples.  Pour mixture 1 over apples.  Cream mixture #2 and place over apples.  Bake @350 for 40 minutes

Ritz Chicken

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts

1 sleeve of ritz

1 tbsp of garlic salt

pepper to taste

1 c flour

1 egg

Ingredients:

Mix together 1 sleeve of ritz, garlic salt and pepper to taste.  Cover chicken with flour, rolle in egg, then roll in ritz mixture.  Set chicken in a pyrex pan and add slices of butter to the top.  Bake @ 400 for 35-45 minutes.  

Chinese Fairy Mountain

Just to get to the Fairy Mountain National Forest from Chongqing is a trek in and of itself.  We took an entire day to get there and the 3 Natural Bridges near Wu Long.  It was a 4 hour ride on a tour bus from Chongqing, and it was quite the trek through the jungle and winding roads.  Once we got there, there weren't many people and could enjoy the solitude of few lines and not a lot of people.  That was quite the stark difference from overpopulated sky-scraping Chongqing. 

We were really surprised when we got there because a local had really talked it up to us on the way there.  They said it was the most gorgeous place that he had ever been to.  We were shocked to find what you would see at an American Park: open spaces with trees and grass.  To us, it was normal, expected around every few blocks in every city.  To those in Chongqing however, it was a sanctuary from the city.  A haven from the chaos, noise and constant people.  

There's a train inside the mountain to take you around with a few stops.  We found that many of the stops were the same as before: grass, trees, and open space.  What a surprise and shock for us.  

Gardens in Suzhou

The classical Gardens of Suzhou were added to the list of  UNESCO world heritage sites throughout the world.  They were designed as a classical Chinese Garden with old pagodas, ancient trees, indigenous plants and shrubs.  Around every corner you look, you'll want to stay and breathe and just listen to the water flowing and birds chirping.  It's a perfect afternoon or morning walk, a perfect little getaway in the city.   

A stroll through Panmen Gate State Park

There are 3 main landmarks of this area you don't want to miss: 

• Pan Gate, or the entrance to the park
• Riugang Pagoda or Northgate Pagoda, which is the earliest built in Suzhou


• Wu Gate Bridge, or land and water bridge

Pan Gate (盘门 - Panmen) State Park

The North Temple Pagoda瑞光寺塔 - Ruiguang Baota

The Gate and Pagoda date back to some the earliest architecture in Suzhou.  In fact, the North Temple Pagoda is the earliest pagoda in Suzhou and the surrounding area.  

Walk through Gusu Gardens and you'll see waterways, ponds, ancient trees and gorgeous landscaping. 

You'll take a path up to the original city wall attached to the ancient gate.  The original city wall, meant to keep those inside safe and intruders out, was built in 514 BCE! The Land and Water Gate is complex for both land and water travelers.  

8 things to do in Suzhou, China

The Venice of the East, as many would call Suzhou, is a beautiful place.  Its' population grew immensely in the past through migration to the North.  It has the oldest canal in the world, beautiful gardens, a unique food scene, opera, and history galore.  You'll love this place.  

1. Enjoy the flavorful and subtle flavors of Suzhou

Suzhou doesn't emphasize bold and daring flavors like Shanghai or Chongqing.  Instead, they are more sweet and mild.  They are more focused on protein and vegetables with fewer rice or noodles like the north and south.  Feeling adventurous? Try pig blood "tofu" or curd.  Bonus: many of the restaurants are built over the water.  

2. Visit some gardens

There are many gardens you can visit in Suzhou such as the Master of Nets Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Suzhou China Flower Botanical Garden, and Gusu Gardens.  Gusu Gardens were very impressive, but The Classical Gardens of Suzhou were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and packed with history and make for a gorgeous stroll through alleys, by ponds and under ancient trees.  Here is more about the gardens.

3. Scout out the perfect souvenir

There are all kinds of artificial cultural artifacts, trinkets, toys, jewelry, clothes and many more things to buy at the markets.  Suzhou is known for its Porcelain white and blue jewelry and pots.  Want something truly unique?  Get your name, ideally Chinese name, carved into a stone stamp.

4. See some really old architecture

Visit Pan Gate (盘门 - Panmen) State Park & The North Temple Pagoda瑞光寺塔 - Ruiguang Baota

The Gate and Pagoda date back to some the earliest architecture in Suzhou.  In fact, the North Temple Pagoda is the earliest pagoda in Suzhou and the surrounding area.  There are really beautiful surrounding areas as well.  Want to know more? Click here

5. Visit the Wu Water and Land Gate & original city wall

The original city wall, meant to keep those inside safe and intruders out, was built in 514 BCE! The Land and Water Gate is complex for both land and water travelers.  Here is more about the land and water gate and city wall.  

6. Take a leisurely gondola boat ride or enjoy the canal from the shore.

Suzhou's grand canal is the oldest and longest water canal in the world.  The Yangtze river is the only most important water way in China before The Grand Canal.  This canal is the reason Suzhou is an important city in China and contributes to its' economy. You can marvel at it with a relaxing ride.

7. Explore the world of Chinese Opera

Suzhou has the oldest form of Chinese opera, also known as Kunqu.  In Suzhou, you'll find Kunqu Opera Museum where you can explore and learn more about this ancient art that dates back to the 16th century.  You can also enjoy the unique music itself.  The Kunqu Opera House has operas that you can enjoy while you eat your meal.  It is definitely not what you think of when you think of Italian Opera.  

8. Wander the cobblestone streets of old town Suzhou near Pinjiang Street 

UNESCO gave Culture Heritage Conservation award to Suzhou for preserving so much of the local culture within the city. As you wander through the winding streets along the water, you'll notice whitewashed walls with traditional roofing and ancient architecture.