Rob Cheng’s Blog

We just got back from Foz de Iguaçu and it really surpassed my expectation. The water falls are considered to be the largest in the world, and it was stunning. The falls are so large and immense that we explored the falls in three different ways. First, we walked on the Brazilian side from the top of the falls to the bottom. Well, actually the bottom only brings you mid way down, which leads to a shelf, and which feeds to another water fall. There is a set of bridges that you can walk almost next to the water fall. So you can see a water fall above and one below you at the same time. Also, there is a rainbow rising up at your feet.

Next, we rented a helicopter to get a full look at the falls. The views were fantastic, but to be honest, we still could not see the entire falls because the helicopter never passed on the Argentina side. But the images that we took were amazing. Lastly, but certainly not least, we took a boat ride to look one of the perhaps thousands of water falls up close and personal. It was spectacular, but better yet, they then drove the boat into the water fall totally soaking us. After we were done, by 82 year old father said, the best was being the boat. It was all great and I made this video so we all can remember it. Don’t forget to watch it in HD. More »

April 26th, 2011 | Category: Brazil, Travel, Videos | Comments (1)

When I was returning from our vacation in Frade back to Rio de Janeiro, there was a song on the CD called “Rio de Janeiro”. As I was driving, it made me think of all the things that I love about Rio de Janeiro. I decided to put together a video of all those things and then I put the song as the background music for the video.

This was a fun project but I struggled with finding the best video software to do it. My prior videos I had been using Camtasia Studio, but I wanted HD and my version did not support HD. So I downloaded trials of Sony Movie Studio, and Corel Video Studio Pro. Both of them had their flaws and it made certain things quite difficult. Finally, I tried Microsoft MovieMaker which is 100% free. Prior versions were kind of clunky, but the latest version has some very cool effects. Watch it in full screen mode. Let me know what you think. More »

March 28th, 2011 | Category: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Technology, Videos | Comments (2)

We just got back from a great vacation at Frade during Carnaval. It is great for running because there are mountains that come straight up to the ocean. But one of the most enjoyable things is to rent a boat and go swimming. Off the coast of Frade are over 300 little islands. It is a snorkeling and diving paradise. Here is a video we took of a few of the dives. I literally can dive and swim with the fishes for hours on end.

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March 19th, 2011 | Category: Brazil, Technology, Videos | Leave a comment

Here is my personal variation on a Chinese favorite, Cashew Chicken. Instead of chicken, I used rabbit, and it turned out awesome. I like to put a little red pepper to bring out the favor. So here’s the latest in my cooking video series. Enjoy. More »

December 15th, 2010 | Category: Cooking Videos, Recipes, Videos | Leave a comment

Here’s another family favorite. The tofu gives the dish a nice light flavor, and it it is served in a rather soupy sauce. This goes great over white steamed rice. The kids in my family love it too. Hopefully, Teddy and Jesse will grow up to love this dish. Additionally, this is truly a home style recipe and it is not commonly found in even the most authentic recipes. A similar recipe found in some restaurants is called Ma Pa Tofu, but the difference is that my recipe is not spicey. This video is also a little different because I am using Camtasia Studio instead of Windows MovieMaker which I have now sworn off. More »

November 26th, 2010 | Category: Cooking Videos, Recipes, Videos | Leave a comment

Here is an awesome recipe that I make probably at least once a week. It is really fast and easy and it turns out delicious. Some people say that the absolute best way to eat a fish is steamed. I agree. The fish turns out so tender and light.

In Brazil, I use a fish called Namorado which means “boyfriend” in Portuguese. In the US, I usually use sea bass which is about the same size as namorado and also the same white flakey meat. Chinese style fish almost always includes the head and the tail. You can also do the same recipe with fish filets but you just need to steam it a little less time.

After it is done, just served it with steamed rice and it is ready to go. Here’s a quick tip. One of the absolute best parts of the fish is the cheek which is right behind the gill. Enjoy. More »

October 25th, 2010 | Category: Cooking Videos, Recipes, Videos | Leave a comment

Here is one of my favorite Chinese recipes of all time. It is a delicious recipe that can be founded in almost all Chinese restaurants. Also, this is a recipe that freezes really well if you follow the trick which I show in the video. Once they are frozen, you can have a great meal in less than 10 minutes after pulling from the freezer.

This recipe also brings back a lot of memories from my childhood. It is quite the production to make potstickers and our entirely family would work together to make a monster meal of potstickers. My Dad and one of my brothers would make the skins and my Mom and I would wrap the potstickers. It was a miniature assembly line.

My grandmother who recently passed away also made her version of potstickers and contributed to the recipe. The recipe is a family recipe that has been handed down from the generations and also quite different than the potstickers you get in the restaurants. Enjoy. This batch turned out delicious. More »

October 4th, 2010 | Category: Cooking Videos, Recipes, Videos | Comments (1)

My grandmother died on September 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. She was 107 years old. She was the most amazing person that I know, and perhaps will ever know. Now that she is gone, I have lots of thoughts about how my grandmother shaped my life and I also have lots of stuff on my computer about my grandmother.

This is the first installment. My grandmother was an avid bridge player. Furthermore, everyone in my family is an avid bridge player. In my family, there are three sons, and my parents. The highest level that a bridge player can achieve in competition is called Life Master. Both my parents and both of my brothers have achieved Life Master. I guess I am the black sheep of the family as far as bridge goes, although I know the basic rules so I can participate. More »

September 27th, 2010 | Category: Grandma, Videos | Leave a comment

Here’s my second cooking video. This one is a curry beef recipe which my mother originally typed for me on a real type writer when I went to college. I have since modified the recipe to make it my own. It is a really good recipe because it freezes really well. That is, place the left overs in the freezer, and it survive well in the microwave after a reheat. More »

September 22nd, 2010 | Category: Cooking Videos, Recipes, Videos | Leave a comment