Itty Bitty Goldfish Bowl

Hot Day? Cold Sesame Noodles!

2011-07-23T14:36:00.004-04:00

We've found a way to beat the Temp-Rapture - my mom's cold sesame noodles! I was just throwing it together so apologies for no specific measurements.

Cold Sesame Noodles
1. Cook egg noodles (we used thin spaghetti), rinse with cold water and toss with sesame oil. Put in refrigerator.
2. In a blender, add:
- Sesame paste (we only had peanut butter so that worked)
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Chicken broth
- Siracha (or wasabi)
- Garlic
- Ginger
3. Blend sauce until smooth and to your preferred seasoning. Toss with noodles.
4. Prepare toppings. We had left over chicken and scallions. Other toppings: julienne cucumber, scrambled egg, ham, etc.

Grace through Jewelry

2011-06-28T12:13:00.004-04:00

I wanted to create pieces that have a clean aesthetic, made of the best quality materials, easy to wear and had helping/ healing properties. I also love ancient and religious jewelry that have their own power and meanings. Wearing the pieces have made me so happy - beyond the "I made it" but they remind me of gratitude and grace.

The first craft involved the red string concept that has meaning in Kabbalah, Hindu, Tibetan Buddhism, and Chinese legend. The red string has protective properties and brings people together. I added 8 silver seed beads to represent the 8 limbs of yoga and 8 is a lucky Chinese number. I'm playing with this really gorgeous red silk string so more bracelets coming.

Heather and I went to bead heaven - Potomac Bead Company in Hagerstown, MD. I love the mala (prayer bead) bracelets used by Buddhists and made 3 sets of bracelets: green jade with green aventurine rose, rose quartz with pink candy jade, river stone with quartz. Jade attracts love and money, protects against accidents and misfortune and heals kidney, heart and stomach issues. Aventurine brings good luck, protects the heart, and heals heart, lungs, adrenal glands, etc. Rose quartz is a love and heart chakra stone like jade - enhancing love and lowering stress. It heals a number of ailments. River stone protects property and the quartz provides power, clarity, and is the Master Healer stone.

Whether you like the jewelry because how they look, because they can help with an issue or enhance a quality, because they refer to historical/ religious ideas, I'm happy to work with you to make a perfect piece for you.

Let me know:
- Type of jewelry (I'm making bracelets these days but it would be fun to make other kinds of jewelry)
- Size/ length: The common bracelet length is 7 inches but I have thin wrists so I use 6.75 inches. I can make the bracelets bigger or smaller.
- Color
- Any qualities/ properties of the stones

I may not have the stones/ materials on stock so it might take awhile for me to get everything together but it'll be worth it because you'll have the exact piece you want!

Birds Hate Me

2011-05-04T16:10:00.006-04:00

I have been pooped on 4 times in my life. There's an overpass that I had to walk under on my way to elementary school and a pigeon dropped one on my head. Side note: the poo in the overpass smelled like grapes and so I associate grapes and raisins with bird poo. I was hit in Middle School and High School as well. It's always on the way to school so that I could start the day with poop in my hair. There's another time as an adult.

Even if they don't hit me, they try. There have been multiple poops on the windshield on my side of the car. There are poops on the side window of the car where I sit. There were poops on my bedroom window. They keep trying.

There have been 2 more recent attacks. I took my parents to Brookside Gardens and there was a particularly raucous goose barking at anyone in the Japanese garden area. When we passed it, it was chasing and biting another goose so we just thought it was protecting it's space from other geese. My mother and I posed on the small wooden bridge and just before my dad snapped the picture, the goose dive bombed us and dropped a poo 3 inches from us into the water. That was the scariest attack - especially since the poo would've been very large.

Last Saturday morning, I was driving to drop the car off at the mechanic and as I turned out of my street, I heard a loud plop on the windshield. A bird had dropped a huge worm right at my head. It was squirming and sliming up the glass.

It'll be interesting to see how many more attacks I can log.

Vietnamese Beef Salad

2011-03-24T20:01:00.003-04:00

I can't verify that this salad is indeed Vietnamese but that's what M calls it. It's an awesome night when I look in an empty refrigerator and have all the ingredients for a good dish (I haven't gone grocery shopping in a long time and have been trying to eat all the food in the fridge and pantry because we are moving on Saturday). This will feed 2-3 people and we eat it over rice. Yes, lettuce on rice - like bibimbop!

Vietnamese Beef Salad
- Lettuce sliced in thin strips (butter, bib, red leaf and even watercress works)
- 1 tomato medium dice
- 2 thinly sliced hard boiled eggs
- 1/4 lb eye of round thinly sliced against the grain mix with soy sauce and oyster sauce. Heat olive oil in wok, brown quarter of onion and 1 clove of garlic, add meat mixture, sautee.
- 1 lime

Place lettuce in bowl. Add eggs (I like to put them in a circle) around the bowl. Heap cooked beef in middle. Sprinkle entire salad with lots of fresh cracked pepper. Squeeze juice of 1 lime. Toss and serve over steamed white rice.

Baked Shrimp with Panko Stuffing

2011-02-21T22:11:00.005-05:00

It has been non-stop wedding shows at our house and in this one episode, 2 weddings both served Shrimp Oreganata. So, of course, I had to have it - with my own twist.

Baked Shrimp with Panko Stuffing

- 1.5 lbs shrimp butterflied (I folded the tail over),

- Coarsely chop 5-6 of the shrimp (maybe I'll use crab next time)

- Salt and pepper

- 3/4 cup panko

- 4 tbsp butter (melted)

- 1/4 chopped parsley (I used a couple of tsp of dried oregano)

- 2 tsp minced garlic

- White wine

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Butter a baking dish and layer with shrimp. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix the chopped shrimp, panko, melted butter, parsley, garlic, and some salt and pepper. Top the shrimp with the bread crumb mixture, make sure all the spaces between the shrimp are filled. Drizzle with white wine. Bake 8-12 minutes.

Cauliflower Soup

2011-02-21T21:48:00.005-05:00

We have not been able to take a picture of the soup because it gets eaten so quickly. It would be so much easier with a hand blender *hint to M*. M, "This is the best baby food I've ever had!"

Cauliflower Soup

1 head of cauliflower roughly chopped
1/4 white onion
4 cups chicken stock (vegetable stock for vegetarians)
White truffle oil
Fresh ground pepper

Add cauliflower, onion and broth to pot, bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes or so. Allow to cool to room temperature and puree. Return to pot and warm. Pour into bowls and drizzle with truffle oil. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.

Favorite Things: Spring 2011

2011-02-09T22:49:00.008-05:00

My year is divided not by actual seasonal months but by fashion seasons. It's not officially Spring yet but I'm salivating over the new spring colors, textures, clothes, shoes...

I'm loving the nude shoes that have come out this Spring and these Lucky Brand Emmie flats match my skin tone (with a little pearly shimmer). I'm hoping that the nude flats will make me appear taller and of course, go with everything.

I' m also on a bit of a make-up kick and am trying to brighten up my look. I've read endless positive reviews of Tarte's LipSurgence natural lip stain. I remember running down to the make-up store to get it only to find it sold out. I had given up on it until my sister came to visit me this past weekend and BOUGHT THE LAST STICK of the color I wanted (Enchanted).

Being the good big sister I am, I didn't take it from her and went down to get one when the next shipment came in. It was everything I dreamed of. It gave me a subtle pink lip (like I was out running in the cold or something), lots of non-greasy or sticky moisture, and a lovely mint flavor. I also love the line because they are cruelty free and made without parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates, sodium laurel sulfate or synthetic fragrances. I can eat and not have a napkin or cup smudged with pink!

Broiled Chicken Kebabs & Soy Ginger Salad Dressing

2011-02-09T22:36:00.004-05:00

The cold winter has me dreaming of my mom's barbecue chicken. I thought I could broil chicken kebabs using her marinade. We had some lettuce and arugula and wanted to make a dressing that would complement the chicken. My biggest critic, M, liked it and asked for them to be added to the repertoire. Amounts are estimates.

Mom's BBQ Chicken Marinade:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice wine
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- 2 tsp sugar

I cut up boneless skinless chicken thighs and put them in the marinade for 6 or so hours. Soak skewers in water for 20 minutes. Turn on the broiler. Add chicken to skewers and broil for 4-6 minutes. Turn and broil for another 4-6 minutes.

Soy Ginger Salad Dressing:
- lemon juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- 1/4 thumb ginger mashed
- 1/4 cup olive oil

Remembering Uncle Thomas

2011-02-06T22:17:00.009-05:00

One aspect of Chinese New Year is honoring the deeds and memories of the deceased. None of our ancestors are buried in the NY metro area so we never did the whole visit graves, burn incense and money thing. This year, my father and sister came to visit me for Chinese New Year and we made a pilgrimage to visit my Uncle Thomas.

Uncle Thomas was my father's older brother and was the first of the siblings to come to America. He and his family settled in VA where he worked designing and building nuclear submarines. I have extremely fond memories of driving past the Mormon Temple to Virginia, eating at amazing Chinese restaurants, chasing after blue crabs before they were put in the pot, and visiting the Air and Space Museum. Uncle Thomas loved football and was a rabid Redskins fan. He was always laughing and would say something really fast that I couldn't understand and laugh again. His sentences were punctuated by deep hearty laughter.

We spent the whole weekend in honor of him. We ate lots and lots of good food - Maryland Crabs steamed with Old Bay and Peking Duck (at a restaurant we think he took us to). We went to visit him, put our hands together and bowed. We spent lots of quality time together laughing. And, we watched the Super Bowl.

Urban Winter Survival Gear

2011-02-01T20:17:00.012-05:00

It just so happens that I have finally discovered my winter all stars before one of the worst winters the northeast has ever experienced. After testing them out, I'm very pleased to say that I am warm and toasty no matter what Mother Nature throws at me.

1. Canada Goose Mystique Parka (http://www.canada-goose.com/): I have gone through nearly 10 full-length down coats from Land's End through Patagonia. They were only warm when sitting in a car - heaven forbid there was any wind. It was the Patagonia Down With It Parka that pushed me over the edge. For all the good reviews and the price, I was sure this coat would be the one. Not even close. I returned it the next day. M and I went to Hudson Trail Outfitters and had an amazing salesperson that agreed that down coats were pretty much just for fashion and that the key to staying warm is a windproof shell. Canada Goose combines a down layer (with a second layer to make sure you aren't covered in feathers like the Land's End Commuter coat) with a completely wind and rain proof outer shell. The deep outer pockets are at the perfect position and lined with snuggly fleece. The sleeves are ribbed at the wrist so there is no chance any wind comes up the arms. The other great thing is that the hood is perfectly constructed and stays on your head regardless of the winds whipping around you. Canada Goose is renown for creating outerware to survive the Arctic. Rebecca Romjin Stamos requested a coat be made for her during the filming of X-men. The Mystique Parka is what they created and it will keep me warm and snuggly for years to come.

2. UGGs/ La Canadienne/ Merrell: There is nothing worse than cold, wet feet and shoes ruined by salt and puddles. UGGs saved my life during my long commutes from NJ to midtown (I would change into flats that I kept in my cube). They are so warm and comfortable and if you treat them with a water-resistant spray and you don't go puddle jumping, they'll keep your feet dry as well. For those of you who just can't succumb to wearing UGGs, I adore my La Canadienne and Merrell boots. My rule for precipitation is skirt and La Canadienne boots because pants always get wet. Again, the Canadians know how to survive winters. La Canadiennes are waterproof, insulated, comfortable and pretty cute. Another plus for me is that they are the right shaft height and circumference for my bird legs (they come in a wide range of heights and circumferences). For days that I wear pants, I really like my new Merrell Tetra Catch waterproof booties. They are as comfortable as sneakers and insulated.

3. Northface gloves and hat: To me, Northface creates more "fashion" wear than clothes to actually survive a winter but their accessories are not bad. My Northface knit cap is perfectly shaped and has a layer of fleece around the edge. My gloves are fleece and yet surprisingly windproof.

4. Hot Chilly's/ Plush Tights/ Silk Baselayers: I didn't know about baselayers until I decided to learn how to snowboard. For snowboarding and staying warm on the weekends, I rely on Hot Chilly's baselayers (http://www.hotchillys.com/). They come in a range of warmth levels and are cut really well for women (I find most baselayer pants come up past my belly). Silk baselayers work very well under work clothes and aren't too hot when you are working inside (http://www.wintersilks.com/). And for those skirt days, I LOVE the fleece lined tights by Plush!

Non-Asian Chicken and Broccoli

2011-02-01T18:30:00.006-05:00

The next set of recipes may be basic for most people but for me, anything using an oven is revolutionary. My parents used the oven to store pots. M said, "This was one of the most delicious dishes not from the continent of Asia."

"Best Broccoli of Your Life"

We had bought a bag of broccoli florets from Costco. There are only 2 of us and there's only so many nights we can eat beef and broccoli stir fry. I found "The Best Broccoli of Your Life" from Amateur Gourmet. And, it was pretty darn good.

- Dry broccoli florets (about 2 big bunches)

- 5 tbsp olive oil

- salt

- pepper

- 4 garlic cloves minced

- 1 lemon

- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Toss broccoli with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Layer onto baking sheet and roast in oven for 20 to 25 minutes until some of the florets are browned (I had forgotten the garlic and tossed it in 5 minutes before the end and they were fine). Remove from oven. Toss with lemon zest, lemon juice and cheese. We didn't have any cheese and it was quite delicious without it.

Baked Chicken Thighs

I have been trying to bake chicken thighs for over 3 years and they have been underdone, overdone, too salty, etc. I have finally figured out my oven (25 degrees hotter than what the dial says) and the below recipe.

- 2 tbsp butter

- olive oil

- 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

- 1/2 cup flour

- 2 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp pepper

- 1 tsp spice mix of your choice

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Heat oil and butter in a skillet. Mix flour, salt, pepper and spices (I used Bouquest Garni) in a plastic bag. Drop chicken thighs in the bag and yes, shake it. Shake off chicken thighs and place in skillet and fry golden brown (don't overcrowd). Place chicken on a baking sheet and put in oven for 30 min - 45 min until done.

Baked Duck

2010-11-12T09:59:00.001-05:00

M rarely cooks but when she does, it's sublime. I still had the duck legs, thighs and wings and was looking up baking recipes when she whipped together this beautifully simple marinade.

M's Baked Duck
- Duck pieces
- 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 3 Thai chilis (minced)
- 4 tbsp oyster sauce (we use the green label - no msg)
- 2 tbsp Golden Mountain sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together and place duck skin side down. We used a meat thermometor and when the internal leg temperature reached around 100 degrees, turn the meat so that the skin crisps on top. Remove from oven when the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Let the meat rest under foil for 5-10 minutes.

Chinese Herb Duck Soup

2010-11-07T19:51:00.005-05:00

As the days have gotten colder, I have been craving my mother's Chinese Herb Duck Soup. The slightly bitter taste is addictive and honestly, cures everything. The problem was, I knew what it was called in Chinese ("Dong Quai") but couldn't find it. Finally, I just went through the entire dried herb aisle smelling every bag. The english name is "Angelica sinensis diels". I had my dong quai, duck bones (breasts removed for ragu and legs, wings and thighs for confit) and was ready to go.

Ingredients:
- Duck bones
- 2 pieces of dried dong quai
- 1 piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried shitake mushrooms
- 1/2 cup rice wine

In large stock pot, add all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Skim off any frothy pieces that rise to the top. Lower heat and simmer for at least an hour. Enjoy with some white pepper.

Dumplings

2010-11-07T14:39:00.006-05:00

People say, "I've become my mother." To me, that's the highest compliment - I wish I could cook as well as her. As a kid, dumpling day was particularly festive - mom rolling out thin round dough with one hand, all the chopping and mixing, the air filling with the aroma of the filling and our mini "couches" of dumplings lined up on a floured bake sheet ready for a swim in boiling water and a dunk in her amazing dipping sauce.

With winter upon us, I thought it would be nice to have some dumplings in the freezer for those nights where I didn't feel like cooking. My friend C graciously offered her home for our dumpling party. With the fabulous company and many bottles of wine, everyone made plenty of dumplings to boil, fry and take home. And yes, C, you get an A+ and are now a certified Asian woman.

Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice wine
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp corn starch
- black pepper
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 oz fresh ginger (peeled and finely grated)
- 2 scallion stalks (root and tips trimmed off, minced)
- 4 napa cabbage leaves (finely chopped)
- 5-6 dried shitake mushrooms (reconstituted and minced)
- 1/2 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined, minced)
- 2 packs of dumpling wrappers (I prefer the white round kind)

Mix all ingredients (except wrappers) in a large bowl. Set up your wrapping station: clean plate, small bowl with water, floured baking sheet, teaspoon. Take a wrapper and put in on the clean plate. With the spoon, put a marble size of filling in the center. Dip your finger in the water bowl and trace the edge of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the center of the arch together. From the middle, pleat the wrapper in the back while pressing it to the flat front until the dumpling is completely sealed and resembles a small couch. Line up the dumpling on the floured baking sheet.

To boil a fresh dumpling, put fresh dumplings in boiling water, stir so they don't stick and cook for 3 minutes. Strain and stir in some sesame oil so they don't stick.

To fry a fresh dumpling, heat oil in a skillet, cook each side until golden brown.

To boil a frozen dumpling, separate and put frozen dumplings into boiling water. Stir so they don't stick. When water comes to boil, pour in a cup of cold water. Do this 3 times. When the dumplings float, remove from water. Strain and stir in some sesame oil so they don't stick.

To fry a frozen dumpling, heat oil in a skillet. Gently add frozen dumpling (swish in oil before finally placing so it doesn't stick). After one side is browned, add 1/2 a cup of cold water and allow water to steam off. Once water is fully evaporated, brown the rest of the sides of the dumpling.

Dumpling sauce: thinly sliced ginger, 1 part black vinegar (or rice vinegar) and 1 part soy sauce.

Conversations with the Garbage Man

2010-09-22T18:46:00.006-04:00

In the beginning of summer there was a rash of trash room transgressions - people were just filling the room with furniture and appliances, not sorting their garbage or recycling, etc. I noticed that our garbage man had to manually remove the garbage because it blocked the chutes and sort the bags of garbage. I felt bad for him and...

[these take place over the course of the summer]

Conversation 1:
Me: Thank you for your hard work.
GM: [smile]

Conversation 2:
GM: You live with your sister?
Me: No. [walking quickly away]

Conversation 3:
GM: You Chinese?
Me: Um, yeah. [I really didn't feel like going into being Taiwanese American]

Conversation 4:
GM: You like Jackie Chan?
Me: Um, sure.
GM: You like Jett Li?

Conversation 5:
GM: Your dog has big eyes.
Me: Yes, she does.
GM: Yenjing is Chinese for big eyes.

Conversation 6:
GM: You go to university?
Me: No, I work.
GM: Lots of Chinese go to University?
Me: I don't know. I'm AMERICAN.

The end.

Cherry Almond Clafoutis

2010-09-12T22:27:00.008-04:00

I've been craving the cherry clafoutis from Gregoire in Berkeley, CA. It was sweet, custardy, firm and soft at the same time and served with an amazing yogurt sauce. I couldn't find a single clafoutis near me so C suggested I make my own. After M patiently and expertly pitted all the cherries for me, the recipe was a snap. It was even better after it has sat in the refrigerator over night!

From Epicurious.com:

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup whole almonds (about 2 oz) [I used almond meal from Trader Joe's]
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 tbsp plus 1/2 cup sugar
- 8 oz dark sweet cherries, pitted, halved (about 2 cups)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup of all purpose flour
- powdered sugar

1. Blend almonds in processor until ground but not pasty. Transfer to a small saucepan, add milk and bring to simmer. Remove from heat; let steep 30 min. Pour through fine strainer, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids in a strainer.
2. Preheat oven to 375. Butter 10 inch diameter glass pie dish; sprinkle with 1 tbsp sugar. Scatter cherries evenly over bottom of dish.
3. Using electric mixer, beat eggs, almond extract, salt and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in medium bowl until well blended. Add strained almond milk and beat to blend. Sift flour into egg mixture and beat until smooth. Pour mixture over cherries. Bake until set and knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 min. Cool completely. [I then put it in the refrigerator]
4. Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Lightly dust with powdered sugar and serve.

It's Not a Date Unless Someone Wants to Throw Up

2010-09-12T10:31:00.007-04:00

M sweetly suggested that we bike to Georgetown, have dinner at Tacklebox and bike home. I was really excited to show her the beauty of the Capital Crescent Trail and my favorite bridge. I was so touched that she wanted to try a hobby of mine. Molli-ism of the day. "I want a deluxe Jell-O pudding seat." We borrowed a bike from H&Z, got her a pair of padded cycling shorts and set off at around 5:30 PM. It was a little later than I had planned but I was late coming back from volunteering and was hoping we could get home just before it got dark.

The ride down was stunning. It was a cool, clear evening and we flew. It was shocking to enter the congestion and hubbub of Georgetown - the tourists, traffic, and people in red and white football jerseys cheering at each other. I was so glad we didn't drive or take the motorcycle in.

Tacklebox was perfect. It's a come as you are, sit wherever you want, food in a basket, fresh sustainable food kind of place. We got fried oysters, lobster rolls, fried green tomatoes and corn on the cob. It was beach vacation food without the sand and mosquitoes.

As we were finishing dinner, I started to notice all the cars turn on their lights. Night was falling and we still had to ride home. I got a little lost trying to find the path down to the trail but we were on the way. The vestiges of day glowed through the trees and with less people on the trail, we were able to ride side by side.

It got dark. I couldn't see and ended up falling off the trail. I noted that I needed a brighter light. M offered to ride upfront stating she had better night vision and so my light can reflect off of her. Every lone jogger and cyclist (many with no lights!) was a potential serial killer rapist. I really don't get these people that run/ cycle in the darkness. I remembered the scary stories camp counselors told of the two fingered psycho that hacked people to pieces in the woods. I was huffing and puffing and M was doing her best to keep things lighthearted and fun. We got to the last bridge and all the fried oysters were sitting at the top of my throat pushing to come out. "Honey, I'm going to throw up." Note: don't ride home uphill for an hour after you've stuffed your face with lobster and fried oysters.

We made it back to the car and home. I was so proud of us and eventually, my stomach settled. M is my hero. It wouldn't be a perfect date unless someone wanted to throw up.

Got Beer? Got duck?

2010-09-10T22:56:00.003-04:00

I love my mom's recipes because they are easy, there are a handful of ingredients and so very yummy. Since I had used the duck breasts for the ragu, I had to find a way to cook the rest of the duck. Behold, beer duck! I made it in the afternoon and brought it over to H's house for dinner. After eating it, my godson said, "More! More! More!"

Beer Duck
1. In a thick pot with cover, put the duck, a can/bottle of beer (we used Sam Adams Lager), a cup of soy sauce and thick slices of ginger.
2. Cover and cook over low heat (make sure it's still bubbling) for an hour.
3. Serve with rice. Enjoy!

Some variations: maybe add a small handful of black peppercorns, some hard boiled eggs, tofu, etc.

Booties

2010-09-10T12:45:00.003-04:00

I know I am documented and recorded as saying I will not buy shoes for the next 6 months but these adorable booties really melt my reserve. So what if my reserve is made of jelly and not of steel! They are Repetto Marlon low heel ankle boots. I love the kitten heel, the two buckles, the clean lines, the tumbled leather, the versatility to go with pants or skirts, dress down or dress up...

Must remind myself of the shopping diet, that I shouldn' t wear heels no matter how low, that they will probably be uncomfortable, that I have a ton of boots...

But not ankle boots...

Tagliatelle with Duck Ragù

2010-09-08T20:04:00.004-04:00

I have been craving this dish for 2 days! Imagine my surprise at finding out it was easy to make (a chop and a puree away from braised short ribs). I had to buy an entire duck but thanks to my knife skills class, I broke it down with relative ease. I got two great recipes from my mom to cook the rest of the duck. Unfortunately, I didn't realize was that 'total time' were the operative words, not 'active time'. So, I served an arugula and piave cheese salad to hold us over. I did burn my hand on the proverbial stove and was like, "oh, I don't need to puree hot liquid in batches." Yes, yes, I do. So after we cleaned up the mess, we had yummy yummy pasta. Man, it was so good.

Tagliatelle with Duck Ragù

Gourmet | April 2008 Adapted from Franco Luise and Antonio Vitale, Aromi
The secret to making this dish so stunningly delicious is duck fat. Puréeing the sauce emulsifies the fat, which, along with the moist duck meat, adds an irreplaceable element of richness. Yield: Makes 4 servings
Active Time: 30 min
Total Time: 1 3/4 hr

-1 tablespoon unsalted butter
-1 teaspoon olive oil
-1 (1-pound) boneless Muscovy duck breast with skin or 2 (7- to 8-ounce) Long Island (also called Pekin) duck breast halves with skin
-1/2 medium onion, chopped
-1 garlic clove, smashed
-1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
-1/2 cup dry red wine
-2 cups rich chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth
-1 (14- to 15-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice, drained, reserving juice, and chopped
-1/2 pound dried egg tagliatelle or egg fettuccine

1. Heat butter and oil in a deep 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until foam subsides. Meanwhile, pat duck dry and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

2. Sear duck, skin side down, until golden brown and some of fat has rendered, about 6 minutes. Turn over and cook until browned, about 2 minutes more.

3. Transfer duck to a plate, then add onion to fat in skillet with garlic, rosemary, and 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add wine and boil 3 minutes. Return duck, skin side up, to skillet, then add any juices from plate, stock, and tomatoes with their juice. Bring to a boil, then gently simmer, covered, 1 hour.

4. Transfer duck to a cutting board, then skim off about three fourths of fat from sauce and discard.

5. Purée sauce in batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids). Return sauce to skillet and boil, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 2 1/2 cups, about 8 minutes.

6. While sauce reduces, finely chop duck with skin. Return chopped duck to sauce and season with salt and pepper.

7. Cook tagliatelle in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente, then drain pasta and toss with duck ragú.
Cooks' note: Duck ragú; can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered (once cool).

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/printerfriendly/Tagliatelle-with-Duck-Ragu-242037#ixzz0yzCIk9XP

Yeah, We Ate 'Ants Climbing a Tree'

2010-09-08T18:27:00.004-04:00

Based on what was in my refrigerator, my craving for Tagliatelle with Duck Ragù turned into a noodle dish that originated in Sichuan called "Ants Climbing a Tree." Noodles and meat, same thing. The bits of minced meet stuck to noodles are supposed to look like ants climbing through the branches of a tree. I adjusted a recipe I found online at:
http://eatingchina.com/recipes/ants-climbing.htm

Ants Climbing a Tree 螞蟻上樹 (ma-3 yi shang-4 shu-4)

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients
200g (7 oz) mung bean noodles
200g (7 oz) lean minced pork
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine
1 – 2 tablespoons chilli sauce
1 teaspoon corn flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 stalks spring onions, sliced into small pieces
1/2 cup chicken stock
Garnish: cilantro or spring onions

Add soy sauce, rice wine, chilli sauce, and corn flour to a bowl. Mix in pork and marinate for 30 minutes.
Soak the noodles in hot water for 20 minutes, then drain.
Heat the wok, and add the oil. Cook the pork mixture over a high heat for 2 minutes. Add spring onions and cook until pork is browned. (I added more soy sauce)
Add chicken stock, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for a further 2 or 3 minutes, stirring well. (I added tofu and may add tree fungus and/or shitake mushrooms in the future)
Add noodles to wok. Stir until noodles and sauce are blended well together and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Garnish and serve.

2 Themes of 2010

2010-09-06T21:56:00.003-04:00

Something really shifted this year. Perhaps it's changing from the finance to the technology industry. Perhaps it's me finally sprouting some roots in Maryland. Maybe I'm just older. Maybe it's the recession and shaking off the obsessive nature of consumerism. When I visited my cousin in June she said that snakes shed their skin every 8 years. Real snakes can molt multiple times a year but I'm talking about the Chinese zodiac. Makes me wonder what happened when I was 25 or when I'm 41.

The theme of this year is "quality, not quantity." After moving 2 times in the past 2 years, I have ended up with just what I need. Goodness help me if I box, move and unpack stuff we don't need or use! I've solidified my "style" and have given away bags and bags of clothes, shoes and accessories - some from high school and some still with tags! It has felt really good to have a pared down wardrobe of pieces I love and take care of (side note: I would hate to be on "What Not To Wear" and have to buy everything in a week - you can't possibly get clothes for all 4 seasons). I've also adopted a more European philosophy of perhaps spending more but on a few high quality pieces. I don't shop and hoard like I'm cooking for a family of 20. Similarly, I've pared down my contacts to just include those I consider my friends. There are people I've connected with along the years but I want to focus on those who have stayed with me.

A second theme is one I picked up from "The Fabulous Beekman Boys." Because they started a farm and have to live separately for a year while they start the farming business, they call it the "Year of Sacrifice." I'm not in NY anymore and my spending needs to adjust accordingly. I need to replenish my savings and build a foundation towards our dreams. M has a recording of me saying I will not buy any non-essential items for the next 6 months. I had always laughed at the joke "you know when lesbians start dating because their clothing stays the same." Well, my wardrobe will stagnate at 2010 (although, I'm hoping I've collected enough classic pieces to get me through). We'll travel less and spend more quality time at home. We'll cook more and eat out less.

So, we'll see what the rest of the year holds for me. Funny that I start ruminating at the beginning of the school year versus calendar year. Maybe its because it is such a distinct season of change - the air becomes crisp and cool, the days are shorter and the leisure pace of summer jump starts the industriousness of fall.

Momma's Meatballs

2010-09-06T21:43:00.004-04:00

This is an easy and versatile dish that basically gives you the inside of a dumpling and fantastic sauce. I remember the house filling with an amazing aroma and having it with rice for dinner and with somen noodles the next day.

Momma's Meatballs
1. Mix 1 pound of ground pork with finely diced ginger (half a thumb), diced water chestnuts, chopped 2-3 stalks of scallions, 1/4 cup of soy sauce (we use reduced sodium), 1/4 cup of rice wine, tbsp of corn starch and a splash of sesame oil.
2. In a 3 qt saucepan with lid, make a layer of little meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and add 3/4 cup water, 3/4 cup soy sauce, 3/4 rice wine. Bring to boil.
3. Cover and lower heat to higher than a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes.

M Eats Kale

2010-09-06T20:45:00.004-04:00

I've been a bit bored with food. I haven't been inspired to make anything and nothing has tasted good. I've been seeing a lot of articles about how healthy kale is and I've been craving the kale ceviche that Michelle served many years ago. It was unbelievably easy to make and so good. I was scared to serve it to M because she is not a fan of vegetables but believe it or not, she LOVED it. She ate raw kale! If that's not an endorsement, I don't know what is.

Paul and Natalie's Kale Ceviche
1. Chop a bunch of raw kale and some kind of young onions (scallions,
...scapes, baby leeks all do great) as finely as possible, put in a bowl.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and as much sea salt as you like - I like a
salty salad, plus, remember that the salt will "cook" the kale,
breaking it down and making it tastier.
3. Squeeze the juice of half a medium sized lemon (or more) over the
kale, adding the pulp of the fruit if you please. (I please.) Pluck
out any seeds! Now before it's too late!
4. Mash the kale and onions with a potato masher or the back of a fork
so that it can draw in the lemon, salt and olive oil.
5. Season with fresh ground pepper, and/ or if you like things spicy, cayenne.
6. At this point I like to embellish, adding (if I have them) chunks
of avocado, also, roasted pumpkin seeds (not raw but, you know,
whatever). Do what you like.
4. Eat, enjoy, feel supremely healthy because, as our friend Natalie
says, "C'mon, you're eating RAW KALE."

And Then There Were Two

2010-06-02T08:59:00.005-04:00

Bike to Work Day 3 was bittersweet. A fantastic ride and our last with our fearless convoy leader, Big R. He showed us the ropes, set a great pace, told us we could do it and most of all, first planted the seed in our minds that it was possible. I have biked to work one day each of the past three weeks and it wouldn't have happened without him.

So, while we won't be biking to work together or seeing each other in the office anymore, it's great to have made an amazing friend and am looking forward to more adventures! C, it's just you and me and the friggin Custis Trail. Cus-THIS!

On a side note, the biking thing has really opened up so much for me. I love the area I live in but it's a bit spread out and the drivers and traffic are terrible. Biking really lets me get around, enjoy going where I'm going, clears my mind, and helps me do something to reduce my carbon footprint (I'm so upset about the oil spill). Yoga has been amazing, as well, - it challenges me, makes me feel really really good and leaves me with a peaceful mind. It sounds crazy but I'm really going to miss them when I'm on vacation. I'm actually having a little separation anxiety.

National Bike to Work Day 2010

2010-05-27T23:28:00.005-04:00

My National Bike to Work Day 2010 convoy. Ready to ride!

The Capital Crescent Trail at mile 4 in Bethesda

Dalecarlia Tunnel at mile 6.25 and crossing into DC. My reflectors work!

Going over my favorite bridge. I never understood how people could love bridges but this one is gorgeous. Amazing metal work and beautiful antique lights.

Made it to the Key Bridge at mile 10.5. And how do we get up to the Key Bridge? Strength training time! Carry bike up around 40 stairs to the C&O Canal Trail and then up another 30 steps to the Key Bridge. I found a better way - get onto the C&O Canal at Fletcher's Cove at mile 8, walk the bike up the ramp to M Street and over to the Key Bridge.

Crossing the Key Bridge into...

Virginia!

Hanging and grabbing my free t-shirt and swag at the Rosslyn pit stop.

And the hated Curtis Trail to the office. There are about 3 uphill sections and I swear I'm going to conquer them by the end of the summer. It's discouraging because its at the end of a long ride. But, it sure makes going home very fun - whee!

The gorgeous (gravelly) C&O Canal trail home.

Shopaholic Bikes to Work

2010-05-22T12:58:00.007-04:00

The Goal: National Bike to Work Day 2010
The Challenge: I'm out of shape, haven't ridden a bike in 20 years, don't know the first thing about gears and these new-fangled bikes, am scared of riding in traffic, and work is 16 miles away in another state

So, does Shopaholic rent a bike? Perhaps try out other people's bikes? M says, just see if you're gonna like it or not before you buy. No. I'm obsessed with gear (see Shopaholic Snowboards, Rock Climbs, In-line skates, pole, etc.). Luckily, a little money came my way and off I went.

The Bike: This was a pain because I hate trying on clothes and one really has to go and take the time to ride a few bikes and see how they feel. I wasn't confident because I didn't know what a bike was supposed to feel like so I didn't know if the problem was me or the bike. I spoke to a few people in the office and H and A had Giant bikes so I picked out the Giant Sedona and Cypress DX W. Both are hybrid bikes which are a cross between mountain bikes and road bikes (speed, multiple terrains and more rugged). The Sedona didn't feel good, it wasn't smooth, hurt a bit (makes me question supporting one's weight on one's lady parts). The Cypress is a "comfort" bike, was very smooth with a big comfy seat and 24 speeds. I also liked the fuchsia color but searched for the silver one because M said that it would be harder to sell a pink bike than a silver bike (again, she's thinking about plan b). In the end, I could only find 1 xs Cypress, they only had it in pink and bought it from Hudson Trail Outfitters because they offer lifetime tune-ups and maintenance on the bike. They were also super nice, helpful and did not hard sell me on anything.

For safety, I got a Bell helmet with a visor for rain/ sun, yellow Navarro convertible jacket/ vest for visibility/ wind/ rain, Planet Bike lights for front and back, leg reflector/pant holder, sunglasses for dirt/ wind, Giant gel-pro gloves in case I fall, bell (although I prefer to say "passing left, thank you"), a Kryptonite U-lock AND cable lock. I keep a kit on the bike: extra tube, patch kit, levers, portable air, multi-tool, tri-flo lube.

For commuting, I got a back rack which was such a pain to attach because my bike's frame is bizarre. Chris at Hudson Trail Outfitters actually had to make special brackets to attach it. I loved my friend's panniers so I got the Ortlieb Classic Back-Rollers. I put the water bottle holder on the handle bar because again, my bike frame is so weird so there was no place to put it on the frame. I also got toe clips but I think that was a mistake and will look into clip-in pedals/ shoes. Most importantly, I got Gore 3/4 tights with mega padding and makes for a very comfortable ride.

Did I train? Not really (it's been raining a lot). I was scared of riding in the street and didn't know if I was allowed to ride on the sidewalks (vary by county). I ended up enrolling in an 8 hour Cycling Commuter Safety and Traffic Skills class at the local community college and am so glad I did. We went over laws, bike anatomy, sizing/ fit/ adjustments, gear, pre-ride check, shifting, riding, locking, maintenance, route selection, taking the bike on public transportation, etc. The other great thing about the class was we went on a ride and they pointed out things to be aware of, made bike adjustments and coached us. One of the instructors is on the board of an organization that collects, builds and sends bikes to third world countries. The other instructor is a huge bike advocate and set up many of the bike routes in the county. I was the first person to fix and patch a flat tire!

Finally the day came and my convoy showed up at my apartment at 6:30 AM. M says, "so, you're leaving for work 2 hours early, pedaling there, and you don't even have to be at the office that day." Yes. Again, my weird frame wouldn't fit on the bike rack so I threw it in the car so we could drive to the start of the trail. We decided to drive to the Capitol Crescent Trail because I was not confident about riding on roads.

The trail was amazing. It was a cool morning and because there's a slight decline, we were flying under a thick canopy of leaves. There were babbling brooks, squirrels, a gorgeous bridge, placid river. It's a gorgeous ride. We crossed the Key Bridge into Rosslyn and got our National Bike to Work Day t-shirts and swag at the pit stop. The ride to work was do-able with some good challenging parts that I'm eager to conquer.

While some believed I could bike to work, most doubted I could get home. I, too, was nervous about the mostly uphill ride. Our convoy leader set a good pace, I learned to look for inclines and stand up, switch gears in advance, and WE DID IT! WE MADE IT BACK IN ABOUT AN HOUR! I conquered National Bike to Work Day!

So, yes, I do plan on doing this regularly when the weather is nice. We have to get a rack for the car and I can't wait to explore Rock Creek Trail and all the other beautiful trails in the area. Got a bike? Let's ride!

Raid the Pantry Noodle Soup

2010-03-02T20:41:00.004-05:00

It is a rare but delightful occurrence when I'm able to a) experiment and cook something new, b) it actually tastes delicious, c) with the stuff I already have including leftovers, and d) at the right time. It was a dark and stormy day, perfect for noodle soup!

Raid the Pantry Noodle Soup
- Reconstitute dried shitake mushrooms and tiger lily buds (save the water)
- Blanche fresh wonton noodles (sold in dumpling wrapper section) - this was a new ingredient I had never used before
- Prepare soup with Asian pork stock (spare rib, water, onion, ginger, scallion, black and white pepper corns, rice wine), braised spare ribs, shrimp, napa cabbage, silken tofu, mini fish balls and the reconstituted mushrooms and tiger lily buds with water. I wish I had enoki mushrooms and bamboo shoots.
- Place noodles in bowl and cover with soup.
- Garnish with scallions and crushed white pepper.

Shrimp Scampi

2010-01-28T17:32:00.009-05:00

My earliest memory of shrimp scampi is from Red Lobster. My family and I used to go for special occasions and I could eat couple platters of that buttery, garlicky, lemony stuff. While we joke about Red Lobster a lot, I think that it used to be better (then again, a lot of food I loved as a kid is just not as good when eaten as an adult). I've been searching for a recipe since and we really enjoyed the version provided by the Barefoot Contessa. It is so easy, has minimal ingredients, takes minutes to prepare and has become part of our weekly lineup.

Linguine with Shrimp Scampi
2002, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Serves: 3 servings

Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil (we use canola)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus 1 1/2 teaspoons
- 3/4 pound linguine (we use spaghetti)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
- 1 pound large shrimp (about 16 shrimp), peeled and deveined (1 bag of frozen prepped shrimp from Trader Joe's)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 lemon, zest grated
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
- 1/4 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
- 1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

Directions:
Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Meanwhile, in another large (12-inch), heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Be careful, the garlic burns easily! Add the shrimp, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and the pepper and saute until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices, and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine. When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and then put it back in the pot. Immediately add the shrimp and sauce, toss well, and serve.

Fong Ji

2010-01-16T08:55:00.001-05:00

I was thinking recently how lucky I was to have grown up eating really yummy food. You already know how much I love my mom's cooking. Dad's food was good, too, although there were some hilarious misses (e.g., that bony fish marinated in tequila or the radish cake that never really solidified). One of my all time favorite Thanksgiving meals was one where dad made Fong Ji (literally "wind chicken" with glutinous rice and Chinese sausage stuffing). Which reminds me, I need the recipe for that stuffing...

Preparation for Fong Ji includes dry-aging the chicken. Although it was grotesque, I would get excited when Dad would hang a chicken off the gutter by the kitchen (in the winter, of course). To avoid offending the neighbors and patrons of the strip mall as well the inconsistent temperatures outside, I put a drying rack over a cookie sheet and place the contraption plus chicken in the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Fong Ji:
- 1.5 lbs of chicken pieces (we used chicken thighs)
- 1/8 cup table salt or fleur de sel (I used coarse kosher salt and it was too salty)
- 1/4 cup Black peppercorns
- Chinese rice wine
- White pepper powder to taste

Day (or few days) before, wash and dry chicken. In wok or pan, lightly toast salt and peppercorns to release flavor. Sprinkle salt and peppercorns on chicken with some cracked black pepper and set on drying rack. Place drying rack over cookie sheet and put on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator to age for at least 24 hours.

Set up steamer (I added salt and rice wine to the water). My steamer is small so I steamed 3 pieces at a time for 30 minutes, turning them at the 15 minute mark. I cracked some more pepper and sprinkled some white pepper powder on the chicken before serving with pickled mustard stems (homemade by M's grandmother) and white rice.

Dad's email (precious):

"FoungChi

Salt and pepper seed (some small amount of other flavor) stir fry until strong smell come out.

apply salt and paper inside and outside of the whole chicken.

Let dry for couple days-so it is better do it in the winter(keep in the refrig in the summer)

steam the whole chicken.

be careful do not apply too much salt.

More peper seed is OK, amount -about 60% of a rice bowl.

good luck"

Mom's Steamed Egg Custard

2010-01-10T19:45:00.004-05:00

It's cold. I want comfort food. Namely, mom's home cooking. I decided to replicate another favorite dish - her steamed egg custard. It's kind of like Japanese Chawanmushi (a dish I regularly order at Sakagura and squeal when I get as a panchan in Korean restaurants), but way simpler.

Mom's Steamed Egg Custard
- handful of shitake mushrooms, cut in small pieces with stems removed
- 3 stalks green scallion, finely cut
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 cup dried shrimp
- 3 large eggs
-1 cup water (or Asian chicken or seafood stock)...good thing I made stock today!

Heat canola oil in wok and add scallions, mushroom, sesame oil, salt, shrimp and fry for 3-5 minutes. Find a bowl that will fit in the steamer or stock pot and add the fried ingredients and water or stock (enough to fill 3/4 of bowl) to make a "soup". Scramble 3 eggs and slowly stir in soup. Place bowl in steamer/ stock pot and steam for "just a little bit!" For me, that was 15 minutes until the egg was light and puffy and a skewer comes out clean.

Hot Milk Sponge Cake

2010-01-10T19:05:00.007-05:00

I'm a simple girl. While I appreciate all the steps and exotic ingredients that go into a really good cupcake - buttermilk, eggs separated into whites and yolks, vanilla from actual vanilla beans - I just want to make some good cupcakes that aren't too sweet with the ingredients I have. Growing up, I made the Hot Milk Sponge Cake that was in my mother's ancient Better Homes and Garden cookbook. I was cursing myself for not copying the recipe down when I was home last time when genius that I was, I decided to Google it and found this recipe from Robert Hammond, chef and owner of The Kitchen at Honeyman Creek Farm in Warren, Oregon. For cupcakes, I reduced the cooking time to around 16 minutes and topped with whipped cream.

Hot Milk Sponge Cake
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sift before measuring)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and lemon extracts)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly spray two (9-inch) round cake pans with vegetable oil spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. Cover the eggs (still in their shell) with hot tap water. Allow eggs to sit for at least five minutes to warm them up. NOTE: It is important that the eggs be warm to the touch when they are whipped with the sugar. This gives an extra lightness to the cake. See Lagniappe below. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the milk and heat until the mixture is steaming. NOTE: See Lagniappe tips below. Remove from heat. Into a large mixing bowl, crack the warm whole eggs. Using an electric mixer, whip the eggs until frothy. Gradually add the sugar and whip on high speed until the batter is light and thick. NOTE: This takes a good ten minutes. Turn the mixer down to low and add the sifted dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt). Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated into the egg batter, stopping once to scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl. Add the scalded milk and butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the batter is smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and continue mixing on low just until the vanilla is incorporated into the batter. Divide the batter equally into each prepared cake pan. NOTE: The batter will be quite thin so don’t be alarmed. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and springy to the touch. Remove from oven and place the cake layers on a wire cooling rack. Sprinkle each layer very lightly with granulated sugar. Leave the cake layers in the pan to cool for thirty minutes. When cool, carefully run a paring knife around the edge of the each cake layer, using an up and down motion, to avoid tearing the sides of the cake. Turn the layers out onto a wire cooling rack. Cool completing before serving.
Serving: Cake is great served as is, but also can be used with your fresh berries. Makes two (9-inch) round layers

Lagniappe: Having the eggs warm and whipping them to the proper consistency are the keys to making this cake successfully. While whipping the eggs, feel the bottom of the bowl to make sure that it doesn’t feel cold. If it does, then the eggs aren’t warm enough. Place the mixing bowl in a slightly larger bowl filled with about 3 inches of hot tap water. Stir them until they are warm to the touch. The eggs are properly whipped when they get light and thick, resembling softly whipped cream. Lift the whip from the bowl and the batter should slowly flow from the whip in a ribbon that slowly incorporates back into the batter.

10 Tips that Might Save Your Life

2010-01-04T16:18:00.005-05:00

I don't really read forwards but for an SVU/ CSI/ Dexter paranoid freak like myself, it provided some good tips and is apparently from a cop (with my comments). Plus, I've always wondered what to do in these situations. I highly recommend taking a self defense class (although I failed "be aware of your surroundings" in Mexico and can only deflect a punch from a right-handed assailant). You got more? Add it in a comment!

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do : The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2.. Learned this from a tourist guide. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. <<>>
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it . As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor , and in the back seat B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side... If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!) <<>>
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern! <<>>
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird.. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door..' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.
10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full ball so that you will go out to investigate and then attack.

Ginger Sesame Chicken

2009-12-21T14:17:00.009-05:00

This dish is a cold weather staple in our family. I'm reminded to make it because mom facebooked that she made it during the recent snow storm. Mom calls it sesame chicken - I added the "ginger" so that it wouldn't be confused with the deep fried sweet sticky concoction that one gets at a Chinese take-out joint. Mom gets her chicken from the Chinese butcher - a whole chicken hacked into little pieces. While the pieces are great and the bones lend a rich flavor to the sauce, one always had to be careful not to stick themselves with a chicken shard. Verdict? M says, "Wow, honey, this is delicious!"

Ginger Sesame Chicken
- Around 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 thumb of ginger, sliced
- 1 lb of chicken (I used boneless, skinless chicken thigh meat) cut into 1 inch by 1 inch pieces
- 3/4 cup of rice wine

Dry chicken and sprinkle with some kosher salt. In a pot for braising, add enough sesame oil to coat the bottom. When hot, add ginger and saute until flavor is released. Be careful because sesame oil burns easily. Add chicken (may have to be in batches) and brown. When chicken is browned, turn up heat and add rice wine. Let alcohol cook off, add equal amount of water (add wine and water until meat is just covered). Lower heat to a simmer and cook covered for at least 30 minutes. Salt to taste and add a dash of white pepper. Serve over somen noodles.

DC Favorites...So Far...

2009-12-15T12:33:00.006-05:00

It's been about 6 months so I thought I'd jot down a few of my favorite things about DC.

Activities:
- Cooking Class @ L'Academie de Cuisine
- Hiking at the plethora of parks/ nature centers
- Pole Class @ Chic Physique Fitness/ Balance Sport & Fitness
- Rock climbing @ Earth Treks

Food:
- Bethesda: Black Salt, Sushi @ Hinata, French Macaroons @ Cocoa, Georgetown Cupcake***
- DC: Dancing Crab***, Marina***, Hank's Oyster Bar, Rasika (Indian), Dukem (ethiopian)***
- Frederick: Volt (Top Chef Fame!)
- Rockville: Big Saigon Vietnamese, Taiwanese brunch @ Joe's Noodle House, Fractured Prune doughnuts***, Urban BBQ, emerald tofu dish and hot and sour soup @ Vegetable Garden, Lebanese Taverna, Roast duck/ pork @ Maxim, Hwaro (to try for Korean BBQ), The Vyne (to try)
- Riverdale: bulgogi bibimbop, fresh doughnuts and orange-aid at the farmer's market
- Silver Spring: Dimsum at Oriental East

Museums:
- National Arboretum
- National Building Museum: great for kids
- National Gallery of American Art and National Portrait Gallery
- National Gallery of Art: Calder Exhibit
- Natural History Museum (IMAX: Wild Ocean 3D)
- National Museum of American History: Julia Child's kitchen, Dorothy's ruby red slippers
- National Zoo: pandas
- The Phillips Collection: "Man Ray, African Art and the Modernist Lens"
- The Textile Museum: Contemporary Japanese Fashion
- U.S. Botanic Garden

Neighborhoods:
- Frederick, MD
- Friendship Heights, MD
- Old Town Alexandria, VA

Tour:
- Segway tour of DC

Stinks so Good

2009-12-01T12:09:00.007-05:00

I really miss my mom's cooking. I decided to try her braised sour bamboo and spare ribs. So, you know how cheese stinks but tastes so good - addictively good? M, opens up the fridge and was like, "what reeks?!" Mind you, the sour bamboo (bamboo pickled in salt) is vacuum packed. They still stink. But, braised with pork spare ribs and eaten over rice, it's all worth it. And LOADED with fiber.

Braised Sour Bamboo and Spare Ribs
- Half pound of pork spare ribs
- 1 bag sour bamboo (yes, mom, they are made in Taiwan)
- 1 garlic clove, crushed

Wash bamboo thoroughly and cut into 2 inch pieces. In pot with cover, heat some canola oil and when hot, add garlic. When garlic flavor has released, add spare ribs and brown. Add bamboo, water to barely cover and braise for at least 1 hour (mine are going on 4 hours). Salt to taste. Enjoy over white rice.

Herbes de Provence Baked Chicken & Gravy

2009-11-25T12:29:00.003-05:00

My mom never cooked in the oven. Sure, she made the occasional cake (I can't wait to copy down the Hot Milk Sponge Cake recipe when I get home tomorrow). I wanted a roast chicken with drippings for gravy but I'm still squeamish about dealing with a whole chicken, let alone a turkey! Not quite feeling like brining today. Also, at the end, you have to carve the said whole poultry. Why not just have the chicken already cut up?

So I decided on baked chicken (curiously, roast chicken is a whole chicken in the oven and baked chicken is chicken pieces in the oven). My friend Zach told me about using Herbs de Provence and butter. A couple recipes I found called for stuffing the bird with lemon. So, I mashed everything together and came up with this. I've never baked a chicken before (ok, fine, there was one time with Italian dressing), so I welcome comments/ suggestions.

Herbs de Provence Baked Chicken
- 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (we like dark meat so I also get a package of legs and thighs - and you thought my chicken had mutated!)
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
- Herbs de Provence
- 2 lemons (sliced thinly on a mandolin)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a baking sheet with canola oil and line bottom of pan with sliced lemons. Wash and dry chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. Brush one side with butter, sprinkle with herbs and lay butter side down on pan. Brush other side with butter and sprinkle with more herbs. Place remaining lemon slices on chicken and pop in the oven for 20 minutes. Check every 10 minutes after that for a nice brown color, thickest meat cooked through and the juice runs clear. When done, remove from pan and lightly cover with foil to rest before serving.

Gravy
- drippings
- white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 fine diced shallot
- 2 tbsp flour

Take pan drippings from Herbs de Provence chicken and pour out fat so you have about 2 tbsp or so of drippings. Pour into a sauce pan and put on medium heat. Add pinch of salt, shallots. As shallots cook, whisk in flour. As shallots turn translucent and the pan starts to dry, add a splash of white wine and scrape up brown stuff. As that gets dry, add another splash. As that gets dry, add the broth and whisk. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce is at desired consistency.

Thai Basil Manila Clams

2009-11-22T18:38:00.004-05:00

I saw some gorgeous manila clams at the Asian market and had a craving for my mom's Thai Basil Manila Clams. Unfortunately, I couldn't reach her on the phone so I did the best I could from memory (this post will be updated if I missed something). Firstly, I didn't use the clams right away. They sat in the fridge in a bowl under a wet paper towel. When I took them out, the paper towel was dry and they were all open with the meat spilling out all over. "M! M! They're dead! They're so deadski! Fix it!" So, M went over, poured water over them, agitated them and they closed right back up. She says, "why do you buy things that you are afraid to cook?"

Well, now that we've revived them, we can kill them.

1. Prepare half a thumb of ginger (sliced, julienned, whatever), crush 1 clove of garlic, slice 1 Thai chili, rough chop some Thai basil.
2. Heat oil in a wok. When hot, add ginger, garlic and chili.
3. Once garlic has released it's flavor, add clams, a splash of rice wine and a splash of soy sauce.
4. Saute clams until they are partly open
5. Add Thai basil and saute until clams are fully open and done. Optional: fresh cracked black pepper

M added a Cambodian twist by making a dipping sauce out of salt, fresh cracked pepper and lime juice.

Hopped Up on Zyrtec

2009-10-27T16:50:00.005-04:00

I usually get an allergy triggered sinus infection from September to October so I take Zyrtec at night to deal with the symptoms. Zyrtec makes me very sleepy (I know, I'm already so sleepy) and gives me the weirdest dreams. I must've been whimpering in the dream below because M woke me up and was like, "Are you ok? What's wrong?" Little did she know...

In my dream, I was watching some reality make-over show (yes, what else is new) and in this show, female serial killers were getting made-up and given whole wardrobes furnished by major fashion labels. Specifically, this brunette named Karen Houser received a wardrobe provided by Seven Jeans. Thinking that I deserved a wardrobe, I went out to kill people. At an intersection, one of the road crew guys came over and resigned to me killing him. He lay down on a bench and I tried to cut his throat with my silicone spatula. When that wouldn't work, I tried a business card. That didn't work either and then M woke me up.

Herbes de Provence Braised Short Rib

2009-10-20T22:54:00.005-04:00

I am not surprised that the editors at Bon Appetit magazine declared an entire year the year of the braised short rib. For us, every year is the year of the braised short rib. I felt like doing some kind of short rib with red wine. M is eating her second bowl right now. I think next time, I'll add more tomatoes and some mini or large dice potatoes. I will also make 4 lbs instead of 1.

Herbes de Provence Braised Short Rib
Adapted from Short Ribs Provençale by Rick Rodgers, The Carefree Cook
- 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound individual short ribs (not cross-cut flanken)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/4 large onion, finely chopped (recipe also called for carrots and celery but I didn't use any)
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 1 tsp herbes de Provence
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup hearty red wine, such as Zinfandel or Shiraz
- 1 cup beef stock, preferably homemade, or reduced-sodium chicken broth (I am a fan of the condensed broth from Trader Joe's that come in little ketchup packets)
- 1/2 diced tomatoes (I'll use a whole tomato next time)
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300°F.
2. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or flameproof casserole over medium-high heat (I used my 3 qt Le Creuset). Season the short ribs with the salt and pepper. In batches, without crowding, add the short ribs to the pot and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the ribs to a platter.
3. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pot. Add the onion to the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, herbes de Provence, and flour and stir until the garlic gives off its aroma, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the broth, tomatoes, and bay leaf. Return the short ribs, and any juices, to the pot. Add cold water as needed to barely reach the top of the ribs and bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Cover tightly, transfer to the oven, and bake, stirring occasionally to change the position of the ribs, until the meat is falling-off-the-bone tender, about 2 1/2 hours. (for the future, during the last 15 minutes, add the baby carrots and potatoes).
5. Transfer the short ribs to a deep serving platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Skim off the fat from the surface of the cooking liquid, and discard the bay leaf. Bring remaining liquid to a boil over high heat and cook until the liquid is reduced to a sauce consistency, about 10 minutes (the exact time depends on the size of the pot). Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
6. Spoon the sauce with the carrots and potatoes over the ribs, sprinkle with the parsley, and serve hot.

Simple Braised Spare Ribs

2009-09-22T18:55:00.003-04:00

For a few weeks I have been in a food funk. Nothing tasted good. My palate was BORED. I finally made it to the Chinese market and bought 2 pounds of pork spare ribs (they come in little 1 inch chunks but you can also use the 3 inch ribs as well). Mom's spare ribs never disappoint.

Simple Braised Spare Ribs
Put 2 pounds of spare ribs in a pot that has a cover and is suitable for braising. Pour in 3/4 cup water, 3/4 cup soy sauce, 3/4 white vinegar. Add 2 large crushed garlic cloves, an inch of cut fresh ginger, 10 whole black peppercorns and 2 tbsp of agave nectar (mom usually uses sugar). Braise for at least an hour. Serve over rice or bachelor noodles (somen) and sprinkle with scallions.

Where were you on 9/11?

2009-09-11T14:35:00.004-04:00

For our generation, 9/11 is the "where were you when Kennedy was shot?" question.

I was in Greece. Specifically, on a beach made of sharp volcanic rocks in Santorini. It was overcast and I was not enjoying lying on a "beach" that jabbed, poked and drew blood. That night, we were waiting in the tiny airport for our flight to Crete when in the bathroom I overheard that planes had been hijacked. Great. I'm going to be on a tiny plane, flying at night over the dark Mediterranean Ocean and planes are being hijacked.

After a bumpy flight, we shared a cab with 2 Americans (a mother and daughter) to our hotel. The mother said that she heard there were bombs going off all over the U.S. "They bombed Chicago! New York! Washington, D.C!" I was really freaking out and it was only when there was a mix-up at the hotel and we had to sit in the lounge while it was sorted out that I saw the footage on CNN of the World Trade Towers being hit.

In a way, it was good for us to be in Greece (I was starting a new job in the Financial District in November) and pretend we were Asian tourists, cameras around our necks and all. Which is not to say there were any outright anti-American sentiments, in fact, Athens felt very quiet and in a state of mourning. We just felt that it was better to lay low. Obviously, we were unable to fly back to NY. Our hotel was kind enough to accommodate us at a reduced rate and we made a daily journey to the airline office to find out when we could get home. I was also fraught with worry over friends, family and loved ones in NY and DC. We didn't have access to a telephone or computer so we were pretty much glued to the TV.

We made it back 4 days later and thank goodness everyone was fine. There were a number of near misses. This person was late to work and her train was stopped and turned around. Both M and my uncle were on their way to the Pentagon. M remembers being stuck in traffic and seeing a large dark cloud of ash and soot envelope the car.

I look out the window at the rain while I write this and think that the heavens are shedding tears and remembering the lives lost along with us. This was a horrible tragedy and that out of the ashes we must be better to ourselves and each other.

A Whole New World

2009-09-02T20:27:00.004-04:00

Some couples get married. Some couples have babies. Some couples buy houses. No, it's not a magic carpet but close - we got a red Ninja 250.

I'm just going to be a passenger (please, I can barely drive a car). But, M will be heading off to motorcycle school and getting her motorcycle endorsement in a couple of weeks. Poor thing can't wait to ride her bike and sits on it whispering, "vroom, vroom."

Similarly to when I started to snowboard, preparing for riding has launched us into full gear mode. We've been searching for helmets, jackets, gloves and, of course, boots. We've gotten great advice from friends and have been tearing up the interweb. The fun part about the search is going to various bike stores and talking to people. We went to the local bike place and discovered Wednesday night bike night. All kinds of people who would probably have never spoken a single word to each other, ride in, eat free food (wings from Hooters!) and watch awesome stunts. Sometimes bike night even takes place at Hooters! This is going to be a lot of fun.

Boots for Short People

2009-09-02T11:13:00.008-04:00

Fall, my favorite fashion season, is here! I love the structure and tailoring, coats and jackets (hello Burberry and my Jungal wool coats), cozy sweaters, and hot boots. Ok, I'm always obsessed with sweaters and boots.

Boots are impossible for me. They have to be the perfect combination of fit, comfort and style. Fit is especially hard because of my short, bird legs. I'm about a 13" shaft and 13" circumference. Most mid-calf boots are about 10" shaft and under and tall boots are 14 and up. Circumference seems to be 14 and up and I refuse to look like a pirate (otherwise, I'll have to get an eye patch and parrot as accessories). I also have no arch and other uncomfortable foot issues. Lastly, they have to be cute. It's hard to find a multi-purpose boot that one can wear with jeans and to the office but I try and maybe end up with a few boot options.

Go ahead and groan but I love my UGGs first and foremost. The Classic Tall boot is the perfect height and circumference and it is wonderfully warm and snuggly. The cuteness factor is debatable but I usually spend my summers in fitflops and winters in UGGs (keep office shoes to change into at work). I am making an attempt to wean myself off of the UGGs.

I love my Sacco boots because they are made of the softest yummiest lambskin, are made for short bird legs and pretty comfortable. Unfortunately, the 2 pairs I have are in really bad shape and Sacco is only in NY (their website bites). I will be dropping by during my sister's birthday weekend.

Another favorite brand is La Canadienne and I have 2 pairs from them. They are the perfect winter boot because they are waterproof, insulated, well, the Canadians know how to get through the winter. The boots come in a variety of heights and circumferences and the Lili (black patent) and Juliana (black suede) fit me beautifully. But, I'd like a more sophisticated styling of the toe area and plain black leather.

Local shoe shopping has been completely disappointing since not a single boot fits and online retailers hate me because I've sent every boot back (except for a pair of Reiker Sarina boots which are not totally cute but fit my calves, might be cute on the motorcycle).

I do have 3 pairs coming. The middle pair is the Corso Como Milan boot which will likely be sent back. It looked cute at first and there is an elastic panel in the back for a snug fit but upon further review, it looks tall and wide up top. Pepperlime grossly overcharges for their shoes but I wasn't able to find this boot elsewhere and will certainly take advantage of the free return option.

I'm excited about the top and bottom pairs because they are Born's. I had 1 pair of slides from Born and they were so deliciously comfortable. I have really high hopes for these. The top heeled low western boot (Allegra) would be for going out, wearing with skinny jeans and tights. The bottom pair is the Darcy which has a rounder toe than I would like but smooth sleek styling that could work for a variety of situations. Will let you know how it goes.

UPDATE:
The Corso Como Milan and Born Darcy were both too wide at the top. I have to say, I LOVE the quality of all 3 boots. Soft leather, padded footbed, beautiful styling. I am keeping the Allegra boots because I want a pair of Western boots, even with the heel it is so comfortable and surprisingly, the short shaft height makes my legs look so long! They are fabulous with skinny jeans, I'm so excited!

Andouille

2009-08-30T16:46:00.003-04:00

I am lazy. I will not make a roux. I will not make gumbo. I do not have ingredients for a clam bake. I will not make jambalaya. But, I have this beautiful piece of andouille sausage from the farmer's market and I want to eat it. I was thinking of a tapas dish I had with chorizo and thought...

Andouille in Port Wine Reduction
- slice andouille and shallots
- sweat shallots in olive oil
- brown sausage
- splash of port
- reduce
- add fresh crushed black pepper and serve with crostini

A's NY Cheap(ish) Eats

2009-08-23T21:51:00.007-04:00

Off the top of my head...

TAPAS

Tia Pol (205 10th Ave | Btwn 22nd & 23rd St): Have the Navajas Y Almejas, Chorizo Con Chocolate, Pan Con Tomate. It is a tiny place so you may have to wait a bit.
El Quinto Pino (401 W 24th St | At 9th Ave): Have the uni panini. Super tiny place with no tables, just stools and a counter.

ETHIOPIAN

Meskerem (124 Macdougal St | Btwn W 3rd St & Minetta Ln): Timatim Salad, Meskerem Combo
Queen of Sheba (650 10th Ave | Btwn 45th & 46th St): all good

THAI

Wondee Siam (792 9th Ave | Btwn 52nd & 53rd St): I like the pad woon sen.
Sripraphai (64-13 39th Ave., Queens, NY 11377): http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/sripraphai/. The. Best. Hands. Down. They specialize in soft shell crab.

VIETNAMESE

Nha Trang Centre (148 Centre St | At Walker St): garlic crispy squid, bo luc lac

DESSERT

Kyotofu (705 9th Ave | Btwn 48th & 49th St): you know what, their food is pretty darn good too!

BRUNCH

Essex (120 Essex St | At Rivington St): lobster benedict
Cafeteria (119 7th Ave | At 17th St): cinnamon chantilly cream, omg

KOREAN

Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar (17 E 32nd St | Btwn Madison & 5th Ave): delicious - ok, kinda pricey

CUPCAKES

Crumbs (4 locations)

JAPANESE CAFETERIA

Cafe Zaiya (1073 6th Ave | At 41st St): delish AND Beard Papa!!!

INDIAN

Joy (148 E 46th St | Btwn Lex & 3rd Av.): crazy cheap, good and doesn't make me sick

ITALIAN

Tre Dici (128 W 26th St | Btwn 6th & 7th Ave): ok, not totally cheap but not totally expensive but tastes unbelievably decadent

FRENCH

Le Singe Vert (160 7th Ave | Btwn 19th & 20th St)

BBQ

Hill Country (30 W 26th St | Btwn 5th & 6th Ave): amazing BBQ chicken, orgasmic hot german potatoes

CHINESE

Ping's (22 Mott St | Btwn Mosco & Pell St)
Congee Village (100 Allen St | At Delancey St)
Jing Fong (20 Elizabeth St | At Canal St): dim sum!
Nice Green Bo (fka New Green Bo) (66 Bayard St | Btwn Mott & Elizabeth St): steamed vegetable buns

MALAYSIAN

Nyonya (194 Grand St | Btwn Mott & Mulberry St)

WINE BAR

8th Street Winecellar (28 W 8th St | Btwn 5th Ave & MacDougal St)

Stay tuned for the pricier list...

How A Got Her Groove Back

2009-08-18T13:33:00.003-04:00

It started last week. I made these awful pancakes. Who messes up pancakes, especially if they are Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Pancake mix?! The blueberries from the farmer's market were really tart and I messed around with the heat so there you have it. I also cut my middle finger, got stabbed in the palm by a pork chop (that came out dry and disgusting) and hurt my thumb with a green bean.

M: "You see what happens when you stray from the continent of Asia?"

So, I went back. My chicken adobo was flavorful and tangy. Pork chow mei fun fed 4 happily. Green beans and ground pork stir fry had the greenness and snap of farmer's market green beans, rich meat flavor and gentle heat. It also brought back memories of mom's cooking.

4 weeks 'til knife skills class!

Shrimp Pasta Fresca

2009-08-08T20:39:00.005-04:00

M really only likes Asian food but she loves this one pasta dish I make. The great part is that it's as easy as stir-frying!

Prep (thanks M!):
- Dice 4 ripe tomatoes (I used sun ripened Roma tomatoes that I got from the farmer's market this morning)
- Mince 2 cloves of garlic and a shallot
- Peel and devein a half pound of shrimp (I kept the shells to do a shrimp stock tomorrow)
- Chiffonade some basil (I took some from my window box that H planted for me)

Heat olive oil and sweat the garlic and shallots. Increase the heat and add tomatoes and some kosher salt. After the tomatoes are nice and soft and released their flavor, add a splash of white wine. Let the wine cook off and then add the shrimp. Once the shrimp is opaque, turn off the heat and spoon sauce over pasta. Sprinkle with basil and fresh cracked pepper.

(M is now eating it on sourdough toast. It reminds me of the tomato bread at Boquerria.)

My Seoul

2009-08-06T22:21:00.004-04:00

Basic Salad Marinade
I use this for everything: spinach, bean sprouts, cucumbers, seaweed, tofu, etc. Great for summer because you can make a bunch of salads and keep them in the fridge.
- Soy sauce
- Crushed garlic
- Sesame oil
- Wasabi or chili
- Rice wine vinegar

Scallion Salad
I can't eat Korean BBQ without it.
- Scallions (cut in thin strands)
- Minced chili
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Rice wine vinegar

Ssam Jang

2009-08-06T18:39:00.000-04:00

From Susan:

"buy dark korean denjang and doctor it up: sesame oil, sweat with garlic, add denjang, smash in some soft tofu, done."

Understanding: One Person at a Time

2009-07-19T01:30:00.002-04:00

One of reasons that Prop 8 passed was that proponents aggressively went after communities of color. My cousin would tell me that she got hundreds of phone calls from people who targeted Asians. And that tactic worked. I'll admit it, I have chosen my gay family over the Asian community, even my own family.

Tonight, my cousin married an incredible man and I am now part of an amazing new family. I spent the past two days getting to know them and developed a really strong connection to the groom's mother. We just hit it off and talked for hours. Towards the end of tonight, she said to me, "I voted for Prop 8. But, after meeting you, I have changed my mind."

That blew me away. Firstly, because I wasn't expecting it. I have never hidden my life from people and I just can't help talking about M. I talk about her all the time. It has never crossed my mind that the person I'm speaking to, doesn't approve of me. I think it is these seemingly meaningless conversations with the people in our lives that spark and carry change and understanding forward.

So, I now have an African-American Christian grandmother and she has a queer Asian granddaughter. Who knew?

New York Homecoming

2009-07-08T22:13:00.002-04:00

NY dressed in gold
Mosaic of glittering windows
Framed in brilliant clear blue above
Opaque with taxis and feet below

Instinctively
My pulse quickens
I rapid speed walk
Reminding myself to breathe

*Rasika & C

2009-07-06T15:43:00.003-04:00

It was a beautiful day to head into DC for lunch with C, K's friend. Any friend of K's is a friend of mine but as we chatted, I realized that I had met C before. A few years ago, I had a dream that I was meeting someone for the first time at lunch. That she was in a suit and I was not working (which I thought was strange). She had a necklace with a thick silver chain and opal stone. She was talking about Armonk, NY. No wonder we just clicked right away!

Although C has worked in DC for years (she commuted between NY and DC), she recently moved to DC as well and it was great to talk to someone who had the deep inside scoop on DC (farmer's markets and restaurants!) and understood what it was like to leave one's friends and family in NY. It's nice to have friends in DC.

[See my Yelp post for review of Rasika]

Bobby On The Brain

2009-06-29T17:54:00.004-04:00

Sure, he made an ass of himself on Iron Chef but the man has a killer mussel recipe. I just made them on the stove and will serve with some sourdough toast.

Steamed Mussels with White Wine, Tarragon, Shallots, Butter, and Grilled French Bread

Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 15 min

Level: Easy

Serves:4 servings

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the bread
2 shallots, coarsely chopped
2 cups white wine
2 pounds cultivated mussels, scrubbed
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
1 baguette, halved lengthwise

Directions

Heat grill to high. Sprinkle garlic with a pinch of salt and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the garlic to a coarse paste. Heat the oil in a stockpot on the grates of the grill, add the shallots and garlic and cook until shallots soften. Add the wine, bring to a boil and stir in the mussels. Cover the pot and cook the mussels until all of them have opened, about 6 to 8 minutes, discard any that do not open.

Remove the mussels with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer and whisk in the butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir in the tarragon. Pour the mixture over the mussels and serve immediately with grilled bread.

Brush cut side of baguette with oil, season with salt and pepper and grill, cut side down until lightly golden brown.

Cornflake Chicken

2009-06-25T20:27:00.002-04:00

In middle school and high school I would go to A's house to study. There are 2 delicious dinners I'd look forward to while I was there: Parmesan and olive oil pasta and cornflake chicken. I use corn flakes from Whole Foods that don't have high fructose corn syrup in it.

Cornflake Chicken
Preheat oven 350 degrees. A's mom would use chicken tenders but this time, I used skinless boneless chicken thighs. Remove fat and cut into uniform pieces in terms of size and thickness. In a plastic bag crush cornflakes and add kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Shake chicken in bag to coat. Butter glass/ metal pan and place chicken. Drizzle with melted butter and pop into oven for 20 minutes or until done.

Take That Food Network BBQ Special

2009-06-24T19:26:00.003-04:00

M likes to watch TV on mute when she's working at night so I put on the Food Network. It is not something one should watch after dinner. First we wanted ice cream, then cookies and then "Best Thing I Ever Ate: BBQ." I was drooling and decided I will definitely hit Hill Country when I'm back in NY.

To satisfy my craving today (now!), I took out 2 of our thin cut rib eyes and marinated them in Montreal Steak seasoning and Worcestershire sauce (ignore the high fructose corn syrup, it's not really there). Made O's lemon dressing (lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh cracked pepper, salt). Made potato salad (4 baked potatoes, mayo, shallots, rice vinegar, celery salt, fresh cracked pepper). Cooked the steaks on a super hot cast iron grill (awesome if don't have or are too lazy to do that whole charcoal grill thing). Let the steaks rest and then plated steak, salad (arugula, dressing, parm cheese) and potato salad. Apartment BBQ.

V.H., MPP

2009-06-12T20:23:00.002-04:00

Congratulations, V! It was an inspiring ceremony and Arianna Huffington was funny, brilliant and an amazing speaker. I also really loved the live organ playing.

LA Landscape

2009-06-12T20:17:00.003-04:00

Gorgeous windy drive through Topanga (I always think of Boy Meets World). I did the same drive last year when I went to C&C's wedding. And of course, LA traffic. Gotta love it! Oh, and no one told me about June Gloom. Brrr and sticky.

LA In My Belly

2009-06-12T20:09:00.004-04:00

V and I are all about food. Before we visit each other we send each other the food schedule. From the airport, she took us to gr/eats (delicious fried oyster plate) and Volcano Tea (shaved ice with red bean, condensed milk, almond jello and taro pudding) on Sawtelle. Then we headed to Abbot Kinney Blvd for tea at Jin Patisserie. We met up with M & H at Sagebrush Cantina for an awesome taco tray and live music that we sang along to (oh oh oh OH Sweet Child O' Mine....). And last but not least, the awesome sushi chef who made me a special uni sushi with a dollop of wasabi, lemon, salt and no nori. Delicious!

Banh Hoi

2009-06-08T18:51:00.009-04:00

These fresh rice rolls are M's favorite meal in the whole world (she once ate 15 at 1 sitting). Her mom made it last night and we are attempting to recreate it (it'll be my first Cambodian recipe).

Banh Hoi
- Beef: slice eye of round thinly, chop half an onion and 1 garlic clove. Heat canola oil in wok, add garlic, then beef, oyster sauce, and onions. Add half cup of water. Stirring frequently, cook until beef is brown.
- Rice vermicelli: soak in warm water, nuke, toss with olive oil and sprinkle with scallions or fried garlic
- Rice summer roll wraps (aka Vietnamese Rice Paper): soak in warm water and lay on these plastic circle things with holes
- Special fish sauce: boil 7 cups of water with 2 cups of sugar and then take off heat. Soak chillies in 2 cups palm vinegar. Combine with 1 head of garlic chopped, 1 cup fish sauce (3 crab brand). Fill 2 liter soda bottle and keep in fridge.
- Various fresh herbs and mints (I think 2 are spearmint and thai basil - wish I knew what the others were)
- Green leaf lettuce
- Cucumber

Pour out some special fish sauce into individual bowls and add 3 spoonfuls of sauce from the cooked beef. Take rice wrap and add beef, vermicelli, herbs, lettuce and cucumber. Make into roll and dip into sauce.

*Teasim, Dukem & DC Tourist Day 2

2009-06-07T23:26:00.004-04:00

After cooking and eating another breakfast smorgasbord (eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, pancakes, hash browns, fresh fruit), we headed out for my DC Tourist Day 2 and Dr. Do and A's Day 4. I was a bit disappointed with the Freer and Sackler - my favorite piece was basically a big fun house mirror. We could've played with that exhibit all day. We had a huge lunch at Teasim, who knew that healthy food could be so filling? Found our countries at the Navy Memorial and headed to the Museum of American History where I promptly passed out from a food coma. After Dr. Do and A took in their muppets and ruby red slippers, I took them to Dukem, my favorite Ethiopian restaurant. Special Tibs never let me down.

*Dancing Crab

2009-06-07T10:40:00.003-04:00

We took the fam to our favorite crab restaurant in DC - The Dancing Crab. M's mom kicked our butts by devouring 6. I beat M 3 to 2.5. I also had my first hush puppy - it reminded me of shrimp toast topping. Oh delicious fried carb, where have you been all my life?

Cambodian Yumminess

2009-06-07T10:37:00.001-04:00

M's mom cooked dinner for us... I love bok choy and shitake mushrooms and her ginger chicken stew.

The Creature Nightmares Are Made Of

2009-06-05T21:18:00.004-04:00

Despite the everlasting precipitation (is it time to build the ark yet?), Dr. Do, A, C and I went forth to the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). I have not been jam packed in a place with so many people and children in a very long time. Apparently, DC is chock full of children between June and September. Now you tell me.

Regardless of the hordes, Dr. Do and A's enthusiasm was infectious and we saw the ENTIRE museum plus the 3D IMAX movie Deep Sea. That was really incredible. Imagine being surrounded by moon jellies and having them float right into you! A loves squids so we saw the male and female giant squids on exhibit. We were incensed that the Deep Sea movie called the Humbolt Squid "the creature nightmares are made of." The new bones/ forensics exhibit was so cool. Hello CSI! I liked the fossil of the fish with the fish skeleton in the stomach. The cafeteria was yummy. Any opportunity for chicken tenders and fries is welcome.

Full House

2009-06-05T21:14:00.002-04:00

What ever happened to predictability? The milk man, the paper boy, evening T.V...

We got Dr. Do, A, M's mom and bro. Good thing our IKEA dishes are a setting for 6!

Dr. Do and A in town!

2009-06-04T08:43:00.004-04:00

Dr. Do and her best friend A are in town for the week! We took them to our little neighborhood gem, Hinode. Dr. Do got the beef rose. I love the sushi there.

We discovered the amazing aquarium store next to Hinode and then headed to Yogiberry to continue the Korean frozen yogurt taste test. Dr. Do liked the berry flavor but Red Mango still reigns supreme.

Level 5, Bring It

2009-06-03T11:19:00.002-04:00

I haven't danced since April and am going through major withdrawal (and feeling out of shape). Now that the apartment is on its way, I am starting the networking, job search, volunteering, and getting back into dancing. I found a studio a couple of metro stops away called Goddess Fitness (www.goddessfitness.com) and will be trying out for the level 5 class. Hope I pass! The other good thing is that classes are only 50 minutes and thus, $18/ class instead of $60. Nice.

The Manchego Experiment

2009-06-03T09:48:00.004-04:00

M and I went on a post dinner constitutional through our area. We picked up some organizational items at the Container Store (so pricey!) And then went to town at Whole Foods (or Half Foods as I like to call it because it is tiny!). We got rambutans that were delicious and put together a little wine and cheese picnic to have in the living room while we watched Law and Order. I had been doing well with Parmesan and decided to go crazy and eat manchego sans Lactaid. Success! I will experiment with feta next!

Obama Proclamation on June Pride

2009-06-02T22:28:00.001-04:00

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

The Priority?

2009-06-02T16:44:00.003-04:00

That we are able to watch TV from the kitchen, dining room, living room and loft! Sleeper couch came today and it is perfect!

So Long Jersey Girl

2009-06-01T21:25:00.005-04:00

Hello, Maryland ----- er, person! Marylandian? I am the proud new owner of a cute Maryland driver's license - 2 photos, crab and little red heart and all. I got a new license and registered to vote in a record 30 minutes. I was watching the news and saw a segment about how you're not allowed to smile when taking the photo. So it looks like a mug shot. M says, that segment was about a different state. Oh. Petunia will also be a Marylander as well. I sent in for her new dog license and to get her microchip changed.

Don't worry, you can take away the Jersey license but you can't take the Jersey out of the girl.

Family Brunch

2009-05-31T21:06:00.001-04:00

[in progress]

Eat, bathroom, play, nap, eat...

Who can't love a good schedule? Oh, throw in some shopping and it's on!

Hello, People Live Here!

2009-05-31T21:03:00.004-04:00

Photo of buses that are loud, idle and beep when moving backwards. There are also trucks that take garbage away AND make deliveries. You see, I didn't ask the right question. Sure, the garbage gets taken away mid-morning every other day. But the delivery comes in at 7 AM! So, I will be wearing ear plugs to bed Sunday and Thursday nights in preparation for loud Monday and Friday mornings. The good news is that the rest of the mornings are pretty quiet. Another shout out to noise dampening curtains and loud AC.

Noodle Soup

2009-05-31T21:01:00.002-04:00

[in progress]

Gotta love the soup and meat from a rotisserie chicken. Also got some fantastic enoki mushrooms and winter melon from the nearby Asian market.

Getting There

2009-05-26T15:57:00.004-04:00

[in progress]

Every single item in the apartment has been carefully researched, reviewed, compared and debated. It takes at least a week of negotiation to agree on something and often, what we agree upon is the most expensive option. We have single-handedly increased consumer confidence (and spending) in May.

After visiting over 10 stores for the couch, we came back to our first choice. The Oscar leather sleeper sofa and ottoman - yay for Memorial Day Sales! We got it in espresso and it arrives on Tuesday - just in time for M's mom and brother to sleep on. I had originally wanted a black leather couch because I'm not sure how to match things to brown but the nice saleslady said that they haven't gotten black leather couches in over 10 years. I'm so fashion backward.

We also finished our bedroom. The red curtains have a black out liner attached and it has done wonders for dampening the noise of buses and delivery and garbage trucks. The cherry on top will be one of my grandfather's paintings.

Lil Bro's Graduation

2009-05-22T07:15:00.001-04:00

[in progress]

NY in 8 Hours

2009-05-19T22:08:00.001-04:00

[in progress]

No Internet

2009-05-19T15:19:00.001-04:00

Sorry folks, we do not have internet until Saturday....

The Big Move

2009-05-17T19:01:00.000-04:00

[in progress]

Pre-Move

2009-05-17T08:21:00.002-04:00

1. Hog-razzlin'
2. Our pool - ready to be open next week! Lease is signed!
3. Peek-a-boo!
4. No photos!
5. Awright, I got my thumb, it's all good.

G's in Town!

2009-05-14T20:33:00.002-04:00

Thursday means Riverdale Farmer's Market. The Riverdale Farmer's Market means Bulgogi Cart! G was in town and it was awesome to see her again. More highlights: Silva with a ginormous branch, fresh mini doughnuts, Petunia rolling in poo, Baby R bouncing on his own and declining beer. He didn't even look at it!

5 Spice Chicken

2009-05-14T12:08:00.005-04:00

Easy and so yummy over noodles or rice - you can eat this for days! And, well, we do.

5 Spice Chicken
- ginger
- garlic
- 1 lb chicken (I use skinless and boneless thighs because they are around $2/lb, moist and tasty)
- 5 spice powder
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup rice wine

Sweat garlic and ginger in canola oil. Brown chicken. Add spice, water, soy sauce, rice wine and braise for at least 1 hour. Serve over rice or somen (I call these bachelor noodles because they are thin white noodles that cook up super fast) and sprinkle fresh scallions (yes, me and my scallions).

The Real Housewives of Maryland

2009-05-14T12:08:00.001-04:00

Lump - Chapter 10

2009-05-11T21:13:00.006-04:00

[in progress]

I asked Dr. H to take pictures of what she took out (turns out it was a hardened cyst). M wouldn't let me post the photos but I think they're interesting. I'm a bit weak but all in all, in good shape. The worst was the IV so aside from some bruising - I'm doing fine.

Mother's Day Bash

2009-05-10T22:33:00.003-04:00

M and I made it to Leonia with the help of all of her devices and in spite of the the overpowering fragrance of half a bushel of steamed and spiced blue crabs. Mom ran out the door and the first thing she asked was not, "how are you" or "how was the ride". No, it was "Where's Petunia??!?!"

And of course, Mother's Day would not be complete without a trip to Mom's and my favorite place in the whole world: Woodbury Commons. Surprisingly, the two people who dislike it spent the most money (Dr. Do and M)! I only bought 2 pairs of thermals. The little kitchen things I picked out were not worth waiting in line for.

Even the geese had a nice Mother's Day together.

And then, in addition to Petunia, blue crabs and Woodbury, our final mission of Mother's Day was to get mom tanked. She totally rocked out! We had a great evening of Rock Band and Kareoke Revolution with old family friends.

*Jimmy Cantler's Riverside Inn

2009-05-09T10:02:00.002-04:00

Friday night was date night and I looked up the best seafood restaurant in Annapolis. Jimmy Cantler's Riverside Inn had the highest rating and it was the quintessential Maryland experience.

The inn had rows of tables with brown paper on them and a blackboard showing you how to eat crab. There was a boisterous goose who sat in the middle of the parking lot and when moved, walked over to the outside eating area and barked loudly at us. We had a lovely river view.

I had previously found Maryland oysters to be tasteless but these were so fresh, bright and briny. We tore up half a dozen steamed to order extra large blue crab - I won!

In and Out

2009-05-08T15:09:00.002-04:00

Look ma, no hands! I grabbed the bottle and held it myself! And then I shot poo out the back of my nappy.

Small Triumphs and the Riverdale Farmer's Market

2009-05-07T18:30:00.002-04:00

First things first, Baby R is getting so strong and better at manipulating his chubby limbs. He can sort of hold his bottle by himself as well as sit up - albeit in a slouched, relaxed position. We had a lovely walk to the FedEx drop-off box, Target and the PetSmart - he loved all the fish and started bouncing up and down a little.

H & Z have this awesome little farmer's market in their town on Thursdays so off we went. Petunia snuck herself completely under the passenger seat!

I absolutely love Farmer's Markets and this one had all the wonderful organic fruits, veggies, flowers, dairy and meat one could ask for. Even more, they have a Bulgogi cart and a mini-doughnut stand! Who does not love a fresh small fried piece of dough dusted with confectioner's sugar?

Maine Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage!

2009-05-06T20:45:00.001-04:00

Make that number 5! Maine now joins Iowa, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and Vermont!

Ground Pork and Snow Pea Rice Noodles

2009-05-06T17:11:00.004-04:00

M likes a dish called Ma-yi San Shou (ants crawling up a tree) which is basically ground meat and cellophane noodles. I wasn't able to find cellophane noodles at the Giant but I did find thin rice noodles (mei fun). I'd like to quote the package "Wai Wai Oriental Style Instant Noodles is processed by using the latest formula through automatic equipments. They are dried hygienically without exposure to the sun to serve as complete food." Good to know except that there isn't a whole lot of nutrients and only 4% fiber. Nonetheless, I do agree that "...Noodles can be prepared deliciously."

Ground Pork and Snow Pea Rice Noodles
- Soak noodles in warm water
- Rough chop half of a white onion and divide in half
- Julienne snow peas
- Marinate half pound of ground pork in rice wine and soy sauce
- In wok or large pot, saute half of the onion in canola oil. When onion is soft, put in the marinated ground pork and brown. Break up pieces. When pork is just finished, put meat and sauce into separate bowl.
- Add a bit more canola oil and the rest of the onions. When onions are soft, put in snow peas and cover to steam.
- When snow peas are done, put the meat and sauce back in the pot and the noodles. If there isn't enough sauce from the meat, add a bit more soy sauce until noodles are a light brown color. Cook a few more minutes until noodles are coated and everything is mixed together.
- If you want, top with fresh scallion and cracked pepper

Other options: use celery instead of snowpeas (or together)

Lump - Chapter 9

2009-05-06T12:38:00.007-04:00

My surgery is on Monday. It's supposed to take about a half hour with a half hour before to put me to sleep and then an hour in the recovery room. M will then whisk us back to DC. I have a confession to make. But, let me back up for a minute.

H asked me how I felt about the surgery and to be honest, I think that I have a slight case of Münchausen syndrome. I really like being in the hospital. I had a cyst removed from my neck when I was 5 or 6 and I loved being there. I had a TV, a craftmatic bed, and all the popsicles and dixie cup ice cream I could eat (they were trying to soothe my throat). The nurses were so nice and people brought presents when they visited me. Folks at the hospital were equally attentive when I had to get stitches on my wrist, finger and foot (separate incidents). I like seeing the doctor, I like going to specialists (except for the mammogram - that sucked). I had a swell time at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.

So, now that I know I'm not going to die and M will be there to take care of me. I'm feeling pretty good about my surgery on Monday (except that the anesthesia might make me nauseous and that is going to go so well in the car). Can't wait to get a nice ice pop!

Mom says she liked the hospital as well. When she was there after giving birth to Dr. Do and Philly, she said it was so great and relaxing to not do anything, watch tv and not deal with children.

Music (and Tossing) Calms the Savage Beast

2009-05-06T12:12:00.006-04:00

Baby R helped me work out today. We did about 15 reps of lifts - I would do more but the boy is 17 lbs and I don't want to get too ripped. We did the usual turn and squat. We also did abs and leg lifts - I lay on my back, laid him on my shins and we rocked back and forth and up and down. Tomorrow, we'll add push-ups.

I also want to make a shout out to iTunes for their classical music radio stations! Baby R sure likes his Mozart and my original idea of looking for songs on youtube was dumb. Plus, something's wrong with the TV.

Behold the Breakfast Sandwich

2009-05-06T12:05:00.004-04:00

This is what M gets for breakfast Monday - Friday. While I am concerned about clogging her arteries, I make it for her because:
- She likes it. She eats it while she's sitting in interminable traffic and it makes her happy.
- It fills her up until 1 PM! I am a fan of the big breakfast.
- I use a Better Start Light English Muffin - 32% of your daily fiber!
- Jones All Natural Light Pork and Rice sausage (I cook the entire package and keep it in the fridge)
- Egg whites cooked in canola oil
- A smidge of ketchup, Tabasco sauce and fresh cracked pepper

If she ever gets sick of it, I'm in deep doodoo. I was going to make her a breakfast burrito on a whole wheat wrap with salsa but it just doesn't sound good and I know that the salsa is going to get all over her sweater.

Moroccan Cinnamon Chicken with Couscous

2009-05-05T20:36:00.004-04:00

One of the most memorable meals of my life was one my dad made for us when we were kids. It was called "fong-ji" which literally means "wind chicken". He dry rubbed a bunch of spices on a chicken and hung it outside for a day or two (during the winter, of course). After he brought it inside, he made a stuffing of sticky rice, shitake mushrooms and Chinese sausage and roasted that puppy in the oven. It was so good!

So, I've been craving this cinnamon-y flavored chicken and the best I could find was Moroccan Cinnamon Chicken with Couscous from epicurious.com. I paired it with a cucumber salad (same as cucumber tomato salad but without the tomatoes).

It was easy, quick, was a different type of carb (I'm trying to do different carbs, meat, veggies and fruits everyday) but just ok. It might've been better if I put a bit more salt or perhaps drizzled lemon juice over the whole thing. Not sure. Needless to say, I still want my dad's chicken and sent him an email requesting the recipe. Although, if I know my dad, he just took whatever spices were in the cabinet and won't remember.

*Ribs

2009-05-04T19:09:00.001-04:00

One of mom's best recipes is pork spare ribs. I changed it a bit so here it is. We bought some pork spare ribs from the Giant - I picked the shortest ones. Mom usually gets really short ones - about 3 inches from the Chinese grocery store but I didn't have the luxury.

Sweat 2 cloves of garlic and ginger in a braising pot. Sear the spare ribs. Pour in 3/4 cup of soy sauce, 3/4 cup of rice wine, 3/4 cup of water. Mom puts in rock candy but I used Agave nectar. I also threw in about 10 whole peppercorns. Braise for 1 hour. It is so good with fresh chopped scallions and served over rice or somen noodles.

Not that it paired particularly well but I made a tomato cucumber salad because the tomatoes were on the verge of spoiling. It's our favorite side dish from the best crabcake restaurant - Calvert House. Dice tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion. Dress with red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, fresh cracked pepper and oregano.

I Heart Giant Scan It

2009-05-03T21:59:00.005-04:00

I know I've crossed an age line when after finding a fellow Dyson fanatic at our dinner table at the wedding, we gushed about our Dysons for a good hour. Further proof was how M and I discovered the Giant Scan It machine, fell in love and how many other bloggers love it, too.

Get this. You scan your Giant member card, get a scanner and bag and scan your items AS YOU SHOP. Yes, it will make annoying beeps as you pass various areas and offer you coupons for things you don't want. For produce, you take your produce to a weigh station, weigh it, punch in the code and a sticker with a bar code will pop out that you scan. When you are done, you go to a self checkout aisle, enter your member number and pay. It is that easy. We love it!

*Aunt Sally's in Charlottesville, VA

2009-05-03T17:46:00.002-04:00

[in progress]

L & N Wedding

2009-05-03T17:42:00.003-04:00

[in progress]

Interfaith wedding

W rocking heels

Dinosaur eggs

S got beamed

Energetic bridesmaid

Pink couch - "take a photo because you're never going to get one."

Home Sweet Home

2009-05-02T17:33:00.000-04:00

H, Z and Baby R's new home. It is so cute, the perfect size and has a great fenced in yard for Silva and Silva's friends to run around. Congratulations!

Kiss Me, Dyson

2009-05-01T17:59:00.004-04:00

It's here! I know, I'm terrible. I broke down and bought the Dyson DC25 Animal for $459 (free shipping) on Amazon.com. I put off showering all day because I didn't want to miss the UPS guy!

We took it for a test drive and it:
- isn't louder than other vacuum cleaners
- lighter - only 16.23 lbs
- moves smoothly and turns on a dime, love the ball technology
- turbine spins super fast, picks up everything but hair does seem to get wrapped around so it will have to be cleaned regularly
- crazy suction - there was another pug in the canister by the time we were done with 2 rooms

I'm not sure the mini-turbine tool is worth all the trouble. Petunia's hair in her bed was stubborn. But, I love it and can't wait to finish vacuuming the rest of the house and our new apartment.

Itty Bitty Goldfish Bowl

Hot Day? Cold Sesame Noodles!

Grace through Jewelry

Birds Hate Me

Vietnamese Beef Salad

Baked Shrimp with Panko Stuffing

Cauliflower Soup

Favorite Things: Spring 2011

Broiled Chicken Kebabs & Soy Ginger Salad Dressing

Remembering Uncle Thomas

Urban Winter Survival Gear

Non-Asian Chicken and Broccoli

Baked Duck

Chinese Herb Duck Soup

Dumplings

Conversations with the Garbage Man

Cherry Almond Clafoutis

It's Not a Date Unless Someone Wants to Throw Up

Got Beer? Got duck?

Booties

Tagliatelle with Duck Ragù

Yeah, We Ate 'Ants Climbing a Tree'

2 Themes of 2010

Momma's Meatballs

M Eats Kale

And Then There Were Two

National Bike to Work Day 2010

Shopaholic Bikes to Work

Raid the Pantry Noodle Soup

Shrimp Scampi

Fong Ji

Mom's Steamed Egg Custard

Hot Milk Sponge Cake

10 Tips that Might Save Your Life

Ginger Sesame Chicken

DC Favorites...So Far...

Stinks so Good

Herbes de Provence Baked Chicken & Gravy

Thai Basil Manila Clams

Hopped Up on Zyrtec

Herbes de Provence Braised Short Rib

Simple Braised Spare Ribs

Where were you on 9/11?

A Whole New World

Boots for Short People

Andouille

A's NY Cheap(ish) Eats

How A Got Her Groove Back

Shrimp Pasta Fresca

My Seoul

Ssam Jang

From Susan:

"buy dark korean denjang and doctor it up: sesame oil, sweat with garlic, add denjang, smash in some soft tofu, done."

Understanding: One Person at a Time

New York Homecoming

*Rasika & C

Bobby On The Brain

Steamed Mussels with White Wine, Tarragon, Shallots, Butter, and Grilled French Bread

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic

Directions

Cornflake Chicken

Take That Food Network BBQ Special

V.H., MPP

LA Landscape

LA In My Belly

Banh Hoi

*Teasim, Dukem & DC Tourist Day 2

*Dancing Crab

Cambodian Yumminess

The Creature Nightmares Are Made Of

Full House

Dr. Do and A in town!

Level 5, Bring It

The Manchego Experiment

Obama Proclamation on June Pride

The Priority?

So Long Jersey Girl

Family Brunch

Hello, People Live Here!