tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5744600871367545462024-03-14T04:53:32.824-07:00i can spell EKITZELMy name is Rachel Ekitzel.
This is my blog.
I write about my life here.
Sometimes I share photographs.
Enjoy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-15737794906508185712012-12-05T09:08:00.000-08:002012-12-05T09:08:45.262-08:00Blinchiki so MyasomSo now that I am enjoying a proper COLD climate, I have started to get reminiscent of Russia. So this week I made Blinchiki so Myasom(Pancakes with meat). Russian pancakes are thin like crepes. But they use them is so many ways, they make them sweet and full of jam, sour cream, sweetened condensed milk etc. They also have the melted cheese and ham version, but the really fantastic way to have Russian pancakes is used like a burrito wrapper around some seasoned ground meat.<br />
I typically use straight ground beef, but the best way is a mixture of ground pork and veal.<br />
Note to my companions from Russia, this is the blini recipe I used to make your breakfasts all the time.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Meat Filling</span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9n7d4oX9W6KS0CshSrjpeE97Ve3Z8mG0T_sXWJSENO4JjxiHOAnntCiXLOU738pMLpHJHEkQ8g2EqG4anHw8TEFtcXC5DBxj_KCwMXlzynxsiaOBZ7RdJqhi35hAjSeATxCH5aqacYsP/s1600/DSC06669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9n7d4oX9W6KS0CshSrjpeE97Ve3Z8mG0T_sXWJSENO4JjxiHOAnntCiXLOU738pMLpHJHEkQ8g2EqG4anHw8TEFtcXC5DBxj_KCwMXlzynxsiaOBZ7RdJqhi35hAjSeATxCH5aqacYsP/s200/DSC06669.JPG" width="200" /></a>500-600g ground meat (70% lean is best, you don't want completely lean - the fat is where the flavor is!)<br />
1 medium-large onion, shredded, juices and all<br />
3-4 garlic cloves minced<br />
a good handful chopped parsley<br />
a good handful chopped dill (you can use dried for either of these, but compensate with more, for flavor)<br />
salt & pepper<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c8fN8VHopyfZ6jLQjA-sVbspxyuQYuFOu0w722ik-Dr7Xndiatkzt5a3Mj1zgnWS2f02vufpUfwhuN3CH4pbeCFb6rL0EHhFPygFZDTyUu8OMbW90otZoL1Dr79km-qn7JN1gOaRPihF/s1600/DSC06671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c8fN8VHopyfZ6jLQjA-sVbspxyuQYuFOu0w722ik-Dr7Xndiatkzt5a3Mj1zgnWS2f02vufpUfwhuN3CH4pbeCFb6rL0EHhFPygFZDTyUu8OMbW90otZoL1Dr79km-qn7JN1gOaRPihF/s200/DSC06671.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
combine all these ingredients and mix well.<br />
cook on medium heat until browned through and simmered a little bit<br />
remove from heat and set aside<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Blini</span></b><br />
3 eggs<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPj6uYM15nbYGXkXWHFkV1TYt9oAbKI7N3DH-26PQdMjTvUSRWJPsEaSeU4mRnu4aPDFV4QBqQly0eg5YgwZ8ISO0mssglptGB5xiI1qxH0Wk6KX4Wc1S0TPZjRO0TZHQnZxlGIttUHFt/s1600/DSC06681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPj6uYM15nbYGXkXWHFkV1TYt9oAbKI7N3DH-26PQdMjTvUSRWJPsEaSeU4mRnu4aPDFV4QBqQly0eg5YgwZ8ISO0mssglptGB5xiI1qxH0Wk6KX4Wc1S0TPZjRO0TZHQnZxlGIttUHFt/s200/DSC06681.JPG" width="200" /></a>3 cups milk<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1 tablespoon sugar<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
3 tablespoons oil<br />
<br />
mix all ingredients together until they form a creamy consistency and the batter pours out of the measuring cup in a smooth creamy stream.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDWqPCI3d2s-mkh5z0NWodpJtzoYJdtQRWeMcnLaTfflx6KabdXJy1O_JC17npCtTyz9NBC1jQ7aaNfZY-nIrzVccVPSkImzCq8vyIHRyocW_7VTeysW-aS2fK_y1u4WgwXLqugC9yVM-/s1600/DSC06679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDWqPCI3d2s-mkh5z0NWodpJtzoYJdtQRWeMcnLaTfflx6KabdXJy1O_JC17npCtTyz9NBC1jQ7aaNfZY-nIrzVccVPSkImzCq8vyIHRyocW_7VTeysW-aS2fK_y1u4WgwXLqugC9yVM-/s200/DSC06679.JPG" width="200" /></a>Heat a flat-bottom skillet to medium-low and pour 1/3-1/2 cup of batter in and turn the skillet in your hand to coat, depends on the size of the skillet for the amount of batter. cook through and flip - remove quickly - repeat until the batter is gone<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Building your bundles of joy!</span> Make an Eggwash with one egg and some water.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm8ZIgGrOgPvVtE03ePZWnEPh7F97FnjYbauO7RWHiefkQP_R4T5BcnJKzhd4PFTECFwP98k0cH1D1tEri0otwLtwxhFnwMH20SOO6YyAheBXM8gy2ccgpquxgm3c3uAe-GqP8pl7ECN7/s1600/DSC06688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm8ZIgGrOgPvVtE03ePZWnEPh7F97FnjYbauO7RWHiefkQP_R4T5BcnJKzhd4PFTECFwP98k0cH1D1tEri0otwLtwxhFnwMH20SOO6YyAheBXM8gy2ccgpquxgm3c3uAe-GqP8pl7ECN7/s320/DSC06688.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I set up my filling station like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP3VNiL2vZYcSG5WYWyeWvCzQjYj0NfikUshM9dtjik5X36ZAO_aCtOAimradLG60XG6tI9EfGAtRaMAmDZehQfm4aQwMx0SZotEq6qNllxCIRY7wqtsFhfHG6bqY9NwLQJ1B-dZKfUsT/s1600/DSC06689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP3VNiL2vZYcSG5WYWyeWvCzQjYj0NfikUshM9dtjik5X36ZAO_aCtOAimradLG60XG6tI9EfGAtRaMAmDZehQfm4aQwMx0SZotEq6qNllxCIRY7wqtsFhfHG6bqY9NwLQJ1B-dZKfUsT/s320/DSC06689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two heaping spoonfuls of meat onto a blin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKpvI6hq6H2OBEkQgPpesYovotjH7gK1OFTsSEsvtSy_ImwM582XVY0p0KZnwCZcXNA0fCOwJEHO67Qi-9YX7-1rGv1wcEwBHnflfHN_IjxaNq_skvozsObxaOhfkd4UlNGO4rJS98H6l/s1600/DSC06690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKpvI6hq6H2OBEkQgPpesYovotjH7gK1OFTsSEsvtSy_ImwM582XVY0p0KZnwCZcXNA0fCOwJEHO67Qi-9YX7-1rGv1wcEwBHnflfHN_IjxaNq_skvozsObxaOhfkd4UlNGO4rJS98H6l/s320/DSC06690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fold the edges in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIIFMsSjtQP1Z_HM6MWF8aTrl2JwKizJc8rS99LrEo6PQYqaOtfI41DsqT8FULaudhcb_nU3uMOeqEEcp6QE2EAeP4d6B7CqW9VsKJxp-WjQ2wISPd5245p24_etfGh8-FGyJp8DBDMjW/s1600/DSC06691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIIFMsSjtQP1Z_HM6MWF8aTrl2JwKizJc8rS99LrEo6PQYqaOtfI41DsqT8FULaudhcb_nU3uMOeqEEcp6QE2EAeP4d6B7CqW9VsKJxp-WjQ2wISPd5245p24_etfGh8-FGyJp8DBDMjW/s320/DSC06691.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">the bottom up</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbXXAsEHvKQPgwN0UEMOIxnwZ2bXStQQA65Iy_qDDcMB1cFGam76DeEOQj7vQzy5SsvKTHZ_AIyjEUdOYNimDxy5Uh_nl-t-46M4jHDMyQ47uXYXRykY5WBcSdc1y0H2CD1W8YNfci_pF/s1600/DSC06692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbXXAsEHvKQPgwN0UEMOIxnwZ2bXStQQA65Iy_qDDcMB1cFGam76DeEOQj7vQzy5SsvKTHZ_AIyjEUdOYNimDxy5Uh_nl-t-46M4jHDMyQ47uXYXRykY5WBcSdc1y0H2CD1W8YNfci_pF/s320/DSC06692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dip your fingers in the egg wash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bO6edUTkWnp48QuVtxwsuoMzlztiWBVsmMErzGjz92tAe07A1_DIeLGGk17IChNKUhIkAmzuPKWR4_T6dqREfQKc8duCj-Ywlx8Z8N5a1Sc7trRR0jvn9ouOETK0MIJCKYoM321YixCC/s1600/DSC06693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bO6edUTkWnp48QuVtxwsuoMzlztiWBVsmMErzGjz92tAe07A1_DIeLGGk17IChNKUhIkAmzuPKWR4_T6dqREfQKc8duCj-Ywlx8Z8N5a1Sc7trRR0jvn9ouOETK0MIJCKYoM321YixCC/s320/DSC06693.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smear on the bottom flap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz6xZMbII0c5K8Zuz_HJgJs6aqNgUT3YPWNyZwPgwD8FEe8eFakADMadb2vfgY6ZzmGF8VgEKdGb7EuT1cX-2OCADW98-mJXY6cchmNEh7ZNRWY-55czRRGFzH9kVecZhhN1e3fNB7RhS/s1600/DSC06694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz6xZMbII0c5K8Zuz_HJgJs6aqNgUT3YPWNyZwPgwD8FEe8eFakADMadb2vfgY6ZzmGF8VgEKdGb7EuT1cX-2OCADW98-mJXY6cchmNEh7ZNRWY-55czRRGFzH9kVecZhhN1e3fNB7RhS/s320/DSC06694.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">and close up shop</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8bcpI90Q-xAntbbPNTtPHg4yEyalo_V_YeH-tsS2D7QXY69v_qgE_p80tUvDiymzNDEqzBEK0k7DFXC7hgdPuA0bgf8mrnvph96GCahAFCZWkFYEKMGXw_Xc10gYclrwY4gbm1X8gJvQ/s1600/DSC06695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8bcpI90Q-xAntbbPNTtPHg4yEyalo_V_YeH-tsS2D7QXY69v_qgE_p80tUvDiymzNDEqzBEK0k7DFXC7hgdPuA0bgf8mrnvph96GCahAFCZWkFYEKMGXw_Xc10gYclrwY4gbm1X8gJvQ/s320/DSC06695.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">repeat until you use all your meat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
heat the pan again with some olive or vegetable oil - lightly fry the fat sides to close the cover firmly and heat the meat through again<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D26SqkJuaZTbu_tOLyrHfFextJv1QikVUD_spO5TeT1vKXo9MM4ybRyZ7_TUXTyCmFh8Wu5gQ22Hk8OfmzkKi9WKUnV2vhV6dLUCMJ7LsbBpzlbpZ93wW9KLLmjACypuy-NYIImQexY8/s1600/DSC06696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D26SqkJuaZTbu_tOLyrHfFextJv1QikVUD_spO5TeT1vKXo9MM4ybRyZ7_TUXTyCmFh8Wu5gQ22Hk8OfmzkKi9WKUnV2vhV6dLUCMJ7LsbBpzlbpZ93wW9KLLmjACypuy-NYIImQexY8/s200/DSC06696.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZFE0jiIPUzgn6ewkGwj99u4DpHBi6yqsto1XD8k55Q4eE9fg_XqTTIfBm-G6T-oJrJLSnxmMU2LxoHQgR5aee_FoCVPFUuKQDjVlc0YlR54vieeYvX2heZy9uyLdWbms_4gjPs0MubJR/s1600/DSC06697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZFE0jiIPUzgn6ewkGwj99u4DpHBi6yqsto1XD8k55Q4eE9fg_XqTTIfBm-G6T-oJrJLSnxmMU2LxoHQgR5aee_FoCVPFUuKQDjVlc0YlR54vieeYvX2heZy9uyLdWbms_4gjPs0MubJR/s320/DSC06697.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
serve with sour cream on the side<br />
it really isn't complete without awesome sour creamAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-72568463384955915402012-11-28T06:48:00.000-08:002012-11-28T06:52:06.603-08:00GogumabapI know it's been um....many months. But I traveled Europe this summer (more about the amazing food I ate there later). I also moved to Beijing, volunteered at the Tour of Beijing and started a new job. So I've been busy. But I have also been collecting more inspiration!<br />
While traveling Europe I came across fantastic food and even more fantastic people. <br />
I'd like to re-inaugurate my blog with a dish that I have been wanting to cook for awhile, and with Winter starting to set in here in Beijing it's just the ticket for filling your stomach with exactly what your body needs!<br />
Gogumabap is Korean Sweet Potato Rice. Goguma is a sweet potato and bap is rice. I love sweet potatoes and they are a great source of vitamin A and can be found in most countries and climates in one for or another, as can rice. They keep well and taste fantastic, so look forward to possibly seeing more sweet potatoes as the winter months progress. <br />
I made this a few nights ago with the intent of eating it for lunch at work the next day. So I didn't put the whole deal together right away - but let me tell you, when I fully assembled everything at work, it was absolutely delicious.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vtx8JlM50TUA5PTNslmu788CN2G-sr1xvLU6j7P2LpLcuLw2pMu9iejYBNqjXGh5Qzcbtig5eBXr6OMSEUgbSpB9hpztjyAHo1n1sspf9j90VrxsIGYvFvsoB4m4PDL6QJD6HhthxYn9/s1600/DSC06663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vtx8JlM50TUA5PTNslmu788CN2G-sr1xvLU6j7P2LpLcuLw2pMu9iejYBNqjXGh5Qzcbtig5eBXr6OMSEUgbSpB9hpztjyAHo1n1sspf9j90VrxsIGYvFvsoB4m4PDL6QJD6HhthxYn9/s320/DSC06663.JPG" width="320" /></a>Serving for two<br />
<br />
1 cup of short grain brown rice(short grain is important)<br />
450g or 1lb washed peeled and cubed sweet potatoes<br />
fresh water cress with shortened stems(you can grow this easily in your kitchen window, even in winter)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcDLlJcRQIKqEQ8wrFhrjAXeNofZOSXLs88SpvdaQ51bzPP1C8ZUtO5guQ4a5BNYj_HRqZcrjDWkxyYGjPMirXFJXTqsCm79QS0mluq2OA99jvWoehKf19nyY_AuGXSUfDVO_QulH5Lt_/s1600/DSC06665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcDLlJcRQIKqEQ8wrFhrjAXeNofZOSXLs88SpvdaQ51bzPP1C8ZUtO5guQ4a5BNYj_HRqZcrjDWkxyYGjPMirXFJXTqsCm79QS0mluq2OA99jvWoehKf19nyY_AuGXSUfDVO_QulH5Lt_/s200/DSC06665.JPG" width="200" /></a>1/4 cup soy sauce (if you are picky, I recommend going to your local Asian market and getting a good Dark Soy Sauce - it really tastes so much better than Kikkoman)<br />
2 Tblspn Apple Cider Vinegar<br />
1/2 cup of finely chopped asian chives, green onions can be substituted<br />
1 Tblspn toasted sesame seeds<br />
1 tsp Honey<br />
1 clove of finely minced garlic<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dNBDLHdwiZdUJVBA5xn0Kki_56LrtjyUKIgeBCUvsYrI7WQAWnzytTTU_ZjiCuztytjHieQQFUrIfJBxMEphGfMzLnLQ1waVt5fWYwJN0fybzn7mONyhTmyntX2mi82BkWcXPqGAuRvx/s1600/DSC06664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dNBDLHdwiZdUJVBA5xn0Kki_56LrtjyUKIgeBCUvsYrI7WQAWnzytTTU_ZjiCuztytjHieQQFUrIfJBxMEphGfMzLnLQ1waVt5fWYwJN0fybzn7mONyhTmyntX2mi82BkWcXPqGAuRvx/s320/DSC06664.JPG" width="320" /></a>1 tsp of Korean chili pepper flakes, if you don't want to go to the Asian grocer, take regular whole chili flakes and chop them finely<br />
<br />
wash the rice 3 times or so, until the water rinses clean. set the rice with one cup of water in a thick bottomed pot - or a stone one if you have that lying around. let the rice soak for 30 minutes while you prepared the potatoes.<br />
place the potato cubes in the pot with the rice, put on high heat until it comes to a boil - and let it cook for about 15min, then turn the rice and potatoes over and cook for an additional 15-20min until the rice and potatoes are cooked fully<br />
remove from heat - let cool slightly<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnCRZASsbWbIOe5gPWv-Ntgh0qxY9AAVM0yyZnRdWj1o_EACdUwkK49UC_obomN1tLeloLZLVDtz92wqwH1uS3n1c6BgfH-NCIce5EYnca-dp21kKLajox5xSISd7QMFVSoz3jqstZBWu/s1600/DSC06667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnCRZASsbWbIOe5gPWv-Ntgh0qxY9AAVM0yyZnRdWj1o_EACdUwkK49UC_obomN1tLeloLZLVDtz92wqwH1uS3n1c6BgfH-NCIce5EYnca-dp21kKLajox5xSISd7QMFVSoz3jqstZBWu/s200/DSC06667.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
While the rice is cooking, make the sauce.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC_PiVad9QCgGwskAXQeLTNCPyUv6MKbr9C9aeTYA9fLddovg9ghGLbJq-V8DW9wnCYRQpqFBR_i9U3WLtxuij4dzLO1PwZWcZdD8KOmejRrHRCAq0XGdHb5NdFUqiTpsQvnDpYbDdnrg/s1600/20121127_132220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC_PiVad9QCgGwskAXQeLTNCPyUv6MKbr9C9aeTYA9fLddovg9ghGLbJq-V8DW9wnCYRQpqFBR_i9U3WLtxuij4dzLO1PwZWcZdD8KOmejRrHRCAq0XGdHb5NdFUqiTpsQvnDpYbDdnrg/s1600/20121127_132220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC_PiVad9QCgGwskAXQeLTNCPyUv6MKbr9C9aeTYA9fLddovg9ghGLbJq-V8DW9wnCYRQpqFBR_i9U3WLtxuij4dzLO1PwZWcZdD8KOmejRrHRCAq0XGdHb5NdFUqiTpsQvnDpYbDdnrg/s200/20121127_132220.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5m37jgmW9iJv5m2GOFf3cMj_V1D5yI3m5lsbrwlu3jqRyrhpG4RnvyXMcPD3sac20XtVvIQmoz2kjAcbb4SjBUjNzU4bxdgUoCWg4GjHHjHfUhDZUjoA_O5v98QVbJRibURQwiej6dwe/s1600/20121127_132634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5m37jgmW9iJv5m2GOFf3cMj_V1D5yI3m5lsbrwlu3jqRyrhpG4RnvyXMcPD3sac20XtVvIQmoz2kjAcbb4SjBUjNzU4bxdgUoCWg4GjHHjHfUhDZUjoA_O5v98QVbJRibURQwiej6dwe/s320/20121127_132634.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
serve into bowls & place water cress on top with 1/2 the sauce in each serving. Mix - enjoy! Don't forget to have some kimchi on the side!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-18700716541522512102012-04-19T08:04:00.000-07:002012-04-19T08:04:33.598-07:00two springtime side dishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3a4r0Yg49zuiVTSB3AOqihrsAoBiYNTaocTIomI9LmUvWSWgbtv6wKcc2Dwp6TuhHBlOY8Cul_S7naqxu8pJRJmd3gNjOce2OmM4ihXf8YecPzDDM668knMHMqPaWhbTm4wVD3a3SX-M/s1600/IMG241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3a4r0Yg49zuiVTSB3AOqihrsAoBiYNTaocTIomI9LmUvWSWgbtv6wKcc2Dwp6TuhHBlOY8Cul_S7naqxu8pJRJmd3gNjOce2OmM4ihXf8YecPzDDM668knMHMqPaWhbTm4wVD3a3SX-M/s320/IMG241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
so a few weeks ago I was again craving potatoes, and my good friend Patty was going to Chile for a month and demanded that I come over and cook her something.<br />
The funny thing was, that when I was biking over to her house, I saw her out walking...going shopping. She told me to just let myself in and start cooking.<br />
She lives in a Villa compound, she has a separate private home, this villa compound is like being in little Western World. <br />
Anyways, I made her these two dishes, it was the week before Easter and these would be perfect Easter sides. I also made a bread pudding...but I was less impressed with that, so I'm not going to post about it.<br />
please don't judge me for not making my own puff pastry, yes I know how to make it, and I'll talk about that another time I guess.<br />
<br />
<b>Potato Tart</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd5dh8dF11GHk3bdsW0dWMtEPoHPAvcSDV-d6od-rkU2WWSGMM0v930MfqHcznAYKeBqU7hgN7odmUjxaWzI13OAt444GTJBDEhOW7hUEjE6ygXx7dV839BI7pc0CJBGRuA3EU980PWOk/s1600/IMG238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd5dh8dF11GHk3bdsW0dWMtEPoHPAvcSDV-d6od-rkU2WWSGMM0v930MfqHcznAYKeBqU7hgN7odmUjxaWzI13OAt444GTJBDEhOW7hUEjE6ygXx7dV839BI7pc0CJBGRuA3EU980PWOk/s200/IMG238.jpg" width="200" /></a>7-8 good sized white round potatoes, halved and thinly sliced<br />
one package of puff pastry<br />
parmesan cheese<br />
1/2 red onion sliced<br />
salt & pepper<br />
fresh chopped parsley<br />
<br />
boil the potatoes until they can be pierce with a fork, remove from water and dry on paper towels or kitchen towels<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaPtxDIvPP0IWjYNS2jLda3UnsudiwKzxDZSap4Ptc1mxcDNsTzrK6oxsX4_cpm-9lcRLvqku26QxHT8r9SJ4b8_c3pMGj_wcEqK5tkncSpqTvxPQk6Urk03CgQ82J9YFfpx2SJoBjpUK/s1600/IMG239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaPtxDIvPP0IWjYNS2jLda3UnsudiwKzxDZSap4Ptc1mxcDNsTzrK6oxsX4_cpm-9lcRLvqku26QxHT8r9SJ4b8_c3pMGj_wcEqK5tkncSpqTvxPQk6Urk03CgQ82J9YFfpx2SJoBjpUK/s200/IMG239.jpg" width="200" /></a>roll out the thawed puff pastry and cover with a layer of shredded parmesan cheese, leave a 6cm(2in) border<br />
layer the cooled potatoes with the red onions prettily over the parmesan<br />
top with more red onions, season with salt and pepper<br />
turn the edges over to close the sides of the tart<br />
bake at 200C for 15-20 min until the pastry is golden and browning on the edges<br />
top with more fresh cracked black pepper and the freshly chopped parsley<br />
enjoy<br />
<br />
<b>Braised Peas, Leeks and Little Gem Lettuce with Mint</b><br />
ok...so I didn't alter this recipe at all! (although I'm sure it would taste even better with a healthy splash of white wine instead of water to wilt the lettuce)<br />
just follow this link <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/vegetarian/braised-peas-with-leeks-little-gem-lettuces-and-mint-recipe" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
Mine looked like this -<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWfMe4UrTwXZfSDD6z-Ou8gTgPVXA_LEPe_uN9XEMtaK24Ei1sLVbFrakYPXODzyLATOQaLLP6ridTXGobRz0ZdkfJ-BY9HEGqNunE3gHbnYUV9gObLB49hf7oGHKlu-dT0z2ED81xRbc/s1600/IMG240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWfMe4UrTwXZfSDD6z-Ou8gTgPVXA_LEPe_uN9XEMtaK24Ei1sLVbFrakYPXODzyLATOQaLLP6ridTXGobRz0ZdkfJ-BY9HEGqNunE3gHbnYUV9gObLB49hf7oGHKlu-dT0z2ED81xRbc/s400/IMG240.jpg" width="400" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-45510338120865691722012-04-19T06:13:00.000-07:002012-04-19T06:13:31.334-07:00tortilla española con pico de gallo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXET1M5VQGCZ6LD7vbhRuFLSwnSOhBywCqOKECifuXmoSa2EbS3XeSXOVWvjAVQVNLK1tT-ZU49CA3G3Nuq1tA2Mqwm-l78I9E-WUTj27pXVorSZ9v6xgV4ebZwGGVkDXTE3UmUjPX5eQ/s1600/DSC02362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXET1M5VQGCZ6LD7vbhRuFLSwnSOhBywCqOKECifuXmoSa2EbS3XeSXOVWvjAVQVNLK1tT-ZU49CA3G3Nuq1tA2Mqwm-l78I9E-WUTj27pXVorSZ9v6xgV4ebZwGGVkDXTE3UmUjPX5eQ/s400/DSC02362.JPG" width="400" /></a>oOtherwise known as tortillas de patatas, this is a delicious down to earth meal that can be eaten at nearly any temperature and for any meal.<br />
Basically it is a potato omelet.<br />
lately I have been on a potato kick....and when I say lately...i think I mean all the time.<br />
when I get mochi, I get purple potato flavor...when I go to the cafe with friends, I get the white sweet potato latte...if I can, I put potatoes in everything lately.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMaMe6uVx139faHCPbSRx4mOUHH5HZvUNCG41j7s6HD-APn5JedXt-d_A0xb10ZwRPoSJRKo7q9gYD51a8bNX2n-h1SaDwvRIn-xXhi-rfg0bZwmVDXfWMJf_vKQFtzBYTuaCaukoaZSj/s1600/DSC02355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMaMe6uVx139faHCPbSRx4mOUHH5HZvUNCG41j7s6HD-APn5JedXt-d_A0xb10ZwRPoSJRKo7q9gYD51a8bNX2n-h1SaDwvRIn-xXhi-rfg0bZwmVDXfWMJf_vKQFtzBYTuaCaukoaZSj/s200/DSC02355.JPG" width="200" /></a>alright...so for the tortilla:<br />
3-4 large sliced potatoes<br />
1 medium onion sliced, or 1/2 a large onion<br />
2 cloves of garlic crushed<br />
4-5 eggs depending on their size, large-ish<br />
olive oil<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFz56UDMF2tynCAFwM_XcqD0h9POLwYbFXwIqSr-IhsT7V_jRrfHkxEYopLKYIvwVZcLolhnVtrzYo1-M27ksmbLX95PMRSFW_CWyGOmBAE5_jfHIrxOC-xKfKb9FJJjI0iXIeeVQQ-Zr/s1600/DSC02356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFz56UDMF2tynCAFwM_XcqD0h9POLwYbFXwIqSr-IhsT7V_jRrfHkxEYopLKYIvwVZcLolhnVtrzYo1-M27ksmbLX95PMRSFW_CWyGOmBAE5_jfHIrxOC-xKfKb9FJJjI0iXIeeVQQ-Zr/s200/DSC02356.JPG" width="200" /></a>salt pepper<br />
<br />
fry the potatoes with the onions in the olive oil until the potatoes are tender and start to color and the onions are starting to caramelize, add the garlic, cook another 1-2 minutes.<br />
in a separate bowl beat the eggs until they are well blended<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKltiltiD7t7K8IbqT8RUWzwAqCBxfv7O6IZNxvq5tL3M6GERKLDfB68G6SKWW2UpqndaFVg9auLhhmQzbzUIpcPeqIprxBoGkqLRL4-Ff5iV-rEKNv5nzVJiRrL_8f08iG9bGAZZPwYG/s1600/DSC02358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKltiltiD7t7K8IbqT8RUWzwAqCBxfv7O6IZNxvq5tL3M6GERKLDfB68G6SKWW2UpqndaFVg9auLhhmQzbzUIpcPeqIprxBoGkqLRL4-Ff5iV-rEKNv5nzVJiRrL_8f08iG9bGAZZPwYG/s320/DSC02358.JPG" width="320" /></a>remove the potatoes and onions from the heat, allow to cool briefly, then add the potatoes to the eggs, mix loosely, return the frying pan to the heat and add the egg/potato mixture, make sure the potatoes and onions are spread evenly around the pan.<br />
allow the eggs to solidify a bit, lift the sides of the omelet and allow more liquid egg to run underneath<br />
repeat this process until the egg it relatively solid on top<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixg9agZldq3A3O_P7_mt3_O1_2-RX-KMsM4i5R-ebm26pYnEyqVKUV9BmdLPsB_NnDUSlrYRekxeTjOSX3vpc1tBwSU0o-l0pKhK4cSS-DeV6gLAs3cSPSFfkcYub3n5_sQyAUmH_BKQ1/s1600/DSC02360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixg9agZldq3A3O_P7_mt3_O1_2-RX-KMsM4i5R-ebm26pYnEyqVKUV9BmdLPsB_NnDUSlrYRekxeTjOSX3vpc1tBwSU0o-l0pKhK4cSS-DeV6gLAs3cSPSFfkcYub3n5_sQyAUmH_BKQ1/s200/DSC02360.jpg" width="111" /></a>with a large plate cover the frying pan and flip the omelet onto the plate, then slide the uncooked side back into the frying pan cook for a few more minutes until the other side is crisp<br />
remove from heat and cut with a pizza cutter<br />
<br />
pico de gallo<br />
sweet tomatoes chopped<br />
red onion chopped<br />
yellow pepper chopped<br />
cilantro roughly chopped<br />
lime juice<br />
salt<br />
roasted corn kernels (optional)<br />
jalapeño or anaheim chile chopped (optional)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkkkGVIdwoEx25FkFxSDfYh0HfReeyZqQI_hHesEfkpurUHStVgAY-SuWkaQmKQAJk7XE7-HnSEM5vnHmjrAFzGIvhHNGfDzqBnQH4I0IKFmG0cMnqDdJ-LEfkBvrZrYows3n5LZMa-MO/s1600/DSC02361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkkkGVIdwoEx25FkFxSDfYh0HfReeyZqQI_hHesEfkpurUHStVgAY-SuWkaQmKQAJk7XE7-HnSEM5vnHmjrAFzGIvhHNGfDzqBnQH4I0IKFmG0cMnqDdJ-LEfkBvrZrYows3n5LZMa-MO/s320/DSC02361.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
mix all ingredients to taste and serve on top of slices of the tortilla, can be served with soy sour cream or standard sour cream if you are not dairy free<br />
<br />
this can be a gluten and dairy free mealAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-32134972899496564162012-03-05T05:52:00.002-08:002012-03-05T05:55:36.886-08:00green smoothies<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cqlJFva02O2tHwnx-3-r9CVmGZsdYH3-xO1LnmXLs_bZECfLYJLeAh9sUYnwK3DZxkVen8Qih71QsIF0mpuS30ZS9rrj0n3aieKG3EcEzUQTbMGmxa6Ud5cOmvfaAVSIGt3ilex1w4W7/s1600/DSC02346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cqlJFva02O2tHwnx-3-r9CVmGZsdYH3-xO1LnmXLs_bZECfLYJLeAh9sUYnwK3DZxkVen8Qih71QsIF0mpuS30ZS9rrj0n3aieKG3EcEzUQTbMGmxa6Ud5cOmvfaAVSIGt3ilex1w4W7/s200/DSC02346.jpg" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all this becomes....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_purKlgT7IvElSZBSDjB2CU9jCVhFIMiyAeV6stsiq-ekMcdjK8lM_kVVYJZC17kvHi3gXxUoq7cp1wvTDptxjSgaykRqlgHF5PTmI0bPWuZAyj044wmFESBaoPonGUwck4gWb8Kudozk/s1600/DSC02348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_purKlgT7IvElSZBSDjB2CU9jCVhFIMiyAeV6stsiq-ekMcdjK8lM_kVVYJZC17kvHi3gXxUoq7cp1wvTDptxjSgaykRqlgHF5PTmI0bPWuZAyj044wmFESBaoPonGUwck4gWb8Kudozk/s200/DSC02348.jpg" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this tiny bit of liquid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
so I am back on my biking regime, and I have started ending my morning rides with a nalgene bottle filled with green smoothie as a rush off to class.<br />
Ok, so after reading about them, and thinking...yes, I need more vegetables and I'm starving after my morning ride, I went for it.<br />
I read some books I bought on Kindle and off I went.<br />
Here is what I have come up with...a very BASIC guide to building your own green smoothie.<br />
1. Fill up your blender with spinach and 1/2 cup of soy milk, or regular milk or water. *I use non-fat vanilla soy. Also note, the better the blender you have the more milk you need, if you have a blendtec or something similar add a bit more milk.<br />
2. blend until you have a lovely bright green liquid at the bottom<br />
3. add two or three more veggies<br />
4. blend<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3n_qRfvERAUT7WIxbAl_58Rf343FBbBJHh6i83T32Ku5vIVzzzCNMow-Ruv-ux0AiPN582ekbkMZjMsFKGZMW9tDjPqPU9ju2gb1xjliErZWgmuoTP_6a12f7gQYhdk_9W6WuBbFq764/s1600/DSC02349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3n_qRfvERAUT7WIxbAl_58Rf343FBbBJHh6i83T32Ku5vIVzzzCNMow-Ruv-ux0AiPN582ekbkMZjMsFKGZMW9tDjPqPU9ju2gb1xjliErZWgmuoTP_6a12f7gQYhdk_9W6WuBbFq764/s200/DSC02349.jpg" width="111" /></a>5. add three fruits (make sure one is a "base" fruit i.e. Apple, Mango, Durian, or Banana, these blend well and aren't too water heavy and are strong enough in flavor to take the bitterness out of the greens)<br />
6. blend<br />
7. drink<br />
<br />
Seriously. That's all I do.<br />
Try different combinations.<br />
So far my favorite has been<br />
Spinach, Cucumber, 1/4 Red Onion, Apple, Mango, Strawberry.<br />
I would recommend also using other greens like Kale, Mustard, and Arugula. <br />
If you are counting calories these do pack a punch...however, they are all great calories. I am not hungry and full of energy after these. I seriously don't need to eat lunch until later because of these awesome smoothies.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_rm-ZlHoRgAPA8TAplx6bPTQyxZ1Db3n4qQxaucd6nHaPLQaSWPlEkbusJtkh9EwQ3ucRci-C8O3gFOX38ZECCwTumV3AUYTpCHjhreCnPkgkv_HMGatRnoj3f2ko66dBvQ99RSd4quX/s1600/DSC02352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_rm-ZlHoRgAPA8TAplx6bPTQyxZ1Db3n4qQxaucd6nHaPLQaSWPlEkbusJtkh9EwQ3ucRci-C8O3gFOX38ZECCwTumV3AUYTpCHjhreCnPkgkv_HMGatRnoj3f2ko66dBvQ99RSd4quX/s320/DSC02352.jpg" width="179" /></a>If you are doing intense cardiovascular work before consuming these(like me) I actually have started to add soaked instant oatmeal and steamed and cooled edamame to my smoothies because I need the protein and carbs after 40km on my bike. If you have hemp or soy protein powder I recommend add that too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AEVtnuGJd-qOd9E_ixd0C4u9QmgCjvlXx0XjX-GIwTeDP1QegSHQq1JuRT5i9MHze2HcpVhJymA2oct1xfZdfEu0FAP-6xAWYEJy9faDAqRxVscZkWZ-m9MsYpwpNJEVCjVOt96-p29Z/s1600/DSC02347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AEVtnuGJd-qOd9E_ixd0C4u9QmgCjvlXx0XjX-GIwTeDP1QegSHQq1JuRT5i9MHze2HcpVhJymA2oct1xfZdfEu0FAP-6xAWYEJy9faDAqRxVscZkWZ-m9MsYpwpNJEVCjVOt96-p29Z/s320/DSC02347.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhFzcxMXrhFCnvAwU5C3s1l4maliO_-uGqvVWziDoz4Fx3IORizRY1dyuO_Axo4WBrh93NHHh8FdGVVe_Uzc3aGtkjso1EgKdWMP57ovlGyINK3xxJo2WlXl5zKs3aIgG4M7x5Rgrm2wd/s1600/DSC02350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhFzcxMXrhFCnvAwU5C3s1l4maliO_-uGqvVWziDoz4Fx3IORizRY1dyuO_Axo4WBrh93NHHh8FdGVVe_Uzc3aGtkjso1EgKdWMP57ovlGyINK3xxJo2WlXl5zKs3aIgG4M7x5Rgrm2wd/s200/DSC02350.jpg" width="111" /></a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-25193356920813391402012-02-21T04:14:00.001-08:002012-02-21T04:14:11.835-08:00ugly food<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O-NomQKy0llwDkJDz2eNLW5gTopxD9CHWk8U3oBTB_4juQq1WEMxMjzbryBroVAM4lEKdAeLQ1_mo-7rLkclWk2MQ8JWNvLu997yd_iNs78yxSN988ojS1Oa0nblHnn2qxwN_lyP_3-I/s1600/DSC02316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O-NomQKy0llwDkJDz2eNLW5gTopxD9CHWk8U3oBTB_4juQq1WEMxMjzbryBroVAM4lEKdAeLQ1_mo-7rLkclWk2MQ8JWNvLu997yd_iNs78yxSN988ojS1Oa0nblHnn2qxwN_lyP_3-I/s320/DSC02316.JPG" width="320" /></a>I have embarked on an odyssey of making ugly delicious food for a little while(stay tuned for green smoothies!) Sunday I had made crockpot split-pea soup. I was a bit disappointed in it, so I didn't post about it. I saved the leftovers for another day. Today was the day, it was cold and rainy(finally!) so I busted out the leftovers and thought...well, I definitely need to make it better this time around.<br />
Sunday I didn't have any carrots when I threw the soup into the slow cooker, so I committed a cardinal sin of aromatic omission. I correct this by added some cubed sautéed carrots, heavy cream and a healthy fingerful of extra sharp cheddar cheese at the end. The result was astounding.<br />
Serve with toast rye bread(Jewish style, not Russian)<br />
this can be made dairy free by substituting non-dairy sour cream and non-dairy cheese and omitting the butter. Forego the bread for a gluten free meal!<br />
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<b><u>Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup</u></b><br />
1lb. dried split peas<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-R-U_BRcZJOa03NUK-9pqPOs1AO6dPaIcgTGI5_z874UxNRvBuuvKwpbxZcFRPyd_AL4i-Q29txUhiOFWIw2Nl_-07FIO0xooF0KemZPRLyCSBujneeW18H9RMQnJ6gXEAb-70ltzU8s/s1600/DSC02317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-R-U_BRcZJOa03NUK-9pqPOs1AO6dPaIcgTGI5_z874UxNRvBuuvKwpbxZcFRPyd_AL4i-Q29txUhiOFWIw2Nl_-07FIO0xooF0KemZPRLyCSBujneeW18H9RMQnJ6gXEAb-70ltzU8s/s200/DSC02317.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ugly lookin thing...</td></tr>
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6cups chicken stock<br />
6 slices of bacon cut small and fried crispy, set aside<br />
one red onion diced<br />
two stalks of celery chopped<br />
three garlic cloves minced<br />
one large carrot or two normal, diced<br />
half of a fuji apple chopped<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGVxqlxUWOaKDoOcOev_5XgV16zevaJvyrupAirh8G4G4PEN9XX5znV71fSfulZ0wubmWLzwXpPo8EBOnP10e5LYYI14HL9Ou_gCSmlwdgOmZLlQ4qfMvMqf5mcsxClcIpp68VudGBKfr/s1600/DSC02318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGVxqlxUWOaKDoOcOev_5XgV16zevaJvyrupAirh8G4G4PEN9XX5znV71fSfulZ0wubmWLzwXpPo8EBOnP10e5LYYI14HL9Ou_gCSmlwdgOmZLlQ4qfMvMqf5mcsxClcIpp68VudGBKfr/s200/DSC02318.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aussie Cheddar I use all the time</td></tr>
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in the bacon grease, saute the onion, celery and carrots until soft, then add the garlic for about 2min<br />
add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.<br />
When it's ready to eat, stir in some salt, pepper and two tablespoons or so of heavy cream or sour cream and a tablespoon of butter.<br />
serve with shredded cheddar cheese and rye bread<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-36400343063092632252012-02-09T11:03:00.000-08:002012-04-26T18:05:43.591-07:00this week in foodso this Sunday I made an AMAZING Cheddar Ale soup with Irish Soda Bread....but I totally forgot to take pictures....I know sorry. But I included the recipe at the end...because I did remember to take photos of some other foods I ate and made this week!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDjAc8rElYfPP0bMewxh0tWf744juZVNw1xe9whshdWq4VzGgdQdgCRSWXQfstEamP_B033SkyREq3dj2s12vVU7eAl4AtEeeGp8QUUHix7rieH3pqhzUf8Jv0lGdnFkYWim7Qy-20-fb/s1600/DSC02289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDjAc8rElYfPP0bMewxh0tWf744juZVNw1xe9whshdWq4VzGgdQdgCRSWXQfstEamP_B033SkyREq3dj2s12vVU7eAl4AtEeeGp8QUUHix7rieH3pqhzUf8Jv0lGdnFkYWim7Qy-20-fb/s640/DSC02289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seriously...how can you resist locally grown perfectly ripe strawberries in February!!! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg85PgJTwGM9K0zl0x5VCOdH51gNlSsoAeeEtyvvNgAK66bP2S0Onm1pky0P3UxemaZUyMDywZdwErA8JRsGWweOIv95-G_Y_JTd77TtFwrPNOAonAbenl9xNAjh56HNfQftdhRcfAfnJ/s1600/DSC02292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg85PgJTwGM9K0zl0x5VCOdH51gNlSsoAeeEtyvvNgAK66bP2S0Onm1pky0P3UxemaZUyMDywZdwErA8JRsGWweOIv95-G_Y_JTd77TtFwrPNOAonAbenl9xNAjh56HNfQftdhRcfAfnJ/s320/DSC02292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I went to the wet market on Wednesday and visited a fruit stand that I often go to, and the proprietor offered me a strawberry. It was heaven. The best strawberry I have had since I did U-Pick when I was thirteen years old. I bought not a few, and took them home to serve to my friends Domé and Susie(and Susie's boy Jared) that came over that evening to visit me. I whipped up some slightly sweetened cream and added some Belgian caramelized biscuits to the fray. MMMmm!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpawv5WDuaNjKBWDoLND9swwP-cf-S-_SqkCPnEewXUj1WU8GZ9l_O_L8dGzkJOX8l_TvORRmUVfEj-xbOoOWSmGi18iGvka91IdD5AGOJaAshO5GtuuXJp7qHNk_-IjE5JsE1lEMh8Ia/s1600/DSC02293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpawv5WDuaNjKBWDoLND9swwP-cf-S-_SqkCPnEewXUj1WU8GZ9l_O_L8dGzkJOX8l_TvORRmUVfEj-xbOoOWSmGi18iGvka91IdD5AGOJaAshO5GtuuXJp7qHNk_-IjE5JsE1lEMh8Ia/s200/DSC02293.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomelos are like fortresses</td></tr>
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At the market I also bought two Pomelos. Pomelos seem to be in season because they are crazy cheap and sweet right now. I took my beauties home and began to hack away at the rind and pith of one. I think I understand what it is like to try and lay siege to a U-Boat now. Getting to the fruit in these tanks is no easy task, and then you are confronted by the worlds biggest pips! The pith and skin in Pomelos cannot be eaten or tolerated like in an orange, it is far more bitter, so you have to extract the citrus from within the membrane area, it's a lot of work - but such a lovely reward.<br />
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So Today I invited some friends over to play Wii and relax. I decided that, like all my guests I wanted to treat them. So I scanned the internet for inspiration. I have to admit...I'm not an amazing baker. But I did want to see what the big fuss back home was all about. So I dipped my toe into the swimming pool of Cupcake-dom.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cherry Coke Cupcakes</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTqwWsIA7mOtdIiGmKjRWyCd3WVg6e8v51Ml7n2kzzAb7YPhSw6e_uqbvfh2jr1LIjEyDaRFioDwq77wShsRxMlhGTazkVn0eTXoMK88rE_di-LbDPFz_hPaRR0YjfiHn-UUSdkAC3HNy/s1600/DSC02294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTqwWsIA7mOtdIiGmKjRWyCd3WVg6e8v51Ml7n2kzzAb7YPhSw6e_uqbvfh2jr1LIjEyDaRFioDwq77wShsRxMlhGTazkVn0eTXoMK88rE_di-LbDPFz_hPaRR0YjfiHn-UUSdkAC3HNy/s320/DSC02294.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Players</td></tr>
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So I used the core of my recipe from <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2012/01/25/cherry-coke-float-cupcakes/" target="_blank">here</a>, but inspiration and ideas from a few different recipes. One recipe recommended using Kool Kola extract, I wish I could get my hands on some easily, but I couldn't. So I used vanilla extract instead. <br />
1 1/2 cups flour<br />
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
3/4 granulated sugar<br />
1/2 cup or 113g unsalted butter<br />
1 egg<br />
1/2 buttermilk<br />
3/4 cup coke(not diet)<br />
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract(if you can substitute Kool Kola extract, you can find it online)<br />
3 cups of coke<br />
one can of cherry pie filling<br />
1 cup of heavy whipping cream<br />
4 tablespoons of powdered sugar<br />
3/4 cup of powdered sugar<br />
maraschino cherries for garnish<br />
Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt together, set aside.<br />
combine the buttermilk, coke and vanilla - set aside - don't worry if it looks curdled<br />
cream butter and sugar, add the egg<br />
alternately add the flour mixture and coke mixture - in four turns.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7bM6OBLW6feTzogu1OVI3u4Ifmya-up0klZ3tBkyfyshvwNLCrqylrClMgfVYeWxwwqF_ArfTh0CGWH2Mw1h01A9Fq_x9TMN5ZEg-M45hlLn617sf-opvOHYA-xWVRnujH4Ec4Zf0eR0/s1600/DSC02296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7bM6OBLW6feTzogu1OVI3u4Ifmya-up0klZ3tBkyfyshvwNLCrqylrClMgfVYeWxwwqF_ArfTh0CGWH2Mw1h01A9Fq_x9TMN5ZEg-M45hlLn617sf-opvOHYA-xWVRnujH4Ec4Zf0eR0/s320/DSC02296.JPG" width="320" /></a>scoop into cupcake liners - bake 18-20min at 350F or 175C.<br />
take out and cool<br />
While the cupcakes are baking take 3 cups of coke and slowly reduce it to 1 cup of coke.<br />
after the cupcakes are cool, use a paring knife to cut cone shaped holes in the tops of the cup cakes<br />
then prick the tops with a toothpick around their edges<br />
gently spoon some of the boiled down coke into the holes tilting and pouring a little at a time(note, don't soak the cupcakes, just moisten and give them more of a coke flavor, then with a tiny spoon fit 1-3 cherries in the wells that you cut with the paring knife, however many will fit<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyb1WK_qia1Xxexy2C7-HIXIx6Lyha62Of498gnzaXKGoUarNStReBguHdRvJJ6Zf9vOsmPJZxhQljg4TIKVYyCLBLJMW1XT5rBZx9F3GAK34bfbujRph2rTOv98Rvy9BfnsPOw24F9ty/s1600/DSC02298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyb1WK_qia1Xxexy2C7-HIXIx6Lyha62Of498gnzaXKGoUarNStReBguHdRvJJ6Zf9vOsmPJZxhQljg4TIKVYyCLBLJMW1XT5rBZx9F3GAK34bfbujRph2rTOv98Rvy9BfnsPOw24F9ty/s200/DSC02298.JPG" width="200" /></a>make a glaze by taking 2 Tablespoons of the remaining reduced coke mixture and add it to 3/4 cup of powdered sugar, let it sit to thicken a few minutes - then drizzle on top of the cupcakes.<br />
add the 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar to the whipping cream and whip with an electric mixer until stiff<br />
count out how many maraschino cherries are needed and rinse them well with clean water(otherwise they will drizzle red all over your whipped cream)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD69UbzzkWlE0dRC5_2ICUo6S501UUZxm_FEIWQvYVKOMWbsnBkb1p9DKV_GuPH2M2eYc2ghaf8yQ0JxFh8QIYAWMNtOLpaob9kurMh0mhZMnNqtPKzUtSfF365KiH5xJAMsaqdtMcp9-/s1600/DSC02300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD69UbzzkWlE0dRC5_2ICUo6S501UUZxm_FEIWQvYVKOMWbsnBkb1p9DKV_GuPH2M2eYc2ghaf8yQ0JxFh8QIYAWMNtOLpaob9kurMh0mhZMnNqtPKzUtSfF365KiH5xJAMsaqdtMcp9-/s320/DSC02300.JPG" width="320" /></a>with a piping bag or a plastic bag with a hole cut in the corner pipe the whipped cream onto the cupcakes, top with a lovely maraschino cherry and enjoy.<br />
They were moist, and kinda crazy delicious. I would have liked a stronger coke flavor, but I didn't have that lovely Kola extract. These are pretty, but a lot of work. I think I will stick to dinners, and sloppy desserts.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheddar Ale Soup</span></b><br />
I modified <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/cheddar-ale-soup.html" target="_blank">this</a> recipe, with ideas and inspiration I gathered from the internet, Food Network and my own tastes. I found that the bitey richness of the soup was complimented extremely well with the light sweetness of the soda bread. This is a great winter meal, and let me say, that if by some miracle you have leftovers, both taste even better the next day!<br />
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6 slices of thick cut bacon cut small and cooked till crispy<br />
2 tablespoons unsalted butter<br />
3 large leeks, halved sliced thin<br />
1 large fat carrot, or two normal ones, diced<br />
2 healthy sized celery stalks, diced<br />
3 cloves of garlic smashed and roughly chopped<br />
2 large par-boiled potatoes<br />
1/3 cup all purpose flour<br />
2 cups of pale ale<br />
1 cup milk<br />
1 cup heavy cream<br />
2 cups chicken stock<br />
375g shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese - I used Beqa Strong&Bitey(a lovely Australian brand)<br />
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste<br />
<br />
retain a few tablespoons of the bacon to cook the veggies, melt the butter with the bacon fat and toss in the leeks, carrot, and celery; cook until tender<br />
add the garlic, cook for another minute or so<br />
add the flour, make a creamy roux<br />
add one cup of the ale, reduce out the alcohol<br />
when the roux begins to thicken add the other cup of ale<br />
reduce just enough to see the base thicken a tiny bit<br />
add the chicken stock<br />
heat through until it begins to simmer<br />
add the milk and cream, heat through until simmering<br />
add the potatoes<br />
one handful at a time add the cheddar, otherwise it will clump<br />
once all the cheese is incorporated I added the remaining 1/2 cup of ale at the bottom of the bottle<br />
season with salt and pepper<br />
serve with the bacon sprinkled on top, and <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/amazingly-easy-irish-soda-bread/detail.aspx" target="_blank">Irish Soda Bread</a> on the side<br />
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I am sorry but in my late Sunday hunger I completely forgot to photograph this meal. Next time I guess.<br />
But it was seriously a beautiful meal, very photogenic.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-19378726738231818472012-02-09T09:51:00.000-08:002012-02-09T09:55:43.364-08:00year of the dragon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK7r23j1gUSIQLctqXmmYeycsB6dWJipuGdwC7QQxkB8MC6C8uehFGRgh4MqNqntaiFEdPsNKb6fmMs6pM1nXh2pbfN3xaKACQHuz5niknaQyY4sU8-JKoOm3j3TMUal8pdqRqR8szJ05/s1600/DSC02158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK7r23j1gUSIQLctqXmmYeycsB6dWJipuGdwC7QQxkB8MC6C8uehFGRgh4MqNqntaiFEdPsNKb6fmMs6pM1nXh2pbfN3xaKACQHuz5niknaQyY4sU8-JKoOm3j3TMUal8pdqRqR8szJ05/s400/DSC02158.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">singing K and dancing to Super Junior's "Sorry, Sorry"</td></tr>
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so for those of you that don't know....I live in Shenzhen, the 4th largest city in China, it is in Guangdong Province and my apartment overlooks Shenzhen Bay and across the water is Hong Kong SAR. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHNbKFYeRS6FPG3XmG3jy3nnIWAgR7IWujopvVsaUVePn2yLQk7sGBJLsBjNv7SY5rU7qo0ek4B4jnApTX9Tt-OXhsIzLSy6KFGZ52_xbwUx9l6TY3VL5_HLLdN7Q891iyKjGgBe-i9En/s1600/DSC02164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHNbKFYeRS6FPG3XmG3jy3nnIWAgR7IWujopvVsaUVePn2yLQk7sGBJLsBjNv7SY5rU7qo0ek4B4jnApTX9Tt-OXhsIzLSy6KFGZ52_xbwUx9l6TY3VL5_HLLdN7Q891iyKjGgBe-i9En/s320/DSC02164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more Sorry, Sorry dancing</td></tr>
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On the second day of Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year I found myself in Hong Kong visiting friends, singing karaoke, meeting new friends and eating Filipino food. PS I did sing some AWESOME k-pop songs. Then I watched fireworks....now I have actually been on the Mall in DC for Fourth of July and these Fireworks in Hong Kong definitely gave them a run for their money...they were not as beautifully coordinated, but they sheer number and length of the show was impressive. That being said, I will be completely satisfied if I don't see or hear another firework excluding a few short hours on the Fourth of July for the rest of my life. My apartments rest on what used to be water, that's right I'm living seven stories up from landfill. With waterfronts on either side, it makes for fireworks on both sides for about three weeks, before during and after Chinese New Year. And these aren't the piddling little things your older cousin would drive to the Indian Reservation or Wyoming to buy. These things are serious business, I am pretty sure that there is a huge factory for weapons grade fireworks in my province and everyone knows someone that works there - and they all come to my water front area with ample concrete embankments to launch it all over the water on. Needless to say we haven't been sleeping well lately.<br />
The Chinese Zodiac follows a twelve year rotation, you probably learned what year you were when you were in your early teens by going to a Chinese restaurant and reading the education paper placemat that told you which years were which. If you were like me, you were teased mercilessly by your younger brothers for being the year of the Rat, or Mouse in Chinese(even though Rats and Mice are from completely different genus, in standard Chinese speech they are the same...so I prefer Mouse, because mice aren't ever known for cannibalism...unlike Rats) something about Mice: it is the most prominent and first position in the Chinese zodiac, mice are clever, inquisitive, witty, imaginative, talkative, charming, and motivated by challenge. Mice can be aggressive and honest to a fault(my family definitely knows about this). Mice are known for good health(definitely not true for me). Mice get along well with Ox, Dragon, Monkey, and Snake, can also be alright with Tiger, Dog, Boar or another Mouse - don't get along or avoid Horse, Rooster and Sheep. I am a Wood Mouse, so I am not as confident on the surface as I appear and I have a perpetual fear of failing, and I enjoy being surrounded by friends and family, and luckily the feeling is mutual(this seems especially true, although I know I can annoy family.) According to the calendar, Water Dragon is supposed to be a good year for weak Wood Rats - but for my personal weak Wood(yang) Rat status, I won't actually see luck completely in my favor until my mid 40s or so. <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pBwpY5Pivvo" width="560"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMGkmPZLh8b08v-yZRtCAuWZ75mhOvX0w-Wfq_1lm73F_Tg3yOW-0qUhLK-Emxbu0Cn_al5P2VBDrru_vCyYDPDQbV4dmOihy4aP6fD1az5HncqqqPEeuho7TEyrG3rxDkwzlK4j2KfCR/s1600/DSC02237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMGkmPZLh8b08v-yZRtCAuWZ75mhOvX0w-Wfq_1lm73F_Tg3yOW-0qUhLK-Emxbu0Cn_al5P2VBDrru_vCyYDPDQbV4dmOihy4aP6fD1az5HncqqqPEeuho7TEyrG3rxDkwzlK4j2KfCR/s320/DSC02237.jpg" width="179" /></a>Enough about me though, this year is the year of the Water Dragon, a very auspicious year to be born. Dragon is the mightiest sign and characterized by ambition and dominance. Hence many, many Chinese people are trying to have children this year, a baby boom means the price of natal and post-natal care is on average double or triple the price for a normal year. In Chinese culture, women don't leave home or do much for a month after the birth(limited showering, exercising, stress in general), so the use of "post-natal" nurses for in-home care is very common and this year, in high demand, so the price goes up. My friend Doménica has Chinese roommates that are a married couple and they are pregnant for the Dragon year. Anyways, this year is a big deal in the zodiac calendar.<br />
It's kind of a big deal for me too, finish my Chinese program, travel with my sister, get a job in China hopefully that doesn't involve teaching English. Here's to the year of the Water Dragon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-78723722786406533822012-01-30T06:26:00.000-08:002012-01-30T06:28:00.485-08:00christmas dinnerthis year I wanted to make something interesting and different for Christmas dinner.<br />
I decided on pheasant. I have never roasted pheasant before and it was an interesting experiment. They took a bit longer than most internet recipes said it would to cook through. But they were delicious and flavorful. <br />
We were having Christmas dinner at my sister's rented house near their university so space was a little limited, and lacking a dishwasher - so we ate off Christmas paper plates and enjoyed ourselves a very lovely holiday dinner and then opened presents.<br />
I got a Doctor Who pen, Top Gear t-shirt, and Hollister sweats that I bought for myself.<br />
Mostly though I received donations for my trip to Europe this summer.<br />
<br />
I listed everything I made - except green beans....because all I did was steam those and put butter, salt and pepper on them.<br />
and because I didn't take photos, I honestly can't recall what I made for dessert.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Roasted Pheasant</span></u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp13OoGz9BeUidmt6HevnbN-c1orOBa01ZyDl7czxY04-W6Ux9ZvJ577Os93zMX43K_Mz730mkRvq101zZY-ELoaClZKIdFQi2dMxRIrkFLDghDLOEkf-KNLevF9T_F_cg8EA3EDYqdLD/s1600/DSC01855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp13OoGz9BeUidmt6HevnbN-c1orOBa01ZyDl7czxY04-W6Ux9ZvJ577Os93zMX43K_Mz730mkRvq101zZY-ELoaClZKIdFQi2dMxRIrkFLDghDLOEkf-KNLevF9T_F_cg8EA3EDYqdLD/s320/DSC01855.JPG" width="320" /></a>pheasant is a very lean game bird with low fat(although one of my birds seemed to have quite a few yucky fat deposits) so when roasting in hopes that they won't dry out they are often covered in bacon, and since bacon makes everything better - that is exactly what I did.<br />
3 pheasants, gizzards etc removed<br />
1 orange<br />
fresh thyme<br />
chopped onion<br />
rough chopped carrot<br />
bacon to cover(I bought a whole pound but didn't use it all)<br />
<br />
slice and juice the orange, then cute again and divide the rind equally between the birds, stuff them into the cavities with sprigs of thyme, onion and carrot. lay the bacon all over the bird, cutting it to fit everywhere.<br />
roast breast side up at 500F 20min, remove the bacon strips and cook for another 40-50min until the juices run clear. Be careful not to overcook because they are much leaner and drier than other birds.<br />
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Roasted Ham with Grapefruit Brown Sugar Glaze</span></b></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvNZlzNKukZ8wX4hirYYX7eIlm9K5dev0dnrcDe6NpuBs8K-I7djSNZHpdblrQApKVz3brpU7IebmxiTRiObz8jnssl1mQu94OWEaqeDdU5nZU4Y3zlc6VvVWf18wcbfqh6bN10oSoRHx/s1600/DSC01858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvNZlzNKukZ8wX4hirYYX7eIlm9K5dev0dnrcDe6NpuBs8K-I7djSNZHpdblrQApKVz3brpU7IebmxiTRiObz8jnssl1mQu94OWEaqeDdU5nZU4Y3zlc6VvVWf18wcbfqh6bN10oSoRHx/s320/DSC01858.JPG" width="320" /></a>since we were already having pheasant I found the smallest ham that I could. My Dad was a little wary of just having pheasant(doesn't like change or experimentation too much) so to humor him and my Mom I did a Christmas ham(ham is more common in the US for Christmas than Turkey, as we had Turkey only a few weeks prior at Thanksgiving and have been eating leftover turkey sandwiches ever since).<br />
My ham, like most bought at a typical grocer around Christmas was already fully cooked, so I just needed to heat it and glaze it - I decided to heat it very slowly(mostly at 200F)with whole grapefruit slices to really infuse the flavor. If you have a pot roast pan, this is the best way - or a slow cooker large enough. I had neither so I covered ham with a tall stock pot in a pyrex baking dish placed on a half sheet.<br />
1 cup firmly pack brown sugar<br />
2 tablespoons flour<br />
1/2 tsp dried mustard<br />
1/8 tsp cinnamon<br />
5 Tablespoons Grapefruit Juice<br />
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar<br />
3 Tablespoons water<br />
mix altogether, drizzle on the ham with maybe an hour left, cover again<br />
drizzle and baste the ham again with 15min left and uncover, turn up the heat to 350 and the last 5min turn on the broiler to make the glaze nice and crisp<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Roasted Brussel Sprouts</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG2IP9kYwUOz3pQc-T06bCHN-81X9Fx4fyunuPQYWvsM1rbLVUgmyXyVEI3ANhzcq5lF_sejJxQfaqYPzayUwfc3yOzIOW1SbdnDb14Cuikib3cberly7sg6KJGD4Jd7rCQ46_yP451Fh/s1600/DSC01862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG2IP9kYwUOz3pQc-T06bCHN-81X9Fx4fyunuPQYWvsM1rbLVUgmyXyVEI3ANhzcq5lF_sejJxQfaqYPzayUwfc3yOzIOW1SbdnDb14Cuikib3cberly7sg6KJGD4Jd7rCQ46_yP451Fh/s320/DSC01862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
my Dad loves brussel sprouts, and if you haven't had a fried or roasted sprout - these are not your mother's boiled mushy mess.<br />
1-2lbs fresh brussel sprouts<br />
fresh rosemary chopped<br />
olive oil<br />
salt and white pepper<br />
wash, trim and halve the sprouts.<br />
toss on a half sheet pan with olive oil and seasonings<br />
roast at 375 stirring occasionally for 20min or so - until they start to get crispy and caramelized.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Rosemary and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes</b></u><br />
potato mash is a must for any great American holiday - Christmas is no exception. Since I was home in the States I was able to use a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, the ultimate device for fluffy lovely mashed potatoes.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon_TGIzUKzlWwYI-AGTrUVnGwNkJvZEc4H-G5HK3MFhMW70q0Mql6PkRWsnVgwZYHTgk0ZuDIVWvuOBAEJEzC0IgknLd7xM4rHEoa8-w15HdcgjKty8DbrvEYNe8xk12fyz4eO3oHEfVb/s1600/DSC01863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon_TGIzUKzlWwYI-AGTrUVnGwNkJvZEc4H-G5HK3MFhMW70q0Mql6PkRWsnVgwZYHTgk0ZuDIVWvuOBAEJEzC0IgknLd7xM4rHEoa8-w15HdcgjKty8DbrvEYNe8xk12fyz4eO3oHEfVb/s320/DSC01863.JPG" width="320" /></a>2 whole heads of garlic, roasted in the oven - low heat and slow(with the ham)<br />
5lbs of Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped and boiled in salted water until tender and flaky<br />
finely chopped fresh rosemary, quite a bit - maybe 2 Tablespoons worth<br />
lite Sour Cream<br />
butter<br />
salt<br />
<br />
drain and dump the potatoes in the drum of the stand mixer with the paddle attachment.<br />
add the softened roasted garlic to be mashed in<br />
add a good 2 tablespoons of butter and about a cup of sour cream<br />
once the potatoes are a nice creamy consistency, toss the rosemary in and salt to taste. server immediately.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-3928583745317470922012-01-30T05:28:00.000-08:002012-01-30T05:43:22.536-08:00the week before Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gQ9rQl3Emeon5gtvRJkvHdsBX9Z5wMxHpYfMWQK8bOioK6k765uPeIsk3Uk9yl_zDXxnAkC9LInkbAXXOLogh1XYsvPGQWyzxQGRoRFFIjsHtC0AWVmpv4oU1NSYPfpSQwkaXzs5uyKZ/s1600/DSC01507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gQ9rQl3Emeon5gtvRJkvHdsBX9Z5wMxHpYfMWQK8bOioK6k765uPeIsk3Uk9yl_zDXxnAkC9LInkbAXXOLogh1XYsvPGQWyzxQGRoRFFIjsHtC0AWVmpv4oU1NSYPfpSQwkaXzs5uyKZ/s320/DSC01507.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk9AP-Ctr-oPHSD-CnZIGt2REnqiEwR5iYZaJ2sMYV3XzQkhrve-om71Soh23AYb_t7uojXn2LqBPLURU2-7Jz6EP_xJxqX5K0PrI9TZaIy5hJheFof6daevjHis0321OY1jE045hFl5x/s1600/DSC01711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk9AP-Ctr-oPHSD-CnZIGt2REnqiEwR5iYZaJ2sMYV3XzQkhrve-om71Soh23AYb_t7uojXn2LqBPLURU2-7Jz6EP_xJxqX5K0PrI9TZaIy5hJheFof6daevjHis0321OY1jE045hFl5x/s200/DSC01711.JPG" width="200" /></a>The week leading up to Christmas, I spent time with people I love. My family, my friends. That week I spent the better part of two days with the Young family of Evan, Holly, Kyle and Aiden. I made them some dinner and we went to the Utah Museum of Natural History. As many of my friends know, I LOVE dinosaurs! I also love museums, so spending time at this museum with my good friends was a super special experience. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyErI5zN1ZX0yTLTJ03fwg4qbn4iZ9aqQQE2bykK6KIPs3SVvcHUxcbypA7i_AW0uGg9HFJUtilepu1_KJYjlnDxLGqUoBiW2mCpCZO031VcJ1DzvlExwG8qFXOhJwrnTyJ3McoH8leE-N/s1600/DSC01616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyErI5zN1ZX0yTLTJ03fwg4qbn4iZ9aqQQE2bykK6KIPs3SVvcHUxcbypA7i_AW0uGg9HFJUtilepu1_KJYjlnDxLGqUoBiW2mCpCZO031VcJ1DzvlExwG8qFXOhJwrnTyJ3McoH8leE-N/s200/DSC01616.jpg" width="132" /></a>As we slowly made our way through the museum and the little Young boys explored and were distracted, I thought of how blessed I am. I have friends that whenever I see them, it's like no time has passed, although it really has, it reminds me of my parents and how they are with their really close friends Alain and Donna Balmanno, more on them later :)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsYmOh6_Bg2vcc4QhIJREQIDWpJj43gMKrO9fSa4KaNiVLuj9-thtZNYyYU_wMLt3edZ3BwY9RN-bcJ_dAL4jsgS9KDrnGAFuhtNaj_EfOmkqwaAzYmrdUn3C-NohLdKEUbArROW6hJ7Y/s1600/DSC01472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsYmOh6_Bg2vcc4QhIJREQIDWpJj43gMKrO9fSa4KaNiVLuj9-thtZNYyYU_wMLt3edZ3BwY9RN-bcJ_dAL4jsgS9KDrnGAFuhtNaj_EfOmkqwaAzYmrdUn3C-NohLdKEUbArROW6hJ7Y/s320/DSC01472.jpg" width="212" /></a>The museum proved a wonderful distraction and escape from the cold winter outside and we had a great time discovering the exhibits and dismantling and reassembling the interactive displays especially for curious and inquiring minds. Kyle asked various questions that we would struggle to answer appropriately, we asked each other questions about the origins and age of the universe.<br />
Anyways, I'm a sucker for museums and this was a great one. I purchased the required magnets and mug at the end - and found a STEAL of a book - a signed first edition of Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman for half price at the gift shop. I bought it for my Dad for Christmas.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEE2OEy_WTJcWMOPL6q43QZMQielHHn6toL72UuoLQD9yOawqZrr-FhsZT6FmwH692cpqOIIwMa0IVqN1HBfuhZk23c9ZmSlcxZyRTfYg1_CJvBeOag4aNeoGIZNIxTIp-m4x3buUidSJ/s1600/DSC01815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEE2OEy_WTJcWMOPL6q43QZMQielHHn6toL72UuoLQD9yOawqZrr-FhsZT6FmwH692cpqOIIwMa0IVqN1HBfuhZk23c9ZmSlcxZyRTfYg1_CJvBeOag4aNeoGIZNIxTIp-m4x3buUidSJ/s320/DSC01815.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
I made dinner later that night for Holly and Evan and their boys. <br />
Kyle and Aiden(Holly and Evan's boys) have diet restrictions; Kyle, no dairy and Aiden, no dairy or gluten. This limited me significantly in terms of what to make, but no fear. I figured something simple out. <br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Wild Rice pilaf with Caramelized Onions and Red Wine Sausage</span></u></b><br />
1 pound or 500g Lundberg Mixed American Rice Pilaf (soak in water for a few hours ahead of time to speed up cooking)<br />
Olive Oil<br />
one large white onion<br />
high quality sausage fresh sausage(not fully cooked already) 1lb or 500g (I used <a href="http://www.colosimosausage.com/Shopping/Sausages/ItalianSausages/TuscanRedWine/tabid/2354/language/en-US/Default.aspx" target="_blank">this one</a>)<br />
dry red wine - enough for poaching the sausage and deglazing the pan - 2 cups or so<br />
<br />
set the rice to cook in the rice cooker or on the stove(2 parts water to 1 part rice), salt the water.<br />
poach the sausages in water with a healthy splash of red wine and a pinch of salt.<br />
don't boil, just simmer until cooked through and the casings are solid, remove and let cool, after they are cool slice the sausage and set aside<br />
halve the onion and slice, saute in a skillet with olive oil<br />
cook on medium temperature until the onions start to caramelize , then add the sausage to brown and crisp a bit on the edges - add a splash of red wine to deglaze the pan and add some flavor to the onions<br />
when the rice is done, it can be tossed in the frying pan and stir fried a bit to gather some of the flavor from the sausage and onions or it can served with the sausage and onions on the side<br />
it is also good served with soy sour cream<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-33546030455530056622011-12-19T12:02:00.000-08:002011-12-19T12:08:42.855-08:00winter lunchThis Saturday I made lunch for my good friend Jessi Judd and her fiance. I first met Jessi when we were missionaries for our church in Russia. We lived together and while relations between us weren't alway smooth, she has become one of my closest friends. She is getting married in a few weeks, and I wanted to make her something delicious for lunch while her and her fiance filled prepared their wedding announcements to be mailed. <br />
I decided to make them a seasonal meal. Winter in most of the United States, Canada and Temperate Europe means squash, root vegetables, cheeses, fish, grains, pastas, salted/preserved meats and hardy apples. Especially with carbon footprints to think about, and our own health, I made lunch from as many local ingredients and seasonally available items as possible. These are hearty dishes that stick to your insides and provide warmth and comfort on chilly winter days.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Baked Shells and Cheese</span></b><br />
1 pound/450g whole wheat shells(I used organic Delallo Shells no. 91)<br />
300g Smoked Gouda shredded<br />
300g Emmentaler shredded, divided<br />
500ml milk<br />
bacon, chopped (three slices short of 1 lb/450g)<br />
3-4 tablespoons butter<br />
3 tablespoons flour<br />
3 large leeks, whites only chopped<br />
half a medium yellow onion chopped<br />
1 hardy winter apple chopped small(braeburn, etc)<br />
homemade croutons, or crostini for the topping<br />
preheat oven 350F/175C<br />
set the shells to boil in salted water, once cooked al dente remove from heat, drain, run cold water to prevent further cooking and set aside<br />
fry the bacon in a wide saucepan, once crispy remove to paper towels<br />
in the bacon grease, fry the onion until soft, add the leeks until all are starting to caramelize, remove.<br />
in the same saucepan on low heat melt the butter and add the flour, cook until it starts to froth and bubble.<br />
add the milk, cook slowly until the sauce starts to thicken<br />
add the bacon, onion and leeks to the white sauce<br />
cook a little longer to thicken and marinate the flavors<br />
add the 300g gouda and 250g emmentaler<br />
melt the cheese into the sauce<br />
salt, pepper to taste (fresh ground nutmeg if desired)<br />
toss the sauce, shells and apples together and put in a 9x13 baking dish<br />
top with croutons or crostini crumbled, and the remaining 50g emmentaler cheese<br />
bake for 15-20 minutes till apples are tender and the cheese is melted throughout and on top<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Roasted Butternut Squash with Beets</b></span><br />
one medium butternut squash<br />
3-5 small/medium beets<br />
1/2 yellow onion<br />
3 large sprigs fresh rosemary(an evergreen herb, you can have this fresh all year round and it is great for seasoning everything from veggies to poultry and fish)<br />
kosher salt<br />
butter or olive oil<br />
pre-heat oven to 400F/200C<br />
peel and chop the beets(at this point you can also par-boil the beets if you prefer a really tender beet, I didn't do this because I love the contrast between the super soft squash and firmer beet)<br />
peel and chop the butternut squash<br />
remove rosemary leaves from the stems and chop finely<br />
chop in rather large chunks the yellow onion<br />
melt enough butter to lightly coat the chopped veggies and toss with salt to taste and the rosemary<br />
roast on a baking tray in the oven for 35-40min until the beets are sufficiently tender, stirring occasionally<br />
turn on the broiler the last 5-7min to get nice coloring and caramelization.<br />
serve with a grapefruit ginger glaze if desired.<br />
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<b>Grapefruit Ginger Glaze</b><br />
juice of one grapefruit(okay, so this is imported....I cheated)<br />
few rosemary leaves<br />
3 tablespoons butter<br />
2 tablespoons brown sugar<br />
3-4 quarter sized pieces of fresh peeled ginger<br />
simmer the ingredients on low heat until thickened slightly<br />
pour over the roasted veggies and toss wellAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-91197381056938044112011-12-08T09:48:00.001-08:002011-12-13T11:05:32.648-08:00it's that time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6-1zxRquFSmmEiv4Bwp1zF1BhUe0jjuCtTaZHzUmflnEtYVOE-i3g4SbYnqwd0K9Wo5-AXyJDNB4ZxCJZR0EeM3GKKrAHqyctWBj9t5qaBxrhVjOrsUlhuMIGB7VdMMqZg_SXEBtJYP0/s1600/DSC01204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6-1zxRquFSmmEiv4Bwp1zF1BhUe0jjuCtTaZHzUmflnEtYVOE-i3g4SbYnqwd0K9Wo5-AXyJDNB4ZxCJZR0EeM3GKKrAHqyctWBj9t5qaBxrhVjOrsUlhuMIGB7VdMMqZg_SXEBtJYP0/s320/DSC01204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2sBlj_mP_CrLfcXP9xfWP6RIJ4S1LOEaS8UWzswsww7JdpVNHyDiJLaJed1hg8dbuNqcXwzxQ86dRG0JlPb0mMKdYPbzsRM0UZl9aF_ulcmkfY4czTol_ESsqyXPEYBNaCFvi0dxAopO/s1600/DSC01205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2sBlj_mP_CrLfcXP9xfWP6RIJ4S1LOEaS8UWzswsww7JdpVNHyDiJLaJed1hg8dbuNqcXwzxQ86dRG0JlPb0mMKdYPbzsRM0UZl9aF_ulcmkfY4czTol_ESsqyXPEYBNaCFvi0dxAopO/s200/DSC01205.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqQlVqf117QfZuAgY6v9w0TOr7LIMoEyIV02MHInJe3xyhroed9lrC51yfooHNGnKVt-mmfYeMCY4L02Oo28kfMde3P054hS9Yim9yxqzuQ-SLahNvGLiXP2xyOYV4U4Lbbz2Mw-Il-FW/s1600/DSC01207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqQlVqf117QfZuAgY6v9w0TOr7LIMoEyIV02MHInJe3xyhroed9lrC51yfooHNGnKVt-mmfYeMCY4L02Oo28kfMde3P054hS9Yim9yxqzuQ-SLahNvGLiXP2xyOYV4U4Lbbz2Mw-Il-FW/s320/DSC01207.JPG" width="212" /></a>So this week I finally was able to get more things in order for Christmas, which is hilarious because I'm leaving next week to go back to the States for a month which means I'll just get to do it all over again! WOOO! I finally finished decorating the tree, which was a bit of a drama because finding Christmas lights was way more difficult than it was last year. I also started Christmas baking. I made two types of cut out cookies; <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gingerbread-cookies-101-recipe/index.html">Gingerbread</a> and <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-best-rolled-sugar-cookies/detail.aspx?src=3835_2">Sugar</a>. I used a new Gingerbread recipe...both are not original recipes of my own but they are still really good, and the links are included there. The only change I made, was that I added a tiny bit of almond extract to the sugar cookies. Also I converted all the measurements in the Gingerbread recipe to metric because I weigh in all my baking now, it makes my results more consistent and I use fewer dishes, and I am not always searching for pesky missing measuring cups. <br />
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That being said, I am really happy with the results now. I used this <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/freezer-frosting/detail.aspx">frosting</a> for the sugar cookies, I just substituted regular shortening for butter flavored, because it is what I had. I made a traditional Royal Icing for the Gingerbread men(1 egg white+5.3oz of confectioners sugar) and I added a bit of orange extract, because orange goes so well with gingerbread. The gingerbread men were inspired by mini-gingerbread cookies I saw in Marks&Spencer's over a week ago, they were decorated in a similar fashion and were called Jazzy Trousers, so I hope these Gingery-men enjoy their fancy Christmas outfits :)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIejNavDyZKXxUzbmHMDBo3jx4lEMVTQjk6lcrmEr8WYz9gcOoy6X9J1ctLEtSEuAR9devwiDms5t5ollPGx5dVz2YCxPWI5a2nK07ixRxGcn2gSxMwAbNFahFATxgA6LOpcrt0JgXJPIO/s1600/DSC01208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIejNavDyZKXxUzbmHMDBo3jx4lEMVTQjk6lcrmEr8WYz9gcOoy6X9J1ctLEtSEuAR9devwiDms5t5ollPGx5dVz2YCxPWI5a2nK07ixRxGcn2gSxMwAbNFahFATxgA6LOpcrt0JgXJPIO/s320/DSC01208.JPG" width="212" /></a>I also finally finished decorating the Christmas Tree. There was a bit of a drama in that department. I only got to enjoy the decorated tree for a few days before taking off home to the States for Christmas. But my Dad will be Home Alone(!) for another week and I know he enjoys it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuw85jLz23-Rw5DxMgU8DcLcNZZZ2-W8CvV3Pv3tzQWJ3g8U-XP3zdXWdJVugpM2LEFSdbZyTwFy2chE1rChpfsMxEtivDo2MlE9n_6F6L4Dmu0aXKUVEyosfZre9lWQcM89frTeVO09P/s1600/DSC01210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuw85jLz23-Rw5DxMgU8DcLcNZZZ2-W8CvV3Pv3tzQWJ3g8U-XP3zdXWdJVugpM2LEFSdbZyTwFy2chE1rChpfsMxEtivDo2MlE9n_6F6L4Dmu0aXKUVEyosfZre9lWQcM89frTeVO09P/s200/DSC01210.JPG" width="200" /></a>Christmas isn't just a time for decorating and baking, it is a great time to get to know your neighbors by bringing them treats of the season, and making up for not being neighborly the previous 11 months. I recommend getting to know your neighbors, mostly because when they know you, they seem to be quieter at night :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-4744318978889809392011-12-05T06:00:00.001-08:002011-12-05T06:31:16.659-08:00hearty cheesy veggiesDinner tonight I used up more veg that my Mom had in the fridge but obviously had no plans for. Also some expensive cheese that wasn't being eaten fast enough. <br />
There was still spinach that seemed to be freezing nicely in the back of the fridge and a goodly amount of small new potatoes, so I went to work. All I had to replenish was our onion supply. It is my belief that no kitchen in winter should be without onions. Actually no kitchen, ANY season should be without onions, but especially in Winter. Onions are a hearty root vegetable that lasts well through the winter months and provides much needed nutrition during cold weather. This recipe would still taste great with double the amount of onions. They taste so, so good.<br />
So here you have it:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Spinach and Potatoes au Gratin</span></div>
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one bunch of spinach, or one 10oz package of frozen spinach</div>
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2 pounds of potatoes chopped</div>
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1/2 a LARGE onion chopped</div>
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two cloves of garlic crushed and chopped</div>
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3 tablespoons of butter</div>
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3 tablespoons of flour</div>
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2.5 cups of milk</div>
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1 cup of dry white wine</div>
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1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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2.5 cups grated emmentaler cheese</div>
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pre-heat the oven at 200C/400F</div>
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saute the onions in the butter at medium high heat, after they have wilted and are transparent add the garlic, continue to cook until the onions have started to caramelize a bit</div>
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add the flour, make a roux</div>
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add the milk</div>
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simmer the milk until thickened slightly, add the nutmeg and some salt and pepper</div>
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(while the sauce is cooking prepare the potatoes and spinach, toss them in a 9x13 pan that has been pre-buttered)<br />
once the milk is starting to thicken you can add the white wine to thin it out a bit<br />
allow to simmer and thicken a bit again</div>
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add 1/2 cup of cheese to the sauce</div>
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taste the sauce make sure it is to you liking, season to taste - cloves are also a good addition, but a tiny pinch should be enough</div>
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pour the sauce over the potatoes and spinach, toss to make sure everything is mixed and touching some sauce.</div>
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top with the remaining cheese</div>
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place aluminum foil over the pan and bake for 40min</div>
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after 40min take the foil off and turn the broiler on for 5-10 min.</div>
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The cheese will get nice and browned on the top. </div>
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Serve with a slice or two of Dark Rye bread(it's great for mopping up the extra gratin sauce)</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-88784088514898901152011-12-03T01:49:00.001-08:002011-12-03T02:27:10.173-08:00Basil FingersAs many of my close friends know, I love to cook. Well, mostly I love to feed people I love good food. So I don't know why I didn't do this earlier, but I have a goal to post one meal a week now of things that I create.
Recently Americans celebrated Thanksgiving. And, even though I live in South China, I was no exception. I actually cooked TWO Thanksgiving Dinners this year! Anyways, like many I had a bit of leftover turkey and a turkey carcass that I needed to use. So like many, after picking larger pieces off the turkey, I made a giant pot of turkey stock. I salvaged more meat from the bird, and after putting most of the stock in the freezer, I took a look in my cupboards and concocted a dish that was far removed from Thanksgiving fare. This was even better reheated the second day. After cooking it my fingers smelled like basil...I love that.<br />
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Turkey Potato Florentine</div>
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1/2 large onion, chopped</div>
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3 garlic cloves smashed and roughly chopped</div>
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3 tablespoons of butter</div>
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3 tablespoons of flour</div>
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1 cup of turkey stock</div>
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shredded turkey as available</div>
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1 large 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes(this is what I had, but I'm sure diced tomatoes, mixed with tomato sauce work just fine</div>
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10 small golden new potatoes, sliced into bite sized coins</div>
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two large handfuls of fresh basil roughly chopped</div>
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healthy splash of red wine(I used cabernet sauvignon)(maybe 1/2cup)</div>
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1/4 cup or so of sour cream(can also use milk for lower fat)</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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two large handfuls of fresh spinach well chopped</div>
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boil the potatoes in some stock and water until tender, set aside(or do this while everything else is cooking)</div>
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saute the onion in the butter, crush and add the garlic a bit later - brown a little but don't burn.</div>
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add the flour, make a roux</div>
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add the turkey stock</div>
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simmer till it has thickened</div>
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add the tomatoes and shredded turkey</div>
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simmer until this has thickened a bit</div>
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add the potatoes and red wine.</div>
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cook off the alcohol a bit.</div>
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add the basil, simmer for a little - allow the flavor to seep.</div>
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add the sour cream, stir well to combine</div>
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very last add the spinach, it will wilt as you serve it.</div>
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For those that don't do dairy - omit the sour cream and exchange olive oil for the butter.</div>
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But this is a good gluten free meal :)</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-16997733346933774142011-12-02T03:22:00.001-08:002011-12-02T06:26:23.506-08:00Taiwan at a Glance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrS-Nqil_Z6a0sEW-QaEKYOrfPck-F1LJOKMdJ5ybOSby-TwAK1DqJOVC5MahqXOwYJFH190WZlF4IBY2x9IF4f0Bqzn-S-BrO79dBocJW4JEsbmxROXGMFLdA7nI8mK-tuZIUIzAS0Hh/s1600/DSC00941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrS-Nqil_Z6a0sEW-QaEKYOrfPck-F1LJOKMdJ5ybOSby-TwAK1DqJOVC5MahqXOwYJFH190WZlF4IBY2x9IF4f0Bqzn-S-BrO79dBocJW4JEsbmxROXGMFLdA7nI8mK-tuZIUIzAS0Hh/s320/DSC00941.JPG" width="320" /></a>I went to Taiwan for a little less than four days. I went to attend a Single Adult conference for my church. I met a lot of AMAZING people, at fantastic food, and I left wanting to see more of Taiwan.
Within 24 hours of being in Taiwan I saw people being pulled over for speeding on the freeway, rest stops with western toilets and free toilet paper, and a McDonald's menu with apple slices and a bagels with Cream Cheese. It's like another world across the Formosa Strait.
I met people that knew about Minneapolis because of the Minnesota Twins baseball team!!
As I participated in the Conference I met people of fantastic faith, and I strengthened my own determination to life righteous principles.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6YlpJbJqEKLoCsWigXBxjINOy57qbnfTsSiHdaF2x4zi7FkEqQPGKjAnrREucZkyoal-VSd1JgGvO-b014psQB61YRqRN7kF9ZI-UBD-R5uzj0ruybFOhlC7fSO1as19i1PQ4Exhyzom/s1600/DSC01029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6YlpJbJqEKLoCsWigXBxjINOy57qbnfTsSiHdaF2x4zi7FkEqQPGKjAnrREucZkyoal-VSd1JgGvO-b014psQB61YRqRN7kF9ZI-UBD-R5uzj0ruybFOhlC7fSO1as19i1PQ4Exhyzom/s200/DSC01029.jpg" width="133" /></a>Along with me assigned team I engaged in a service project, cleaning at an experimental school. As I spent time in the surroundings, I realized the difficulties that many of the students their must face. How they are highly dependent on others to engage in rudimentary activities. It helped put into sharp focus that I am not really different from them, I too depend on many people(many unknown) to meet my families' needs and my own. Our world is so connected. The more independent and metropolitan we are...actually the more dependent and helpless we are in times of crisis. When cities loose electricity or become isolated due to weather or any other catastrophe it is painfully obvious how dependent and useless many of the "modern conveniences" are without electricity or access to clean water. I love that we need to engage in serving our neighbors, whoever they are to truly learn their worth and our own. Only by truly giving do we receive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-WjSqPAJDW6uvrUr5bJrW_Sbk_Ou3R2v3c5A8nJEXuXF9MCwkv70z7XsRxZMfBRvlTv1JIlKOSGegn7y4azGnuhVUclvCGWPWaJ8IWNCC1AL4xB9_kOaI2Fl39lCdyqSvwE_5YkA7UU9/s1600/DSC01004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-WjSqPAJDW6uvrUr5bJrW_Sbk_Ou3R2v3c5A8nJEXuXF9MCwkv70z7XsRxZMfBRvlTv1JIlKOSGegn7y4azGnuhVUclvCGWPWaJ8IWNCC1AL4xB9_kOaI2Fl39lCdyqSvwE_5YkA7UU9/s200/DSC01004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhq_t_uKlhMQ_Pb6I1jDEIMDNZ8sr_d59K2-taWr-peSXaDW0yb4_-CWDWmDXpKD0KPKpB0bOBdXuRV0FKZnvom7OGlUzBlsS8Bf30IvFwZeba-YfGKkrucKrG7eadZ297axr3wjp92-K/s1600/DSC00984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhq_t_uKlhMQ_Pb6I1jDEIMDNZ8sr_d59K2-taWr-peSXaDW0yb4_-CWDWmDXpKD0KPKpB0bOBdXuRV0FKZnvom7OGlUzBlsS8Bf30IvFwZeba-YfGKkrucKrG7eadZ297axr3wjp92-K/s320/DSC00984.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I was in Taiwan, I was able to spend time with people that are of the same faith. This not only gave me renewed strength and love for my God, but a stronger desire to serve those around me and be a better example. Many find the life choices I make weird, unnecessary or old fashioned. But I can say without a doubt that they make me happier and freer from mortal vices. Sharing my testimony with new friends, and learning more about the unique struggles that people of Taiwanese and Chinese heritage have while trying to live the Gospel gave me a greater understanding of the place I live and of the difficulties that face come from our own culture and those that we love. <br />
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While in Taiwan I ate some amazing things. I went to a small night market but had some great things. There is this egg seafood sort of omelet above. And to the right is a fish cake soup. I still don't know exactly what was in this soup. I asked, but I by that point in the evening I had stopped asking for clarification when I didn't understand and just nodded my head knowingly and joyfully spooned myself some soup and omelet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZl04fYDtqO3kA0rqsTMOx3ViKWI6qG62TnFhx7wfXqwtG_iuzjbo8ZKvZWcGfndDh3pxUcoqtkHYu7QTa3Xg4fc_ewqbsU_5PwyTQYWzpNib8PRxLhs0KoVqUmXGzUI8etTrWK01bw7r/s1600/DSC01077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZl04fYDtqO3kA0rqsTMOx3ViKWI6qG62TnFhx7wfXqwtG_iuzjbo8ZKvZWcGfndDh3pxUcoqtkHYu7QTa3Xg4fc_ewqbsU_5PwyTQYWzpNib8PRxLhs0KoVqUmXGzUI8etTrWK01bw7r/s320/DSC01077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFEbdz4xKt65fIAWsG0_TOFp9OiM8qfxDKU20bG9ZNFA271sztlMDZr0augfBZaI852UFfJ33I6s8PlzjS9-d4mAQo5iBJ06aXSUw3Z9nHXk165uSWapdICILfB8Vh4Z1ff7lT1PG8cOd/s1600/DSC01073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFEbdz4xKt65fIAWsG0_TOFp9OiM8qfxDKU20bG9ZNFA271sztlMDZr0augfBZaI852UFfJ33I6s8PlzjS9-d4mAQo5iBJ06aXSUw3Z9nHXk165uSWapdICILfB8Vh4Z1ff7lT1PG8cOd/s200/DSC01073.JPG" width="200" /></a>As a die hard fan of stinky tofu, I had been told a great deal about the superiority of Taiwan's Stinky Tofu. On a fateful Saturday evening at a small night market in LuGang, I learned why it is famous. Stinky Tofu(pictured above right) is deep fried in smaller pieces than in Hong Kong, and served with a cabbage salad on top with the traditional tomato/vinegar slightly spicy sauce that it is served with via impaled sticks in Hong Kong. Above left is a photo of the booth that I bought different types of Cow Tongue Cookies at...don't worry the cookies don't actually have cow tongue in them. They are just vaguely shaped like cow's tongue. (btw, if you are open-minded enough cow tongue is actually pretty good when prepared well). Well, hopefully I will make it back to Taiwan soon, especially since now...HK stinky tofu just makes me miss Taiwan even more.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-67617065714526245302011-11-17T03:32:00.001-08:002011-12-02T06:27:46.180-08:00Back to SeoulThe beginning of October I went back to Seoul, South Korea.
I stayed with my friend Min, and we had a lovely time. Min always gives me great insights into my character and kindly helps me move toward improvement(I love you Min-Jung!)
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The second time in Seoul, I felt at ease using the transport system and finding places I had been to before. I also traveled to Seoul with my good friend Letizia from Shenzhen, we met our friend and former schoolmate Suly Lee on her home turf and she made sure we had a ROCKIN time. We had a picnic in Hangang Park and watched a fireworks display, ate raw fish and wriggling Octopus legs at Noryangjin fish market, danced to the fountains and music at Banpo Bridge, and indulged in the Kimchi museum.
Seoul is a city that is extremely bike friendly. I REALLY like that about it, I was sorely tempted to buy a bike in Seoul and bring it back with me, however - that would probably be a silly decision(even though there were SUPER cool bikes there). I enjoyed the early Autumn air and the ability to wear a jacket and scarf most days. I also ate meat. I ate A LOT of MEAT. For those of you that don't know Koreans know how to cook MEAT, and I definitely took advantage of that. <br />
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The BEST thing I have eaten in Asia aside from Tim Hou Wan Dim Sum, would have to be Pumpkin Duck. My high school friends from Kansas, took me and some others to a famous place north of Seoul, they only serve one dish. <br />
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It is duck meat cooked inside a pumpkin. It is eaten with a variety of Korean side dishes and it is HEAVENLY. I would go back to Korea just for this dish. I am not joking, I am completely serious.
If I didn't absolutely dislike teaching English, I would move to Korea quick quick and live there in happiness with my friend Min :)
However, I do absolutely dislike teaching English and I currently am quite happy to live in China, even though at times it is difficult and frustrating, I absolutely love my life.
I will embed some videos here as well, the first is of the octopus legs that we ate, I LOVE these, I had them the first time I went to Korea and they were AWESOME. So I'm really glad to have had them again. The second is Leti eating the octopus for the first time. The third is me at Banpo Bridge, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banpo_Bridge. It is famous, read up.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QNxCAnbPVoI" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-27263744297980978192011-09-14T22:53:00.000-07:002011-09-14T22:55:08.157-07:00Autumn...kind ofso I know it has been another 5 months since my last post....shameful I know. I have traveled China a bit more. I was in another city for 7 weeks at an internship that bored me to sobs(even though the people were excellent and I really learned a lot), and I have started school again. At the end of my spring semester I did a little traveling with a lovely pal named Laura from church. We went to Xi'an and saw the terracotta warriors, we went to the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, and I revisited Beijing and saw more that I hadn't seen last time, and some that I had. Xi'an is an interesting interior city, large and growing - developing at China-speed. However it is still experiencing many of the growing pains that all other areas of China seem to be struggling with. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MiwYdfvKDq0Rhch8I8iX2WwKoq8aVxReuRLDVUGR6ja7sVbN5UFydFmlhmabguE7VVtQcztD-eVArdcO-5_xcir4tz5Q3wjel6biFav9cQbia8x3j0KSVp4vT8a_2oOI28HYt127oLGR/s1600/DSCN5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MiwYdfvKDq0Rhch8I8iX2WwKoq8aVxReuRLDVUGR6ja7sVbN5UFydFmlhmabguE7VVtQcztD-eVArdcO-5_xcir4tz5Q3wjel6biFav9cQbia8x3j0KSVp4vT8a_2oOI28HYt127oLGR/s320/DSCN5684.JPG" /></a></div>
The Shaolin Temple is actually one of the more interesting Buddhist Temples I have been to since coming to Asia. I have seen MANY buddhist temples since coming here, but this one was more diverse. We even got to see a little kung fu performance. I got to see more of Beijing, The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, the Great Wall again. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the beginning of May I bought a Giant road bike(OCR3500) and I've been adding some kms to it pretty steadily this summer. I was really dedicated while I was at my internship in Guangzhou(for lack of anything else to do really) but I've slacked off a little since returning to Shenzhen. Now that school has started again and I need to budget my time better I'll have to see what I can do to adjust my schedule appropriately to make room for daily 45km rides. Here's the sunrise from Shenzhen Bay as seen on a recent ride. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-90496735399106523372011-05-19T10:24:00.000-07:002011-12-02T06:31:02.545-08:00too long comingSo, it has been far too long since I last posted. Chinese New Year has come and gone, I went to the Philippines, South Korea and Beijing. <br />
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Currently I'm back in school, studying my ever-lovin brains out. I just had a reading and writing exam, but I failed it miserably. At this point I've decided to focus on speaking and possibly the reading and writing will come to me later. I think I'm going to pursue a career in business so speaking is most important. Chinese is a language that is one of the hardest to learn, there are too many homonyms, it is unfortunately quite a vague language - but because of that I doubt it will ever become THE international language. <br />
My Dad and I went to the Philippines for Chinese New Year, and it was really relaxing and lots of fun. Maybe too much Daddy - Daughter time, but it was still nice.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXAg8Fby2RjHFTBlocxGVRggGdrbk2lRkFWLHXDXE5o50akBiXh9SOIs6zWQg6QmqXcEL2DyoEs4cblGhmXG5mvaPLB1n8ofCfW6tHu_R3otgaZE4G_HNDGAHwE7I6V1jhFnk07cp1-N6/s1600/DSCN5172.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608470701171149122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXAg8Fby2RjHFTBlocxGVRggGdrbk2lRkFWLHXDXE5o50akBiXh9SOIs6zWQg6QmqXcEL2DyoEs4cblGhmXG5mvaPLB1n8ofCfW6tHu_R3otgaZE4G_HNDGAHwE7I6V1jhFnk07cp1-N6/s320/DSCN5172.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36sn1ccEVmJ26ED1BWAGW9RdE_QYEOWgmeMroL_mZvDlf4KLIp250gGQqwBx4A3Y1JxRBTRNv0RXS0uy2MBVQF6X29r5od4WpFDXHF387guVdGzm4uNEDHqSRCgjr58R2ZswIFXApzc3R/s1600/DSCN5333.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608470709529095218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36sn1ccEVmJ26ED1BWAGW9RdE_QYEOWgmeMroL_mZvDlf4KLIp250gGQqwBx4A3Y1JxRBTRNv0RXS0uy2MBVQF6X29r5od4WpFDXHF387guVdGzm4uNEDHqSRCgjr58R2ZswIFXApzc3R/s200/DSCN5333.JPG" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 240px;" width="150" /></a>I went to Seoul at the end of March beginning of April to see my old bestie from high school Moon Min-Jung. It was AMAZING to see her, and it helped that we were in Seoul, possibly one of the coolest cities I've been to in Asia. Seoul has an amazing arts community and a plethora of museums and culture to see and learn about. It is absurdly easy to navigate around too, and not just the metro, the bus system as well! Not to mention two of my favorite things in abundance: Korean food and SHOPPING!!<br />
The more Korean food I eat the more I like it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZumUvfkHhtWqphmlVsqPXP2Ns5_VklcAo-TVNVUqc1Mcxu9XTBLZyQTngLbO4IKGWXkYbpTu4Di60iqECOjNF2H4tal-OJsdKC4vjD4C2IM6EpPk5QD0j0Pb1_GSZUPVPA-Mbbldgjud/s1600/DSCN5377.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608470719659591538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZumUvfkHhtWqphmlVsqPXP2Ns5_VklcAo-TVNVUqc1Mcxu9XTBLZyQTngLbO4IKGWXkYbpTu4Di60iqECOjNF2H4tal-OJsdKC4vjD4C2IM6EpPk5QD0j0Pb1_GSZUPVPA-Mbbldgjud/s320/DSCN5377.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 240px;" /></a>Just like the more Korean music I listen to the more I like it! (I love you Big Bang!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTG9pfedxS7Qs-cr_6Nj5giAl2F3J9wnTO0yDdlNd9jYbpA_JdA8nNdkiambsg5608A2U15ezTD0NBpv9TfiZDBgl_nUiSHGzmiOb6RkGNlVr29g3KmU_PFQtpB3iwlE2HFzYqHLy2ai0/s1600/DSCN5378.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608470713153148898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTG9pfedxS7Qs-cr_6Nj5giAl2F3J9wnTO0yDdlNd9jYbpA_JdA8nNdkiambsg5608A2U15ezTD0NBpv9TfiZDBgl_nUiSHGzmiOb6RkGNlVr29g3KmU_PFQtpB3iwlE2HFzYqHLy2ai0/s320/DSCN5378.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
I went to Beijing the end of April beginning of May for the May-Day holiday. I went with some schoolmates. One Russian girl and a Ukrainian Couple. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4XIaVQxLEFieAzs8wUSZoqQ9Nf8kwDcvCng0pIohiLpA_fdDiWJC7MMMhVcefklR5lzJIlrPY22oZPq-J8zgGcbR-rApPPWS3Sg2_hjgRtAAKfs9Mfei9dFGB5U3a1oaussKC_vUmRRO/s1600/DSCN5392.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608478398883795906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4XIaVQxLEFieAzs8wUSZoqQ9Nf8kwDcvCng0pIohiLpA_fdDiWJC7MMMhVcefklR5lzJIlrPY22oZPq-J8zgGcbR-rApPPWS3Sg2_hjgRtAAKfs9Mfei9dFGB5U3a1oaussKC_vUmRRO/s200/DSCN5392.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo7lOUUV_jlRrfr2_H6YxXgzIW5LIFwVA8fh5SjgfjbU0tkR1i6IaqwXp3Y42WLVUCWAMoqjOpjfI_DGyH0aHsQBLy94TuaJV5RQ7LjDI_yoWBLqAYfpLrhju-Qdyz8_83pwwOhEa64GB/s1600/DSCN5463.JPG"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih529IIT_fqs681tweXc9cRLavj_oNHpvHWhO_MM3k3YTxP37vcNqwJB6MjzdXIOwWr53F5zQzx-zOR9B3MfLs-Spt2C-aEEgdQ3hV3st8iYtNZa9cnfBwW8j-6PpbPU6qz8Gu3PpZrnBB/s1600/DSC_0204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608478408358286882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih529IIT_fqs681tweXc9cRLavj_oNHpvHWhO_MM3k3YTxP37vcNqwJB6MjzdXIOwWr53F5zQzx-zOR9B3MfLs-Spt2C-aEEgdQ3hV3st8iYtNZa9cnfBwW8j-6PpbPU6qz8Gu3PpZrnBB/s320/DSC_0204.JPG" style="float: left; height: 213px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608460174058176130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo7lOUUV_jlRrfr2_H6YxXgzIW5LIFwVA8fh5SjgfjbU0tkR1i6IaqwXp3Y42WLVUCWAMoqjOpjfI_DGyH0aHsQBLy94TuaJV5RQ7LjDI_yoWBLqAYfpLrhju-Qdyz8_83pwwOhEa64GB/s200/DSCN5463.JPG" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" width="200" />Although they didn't plan the trip super well, I still enjoyed it, and I got to meet up with some Beijing YSA and I got to see the BYU Chamber Orchestra and best of ALL, Amanda and Jared Cook!! Amanda and Jared are old friends from BYU Film school and now work for BYU Broadcasting and I was able to see them in Beijing that weekend and two weeks later in Guangzhou. What a treasure to see them in what has come to be "home" for me. <br />
So summer has started again in South China, which means that pretty much if I want to sauna - I just go outside. Seriously, I live in a steam sauna climate. Try as I might, it will be pointless to straighten my hair for the next 7 months.<br />
Until December, I'll only need a sweater in case the airconditioning is turned too cold(very uncommon).<br />
Currently no immediate travel plans, but summer looms and I want to see more things!! <br />
I might be scoring an internship in Hong Kong though this summer, which will mean no travel, but more exploration of the SAR and getting use out of the $30 hiking book I bought last autumn.<br />
Too bad that time in Hong Kong won't exactly improve my Mandarin.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-40433000367963248262011-02-14T08:45:00.000-08:002011-12-02T06:34:09.647-08:00Worst of Both WorldsSo I discovered two fine lines under my eyes that won't go away any more.<br />
They are here to stay.<br />
Yeah, ok...I don't take the greatest care of my skin, especially under my eyes.<br />
I accept this.<br />
<br />
However, about a week ago I discovered my first wrinkle.<br />
It's center left on my forehead. <br />
<br />
I'm 26 and I have a wrinkle. Aren't I too young?<br />
<br />
Fate has played a cruel trick, because although I now have a wrinkle I have also learned that said wrinkle seems to be a prime location for acne to set up shop.<br />
Yeah, just what I need. Acne scarring on top of my wrinkle.<br />
<br />
Happy Valentine's Day!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-83759374029319249322011-01-20T03:02:00.001-08:002011-12-02T06:36:00.891-08:00The Talk of the TownSo, something that people can't stop talking about these days is the rise of China.<br />
We talk about it ourselves over here in China all the time. <br />
This past Monday I was in Hong Kong with another young American and he was bemoaning the loss of power and respect that the USA has suffered the past 10 years. I said, "all good things must come to an end, and mostly it is our fault"<br />
Regardless as to whether you agree with me or not, the fact is that China has grown in strength and power in the past decade. It has grown rich, and it has grown proud. Not unlike the United States. And just like the United States it feels it is right about certain things and because it is powerful it can express those opinions more aggressively. <br />
I've mentioned before reasons to not fear China. China's economic standing is strong currently but it is on shaky ground. This is a great piece from Hong Kong's largest english language daily to help describe the situation: http://topics.scmp.com/news/china-business-watch/article/Todays-miracle-tomorrows-crisis<br />
There was an issue of the Economist this past autumn that had a few articles on how India's growth is going to outpace China's. I very much agree with this, http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2010/10/13/ahead-of-the-curve-%E2%80%93-indias-growth-to-outpace-chinas.html a commentary on the issue as a whole.<br />
India is a democracy, and therefore seems less scary to the West because it has copyright law that is better enforced than in China. India's university system is also producing more qualified and dynamic graduates than China's. We really shouldn't have a reason to be afraid, other than that their innovation industry is very dynamic and will overtake ours quickly, especially in regards to developing products and solutions for the developing world. Hopefully India won't so much overtake us, as become a healthy competitor in innovation. <br />
Either way, competition and challenge are healthy. Isn't that what we believe as capitalists? We don't believe in monopoly of business, so why believe in a monopoly of economic and political power. <br />
I know that this seems naive and overly idealistic. But believe me,<br />
I'm not naive.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-25297406604554603192011-01-18T09:51:00.001-08:002011-12-02T06:37:17.495-08:00Can't SleepSo I realized that this time a year ago I was debating taking up skiing or snowboarding.<br />
A few weeks later I decided instead to move to China.<br />
I didn't even realize that I needed a change so badly. Not that a desire to take up expensive winter sports is a sign that your life is boring. But for someone like me that enjoys cheap thrills, it should have been a a flashing Vegas style sign that I was not being challenged enough. Not that learning how to gut and fillet fish on your weekends isn't fulfilling, but I needed something altogether challenging. When I'm a little scared each time I walk out the door that something isn't going to go according to plan(because it usually doesn't). <br />
I'm really glad I decided to buy a plane ticket instead of a snowboard. I think it suits me better.<br />
Because I think everyone can tell you, I fall down way too easily to secure both my feet rigid objects on slippery surfaces.<br />
As for new steps... <br />
I bought my first CD by a Chinese artist today. Han Geng 韩庚, he used to be a member of the Korean boy band Super Junior, but now he's gone SOLO, and I bought his album. So the music video for the single from this album is a little weird, but I'm just so happy that I understand like three lines of the lyrics that I don't care. Enjoy.<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qWQtB99urCA?fs=1&hl=en_US">
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qWQtB99urCA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-69271202104587328142010-12-23T05:55:00.000-08:002011-12-02T06:38:31.632-08:00AsiaficationOk,<br />
So today I'm out shopping with my awesome friend Leti.<br />
I've been in the market for a phone charm for awhile.<br />
I live in Asia, and frankly they are really useful for finding your phone in your bag.<br />
So I mention this and we decide to go to this accessory shopping area next week. We are browsing our local book shop and there is a toy section. We are looking through it and discover a ton of Studio Ghibli merchandise. I was in HEAVEN.<br />
I found TWO phone charms! one of Totoro and one of Ponyo! HAAAAM!! Ship SHAPE!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVddCbQeGSedSQDO0vjUjzIJNmn-fu-upA7w1e9v-o7z_p-8C1G1eWPi2-9HLEq-UBjbdPfpvPNEm1CiJQ0_Z1CFBgxnF2EgmSmjK9Zxg_Vave3e2_QPJ5SimKS3tkgroFewJ0ik80PtnD/s1600/DSCN4969.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553878685958920850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVddCbQeGSedSQDO0vjUjzIJNmn-fu-upA7w1e9v-o7z_p-8C1G1eWPi2-9HLEq-UBjbdPfpvPNEm1CiJQ0_Z1CFBgxnF2EgmSmjK9Zxg_Vave3e2_QPJ5SimKS3tkgroFewJ0ik80PtnD/s200/DSCN4969.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiaeCxg7UrR4M7M48vNf8xuG9dl_mytiU2wGfT1M_rQIWd_WPE6NkuAAlhTQDC0NNLPYg5JjuD2Fv7WFt32eCIR585udGYuGKAmuhCjD6DSOjF3mBJGPcU8_RJCb5CsfAcO0K8iD-xq4W/s1600/DSCN4972.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553878682303116450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiaeCxg7UrR4M7M48vNf8xuG9dl_mytiU2wGfT1M_rQIWd_WPE6NkuAAlhTQDC0NNLPYg5JjuD2Fv7WFt32eCIR585udGYuGKAmuhCjD6DSOjF3mBJGPcU8_RJCb5CsfAcO0K8iD-xq4W/s200/DSCN4972.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
I also bought a Totoro backpack...which is AWESOME!!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx05mNQ2nHYORDOv5hESJLmEk_YvdO6CIbVraNAAN5714diW_FTBkgsSZ_sjb1Ix5SQw1xa-F-QycqaPsDnfy51iBLr27RhgwawnS6NywCNm1GsIJDJVm2395riJPH2gE7YdHEsONVosn/s1600/DSCN4975.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553879677550071554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx05mNQ2nHYORDOv5hESJLmEk_YvdO6CIbVraNAAN5714diW_FTBkgsSZ_sjb1Ix5SQw1xa-F-QycqaPsDnfy51iBLr27RhgwawnS6NywCNm1GsIJDJVm2395riJPH2gE7YdHEsONVosn/s320/DSCN4975.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
which compliments my already rad Pokemon folder that I bought in Tokyo:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpcQe5prPMPH6Nf-_oewvvSqVLX0zpO2SohkwI4c33h6G2MVIgHyrm0OtsfpVp-tYr2gJRSSugI8RWMtfpwmxBMEIZIVp_Hf-7sZVTEHa8DmzG4ALXlHQCtKDNkVjUgTL3SwMcD0m-Zcn/s1600/DSCN4976.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553880323808443474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpcQe5prPMPH6Nf-_oewvvSqVLX0zpO2SohkwI4c33h6G2MVIgHyrm0OtsfpVp-tYr2gJRSSugI8RWMtfpwmxBMEIZIVp_Hf-7sZVTEHa8DmzG4ALXlHQCtKDNkVjUgTL3SwMcD0m-Zcn/s200/DSCN4976.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
The pies de resistance however...is this AMAZINGLY ridiculous phone charm that Leti found and after finding told me, "if you use this backpack everyday and this phone charm I will pay you!"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97c11NCMH88aLxxg1-AHuQzAFfpY5BrmhQvCQN1f501n6IRzKfvDa2WVrKF6RRm8LvrbzwkISS2G8G7Mc_ywFonnp6_e6q-NzjmrcF7k4hl0f-0ml7KENrdvFn9BmbP7aZzQTipekeafl/s1600/DSCN4974.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553886125155847346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97c11NCMH88aLxxg1-AHuQzAFfpY5BrmhQvCQN1f501n6IRzKfvDa2WVrKF6RRm8LvrbzwkISS2G8G7Mc_ywFonnp6_e6q-NzjmrcF7k4hl0f-0ml7KENrdvFn9BmbP7aZzQTipekeafl/s320/DSCN4974.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
you own up to THOSE words Leti!!<br />
Because this phone charm is Kick-A!!<br />
It has count them 8, that's right 8 photos of Choi SiWon on it!! That's right, I have laminate cards of Choi SiWon the K-Pop star extraordinaire. I can look at the Super Junior hottie whenever I use my phone!<br />
My phone ring is also the K-Pop megahit Lucifer by SHINee.<br />
What am I missing besides an Asian boyfriend?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-72679095692486481272010-12-20T06:43:00.000-08:002011-12-02T06:45:15.455-08:00Coming HomeSo last night my plane arrived in Hong Kong.<br />
I was supposed to stay the night at the airport Marriott, but my Mom accidentally made the reservation at the Novotel, and I didn't have anyway of contacting her, or knowing that so I rushed to get the last coach to the HuangGang port border.<br />
I started coughing as my lungs inhaled the polluted south China air. <br />
As I entered China I had to haul my Christmas present laden luggage across a pedestrian bridge, with gypsy cab drivers and "luggage helpers" bothering me, pulling on my clothes and luggage. I finally make it to the taxi queue and turn around as I see a kid trying to nick something out of my hand bag. <br />
I get in the taxi, tell the driver where to go. I doze off, wake up - not at the right place, give the driver directions to my house, street by street.<br />
Get home, and can't sleep.<br />
But I go to class the next day. I feel right at home...it's hard to believe that 30hrs prior I was in Salt Lake.<br />
I go to lunch with Jade and Letizia, I have the Xin Jiang(Uighur) hand pulled noodles with spicy beef and potatoes that I was craving the whole time I was in America. So, so good.<br />
I go home, and go upstairs to the Ho's(family in our Branch) I play around with their awesome kids awhile, planned Christmas dinner with Elsa. Returned home for an hour nap that lasted almost 5hours.<br />
I woke up to my Dad watching some movie in the living room.<br />
Now I'm awake, thinking that I'm home from home now...such a weird sensation.<br />
I loved being back and seeing everyone, it felt natural and right. But it was the strangest feeling, that it wasn't home anymore, even though it was full of people I love and miss. My home is far away in another place now.<br />
Maybe it's because I've moved so much.<br />
Maybe it's destiny.<br />
But at least for right now, I'm home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-50363343307256008872010-11-29T07:47:00.000-08:002010-11-29T08:20:48.335-08:00Thanksgiving in MacauSo on Thanksgiving Day I bunked off classes and went to meet our domestic helper in Macau. Jacky, our Filipina maid couldn't get another visa to return to China so I was meeting her to give her plane fare to return home. I'd never been to Macau before, but it is an hour ferry ride from the port 5min from my apartment. <br />As we left the port, I could see my apartment complex(small whitish ones) the Shenzhen Bay Bridge to Hong Kong and the distant skinny high rise apartments of the Ha Tsuen neighborhood in Hong Kong, barely visible through the suffocating South China smog.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9NCIbArX6XaKJdOWpt7qZnE4rR1AwO-l0ELgGxdXJBUWQPk22FxbKdGaBoxdg7mOZDU16mgUs18vOqMhYEw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />As I rode the ferry I got to see the industrial side of Hong Kong: gas banks, electric power stations, and the oyster beds of the Pearl River Delta. I passes many container ships heading all over the world; Panama, Los Angeles, Hamburg, Sydney, Columbia etc. I waxed philosophical about all the things humanity has accomplished and yet the tender thread that we still hang by. A situation that was at the front of my mind since the bombing in South Korea two days prior. We have done so much, I live in a place that sends products to all ends of the earth at record speed, but malaria still kills children; millions per year, and no matter what we will grow, love, age and die. Somber I know, but the power and the beauty of all we have done is a result of our fear of mortality. We want to do so much, make so many things, experience more and more, create more and more, because we all know our time is finite. <br />Out of my thoughtful mood, I arrived in Macau for the first time - breezed through immigration and met Jacky our maid. We at lunch/dinner at the Sands Macau, I had sushi for Thanksgiving day. And I saw a Michael Jackson impersonation concert. I missed my first ferry trip, so I bought the next departure, and found a toy store in the ferry terminal!<br />Optimus Prime!!!<br />Star Wars Legos!<br />and Board Games!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEiFQlMx5SCaIXJ_nLrchmgCPZF-Lh0m5uaFAFvvxn_bpbTohY_3y9pcYNIfxnXEYJ4BP3tjarEn4uhXkzqrIFiUHka-YveZWcxdDOsJEkzv_jZbX2pN_34kD38JveKru0HnjTksL-uGU/s1600/DSCN4929.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEiFQlMx5SCaIXJ_nLrchmgCPZF-Lh0m5uaFAFvvxn_bpbTohY_3y9pcYNIfxnXEYJ4BP3tjarEn4uhXkzqrIFiUHka-YveZWcxdDOsJEkzv_jZbX2pN_34kD38JveKru0HnjTksL-uGU/s320/DSCN4929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545006818416334082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj663GZ3TdRYN5iy6qgAeaH-tXpyWi-pGuaS2gGOw2MWgyNxsophejFXCSVFjzUR_MXx2Zi_nxuhyphenhyphenJNMdrc8nS_prP_U9JtrAaWd5aA9CHFe9kGV-RgRCI7nXDQYx3qU-3qs_vD1EuVfyXK/s1600/DSCN4928.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj663GZ3TdRYN5iy6qgAeaH-tXpyWi-pGuaS2gGOw2MWgyNxsophejFXCSVFjzUR_MXx2Zi_nxuhyphenhyphenJNMdrc8nS_prP_U9JtrAaWd5aA9CHFe9kGV-RgRCI7nXDQYx3qU-3qs_vD1EuVfyXK/s320/DSCN4928.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545006813772109234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cLO8odhjguLsvL2vORWRxpAJSgl_mHPcCdqPMEJ2UpF_QGok4VZgikR5fW3pDvjKtG5cli7IyPw1SaeiYCWxntW-BAfY_k7YGv8AMbFJsFzUzOLFgkyyEjDhMGD_A6F1Nx0Invok05cF/s1600/DSCN4926.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cLO8odhjguLsvL2vORWRxpAJSgl_mHPcCdqPMEJ2UpF_QGok4VZgikR5fW3pDvjKtG5cli7IyPw1SaeiYCWxntW-BAfY_k7YGv8AMbFJsFzUzOLFgkyyEjDhMGD_A6F1Nx0Invok05cF/s320/DSCN4926.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545006809919891090" /></a><br />silly I know, but I don't get to see things like Harry Potter Clue and Pirates of the Caribbean Life everyday!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574460087136754546.post-20779933482057846242010-11-29T06:14:00.000-08:002010-11-29T07:43:42.745-08:00Island FunSo the previous weekend(not the most recent one) I visited Hong Kong again, for a Temple trip but also to meet some other YSA from Guangzhou and grab some Mexican food on the Island and do some touristy things. My Dad has seen everything and my Mom isn't all that interested in waiting in a long line to go up a mountain. So after getting lost in Soho for a little while, we found the Mexican restaurant, ate amazing Mexican food(I had a pork chimichanga) and we lucky enough to happen upon a street fair on Elgin St. while we were there. I bought a beautiful handmade necklace from this artisan selling her beautiful wares. And we saw some singers advertising their Macau show. <br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwbHZ2dD4SpbDCjIg_ZZ70CLFwjdM7ciZ7s0u20lqivsHwMH1YFyzEMwPxCxfoi5MF1DqIH0WDu4Kik7V1GmQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wpAY07W_aJ1qpu4xpaomVGUdWMNcu9PxA0WgxCbQljheEltRdxKzRwXkBB0U6QploMvfQcfwWdSntK-LrcqVLbCCTgZPr15bYPS6t85toj9_bLBQgu2-lXGaWFun-ISgOvKSPSpLvrfj/s1600/DSCN4904.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wpAY07W_aJ1qpu4xpaomVGUdWMNcu9PxA0WgxCbQljheEltRdxKzRwXkBB0U6QploMvfQcfwWdSntK-LrcqVLbCCTgZPr15bYPS6t85toj9_bLBQgu2-lXGaWFun-ISgOvKSPSpLvrfj/s320/DSCN4904.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544982281208631266"></a><br />Kenya, Sharah and I went up Victoria Peak to take a look at Hong Kong and enjoy some actually brisk autumn air. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMYLsAKWl4ShfaCSS5Fd3XZ18xcR1cs9EPBSFSije_bl5dH1FF9CvUsuyl3_KKRvClybZyp77q7xfBwDXZ8ibOVbpf4m-L2DNGLvNBNEKQzQrE3i7rmEq279ot6is24ttK62YsvfwQfF4/s1600/DSCN4913.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMYLsAKWl4ShfaCSS5Fd3XZ18xcR1cs9EPBSFSije_bl5dH1FF9CvUsuyl3_KKRvClybZyp77q7xfBwDXZ8ibOVbpf4m-L2DNGLvNBNEKQzQrE3i7rmEq279ot6is24ttK62YsvfwQfF4/s320/DSCN4913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544987840902826178"></a><br />We hunted down dinner at a place called Modern Toilet...and Taiwanese chain...however, the location that we found seemed to have been closed for good(it seems that some people don't appreciate the novelty of eating their food out of miniature toilets)?<br />We were all pretty bummed, but Kenya most of all :(<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhIKAswDEcWSol_yTFsvQfpTjtHWTZTZrwOOxxiBf7yPMSRH3-CEVOWZCcSEQv3ezzIQycxHzO80IriZChwUZjttoOVdyP2-ATrMVbdcNM6LDAM6oxozbAy9ibe-gxVc8Sxy_-CYHdjOw/s1600/DSCN4921.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhIKAswDEcWSol_yTFsvQfpTjtHWTZTZrwOOxxiBf7yPMSRH3-CEVOWZCcSEQv3ezzIQycxHzO80IriZChwUZjttoOVdyP2-ATrMVbdcNM6LDAM6oxozbAy9ibe-gxVc8Sxy_-CYHdjOw/s320/DSCN4921.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544994678164782610" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973042458128805144noreply@blogger.com0