Confessions of Food-a-holic Fat Girl

Thank you! (Spinach Fettucini with Sautee Spinach and Mushroom - A Recipe!

2012-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

I was at work chugging along on the website I've been working on for about two months now. As I check the stats of the old website, I happened along the stats of this blog. To my surprise, it's still getting hits. Every time I posted a post (the few that I posted last year), there would be a spike in hits. It warmed my heart. There were a few comments I neglected to answer. To whom this is concerned, I am sorry. Last year was quite a wild ride. Things are calming down and turning into a rhythm. I will try to post more regularly and to answer comments and questions that happens along the way.

It's been quite since I've posted a recipe. Now that I started cooking regularly again. I thought I should share a recipe with the world. It's my dinner tonight. (The stuffed pork is slowly cooking in the oven. Yum!) To those that frequent my blog knows that I do not measure. So, all the measurements here are guess-timates. I cook like a homecook. I just throw ingredients together and hopes it comes out delicious. Whatever combination works well, I post them here.

Spinach Fettucini with Sautee Spinach and Mushroom

Spinach Fettucini - I used half a 12 oz bag
1 12oz bag of spinach
1 tray of mushrooms
1/2 - 1 cup of Vegetable stock
Romano cheese
Manchego cheese
half onions - chopped
3 cloves of garlic - chopped and diced

1. heat up some olive oil
2. brown the garlic
3. turn down the heat to about medium and throw in the chopped onions.
4. wait for about 30sec to 1 min throw in the mushrooms.
5. sprinkle a little sugar and carmelized the mushrooms and the onions. (there's a little bit of timing right here) As the onions and the mushroom cooks boil the water. and cook the pasta
6. when the mushrooms and onions are nicely caramelized and browned throw in the spinach. When the spinach is about half way wilted, pour in the
7. when the spinach in nice and wilted, the pasta should be done, throw in the pasta. sprinkle with the cheese.

I also added a some finely chopped apples. I thought it would compliment the pork very well. Now, you're probably asking about the pork. Well, I bought pre-stuffed and pre-marinaded pork yesterday. All I did was popped it in the oven.

I can't wait for my husband to get home and chow down on this delicious dinner. Thanks for all the support.

As always, happy cooking!!!

My Kitchen

2011-10-07T22:22:00.000-07:00

For the past ten months, I've been working with a very, very small kitchen. There aren't enough kitchen pantry furniture to even store a decent amount of ingredients for a properly stocked kitchen. Not only that but I have limited cookware and utensils. Of course, it's partly because I don't have space to store more than a couple of pots and pans and silverware.

Michael and I were making noodle soup the other day, and we found ourselves (again) without adequate bowls to enjoy our said noodle soup in. We have one medium size bowl between us ( the other one was for the cat's water). I kicked myself for forgetting to get bowls from my dad's place. Since our place is so small right now, I really don't want to store too much stuff. I like my space, but I guess it's what I have to do for now. This place after all is just a studio. To think, the other studio that was offered to us was even smaller than this one (mental shudders).

This just makes me dream of the pantry cabinet for the kitchen I could buy or wish to have someday. But, that is a long time away. Now, all I have to look forward to is a to cook in a tight space and do my laundry in cheap vessel sinks to save money. Yes, I do laundry by hands because the cost of the laundry room is too high.

Until next time, Happy Cooking!

Love it!

2011-09-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the article from Robin Woodard

My wife and I got some cabletvadvisor.com packages a while back and to be honest, we didn’t really watch much TV with it at first. Mostly because our tastes in shows are really different but I finally figured out what’s going to bring us together – college football! It’s starting super soon and since she and I both went to college together we really like to watch the Golden Bears beat up on all the other teams in the conference every Saturday. She was kind enough to let me get the huge plasma when we bought the house so I think I’m going to throw one or two football parties to have some buds over and drink beer and watch games all day and I know she’s going to be totally there, too! That’s part of the reason I love my wife – I mean, how many pretty girls do you know that drink beer and watch football with the best of them? That’s why she’s a real keeper in my eyes and in everyone else’s!

A Revelation in a Cooking Mind

2011-09-11T09:09:00.001-07:00

Back when we first met, Michael told me that he could cook, and from the couple meals that he cooked up, it was okay. However, after we started living together, I asked him to cook more often. Now, I'm not sure if it was because the ingredients that I stocked (Asian, Vietnamese more specifically) or the fact that he was just overwhelmed, but the food Michael churned out when I asked wasn't very appetizing. I managed to swallow most of them: dry spaghetti with cheese, fried rice with weird spices, potatoes with all the spices we have in the house, and some other strange concoctions I can't remember.

The strange thing was that when he wanted something he would make it, and it would be delicious, so I told him that he just didn't want to cook for me. He told me that he really tried it just didn't turn out. That went back and forth until I just gave up.

Recently, life made Michael do most of the cooking (yes, I was cringing). I was just too busy to cook. His cooking actually improved as the day go by. In the beginning, I had to step in a lot and help him out when he was burning things and overcooking things or just didn't have heat on high enough. But, I'm spending less and less time in the kitchen (to my disappointment actually). Michael is actually producing not only edible food but quite delicious food too.

Anyway, recently, he made an especially nostalgic dish for me. A vietnamese braised fish. I'm not really sure how he managed to get the flavor so close, but he did. And I'm quite amazed in fact.

I'm glad that his cooking abilities had improved, but now I fear I have a competitor. My skills weren't that great to begin with.

Life's little surprise.

2011-09-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

Life's been pretty hectic ever since I got my new job nine months ago. I hadn't really cooked within that time either. Michael does more of the cooking now. Although, every once in awhile, I would crave something and make it myself since Michael's repertoire is very limited.

Also, right now, I live in a very small place. It's a 460sq. ft. studio apartment with a teeny tiny kitchen which includes a teeny tiny fridge. There are no place for anything. It bare stocks a small portion of mine and michael's stuff. Laundry is also expensive too. Well, since we can't hook up washer and dryer, it would get really expensive. So, we've been lugging laundry to my dad's place to do laundry every other weekend.

...That is until his dryer broke. Now, driving 40 mins to Mission Viejo only to wash your clothes and then lug it back to dry is not a very efficient and cost effective way to do things. So, any good place to buy home appliances? This place seems good. But they're in Canada. Wish they were closer.

NYC in the Summer

2011-07-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

NYC in the Summer

Author: Joseph Sandoval

New York is just the best place to live in my opinion, especially in the summer. It’s so hot outside but there are so many things to do to stay cool and all of the crowds kind of clear out, too, which is so nice! I can’t afford a house at the Hamptons but I don’t mind if everyone else does since that gets them out of the city for a couple of months. Anyway, I try to get out of the house as much as possible (don’t worry, I went to www.HoME-alARM-SYSteMS.com like you all suggested) and take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or go to one of the many street fairs that just seem to pop up and I even take my dog with me since he loves jumping in the fountains all over town and just being out and about! I know winter will be here before I know it but it’s so nice getting to enjoy this weather in the greatest city in the world.

Perfect cheddar garlic biscuits

2011-05-04T17:56:00.001-07:00

Guest post written by Katie Luke
Every time that I go to eat at Red Lobster, I also fill up on cheddar garlic biscuits because I love them so much. That's actually the main reason that I go. The seafood is a far second. But I can't stop going there just for those biscuits. Instead, I decided to try and make some on my own.
I went online to find a good biscuit recipe that would be like that. While I was online looking for recipes, I ran across this great website http://www.wildbluedeals.com/wildblue-faqs.html. I looked through it a little bit and after I showed it to my husband, we decided to sign up for one of the satellite internet packages that I found on that website.
I was so glad and excited when ! I found the perfect recipe for my cheddar garlic biscuits. Probably way more excited than I actually should have been! But they turned out pretty well. I think that I would have needed to add in some more butter and cheese to make them taste just like Red Lobster's though.

Vegetarian Delights

2011-03-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

Guest written by our friend Katie Callahan

For vegetarians, finding great recipes to cook and bake can be a challenge. It seems like so many chefs forget that a large portion of the population are practicing vegetarians and vegans. It can be truly difficult for any vegetarian to find recipes to bake that are within the value system a person practices. However, the show "Vegetarian Delights" exceeds all these norms. This show teaches vegetarians exactly how to bake the most incredible dishes that also taste simply divine. I love watching this show on my Direc4U tv, since I consider myself a practicing vegetarian.

There was a time when I would get very frustrated at the lack of baking options I had as a vegetarian. It seemed every time I turned on the television, I could never find good shows that would teach me how to bake. Many of the shows featured recipes involving meat or other sorts of things prohibited in my diet. I would get so upset that no chefs dedicated any recipes to vegetarians. But, this show has been the answer to all of my problems. I have learned a plethora of great recipes to use from this awesome show. I highly recommend this show to any struggling vegan or vegetarian. From this show, a person will learn all sorts of great recipes that one can incorporate into a diet!

Back in the habit.

2010-08-29T23:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while, and that's because I haven't cooked in awhile. A lot had been going on with my life that prevented me from doing that. Plus, I'm back in California now. Also, living with a family that cooks and working a full time job will keep you from spending your precious time in the kitchen.

Though, to be fair, I have made a few things now and then for birthdays, but it wasn't anything too fancy. Today, I decided to make put a few things in the slow cooker to whip up a good fish stock.

Hopefully tomorrow or the next day, I will turn that into either a bouillabaisse or a ramen dish. We'll see. Until next time, to every one else...

Happy Cooking!

White Rice DeMystified!!! (Recipe)

2009-10-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

As those who follow my blog know, rice is a staple, a must, within my diet. It has to be white rice though. I don't like the taste of brown rice. Nothing against brown rice. I just don't like the taste. Too wheaty.

Anyway, I recent learned a shocking fact. A lot of people within the American community seemed to think that white rice is actually brown rice, but bleached.

(Record scratching sound!!)

As a matter of fact, a few friends of mine (american) seemed to think so too. After so many years of hanging out with me, I never knew they thought so. My first thought was, "Really? Truly really?"

Then, it was followed by, "Why?"

I thought back to all the rice paddies back at my gramma's place. I thought back to all those days picking out the shell that was not milled out within the sea of white rice grain. Then, I asked myself, why would anyone take the time, energy, and money to bleach out brown rice when there are perfectly good wholesome, delicious white rice already?

I couldn't find an answer and no one seemed to be able to give me one. Does any of you have an answer for me?

I love rice. Michael seems to think that rice is awesome because it's bland. I argued with him all the time about this. Rice is definitely not bland. Yes, the rice you by here might not have a lot of taste to it because it was packed away and shipped across an ocean. However, freshly gathered and milled rice at the beginning of rice harvest season is the best and most delicious bowl of rice you'll ever eat.

There's a phrase that you hear a lot around the market around where all the people that are competing to sell you rice, "My rice is as good as rice at the start of harvest!"

When they are that fresh, the rice is subtly sweet and a little nutty. Add a little bit of salt and pepper or soy sauce. It's heaven. Do you know what's even better? Freshly caught fish and vegetable right out of your garden. Eat that meal with freshly harvested rice. It's Heaven! I guarantee you. There's nothing better.

I remember during a summer vacation in Vietnam. A bunch of us went fishing just for fun one day. We caught a bunch of fish. I don't even know what kind of fish they were, but my aunt made them for dinner that night. It was the most delicious meal I have ever eaten. It was simple too. Just fish and rice. Thinking about it now makes me just want to jump on the next flight back. I really miss those days.

As I revel in these memories, I bid you all a happy day. As always, Happy Cooking!

Misadventures in cookings!

2009-09-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last post. Sorry, life has been a little hectic lately. A lot has been going on.

There was the start of school. Work always take a big chunk out of my life. There was also the trip to Vegas. Parties, meetings, get-togethers, and so on, and so forth. Another confession: I hadn't been doing a lot of inspiring cooking lately. Most days, it was just throwing a bunch of stuff together and hoped it turned into something edible.

There were a couple of days I went out of my way to actually make something that is not stir-fry and rice.

On my dad's birthday, I made a no-bake cake. It consisted of ricotta cheese, semi-sweet baking chocalate, chocolate wafers, and lots of sugar. I think I'm missing a couple other ingredients, but it was a month or so ago. It turned out okay. I did not like working in a kitchen where I don't have all I need. The ricotta cheese was not blended enough, and the chocolate didn't work well with the cheese. There wasn't enough sugar in the cake. So, I made a strawberry-jelly thing to add a little more sweetness to the dish. Over all though, everyone says they like it. So, I guess, that's all that really counts.

To kill my ego, here's a picture of a decent cake. It's called a Miroir from a great bakery/cafe called Cafe Blanc. They have the greatest little cakes and such. They also have great gelato. Every order of cakes comes with a small pairing of gelato. This is a large version of the individual version they sell.

Undying CRAVINGS!!!

2009-07-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

If I haven't mentioned this already, I'll mention this again. I am Asian. Thus, living in this country, I sometimes crave certain food. Also, if rice isn't a part of my diet for a while, I get massive cravings for it. Sometimes, after I eat foreign food such as American, Mexican, Italian, etc, I get cravings for rice. Nothing fills me up like rice does. The fullness that I get from rice is different compares to other food. I really don't know why.

With Vietnamese food, the cravings that I get from time to time is different from when I crave food such as tacos or steak or a burger. Steaks or tacos or burgers are food I get in "the mood" for. Other things such as rice or curry or..."Chè"

"Chè" is a Vietnamese dessert. It's also a dessert I've been craving. Actually, I am not sure if it's strictly Vietnamese, because one I have been craving for is called Chè Thai.

Chè is sort of like a pudding, for the lack of a better word. It's can be liquidy but also a little thick, too-like pudding! Usually the liquid is coconut milk. Sometimes it could be a sort of a caramel sauce. They are devilishly delicious. They are the ice cream of Vietnamese people.

So, several days ago, I was craving for Chè Thai. (Quick lesson on Vietnamese adjectives or modifying words always follow after the noun its modifying...kinda like spanish! So Chè Thai would loosely translated Thai Pudding.)

I hadn't had Chè Thai in a very long time. It is made up of crushed ice, lychee jelly, canned lychee, jackfruit, and jelly. They're all swimming in a deliciously sweet sea of coconut milk.

I don't know why here in America they classify it as a drink because it really is not a drink. It is a dessert. If you order it with your food, all the crushed ice will melt by the time you get around to eating it.

Writing about it makes me crave it oh so much. I think I will have to get myself some soon. You all should try some too.

As always, Happy Eating!

My Great Inspiration!!!

2009-07-24T21:04:00.001-07:00

Aside from being a Food-a-holic, I am also a Graphic Designer, filmmaker, animator, poet, writer, and so much more. Although my drive has decreased a lot lately due to changes and stress, sometimes I still urges to do things. That's why there a times when I go on cooking/baking/eating binges of certain things. It's also why when I cook I never cook the same thing twice.

I always has urges of inspirations, "what ifs" moments, and "oooh, maybe I should...". There are a few recipes in which I stay true to. One of them is a Tuna and Macaroni Casserole. Sometimes I put mashed potatoes in it. Sometimes I don't. I like potatoes, but since this special treat is usually an order from my brother. I cook the way he likes it. I really don't know how else to change it though. So, it stays as is.

For the rest of the time, though, I find creative ways to do things even when I try not to.

As I mentioned above, I am a filmmaker or at least for now, an aspiring filmmaker. I co-own an animation company. This has nothing to do with the animation company, though. I have been trying for months to come up with a show or at least a concept for an animated show for a company in Japan. So, as I was thinking and going through what to write for today's post, an idea came to me. It's not so much an original idea but I want to make a show about food/cooking and such.

I like transforming magical girls show. So, I thought I should incorporated it somehow. Michael wants me to do a Magical Girl as Defender of Good Food and fight against Evil Organization of Obesity and Bad Food. It sounds a little too out there for me though. I don't know I'm still thinking about that so...yeah...Will keep you all posted.

EDIT: For those of you who knows a thing or two about anime and japanese shows, just think about it in terms of shows you know. I was thinking something a long the line of a cross between Sailor Moon and Yakitate Japan! What do you all think? Too much? Too generic...at least for Japan? Too weird?

A Little of This and A Little of That

2009-07-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

I am Asian American. Thus, my taste palette has a little bit of Asian mixed with a little bit of American. Some might find that to be a great thing. "You can cook both American and Asian food," they would say, "That's terrific!"

No, no it's not, and no, I can't. Everything I cook is just that: a little bit of Asian mixed with a little bit of American. When I cook American food, or even Italian or Mexican, whatever dish would have a hint of Asian in it. When I cook Asian food, it would taste a little American. Nothing I cook would ever taste exactly like an American dish or an Asian dish.

It's a little frustrating sometimes. I am learning to accept that part of myself. I am a Traveler. I have no definite home (Read my Traveler Blog).

So, with my Asian-American-ness, I spiced up this favorite Vietnamese shrimp dish.

I call it Spiced Pan Roasted Shrimp.

Spiced Pan Roasted Shrimp

Shrimps
green onion/scallions
butter
old bay seasoning
chili powder
salt
pepper
sugar
fish sauce

1. sprinkle some salt, pepper, old bay seasonings, and chili powder on the shrimps to marinade for about 5-10 mins, longer if you would like.
2. while the shrimps are marinading, sliced up the green onions
3. when the shrimps are done marinading, heat up a pan on high heat and melt the butter
4. add the shrimps, now here, it really depends on your taste, sometimes I like to leave the heat on high and cook the shrimps until it's cooked and there aren't much trace of juices left and then toss in the green onions for about 10-20 seconds.

This time, however, I turned down the heat about half way and let it cook until the shrimp is almost done. Then, I tossed in the green onion and let it cook until the shrimps were all the way cooked.

If anyone really want the original Vietnamese recipe, I can always post it.

I can never cook a traditional Vietnamese dish because I can't. The way I cook is not the same. So, when I crave a traditional Vietnamese dinner, I have to crawl to my aunt's house and eat. They try to teach me, and I try to learn. However, when I cook even when I suppress the creative "what if" urges, it still doesn't taste the same.

It makes me frustrated sometimes. Other times, its not too too bad.

As always, if you're brave enough to try these recipes, tell me how it went. So, Happy Cooking!

A Father's Day Appreciation Post!

2009-06-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

I just read a very interesting article on Yahoo news today relating to Father's Day Gifts. This was after I called my own old man to wish him a Happy Father's Day! The interesting part of reading the article wasn't the article but the comments that followed the article.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/5-worst-fathers-day-gifts-476536

I glanced past all the rants and ravings from kids and wives. The comments I wanted to read was from all the fathers defending how much they loved the little macaroni picture frames their kids made them and the #1 Dad shirts their kids got them. Most said that all they really wanted was time with their kids and hugs and I love you's.

A few of the comments were vulgar. A few of the comments praised the writer of the post. Some were funny. Most did not like the singing bass fish plaque. A few actually did like them.

Hidden among them were words that brought tears to my eyes. One man wrote that his one rule was no store-bough gift. Even if it was just an X on a piece of paper if they were too busy, that was what he wanted because it told him that they were stressed and were having a hard time still they took 2 seconds out of their day to think about him. One man was even angry at the article for mentioning that homemade gifts were mentioned in the article.

What are your thoughts?

Every year I always folded a piece of paper in half. I drew flowers and squiggly lines and stars. I wrote a few lines and signed "from me". When I did have money to buy gifts, they always accompanied the same folded piece of paper.

I am 23 now. Last year, I was too busy to fold that piece of paper and draw and write. I called him, though. He sounded sad. He sounded sad when I called him and no cards were in his hand. I assured him that one is coming.

Who knows? Maybe mine is just more sentimental than the rest.

My Days Off!

2009-06-05T01:17:00.000-07:00

So, I took a break from working, cleaning, and cooking. Basically, everything. The atmosphere around here had been quite tense. To clear the air, I packed my bags moved out of my apartment in Denver and took refuge within my friend and favorite chef's house, Bryan, in Colorado Spring. Well, it's more like his mom's house.

I loved my stay there. Mainly because Bryan and his mom, mostly his mom, had been so hospital. Their pets took to me quite kindly, too. The hyperactive 80lb puppy, Piper, kept charging at and licking me. The bundle of fur that is Phoebe would always plopped in front of me making fur goes everywhere and demanded attention. Mia, well, she just walked around mewing cutely while terrozing all the other pets.

I wandered around a little bit. Found some pretty interesting trail to walk around and got very lost in the process. It was fun though. The scenery was amazing. I loved it. The lake was cool. There are a lot of people fishing. I asked if there were fish in there. The lake seemed pretty shallow from the shore.

On the night before my birthday, Bryan took me to Downtown Colorado Spring at a place called Phantom. He introduced me to a few of his friends. We played pool and drank a lot beer. It was fun.

All in all, it was a great little getaway. I loved it. Whatever happened there and the people I met, they would all be carved in the sweetest place in my heart. Thanks Bryan! Thanks Donna! For a great time.

Kitchen Re-Stocked!

2009-05-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

I got Spicy Pickles today. It was delicious. It is definitely my favorite American chain sandwich place. However, if you're in California, try Lee's Sandwiches. Or if you're in Denver, go down to Federal Blvd and Mississippi and try Ba Le Sandwiches.

Vietnamese sandwiches are the best! Hands down. They are simple, delicious, and uber inexpensive. Mario Batali made a Vietnamese style sandwich on Iron Chef once. It looked delicious.

Very few of Vietnamese food can be made so readily. Most takes days to prepare and make. That's why I don't make them often though I love them so much: wet rolls, egg rolls, phở, etc.

Shopping Spree today!! It's not clothes. It's groceries! I'm so excited. Restocking the kitchen for the first time in a few months. I got curry roux for my spontaneous curry cravings. Furikake for rice balls. Rice vinegar. 20lbs worth of rice. Olive oil, sauces such as hoisin, fish, and soy.

Oh, so many possibilities!!! I am so giddy.

For dinner was stir fry with rice. I haven't had stir fry in so long. Oh yes, I also bought egg noodles. But it's rice tonight. Awesome, delicious, yummy rice.

It's a quick stir fry with baby bok choy, fried tofu, onions, and ginger with hoisin sauce and a little bit of fish sauce. Salt and pepper, of course.

I am fairly satisfied with my kitchen now. So, as always, Happy Cooking!

Budget Cooking 101: Meatloaf! (recipe)

2009-05-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

As I have stated before, funds are limited. We barely have enough money for rent. So, money for food is next to non-existent. For the first time in my life, there is absolutely no rice in the house, not even those weird rice they sell at American market. If I have rice, dinner would be very easy. Rice and some sort of vegetable stir fry. See? Yummy meal. Left over rice plus left over meal equal fried rice. See? Equally yummy meal. Without rice though, I'm at lost of what to do. I have two chayote that is going bad because the only thing I know how to make with them is with rice.

With my current situation, I'm glad that it was my mom that taught me how to cook.
That means our cupboards aren't that bare, and I can whip a meal with very little. Again, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing for me as cook.

I've been thinking all day trying to come up with dinner meal plan, as dinner time comes along, I opened the fridge, for the fifth time today, to see what's inside. So, in my fridge are the following: half a pound of ground beef, some celery, some carrots, one slice of bread, 3/4 of an onion, garlic, and ginger.

I came up with two things to make: sloppy joes, but no buns, and meatloaf. So, meatloaf it was.

The way I learned how to cook was through my mom. She would sit and instruct me what to do and I would do it. The first meal i cooked was cabbage and carrot stir fry with pork. Then, I made muffin mixes from boxes. Then, I would scour the cooking books for things to make, but most of the time, my house, being asian, wouldn't have a lot of the ingredients, so I would always have to make do. So, when I cook, I rarely follow recipes too closely. As I grow older, I tend to be more and more creative and instinctive. I would replace things and come up with new ways to make certain things.

So, when ingredients are fewer and fewer. I just need to be more creative. Thus, with this meatloaf. It would be a meatloaf like no other. After just going through the fridge just pulling out what's left of all the ingredients, this is what I came up with. Remember, measurements aren't exact. Just, you know, do what "feels" right.

Budget Meatloaf Number 2

A few stalks of celery
half an onion
four cloves of garlic
half a pound of ground beef
breadcrumbs
1 tbs baking powder
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tsp vinegar
1/2 tsp molasses
salt and pepper
1 1/2 tbs butter

-preheat oven to 375 degrees
-mince the onion and garlic in a food processor
-saute the onion and garlic with butter for a couple minutes
-chopped up the celery - i like to add a lot of the leafy part
-mix in well the ground beef, baking powder, bread crumbs into with the celery
-add the rest of the ingredients
-grease baking pan
-shape mixture into loaf - i made a bed of chopped celery sticks and onion rings to add a little something and i greased the pan with sesame oil
- bake for 35-40 mins

I think this meal wasn't too bad. For a side dish I blanched some carrots, saute up some garlic in oil and add about a couple of tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of key lime peel, and mixed them together.

It was pretty good.

As always, Happy Eating!

Curry Cups!

2009-05-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

With my current situation, unemployed and without any funds, cooking has been a challenge. I am torn excitement and frustration. With limited ingredients, I am forced to be more creative with the things I make. Also, with limited ingredients, I get frustrated because I can't just go in a make something quick.

I am always running out of meat and veggies. My cupboards are getting more and more roomy. Everything I make, I have to make it from scratch. It's getting harder and harder to come up with meals idea let alone quick meals ideas. I'm always running out or completely out of something. The only thing that seems to be consistent flour and water. Even then, the flour is getting low.

Anyway, one gloomy Sunday morning, I stood in front of the fridge staring, again. A care-package came in from Michael's mom. In it were some peanut butter, bean soup bags, and a few instant curry package. I wanted curry -yes, even for breakfast...although it was already past noon. However, there were nothing to eat with the curry. I was a little sad and annoyed, again. Then, Michael had the idea of making a curry-bread with the pre-made Pillsbury dough I still had in my fridge.

*DING* While I was staring at the dough and the muffin tray, which just happened to be there - My kitchen seriously needs cleaning. An idea popped into my head. This is what came out of it.

That's right. Curry Cups. I cut out the dough. Pressed it into the muffin cups and then pour the curry into it and baked it. It turned out pretty delicious. It's pretty cute. I think when my situation turns better and I can have company over for dinner. I will make these again. They make great little appetizer. What do you think?

Madeleine Muffins!

2009-04-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

If anyone of you are a fan of French pastries, you will know of Madeleine cakes. They are more of a cookie than a cake, but it's debatable. Some people also call French butter cakes or French lemon butter cookies. Madeleines are shell/scallop shaped cookie with a crispy outside a soft inside, like most French cookies. These little cookies are a French tradition, a French favorites. They are like the chocolate chips cookies of America, the tea and crumpet of England. A batch of Madeleines and a cup of tea. There's really nothing better.

I have been wanting these since I was reminded of them during the movie Transporter - Great movie btw. Then, I got the cravings. I needed those soft buttery cookies with a hint of lemony taste. There were a few obstacles in my way. Money's a little tight lately. Milk, butter, and eggs were of sort supply. Also, there was the fact that I needed to work my head off. Rent and bills do not pay themselves. My cravings just grew and grew.

In a desperate attempt, I tried to find an eggless recipe. I have butter and I can always subsitute milk for tea. Tea gives the Madeleines a better fragrance anyway.

When I was scrounging around for recipes and ingredients, Peter proposed to go grocery shopping since he had extra money. No one could tell how ecstatic I was. An hour and a few bags of groceries later, there were salmon steaming in the oven and Madeleines on a plate.

My last obstacle was the mold. I did not have the shell shaped mold. But, my cravings got the better of me. Therefore, I took all the ingredients that make a Madeleine a Madeleine, tweaked it to make it into a muffin. Here is the result.

They have the crusty outside, the soft inside, the lemony and buttery taste. The only thing missing was that it wasn't sweet enough. Consider this though, Madeleine usually are dust with sugar. I thought maybe next time I will make a little sugary glazed to brush on top. Or just add a little more sugar.

Madeleine Muffins

1 c all purpose flour
1/8 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 c milk
1/4 cup tea
4 tbs butter
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400F
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
Melt butter.
Mix well butter, milk, tea, vanilla, and egg into the flour mixture
Use a whisk to whisk the batter into a good consistency
Pour into muffin pan and bake for 15 - 22 mins

Food - The Best Medicine (Ultimate Tomato Soup - Recipe)

2009-01-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

Food is the best cure for most illnesses. I say most because there are so many illnesses caused by the toxic we create in our society today. Food, no matter how good it good, even nutrition wise, cannot save a man from a sickness created by synthetic chemicals.

Still, for the most part good, nutritious food will be able to cure most ailments.

Michael hadn't been feeling so great the last couple days. He slept and ate in inconsistent schedules in addition to working and stressing excessively. So, he woke up not feeling too good.

Food to the rescue.

I would normally make him some sort of noodle soup. I would have loved to make him "Pho", the vietnamese equivalent of chicken noodle soup. Only to the Vietnamese, they are more of a treat and we calculate our wealth according to how many bowls of Pho we can buy with our salary. But I didn't have all the ingredients for it, most importantly, the ingredient with curing abilities. Also, I've been making a lot of noodle soup dishes, and so he requested that I make non noodle soup...soup.

Here's a great curing soup. Tasty too.

Ultimate Tomato Soup

carrots
celery
tomatoes
garlic
onions
can tomato paste/soup
1 can of chicken broth

preheat oven to 425 degrees
cut tomatoes in fourths
season with garlic, dry basil, and salt
place on baking tray drizzle with a olive oil
bake for about 12-15 mins

saute garlic and rings of onions in butter on high heat
add carrots
when carrots is a little tender
add celery
let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 mins
turn heat half way down
add chicken soup
wait til boil
add tomato paste/soup
add baked tomatoes
stir and let simmer for about 10 - 20 mins

If you would like you can add little meatballs as it simmers.

Porky's Favorite Meatballs

Pork
finely chopped onion
1 egg
salt and pepper

combine all ingredients and rolls into balls
add to soup

My meatball had a little too much eggs in it. So, it spread out to the soup, but it only enhances the taste. I really liked it.

Michael and Peter ( and I, too) devoured this soup.

Ever since we moved in together, Peter had had mostly Asian dishes: curry, bo kho (Vietnamese beef stew), bo luc lac (shaken beef), ramen, udon soup, assorted Japanese bread, etc. But, I think I will be making more of either Italian dishes or Spanish dishes. My little baking binge is almost over I think. At least for now.

Happy Eating!

End of the Universe Melon bread!!! (a recipe)

2009-01-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

So, I've told you about my cooking/baking adventures. In a couple hours, I will go to the store, to get ingredients, and attempt to make curry bread...that's right curry bread. As much as I do not like japanese people, their food is something, especially their pastries. Granted most of them are just their own versions of other people's, but you have to give them props even though all they do is stuff things or cover things with stuff.

Anyway, Melon bread got me, because it's a cookie covered bread. I think it's really neat. To make it truer to its name, I add a melon filling within the bread. It started out with Michael watching Yakitate Japan! There was an episode where they had to make melon bread. In the show, Kazuma, the hero of the story, made melon bread in a new way. He baked the cookie and the bread seperately and then paste them together with a melon paste.

But in the end, Michael told me to just make the melon bread the right way. So that's what I did, sort of. Anyway, it turned out really good, well, decent any way. I used all purpose flour. One because that's all I had at the time, and I think it help the cooking time with both of these. The cookie was a little soft and crunchy. The bread was soft and melts with the filling. I liked it and so does Michael and Peter.

Here's my own recipe. Enjoy!!!

MELON BREAD

Melon custard

1 cup sugar
1 tbsp of flour
pureed melon
2 tbsp butter

melts butter in sauce pan
combine sugar and flour
cook over medium heat
gradually add pureed melon
cooks until it thickens
set aside

Bread

200g (1/2 cp) all purpose flour
2 tsp dry yeast
10 g (1 tbsp) sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
1 egg

mix all the ingredients
knead dough for 15 mins or until your arms get tired
let rise for 40 - 60 mins (while it rise, make the cookie dough

after the dough rose, punch it down
knead a little bit if neccessary, I like it
divide into little balls, it should make 9,
flatten each ball of dough and add filling
pinched and set aside
and let it rest of 15 mins

Cookie

200g all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
60 g butter
50 g sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp sugar

cream butter and sugar
beat eggs, combine with the butter and sugar mixture
add flour and baking powder
refridgerate

when the bread dough is done
take a pinch of the cookie dough
flatten it and cover the bread dough
spread even, add a little more if neccessary
place them in baking trays or cookie sheet
let rise of 30 mins
preheat over at 375 degrees
bake for 15 - 20 mins when bread becomes golden brown

If you're brave enough to try this recipe, tell me how it went. I'm pretty satisfy with it, but as an artist told me, things can always be better. So, I will try more melon pan and see what works and what doesn't to improve my own.

Happy Baking...and Eating, of course!

Binging is bad...?

2009-01-13T01:47:00.000-08:00

I've been on a cooking binge lately. I've cooked up a few batches of an pan, rice cakes-mochi to be exact, miso ramen, udon, and more recently, melon pan(bread). And yes, I've been in a japanese mood, too. I got Michael a japanese cookbook for Christmas. He likes japanese food. I think he has a japanese complex, but that's beside the point.

I TOTALLY failed at making mochi. Instead of the yummy and gooey rice cake that I love, it came out very dough-ey...powdery almost. I tried a bunch of different recipes and a few improvised ways. It still sucked.

I am very sad at this.

Peter and Michael loved my an pan. Well, this is more of a custard pan than an pan. I didn't have red bean paste or red bean so I made custard instead. Although my custard pan was well received, I am still not happy with them. They weren't at fluffy as I want them to be. But I think my next try will be better.

My miso ramen and udon was good. I really like them and so does my two judges, Michael and Peter. But, I want to improve them more. That really just mean me eating more ramen and udon. There really isn't many ramen nor udon houses, but I'll be in California for New Year so I will con people into taking me then.

My melon bread turned out really good. I was pleasantly surprised. Usually, my first batches of anything, even first batches of things I've made before into perfection a while ago, never turned out just the way I intend it to. The only thing that went wrong was that I didn't take the filling into account so there wasn't enough cookie dough, and some of the bread was breaking because of the bread dough rising. Still, the bread itself is quite tasty. I just need to double up the cookie dough ingredients.

I will post the recipe tomorrow. Until then, Happy Eating!

My Quest for Sweet Rice---Flour! (and a recipe)

2008-12-18T15:01:00.000-08:00

I LOVE sweet rice!

It's sweet! It's sticky! It's just awesome!

Being asian, I get to eat so many yummy sweets, made from sweet rice or sweet rice flour, that my friends are just now getting into, like rice cakes or sticky rice cakes. The anime geeks will know them as mochi.

I love a Viet dessert/breakfast called xoi. Xoi is just steamed sweet rice in coconut milk. Usually it is made with red or black beans and toppped with crushed peanuts mixed with sugar and then topped again with sliced coconut. I really like it. They're also served with mung beans.

I haven't had xoi in a while. Living in Denver and at least 20 minutes away from the small Vietnamese district isn't exactly conducive to getting anything Viet.

Now that I finally got my rice flour. I can make yummy rice flour treats. I have never made anything with sweet rice so I'm going to experiment with different recipes and ways to make them. Soon, I'll share a recipe.

Now, for something completely unrelated. Here's a really good savory biscuit recipe. I like to eat it with curry. Yum.

2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 pkg cream cheese (about 32oz or so)
1/4 tbsp butter
2/3 cups milk (tea)

green onion, basil, and/or garlic

1. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, salt well.
2. Cut in (mix) the cream cheese and butter with the flour mixture
3. Add garlic and either basil or green onion and/or other herbs and spices that you want
4. Make a little well or indent in the middle and then pour in the milk ( I like to use tea because it gives off a nice little fragance and it's not too dairy).
5. Mix and knead
6. Pull out little clumps of dough and then bake for 12-15 minutes.
7. Enjoy =)

Confession of a Food-a-holic Fat Girl

2008-12-15T00:42:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not really fat...I'm not. I just really like food. I know that doesn't sound too convincing, but I really only like food, good food. I like food from all over the world France, Italy, Chinese, Mexican, India, etc. All of it. I don't just eat. I like to make food, too.

It wasn't until recently that I discovered that I really like to cook. I am Vietnamese, and I was raised in a very traditional Vietnamese manner. That meant that being a good housewife was part of my upbringing, and a good housewife had to, of course, know how to cook. Being forced to learn how to cook wasn't fun, but it did teach me the basic of cooking.

Now that I don't have to cook, I spend all my time researching and looking for new things to cook. When I'm not cooking or don't feel like cooking, I try to eat new food. I'm always on the look out for restaurants or cafes that no one knows about or in some hole in the wall.

One day a thought hit me, since I spend all my time looking for new and amusing places to eat, I might as well share it with the world. Maybe some unexpected stranger will happen by my little corner of the internet and find himself a cheap but delicious place to eat.

Then, my job here will be complete.

Happy Eating!