stuffed peppers.

stuffed bellpeppers.

After reminiscing over photos from our trip to Greece last year, I decided to attempt to make the Mediterranean version of the dish as opposed to the italian version?  with ground lamb and rice stuffing and a slightly sweet tomato sauce to top it off.  The flavors were pretty much there.. from a dish that we had several times in Mykonos.  *note to self - next time let it bake just a bit longer.. for that fall apart bell pepper texture. 

adobo

chicken adobo + brown rice + zucchini

attempted to make Filipino style chicken adobo for the first time last week.  it turned out pretty good, at least the husband was pleased.

To sum it up, it's braised chicken in 2 parts vinegar,  1 part soy sauce, peppercorns, and garlic.

will make again.

chinese foods - pork

stewed ground pork with shitake mushrooms and wood ear

simply made as the above ingredients are stewed in a pot of broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, and star anise.

the next day i added in some hardboiled eggs.. so good.

bok choy with enoki mushrooms

flash boiled then stir fried, added broth and cornstarch for gravy.

pickled pork hock with scallions (a fave of ours)

preboil the hock for about an hour with star anise and garlic, let it cool, dice it up in bite size pieces then mix in with some vinegar, rock salt, and scallions, let chill and add more vinegar as needed. a slightlayer of gelatin will form on some pieces.  so delicious. and good texture.. like al dente pigs feet.

ad hoc adventures - chicken pot pie

this was the second recipe i made from thomas keller's ad hoc at home.  i cheated slightly by purchasing my pie dough, but still it created a delicious meal.  the hubby was quite impressed, and i was surprised at how easy it was. this is not your generic frozen pot pie. the flavors were rich yet simple with béchamel sauce and fresh herbs.  i decided to serve it with a side of cucumber salad.. a perfect light, fresh dinner.

ad hoc adventures - roasted poussin

recently, i  finally cracked open my ad hoc at home cookbook by thomas keller.  the inaugural recipe was the roasted poussin.. it didn't sound complex and i already had cornish game hens in my freezer.  preparation was rather basic, and the result was delish.  the flavors were simple and light, really letting you taste the mix of thyme and parsley and the hen.  i decided to roast some potatoes to serve alongside them.

okonomiyaki

last week i decided to finally try to make okonomiyaki.  originally introduced to it via the anime Ranma 1/2, but not actually tasted until our trip to Tokyo last spring.  sometimes referred to as a japanese pizza, it is really not similar besides it's usually round shape.. it's much more akin to a korean pancake.
after finding an okonomiyaki kit at the local korean store, i decided to give it a shot.  it came with engrish directions, and the flour needed as the base of the dish. which mainly consists of cabbage, green onion, and egg.  oh and can't forget the bacon.. (recipe asks for sliced pork... same thing right?)
i have to say it turned out not too shabby.. and flipped much better than my first experience back in tokyo.  i did have to purchase the okonomiyaki sauce separately.. but it is necessary.. also mayo is good on top too.  success.

still cooking.

i know i've been terribly neglecting this blog (as well as the other).  not sure why things seem so busy.. yet i feel like i'm slacking in so many other aspects.. the guitar is dusty.. my workout clothes are clean..  but one things for sure i'm still cooking.


from top: spinach, potato,sausage fritatta | mini fruit tarts | grilled pork loin, baby carrots, and truffle crab pasta | roasted beets w/goat cheese walnuts (yes poscol i copy u) | tortellini and sausage stew | taiwanese style chicken nuggets

60th

yesterday was my mom's 6oth birthday.. and over the weekend we threw her a birthday bash with family and friends.. i have to say i think it turned out quite successful! hope you had a fabulous birthday mom :)

xmas partee

this years 'gift' was homemade cookies... so i made a cookie buffet!

lime meltaways, espresso shortbread, pecan pie cookies, rum balls, homemade almond roca, and green tea shortbread.

sekrit santa name tags outside the front door.

so i was so busy that those are the only photos from the party that i took... will have to wait for photog guest dru for more photos :)

thanksgiving 2009

thanksgiving 2009 i learned how wonderful it is to brine a turkey. SO DELICIOUS.

there was all the traditional sides along with acorn squash stuffed with couscous.. also delicious.

wonton time.

pork and shrimp wontons.

i had a craving... so i made some. T even helped wrap some of 'em too :)

cooking italian.

creamy mushroom cabonara

truffle oil, egg, asparagus.

osso bucco

molto bene!

brunch and 'southern' eats.

truffled egg salad tramezzini - homey and classy at the same time.

ingredients: bread (usually white, cut off the crust), boiled eggs, dijon mustard, mayo, olive oil, pepper, sea salt, truffle oil

oven "fried" chicken and red beans and rice

ingredients:

chicken -boneless/skinless chicken thighs, italian dressing (chicken marinade), bread crumbs

red beans and rice - kidney beans (drained), sausage, cajun seasoning, worcestershire, rice

i found that the above were good and easy.. make with what you already have in the kitchen meals.

meaty!

mini turkey meatloaf cupcakes with asiago potato wedges

spaghetti bolognese with artichoke granitata

a few dinners from last week.. both lacking a substantial portion of vegetables. whoops.

fancy feast tuesday

HEB had lobsters $5.99/lb... could not resist. my house still smells like garlic butter.

and we totally used a garlic press as a lobstah hammer.

LOBSTAH

Truffle/Asiago Mashed Potatoes

pictures of dinner

in honor of my friend from teh internetz new blog - pictures of dinner (who still likes me despite the fact that i like to put tabasco on my popcorn), i actually remembered to take photos of my labor day dinner... U SEE FOOD NOW.

scallop scampi pasta

cozze bianco

asparagus sauteed in clam sauce

i made bread

asiago herb bread.

last week i borrowed my dads kitchenaid mixer to 'test' it out.

it is coolest thing since well... sliced bread.

i quickly put an order in for one for myself... in red.. moar bread and baked goodies to come.. the hubby and my coworkers should be very happy.

thats a spicy cupcake

chocolate chipotle cupcakes topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon..

and since i pureed the entire can of chipotle peppers.. so much chipotle to use...

so dinner the day was chipotle grilled pork loin...

butterflied the pork loin slices and pounded them out... then marinated them in a combination of garlic, chipotle puree, brown sugar, and salt/pepper. served on mashed potatoes with a side of homemade pico.

braised lamb shank

braised lamb shank... my first time to make it..
..will be making again!

bacon cupcakes.

I brought these over to Dru's superbowl party awhile ago. The challenge was to include bacon. I decided to make a pancake cupcake with bacon crumbled into the batter. The mix of subtle sweet and salty was a good mix. For the frosting, it was a buttercream with a hint of maple/honey syrup. Then i candied some bacon by baking it in the oven with brown sugar to top off the cupcakes. I was a bit skeptical as were the attendees to the event.. but everyone seemed pleasantly surprised by the taste. project succeeded!