Me so corny....

Growing up I thought all “American” food was pretty gross. My mother would make these elaborate Korean dishes that would infuse our house with intense gastronomically delightful aromas. On the other hand when my Dad would cook everything came out of a can or a box. I’m pretty sure the only spices my Dad knows are salt and pepper.

I definitely have a better understanding and appreciation for American food now. Sometimes I still get the unexpected pleasure of a new to me but classic American dish. Such a treat was presented to me a few nights back when I got an invitation to stay for dinner after a very satisfying sewing session. My sewing mentor and friend Sioban made a meal of truly comforting food. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes and where have you been all my life creamed corn.

This is the lovely Sioban.








I love that this was clipped from the newspaper.

Not the prettiest belle at the ball but I still swooned.

Amen for Ramen

For those of you who are like me in that:

1.) You were once a poor starving college student
2.) Are still poor but no longer a college student
3.) Trying to stretch a budget

Then you are probably familiar with Ramen. Those freeze dried noodles with the silver flavor packet that come in a plenty pack 20 for a dollar.

I spent many a time trying to fancy them up, adding an egg or frozen veggies maybe some cheese. There is a brilliant blog about all the wonderful things you can try to make with Ramen. http://www.mattfischer.com/ramen/

There are also the many Asian peers to Ramen, with fancy spicy flavor packets and thicker noodles, still freeze dried.

So when Konoe, my ultra-cute Japanese friend, made me dinner it, reminded me of my “fancy-fied” Ramen attempts. (Konoe is pronounced ko-know-ee)

What she made is called Hiyashi-Chuuka which basically translates to cold Chinese noodle. Its like Ramen came in a package but unlike Ramen the noodles are doughy and come vaccum sealed and the flavor packet is a liquid sauce. Ours came with a goma (sesame) flavored dressing.

This is Konoe's snack stash, too cute!

Dried squid: The beef jerky of the ocean.

Mmmmmm

Barley tea: barley still delicious even without the buzz.

Hiyashi-chuuka package

The Following is Konoe preparing the meal in sequence:

Those are not colored pencils, just the best chopsticks EVER!

And some green tea ice cream, just cause.

Konoe's dog Taco

1, 2 Cha Cha Cha

I think it’s fitting to celebrate life with food. So when my very good friends Mario and Maria, the most ridiculously cute couple I have the pleasure of knowing, wanted to take me to dinner to celebrate my Twenty-cough birthday I was ecstatic. When they told me they were taking me to Cha Cha Cha I was truly elated.

http://theoriginalchachacha.com/

Cha Cha Cha is nestled in the artsy/hipster community of Silverlake. Its innovative Caribbean/South American fusion cuisine has made this family restaurant a beloved part of the neighborhood for over twenty years.

What gets me most of all is that Ruth Reichl, a culinary rock god in my eyes, gave it an absolutely rave review upon its inception.

So yes a very happy birthday to me!!!

Jerk Pork shredded pork tenderloin grilled with a spicy jamaican jerk sauce.

Banana Boats plantain boats filled with ground beef and vegetables served with pina salsa.

Yucca Con Ajo (Fried Yucca) fried yucca served with mucho garlic.

Black Bean Tamales sweet corn tamales with black beans, tomatillo salsa and golden caviar


On a hot sunny day in California, this sangria and some ceviche; it's like glimpsing heaven.



Mario admiring the menu.

Maria <3

Good food and good friends I can’t think of a better way to celebrate being alive!