Friday, January 16, 2009

Breakfast soup

On a cold wintry day like today a good hot noodle soup makes an excellent breakfast.



Today I used onion, the leftover braised pork from the fridge, scallions, garlic and ginger.



I like ground white pepper and a package of ramen noodles - I don't use the flavor pack that comes with, but season things from my own cabinets. A little chili garlic sauce from Lee's grocery on Central Ave. and things are quite spicey.



Since I grew up in the midwest where things weren't very spicey, I only use a little of the chili garlic paste, and at the end I like to add a few drops of sesame oil for a beautiful savory flavor.



Today's garnish is scallions, but cilantro is tasty as well.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Cottage cheese, apples and toasted cashews



This works well for breakfast lunch or dinner. It's a variation on a salad that is a bit more complicated. The essence is the cottage cheese and fruit, and there are a zillion nice variations. Coarsely chopped fruit, nuts or seeds and cottage cheese. One version includes honey and lemon juice as a dressing.

I toasted the raw cashews for this version and it is yum - ola.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Breakfast hash



After braising a lovely pork roast it seemed logical to use some of it for breakfast hash by adding carrots, onions and garlic.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

My Linh - oh my

This My Linh appetizer of chicken wings stuffed with crabmeat was a lovely starter and while fascinating in itself with the spicey nuoc nam sauce, left me ready for a full course.





This coconut crepe stuffed with sprouts, mushrooms, chicken and a bouquet of spices was superb. The side of fresh herbs and lettuce was the perfect complement. The mint was the sort of licorice/anise flavor and the cilantro was perfectly fresh and fragrant. I'm not ashamed to say I dispatched it quickly.



Last night the seating began in the back room, with a fireplace and lovely subtle decorations with a winter theme. All in all it was a lovely dinner and put me in a cheery mood to go to the nearby Spectrum Theaters.