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.

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.

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.

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.