Been a Couple of Days

I'm back.

After a long time away from my computer, I realize that in the blog world even a day can be costly. So four days is absolutely over the limit. I can't take it anymore, I have to blog.

Funny thing is, when you start keeping yourself busy, Busy comes more frequently to your door. As soon as I picked up blogging and sharing with the world an aspect of my life, my life started picking up more things to do. This blog is certainly of those things I long to continue doing no matter how hectic life gets.

I haven't been cooking much lately but will most likely resume my taste buds in a couple of days. My recent attempt at cooking with lentils had left me doubtful if I will attempt anything else in the lentil sphere. But we'll see. (lol) You should see the green goop I created in my kitchen. I was trying to make an Indian lentil curry dish, a favorite of my dad's. Instead, it turned out bland, goopy and *blehck*. And no, I refuse to post pics of this.

Anyway, my husband gave me this great idea to start posting (in place of failed recipe attempts...I said this, not him) my pictures of things I've found in my surroundings that resemble, say, look, become alive into something else. For instance this lonely bike we found on a Saturday walk.

It was a very bad day for this bike. A very bad day.

The Cinema Sentinel: How To Train Your Dragon

Hey, it's Thursday today...that means it's Friday--Movie Day--tomorrow! Sweetness! Yes, I purposefully have chosen to use exclamation marks to emphasize how excited I am. DreamWorks has done it again and this time it's called, "How To Train Your Dragon." My husband and I will definitely go see this movie this weekend or next. 3D Here We Come. Okay, no more talking...just see for yourself.

Family Recipe: Pork Adobo (Chicken is also invited to the party)

It's Monday and time to get back to cooking food that's great for dinner and filling for tomorrow's lunch.  I'm making a family favorite called Adobo (pork or chicken).  This is a Filipino dish that emphasizes in using vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns and other spices that make this a truly unique dish.  I've heard that you can brown the meat after marinating it in the sauces and spices but my mother's recipe doesn't require you to.  Today, I will try and put the two techniques together.

What you will need:

1-2 lbs of Pork or Chicken
4 Jalapenos
1/4 Cup of White Vinegar
1/4 Cup of Kikkoman soy sauce
3 Tablespoons of Mushroom soy sauce
3 Tablespoons of Fish Sauce
2 Tablespoons of Worcestershire
3 Bay Leaves
2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
4-5 Cloves of crushed Garlic
1 1/2 Cup of Water

Tools and Things:

A nice large pot with a lid

• Over medium heat, add oil. Then add garlic and meat.  Stirring frequently, brown the meat.

• Add jalapenos, vinegar, soy sauces, fish sauce, worcestershire, bay leaves and black pepper.  Make sure the meat is completely coated with these ingredients.

• Add water. Cover pot and bring adobo to boil.  Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and keep covered for about an 45 minutes- 1 hour.  Make sure you keep an eye on your pot. Checking it occasionally so you don't have burnt adobo. It should be ready when the meat is super tender.

• Oh, and don't forget to remove the bay leaves.  Not really fun to eat.

Serve this dish with warm rice.  I prefer this recipe with medium grain rice or I like to call it, sushi rice. Such brands like Nishiki, Kokuho Rose or Calrose.

Sunday Brunch: Bourbon, DC

If you ever visit northwest DC, make sure you visit Bourbon. Established in 2002 in Glover Park, they provided a place where you could drink, dine and relax without getting hit on by sleazy, greasy lookin' men. They became so popular, they opened another place in Adams Morgan.

Why do I like Bourbon? Well, my husband and I enjoy this wonderful place because of the food. It's simple ingredients turned into comfort food away from home. My husband loves their grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup. Our friend Jeff enjoys their "Thaddeus' Chili Mac" and a cold glass of dark beer. I on the other hand, can never pass up their "Hot Dog", I believe Glover Park menu calls it "Big Hot Dog." This dog is a 1/4 lb all beef dog, grilled to perfection and cozily tucked in a warm pretzel bun. And it's only $5.  Mmmm...mmm...mmm

I enjoy contrasting tastes, so with the salty beef hot dog, I always ask for a side of their signature Bourbon BBQ baked beans. Now, I KNOW how to make baked beans and a mean one at that. However, these baked beans at Bourbon's has depths of flavor that make it a worthy side to any dish on the menu. First, you smell and taste the smoke flavor, then a touch of sweetness and finally...POW, the bourbon just tops the experience.

Seriously, if you can't make it for their Happy Hour, do stop by on a weekend for their brunch hour. 

Here are the hours:

Glover Park

Monday to Thursday 5pm-2am

Friday 5pm-3am

Saturday 11:30am-3am

Sunday 11:30am-2am

Adams Morgan

Monday to Thursday 6pm-2am

Friday 5pm-3am

Saturday 11:30am-3am

Sunday 11:30am-2am

When you do visit Bourbon, send me some pics of your orders! Have a great Sunday evening.

Done Deal!

Calming Down After a Long Day

After a long day and a clean hot shower, one of my favorite ways to relax is to read a good book and sip hot tea. Yes, I'm that comfortable with not having to go out every weekend. I remember when I was in my early twenties and I told myself that I could party forever. Haha, tell that to my sleep cycle now. (LOL)

Well, for nights like these tea, tv or a good book is just fine with me. One really stress-relieving cup of tea that I often enjoy is Celestial Seasoning's Sleepytime tea. According to the package, each tea bag consists of chamomile, spearmint (my fav of the mint family), lemongrass, tilia flowers, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, hawthorn and rosebuds. Enticing enough for you?

What brings all this together would definitely have to be a sweet teaspoon or more of pure honey. Ahhhhh, time to kick back and indulge in the comfort of a story or the demise of a chef on Food Network's Chopped show.

Anyway, this is just one of many teas I enjoy. What's your favorite tea when you want to relax?

Have a great weekend. Unless, you live in Indiana where I heard it will be snowing tomorrow. Yoiks!

How I Store Thai Chilies

I rarely get to my local Thai market without having to take a 45 minute public transportation ride. So when I do get the chance to stop by my favorite Thai markets, I buy their chilies. Thai Chilies. You really can't substitute this babies without losing authentic flavors.

When I did get them, I never really knew how to keep them fresh long enough. But by observing my Aunt Sumalee, I found out how she did it.  If you store them right, you will get about 2-3 weeks out of it.  But like any good cook, always check your produce before you prep them.

Here's how to store them:

• Wash the chilies in cold water.

• Remove the stems.

• Pat dry on paper towel or cloth.

• Store them all in a plastic container. Place the container closer to the bottom of the fridge away from the light.

To tell if you have a good chili, the seeds inside should be a white/yellow pale fresh color (Right side). If it's brown to dark brown, just toss them (Left side).

You can cut a chili to or most of the times, you can tell from the outside of the chili's skin. The skin should be plump and tight. (Wish my face could remain plump and tight but that's what plastic surgery's for, yeah?)

Bears, Beets, Brown...Alton Brown

One of my favorite TV personalities on Food Network would have to be Alton Brown. He makes food interesting in a scientific way. He explains why fruits, veggies, recipes or anything edible is the way it is and what you can do with it.

According to his bio on Food Network, he used to work as a cinematographer and video director. I guess in way, I feel like I can relate to him. We both have and are still working in media production but there is an undeniable passion for food and doing what we think would be better. Of course, he has a show and I have but a humble blog. Nonetheless, I am glad I can write about him on this blog...I feel a little closer to his aisle now.

Anyway, I wanted to post two videos of one of his episodes on Good Eats. He talks and shows you how beets can be a nutritious and delicious addition to your diet. I've yet to try some of his recipes but I will sooner or later. Enjoy and let me know how you prepare your beets.





For more info on his whereabouts go to his official website, AltonBrown.com.