Category Archives: Food

I’m Goofy and I Know It

I saw the most incredible thing while traveling last week:

It’s a dude using a pay phone. A DUDE USING A PAY PHONE. I obviously had to take a picture. What I was unable to capture (to my dismay) were the moments before he picked up the phone, when he read the instructions and then looked for change. HE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. Well, either he didn’t read the instructions well enough or no one was home because he never did speak to someone. Poor guy. I probably should have offered my assistance; he seemed to have trouble counting his change, too. I was not a good citizen at the moment. Plus, I was too busy giggling about it.

I caved and bought a pair of TOMS:

They’re comfy but let me warn you that I had to exchange my original pair for a half size smaller than my usual size. I’m a dumbass for not listening to my friend Monika when she told me to get a half size smaller. I do like them, but… how do I put this delicately… I have to be careful what outfits I pair them with because with the wrong pants or look, I basically look like an Asian refugee or female prisoner. This has to do with their slipper-like look, the fact that I’m Asian, and the fact that I have tiny feet (my TOMS are a size 5). TOMS gives a free pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought; Monika joked that I was one of the free pair recipients. Yes. That’s how they look on me. I’m wearing them anyway, dammit.

I finally finished reading Zeitoun. Wow. It’s so quietly powerful. I admit that I’m fiction’s bitch; it was Dave Eggers’s name that made me pick up Zeitoun more than anything else (yes, yes, ironic since he doesn’t really write fiction). I think it’s a really important story, and I would encourage you to read it. I started my next book, which was recommended to me by my friend Jen:

So far, so good. I may actually finish this one by next year…

This is nearly blasphemous, but I haven’t been keeping up with TV much lately. Mad Men is the only show I faithfully watch, but I did miss last night’s episode. It’s so good and Sunday nights are a perfect TV night for me. Plus, it’s Mad Men, people. If I’m only going to keep up with one show, it had best be Mad Men. Other than that, I’ve been marathoning Doctor Who. After Martha’s last episode, I wanted to pause before getting into the Donna episodes and the end of Tennant’s run. I feel like such a Who nerd for wanting to prolong Tennant’s run for as long as I can even though I’ve seen it all already and I’m a fan of Matt Smith’s doctor. Hahahaa, are you reading this? I can’t believe I’m talking about Doctor Who. Anyway, I still wanted something British, but more stiff and romantic, so I watched (for the first time) the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice miniseries:

Ewwww, Colin Firth! Stop being so sexy with that look and your dark curly hair and acting all snotty but then being all wonderful… I take it back, Colin Firth, please let me have your babies and is it okay if I call you Mister Darcy? Nothing will ever beat this adaptation! Disclaimer: I am not a Jane Austen nerd so take my assessment with a grain of salt. I loved it so much that I almost watched it again immediately, but there are other things to enjoy, such as Audrey Hepburn. I’ve never seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I know, I know! How lame of me. However, I did start by watching Sabrina and Audrey Hepburn is so pretty and petite and I hate her guts now.

In non-TV entertainment, I was uber elated to hear that the Art Institute will have a Roy Lichtenstein exhibit from May 16 through September 2. I fell in love with Lichtenstein when I saw a huge print of one of his works hanging in my boss’s office years ago. It’s such great Pop Art and I need to make sure I haul my ass downtown to see this one. Who wants to go with me?

Finally, and also in non-TV entertainment, I attended my niece’s dance recital yesterday.

Isn’t she sweet?!

Nah. She’s a goofball, just like her aunt. Alright, gotta go. I’m eating a mango and it needs my undivided attention!

Gift Guide: Ethereal Confections

Site: Ethereal Confections (link)
What You Will Find: Classy and delicious chocolates that use only the finest ingredients and no preservatives. They are dairy free, gluten free, and vegan*.
Perfect for: Anyone who appreciates fine chocolates and cares about what they put in their body.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Well… there’s a lady at work who doesn’t like it (Hi, Bettie!), but chocolate is generally a crowd pleaser. It tames the wild, hormonal, and anxiety-ridden beast that lives inside of us. My friend Tammi got me a box of Ethereal truffles for my birthday and I absolutely fell in love with them.

Ethereal Confections are handmade locally (local to me, anyway) and contain local ingredients. You can definitely taste and see how much care is put into making the chocolates. They chocolate itself is so fresh and tasty–and they don’t use any milk or white chocolate. The flavors are creative but never weird for the sake of being weird. There’s something for everyone from the traditionalists to the adventurous.

Ethereal Confections just opened a store in Woodstock, IL where the chocolates are made. Their products can also be found in a handful of stores in Illinois and Wisconsin. You can also buy directly from their web site.

I hope you will consider Ethereal Confections for the chocolate aficionado in your life!

*I contacted Ethereal Confections through their web site to find out if their products are vegan. Sara informed me they are vegan, however, honey (which some vegans may not consider to be totally vegan) is used in the following: Lavender Honey truffle, Sesame Ginger truffle, Ginger Orange bar.

All photos were found on www.etherealconfections.com. I would have taken a picture of the chocolates that were given to me but I devoured them.

Day Before the (Maybe) Last Time I Eat Turkey (for awhile, anyway)

Happy Day Before Thanksgiving, y’all!

NEWSFLASH: I’m trying to go vegan. WHAT?! Truth, people. Truth. I even started another blog!

Let’s go with this truth thing… I don’t even really like turkey. With the exception of some excellent roasted turkey at Cracker Barrel, I have never eaten a turkey and had a foodgasm. I have always kind of felt like Thanksgiving is this weird day when Americans force themselves and their family members to eat turkey in order to celebrate the persecution of Native Americans all the things they are thankful for. Well, I don’t need turkey to feel gratitude for wonderful things in my life. I will enjoy it tomorrow, as a last hurrah of sorts. Actually, I think I will miss “real” gravy the most. No. Wait. I’ll miss leche flan the most:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Favorite Eats: Toronto

Please note: I was only in Canada for about 50 hours and I am basically listing every place I went to. And they are all my favorite!

Rua Vang (Golden Turtle) Restaurant. The menu at this Vietnamese restaurant is extensive! I would have loved to try a lot of items, but I needed something bland and was craving rice. So I had the chicken fried rice. Yes, boring, but also tasty! If I have a chance to go back, I hope my stomach is up to being more adventurous.

Hurricanes Roadhouse. We found this place when we were looking for a bar in which to watch UFC. Seems hardcore, but is actually quite cozy. This is also the place where I tried poutine and it was delicious. Mmmm… poutine… Great sports bar, relaxed vibe, and good food.

Crafted by Te Aro and i deal Coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee! Both of these spots are great coffee places with great atmospheres. And the coffee is awesome, too! I won’t pick one over the other since, duh, I’ve only been to each place once and I ordered different items. I did enjoy both places, though, and they both sell super fresh baked goods along with their coffee.

Prince of Wales Hotel – Churchill Lounge. The lounge at the Prince of Wales Hotel was a saving grace for us at a time when we were desperate for a nice dinner when most places were already closed. Hands down, one of the most incredible burgers I have had in I don’t know how long. Perfectly cooked, magically seasoned, and extremely satisfying. Yeah, technically this isn’t in Toronto. Whatever.

Wish I had

  • Tried a hot dog from a street vendor
  • Eaten more poutine
  • Been able to bring fruit back home with me
  • Eaten more poutine
  • Been there longer so that I could try out more places
  • Eaten more poutine

Not Really Tiramisu But Let’s Call It That Anyway

YOU GUYS. I have never been shy to admit that I suck at baking. So I am really happy to have discovered a new tasty dessert that I am able to easily make. I found the recipe when my sister asked me to look up easy tiramisu recipes for her. We decided on this recipes for a few simple reasons: it called for few, inelegant (no ladyfingers, no mascarpone cheese) ingredients, and my sister had two bags of Heath bar chips. I followed the recipe as written. The only difference with our dessert is that we used Costco pound cake instead of the frozen kind. The only things I may do differently when I make this again is to make more layers and add more coffee so the cake gets nice and soaked. Toffee also isn’t necessary; it would be delicious topped with fresh fruit and/or dark chocolate shavings.

SO unhealthy. But SO easy to make, great to bring to an office party or small gathering, and so delicious. Best of all—-NO BAKING!

Dove Promises: PMS Edition

I tweeted this yesterday:

Screw you, Dove chocolates. Stop telling me how to live my life. P.S. Please get rid of the wrappers that say, “You go, girl!”

Then, in a reply to one of my friends, I tweeted the following:

I’m going to suggest one that says, “Stop eating chocolate. You’re fat.” Whoa. I think I have PMS. *cries*

Yeah. The situation was funny (in my humble opinion), but that chocolate wrapper really did piss me off yesterday. Sometimes, I eat chocolate because I want something sweet. Other times, I gorge on chocolate because I’m in a bad mood  and I’m not ashamed to admit that. That being said, I don’t need to read this on my chocolate wrapper when I’m moody:

Oh, really, Jan from FL? How about YOU try finding the humanity in an evil co-worker, a liar, or a bully. I propose a new theme of Dove Promises for the moody, hormonal, and angry people who don’t want an inspirational message, but a funny and maybe sometimes mean-spirited one. Some suggestions:

  • Today is SO not your day.
  • You’re too nice.
  • Everyone else is stupid.
  • Consider revenge.
  • Eat a carrot instead, fatty.
  • You know you had it coming.
  • True love is false.
  • Chocolate can lead to pimples. 
  • Get a haircut already.
  • People know when you don’t shower.
  • Consider psychotherapy.
  • No one cares.
  • Yell at someone today.

Thoughts? Other suggestions? Leave me a comment!

One more thing: Dove chocolate is delicious.

Adventures in Snickerdoodle-Making

I’m snowed in and wanted to have a sweet treat, so I thought – hey! I’ll bake cookies. [cue laughter] I suck at baking. But I do have Snickerdoodle cookie mix, and today felt like a great day to try it out.

Got my mix, got my egg, got my directions. Previous experience has taught me that I am the only person on the planet who is capable of screwing up ready-made baking mixes. And, yeah. I took out the electric hand mixer shortly after taking this picture. How cute was I to think that I could mix cookie dough with a whisk?

Okay. I’ve got my cookie dough and my cinnamon/sugar mix. I don’t know what that packet of ketchup is doing there, but don’t worry: I didn’t use it in the making of these cookies.

Rolling the dough in the mix. As per usual, I made sure to pick my nose before touching every dough ball. It’s the Special Ingredient in all my dishes.

Hm. Okay. This looks right. Right? Whatever. Into the oven it goes (this is cookie sheet 2 of 2).

Cookies be baking!

One was DOA. Bad cookie! I curse you!

I burned the cookies a bit. My Dad’s comment when he tried one later: “They’re crispy!”

Crispy or not, I thought they tasted pretty damn good. I declare this baking adventure a success.

The Best Things I Ate This Year

People who moan incessantly when they eat something delicious annoy me. Sometimes, I feel like telling people to get a room with their steak or cake or whatever. Don’t get me wrong -  I enjoy eating and I appreciate tasty food. But when I do the whole “mmmmmmm, oh my god, mmmmm, that is so delicious, mmmmmm, I want more of that” bit, you know that I really, really, really like it. Here are the dishes that made me go “mmmmmm” this past year:

Oxtail Pot Stickers at Sunda

Surf and Turf at Pete Miller’s

Carnitas Tacos at Uncle Julio’s *WINNER* – I was having an embarrassingly orgasmic reaction to these tacos. It was a special that night, so now I feel like calling ahead before I go again and asking if they have it.

That stuff from that street vendor in NYC (Midtown)

Iceberg Wedge at The Yard House

Feta cheese in Israel

Lamb with mashed potatoes and green beans at my friend Sue’s house

Pumpkin donuts from Didier Farms

Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory

 

Medium, 3 creams, 2 sugars

It’s tasty, it’s hot, you get it right when you ask for it, sometimes you don’t even have to leave your car to get it, and it costs $1 (plus 9 cents tax in Cook County). My friends, I am of course talking about a medium coffee at McDonalds.

Another perk is that it’s less calories than the soy vanilla lattes that I usually get from another popular place. Delicious.

I also absolutely love the iced coffee at McDonalds. Yummy!!! But it’s more calorific and more pricey. Thus, iced coffees are enjoyed in moderation.