I had a hankering for some chicken pho a few days ago, and since we had remnants of a Costco roast chicken in the 'fridge I threw together available ingredients and made this. Everything was good except for the "shiru" which was very bland. Canned chicken broth just didn't cut it.
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Impromptu Chicken Pho
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Our Electric Bill
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Pancakes on a Hexclad
Landon and I got Wendell a Hexclad frying pan for Christmas. Wendell baptized it yesterday by making some pancakes. He tried out a new recipe, and the pan worked so good that the first three pancakes got burnt! 😆 After Wendell lowered the heat from "4" to "1", the pancakes came out just right.
Not perfectly round in shape, they were fluffy and had a bit of a crunch on the outside. Too yummy.
Sunday, December 25, 2022
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Even though the button shows how I really feel, I do wish all you peoples a Merry Christmas Day today. No stressing allowed . . . only relaxing . . . and eating.
We're staying home again this year, just the three of us. Wendell made prime rib last night. Not sure what's on the menu for today. Maybe leftovers.
Friday, December 23, 2022
Today's Sunrise
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Hawaiian Genealogy Indexes
I found copies of the application for marriage licenses of my grandparents on both sides here at ulukau.org.
The search site is called Hawaiian Genealogy Indexes, and it was chicken-skin amazing to find the info. Now I know the names of my grandparents' parents including great grandmothers' maiden names! How cool izdat!
Tip: It seems that misspellings abounded when translating from Japanese (for example) to English back then, so it's better to be not so precise in the search box. My dad's father's first name was misspelled and my mom's mother's maiden name was also misspelled.
The following is a screenshot and is not linkable.
Monday, December 19, 2022
Putin Statue
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Brush Pen Drawing
Halfway through this Hokusai wannabe drawing I decided to record with my phone. Here's the result.
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Geri's Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Per Geri: Pillsbury biscuits come in a tube of 8. I separate them to fit into 12 muffin tin slots. Mix together left over Costco chicken, mixed frozen vegetables and 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup. Spoon into biscuit wells and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Sounds easy yah!
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
On Da Desk
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Why So Greedy?
Friday, December 9, 2022
Cleta's Braised Tofu
Cleta was inspired to make this by Jenny. I just love her photo! You can find the recipe here.
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Baklava from Ross
I held on to this the whole time while shopping at Ross yesterday. I couldn't decide if I wanted to get it or not. Even though it was a "product of Greece" and "handmade" with an "authentic family recipe", I was skeptical about its ono-ness.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Friday, December 2, 2022
Fried Tofu with Tomato Sauce
I like fried tofu and this version came out ono!
The way I make fried tofu has evolved a lot, and lately, all I do is slice the tofu, microwave for 2 minutes, drain the liquid, pat dry and fry in some oil.
Tomato sauce:
Fry for a minute: 3 minced garlic, 3 diced shallots (I used the white part of green onions instead), 1-inch grated ginger and 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce.
Add: 2 large diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons shoyu, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Cook until sauce is reduced.
Add: 3 stalks sliced green onions. Cook for a minute.
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Dd's Escargot
ESCARGOT CREMINI BOURGUINONNE
Adapted from Chef Anthony Bourdain*
18-24 snails, rinsed, drained
6-8 medium cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. olive oil
1 medium shallot, chopped
½ c. white wine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 head of garlic, peeled & separated
1/3 bunch Italian parsley, leaves
½ c. butter, slightly softened
2 TB grated parmesan cheese
Toasted baguette slices
In a skillet over medium heat saute mushrooms in butter and oil 5-7 minutes. Add snails, shallot, wine, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Cook 15 minutes until completely reduced. Drain; transfer into a mixing bowl and set aside.
In a food processor combine garlic and parsley. Process until finely chopped. Add butter; process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Combine mixture with snail mixture.
Preheat oven to broil. Place snails in a baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil until butter is sizzling and cheese has browned.
Serve immediately with toasted baguette. Serves 2-4 as appetizer.
*Note: Original recipe did not include cremini mushrooms or cheese topping.
Monday, November 28, 2022
$1 Swap Meet Find
Just a quick post ('cause I'm lazy). Wanted to show off this small shelf unit that I got at the swap meet this past weekend. It was unassembled (new) in a small plastic bag with only the handles visible. I'm so glad that I spotted it.
It actually came with wheels, but I left them off. I put my "Love" bag in the photo so that you could see the size.
So score, yah!
Friday, November 25, 2022
Curry at Ross
When I previously blogged about the Thai Curry that I made last month, there was only that one box at the Hawaii Kai Ross. Now there's more (I didn't take all)!
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Mapo Tofu Mix
My sister Geri gave this to me. She said she got it at Don Q for $6.99.
Monday, November 21, 2022
Jane's Fountain
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Mam's Meat Pies
Landon picked these up from Mam's Meat Pies awhile back. I was so surprised when he told me that they were in the Ala Moana Medical Building on the 3rd floor. It seemed like I had just been there for a doctor's visit and never saw them.
Friday, November 18, 2022
Chicken and Shrimp Lettuce Wrap
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs, chopped into 1/4" to 1/2" inch pieces
- 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- black pepper
- 1 cup minced shiitake mushrooms
- 1 (8-oz) can minced water chestnuts
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
- 4 stems chopped chopped onions
- 1 cup minced shrimp
For the sauce to go in chicken filling
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the dipping sauce
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat a wok. Once the pan is very hot, add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons neutral oil and 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil. Add the diced chicken and stir constantly until thoroughly cooked. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. Remove the chicken.
- Keep the heat on medium high. Add another 1 tablespoon neutral oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. When hot, add in the mushrooms and water chestnuts. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add in 1 tablespoon garlic and 1 tablespoon ginger and saute for another 1 minute.
- Add in the cooked chicken, shrimp and the prepared sauce. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the shrimp is cooked.
- Add green onions. Remove from heat.
- Make the dipping sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 4 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce, 2 teaspoons oyster sauce and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil. Whisk it together.
Monday, November 14, 2022
Dd's Sausage-Stuffed Braciole
SAUSAGE STUFFED BRACIOLE
¾ # flank steak, cut into 3 - 4 pieces, pounded flat ¼-inch thickness
Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 TB olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. bread crumbs
2 TB kalamata olives, sliced
2 TB Parmesan cheese, grated
2 TB Italian parsley, chopped
2 TB fresh basil, chopped
¼# Italian sausage
12 oz. marinara sauce
1 plum tomato, chopped
½ c. red wine
Service: cooked pasta, grated parmesan cheese, chopped Italian parsley
Generously season pounded flank steak on both sides with salt and pepper.
In a medium saucepot over medium heat saute onion in 1 TB of oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Transfer into a mixing bowl. Stir in bread crumbs, olives, cheese, parsley, basil, crumbled sausage, salt and pepper. Mix well.
Onto work surface divide sausage mixture over each steak piece. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with long side; tie with kitchen string.
Into same saucepot, brown meat rolls in remaining oil. Turn, browning on all sides. Top with marinara sauce, tomato and wine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Allow to
simmer 1 hour.
Remove kitchen string. Serve with pasta. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serves 2-3.