AH! I'm so horrible about updating...

It's not that I haven't been cooking since my last post...I've just not been as diligent about documenting my cooking adventures. =) In the meantime, to break this post-lag I've fallen into, I decided to make a post about new recipes I've recently come across and want to try.

At the top of my list is the Middle Eastern Cumin Meatballs recipe posted here (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Middle-Eastern-Cumin-Meatballs/Detail.aspx).

A friend of a flatmate had been staying over for a few weeks and one day, while she was cooking, the most delicious scent of cumin wafted down the corridor. I walked into the kitchen and she was cooking something very similar to this. And ever since, I've wanted to make this. So I will. One day. Hopefully, somewhere in the very near future. I promise if I make this that I will document it, whether it be successful or an utterly epic failure.

Another recipe I've wanted to try is this Mexican Rice Recipe found here (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mexican-Rice-II/Detail.aspx).

I've never been able to make Mexican rice like they do in restaurants and take aways. The boxed rice packages always result (at least for me) in a wetter and saltier product. I hope this recipe is the key to allowing me to replicate the dry, fluffy Mexican rice I thoroughly enjoy consuming with a side of black beans.

The next link I have is to the blog of a cook I hold in high regards. She has a million recipes on her blog, some created, some modified, and some simply attempted by her. Here's the link: http://maresfoodandfun.blogspot.com/

That's all for now. I'll post again soon...I hope! =)

Hoddeok (호떡)

Hello! I'm sorry for the late update! I got caught up with work, getting ready for classes, and organizing moving logistics for my new roommates who will be joining me here in my apartment in the next few days. I just started working at a bakery that sells the most scrumptious looking pastries and breads. Training for the job all of last week was tough but so much fun at the same time! =)

Several days ago, I tried my hand at making hoddeok (호떡), which is a Korean sweet pancake dessert. It's traditionally filled with a cinnamon sugar mix, but because Maangchi suggested the use of a mozzarella cheese stuffing, I tried that too. Here's how it turned out:

In all honesty, I wasn't a huge fan of the mozzarella "innards", as my younger sister would call it. One Maangchi fan ate the mozzarella hoddeok with marinara sauce, so maybe I'll try that as well... The traditional hoddeok with the cinnamon sugar mix was delicious! As a tip though, try to get as much of the mix into the dough as possible because otherwise, the hoddeok may come out a bit bland.

Gamja Jorim (감자 조림)

I just finished making a batch of gamja jorim (감자 조림), a Korean potato side dish. I've made this dish before, so the cooking process was a lot smoother this time around. As I do for most of my Korean dishes, I followed Maangchi's recipe. Here's how it turned out:

If you're looking for an easy dish to make to go with some rice, kimchi, and other side dishes, I recommend you to try your hand at cooking gamja jorim. The whole cooking process took me no more than 20 minutes. This dish keeps well in the fridge and can be eaten hot or cold. Bon appetit!

Yachaejeon (야채전)

Today I made a Korean appetizer dish called Yachaejeon (야채전), or Korean Vegetable Pancake, using Maangchi's recipe. I had a lot of green onions, no Asian chives, and a lot of zucchini. So I adjusted the amounts of each vegetable according to what I had available. Here's how it turned out:

For dinner, I had such a random mix of foods that I didn't bother taking a photo of it. I had half a tomato, rice, a little bit of chicken, and a quarter pound of green beans that were on the verge of going bad. It wasn't the most well put together meal, but it was a good, fulfilling, and waste-free dinner.

It's 2AM and I've decided to start a blog

I've been an avid follower of Youtube food gurus like Maanchi and CookingWithDog. After moving to Boston one month ago, I've realized how much I had taken for granted all of my food resources back at home. Both Mom and Dad are cooks and there is never a shortage of places to dine...a HUGE contrast to the neighborhood I now reside in. My consolation is that Savenors Market, Julia Child's favorite butcher, is but a five minute walk from my flat...not that I could ever afford anything there of course. But every time I pass by the market on my morning runs or on my way to school, I'm filled with renewed inspiration and motivation to cook. And that is what I intend to do. I am going to cook as much as I can and along the way, document my successes, failures, and adaptations of recipes. Thanks for joining me on my cooking adventure! Bon appetit!