Her Birthday Wish...Yakimondu

What does every Redneck Vermonter wish for on their 27th birthday?!?!
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Yakimondu. Haha!
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True story. For the last couple years, one of my BFFs (a self-proclaimed redneck) has requested beefy Korean Dumpling for her birthday.
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I am not sure what it is about these things, but folks JUST LOVE THEM! My version is actually my mother's version of Korean Yakimondu.
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Typically these are pan fried and perhaps steamed, but Mom goes for the ultimate and does them deep fried.
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The skins here are store bought (thanks to my last trip to the korean store). Mom swears by a particular brand that can ONLY be purchased at the Korean Store. Wonton wrappers don't work, egg roll wrappers can't do it...nope, only this particular circular skin is appropriate.

Inside each of these little pieces of fried heaven is a beefy/cabbage mixture.

While simple little packages, the redundant folding and frying is highly time consuming.

A lot of love has to go into these...

...cause there's a lotta dumplings to be made!

It is almost impossible not to test the multiple fry batches when making them. Here is what survived my testing and Hubs' non-existent restraint to step away from the yakimondu!

* Crispy outside, steamy, savory goodness inside!

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I did have some skins leftover at the end of folding.

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Rather than wasting them I thought I'd try something different.
* Can you guess what I filled this experimental batch with?!?!
* KIMCHI!

A very delicious use of extra skins - Kimchi Mondu
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Happy Birthday my

VT Redneck, Yakimondu-lovin' Friend!

Butter from Another Mother

My father-in-law (FIL-1...cause I have two) is a kayak-er, walker, snowshoe-er, ice skater, skier, swimmer...simply put an active guy. Before now I do not think I have ever seen him sit still for more than the time it takes for a meal.

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What is deactivating FIL-1?

The temporary process of recouping from an invasive hip replacement surgery.

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He is now just approaching the 2 week mark since his surgery. Finally a bit mobile with the help of one crutch, he's well on his way to being the new and improved active self. An unfortunate consequence to his temporary housebound deactivation has been a loss in appetite.

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FIL-1 is a clockwork eater, unlike any other. He has always had his 3 meals a day, plus snacks in between. After all, being as active as he is, the calories are necessary.

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This lack of hunger could be due to his pain medications, an under active body, or (most likely) a combination of both. We have been staying in constant contact with them since the surgery, but have not yet sent flowers, cards, etc. Instead I knew I wanted to make him something special.

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FIL-1 LOVES pistachios.

They are an essential snack item to his typical daily active routine.
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Ad Hoc at Home had just the solution...Pistachio Butter!
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VERY simple, but unique...ingredients are raw pistachios, whole milk and cream.
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The pistachios are first toasted up in the oven and then simmered in milk/cream for 1.5 hours.
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The drained pistachios go into the blender with just enough of the milk/cream cooking liquid added to puree.
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Smooth, thick and creamy.
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FIL-1's very own GET WELL BUTTER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER.
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I just delivered this to him yesterday, so do not yet know his thoughts on it. However with what was left over - Hubs, a friend and myself all thought it was great!
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If you like Natural Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, or even just eating Pistachios, then you're going to LOVE this stuff!

Can I play COD?

A March Madness side effect of not cooking, has been eating poorly.
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[DISCLAIMER: I do think there is no harm in eating junk, so long as it is in moderation.]
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I noticed yesterday my pants were a bit snugger. In all likelihood this has been caused by my increased intake of sports bar accompaniments for frosty tall ones (a byproduct of sooo much hockey going on), gas station burgers (yes, I know...but my station makes great ones!), snacking in place of meals, late night dinners, so on and so forth.
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Often it only takes one meal to make me feel better about these unwise (but necessary?) choices. Here is my attempt to make things right again.
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As you know, fish is still something I would never dare say I am great at. After the success of the low-fat chowder, I've got Cod on the brain.
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In that chowder, the Cod was simmered in broth until cooked through. I really did love the texture, flavor and appearance of the fish. I self-proclaimed it the best fish attempt I've had yet!
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With Cod on sale this week and waistbands taut, I figured we'd try for a non-fried fish dish.
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Basic go-to ingredients and seasonings were used to start things off:

Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Parsley Flake, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and Cayenne

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A drizzle of Olive Oil, 1 can of Diced Tomatoes, and the juice of 1 Lemon.

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My goal was to recreate the simmering effect for this cod.

I covered the baking dish with foil and placed in a 450 degree oven.

Toward the end of cooking I uncovered, sprinkled on just a touch of grated Parmesan and switched the oven to broil.

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Since I was focusing on the fish, my sides where simple:

Fresh Spinach cooked up in Olive Oil, Garlic, Red Pepper Flake, Salt and Pepper.

Brown Rice (cooked in chicken stock) seasoned with Garlic Powder, Parsley Flakes, Salt and Pepper.

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The final plates.

I do think Cod is a great and especially perfect for fish cooking amateurs such as myself. It has a very mild flavor, low fat content and a dense, flaky white flesh.

The dinner was good and lite enough for us to enjoy before hockey later in the night.

One thing I did notice was there was not enough salt on the fish, which is very unlike me since I am often guilty of over salting. I guess I was either not paying close enough attention, or Cod just requires a bit more than usual??

Hubs seemed to enjoy it and cleaned his plate, so that's a good thing.

However when asked about the fish, he said his favorite was still the flounder (Flounder-ing Fish Fry), which I think is really due to the fact it was breaded/fried...that magic Hubs combo for blissful food!

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When I checked out COD online some unexpected results came up. Did you know that there is another meaning for COD out there?

Yup, even before the reliable Wikipedia site was a more common COD search result...Call of Duty. In case you are unaware, this is a video game! I had to scroll through sites for COD a video game before I even got to COD the fish?? Weird!

Don't get me wrong I enjoy an occasional go at Rock Band, Wii sports, loved my original nintendo, and even enjoy from time to time watching Hubs play his xbox...but it does seem strange to me that COD the video game is more popularly searched for than COD the fish.

March Madness & Rotten Apples

My March Madness continues. Sorry not a cooking entry, but an experience I felt like posting...
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The 2010 Women's National Hockey Tournament is in Green Bay, WI. For various reasons, most of our region's teams have pulled out from participating this year.
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At most levels, the team(s) remaining were automatically given our region's National bids...well all levels, but one.
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The national spot still up for grabs was the Women's C level - [a rough definition for this level is a competative recreational player with no college hockey experience].
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Since the two teams remaining were 2-5 hours south of our neck of the woods, the state board decided to forgo hosting rights/accommodate and move it south. As it so happens, this move also caused the duty of organizing/directing to default to me.
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A best of 3, Game 1 was Friday Night. I left work mid-afternoon and made the 2.5 hour drive to the new arena. Being a player on our state's Women's B team, I've not been on the otherside of the glass much for women's hockey. In fact, other then lending a helping hand, I've never actually organized a tournament myself...or better yet a season end's Regional Tournament!
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With no clue on the USA H rules for regional tournament playoffs, I had to rely on the trusty cell phone to speed dial our region's director and my copy of the 2009-10 USA Hockey Annual Guide.
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FRIDAY, March 5th @ 7pm
Game 1: Butterflies vs. Large Cats
*Not the acutal team names....but close.
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>>>Regulation time ends (3 x 15 minute periods) with a 1 to 1 tie...oh crap, what happens now?!?!
>>>Sudden Death Overtime for 5 minutes. No one scores, there is a 6 player fight on the ice (yes, these are grown women), penelties were thrown out...great, so next is???
>>>Shoot out, which goes through the full 5 shooters per team.
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Final Score 2-3; WINNER is the Large Cats
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SATURDAY, March 6th @ 11am
Game 2: Large Cats vs Butterflies
>>Entire game goes rather smoothly and overall play was great (refs let a lot go). In the end it was a goal in the last minutes that won the game.
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Final Score 2-3; WINNER is the Butterflies
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SATURDAY, March 6th @ 1pm
I need a drink...
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So I had one of these...
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I should have had another one of these (but restrained myself)...
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a little Ceasar Salad
(cause you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach)...
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a Buffalo Chicken Deep Dish Pizza...

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and dessert to go - White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie.

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SATURDAY, March 6th @ 5pm

Game 3 Championship: Butterflies vs Large Cats
>The game was close, VERY close...so close in fact that I had to call to ask what happens in overtime for the Championship Game! [fyi, it is a series of 10 min sudden death periods until a winner is decided]

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Toward the end, the claws really came out on some of the Large Cats and the Butterflies were no angels themselves. There was plenty of smack talking, backlashing and just plain nastiness to go around. My Dad actually came to help out, so while I ran the clock, he was responsible for the Large Cats' penalty box. With as many as 3 players in the box at a time, he was a busy man haha!

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Ultimately the Large Cats took themselves right out the running with their actions.

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Final Score 3 to 1; REGIONAL CHAMPS - The Butterflies

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Well Large Cats, all I have to say is - that's the way the cookie crumbles.

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And another cliche that fits is that a rotten apple spoils the barrel

(in this team's case it was a couple of real mushy brown ones).

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Thanks for the help Dad!!

Happy Tax Return!

I really look forward to tax season...mostly because at this point in life my taxes happen to be easy peezy, with a guaranteed return.

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I always use some (if not all) of it to treat myself to something I otherwise would not have done/purchased.

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2008: Spending money for a trip to Chicago

2009: New Pandora bracelet and bead

2010 [Married life now, Hubs has encouraged me to try saving it]: Ultimately, I decided this year I would save some of it, but still give myself a little treat...

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AND HERE IT IS!!!

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I've wanted this recipe collection for months and now I have it :-D

I also indulged just a bit further and picked up a couple of other smaller cookbooks. One is on learning the ratios for making just about anything and the other on a world of dumplings.

Having flipped through Ad Hoc several times in the 48 hours I've had it in my possession...I'm getting anxious!!! Already the calendar is full and my weeknights booked with lots to do.

It looks like Mr. Keller and I will have sneak in our first date this Friday, after 5pm in my kitchen...with Hubs joining us for dinner of course!!

Soups On: Part IV, Chicken Soup for the...

A little chicken soup is always good...but I have to say that (semi-)homemade chicken soup is da bomb!
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I have made Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup on occasion, but never, have I ever, tried the traditional chicken noodle, or in this case chicken and rice.
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During these busy weeks, being home for anything more than sleep has been rare. I've realized rather than stressing about not having time to cook everyday, I need to wise up about what time I do have at home in the kitchen.
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With this month's time constraints being what they are, it's an official Ms. Homemaker State of Emergency! Time to call upon those faithful one pot meals that last for days.
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So with this I say, SOUPS ON!!

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Hubs was feeling a bit under the weather. We are not sure if it was a cold, or a side effect of his small pox vaccine (military requirement). Any who, what do people always tell you to eat when you're sick...CHICKEN SOUP!
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This Chicken Soup trial run utilizes a few short cuts (which I'll have you know worked marvelously!).
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From the Store: A Rotisserie Chicken

From the Cupboards: Chicken Broth, Brown Rice, Garlic, Onion, Thyme, Parsley Flakes, Olive Oil, and Salt/Pepper

From the Fridge: Carrots and Celery

Roughly chopped onions and minced garlic in some olive oil.
* I tend to do most of my seasoning early on in the cooking process, convinced that doing this awakens the dry spices and make the savory base of onion/garlic, super flavor packed!

Chicken and thyme always seem to go so well together and of course some salt/pepper.
* In goes some carrots and celery we had left over in the fridge.
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I've found another use for brown rice!
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Until recently we were boxed rice people. In many of the directions, you are to begin by toasting the rice in some oil before adding your water, so I figured the rice should be added next.
* MAJOR TIME SAVER #1: In goes some store bought broth.
*MAJOR TIME SAVER #2: Shredded up rotisserie chicken and some cut pieces of grilled chicken thighs we had leftover in the fridge.
* Dried parsley flake and salt/pepper to taste.

Everything was simmered together until the rice has cooked through.
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There you have it, semi-homemade chicken and rice.
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Hubs loved it, I love it...and there were plenty of leftovers to enjoy throughout the week!!

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Admittedly I do like much of what we have going on, but I am very seriously missing my time in the kitchen.

I am in need of an all day marathon.

I want one of those nothing to do weekends, where I only leave the house for a trip to the grocery store.

I want to cook, I want to be in the kitchen...

I NEED MY DOSE OF FOOD THERAPY!!!

A Quick Fix: Pork Cutlet Sandwich

I'm in a hurry to get things done...

With not much time to get in the kitchen lately, I've had to improvise with a few dishes that fit in the 30 minutes or less category.

I sliced a pork tenderloin into 1 inch disks and then pounded them out with my trusty mallet. The great thing about using the tenderloin is that it's tender! The meat pounds out very easily and quickly.
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After being dipped in an egg wash and seasoned breadcrumbs, the pork cutlets are fried up in some olive oil.
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I grabbed a baguette on the way home from work and piled it with the pork cutlets and some leftovers from the fridge...marinara and fresh mozzarella.

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Of course I cannot just leave jarred sauce as is, so quickly threw in some red pepper flake, garlic powder, oregano, and salt/pepper while it was warmed on the stove.

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These were broiled in the oven until there was just enough of that toasty brown cheesy goodness visible!

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A quick fix that aims to please.

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Hubs loved it! He is actually a fan of veal cutlet grinders/subs from local pizza places...but to be honest I cannot bring myself to purchase the stuff. The pork tenderloin was a more than adequate substitute, as chicken would also be.

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Feeling so guilty for posting nothing more then a lame excuse for not cooking this week, I've managed to crank this one out during my lunch at the office.

I'll be back with more soon!!

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In the meantime...

ENJOY!

My March Madness

Sorry for the lack of posts all!

We've been flat out BUSY this last week with

snow storms, playing hockey, coaching hockey, state playoffs, all-star hockey tryouts, deployment preparations, work deadlines...yada yada yada.

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The most I've seen Hubs in the last 7 days has been at an all day work seminar for him (where I played my role as the good wife) and on the ice at pick up hockey last night (where we were defensive partners for the first 45 minutes).

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The weekend outlook is much the same, but I hope to be back soon to give you something to drool over...really soon I hope!!

Asian-All American

A simple, homecooked meal that is literally Asian-All American!















>>> We've got rice...an Asian staple, but done more in the spirit of the grocery store boxed stuff (aka Rice-A-Roni style).
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>>> We've got chicken...baked and on the bone.
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>>> We've got a broccoli side...with hits of Asian goodness.
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The remaining chicken from my $5 purchase...

the second meal I got out of it (Paprika Chicken was the 1st)
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Marinade is sesame oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, scallions, salt, pepper.

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Still playing with the brown rice.

Cooked up once again in chicken broth, just before all the liquid was absorbed I added this mix of scallions, carrot and broccoli.
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At the end I added a touch of sesame oil, salt and pepper.

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Fresh broccoli, cut up into bite size florets.

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I love broccoli.

So tasty and so good for you too!
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Cooked up in some sesame oil and garlic, then finished off with soy sauce and toasted sesame seeds.

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The baked chicken.

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My Asian All-American Baked Chicken Dinner!

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This was VERY GOOD (aka Hubs really enjoyed it)!!

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In the past if I was going to do this same combo, I would have purchased boxed Asian/Fried Rice, frozen broccoli and a bottle of teriyaki marinade.

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Since starting this blog, my confidence in the kitchen has skyrocketed.

This was sooo easy, I suspect more healthy...

and no doubt even more delicious by being done from scratch!