Writing and Fruit

I have no idea why that came to mind other than I’m eating a cut up orange and peach right now. The orange just arrived into my house today and it seemed like a nice enough orange but it tastes a little bit drunk. Like it’s on the edge of being overripe. Which is totally a first world problem. I am very grateful to live in a place where I can get fresh veggies and fruits.

There’s also a tangerine tree on my property but like the grapefruit and lemon tree, I think it’s aged out of producing good tasting fruit. It does bear fruit. But it’s not the best.

The grapefruit tree is so much worse and we were told it probably should be chopped down because it’s doesn’t put out viable fruit anymore but I’m against taking down trees that have outlived their usefulness. They are all healthy, providing shade, and living a safe life. So they stay and I buy fruit from the stores, supporting our ag growers.

Writing is happening. I’ve shot past the first four chapters which are always hard. It’s interesting to get back into the swing of things and still manage all of the medical stuff. But that’s stuff that has to happen. 😀 There’s the same worries if it is making sense and whether or not it’s interesting but trust the process is often chanted.

Also, I have been paying my writer cat toll of belly rubs. To three of the demons.

So I should be covered, right?

Also, have to cook dinner tonight. I have some beef rib strips I need to use so I’m going to go old school local style and cook them with rock salt and pepper. Simple prep and some rice, of course. I should have gotten an eggplant or some brussel sprouts to roast but it’s a bit warm here today. I’ll have to see what I have in the freezer. Other than dim sum.

There is so much vegetarian dim sum in my freezer right now because Aunty Paige was going to come over for lunch but had a dental emergency. Luckily, it was resked for this Tuesday and it’ll be cleared out. I don’t have a huge freezer. And I’ve got no space for a large one, which I miss. I really liked buying turkeys and other meats when they’re on sale and toss them into the freezer. I also can’t really make Portuguese sausage because again, no freezer space to store. Which is a sad thing. Again, like the orange, first world problems.

That’s what today has rolled out. I’m heading back into writing and then I’ll probably take a brain rest at some point and watch Japanese diner spotlights. He posted one that’s over 2 hours long and I’m thinking, what the hell can they do that it took him that long to capture everything. I am both intrigued and well, knowing I’ll end up fast forwarding through things like the endless rice washing and noodle making. You can only watch someone make udon noodles so many times.

To be fair, it IS about a Chinese Food restaurant in Japan. And it’s a very interesting contrast between Japanese-style Chinese food and American Chinese (which is a very different cuisine than traditional Chinese offerings.)

 

Not Dead. :D

I keep promising that I will post more often and then I get carried away into doing things or life just ask everything in close for a couple of weeks.

It’s been an interesting or rather a kind of sad time this past couple of weeks because the Potato is definitely slowing down and sleeping a lot. And I know that he is 15 which is ancient for his breed but it is still hard to know that you are reaching the twilight of your dog’s life. We have reached the you can eat anything you want to stage and he still gets excited to see company come through the front door. The weather is warming up so I know that will help with his joints and is Auntie Paige will be here this Friday to see if he is up for a walk. He still got doggie ice cream and his dinners are turkey burger and mashed potatoes which he does eat.

I am looking forward to writing this week because I have been some flashes of what I need to do so it’s important to focus and get that down.

I have been slowly watching a YouTuber who does “historical breakdowns” of foods and time periods. He just posted a one about Hawaiian luaus and I will admit to not wanting to watch it because my people have been done dirty by so many people. I didn’t want to get turned off his channel because he disparaged away or added sugar to it. I just read some of the comments on that particular episode and other Hawaiian people seem to be okay with what he presented so I might go take a look. I have had to stop reading certain authors and watching certain YouTube personalities because of how they presented my people’s food. Mind you there is also a chef who disrespected Sam Choy on a cooking show so as far as I am concerned, that person is dead to me and I hope sand mites burrow up into their sinuses.

Max Miller does do a good job and I wanted to continue to watch him so… Here is one of his videos that explores what ancient Egyptians ate and I really enjoy watching them re-create these foods and every single one of his videos. So if you’re into that, go take a look.

 

Coffee, Ear Ache, and Rabbit Holes

Well, I still have my ear infection and the progress is going very slowly. I don’t ever have them so it’s a pain in the ass to manage. Still, docs are on it.

I do have coffee and life is good. I also had a black “mink” blanket I used to cover my sore knees but apparently a Badger needed it more. Said Badger is quite comfortable apparently. Also, he gives no fucks.

Now it’s no surprise … or it shouldn’t be… that I love cooking shows. Usually competitions (but not Cut throat Kitchen for personal reasons… actually no, I don’t like Alton Brown but that’s a personal choice… he’s too much of a hipster asshole to people and that irritates.)

I used to like him but he’s gotten meaner over the years and I wince at it. I don’t like that kind of sarcastic to do damage and sneering kind of behaviour. Also, see my dislike of Gordan Ramsey. And that Bar Rescue guy. But that just could be how they’ve groomed his appearance. It’s very much like that guy living down your street in Brooklyn who wants you to think he’s “connected to a Family” when in fact, his mom is more kick ass than he is.

Hopefully, that’s their “persona” but… yea, do not like. Of course, not like they’re staying up at night, awake and worried about what I think. Hell, they are what they sold me… paraphrased from TOOL.

I digress. This was supposed to be about Rabbit Holes and cooking. Because you know what I really love? Long videos of Japanese hole in the wall to bustling restaurants showing their kitchens and a day in the life of working there. I have no idea why but it is a soothing thing to watch yet another place make udon noodles. Or dashi. I’m there for it.

And if you are as well, here is a ktasudon place that looks fantastic!

California, Rain, and Shoyu Chicken

It’s been a long long week and oh, most of it has to deal with medical stuff but let’s not go there.

Instead, let’s talk about other stuff.

We’ve had a shit load of rain here lately and while I love it, up North has had some huge storms and it’s a bit dangerous out there for people. So if you’re up in the very flooded parts of California, please stay safe and dry. And think about those who are outside of shelter. If you’re able to donate towels, bedding and socks to your local shelters, they would appreciate it.

I made shoyu chicken tonight for dinner. In a bag in the oven. Now I do like doing bagged oven chicken but normally it’s more of a savory tomato base. Not too much sauce but enough to coat or a dry rub that mingles well with the chicken juices. There’s something about those natural gravies when they go on top of rice. Okay, to be fair, one of my favourite foods is rice and some kind of gravy or sauce. Hell, even rice and kimchi is a great lunch / dinner.

And oddly enough, if I’m not feeling well, rice and kimchi or hot sauce soothes my nerves and stomach. Probably can blame my mom for eating a lot of kimchi when she was pregnant with me. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

My fridge kimchi / kim chee recipe for a quick easy non-fermented kim chee. https://atomic-temporary-19117633.wpcomstaging.com/2013/12/11/kimchee-recipe-for-mary-calmes/

Yes I know I flip the spelling. It’s been 50-50 with me since it’s been spelled in different ways during my life time. I’m not married to one or the other so, choose your own adventure there.

Not much else is going on. I have a piece I have to write for an anthology and the ideas are there so hopefully I can get words onto the page!

AND we’re in the Year of the Bunny so… WOOOOT!

 

Food. And How To Make Some.

I shared this PDF I cobbled together with my Facebook group but I couldn’t remember if I shared it here. If not, well then… here’s a PDF of some of the local-style stuff that comes out of my kitchen.

Or will come again out of my kitchen once they’re done chopping me into different pieces. Man, I miss cooking.

Rhys Ford Recipes

And yes, the Fried Rice recipe is in there.

Char Siu and a bit of Rambling…

I’ve got one week or so left before my hopefully last surgery. Seriously, I just wanna get back to sitting in traffic, paying too much for gas, and complaining about people in the Starbucks drive thru. Hopefully that will happen soon. I’m also sick of this whole thing dominating my life so I’ve spent the last few days working on projects and well, God, does my brain hurt.

So let’s talk about char siu. Possibly one of my favourite dishes in the world, especially when made into manapua / char siu bao. There’s just something about the sweet savoury pork and the yeasty steamed bread that hits the spot. Or even just a good glaze heavy char siu on rice. It’s fairly easy to make but oh, everyone has their own version. I highly recommend following Made WIth Lau. I do not follow the leave it out for 8 hours method but I do recommend letting it sit in the fridge then let it get to room temp before cooking. Also, sugar syrup for the last baste and if you are looking for red fermented bean curd, it CAN be purchased at many Asian online markets and even Amazon.

 

Writing et al. Or etm. And a recipe for Shoyu Chicken

I keep gathering up the brain cells to get stuff down on paper. I also have to finish rereading Bound so I know where to go from there. I’ve got bits and pieces of things started so I have plot lines at the ready and all I need is for my brain to show up. Which hopefully soon.

Surgery day is set for Aug 17.

But writing has to happen before then. It truly is a habit that has to be hammered at every day. It’s too easy to let a bit of writing fall to the wayside and then you fall out of practice even if your mind isn’t ghosting off in some other realm. I don’t mind it wandering outwards… my brain that is… so long as it brings back good material.

Mine is like a goofy cat that brings its owners’ a leaf and claims that they’ve hunted and killed it.

I hope everyone has been staying cool or warm … depending on where you are. It’s cooled off here nicely and the house i sopened up. A lovely breeze is coming thru and well, we have had a late night skunk waft every once in a while. But all in all, still lovely.

And apparently the Tribal People eat another one of my people’s foods… Shoyu Chicken. I haven’t seen it yet but I imagine there might be some conflict with their palates. I could be wrong. Depends on who makes the shoyu chicken. I’ll include my recipe for shoyu chicken after the video. 😀

Hilo Shoyu Chicken

  • 1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms or to taste. If large and whole, cut into slices
  • 4 (1/2-inch thick) slices of peeled ginger or 6 T of shredded frozen ginger
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup shoyu (soy sauce)
  • 1 cup brown sugar or 1 1/2 white sugar
  • 5 pounds chicken thighs
  • Sliced green onions for garnish

Brown chicken then add rest of ingredients. Bring to boil, then simmer for 30-45 minutes. Serve over rice.