2011 February | Life Tastes Like Food

Life’s Deep-Fried Contradictions

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Feb 252011

With all of this dreary rain from the week, I can’t help but daydream about the warm summer days that will be here before we know it. One of my favorite treats to eat on a warm afternoon is deep-fried green tea ice cream. My friends and I would go to this sushi restaurant and order it whenever we could. It is simply amazing. Every single time. Now, the green tea ice cream in the picture above is not deep-fried because I like to use original photos and have not had deep-fried ice cream lately. But, I assure you that it is something you must try. The ice cream is extremely cold but the perfect creamy consistency when you bite into it. On the outside, the crispy and warm fried batter compliments the frozen ice cream–it’s like they’re soul mates, meant to be together forever. And this combination of hot [Continue Reading...]

Easy Brie-zy

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Feb 232011

Dressing up for a special occasion or using decorations to celebrate holidays or parties are so much fun! I will always look for an excuse to put on some heels, a nice dress and a new coat. And although I am not one to complain about wearing everyday jeans, a sweatshirt and other more comfortable attire, there is something exhilarating about switching up an old routine every now and then. We all experience this during the holidays or with events that don’t occur very often. These new happenings build a sense of anticipation and excitement in our minds and allow for a change of pace in our normal lifestyles. And that brings my point to brie. A classic cheese that makes its appearance at many of these events and occasions. The flavor is subtle enough for non-cheese enthusiasts to still enjoy yet still has just the right taste for any [Continue Reading...]

Dim Sum in San Francisco

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Feb 202011

As a graphic designer I am definitely a visual person, and I tend to enjoy items that aesthetically appeal to the eye–clothes, pictures, well-packaged accessories, and food! And I think that is why I particularly love dim sum. For those of you who have never eaten dim sum, the dishes are fantastic, but for me the element of how the meal works is even more impressive. Throughout your meal, servers walk around the restaurant with food on display for you to look at before you decide if you want it or not. They each have a different item they are serving, and if they pass by and you see something you like you call out to them and tell them how many orders you want. If what they announce to you doesn’t sound or look appealing, you simply smile at them and politely decline. Many dishes consist of items steamed in [Continue Reading...]

Friendship Beer Bread

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Feb 172011

Have you ever gotten Amish Friendship Bread from a friend or co-worker? I know I have, and it’s always been a joy to receive and then to eat! Well, seeing as I recently finished college, I believe that now is an appropriate time to introduce Beer Bread to you. Surprisingly enough, I actually did not learn about Beer Bread through my college friends. Instead, my co-workers raved about it, and I had it for the first time at a company event. It’s a little more dense than other breads and has a thick, crispy crust. Moist, buttery, and slightly salty with a hint of beer flavor–this bread did not disappoint me. A couple months went by and I attended another event that also had Beer Bread. This time, I was determined to find the recipe. To my benefit, the recipe is actually really easy! My co-workers and I debated what [Continue Reading...]

Sweet Potato or Yam?

Baking, Cooking, Dinner, Food, Health, Life, Recipe, Side Dishes, Snacks 9 Responses »

Feb 152011

I have eaten sweet potatoes and yams all of my life, but every time I take a bite of these flavorful vegetables, I can’t help but wonder: Am I eating a yam or a sweet potato? And what in the world is the difference between the two?! Well, I was on a mission to set the record straight with this issue, but after consulting many results that came out of my Google search, honestly I still don’t know! There are so many different answers that I can’t exactly pinpoint the correct one. I did find this chart that helps explain the technical terms, and according to the site, sweet potatoes are marketed as yams but they’re actually sweet potatoes–so I guess that solves the mystery? That website isn’t very official but unless someone corrects me (which I hope you do if you know the answer!), this is what I am [Continue Reading...]

The Thrill of a Deadline

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Feb 132011

Now that I am finished with my undergrad education, I have rejoiced over the calmness that my life has become without the late nights of studying for tests, reading, and that dreaded feeling that constantly lingers telling me I should be studying or doing something productive when I’m not. Constant days of having to mentally and physically prepare myself for grueling, long and hectic weeks are now behind me. I remember even writing down a study schedule for the week when I had multiple midterms down to the hour and only then realizing that I would be up until 3am just starting Chapter 18 given the time frame I allotted myself. And with design projects, I would be up so late sitting in front of my computer coding a website in a pitch-black room because my roommate had already soundly fallen asleep hours before. I am so happy for all of [Continue Reading...]

Adding a Little Cajun Spice

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Feb 112011

Sometimes, we need a little spice in our lives and our cravings satisfied. I’m referring to a food craving. When you crave something–with food or life–it is so hard to think of anything else for a while. Recently, I had a little taste of my roommate’s leftovers from The Boiling Crab. I’ve never actually been there but the small sample was enough to make me dream about it all night and day! Lured in by the large shrimp and spicy flavors, I was determined to get my fix. Since I didn’t actually have enough time to go to the restaurant, I quickly ran to the grocery store and bought some Cajun seasoning to see what I could come up with. I raided my fridge and cupboards to see what else I could include to created a “mock-Cajun or Boiling Crab” dish. First, I put some rice in the rice cooker [Continue Reading...]

Breakfast Doesn’t Have to Be a Task

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Feb 082011

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and every morning that goes without breakfast is replaced by guilt that follows us for the rest of the day. I, like many others, skip breakfast a lot because honestly, that extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning sounds so much more appealing than getting up, making breakfast and heading off to an 8 hour day of work! Instead of making a healthy breakfast, I usually grab my coffee mug, some sort of nutri-grain bar and dash out the door. And as I’m driving to work, getting into my office and plopping down in front of my computer, I’m thinking, “Man, pancakes, eggs, bacon, french toast, a breakfast burrito…any of these sound so good right now! I wish I would have just made some breakfast!” Then my mind contemplates whether I should run out and go [Continue Reading...]

A Festive Super Bowl Potluck

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Feb 062011

Any game day ignites the tradition of gathering friends and family, huddling around a TV, cheering for your favorite sports team, and eating food but when it’s Super Bowl Sunday, the event is even mightier. Wings, chili, burgers, steaks, dips, cookies, pretzels, pigs in a blanket and anything else that you can stuff quickly in your mouth without missing plays in the game are plentiful on this one day of the year. This year was not any different for my friends and me. A couple hours before kick-off, we all gathered and played a customary pre-Super Bowl football game (with a lot less mud than last year due to the warm weather). It was truly a perfect day to spend outside and really have some fun! And after, we gathered together to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers battle it out for the win. For those not [Continue Reading...]

Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrations and Soup.

Cooking, Dinner, Food, Health, Life, Travels 2 Responses »

Feb 032011

Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrations and Soup.

The lunisolar calendar has determined that today is the start of the new year, so let’s welcome the Year of the Rabbit and bid adieu to the Year of the Tiger. Firecrackers, large amounts of food, decorations and red envelopes are among many of the festivities of this celebration. And if you are in the right area, you will see parades with drums and multiple people under a huge dragon suit dancing to the beat surrounded by firecrackers. I actually remember having so much fun seeing the dragon dances that when we were younger, my cousins and I would throw a large blanket over ourselves and march up and down the hallways in our houses chanting a drum beat and pretending to be one of the dragons in the parade. Dragon suits, lanterns and almost all decorations are red and abundant at any Chinese New Year event. The color red [Continue Reading...]