Mochi rice cake with pork belly

Duk is the Korean word for rice cake.
When we typically think of cake... we think of a sweet dessert type of cake.
Rice cake is certainly not sweet simply because it's just rolled rice often made
into long cylinders cut into smaller pieces.

It is sort of similar to tofu in the way that it will take on the flavor of the sauce
but not like a sponge like texture like tofu.

I decided to take some pork belly which is basically bacon- pre-curing or smoking.
It is often sold in long strips or slabs that you can cut yourself.

An easy way of slicing the pork belly is to place it in the freezer for a minute or 2
-which will make it a little firmer so it;s easier to slice.
Pork belly is also a cut of meat used when you eat Korean BBQ.

Oh and this is what the Duk (rice cake) looks like, well- a common form of it.
It stores in the freezer really well also.

The sauce is soy sauce, water, sesame oil, sugar, black pepper & red pepper paste.

The pork belly has unbelievable taste and flavor on its own so if you saute the pork

first it helps give the rice cake flavor as well.  This is a popular street food in Korea

that is done in many different ways. This is just one simple way.

Zestfully,  Let's Cultivate Food

Overheard a conversation the other night...

I was at a Chinese restaurant a few nights ago and
over heard this conversation at the table right next to us.
The restaurant was slightly busy but the girls next to us were
quite loud in their conversation...

The conversation went something like this:

Older Sister: (in a very snotty tone) "I don't eat Asian food."

Younger Sister: "What are you talking about?  You don't eat Asian Food.?"

Older Sister: (again in a snotty tone) I don't do Asian food.
I have NEVER eaten any Asian Food. I DON'T DO ASIAN FOOD!"

I was pretty mortified (since I am Korean-- that's Asian by the way)
of the tone especially since the server was standing right there ready
and waiting to take their order.

As the server patiently stood there to take their order
the older sister had her arms crossed at this point
and was pretty much huffing and puffing in a way.

The young sister at this point said, "That's enough,  just look at
the menu and order something."
         
Older Sister: (not having even opened the menu yet) yells again,
in this rude and snotty tone- "whatever, I know I won't find a
single thing I like."  she finally opens the menu and
screeches out   "Oh! General Tso's. I LOVE General Tso's chicken.
 I'll order that and I'm not sharing any with you!"

Younger sister: "How can you say something like that?
You love Chinese food. I know for a fact  that you've eaten Chinese food."

Older sister: "I've never heard of Asian Cuisine. I thought it was
some weird crap. They should put on their menu that they
have Chinese food also not just Asian cuisine.

Younger sister: "You do know that China is a part of Asia right!?!-
What's wrong with you?!?!"

Older sister: "No, I didn't know that. I thought China was an island.

Overhearing conversations like this really makes me annoyed but also
it makes me wonder are these people real? I'm certainly not an expert
in geography and all but.... that's pretty much all I can say... but... really? HUH?


was slightly mortified,  Let's Cultivate Food

Avocado Caprese Toast

I love the combination of fresh mozzarella cheese, ripe tomatoes and basil.
Also known as an Insalata Caprese  or a appetizer salad
that is in the style of Capri.  (an island off of Italy)

A heartier way to have a caprese salad in the form of brunch
or lunch is on toast.

Take some of your favorite crusty bread and cut it into slices.  

If you can-  toast or warm the bread so it's a little softer and simply warm.

Mix your combo of ripe tomatoes fresh mozzarella cheese and basil 

cut in chiffonade  (long strips)  in a bowl and add a sprinkle of salt 

and drizzle a little olive oil. (about 2 TBSP)

While the caprese contents are marinating in your bowl--

take your ripe avocado and mash it up with a fork or a potato masher.

The only thing you have to actually cook is an egg. 

A poached or egg cooked over easy is best so that 

the egg yolk drizzles onto your toast.

To dress your slice of bread-

take your butter knife and smother your bread with the mashed avocado-

then add the egg on top of the avocado and top with the caprese salad.

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Zestfully,  Let's Cultivate Food

Caprese Burger

What would happen if you took a burger and added
some fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil INSIDE the burger?

A stuffed caprese burger or a stuffed margherita burger.  YUM!

Make the beef patties on the thin side... add some fresh mozzarella cheese, 

tomatoes and basil (cut in chiffonade or whole) then, add another thin beef patty

on top and press together so that the burger is stuffed.

If you want to step up the healthy portion of the burger... 

I recommend adding some spinach rather than lettuce and 

you can also add some sauteed slices of zucchini 

and more tomato or sun dried tomato!

AND of course some bacon... oh wait I said healthy part... oops!

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Zestfully,  Let's Cultivate Food

Artichoke Spinach Dip

I  you!

Get it? I artichoke you. I 'oughta' choke you!

ok, ok I'll leave the comedy up to the comedians.

I just wanted to share a very easy and healthy recipe for a 

non bake Spinach artichoke dip.

You can use bread, carrots, celery, pretzels, crackers
or bagel chips (my favorite) to dip into this delicious dip.

The recipe is  ~~~>
~ 1 single size of Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla- preferably plain)
~ 1 clove of garlic minced very small
~ 1 small jar of artichoke hearts (please drain them first)
~ a small bag/box of frozen spinach (thawed first- I prefer to chop them small also)
~ sprinkle  (about 1/4 - 1/2  teaspoon of each)
    onion powder
    garlic powder
    pepper flakes (cayenne)
    salt, black pepper
    lemon juice

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Zestfully,  Let's Cultivate Food

Belkin Crock Pot WeMo Slow Cooker

Ahhhh, technology.
It always seems to amaze me... the things people and companies come up with.

I'm not the biggest fan of a crock pot simply because I think I just
don 't have the patience for it.  I know most slow cooker users
will say that it's so easy because you throw-- often meat and veggies into the pot-
add some seasonings and step away for many hours.
It's the many hours that bothers me. I'm a busy body so I need to be doing something.
I do enjoy using a slow cooker from time to time especially when it comes to a
Holiday meal and you want the beef or whatever type of meat for that matter
to be tender and soft.

I read the other day that there is now a Crock Pot that you can use with your WIFI!
WHAT!?!!!  crazy!     It's similar to the way that you can control your TV or DVR settings
from an app from your smart phone.  You control the settings from your smart device.

It's made by Belkin and Crock Pot. The official name is the
"Belkin Crock Pot WeMo Smart Slow Cooker. "

WeMo is a line of products made from Belkin International where you can
control devices by being simply connected to the internet along with
having sensors. I've read that because these devices are controlled through IP networks
they can be disturbed through other users...  not too worry though because
I highly doubt someone will hack into your slow cooker...

Belkin is also has a Mr. Coffee smart coffee maker and a Holmes smart humidifier
in the works as well.   The slow cooker will be $99 when it comes out in the Spring.
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Zestfully,  Let's Cultivate Food

Birthdays

When is your birthday?
What do you usually do for your birthday?

This year I spent the morning donating blood on my birthday
for the American Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by the  Philadelphia Eagles.

This year I was surprised by cousins, siblings, family and friends 
and I was able to enjoy cupcakes, dinners, and multiple cakes...
so many cakes this year that I wasn't even able to capture 
a picture of all the cakes!

This year has been a great learning experience.
I also lost a family friend who I knew since I was 5 years old
along with my grandmother who left us at age 96 last week.

Philadelphia In Home Cooking Classes  Birthday class

These cupcakes were home made from my sister in law.... 

they were  SO good!

This was a fondue spread that one of my best friends 

from elementary school made...

This is me before cutting into another home made cake for me.

Philadelphia In Home Cooking Classes Birthdays

Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food