Weekend hands.

This is what my hands look like
after a whole weekend of making sushi,
buying mortars in the Asian grocers.
After clenching my fists to the
election process in the background
and after a whole lot of surfing.

I kind of like it though.
I carry it with me proud for my first
day at work and school of the week.
Like a live reminder of fun times had.

Love,
E

Eat, drink, love in my kitchen.

Some pictures from my kitchen this one sunny afternoon in
the suburb of ours that so vigorously follows the coastline.













Now, according to our recent theme of good food I am off to
an Asian grocer where my mission is to find a mortar, some
sushi ingredients for our election party tonight (big, big thing)
and also these amazing Japanese crackers that my colleague
introduced me to. And I can hear you asking what sort but it's
really hard to describe. Fine, I will try -phiff- they are round
and quite salty, about the size of your palm and also covered
in some sort of frosting. Sounds strange I know but they are
more-ish! Wish me luck.

Love,
E

P.S Tak? Are you reading this? What are these biscuits, do you know?

Sewing Machine & the Lady.

This is one of my many reasons why I want a sewing machine =/

Transform unappealing dresses [into something I would wear].

Her name is Marisa Lynch, her story is a bit like Julie, from Julie & Julia the movie (which is where she acquired the idea).

She got laid off, and instead of moping about her situation, she decided to "Transform 365 unattractive frocks in 365 days, for $365." (Yahoo)

Marisa's current stat: 104 days to go and $105 left.

***Photos courtesy of Marisa Lynch (New Dress A Day)

Hapa Ramen @ Fort Mason, SF

I was able to fin'ly go and check out Off The Grid (street food carts coming together) last Friday.

Yes, it is what it is in the photo --- cold and windy, such a drag! But that did not deter me from going and enjoying the scene and the food =). They have live music, drinks, and great foods =).

They have different vendors every Friday. But my sole reason for going was to taste Hapa Ramen bowl of noodles.

I got the Slow Cooked Pork Ramen Bowl.

They do offer vegetarian ramen noodle, the Miso Market Bowl.

The greens (chard and green beans) were perfectly cooked.

The egg was slow-cooked and super delicious!

The braised pork was tender, juicy and flavorful.

But... the only component that was a letdown was the salty broth =/ Yups, it was a tad salty (even for can't-help-salt crazy like me), otherwise, everything was great. Barely tasted the "flavor between delicate-sweet-dashi and rich-fatty-porky." (haparamensf.com) Must have been bad timing.

I will give them another try...

Unreplaceable

My "Filipino pride" bracelet unraveled =/

Like all material things, it wasn't meant to last... but the memories will =)

My Path to Ramen Enlightenment

Lately, I have been in search of the BEST ramen in the City.

So far, my search has led me to some awesome findings and tasty treats.

There's this place called Suzu, Noodle House in Japantown. And I think their noodles are to die for! Chewy, great texture, and homemade.

Below is the Spicy Mabo Ramen (tofu, crumpled tasty pork, boiled egg, and green onion).

Lol! I guess I was sooo hungry that I forgot to take a photo of this ramen at Oyaji in the Inner Richmond.

It was not great, but decent. I came to this place in particular b/c I heard that the broth of their ramen was fresh tasting and didn't have that weird MSG taste.

I thought otherwise, it was good but not the best.

Izakaya Sozai in the Sunset, I heard/read that this place makes one of the best ramen dishes.

Now... in comparison to the broth (pork) in Suzu and Oyaji, this one is the best.

Fresh and tasty, simply delish!

And the cha-su (roasted pork slice), I've never had anything like it. Didn't have that weird taste, it was tender, juicy, and no chemical taste. For the first time, I actually ate my cha-su, instead of shoving it aside.

Below is the Tonkotsu Ramen.

Next... is Namu.

Carob Almonds

Can't stop eating this... so hooked!

I can only find this in one particular store in the City, which blows b/c it's a bit far.

But so worth the drive...!

Camping at Clearlake, CA

The family is just getting into camping (nothing is ever too late).

A few weeks ago, we went to Clearlake, Ca. About a few hours from SF.

Although, I'm a bit ashamed to say that I didn't really go "camping" - lol!

I slept in a hotel.

This is Clearlake.

The fisherman in the family, Nathan.

I wasn't allowed to fish b/c I apparently needed a permit =/

They caught a few crayfish.

We went hiking.

Made and ate s'mores --- delish!

You can never go wrong with s'mores.

We went kayaking.

Rej did most of the paddling... =)

We went biking on the hill.

Being kids and having some summer fun.

The sun setting on our way home.

The good food week.

I have gone bazumckhaz over food lately so I decided that this week
should be ALL about food. Whatever food you are having,
where you are having it, who you are having it with and where
did you find inspiration to do that.
This I decided while eating my second dinner of muesli and yogurt
while cruising the web visiting some of the most delightful foodie blogs out there. I need more. My body needs more.
So I am treating this pretty much like a little exercise to moi as well.
I'm thinking something in the lines of..how 'bout you care a little?
Or does that not make sense?
What I mean is that in these times of obvious stress and
overworking of ourselves we need to have some good times.
Some food times.
And by the end of this Dibadaba week I want everyone,
exactly everyone, to think out loud 'Oh boy was that a feast!'.



Love,
E