Polly's RAMEN Adventure

In the South Bay area, I found an increasing numbers of RAMEN hang outs.  Over 39 of them!!  To be  considered a Great RAMEN shop, the proof is when the customer empties the entire soup from the bowl in Japan.  I remember my father did that to one of the noodle he ordered in SF Japan Town.  We were very surprised.  He gave a thumb up.   Well, my sister and I have ventured to a few of the RAMEN-YA-SAN, and we found a couple that are great. I love the RAMEN at the KOTESU in Santa Clara, if I have not yet mentioned in my blog.  And KATANAYA in SF.

KOTESU RAMEN

  CHASU-KURO-RAMEN

  All Star KURO-RAMEN

 DAIKON SALAD

KATANAYA - SF - Spicy Beef RAMEN

  But I think my home cooked ones are just interesting and great.

NEGI-RAMEN:   Green Onion RAMEN

I made the soup from boiling dried KOBU and shaved BONITA together.
Then add Soy Sauce and some sesame oil.  I will give the details later for the ingredients.  I am kind of tired from sitting in front of the computer.  I only got enough patience to post the pictures first.
Normally for the homemaker, the RAMEN soup can be quickly made from dissolving BONITA granules in boiling water.  But I am tired of the MSG.   I got to be in control of what goes in my tummy.  That's the reason of the fuss in cooking from a scratch.
Where is my recipe copy go?   I don't know... so... I will post it later.
But you can tell from the pictures that you need a lot of fresh green onions - well rinsed under running water.   The KOBU (dried sea kelp) comes in pre-cut in Spaghetti form or as a large leaf.  Cut or shredd to the size that's handy for you.

 

 Place dried Bonita into a sache bag.  Bring water to boil and add KOBU.  Turn down the heat to simmer.  Add the bag of Bonita you prepared.   Simmer for 15 min with pot partially covered with lid ( to keep liquid from evaporating more than you wish.).  Discard the bag of Bonita after squeezing the liquid out.   There are other use for it, but that's a different subject.
(Raw RAMEN noodle)

 

 In a large bowl, you can put sesame oil and Japanese chili spice first, if you prefer. Or put it later.

In a large RAMEN / Noodle bowl - Add the cooked RAMEN Noodle.  Cover it with piping hot Soup.
Garnish with some cut up KOBU and Plenty of chopped Green Onions.

Drizzle a bit of sesame oil, if you like, but becareful not to pour the sesame oil.  Only a few drop of good genuine sesame oil  is needed to enhance flavor.  Some of the RAMEN does not include sesame oil.
Sprinkle with chili mix powder, if you like.   Serve also with boiled eggs. 

Green onions can be chopped and kept in freezer bag.

 

SHITAKE CHIKUWA RAMEN

This RAMEN is topped with rehydrated and cooked SHIITAKE. SHIITAKE and CHIKUWA (fish cake) are cooked together in the Soup.  Garnish with dry seaweed - NORI - use scissors to slice them.

This one got NARUTO (fish cake with pink swirl), hardboiled egg, NEGI (green onion), KAMABOKO (fish cake), roast beef luncheon meet slice.

My wanna be Spicy Beef RAMEN inspired by KATANAYA's 

Wow, I am getting hungry.   Until I find where I placed my recipe.  This is it for now.

Have fun in your summer adventure in the home cooking with your family.

My Lunch to go from Carmelita's Fair Oaks Restaurant

The other day with office workers, we revisited Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant that sits on top of the hill where Sunrise Blvd and Fair Oaks Blvd. crosses.  4071 Howard St., Fair Oaks, California 95628.   It is between Rancho Cordova and Fair Oaks.  Since I had couldn't stay to have wonderful luncheon with our friends, I ordered my regular favorite in any Mexican restaurant - Chimichanga to go.  The server was very polite and quickly placed my food to go order. 
When I got to the office I found a bag of chips included and large portion of Salsa and sour cream and guacamole.  What a service.  If you have a chance, hope you will have next dining out there at the Carmelita's Fair Oaks. http://carmelitasrestaurant.com/

Polly's Summer Break at Yosemite National Park, California

It has been a challenge since my knee injury.  But finally I am getting better enough to go hiking.   My first attempt in hiking up Upper Yosemite Fall  - 3.4 miles.   I know I have to have enough time up and come down safely.  Since I arrived there on 7/5th late and started my hike around 2:30 pm, my first hike was short 2 hours total.   But found the first view point.  I decided to return to hike higher the next day, 7/6th.

Many travellers on their way back home.   And, I am just now going.

 Fire from the Natural Mother Nature.   But I've seen a "lazy and irresponsible cigarette smoker" flicking out a butt out of the car window and started a fire.  Luckily it was not in the Yosemite park, another car and myself stopped to put the small fire out on the side of the road.

Picture of the Half Dome from one of the Village campsite's parking lot.

 Lower Yosemite Fall - Just enough water ...

 The trail starts from Camp 4 site.

 Well built hike trails

 This is the beginning of the 2nd switchback to the higher point.

 Time to leave and return.

 I hiked to the next switchback to the Upper fall.... still fall short.   Hiked 4 hrs total.  I arrived still too late at 1 pm.  But knowing how and where the 2nd trail is, I was determined to return on Saturday, 7/12th.   I arrived there at 11:30 am.  Not bad, but I know I will suffer as it was a hot day at the Yosemite. 
I pressed on and finally made it.    I made it to the Upper Yosemite Fall in 2-1/2 hrs. Total of 5 hours of hiking.  The view is beautiful up there.

Nice stream of cold water flowing out of the rock.  Making this area cool and interesting, but walk fast!  Mosquitoes awaits.

 Made it as far as I can the 2nd time on 7/6th, but it's getting late.  Need to turn around to get back to the valley.

 It was a muggy hot day with plenty of cloud.  Sprinkled a bit randomly in the area.

Thanks to all the volunteers to made the trail so accessible.  They put a lot of work to the building of this trail.

( Used slow speed of the camera to catch the water fall.)

 

 

 

 

 Until next time, it is time to hike down.

 

My next goal is to hike all the way to the top and 4 miles longer to the west to the El Capitan.   I hope I will make it there.

 Comparison of the Yosemite Fall in 2013 and 2014.  Due to lack of rain and snow, we are back to 15 years ago.  Dry valley.

 

 I saw many tourist young and old hiking up the trail.  Some carried no bottled water at all or back pack.  Be aware of the Sierra weather and always carry 2 quarts of water for this hike to the Upper Yosemite Fall.   Bring with you extra clothing in case of inclement weather when hiking east side of the trail that is much more windy.   Spray your clothing lightly with bug spray.  There will be mosquitoes to greet you as you get closer to water source.  Be courteous and take out what you take up and don't litter.   Form a single file when hiking up or down with multiple people in your group when passing others by; and greet each other.  The purpose of the greeting is not only just to be friendly, but also to check the condition of the other hikers.  I like to use my hiking walking sticks.  It relieves my knees from pressure when going down the trails.