Thursday, September 11, 2014

Polly's version of Marvelous Memorable Chocolate Chip Cookies

I think chocolate chip cookies is one of the recipe that challenges me.  Depending on the ratio of fat and sugar and type of sugar you use, you could have crispy or cakey or guwey cookies.  Of course, the other ingredients - eggs and amount of flour play an important roles in the result.  Which ones do you like?In searching for some recipes to try, I found this one I believe at Food52 website.  I found it interesting that it uses some snack bars as part of the ingredients.   Why not? I thought.  As I have tons of snack bars. 
So, how do I rate this cookies?  Good crispy cookies.  My preference is guwey cookies.

Pickled SHISO Leaves - beefsteak leaves and YOMOGI Leaves - Mogwart leaves

I love the aroma of SHISO and enjoy it over a steaming bowl of rice.   My friend gave me two plants this year.  One is Mogwarts - YOMOGI and the other is SHISO.   I am very lucky that they are growing heartily in my garden.   Unlike the previous green SHISO that I tried to grow, died out in winter and never to be seen again, these groups thriving well in a pot.
So, what shall I do SHISO?  I pluck the largest leaves, then, gently clean them under water; spread them over a drying tray or pickle them.  The dried SHISO leaves are crushed with mortar or using food processor or by fingers.  Put some sea salt and safe them in a jar.  Sprinkle them over rice and enjoy it.
To pickle them,.... well, actually I do not know how to start, but I placed them under the UMEBOSHI - pickled plum.   However, I did learn later that, you just need to pickle them in salt.  Then, let it sit for a few month, and it is done.  Really?  I asked.... I don't know... I have to do some research.

 Pickled them under the purchased pre-made UMEBOSHI - pickled plum.   Then, refrigerate. 
I hope it works.
As for Mogwarts plant, after crop them, wash them gently under running water.  Making sure all the aphids, if any, are washed off.  Then, strip the leaves off the stems;  spread them over a  large drying tray.  Place them outside in open air under a shade.   In hot summer day, dry in the morning and ready for packing in the late afternoon.   Make sure that entire leaves are absolutely & completely dry.   Store them in a Ziploc bag until ready for use.   When ready, crush them under Mortar or in a food processor;  use them to make YOMOGI Mochi.

PICKLED DAIKON AND DAIKON CAKES

It's been a very busy summer.  Summer weather is quite different then any other year.  Hotter and dry.   Some of the fruits in my garden are like in stunned mode.  Luckily in some part of California, weather has been great for crops.  These DAIKON were beautifully grown by community down in Salinas.  What to do with large DAIKON?   I didn't know what to do.  I just start cutting them into pieces or shredded them.  Julienned Daikons were used for MISO Soup; shredded Daikons were used to make radish cake - ROBO' GAO that we enjoy at the Dim Sum house on weekend;  large chunks and sticks ... well, I decided to pickle them.   I just placed them in a sanitized jars, filled all the way to the top with Japanese rice vinegar, chili pepper flakes... and also mixed some sugar with rice vinegar to add some sweetness.  Clean jar's neck clean to keep bacteria from forming.  Tighten the lid on; then, refrigerate.  After two months... oh my gosh, they are fantastic!  refreshing pickled Daikons that go well with rice dishes.

 For Rice Cakes
 For Pickles
 For MISO Soup
 For Pickles
 For radish cakes
 Rice flour for radish cake.... I think mixing some Tapioca flour would have been even better??
 Shorten the shredded Daikons into shorter threads.
 Pickling in recycled bottle after sanitized
 Refrigerate for 1-2 months; Then, enjoy!   *a reminder - always use a clean utensil to transfer pickles out from the jar to a serving plate.  Never reuse the utensil that has been used for other purpose to avoid contamination of the pickles.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Making Stir Fried Eggplants

Stir fried eggplants is one of the most challenging Chinese dish to make at home, I think.   For some people, it is easy, but the sheer idea of dealing with lots of oil - precooking of the eggplants in "GUO  YOUW" -- passing through oil as in deep fried, but not quite deep frying makes the thought of cooking it at home formidable.  It is one of our favorite dish to order at the Chinese restaurant.   But I thought I would give it a try. 


 



California State Park Finale

This is a late late posting of photo journal of California State Finale























Friday, July 18, 2014

Photo Journal of California State Fair - My First Impression

This is my very first visit to the California State Fair.  I wanted to visit after work by myself to check around before the next visit.   Since I purchased a season pass, I want to enjoy it by taking it easy like walking through the park.  The Food Court sections are very interesting - Deep Fried Chocolate Covered Cheese Cake?  Wow!   We've made chocolate covered bacon in our class before, and they taste good. Saltiness of the bacon enhance the chocolate and chocolate compliments the bacon very well.  It's like eating dessert at the same time eating breakfast.  Entertainments are excellent.  Can't wait to go back on Saturday, again.
 Trying to feel my way around the fair ground get my orientation....
 
 These cows are lucky - kept cool with large fan.  Their hays are clean and plenty for them to eat.  It must be a lot of work to keep the barn clean to keep the animals happy in such a confined area.
 
Buffalo Soldier
 
 The Farm... Check out the Hot House made of Plastic Bottles - what a great idea!
Dowels are thrust thru empty plastic bottles.  Great Ideas! 
 
 
 
 
 Black Smith Tools
 
 
 Ask the Tree!!
 Today is MRE Challenge - What dishes can you concoct from MRE packages.
 
 
 The HOT CINNAMON vendor showing off his skill in making the Cinnamon Rolls.  The dough is put through the press first to roll out the dough then transferred to the work surface that has been previously 'wiped' with butter.
 Butter or the high fat is cut into rectangle slices.
 
 The butter slicer
 
 
 Time to sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
 
 Then, ready to Roll!
 
 Oh, a challenge?  Cut the roll with eyes closed?
 He took the challenge.  He did it without cutting his fingers
 
 
 Hypnosis Volunteers on the stage.
 Vintage packaged Hersheys Chocolate bars - $3.99/ea
 Carnival Rides... and Food Court - What would you choose to play or to eat?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Twinkie Dog!?  Deep Fried Oreos?!
 
 I hope they all taste as good as those pictures.
 
 
 Would like to try the Southern Catfish to find out if it is as good as Great Grandma Winnie in Lebanon, Tennessee.
 
 
 
 CHOKA RIVER?!....Chocolate Covered Bacon - Bacon this and Bacon that!
 Unfortunately, when I checked my watch, it was already 9 pm.  It would have been too much for my stomach to taste those goodies.   Luckily I got these beautiful Yellow Peaches from the Fair.  They were delicious! Sweet and ripened just right.

Can't wait to find out more on Saturday....   Got to find out where to park for Free!
They don't give Sacramento resident a break with the parking fee, do they?  they should, I think.  That's good for the business, I think.   :-)