Super Speed Chinese New Year Eve Meal

I swear I won't do this again.
This, is my historical lightening speed for a festival cook. Arrive home 6pm, have an eight course Chinese New Year eve dinner ready before 8pm. AND they are all traditional dish and most require a lot of time and efforts. Our family's regular way takes one whole night before the the day, then pretty much a whole day on new year eve to perfect this just one dinner.
My schedule has been not worked as "tradition" way this year. I always believe I can make it happen, even everyone show me a "now what you gonna do" look. But when I fried the endless pork and meat balls and bean curd, while five other burners were all on full powers and almost burned my manicure and half an eyebrow, I realized it is truly not a good way for me to enjoy this annual family cooking tradition.
Sometimes, to achieve is a thing. To enjoy is another thing.
Oh but I eventually pair a good wine.

我的意思是，完全从开油锅算起，两小时之内把年夜饭端上桌了。
这种挑战一生一次就好。实在对心脏有负担。
嗯，对漂亮的指甲和眉毛也不宜。
虽说坐下来，看家人惊喜开心的团年，有着这样我也居然做成了的成就。可提前一整夜寒风里伴着一炸一惊的油锅偷偷吃了烫着嘴的小兴奋，除夕夜一整天家里各种煮各种香的混合，还是不应该错过的呀。
新一年，让我们好好的更多的享受一粥一饭的快乐吧。

Eat Through an Icy Break

Our city experienced unexpected, so often and so wow, recently.
I'm always a believer that, you should never stop dreaming, just in case, what if it becomes real?! For last couple of days, we had snow (again!) and our temperature was lower than Anchorage, I mean, beat an Alaska winter day?
Sure the whole city shutting down. Not because of snow or cold, but dangerous icy road conditions.
I'm kinda a workaholic but totally followed and stayed home for a whole day. After an over 17 hours stuck and camping on icy freeway years ago, I got enough learning on respect inexperienced southern winter road.

Happy New Year of Relaxing Family Eating!

We are on the road. Again.
And where could be better for New Year's Day morning a no-reservation-no-waiting-all-you-like-to-eat than get it at home. I had it done within 45 minutes (struggled a bit with that sweetened pumpkin thing or could be done within 30 minutes), and we spent a luxury 1.5 hours around the table, sharing stories and learns from last year, while looking forward all best for a brand new 2018.

Brunch Everyday for the Holidays

Unless a party, I normally not cooking on Christmas. We either on travels, or like to test all new restaurants in town, and just dress up and relax.

But brunch does not count to cooking. It's a "fixing". And it works so fine to our 11am wake up calls.

Somehow My boys consider big hotel brunch is a waste of money: What?! They are robberying! Mom can make these all for free at all the time!
Right?!.... I'm free.

Jingle Jingle Let's Mingle: 2017 Holiday Luncheon w/BFF

I am a very lucky person, every friend comes to my life brings me messages, inspirations, and warmth. There is many ways we say thanks and loves, asking for my holiday lunch invite has been a very popular one recently. May be because of my food, or because of my laughs?

I consider cooking is love made visible. Above all, Christmas makes everything softer and more beautiful.

Not Only Kid's Graduation 厨房也有毕业庆祝吧

On August 2013, I put $150 into my elder son's lunch account. As of 5/31/2016, the balance is $134.85. He ate twice school lunch in past three years: first day school, and once because the locker was not functional so could not get lunch box out on time.
When he is proud of all those titles and certificates and honors, allow me to pat on my own shoulder and review all these early mornings I rushed and rushed for their breakfast and lunch, send to bus station (sometimes drive to school directly) then back to rush rush breakfast for seniors and ourselves. Yes I got sick and took business travels, but by planed and prepared ahead so we never have to deal with those "tasteless meal in school", and "unbearable long line to waste my life".
Now, I will have another two years before send the little one to high school and crossing the fingers they can meet a great chef there.
I feel so rewarding we have all these great memories on food and time spending together to begin a whole new day everyday, and kids thinking about mom & home in the middle of a fun or tough day when they open their lunch box.


2013 到2016，咱家的大公子一共在他的三年初中吃了两次食堂，共计花费$15.15：开学第一餐， 和locker打不开拿不到午餐盒被迫买了一餐。寒来暑往，整做了三年早餐＋午餐耶！耶！耶！如果我出差或生病，就提前备好材料或做好便当，真是一餐不曾拉下啊。孩子长高了，长壮壮了，长帅了，长聪明了 ---- 那都是我的功劳，哈哈哈

在我们一系列的毕业庆祝、拉开序幕之前，先评选出他最喜欢的早餐和午餐，对自己真是难得的回忆啊。

Cook and Eat Well on Mother's Day

I decided to cook a bit on Mother's Day am this year. It's just too much line and waiting to dine out twice on such a day everyone trying to show love & care at the same time.

It was a last minute decision, and quick and easy. But turned out much relaxing and satisfying: I am not saying going to keep this tradition, but well, the most comfortable place and eats is always at home.

Rush Hour since 6:30am 翻翻孩子的午餐袋

Sleep for 7 hours a day has been listed as my top new year resolution each and every year.
Which means, while, it stays as new year resolution.

But I do enjoy the most my morning routine while counting the pain: breakfast for kids, lunch for kids, drop to school bus, breakfast for adults, check all reports, accounts and emails. AND finally, I wake up, while all gone for the day, enjoy my second or third round of coffee. And sometimes, a bit Facebook.

The most recent compliment I love is from one of my kids: mom, you know, you are kinda famous for your "hack of a lunch" within my friends.

一日之际在于晨。其实我真心渴望赖床。
但要可以如愿的话，不是太阳从西边起来，是咱家就没太阳啦。

Heat Outside - Cool Summer Eats 消暑小记

It's hot, and it's getting hotter.
I first "officially" knowledge on southern life comes from "Gone with the Wind". I always and still wondering how did the people deal with this kind of heat without ac units by then: imagine a gorgeous Scarlett working in the field...

As anyone typical from south of China, I follow the common sense of what food is "warm" or "cool" or easy to catching "body heat" when the weather is extreme. It's fun to teach my kiddos though: they practice hard to memorize food nature but end of conclusion as "just eat whatever mom serves " ^_^

大暑就要到了。在这个一年夏季过半年的城市，倒是不太有上火的困扰。烤的炸的都不曾消停。但讲究些计较些，还是应该的啦。

A Simple + Light Eat 最简单的滋味

There are definitely so many ways to judge a dish: the way it's been prepared, the look it's been presented, the flavor, the fragrance, and all together, how and when and with whom to enjoy.
I'm much into very simple and "direct" cook recently. It means less cooking time, or less comprehensive cooking methods, or less fancy add-ons, or less smoke or splash, or all of these.
So there are more minutes(if not hours) I can save to enjoy few pages of book, pick a new music, catch a view in my garden in this beautiful spring, and enjoy the dish with more appreciation on season's and original flavors.

最简单的滋味， 也就是最应季新鲜的食材，简单的烹调，很少的调味。一切从简，反而吃出一种满足。

Once a Moment 有时候

Ever since I was little, I found myself memorize things/people in a very simple way: there are all "points", not much lines. And I kick away most bad ones, as possible.

So that I can always remember the exact happy or exciting or touched or romantic or fun or pride or surprised "point", the very picture in my mind is always very vivid, keeps refresh my passion of a great life.

Same as now, many many years later on, across half of a globe.

有时候，日子就是在一刻的感动和细碎间，美好的留住在记忆里。

Toasted In A Cold Wet Day 在寒冷的冬日里

What you want to do for a cold wet weekend in winter?
My perfect day will be, wake up at noon, all day makeup-free in my cashmere loungewear, reading, drinking, joking, music, and eat a bit.


居然还是有寒冷的日子的啊。
在又冻又湿的周末，不要有任何出行或应酬。就是围炉而坐，看书，玩琴，喝酒，听雨声，吃热乎的家常菜。

1st Day of Winter 冬至吃快餐

I never knew lunar year celebrate numbers of fest same as "normal calendar" until in charge of a kitchen. Like, first day of summer, first day of winter ;)
It's a big fest back in Asia when celebrate winter. For me, this is a day fulfilled with tons of best wishes from WeChat, text messages, and still, a quick 40 minutes cook.

不知不觉，居然冬至。这个奇怪的70F冬天，就是忙得跳脚，也还是要应景吃一餐啦。

Eat to Winterize 从秋贴到冬的“月票”

I truly feel the "Global Warming" this year. Till the beginning of Dec, we still have the sunny days close to 70s F.
Yes it's not that cold enough, but we never short of excuse to enjoy typical fall & winter eats.

吃这件事，是要一点折腾，一点借口，和一点勇气滴。

Back Home Cooks 归家下厨第一餐

Have been travel too intensively recently.

When you feel the chill winds with falling leaves, run busy between jets, luggage, and safety checks, go nowhere if without a GPS in cities never been before, especially missing a bowl of hot soup, green vegetables, and happy evening sharing with family.

So when finally sit back with all, ahh, all taste even better.

人在旅途。回家，就是温暖，熟悉，和爱的期盼。
洗手做羹汤，是我减压的方法，也是爱的表达。每一到家第二日，就开工。

Hometown Therapy

What is your comfort food? I've been lived out of my hometown much more years than I ever actual lived there. But still, there are chances and times, alike a thunder, I just must to miss her. My birth place meant quite a lot to my life. It's never easy not to miss about: whenever catch a news, see a picture, read a book, think about someone...

Korean BBQ & Seaweed Wrap 周末小烤肉

Shopping till 5:30pm. Now feeling in need a rewarding but quick (as always) dinner. Sometimes, I do enjoy rice, meat, and a lot of them together...

好久没有记流水账啦。那种当天的事情当天记的简单爽落还真让人有点怀念呢。今天血拼得有点儿狠，要吃肉补补脑和心。

Hot Day Simple Eats 夏日的轻食

When we talk about summer....
夏天哦，就是 ------

Back Home Cooking 回家第一餐

After all travels and new business models, and 5 hours/day sleeps (still till now), at least I am back to my kitchen, sip the wine while rush all dishes accompany kiddos' cheers :)

回家的感觉是最好的。就算是油烟味儿也让人感怀。

 

 

Veg for a Good Life 谁不是吃素的 ^_^

We always have at least one big meaty dish for every meal, but at least three vegetables to go with it. BTW, we never call veg as "side Dish" on the table: they are the actors in leader role. I call rice a side in the house, and it could be an option.


尤记得一位好朋友，提到晚上有油炒菜吃，就一副幸福知足的模样：脆脆的，清清甜甜的，好美味呵。
是啊，很多时候，简单生活里，最原味的就是最美好的。