Day #13 (Dolmades)

YUM I absolutely love stuffed grape leaves. I have to say that I am so disappointed in the many people I know that cannot enjoy this delicious Greek dish. Despite the shiny, green look it sports, it's a taste that is pleasing to the tongue. All I have to say is whoever hasn't tried this needs to try it for themselves before judging! So, here is yet another recipe that I found...

"DOLMADES"
Stuffed Grape Leaves

Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
1 large onion (chopped)
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
2 quarts chicken broth
3/4 fresh lemon juice (divided)
60 grape leaves (drained and rinsed)
hot water
1 cup olive oil




Directions:

1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, saute the rice, onion, dill, and mint for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Pour in 1 quart of broth, reduce heat to low and simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until rice is almost cooked. Stir in 1/2 of lemon juice and remove from heat.

2. Take one leaf, shiny side down, and place 1 teaspoon of the rice mixture at the bottom (stem) end of the leaf. Fold both sides of the leaf towards the center, roll up from the broad bottom to the top, and place into a 4-quart pot. Repeat with all leaves, leaving no gaps as leaves are placed in pot (to prevent from opening while cooking). Sprinkle with remaining lemon juice and with olive oil.

3. Pour chicken broth over all to cover grape leaves. Cover pot and simmer for about 1 hour (do not boil, because this will make the stuffing burst out of the leaves). Remove from heat, remove cover and let cool for 1/2 hour. Transfer to serving dish and serve.

Day #12

One week until I return home. I cannot wait! I'm just so glad I can relax for this next week. No more midterms and no more stress for now at least! When I get home, I will be doing a lot of cooking and taking advantage of my kitchen because I'm so sick of Brower food. Blegh. It's gonna be nice to have home cooked meals!! ...So, yea...I realize I haven't been posting much. So, here's a neat recipe that I found online of a Vietnamese traditional dish! It's a little something for you guys to try out and for me read when I forget the ingredients :P

Phở Bò

Ingredients:
5 lbs beef knuckle
2 lbs beef oxtail
1/2 lb frozen beef sirloin
1 white radish (sliced)
2 onions (chopped)
2 ounces whole star anise pods
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 slice fresh ginger root
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp fish sauce (YUM)
1 & 1/2 lbs dried flat rice noodles

Toppings:
Sriracha hot pepper sauce
hoisin sauce
thinly sliced onion
chopped fresh cilantro
bean sprouts
sweet Thai basil
thinly sliced green onion
limes (quarted)


DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the beef knuckle in a very large (9 quart or more) pot. Season with salt, and fill pot with 2 gallons of water. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 2 hours.

2. Skim fat from the surface of the soup, and add the oxtail, radish and onions. Tie the anise pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns and ginger in a cheesecloth or place in a spice bag; add to the soup. Stir in sugar, salt and fish sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat for at least 4 more hours (the longer, the better). At the end of cooking, taste, and add salt as needed. Strain broth, and return to the pot to keep at a simmer. Discard spices and bones. Reserve meat from the beef knuckle for other uses if desired.

3. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Soak the rice noodles in water for about 20 minutes, then cook in boiling water until soft, but not mushy, about 5 minutes. Slice the frozen beef paper thin. The meat must be thin enough to cook instantly.

4. Place some noodles into each bowl, and top with a few raw beef slices. Ladle boiling broth over the beef and noodles in the bowl. Serve with hoisin sauce and sriracha sauce on the side. Set onion, cilantro, bean sprouts, basil, green onions, and lime out at the table for individuals to add toppings to their liking.

NOTES TO SELF:
The process of cooking Phở is ridiculously long.
So, make sure you have all the time in a day to cook this lovely meal!

Day #11

Hello world. I took my first blood test ever. I was terrified. I actually don't mind needles or blood, but I do get scared of the feeling of excruciating pain. However, my experience was quite nice. The woman was the sweetest thing ever! I couldn't have felt more comfortable and now I have a Hello Kitty band aid on my arm! So yeaaaaaa. That's my update for tonight : )

Day #10

DEAD.

Day #9

こんにちは。わたしわにさんですね。わたしはべとなむじんです。しかしべとなむごをあまりじゃうずにはなしません。わたしのにほんごのクラスはだいおもしろですよ。わたしはにほんごだいすきです。わたしはボーイフレンドいます。わたしのボーイフレンドをあいする。わたしのボーイフレンドはだいだんさむ。わたしはらとがすのだいがくのがくせいです。にねんせいです。