Slow Cooker Sesame Beef

Another slow cooker recipe.  This last year has been a year of slow cooker recipes.   Just a couple of weeks ago,  I made stew chicken inspired by Belize. 

Earlier this year I made Lamb Tagine.  That was a really good recipe.  It was one of the best recipes I have made all year.  Very yummy!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Every year the local opera company performs and live streams the performance to the professional baseball field.  They call it Opera in the Outfield.  I have wanted to go for years.

This year I am finally going, and it is tonight.  It is one of those things that I think I need to go to but don't put into my calendar.  I'm the kind of person that if I don't make a set plan, it usually doesn't happen.

Chicken Chow Mein

A few weeks ago I read a book about Chinese American food.  The author discuses the history of Chinese American foods like chop suey and chow mein.  It was fascinating to see how Chinese foods were created to appeal to the American palate.

She also wrote about fortune cookies.  She believes that fortune cookies were actually created by Japanese Americans, but they gained prominence by the efforts of Chinese American producers.  

Orange Chicken

A few weeks ago, I ate dinner at an acquaintances home.  It was near Chinese New Year, and so we ate Chinese food.

We ate dumplings, stir-fried vegetables, and orange chicken.  Americanized orange chicken is often fried, but her version was not.  I decided then and there to make my own version at home.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Today was a killer at work.  I felt like I didn't have time to even go to the bathroom.  I had to shovel my lunch down my throat during a twenty minute break.

 

I don't work on President's Day, and I am really looking forward to the break.  I'm not going out off town, so I think it is going to be a low key and relaxing weekend.  My biggest plans so far are to go see a movie.

Japanese Curry Rice

I didn't know Japan did curry.  I think I saw a reference to Japanese curry on Pinterest and then searched for a recipe online.  Apparently curry is a popular dish in Japan.

Curry was introduced to Japan during the Meiji era, which went from 1868 to 1912, by the British.  At this time India was a British colony.  It became popular in the 1960s and is now considered one of Japan's national dishes.

Garlic Ginger Shrimp Stir Fry

Yesterday I went to a park in DC and listened to a free outdoor concert.  There are so many wonderful summer events in DC.  This summer has been so busy that I haven't been able to enjoy all that the area has to offer.

I went to a few free concerts last year, but the one I went to yesterday was my favorite.  In the past, the venues have been so full.  It was hard to find a spot to sit. 

Beef Bulgogi

Tomorrow is my last day at my job.  I have worked at my job for almost five years.  It is the first job I had out of graduate school.  

I start a new job on Monday.  It is still in the same town, but it will be a definate change.  I'm excited but also pensive and grateful for the experiences and growth I have had at my job.

Broccoli in Hoisin Sauce

This Sunday, I had a potluck brunch before church.  Before moving to the DC area, I hardly ever ate brunch.  Now, I eat brunch at least once a month.

It was a really good brunch.  Someone made tender cinnamon rolls.  The hostess made a blueberry clafoutis.  It was fantastic.  Clafoutis are a baked french desert.  The batter is like flan.  They are traditionally made with cherries.  She inspired me to make my own.  Whenever I try something tasty, I wonder if I can recreate it at home.

Chinese Almond Cookies

I'm not sure these are authentic.  I lived in China for nine months, and I never ate a cookie that looked like these.  Of course, there are many Chinese cuisines that I haven't tried.  

These cookies may very well be a traditional dessert in a part of China I have never been.  It's a big country.

Hoisin Chicken Recipe

I'm excited for March.  Next weekend I'm going to go to a Saint Patrick's Day parade to get into the spirit of the month.  

I'm running a half marathon this month.  I ran the same race two years, and I'm confident I will run faster this time.  

Rib-Sticking Stir-Fry

In a month, I am running a half marathon.  I signed up several months ago.  I have been slowly preparing, but the even has snuck up on me.  I am not as prepared as I thought I would be at this point.

I ran ten miles this morning, and it hurt.  I didn't run as fast as I wanted either.  I am a slow running, and I have been focusing on running faster.  

Hoisin Glazed Chicken Thighs

I made a big purchase on Friday.  I bought a new laptop.  I get anxious when I make big purchases.  

The first laptop I was given completely froze after I set it up.  The screen went black and with a white X in the middle of the page.  I took it to the store, and they gave me another one.  

Sichuan Shrimp

Sichuan is province in southwestern China.  Their food uses garlic, chile peppers, and Sichuan peppers.  The food is often hot and spicy.

Sichuan has an abundance of foods.  One city in Sichuan province, Chendgu, was declared a city of gastronomy by UNESCO.  I'd never heard of that honor before, but it sounds legitimate and good.

Chinese Sugar Snap Pea Salad

I just spent a wonderful week with my family in Glacier National Park.  I went there once before as a child.  I have vague memories of our green mini van, cold cut sandwiches, and mountains.

I haven't seen my nieces and nephews for a few months, and I was surprised how much they had changed.  Experiences like this remind me how life is so fleeting.