bye bye blogger hello tumblr

http://sunkist365.tumblr.com/

new or old?

It's Memorial Day.

I'm happy for a day off. =) 

I was looking at some of my old blogs, and I came back to my tumblr one, which gave me a very nice feeling when I saw it again. I'm having a hard time deciding...

Should I keep with this blog...or go back to my tumblr one?  www.sunkist365.tumblr.com?

Housewarming Gift

Thinking of a housewarming gift for my brother and sister-in-law was not an easy task. I wanted to learn from my last mistake when I got him a GINORMOUS overpriced painting from Z Gallerie.  What was I thinking?! Getting something so taste specific for another person (who is VERY taste specific).  Well after putting some thought, this is what I came up with: 

I bought a cutting board, colander, and lemon juicer from HomeGoods and added some of my pantry staples.

I made them pickled Jalapenos.  The jalapenos and olive oil didn't fit in my "gift basket" but it's going to be part of the gift.

I'm happy with the gift.  It's looks fun but more importantly, it will be useful!

BY THE WAY:  Remember to vote for me!! The link below takes you directly to the voting page! You can vote everyday untill May 30th::: Vote for KIM and NHAT! =)

http://61.56.88.119/actions/0301-0515vote/index.asp 

Please Vote For Me!!!

Hi everyone!  I'm a finalist for a really cool wedding contest called Jasmine Dresses Your Wedding Contest.  In order to win, I need your vote!!

·      Please Vote For Us!!

·      Go www.jasminebridal.com

·      Click on “Jasmine Dresses Your Wedding”

·      Click on “Kim and Nhat”

·      And vote for us (once a day, everyday until May 30^th)

·      We truly appreciate your support!!

Chipotle Lemon Marinaded Tilapia

So sad.  I worked so hard this weekend to try to upload my video from my digital camera on to my laptop.  In the process, some how I accidentally deleted the entire video. =(  Maybe it's time I invest in a camcorder? 

Chipotle Lemon Marinaded Tilapia
Handful of chopped cilantro
2 large cloves of garlic
1 lemon, juiced
2 chipotle in adobo sauce
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp salt and pepper to taste
2 tilapia filets
1 tbs olive oil

In a blender or food processor combine all ingredients except for tilapia filets.  Blend untill smooth and mixed.  Pour over tilapia and marinade for 4-8 hours. 
Grill on high heat.  Flipping only once.  Tilapia can break apart very easy.

Sunomono 0001

Missing in Action

Hello....is anyone still there?? hehe I don't even know when I last posted.  But winter has passed and spring is upon us! =) I guess the cold weather made me lazy but now my spring spirit is back and ready to blog again.  I've actually been busy trying to keep my apartment dust free because I get affected by allergies fairly severely. 

Anyways, although I haven't been blogging, I have definitely still been cooking.  I have a lot of new recipes and dishes I want to try soon.  I only have a few more months here before Nhat and I head back.  And if all goes as plan, next April get married!!! So excited!!

That's all I have to say for this post but check back soon.  This weekend I want to try to make my own kim chi!!

Homemade KIMCHI and Bulgogi

Last week my co-worker gave me some homemade kimchi that her mom made.   So Sunday I wanted to do right to the kimchi by making an authentic Korean dish, Bulgogi, to serve with kimchi.  I have to say the meal came together very nicely.  Although my bulgogi was good, the main show was the kimchi.  It was spicy and crunchy and FRESH! I think my next food project will be my own homemade kimchi. =)

Burger and Chili Cheese Fries

Nhat and I went snowboarding on Sunday and didn't want to spend our life savings on a burger at the restaurant so we went home, spent about 14 bucks on items at the grocery store, and made ourselves chili cheese fries and burgers. We made four burgers and a big plate of chili cheese fries for under $20. We probably saved $100 bucks, no joke. 

Quarter pounder

Chili Cheese Fries With Stagg's Turkey Chilli

How to Make Quick and Easy Chili Cheese Fries

Some frozen fries
Can of nacho cheese
Can of chili
Some pickled jalepenos
Some chopped cilantro (optional)

Cook fries according to package instructions
Heat up cheese
Heat up heat up chili
Put fries on a plate
Pour cheese and chili on top of fries
Add jalapenos and cilantro and enjoy!

Hello Again.

Welcome back! It's been an eventful and busy two weeks, but now here I am, back to work and back to my routine.  I hope everyone had a happy holidays.  I haven't cooked in two weeks! Last night Nhat and I ate eggrolls that my dad made and packaged for us.  All we had to do was fry them up.  One day I want to try to make eggrolls like my parents'.

On another happy note, I am officially engaged!  Can't wait to start planning and setting the date. He did it on New Years Eve/Morning, right after the countdown, in the comfort of our cozy apartment. It was perfect and so is my ring.  =)  I had the hardest time getting out of bed today.  It's cloudy and rainy and its always hard for me to go back to my routine after the holidays, especially since Nhat is still on vacation.  But I gotta do what I gotta do right?

On second thought I did cook this weekend.  I made Che Chuoi, Warm Banana Coconut Pudding with Tapioca.  I followed a recipe in my go-to Vietnamese cookbook.  The flavor was good, but next time I may cut down the amount of water that was called for.  Please please PLLLLEEASSE let work go by fast today.