Garlic Shrimp

Oh boy, it's been quite a week so far. I am, at least, getting closer to normal health with each day. As I over-ate at lunch with two slices of pizza and an order of potstickers (no breakfast is really never a good idea), I didn't find myself terribly hungry after work and was able to run to Target and Whole Foods without going out of my mind (which is what happens when I'm hungry, I'm not hypoglycemic, but pretty close in terms of mood). I picked up some shrimp and bagged salad, which turned into garlic shrimp and ... bagged salad. Shrimp cooks up so quickly, it really is a time-saver and perfect for weeknight meals. Try it sometime, although I have to say, keep your shrimp shells in a separate bag and take it out to the trash. You do not want to wake up to shrimpy trash in the morning. Trust me.

Penne with Mushrooms and Tomato Sauce (As Promised)

I had a helluva week. I developed a hacking cough, stayed home sick one day and have been drinking more tea than I can last recall. I am on the mend, but still dread bedtime because I never know if my body is going to betray me and cause me to cough intermittently through the night. Tonight, I felt well enough to make dinner.

I hope that the penne will fortify me to kick this sorry cold in the ass. I hadn't taken Robitussin in many years, but I did the other night and it was very unpleasant. I had to use sour patch kids as a chaser (note: using a chewable "chaser" is not the best way to get the vile medicinal taste out of your mouth). Anyway, stay healthy and remember to wash your hands often as the cold/flu season seems to have arrived!

Chicken Teriyaki - Work Edition

Because after a while, you cannot eat another frozen meal or a $13 salad for lunch. I made even chicken teriyaki (bottled sauce) tonight for a few meals. Enough is enough! I need to make these take-to-work meals happen, especially with all that holiday spending coming up.

I'm lucky because we have a kitchen at work with a full-sized fridge and microwave. I've worked in an office before that had a mini-fridge, which is hardly accommodating. Later in the week, I look forward to taking some penne with tomato sauce and mushrooms. Woohoo!

Salami and Cheese Sandwich

I made a salami and cheese sandwich last night, but it fell a bit apart when I sliced it and was not photo-ready. I ended up eating it standing in the kitchen, which was very satisfying and no fuss. Tonight, I was too tired to go out to forage for food; instead, I made another salami sandwich, but made it a double-decker, so it'd be more filling. I added thin layers of jarred artichoke spread, but it was a misstep because wet ingredients in sandwiches require key placement to avoid soggy bread. I did not make good layering choices, so the bottom bread slice was mushy and not so fab.

I have never been into double-decker sandwiches as they involve much more bread than I care for. Not sure what came over me tonight (I guess I was feeling experimental), but I couldn't finish the sandwich. I know, I am so weak sauce. On another note, It's going to be a low-impact weekend. I have been theorizing the bad air quality (due to the fires) has done a number on me. I've had a sore throat since yesterday and felt very foggy and tired today. Maybe some homemade soup is in the near future?

More Susina and the Cheapest Visit to Canter's Ever

If I like a place, I will go back. Often. Susina and I had a separation period for months (no reason in particular), but now we are closer than ever before. Over the weekend, I popped in for a quiet place to read a new book (I circled the aisles at Borders for an hour before settling oddly on a Sue Grafton mystery bargain book) and just zone out. Well, they turned out to be quite busy, but still I was able to get some decompression time in.

I initially chose this apple flaky thing to have as dessert, but my quiche took a long time (I had to remind them about it), so I ate the apple thing first.


I love buttery flaky pastries, don’t you?

A cup of coffee. I like the mugs at Susina.


My spinach quiche arrived looking a bit burnt on top, but it had a nice toasted cheese taste if that makes sense.


Moving on to Canter’s.


Now, I don’t understand the people who stand in really long lines for free ice cream, frozen yogurt, etc. Like, you are giving up 2 hours of your life for a free item that would normally cost you $2? But, tonight I decided to go to Canter’s for their 60th anniversary special: a 60 cent corned beef sandwich. This price is truly remarkable since I think the sandwich is usually $13 or $14. We opted for take-out and were probably in line for only about 15 minutes or so.


A 60 cent corned beef sandwich and Freaks and Geeks made for not a bad Tuesday night.

Susina Bakery
7122 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 934-7900

Canter's Deli
419 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 651-2030

Chicken Katsu and Salad with Apple and Blue Cheese

I've been remiss with my cooking, but last night, I got back on track with an oldie, but a goodie dish from my arsenal. Chicken katsu, breaded cutlets (or in this case, tenders), whatever you want to call it: I breaded the chicken in egg and panko crumbs (per usual, I was too lazy for the 2nd step of flour), which was then pan-fried and dipped in tonkatsu sauce. And of course, eaten with rice.

I felt in the mood for a better-than-the-usual simple salad. I picked up some granny smith apples and blue cheese to gussy up some mixed greens and dressed it with a balsamic vinaigrette.



Sometimes, wanting to eat two different types of cuisine in the same meal can be just plain wrong, but it worked here (I am guessing because I was craving the combination of apples and blue cheese so intensely).

And to drink, we had Tsing Tao beer. I got a big task off my to-do list, so I was in the mood to celebrate! Happy weekend, everyone! I may not have Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers to help kick off TGIF, but I do have cheap Thai food and alcohol in the cards for tonight, which is like 30% as good.

Recent Eats

Last Tuesday was Rosh Hashanah, which I welcomed with open arms as I didn't have to work. I spent the day going to breakfast with Charles at Basix (where I saw a man have a glass of white wine at 11:30am, I love West Hollywood!), watching Burn After Reading alone (I wish John Malkovich made a bazillion movies a year, that'd make me really happy) and eating ddukbokghi at Mannaria located in the Koreatown Galleria. The photo is cropped due to a freaky looking hard-boiled egg that was not peeled lovingly:



This Korean dish consists of spicy rice cakes with cabbage, fishcake (if you've never had this, I think it's made in a similar fashion to the cheap-fish-pressed-into-fake-crab in California rolls) and black sesame seeds.I don't know the science of this, but whereas the American rice cake is the crunchy/puffy snack of the 90s, the Korean version is chewy and cookable.

After a very draining week, Charles and I unwound by eating at Loteria Grill at the Farmers Market. I had three chicken tinga tacos:



The chicken was very tasty, but that plate was over $9. Right. We were still hungry afterwards, so we headed over to Johnny Rockets afterwards for cheese fries and a shared chocolate milkshake.

Charles: Does this make you feel like you're in Back to the Future?

Me: Yeah, but I always thought the 50s would have sucked for me because I would have been an outcast. (For the record: I think this because I'm Asian, not because I would have been a Nietzsche reciting greaser, although wouldn't that be an interesting persona?)