Fried Chicken Invasion

Applause for Koreans who've outdid their fried chicken!

First of all, I have been reading blogs raving about Korean style fried chicken. It's so popular that there are more Korean fried chicken places than KFC in Korean town. Finally when one opened that's closer to my house, I have to get some KFC! (Korean fried chicken haha)

But look at the bag! look at the box they use!!! It doesn't look like your ordinary fried chicken bag/box does it? it's more like a shopping bag sorta. And I have to say that they definitely put the cost of all these fancy packaging into the prices of their chickens.

It was good though, good enough for me to go back for it even though it's about 7.99 for four drumsticks and 7.99 for 4 wings and 4 drumettes. The price is right where as I don't think it's too expensive that I'll probably go back if I really want it or reasonable that I'd want to have it every week. But seriously, their marinates are good! Either garlic soy or sweet-spicy, they are both good! The flavors of garlic soy is not as strong as the sweet-spicy kind and the garlic is a bit understated where the sweet-spicy stands out and wins the crowd.

Along with the fried chicken, we also ordered chicken bulgogi and it came with cabbage salad that kinda cleans your palate. WOW, talk about fiery, the bulgogi is super spicy but super good! I usually don't eat much rice but I had to eat rice with every bite of bulgogi. There's lots of veggies in the bulgogi which I really like and even though it gives my tongue 3rd degree burn, I'd still order it because it's so addictive and spicy!!!

Homemade croutons

yeaaaahhhhhhh!!

I made some croutons this afternoon to go with the romaines I have left in the frig. Seriously, I hate to see veggies wilt and go bad in the frig so I try to do my best to eat it ALL(My frig is so packed with vegetables since David's dad was in town last week and Costco only sell things in big quantity).

Anyway, ever since I learned how to make croutons, I've never laid my eyes on the packaged croutons again. It is so easy to make and i'd feel really guilty to spend that much money on something that's being sitting on the shelf for who-knows-how-long. So, I went out to the nearest bakery and grabbed a loaf of wheat bread instead of white, trying to be healthy and get some fibers ha.

I baked the bread in 375F for about...15 -20 minutes and before putting it in the oven, I drizzled some olive oil and sprinkled some garlic powder along with some fresh garlic.

It was so good that David, who's got sensitive palates actually loves it and went back for a second bowl!! Success!!!!

Comfort food

I haven't had cereals in months so I kinda miss it. In case I can't finish whole box of cereal before it expires (yes it has happened before since I get tired of something after a week or so).

Honey cheerios are soooo good! I love it!! Something about it I just can't describe that I just really enjoy! In another case, mini wheats is more on the downside. Mini wheats...hmm... yes, it's healthy, but the taste of wheats just reminds me why people don't like wheat. Chowing on it after a while made me don't wanna go back there again. I guess I am more on honey cheerio, cocoa puffs or Tony the tiger corn flakes' side. I guess I'll skip mini wheats next time when I am shopping for cereals.

Mini cucumbers

It is the season of mini cucumbers and the only thing I can think of besides pickling it is to marinate it and prepare it as a cold dish. Mini cucumbers are really flavorful and crispier ( I think) than the regular size cucumbers you get in the supermarkets. I still love regular size cucumbers tho, don't get me wrong, but mini cucumbers is what I ate when I was growing up and I guess it has to do with it that made it so good.
I cut the cucumbers into 2" long and 3/4" wide strips so it'll stay crunchy inside while soaking up the marinates. I had some small red chilis on hand so I throw in about 2 chilis and a large clove of garlic (maybe 1 tsp-2tsp?). I then add sesame oil, soy sauce, black pepper, sugar, salt, rice wine vinegar and mirin. I love sesame seeds so I added a handful of those...probably about 1 tbsp or 2. However, I forgot to toast them and I think the flavors would have improved.

Overall, this is still a great, tasty cold dish that I can munch on it all day because the longer it sits the better it'll taste! And because it's not sliced, it's still crunchy in the center and refreshing as always!

Loquat Help

The loquat tree in my yard is blooming! There's more than enough loquat on the trees and now, in my kitchen. I've been giving loquats to friends & relatives and some loves it, some don't. My brother doesn't like it much since peeling is a big step to eat these orange-ish goodies. Some loquats are a bit sour, but some are extremely sweet that I just cannot stop eating until I pop one in that's sour.

Well, as you can see in the picture, these loquats bruise easily and ripen really fast. I've been trying to find ways to eat it other than eat it as it is...perhaps put it on top of ice cream? hmm...no, but maybe the flavors of lemon sorbet would work well with loquats. Well, I am overjoyed with all these cute little loquats but not after eating it every day for the past week.