When I went off to college and moved into an apartment, I would call my Dad (he was the chef in our family) for advice on cooking. “Dad, what kind of meat do I use for stir fries? I learned the hard way that beef chuck was not the right choice. How do I make corn soup, steamed pork patty? Invariably, I wanted to learn how to make dishes I had grown up eating, food that reminded me of home and family.
Everything comes full circle, now my kids are calling me for recipes and tips on how to make the dishes they love. Fortunately, many of the dishes are simple and quick, perfect for a student’s lifestyle not to mention for families always on the go. This is one such dish, its easy, versatile and inexpensive, ok, cheap. Adapted from Chubby Hubby, “Simple Minced Pork” is the Asian version of Sloppy Joes. You can serve it over rice or noodles, you can make it with ground turkey or chicken instead of pork or use any kind of mushroom, like creminis instead of shiitake…it’s really up to you. If your going low carb, use it as filling for a wrap made with lettuce or serve it over zucchini noodles (Check out White on Rice blog for noodles) the sky is the limit!
8fresh shiitake mushroomsstalks removed, finely chopped or use creminis
4green onionsfinely chopped
1/2of a small yellow onionminced
1teaspoonminced fresh ginger
2tablespoonssake
2tablespoonsmirin
4tablespoonssoy sauce
1-2Tchicken stock or broth
Instructions
Heat oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add yellow onion to pan, fry until onion softens and looks translucent. Add mushrooms, ginger and ground pork. Lower heat to medium. Add sake, mirin, soy sauce and chicken broth. As mixture cooks, break up the pork as much as possible. Stir-fry to reduce sauce and brown meat. Add green onions and cook for additional minute. Stir well and serve over rice (brown or white) or noodles.
For a more substantial meal, serve with a poached egg or a Japanese style hard boiled egg.
Goes well with Asian noodles with similar thickness to linguine or fettucine.
Hi again! It’s me, Jamie, the favorite child. Because my last blog post was such a hit, I assume, and because work is winding down, I’ve decided to write another guest blog. I know, you’re welcome. In case you forgot, which I highly doubt because my last post rocked, I am the second child of the family, currently living by myself in Houston for the summer, and about to start my second year at Rice University.
So, as you guys have seen from the last couple of blog posts, my mom loves to bike. Incidentally, she also does not take shit from anyone, which speaking as her daughter, has good and bad points. The good is the strong female role model I get to learn from–seriously guys, my mom is the coolest. Not only is she crazy smart, athletic, and awesome at cooking but she is also just an all around superstar who coached me in baseball and soccer, went to all my school and athletic events, and is always there whenever I need advice. The bad is that, unfortunately, she never took shit from me either/she gets scary when she’s angry. Okay, to get back to my story, my mom loves to bike. I do too, but not as much as her. She bikes a lot, and so did I when I was younger. Nowadays, I run. And no, I don’t love running. I actually dislike it. Sure, there are some days when a nice easy jog in the shade feels great and, yes, on those days I totally get why people love to run, but most days I don’t get it. It is painful. No, it doesn’t “clear my mind” and it isn’t “calming and relaxing.” I mean, you are literally firing off every muscle in your body at once, how does that relax someone? Aside from the fact that I look like death while running, I am also highly competitive, so I think that everything is a race. This makes every run for me a combination of a steady even pace with a bunch of spurts of speed sprinkled in. Sorry five year old girl on a pink tricycle, you’re going down. I will beat you to that crunchy leaf up there. Probably not the best running habit, but I can’t help it.
But running is awesome for your body, so I’ve tried to make it a routine this summer. I run about 6 days a week here in Houston, and I try to run between 2.5-4 miles each run. I run just before it gets dark, but it’s still anywhere between 80-95 degrees. I get so hot by the end of the run, that the shower can’t even get cold enough to cool me down. On top of that, I’ve started eating healthier, partly because I am too cheap to buy junk food but also because I’m honestly too lazy to go to the store and buy all the ingredients I need for cookies when I start to crave it. I like to make a huge meal at the beginning of the week that will last me to the end. Honestly, not sure if this is the most safe practice in terms of food going bad, but hey its worked so far. My favorite is just roasting a bunch of veggies and chicken and eating them with an egg and a piece of toast. It’s pretty fool proof, and it’s pretty damn simple. Currently feeling great, yet I am a little worried about when I move back into school and go back to the salty, fried meal plan. Fingers crossed the sophomore 15 isn’t a thing, I’ll keep you posted though.
Jamie’s Basic List to a Better, Less Terrible Feeling Run
1) Wearing cool athletic clothes and shoes actually does help. Look good, feel good. If you are like me and love Lululemon but realize it’s insanely expensive, try Gap fit.
2) Don’t run the same route three times in a row. It is a lot safer, plus it keeps things a little interesting. Even so much as running a route backwards helps.
3) Make sure to time yourself. If you don’t have a running tracker/fit bit like me, time your runs so you know about how far you’re going.
4) Push yourself. By pushing yourself throughout the entire run, you get faster, which makes for less time where your body feels like it’s about to collapse.
5) Try not to match the pace of a tall guy in short shorts who has like 3% body fat. Unless you are a tall guy in short shorts with 3% body fat, you will lose, and subsequently feel like your body is on fire.
6) Listen to your body. I know everyone says this, but it really is true, if you feel like a slug the entire day, it makes no sense to plan a run that’s 4 miles long. Start off with a mile, and go from there.
Ok, like I said before, this is the simplest thing ever. Just pick out whatever veggies you want--my favorites are cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, and onions--and cut them into a little bigger than bite sized pieces. Toss them in some olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and whatever other spices you want, and throw them in the oven on 400 for 30-40 minutes. You can also add chicken breasts on top of the veggies.
FINALLY, a resolution to the bicycle saga. I picked up my bike this evening. My words of wisdom is to advocate for yourself, don’t give in and frankly, it’s true, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. At the low point of this odyssey I was told I would be getting a silver frame bike ( I hate silver) as a replacement and it would cost me 250 dollars to put the parts of my old bike on the new frame. I DON’T THINK SO. I called Cervelo the maker of my bike and questioned why I should be the one to shoulder the cost when it was a defective frame. The response was “we do not cover labor cost for warranty frames.” Hmmm, that doesn’t seem quite right…recalls for cars do not require you to pay for the labor if a defective part is replaced. Cervelo searched for another frame since I hate silver. They found a replacement but it was an upgrade version of the same model as my bike. Hey, I could have this one for a mere 500 dollars….WHAAAT? I have to pay 500 dollars for this frame & 250 dollars to put it back together??? All I wanted was my bike tuned…AUUUUGH! Another couple of phone calls to Adrian, representative for Cervelo, compromise reached, no charge on the upgrade frame but I would shoulder the labor costs at the bike store. Ok, at least I was getting a better frame. The call came in my bike was finished, yay! Hold on, I have to pay for the cables and housing, why? Its going to cost me 320 dollars? What happened to the quoted 250 dollars, no mention of + parts? I almost gave in, but on my commute home from work (all hour an half, but thats for a later blog post) I decided I wasn’t going to give in. Back on the phone, let me speak to the manager please..grrrrrrrr…..Why hello BEN, we need to talk.
I’m sure all involved were happy to see me go as I walked the bike out the door. My persistence paid off, no pun intended, 250 dollars for the build and like my old bike, this one is black and badass looking. See you on the road friends.
Exactly what I want to do right now, Shout by Tears for Fears…
Pretty bike, don’t you think? Got this bad boy about 4 years ago and unfortunately have not ridden it that much. Spent more time in a boat rather than on my bike. My rowing compadres have been riding alot so time to dust it off and join them. I take my bike into the shop where I bought it for a tune up and what do you know, the brake stay is cracked and the frame is defective. Shop warranties the frame, 21/2 weeks later Cervelo sends a replacement frame, coolio! What? It will cost me 250 dollars for you to take the parts off my bike and put it on the new frame? But you are getting a new frame he exclaims. What? The frame is silver? WTF?! I hate silver! They pretty much send you whatever they have he exclaims adding but you got a new frame…..AUUGH!!!! So for my bike that I spent a pretty penny on and took it in for a tune-up, I will walk out with an ugly ass silver bike that I would never have bought and 250 dollars poorer? Tell me, am I wrong to be upset? Keep it boxed boys, I’m calling the company.
Bleary eyed and thinking of nothing else but the warm bed I left behind, I hear the cox call out,” hands on, up to shoulder, walk it forward,” the boat feels like a ton of bricks, to the dock, roll into the water. One foot in, two, down, push off, we start to row, bodies swing in unison, the oars drop in and rise out of the water as one, the boat glides through the water effortlessly, I hear the water run beneath it and watch the puddles created by the oars slicing through the water, it all comes together. We get to the end of the reservoir, coxswain calls out “wain up, oars down”. We stop, the fog is cresting over the Santa Cruz Mountains, a bald eagle flies over head, the sun begins its ascent and the water sparkles from the first rays to greet it…, fatigue forgotten, that’s why I row.
Jordan also rowed, we commiserated and grumbled about erging and getting up for those early morning workouts. Jordan rowed for his crew. When he comes home from college, he hangs with his crew friends. These are the guys he will be reminiscing with when he is my age, talking about back in the day. The friendships he forged, the bond created from competing, winning, losing and supporting each other, that’s why he rowed.
Hello! Before you get all excited to read what cool new post this blog has to offer, let me stop you right there. It’s time to get really excited because, yes, this is not Debbie writing. Fortunately, good ‘ol Deb here decided to let her daughter, Jamie, (that’s me!) take a whack at blogging. So buckle up readers and followers (all 3 of you?) for an exciting glimpse of what it’s like to be a 19 year old girl living all alone for the first time, a good 2,000 miles away from her family in the—rather stormy—city of Houston, Texas.
Whenever I tell people that I’m living in Houston for the summer, they always ask…..why..? Why would you ever leave the great state that is California, equipped with superb weather surrounded by mountains and beaches and awesome food? And for a second, I nod and smile, and in my head wonder if I am, in fact, a crazy person for doing such a thing. Houston definitely is different from Los Gatos. It rains here, a lot. And I’m not talking just a light drizzle every now and then. I’m talking hurricanes and tropical storms(whaddup trop storm Bill?) that DUMP rain and wind onto Houston and cause flash floods and rattle the windows in my room.
Did I mention that it’s a constant 90-plus degrees, too?
I also am not in possession of a car, which is quite inconvenient to get around Houston, and if it weren’t for my 8-5 job, I would probably stay holed up in my room watching Netflix all day—which is what I do after I get home from work. But after that second is over, I realize that I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Houston is an awesome city, once you get out and about. It’s diverse and fast-paced and always fun to explore. For once in my life I’m earning a steady paycheck, paying rent, buying my own food, navigating through a completely new city, and making my own decisions. I feel like a grown-up, and I’m pretty darn proud of myself.
Have You Eaten Yet?
But what you never realize before you start living on your own is how much you’ll miss your mom. I never notice until I go home and follow her around like a puppy dog. So, on days when I especially miss her, I like to cook recipes that she always makes me. The other day, I decided to make her chicken tortilla soup—a slightly spicy, warm, and cheesy bowl of goodness that reminds me of home.
Note: Skip the tortillas and serve tortilla chips on the side for folks to add with other garnishes, Or fry tortilla strips and serve them on the side instead of adding to the soup. Yes, they thicken the soup but sometimes I’m going for a lighter soup.
Sometimes my mom will add corn or black beans to the soup transforming the soup into a hearty meal in a bowl! It is a super flexible soup, add any veggies you like, chayote, and squash would go well. Think of this as a yummy version of Stone Soup.
1/2-1cupchopped yellow onionOh for goodness sakes, 1 medium onion, use the whole thing
3clovesgarlicpeeled and finely chopped
3/4teaspoonground cuminlike cumin? Add more
3/4teaspoondried oregano
1/4teaspoonchili powderspicier? Add more
1/4teaspoonpepper
8cupsfat-skimmed chicken broth
14ouncesfire-roasted tomatoes (canned)diced canned tomatoes can be substituted
4ouncecan of Dice Green Chilisor use any fresh pepper, green bell pepper, Anaheim pepper, saute' with onions. Or you can char-grill them and peel and dice and add to soup.
1 1/2poundsboned, skinned chicken breastsor start with bone-in chicken breasts, bones add flavor. Allow to simmer a little longer,~ 15-20 minutes.
Salt
6corn tortillas6 in. wide See notes for substitute
The Garnishes
1firm-ripe avocadocubed or thinly sliced
2tablespoonsfresh cilantrochopped
8ouncesAny cheese that melts would workCheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozarella, Cotija
Diced green onions or white onions
Tortilla strips or chips
1lime cut into wedges
Adds-feel free to add more veggies or beans to this soup!
1cupCorn, canned or frozen
115 ouncecan Black Beans, drained
1chayote, zuchinni-diced and added to soup during simmer
Instructions
In a 5- to 6-quart nonstick pan over medium heat, stir onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and pepper until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, tomatoes (including juice), and green chilies. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
Add chicken breasts to the broth and return it to a boil over high heat then reduce heat immediately and simmer until chicken is cooked through (cut to test), about 10 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, stack tortillas and cut into 1/8-inch-wide strips. Add to boiling broth. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This is the traditional way of making tortilla soup. Add optional vegetables, corn or beans at this point also. See notes for blasphemous shortcuts, lol...
Shred chicken. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and peel it. Thinly slice or cube and place in a shallow bowl. Shred cheese and place in a bowl.
Before serving, season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into soup bowls, garnish with cilantro, avocado, green onions and cheese. I usually leave all these fixings in bowls for folks to help themselves!
The beginning of summer for our family is marked by the end of school, Jeffrey’s birthday and going to a baseball game. Jeffrey’s first baseball game, he was barely 3 months old and we took him to the last game of the season at Candlestick Park. It was bittersweet, we watched the game not knowing if the Giants would still be in San Francisco the next season. Fortunately the team was saved by new ownership committed to keeping the team in the City and building a new stadium. So every year we have continued the tradition of going to a game for Jeffrey’s birthday. With the Giants losing I decided to walk around the stadium and absorb the atmosphere.
View from the stadiumIt wouldn’t be a ballgame without a dog!Condiment HeavenMore entertaining than the big Giants!Flag Day at the park
I know I haven’t posted in awhile, been trying to migrate my blog to a self-hosting site. So, to my followers that aren’t related to me, all two of you (lol) stay tuned. I should be up and running soon!
Visited Mom in San Francisco…a beautiful, sunny day so we took a walk in the Marina, my old stomping grounds. There is something to be said for growing up in the city. After school we would wander down Chesnut Street for a snack. Our favorites? Hunt’s Donuts for brain freeze slurpees or Lucca’s Delicatessen for 15 cents dill pickles we fished out of the giant barrel in the corner and a bag of bbq potato chips. Hmmm, not a snack I could handle these days.
Lucca on Chesnut Street
Grab a sandwich before a Giant’s game! Hmm Mortadella, Cappicola, Salami, so many choicesFresh Strawberry jam and Cinnamon sugar toast
I love going to the city. I can have toast and coffee surrounded by hipsters and then have lunch, beef chow fun and a delicious won ton soup with Mom at a favorite hole in the wall, and the toast will have cost more than lunch!
