Asian snacky things

After today's 2.5 hr ride (Foothill to Arastradero Loop - 40 miles) I didn't feel like doing much. We had Subway sandwiches for lunch and I had a little nap. The rest of the day was spent getting ready for the arrival of Les' parents from the UK. The house is in order and I feel good about it:)

I did have a hankering for meat and shrimp for dinner though, so that's what I did. I made beef rolls with Enoki mushrooms and clover sprouts, shrimp, and steamed gyoza. Served it with a dipping sauce that is indescribable...sorry:P
Yum. Les didn't like touching the "bits" on the shrimps, but I find that shrimp keeps from drying out when you leave the shell and "bits" on.

Chromosome Sausage

Tonight's dinner was supposed to be easy, but the baked potatoes turned out to be all spaz-like. It took over an hour in the oven to bake them. I've never had that happen before. My potatoes usually turn out perfectly soft when I bake them in the oven....I've had a suspicion that the oven is dying a slow death.

Anyway, doesn't this sausage look like a chromosome? The X variety...girl power!! The spinach was tossed with some Korean bbq sauce, sweet and spicy.

Sweet-n-Sour Chicken

I watched Calorie Commando on Food Network today and decided to make what I saw. I modified it a little bit because I didn't really like everything he put in this dish.

I've started shopping at the Mitsuwa Market down the road from where we live. They package food in such a way that I can buy things to feed just the two of us and not have to worry about food going bad. Another reason is because it's a lot less expensive because Asians are penny-pinchers! They also have Mochi Ice Cream and I am totally addicted to that stuff!

MMMMMaria!

Broiled some pre-marinated Santa Maria Tri-Tip and made my very first risotto. I knew going into it that risotto is a labor of love that has attention deficit disorder. I thought I was up for the task, but after I was done....I vowed not to do it again. It turned out okay, just took forever. Rather than use the Olive Oil and Butter, I "lightened" it up by using chicken broth and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter light!! Hehehehe...I know that makes you just cringe, doesn't it?! Maybe that's why it took longer too soak up the juices. I dunno, maybe I'm just lame and can't make risotto:P

Zuni Roast Chicken...following recipes again!

This recipe was handed down to me from Sheri. Both she and Amy have made this chicken and raved about it so I had to give it a try. I was happy with it, Les really liked it. I think it could have been better had I not gotten a chicken that was soaked in brine. The salt crust that I added made the drippings a little too salty.

I think the thing I liked most about it was that I was able to take my time with it. It was not really a lazy Sunday, but I just wanted it to be special so I didn't rush it.

The bread salad was incredible, I couldn't stop snacking on it as I was making it! I served some lamb's lettuce marinated in ginger/soy dressing. Yum. I will definitely make this again.