Kimchi Gratin, Kimchi Casserole or baked Kimchi rice????

 

I liked the movie, "Julie vs Julia".

It is a true story about a woman named of Julie challenged all the recipes of Julia Child's first book in one year and blogged the process. 

My blue eyed husband suggested that I should challenge making different types of Kimchi everyday for one year and blog about it. 

I still don't know if he was serious or joking.

Well, for his sake, I am not making Kimchi everyday nor every week. 

But..,  I can come up with 365 Kimchi ideas though.

There are so many dishes you can make with Kimchi, not only to authentic Korean dishes but also to fuse with other cuisines as well. Possibilities are limitless and creativity is all you need.

Another Korean Spinach, the rustic version

 Korean spinach (shigumchi namool) is one of the most popular side dish (banchan) in Korean restaurants.
Generally they are seasoned in salt and sesame oil, and most people think that is the one and only way of making Korean spinach. But there are more...

I have posted my version of Korean spinach before and today I would like to add one more.
This one is more of southern style rustic version and brings different flavor to the ordinary Korean spinach. This is how my mother use to make and it is delicious.

Kale Meatball Soup, cloudy day with a chance of meatballs

"Cloudy day with a chance of meatball..."
What a perfect subtitle for this soup?

I often make soups for those days when there is no signs of bright sunlight.
I don't know..., maybe the biological system in my body commands the brain to do that.

So here, I gathered up some greens that I have in my fridge, and dumped in the chicken stock, and crossing my fingers for a magic.
Of course..., for being a domestic witch I pour the magic potion, cast a spell, and "Voila!" - the very comforting Kale Meatball Soup is born!!!!

Mac-Jeok, the Royal Korean Pork

I am a Korean, 100% inside and out, but I hardly watch Korean dramas nor listen to K-pop.

I guess I must be a mutant or something.

Well..., I just don't have time and patience to sit and watch 50+ episodes of much complicated human relationship.

Then, one day about 3 years ago my sister, who is another mutant in the family, told me about a drama called "Daejanggum (a jewel in palace)" and said I must watch that since I am a foodie.

It is about a palace girl in an olden time in Korea who was a cook, then became a first female doctor to the king. The drama was made over 10 years ago and became a huge hit all over in Asia.

I finished the entire 54 episodes (which is very unusual) not only because of the great story line, but also the many interesting palace foods that I've never heard of.

Tofu Broccoli Salad; simple, healthy, and yes, it's delicious!

"Only bad witches are ugly..."
This is what Glinda, the pretty Good Witch of the North, said to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
I don't think she ever realized that some bad witches can be quite beautiful.
At least Elphaba, the Bad Witch of the West, was.
She had a certain radiance that captured the winkie prince Fiyero's heart, which the pretty Glinda herself couldn't.

Last month I drove over 4 hours to Singapore with my family to watch "Wicked," the famous Broadway show. It was undoubtedly a great show and my kids just loved it.
But for some very WICKED reason, I kept thinking of "broccoli" while I was watching.
How bizarre!

Old Time Beef Stew, the ultimate winter comfort

Everyone has their own way of making beef stew more flavorful.
Some adds tomato sauce, some pours fancy red wine or beer, some throws herbs and even orange zest...
Me?
I just use water.
Yes, water with a couple of beef bouillon cubes for the intense beef flavor.

Apple Brownies, another easy apple dessert

Chocolate is not the only dude that can turn into brownies. Apples can, too.

I was invited to a friend's BBQ party, but forgot to think of what to take with.
I urgently needed quick and easy dessert to make with things I already have in my kitchen, so that I don't have to run to the grocery store in the famous afternoon KL traffic.
I looked into my fridge and found some apples, I always have walnuts in the freezer... Aha! the light bulb in my brain just got turned on; 'I am going to make apple brownies!'