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!'