From the monthly archives: March 2010
Lately I’ve prided myself on finding ways to use up leftovers in the refrigerator, and assembling them into something that could actually be called a bona fide dinner. On occasion, when I feel especially motivated, I will plan my grocery list around a main dish, in addition to the second dinner I think I’ll make out [...]
Even though I’m a few thousand miles from “home,” I subscribe to Pacific Business News. I get the issues about a month later than Hawaii residents, but it still makes me feel like I’m a part of the pulse of the islands. One of my favorite sections of the newspaper is their regular profile of [...]
One of my favorite things about living in the east bay is Solano Avenue – a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare lined with boutique shops, coffee houses, and chic restaurants. Solano Ave. runs from west to east, and extends from the city of Albany (the lower part of Solano Ave.) and runs into Berkeley (upper Solano). It possesses a [...]
I was thinking this morning that so many of my memorable culinary experiences have revolved around chocolate. For example, I had one of my favorite desserts – a molten lava chocolate cake – at Kincaid’s restaurant in Ward Warehouse (Honolulu, Hawaii) over fifteen years ago. The cake had a delicate outer layer, and my fork slid effortlessly through a slab [...]
Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day, and I forgot to wear green. I didn’t even get to eat my favorite boiled corned beef dinner with mustard (sniff, sniff). I will, however, make up for it today by picking up a Ruben sandwich for lunch, I think. My husband is part Irish (I am not), and he [...]
This past weekend, I almost felt like a mole that had lived underground and finally witnessed its first sunshine in months. Along with the return of Daylight Savings Time, we witnessed the first warm, sunny days the bay area has had in several weeks. We decided to celebrate by grilling our first dinner of the year, two [...]
Last week, I mentioned that my Aunty had given me a case of Hoo Roo Rook Korean style instant noodles. I ended up having a pack for dinner tonight, and it couldn’t have been faster (or easier) to prepare. These are different from the Cup o Noodles you may have had growing up. The broth is lighter and cleaner, and has [...]
Having out-of-town guests stay with me usually brings on feelings of nostalgia after they leave - the house seems awfully quiet, and (if those guests are from Hawaii), a mild bout of homesickness inevitably sets in. Life eventually returns to its normal hum, but I find myself rummaging through reminders of the visit – leftover meals we prepared (e.g., Mom’s nishime) or omiyage [...]
Some foods appeal to us right away – chocolate, for example, or hamburgers (assuming you are not a vegetarian). These foods don’t require an “acquired taste” or any sort of particular palate; most of us just like them regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. Other foods seem to take a while before they grow on us. [...]
What’s the antidote to a cold, dark, and rainy pre-spring night? For me, this evening, it was a steaming hot bowl of tangy and rich cioppino. As I listened to the weather forecast this morning, which called for heavy rains throughout the day, followed by sinking temps at night, I found myself fixating on something hearty, full-flavored, and savory. [...]
About
I like Zip mins, spam musubi, and the butterfish misoyaki at The Cal. I've never been a fan of the loco moco but, now that I'm 3000 miles from my hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii, nearly everything from the islands makes me salivate. I currently live (and cook) in the San Francisco bay area, and have inevitably fallen in with "buying local" and organically-grown foods. I enjoy recreating the foods I grew up with - recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation in my family. And, as a working home cook, I try to prepare a lot of fast and healthful meals. Part recipe book, part cultural memoire, and travel journal, here is where I document all of my gastronomical experiences. I think of my kitchen as a blend of past and present, and I believe that where we call home is what we serve on our plates. Questions or comments about anything here? Feel free to post your comments directly, or email me at sherry@50thplate.com.
