Chia Seed Puddin'

 

Who here had a Chia Pet when they where growing up? Raise your hand. What was its shape? Did it grow? Did it fulfill your dreams like the commercials said it would? I ask because I wouldn't know. I didn't have a Chia Pet, and while I thought it was a cool idea to the 8 year old me, I knew that it was pointless to even ask for one from my parents. It served no purpose except 'make the house squashier', taking up space and all that. My mum is a practical woman, and buying such things as flowers to cheer someone up and Chia Pets to for a little girl to watch grow served no purpose. 'A bunch of flowers? I'd rather a nice bunch of brocolli, that way I could stir fry it for dinner'. Such was the logic in the Vu household. But... if I knew then what I knew now.. it might be a different story!

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Sour Fish Soup with Matzo Balls

So since Passover is over, Matzo ball mix was on markdown. Win!

Up until yesterday, I had only ever eaten matzo ball soup twice in my life. Both times at Passover at friends' homes. To say I love matzo ball soup is an understatement, and when we get invited to a Seder dinner, it's all I really want to eat. But I never thought to make it at home, because it always seemed a little... sacrilegious. But it can't be, right? Not when I can readily buy it, markdown and all.

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Edamame & Corn Succotash

Spring has sprung and as I type this a cool breeze is circulating through my apartment; rattling the the pile of grocery store flyers on my desk and making my home feel like a Fabreeze commercial. A few humming birds came to visit and the doves chirping on the palm tree branches outside my window makes me *almost* forget about the rumbling of the construction vehicles on the site next door. A girl can't have everything, but I'll settle for this right now.

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White Chocolate Ice Cream Bon Bons

Lucky me! Girl Child and Eggroll actually napped AGAIN today! This is what I got up to. I wasn't going to post this since I was just noodling around, but since I posted the pic up on my Facebook page you guys said you wanted to see it. Ask and you shall receive my friends!

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Black Sesame Salt

A while ago I posted this recipe for Sesame Salt, after which I got an email asking if black sesame seeds can be used instead of the regular white ones. 

Since I am such a procrastinator, I kept meaning to email back and answer the question, but, life gets in the way and now it's been so long that I'm too embarrassed to reach out and say, yes, Virginia (OK, her name is not really Virginia, I'm being dramatic), you CAN use black sesame seeds for sesame salt and it will taste just as good. Smiley face. 

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Adventures with Coconut Flour: Coconut Flat Bread

Two miracles happened today: First, I woke up early. Secondly, Girl Child and Eggroll napped at the same time! 

If anyone knows how much I struggle every morning to get up before 10AM  and the hoops I jump through to get Girl Child to nap AT ALL, you'll know what a big deal this is. So I had to make use of this very rare gift of time.

Ignoring the sink full o' dishes and the remnants of last night's pizza crusted on the pan (that I forgot to soak in said sink full o' dishes) I headed to the kitchen to make myself a huge mug of coffee and settle down to watch ma stories. But when I opened the cupboard, this pack of coconut flour fell on my head! It was a sign, and I had to do something with it. 

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Chocolate Honeycomb Candy

            

Also known as sponge toffee, sea foam candy, or cinder toffee, this is an awesome light and crunchy treat with a lovely sponge-looking center that crumbles in your mouth and mixes with the ever so delicious creamy melty chocolate coating. Although it is a little hard to find here in California, this delightful candy bar is sold commercially under two brands back in Australia: the Crunchie or the Violet Crumble, and like Pepsi or Coke, and you must pick a side. I am a Crunchie girl. 

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