Absolutely Spoiled TBLT

Today I went to the Ferry Building Farmer's Market with a wonderful foodie friend. We scoped out sunflowers tomatoes of all beautiful shapes and sizes, grapes, lavender lemonade, pickles, honeys of varying delightful flavors ( I have a weakness that is just inexcusable for local honeys) even breads and sandwiches! By the end of the day I was ready to make my own sandwich and what transpired was a lively and lovely turkey bacon lettuce tomato sandwich with Swiss cheese and a spicy mayo.

I loved it so much here's a simple buy winning recipe!

Ingredients:
2 slices of potato bread
Leafy Spinach
Turkey Bacon
One strawberry tomato
Real mayo
Chili pepper flakes OR Tabasco sauce mm
Swiss Cheese

You know what to do!

Heat your oven on broil HI. While you wait cut thin slices of strawberry tomato. I chose a yellow tomato for a crispness and tart flavor to counteract the sweetness of the potato bread. Toast the bread lightly and mix together your mayo and "kick". Layer mayo tomato spinach bacon and lastly cheese and you're set!

Enjoy.

Recipe: Black Lentil & Arugula Salad

One of the great things about moving into an actual house this summer in San Francisco is being able to better connect with the neighborhod around me. I took a great class over the past semester about seeking out places to shop local and how that helps our economy, it was something that really stood out to me, so I have been working on it like crazy. It just so happened that right across the street from the supermarket giant on a busy street near by me there's a sweet little market called Parkside Farmer's Market: a Mediterranean market with every kind of food and spice you could ever want. Considering my good friends bought me a book on using spices in cooking for my birthday, I was excited to see what they had to add to my pantry. 

As I was shopping around that cloudy day, I came across something I must humbly admit I've never seen before: black lentils. What are black lentils? And what in the world makes them different from other lentils? Not really knowing, I took the cheap canned good home with me that day, and created this little salad with some research, thanks to the infamous foodgawker.com. They gave me the tip about using my favorite kind of leafy green, and trust me, it works magic. So here it is: 

My Very Own Black Lentil & Arugula Salad 

Ingredients:

1 can of Black Lentils

1 cup of Brown Rice / Jasmine Rice

1 cup Arugula

1/2 cup Cucumber

1/2 Roma Tomato

1 tsp Olive Oil

21 Seasoning Salute 

2 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Ginger

1 tsp Garlic

1 tsp Tumeric

1 tsp Allspice

1 tsp Cinnamon

In a simmering pot, pour out the can of black lentils and bring to a low boil. Add cumin, ginger, garlic, tumeric, all spice, and cinnamon. Let simmer for a few hours, and if you want, refrigerate it overnight.  Prepare rice and place beans beside them. Add Arugula, cucumber, tomato. Drizzle the greens with olive oil, and top the whole dish with 21 seasoning salute. 

The best way to eat this lovely looking dish is by mixing it all up. You may think I'm kidding, but really, it tastes better that way. 

To a new found food! Enjoy. 

When I do Absolutely Nothing

Ah, summer is upon us all here in the San Francisco area. It's been a few days since my last day of work, and I'm feeling mixed up feelings of excitement to enjoy this city, and a sense of uselessness and loneliness, and to be quite honest, it feels rather beautiful. I'm not doing very much, but the little things I do get to do make me a happy girl on the inside.

This weekend was a long weekend for all of us, and there was so much to do. On Monday afternoon I packed up a delicious salad and went on a picnic with my local church. It was a surprisingly beautiful day in Golden Gate Park, with warm sun and the usual breeze from the ocean.

Spending hours in the lazy sunlight chatting away with new friends I've made over the past month or so was a great way to spend the Memorial holiday.

The next day I woke up late, later than I have since February I'm sure. The sun was high and I decided to leave the house instantly to cozy it up in a coffee shop and read a book of the Bible that had been introduced to me on Sunday by a groovy guy from Los Angeles. 

Ethiopian Drip & Mushroom Tartine

It was a rare occassion, so I suppose I ought to back up a little and talk about how I've never been formally introduced to the book of Ecclesiastes. All I'd ever heard about it was that it was depressing and kind of a wierd book that not many people know how it ended up in the Bible anyways. But finally, I got to hear about it from someone who didn't just read it, but also studied hard core for like 3 months at least. I was intrigued, definitely, by the way in which the author of the book depicts life as it is, without reservation. I've been in need of a less mystic spiritual guiding light, and so I was immediately drawn to this book. And where better to read the Bible than in a cozy hardwood hipster establishment?

Enter Brown Owl Coffee, the only hipster joint on my street. Brown Owl doesn't mess around with their brewing, it's one of the few places I can be happy with a drip coffee. And their mushroom tartines never disappoint. I found myself cuddled into an old school desk, which at first felt strange, but it just grew on me, with my little Bible app and a delicious breakfast before me. The sun was poking through the Parkside clouds little by little and every once and a while the drumming of the L-train could be heard out the front door of the tiny room.

On a whim, I decided to take the train, as thought it'd been calling my name, and rode into the depths of downtown, following the sun. I hopped off at Montgomery Station, and ventured into the sunlight of lunch hour in the financial district. Men in suits sit on the side of the street with sandwhiches in their hands, food trucks park on the intersections, and women run in and out of coffee shops with bags and trays of coffee in their hands. On such a lovely day, who'd want to stay in the office. I  thought to myself, this isn't something I get to see very often, while I'm in school. It must be summer.

A view from the Quintara Steps near my house.

I found myself following the sunlight to Chinatown. What seemed like a four by four complex of streets and alleyways had just about anything that could glitter in its windows, from the lovely houses painted white, pink, and yellow, to the free tea tasting establishments and fine jewelry shops. Rooftop garden restraunts and steps leading below the ground, China town is a place of mystery, as though it were right out of Sen Chihiro, though not Japanese at all... I wandered and wandered, getting glimpses of Alcatraz as I climbed up into the Marina and glimpses of the Golden Gate bridge as I moved into the Presidio on my little feet. Suddenly, I realized I could get home if I wanted to. So I walked on home, sighting the Presidio, Fillmore, Haight, Laurel Heights, The Richmond, UCSF, Grandview Park, and the Sunset where I live.

Once I had gotten home, my heart seemed still to have room for a little more adventure, and some ice cream. Strawberry Balsamic Ice Cream to be exact. So once again, I chased down the train and boarded into town to Church Station to walk down to Bi-Rite Creamery. Bi-Rite is nestled between Mission High School and one of my absolute favorite parks in San Francisco, Dolores Park. The creamery is a great, local shop with sweets and baked goods as well as some of the best ice cream in the city with unique flavors that are sure to please. The first time I ever went to Bi-Rite, I tried their signature Honey Lavender and Olive Oil ice cream. There's nothing like Olive Oil ice cream in this whole world. It's just supberb. But tonight I craved chocolate and balsamic strawberry.

I took my ice cream up the hill to miss the sunset and watch the city light up. The sun set behind me, lights flickered on at the Bay Bridge, and the financial districts high rises began to illuminated themselves. City Hall glowed like a candle in the darkness of Van Ness. In the park, a man with two huge rods and strings attached runs around creating giant soap bubbles that float up into the city scape and pop away as quickly as they come. Old couples walk hand in hand back to their Castro homes. Young lovers walk their oversized rat-like chihuahuas through the park in the last flecks of sunlight. I eat ice cream, and say goodnight to San Francisco at 9 o'clock.

This morning I hadn't realized how sleepy I was, but I had a hard time getting out of bed to meet a friend to walk through the Japanese Tea Gardens at Golden Gate Park during their free hour from 9am to 10. But how glad I was that I got out of bed in the foggy morning. I ran after the 66 bus and found myself walking with a smile on 9th and Judah to the park, a warm latte in my hand. The Japanese Tea Gardens are so beautiuful and full of little and big wonders to be enjoyed. The sky was grey, reminding me of a summer day in Tokyo, though without the humidity and exceeding warmth. Little squirrels played together, ducks sat on the pond water in the grey morning, and everything green dazzled.

Being there reminded me how I really miss Japan a lot. I hope I can go again soon, and maybe see something I've never seen before... kind of like how I am seeing so many things I've never seen before here in San Francisco.

I have no idea what else I'll do with my day, it's hardly noon and I'm sitting with a warmed apple turnover and a glass of Jasmine tea, wondering. I guess I'll have to see, what else will happen as long as I'm doing absolutely nothing.

Where Have I Been? Mistakes and Lessons of the Semester

I'm sure it has occured to many more than just myself that I haven't posted in the past 5 months. Well, an explanation is simple, that I got a job while taking 18 units at school... and a girl can get  busy. But I'm glad to be having more free time on my hands - actually a lot of free time on my hands soon - to really pursue what is important. 

I got a job slinging bagels in early February in order to pay my own rent for a place off campus in the San Francisco city and start putting roots down in in the city and see what living on my own is like. It started off as an ambition that I wouldn't force, some thing that if the opportunity arose, I would take it. I just took the wrong opportunity to be honest and found myself at a job I really wasn't cut out for just for the sake of having the money. I chased money and it led into a black hole of days gone by with little sleep or too much, freindships falling apart and a lot of crying alone. But hey - I was getting paid. 

I've learned a huge lesson this semester about finances and provision, and what it means to really let God provide for all of the things I need. I remember it started in April when, in the midst of a human geography class and the passages of the Bible I was studying with my freshman girls study, the idea of giving away everything I own to follow Jesus - literally meaning giving up the material possessions I don't need that someone else does  - was so appealing to me suddenly. A horrible confession - this is the firs time I've felt like this in my whole life. 

I grew up in a success society, and a success family. I feel myself teetering on the expectations I have set for myself and the fear that I might be that daughter and sister who ends up on the street with no home, chasing helplessly after a simple life filled with joys no one but I will understand. Yet when I think of that kind of life, the kind of life Jesus lived, there's a joy that comes to my heart. 

However, this semester I wasn't embracing this joy at all, or even entertaining it. I was working a 5-9 or longer and could hardly hold my life together for the past few months. Things only got worse when I faced a family emergency that I just barely got the time off work for. I was distressed and wishing for simplicity and total reliance on Jesus. But sometimes, that can't just be figurative in our walk of faith,  can they? 

So this summer I've decided to jump headfirst into the commandment Jesus gave the rich young man, to give away all his posessions and follow Christ. I've never felt the need so strongly to do this before, and even this post cannot do justice to the feeling I have. I have plans to stay in San Francisco for a while over the summer and really pursue whatever God would put in front of me. Right now, thats involvement in my local church and continuing to build relationships with some wonderful friends I've made in this city. I plan to pour more of myself into the relationships I have with my family and really cherish the happiness that comes without all the "stuff" attached to it.

I'm excited to see where God takes me, not where I take myself thinking He's taking me there, but where He takes me this summer. 

So good...

Living on a budget as a college student can be tough sometimes. But for a foodie such as myself, I enjoy being able to creat special and simple dishes from whatever I've got laying around in my kitchen. So I propose to you, poor college students, a delicious salad with homemade croutons and a champagne vinagrette. Oh and did I mention - salmon?

Well Salmon. There. It's mentioned. Here's the recipe!

Simple Californian Salmon Salad
Ingredients:

Fresh Alaskan Salmon ($1.75 a piece)

Sorrento Salad Mix ($2 bag)

2 slices of Sourdough Bread ($3 loaf)

1/2 Apple Pear ($0.79 per pear)

Champagne Vinagrette ($2 bottle) 

Garlic Powder

Ginger

Parsley

Ocean Salt

Black Pepper

Preparation:
Cut two slices of sourdough bread into small squares, without removing the crust. Set out on a plate for a few hours or a few days, to get the bread to a crisper staleness.

Preheat your oven to 350F. Toss your bread cubes in olive oil and put into the oven until crisp and brown.

While the croutons heat, take a frying pan and line the bottom with water, bring the water to a boil and cover with a lid.

De-scale your salmon, and place it into the boiling water, and cover with a lid so it steams. Every minute add a different seasoning. First ginger, then let the salmon steam, followed by garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Steam the fish until cooked, about 10 minutes. Check to see if the inside is done by poking the center of the fish with a fork.

While the salmon is cooking, prepare your salad by tossing a sorrento mix with champagne vinagrette. Cut your apple pear into small cubes and toss. Throw the salad into the freezer for a few minutes. Plate the salad when the fish is ready.

Set your salmon atop your fish and you are ready to dine like you are in the American Riviera. This is a simple recipe, but by far one of the best things I've ever cooked, and at a decent price.

Enjoy.

秋になるとwe throw a dinner party

Of the many things that I have a passion for, more and more I am beginning to realize that hosting and cooking for groups of people is certainly one of them. This is why a certain Beach City Girl and I should start our own business. But before I get ahead of myself, the weekend of November 11th finally arrived, and with it came the fun and joy of doing just what my heart desired- I decided to throw a dinner party with my roommates and our friends.


One of the great things about living with international students, is being blessed with their abilities to cook traditional foods from their countries. My housemates Akane and Echo made dumplings traditional to Japan and China, and homemade Chinese fried rice with prawns. Needless to say it was absolutely delicious. Our menu grew with addition of a fall vegetable stew, cornbread, and  pumpkin bread with cream cheese for dessert alongside godly vanilla roasted pears.


We even had our own little table set up for the festive evening.

We must have cooked for hours. It was extremely fun, and something I've always wanted to do since living on campus here at State: Family Dinner. Everyone had big smiles of accomplishment at how great the food both looked at tasted. Our friends from the building beside us also arrived with appetizers. We enjoyed each others company just as hoped, ushering in the fall season.

This was truly a great way to start off the month of November, as the weater is getting cooler and the rain is starting to greet the grey city more frequently. To gather around warm foods filled with comfort in a cozy environment, and enjoy a meal together, this is the meaning of community. And that can be hard to find in the city of San Francisco. Though our meal was early, in a way, we wished each other a happy Thanksgiving in those hours.

Little Glass Jars are my New Obsession. :)

I've found that drinking things out of a small glass jar with ribbon tied around it, is my new favorite thing. With that said, don't tell me, I already know: I need to get out more. But this weekend I've got loads of fun plans since I have a whole day out of classes, and my teachers were gracious to not take advantage of my freedom and assign me extra homework. Today I am tired, I ahve a headache from drinkinga coca-cola too fast and eating potato chips, and I have been sitting in the sun in a cozy sweater, which in case you didn't know, all these things are horrible combinations. Kids, don't try that at home.

But this morning, I woke up, and the phenomenon hit me that I just ought to take my coffee around with me today in a teeny little class jar with a ribbon tied around it. I've seen this done before. Hipsters on their bikes drink their coffee in little glass jars (though usually twice the size of mine), and hipsters walking to class are chugging coffee out of little glass jars, and hipsters=little glass jars you get the point! I am writing about all of this because when I have my home and entertain people from around the world, I want them to enjoy caffe con panna in a little glass jar just as much as I do. Dare I say there's nothing in the world like sitting on your couch's arm, people watching in the crisp morning over a warm cup of coffee and whipped cream in a glass jar, nestled in a cozy sweater.