Donburi & Wine

While husband and I were on our way home, we were on the phone (cars have bluetooth) brainstorming. About what, one may wonder. About what to eat and where. Korean food, pizza, kabob, Greek, Chinese or sushi. Should we order take out or call for delivery or eat out?

The Little Guy and I arrived home just a couple minutes before husband rolled into the driveway. A decision has been made. We're having a Japanese-themed night at home.

So off we drove to Little Osaka to get some of our favorite sushi-grade fish.

And there you go. Cheers to the simple pleasures that make life more special.

Another Taco Lunch

The gourmet food truck that brought the $4.75 shrimp taco last week came back.  I queued again, the line was a little long. The guy in front couldn't quite decide what to get -- nor I.  Ahi tuna or shrimp? Two or three tacos? With or without fries? Hmmm...  

When it was finally my turn, they ran out of shrimp and tuna. They offered mahi-mahi ceviche with avocado and mango which I ended up getting. Two tacos and garlic fries.  

Garlic fries? I forgot I had a meeting in the afternoon. Oh, well.

Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp and Collard Greens with Bacon

On a pan, I fried six strips of bacon from Whole Foods.   They are uncured  -- no nitrates/nitrites, no antibiotics and no artificial ingredients. Then I placed them on a plate lined with paper towel to drain.

The organic collard greens were cut into strips and quickly sautéed in olive oil, chopped garlic and diced tomatoes. Then topped with crumbled bacon strips.

On a cast iron skillet I cooked the shrimp in butter, garlic and smoked paprika.  A crack of black pepper and a squirt of lemon.

Edamame, Black Beans and Corn Salad

On the salad bowl are organic shelled edamame, organic sweet yellow & white corn, organic black beans, organic roma tomatoes and organic parsley tossed and drizzled with Japanese ginger-flavored dressing from Nijiya market.  And then, tossed again.

Served with store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Freshly-baked Cookies

Our Veterans Day was certainly fun, sweet and delicious.   

I stayed home with the Little Guy since his school was closed. We walked around in our jammies, played Lego, watched Peppa Pig, counted one to five, played seesaw, ate (bananas, apples and pasta), watched more Peppa Pig, took a nap and baked these cookies with chocolate chips and marshmallows.

New York Steak, Roasted Carrots and Potatoes

Three unpeeled red potatoes, two yellow and two purple heirloom carrots and a sweet potato were peeled and cut into cubes.  They were placed on a baking pan lined with aluminum foil. A generous drizzle of olive oil.  A sprinkle of salt and pepper. Then on to the convection oven for an hour.

While the potatoes and carrots were roasting in the oven, a slab of New York steak was seasoned with salt and pepper then grilled on the pan 15 - 20 minutes on each side.

Dinner at Bistro Orient

Saturday evening we went to the mall for a little bit of shopping then drove to Ventura Boulevard at Bistro Orient for dinner.

The cuisine according to their website is Vietnamese and Thai accented by French and Chinese flavors.

On the table...

• 5-Spice Pork Belly and Pickled Vegetables

• Filet Mignon with Grilled Green Beans
   
• Caramelized Shrimp with Asparagus,  Mushroom, Bell Peppers and Squash
   
• Special Garlic Noodle with Sea Bass and Spinach
• 
  

Delicious! The filet mignon is a must!

Autumn in Our Garden

What a beautiful day!  Look at the leaves of the Japanese maple in our garden against the backdrop of a clear blue sky.

Lovely!

On Saturday, we walk...

We walked down the stairs, on to the walkway passed a plant that bears purple berries. Step 1, step 2, jump, jump. We turned right passed the bridge then turned right into the pool. We stopped. The Little Guy was delighted to see and say "wa-te" "wa-te" (water). Then we walked down the stairs onto the driveway. Step 1, step 2, jump, jump.  Up the stairs again passed another plant with red berries, a pine cone on the ground.  We walked more, up the stairs and back home.

Sun Rays Through Clouds

A band of clouds march covering the sun while the stunning rays radiate through the sky. A beautiful snapshot I took on our drive home last month after I picked-up the Little Guy. These days the sun has long dipped into the horizon on our drive home. The days are now shorter, the nights longer.

Purple Flowers Under a Blue Sky

Heading to Universal CityWalk on a lovely Autumn day, I walked by these gorgeous purple flowers.  Took a snapshot then continued walking. The restaurants appeared, the candy stores and souvenir shops. A lot of tourists were out. A major construction is underway.   

And on I walked farther.

Beef Stew with Potatoes and Olives

We’re having beef stew for dinner.  This is chuck roast slow cooked on a Dutch oven for three hours last night. The sauce is a 28-oz can crushed tomato, a cup of beef broth and a tablespoon of smoked paprika. I also added cubes of unpeeled red potatoes and green olives.  Then I seasoned with salt and pepper.

$4.75 Shrimp Tacos

I brought lunch, salad and leftover pasta from last night, but these gourmet tacos are way too enticing I could not resist.  I got two of the grilled shrimp with asparagus and mushroom drizzled with avocado wasabi parmesan aioli.  Deliciousness!  I could finish another three, but at $4.75 each,  why not just recreate it, I thought.

Conchiglie with Baby Broccoli and Cherry Tomatoes

It’s pasta day!  

In the pantry we have ziti, rotini, orecchiette, linguine, conchiglie and penne.  I picked a box of conchiglie. Poured them into a pot of salted boiling water.

On the adjacent pan, two mild Italian pork sausages from Whole Foods are sizzling in olive oil which I later broke apart into smaller pieces with the end of a wooden spoon. I stirred in the cherry tomatoes and baby broccoli then spooned-in the cooked pasta. Poured some extra virgin olive oil, sprinkled some Italian bread-crumbs, a pinch of salt and a good cracking of pepper.  Then tossed.

Sugar Heaven at IT’SUGAR.

At candyland, oh my! Decked out in every color and shape, from sweet to sour, the choices are endless. Gummy bears - check, jelly beans - check.  My blood runs a little sweeter than before I walked into this trendy sweet shop.

IT'SUGAR 
1000 Universal Center Drive
#120, Universal City, CA 91608 

What’s in our Fridge

Meat: Three pounds of beef chuck and Italian pork sausages

Dairy: organic milk, organic/cage-free eggs, various cheeses, butter and cream cheese

 

Fruits: oranges, apples, grapes

Vegetables: tomatoes, baby broccoli, collard, fennel, carrots and two boxes of spring salad 

Condiments:  mayo, ketchup, relish

Jarred/in carton/plastic containers:  pesto, ginger, miso, artichoke, crab, eggplant and chicken broth

Bottles: wine,  beer and water

Dessert: cakes and ice cream

Coffee and creamer 

Pacific Cod in Herb and Tomato Sauce

Three Pacific cod fillets sliced into cubes then simmered in store-bought tomato and herb sauce --  is what we’re having for dinner tonight.

While Mommy is Prepping Dinner

As soon as we get home every day, I start to prepare dinner while the Little Guy watches his favorite show Peppa Pig on DVR.

Chicken Asado

Eight organic chicken thighs cooked on low fire in half a cup soy sauce, half a cup water and juice of two lemons.  Thirty minutes later, with a slotted spoon, they were transferred into a separate pan with sizzling hot olive oil. 

Then I wait.  

When they turned brown on all sides, I stirred in some thinly sliced onion,  crushed garlic and tomato sauce.  Then I spooned  in the lemon-soy sauce mix that was set aside earlier. Brought to a boil and simmered for 20 minutes.

A Pot of Black Mussels

Got about three and a quarter pounds of live black mussels from Whole Foods. They were cleaned and cooked in a bottle of Stella Rosa Bianco with chopped garlic, onion and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Shared with hubby on the coffee table with baguette and a bottle of red wine. 

A happy Sunday indeed!