Honest Scrap Award

Hello, everyone, I just wanted to make a quick post about the very first award I have recieved since I started this blog. It's called Honest Scrap Award!! Yippee!! This award was given to me by "The Geeky Gourmet" who shares great recipes on her blog. (Check out her Caramel Apple Tart recipe. It looks fantastic!) and Russian Season (I discovered this blog not too long ago and it is filled with yummy goodness!) Thank you for the award.

So I'm supposed to share 10 honest things about myself with you... Let me think for a little bit. Okay, here they are.

1) I started this blog about a year ago to keep me motivated in home cooking. Since I started this blog, we have spent a lot less time and money eating out. Hooray!

2) I didn't know how to really cook until I got married! Shame! :)

3) I am a stay-at-home mom and love it.

4) Besides cooking, I love reading. I'm really into fairy tale type of books right now. I feel like a little girl whenever I find myself giggling while reading those books. Lately, I've been reading all of E.D Baker's books.

5) I majored in Sociology in college. I love analyzing and interpreting how people are affected by the society they're in.

6) My husband "hates" onions. He gags at the smell of onions. It makes me sad because I love onions but now that I'm married to him, I can't cook anything with onions. :(

7) My favorite TV shows: The Mentalist (Simon Baker is sexy!) Monk and Lost!! Lately I've been watching Everybody Loves Raymond. Hilarious!

8) My favorite ingredients in cooking: Cilantro leaves, cumin, and Kimchi!

9) I don't drink.

10) I love reading all of your comments. I never skip any of your comments. Thank you so much for all of your support. You're definitely what keeps me going.

Okay, now, I am supposed to pass this award to 10 bloggers I love. Here they are!

Let Her Bake Cake by Hilary

My Colombian Recipes by Erica

Keep Learning Keep Smiling by Mary

Filipina Loves Food by Janice

A Pinch of This, A Dash of That by Cassie

Stirring the Pot by Kim

Fresh Local and Best by Christine

Confessions of a Baking Addict by Corine

My Kitchen Cafe by Melanie

Food for Hungry Soul by Katy

All these bloggers are such an inspiration to me. I never miss their posts!

Thanks, again!

Honest Scrap Award

Hello, everyone, I just wanted to make a quick post about the very first award I have recieved since I started this blog. It's called Honest Scrap Award!! Yippee!! This award was given to me by "The Geeky Gourmet" who shares great recipes on her blog. (Check out her Caramel Apple Tart recipe. It looks fantastic!) and Russian Season (I discovered this blog not too long ago and it is filled with yummy goodness!) Thank you for the award.

So I'm supposed to share 10 honest things about myself with you... Let me think for a little bit. Okay, here they are.

1) I started this blog about a year ago to keep me motivated in home cooking. Since I started this blog, we have spent a lot less time and money eating out. Hooray!

2) I didn't know how to really cook until I got married! Shame! :)

3) I am a stay-at-home mom and love it.

4) Besides cooking, I love reading. I'm really into fairy tale type of books right now. I feel like a little girl whenever I find myself giggling while reading those books. Lately, I've been reading all of E.D Baker's books.

5) I majored in Sociology in college. I love analyzing and interpreting how people are affected by the society they're in.

6) My husband "hates" onions. He gags at the smell of onions. It makes me sad because I love onions but now that I'm married to him, I can't cook anything with onions. :(

7) My favorite TV shows: The Mentalist (Simon Baker is sexy!) Monk and Lost!! Lately I've been watching Everybody Loves Raymond. Hilarious!

8) My favorite ingredients in cooking: Cilantro leaves, cumin, and Kimchi!

9) I don't drink.

10) I love reading all of your comments. I never skip any of your comments. Thank you so much for all of your support. You're definitely what keeps me going.

Okay, now, I am supposed to pass this award to 10 bloggers I love. Here they are!

Let Her Bake Cake by Hilary

My Colombian Recipes by Erica

Keep Learning Keep Smiling by Mary

Filipina Loves Food by Janice

A Pinch of This, A Dash of That by Cassie

Stirring the Pot by Kim

Fresh Local and Best by Christine

Confessions of a Baking Addict by Corine

My Kitchen Cafe by Melanie

Food for Hungry Soul by Katy

All these bloggers are such an inspiration to me. I never miss their posts!

Thanks, again!

Honest Scrap Award

Hello, everyone, I just wanted to make a quick post about the very first award I have recieved since I started this blog. It's called Honest Scrap Award!! Yippee!! This award was given to me by "The Geeky Gourmet" who shares great recipes on her blog. (Check out her Caramel Apple Tart recipe. It looks fantastic!) and Russian Season (I discovered this blog not too long ago and it is filled with yummy goodness!) Thank you for the award.

So I'm supposed to share 10 honest things about myself with you... Let me think for a little bit. Okay, here they are.

1) I started this blog about a year ago to keep me motivated in home cooking. Since I started this blog, we have spent a lot less time and money eating out. Hooray!

2) I didn't know how to really cook until I got married! Shame! :)

3) I am a stay-at-home mom and love it.

4) Besides cooking, I love reading. I'm really into fairy tale type of books right now. I feel like a little girl whenever I find myself giggling while reading those books. Lately, I've been reading all of E.D Baker's books.

5) I majored in Sociology in college. I love analyzing and interpreting how people are affected by the society they're in.

6) My husband "hates" onions. He gags at the smell of onions. It makes me sad because I love onions but now that I'm married to him, I can't cook anything with onions. :(

7) My favorite TV shows: The Mentalist (Simon Baker is sexy!) Monk and Lost!! Lately I've been watching Everybody Loves Raymond. Hilarious!

8) My favorite ingredients in cooking: Cilantro leaves, cumin, and Kimchi!

9) I don't drink.

10) I love reading all of your comments. I never skip any of your comments. Thank you so much for all of your support. You're definitely what keeps me going.

Okay, now, I am supposed to pass this award to 10 bloggers I love. Here they are!

Let Her Bake Cake by Hilary

My Colombian Recipes by Erica

Keep Learning Keep Smiling by Mary

Filipina Loves Food by Janice

A Pinch of This, A Dash of That by Cassie

Stirring the Pot by Kim

Fresh Local and Best by Christine

Confessions of a Baking Addict by Corine

My Kitchen Cafe by Melanie

Food for Hungry Soul by Katy

All these bloggers are such an inspiration to me. I never miss their posts!

Thanks, again!

Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach w/ Couscous

This recipe is one of my favorite "healthy" recipes that I've come across and have been making this every once in a while since I found the recipe last year on a Costco cookbook. The combination of spinach and the tomatoes soaked in balsamic vinegar is the highlight of this meal. Sometimes I cook orzo instead of couscous when I want more of a pasta meal. I love both orzo and couscous. You can eat this dish with pretty much anything. I'm sure rice would also go great with it.

Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach w/ Couscous

Adapted from Costco Cookbook

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded between 2 sheets of waxed paper to 1/2 inch thickness
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
3 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
8 ounces baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup canned no-salt-added chopped tomatoes, with their juices
2 cups hot cooked couscous (cooked according to the package)

Direction:

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper (I like to use season all as well). Add chicken to the pan and cook until browned and just cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.

Add remaining 2 tablespoon olive oil to the pan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add spinach and cook just until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the spinach to a bowl and set aside.

Add vinegar, chicken broth and tomatoes to the pan and stir, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Bring to a simmer and cook untl the sauce is slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

Divide the couscousbetween 4 serving plates. Top with some of the spinach, then a piece of chicken and the balsamic tomato sauce.

Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach w/ Couscous

This recipe is one of my favorite "healthy" recipes that I've come across and have been making this every once in a while since I found the recipe last year on a Costco cookbook. The combination of spinach and the tomatoes soaked in balsamic vinegar is the highlight of this meal. Sometimes I cook orzo instead of couscous when I want more of a pasta meal. I love both orzo and couscous. You can eat this dish with pretty much anything. I'm sure rice would also go great with it.

Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach w/ Couscous

Adapted from Costco Cookbook

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded between 2 sheets of waxed paper to 1/2 inch thickness
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
3 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
8 ounces baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup canned no-salt-added chopped tomatoes, with their juices
2 cups hot cooked couscous (cooked according to the package)

Direction:

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper (I like to use season all as well). Add chicken to the pan and cook until browned and just cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.

Add remaining 2 tablespoon olive oil to the pan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add spinach and cook just until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the spinach to a bowl and set aside.

Add vinegar, chicken broth and tomatoes to the pan and stir, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Bring to a simmer and cook untl the sauce is slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

Divide the couscousbetween 4 serving plates. Top with some of the spinach, then a piece of chicken and the balsamic tomato sauce.

Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach w/ Couscous

This recipe is one of my favorite "healthy" recipes that I've come across and have been making this every once in a while since I found the recipe last year on a Costco cookbook. The combination of spinach and the tomatoes soaked in balsamic vinegar is the highlight of this meal. Sometimes I cook orzo instead of couscous when I want more of a pasta meal. I love both orzo and couscous. You can eat this dish with pretty much anything. I'm sure rice would also go great with it.

Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach w/ Couscous

Adapted from Costco Cookbook

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded between 2 sheets of waxed paper to 1/2 inch thickness
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
3 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
8 ounces baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup canned no-salt-added chopped tomatoes, with their juices
2 cups hot cooked couscous (cooked according to the package)

Direction:

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper (I like to use season all as well). Add chicken to the pan and cook until browned and just cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.

Add remaining 2 tablespoon olive oil to the pan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add spinach and cook just until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the spinach to a bowl and set aside.

Add vinegar, chicken broth and tomatoes to the pan and stir, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Bring to a simmer and cook untl the sauce is slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

Divide the couscousbetween 4 serving plates. Top with some of the spinach, then a piece of chicken and the balsamic tomato sauce.

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a very popular lunch among younger folks in Korea. Tonkatsu is originated from Japan, meaning "Pork cutlet". It is super easy to make as long as you have "panko". Panko is a little bit different from the normal bread crumbs. It's got a little more flavor, I think. I use panko for everything. I usually buy a Korean brand panko but you can get Japanese ones at any local grocery stores. They usually come in a little box. Another great thing about this dish is the katsu sauce. We get Kikoman's katsu sauce and it tastes wonderful. Just drizzle it over fried pork cutlet and you will be able to enjoy an authentic Japanese tonkatsu at your home. If you don't like pork much, you can use chicken instead. Just make sure to tenderize the meat before cooking.

Tonkatsu

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

4 pieces of pork loins
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup panko
Canola oil
Cabbage or lettuce to garnish

Directions:

In a large ziplock, place the pork loins one by one, and pound the meat on both sides with a tenderizing hammer. (*Or buy a pre-tenderized pork meat. Any local grocery store should tenderize it for you if you ask.)

In separate bowls, place the flour, eggs, and panko.

Coat the meat lightly in flour, then dip in eggs, then cover in panko.

In a large skillet or a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. (Drop a small amount of panko in the oil and if it bubbles, it is ready.) Place the breaded pork in the pan and fry until the edges of the breaded pork are golden brown, flip it to cook the other side. Remove the pork from the pan when it's cooked through. (It usually takes about 3-5 minutes to cook it.)

Drain oil on a paper towel.

Serve the pork on a bed of chopped cabbage or lettuce to remove extra oil. Serve with rice and tokatsu sauce.

Enjoy!