December was stick-to-the-basics, hearty, wintry meals I could put together without extensive effort (although the line of 'extensive effort' got blurry a few times). As if to support my December diet, the blizzard around Christmas time was really something. It was all exciting and pretty to look at from inside, but quite a challenge to walk outside. Strong, horizontal wind caused snow to fall diagonally which I've seen before. But the wind also caused already fallen snow flakes to rise from the ground, all of them aiming to hit me right on my face (and yes, those are my footprints).
It also really helped my sister did most of cooking to make homey Korean dishes - after all, her kitchen moves come from the Korean royal cuisine and dessert classes she took a couple of years ago.
Here is a photo list of what I've been eating. I don't have recipes or any better photos of the dishes - so please bear with me. I hope this list at least sparks some ideas of your own to make in the continued cold days.
There was baked mac & tripple cheeses (Gruyere, sharp cheddar and Parmesan).
A fondue dinner was in order to take care of the cheese leftovers. The melted cheese mix was brightened with a clove of garlic and a splash of white wine.
A sudden craving for a bowl of chili is no surprise...
Of course, I'm not myself if there is no sweet course. Chocolate-filled choux, a.k.a. Homerun Ball in Korea, hit the right spot.
For a celebration dinner, steak with beurre rouge sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes, caramelized onion and warm walnut bread.
Pecan pie with vanilla ice cream - I supplied the ice cream by running to a deli as the pie was coming out of the oven. My sister makes the best pecan pie!
Bibimbap for the New Year's Eve dinner. A simple, homey dish that appropriately closed the eventful year of 2010. Another grateful moment provided by my sister who made this bibimbap.
There are recipes and ideas I am planning to put to practice soon - so please be patient and stay tuned. I am taking a breather after eating all these hearty dishes - I need to look at pretty lights in the city before they are taken off and take care of odds and ends for a few days. Then back to blogging and cooking!
Happy New Year!
KOREAN WORDS
winter 겨울 (gyeo wul)
potato 감자 (gam ja)
