Summer 2012

Yes, I am aware that the summer was over a month ago. But I also tend to be late in joining the party - mentally and physically. Plus, I'm sitting on a pile of pictures I took over the summer and I figure some are worth sharing.

Despite the unbearable humidity and heat, this past summer turned out to be a memorable one. Here are some random tidbits from the summer.

My local farmers' market on the Upper West Side. Every Sunday, there is chatting, singing, picking from what the season has to offer. And composting! If you're in New York City area, check your option of composting. You can drop off food scraps at a Grow NYC stand in different farmers' market locations.

I had some uninvited guests staying with me for a while over the summer - which ultimately turned into a sad story. One day I noticed that a pigeon was lingering for a few hours just outside of my window. I only understood his/her full intention when I woke up the next morning and saw a complete nest set up and a pigeon sitting on an egg (which eventually became two).

I didn't have a say on this one. Yet, I found myself keep turning to watch the nest, although very carefully because the parents seemed always anxious about this random creature (that would be me) watching over their private nesting life. The mama pigeon and papa pigeon were sitting guard on the eggs day and night taking turns.

As the eggs became baby pigeons who became bigger and bigger each day in the care of the watchful mama/papa pigeons, I also felt proud that they decided to build a nest on the other side of my windowsill. My own Discovery Channel, I called it. This is such a cozy place even the pigeons noticed and decided to make it their home. And have you seen my pigeons? They are the most beautiful birds of them all.

Then one day, the babies disappeared. They were too little to get out of the nest by themselves. I think it took a couple of days for the parent pigeons to realize the babies were gone. I really saw this seriously confused look on their little birdy faces. I have my guess on what had happened (crows ate them) but no evidence. Oh I just hope that they don't think I had anything to do with the disappearance.

The mama and papa pigeons didn't stay in the nest after the babies were gone. But they would come, stay for a while and cry their pigeon cries. I remember even 2 weeks after the disppearance, they came and cried.

So that's the gist about my summer guests. I don't want to indulge in the sadness of the whole situation, so I'll stop here.

I've never had a thing for sunflowers, until this one.

I spent most of my summer in Dekalb Market, Brooklyn. It will always have a special place in my heart. I've written enough about it already, so I won't bore you with it.

In addition to cooking at work, I've also made plenty at home. First, many patbingsu (팥빙수), often just shaved ice, sweetened red beans and mini rice cakes, were eaten. On one occasion, a sprinkle of green tea powder made it look fancier than usual.

Tomatoes were made into a simple sauce for later days. Tiny ones were also roasted with thyme and garlic and topped homemade flat breads. They were also mixed in with pasta along with melted smoked mozzarella. This summer was a season of tomatoes.

I made kimchi. I really did. I think I made kimchi at least 8 times over the last 2 months. I'll probably make it a couple more times before my kimchi class in November.

I also started making tofu again. Warm tofu with just the right amount of tangy, crunchy kimchi can make a light, yet satisfying meal.

More rice cooker cakes were attempted. The oven was hardly used over the summer, but that doesn't mean I didn't get my fix on sweets. They were all coming out of the rice cooker, some turned out great but some just didn't work with me. Above is what could have been a 'very berry rice cooker cake,' but maybe I'll just give another try next summer.