I’m a late bloomer to loving bacon.  I had no idea what the big deal was until I discovered something called thick cut!  I was making brunch for my friends so I decided to add thick cut bacon to the menu.  It wasn’t bad for breakfast.  It was ok.  Then a week past I still had half a pack of bacon leftover.  I was emptying out all the perishables from my fridge before a business trip.  What to do? I cooked a fresh batch of white rice.  My favorite Japanese rice brand is Nishiki.  I like my rice soft.  I had a bag of green onions to use.  What I…

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  So much has happened in the world this past year that it’s good to make time and show your appreciation for the people in your life.  I tweet my gratitude on Twitter so hope that inspires you to do the same.  It takes less than a minute to journal – saves paper! When it comes to lazy recipes, I really like this one I saw from “The Pioneer Woman” on Food Network.  I am not a big fan of Ree Drummond but her breakfast recipes are easy to make.  I prefer calling this hash brown “nests” because they remind me of the Chinese bird’s nest recipe.  The…

This is embarrassing.  I have never made macaroni and cheese in my life.  Not even the instant kind that comes in a box.  First, I am not much of a cheese person.  I am very particular with my cheeses.  My range of cheese favorites include brie, Swiss and mozzarella (a recent addition).  I was hesitant about this recipe because it seems to have more cheese than I can handle – the fear of the pungent smell.  Boy, was I wrong.  The smell was not overpowering at all.  This is truly comfort food because its aroma defines just that. I served this in small plastic cups at my Christmas party.  It…

I took a flight out of LAX’ Delta Airline terminal and discovered a food court called Lemonade.  I did not expect anything great but I was pleasantly surprised.  I was instantly hooked on their Cucumber Mint Lemonade (a recipe on the list to crack) and Caprese Orecchiette Salad.  Now that airlines no longer provide lunch or dinner unless it’s a long flight, you should purchase something before you board the plane.  Otherwise, you are stuck with the last tuna salad sandwich.   Soon after I returned from my trip, I searched for the Caprese Orecchiette Salad recipe.  I still have not nailed it down but this one was just as…

I feel really blessed to be living in southern California.  Lucky that I get to enjoy the beautiful sun and its warmth while others across the country is facing an unkind winter.  I hope you stay safe in this unpredictable season. When a new year begins, a resolution for the new you is very normal.  Lose weight.  Leave your boring job and pursue your passion.  Find your soul mate.  Get married.  Have kids before the clock stops ticking at age 30 (rubbish!).  Which one is yours?  Mine is pretty simple.  Be happy!  Because being happy makes you appreciate your life.  I also want to challenge myself to be a better…

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope you are enjoying the holiday with family and friends.  During this time of year, I love the smell of baking goodies in the kitchen while listening to holiday tunes.  It’s really the only time of the year when I want to bake anything.  I invited a few friends over and decided to make a vegan cake for my vegan friend.  I was very diligent about reading every food label to ensure that there was absolutely no animal product.  I absolutely enjoyed making this for my friend.  The frosting did not turn out how I wanted but the cake with the light frosting was still very…

I am a big fan of Downton Abbey and I shamelessly have to admit that I finished 3 seasons within a week.  Who could forget the big cliffhanger from last season?!  One of the reasons I enjoy watching the show (besides a heart-melting script) is its impeccable attention to set design for lavish “luncheons”, dinners and parties – making a simple continental breakfast look so elegant.  I am having a dry spell and am thirsty for my Edwardian feed till season 4 comes back on January 5, 2014.  So what do I do?  I invited my close friends and their daughters to an intimate high tea party.   I have…