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Don Katsu Kimbap

{kimbap--the perfect to-go meal/snack. made up of rice, veggies and different fillings all wrapped in seaweed)

My sister, Jane, and I have become regulars at this Kimbap fast food joint in the past few days. It makes for a convenient and delicious breakfast on our walk to the subway station in the mornings. Being the big kimbap enthusiast that I am, I was jazzed to see this particular restaurant made 10+ varieties (especially since I've only tried 2 kinds back home--beef and tempura). Anyway, I was and am intrigued and can't wait to try all the different variations. On today's menu was Don Katsu (fried pork cutlet) Kimbap. It contained:

Don Katsu, egg, ham, carrot, marinated spinach, gobo root, pickled radish, and sesame leaf (if you're wondering, you can find the more obscure ingredients at most Korean markets). What made this over the top amazing was that it had a thin layer of honey mustard sauce on it. Crazy good. I hope to do a kimbap tutorial when I get back, but in the meantime will report more kimbap findings as they come!

landed

Sorry for the lack of posts guys. After a 15 hour voyage across the Pacific, Little Fockers, and several airplane meals, we finally arrived in Seoul! Reuniting at the airport with my sister was sweet; Korean food (which I guess is just food here) is delicious, and there's a familar smell in the air that reminds me of previous visits when I was a kid. We're still getting somewhat adjusted, but there's so much I can't wait to share with you guys. I heart Seoul! Check back for pictures/updates soon!
xo anabel

summer plans

I'm making good on my resolutions and have officially completed booking my travels! Korea and Thailand, here I come! There's no better way to put it...I am GIDDY. So much so that I have been finding myself grinning at random moments without even realizing it (like when I'm driving...or when I'm testing out rolling luggage at the store. Yup, that's me). Very much looking forward to seeing my big sister, spending time with some of my favorite people, and eating a mangosteen on a perfect white sandy beach. ahoy! 

{light pt. 2}

brownie pillow cookies...aka brookies

what's that you ask? It is...the perfect compromise, a midnight snack, a birthday treat, a tall glass of milk's best friend...a brownie...stuffed in a cookie.

I used Bakerella's famed recipe (found here) to make these monster cookies.

To make a batch of these for yourselves...you'll need:

1 package brownie mix (I used the guilt free ones from Trader Joe's--no one ever guesses)
1 cup butter, room temp
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flower
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Make brownies and let cool. Cut into 1 inch squares.

In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add brown sugar and beat. Add eggs, yolk, and vanilla and beat until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour to wet ingredients and mix till combined. Stir in mini choco chips. Cover and let the dough chill for at least an hour. After it's chilled, it will be less sticky and much easier to work with.

Assembling your brookies:
I found it helpful to do a little hamburger assembly action. I like to smoosh the brownie a little bit...it gives more of a brownie layer than a brownie bite. Delicious either way you do it.

Close edges to make a cookie ball.

Tip: My first batch looked like an inverted thumbprint cookie. My boss (aka baker extraordinaire aka Asian Martha Stewart) advised me to freeze (or at least chill) the cookies in their assembled stage before baking...and success! Taking them from freezer to oven resulted in a more fluffy, pillow-esque cookie.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes and enjoy.

If you haven't before, check out Bakerella's website here for more recipes, pictures, and the most amazing cake pops ever.

P.s.: Need more cookie within a cookie, inception action? Take a look at these!

a few things...

Just a few things I'm jiving with these days...

1. Werther's Sugar Free mini's...in a small, inconspicuous, wrapper-free packaging, and the last bit of Easter Candy leftovers (specifically these dark chocolate Dove eggs) satiate my increasing sweet tooth.

2. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Honeysuckle is my go to lip balm these days. It's subtle color make for a nice summer alternative to a heavy lipstick.

3.I just discovered they sell my favorite gum at Smart & Final...in the 12-pack bulk. Yup, I bought it.

4. Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream: another Burt's Bee's wonder that has been saving my cuticles in this dry weather.

5. Caribbean Color Sharpies: When it comes to markers, I'm like a 5 year old. I couldn't resist this arrangement.

my mama

I love these pictures of my mom. They were taken during her travels as a stewardess for Korean Air in her early twenties. (She's the beautiful lady on the right in the first picture, on the left in the second).

I remember as a kid I would on occasion (read: frequent occasion) break water cups and side dishes on the kitchen floor. This was on accident of course...I had butterfingers. I would feel terrible and almost before I could react, my mom would say something like, "It's fine! You did good. That was an old cup/dish/plate." This transferred over to other things as I grew older (fights with siblings, bad grades, even a minor car accident)...the more I think about it, my mom never came at me with a menacing finger pointing out what I've done wrong, but rather always helped me to see a better angle, a brighter side, and a way to be better. I'm so grateful. Today, I celebrate her adventurous spirit, her perspective and all her wonderful quirks, and wish all the other mothers (and mother's to be!) a Happy Mother's Day. :)

{journey}

John (the man behind Singapore's pics) is currently traveling. His picture this week comes from his travels in Seattle. Enjoy!

pax

oh how the time goes by...

{4 weeks; 4 months}

2 weeks later

(Whoops. A belated post...finally uploaded these pictures)

When my boss asked me if I wanted to go to Coachella to check out the operations of the event, she said we can check our schedules and get back to her. I took all of about 2 seconds (enough time to internally gather my composure) and coolly responded, "yea...I think I'm free" (thinking, YES...I will MAKE myself free). I'll try not to ramble here. In short, crazy operations, great music, great company, and Guest wristbands that allowed access to clean, air conditioned bathrooms made for an awesome first experience.

The quieter side of Coachella...artist's village, the polo fields before the madness, and rose gardens provided some repose from the crowds

The venue completely transforms come night time. Amazing what light can do and how many ways it can be used/manipulated...in balloons strung across the sky, spotlights colorfully illuminating towering palm trees...I wish I could have captured more of the art exhibits...here are a few.

more exhibits...

The prettiest trashcans I have ever seen...

This performance was the highlight of my day. She walked passed me while in line for water and the only thing I felt myself doing was punching my coworker's arm in stunned silence. She is gorgeous.