Dinner for One

One of the only good thing about my husband being out of town is that I find myself cooking really ... um ... non-Non-Scotsman-like meals. Tonight I found myself at Uwajimaya grabbing ingredient's for Mizuna, Wasabi & Tofu:

(Thank you, Bon Appetite, for the recipe)

I find I love piling roasted beets onto everything,

and pouring cool glasses of Lillet with a squeeze of lime.

and wanting to recreate everything ever made by Donna Hay:

What do you like to cook for dinner when it's just you?

Homemade Ginger Ale

(My first try at Homemade Ginger Ale today, 2010)

I've never thought of making homemade Ginger Ale until today. Come on now, who thinks of making their own soda?

I came across the recipe while scouting out a fun non-alcoholic treat for some pregnant company coming over tonight. Something that would pair well with my Pavlova with Cream...

(Pavlova with Cream)

I scoured the recipe and immediately made for Uwajimaya for cheap, fresh ginger (see recipe below).

(Fresh chunks of ginger)

The smell of simmering ginger took over my kitchen like my loud relatives take over a room (that means it took over in a good way, just really strong).

(I clearly had too much fun making a still life out of the syrup, 2010)

Tonight, we'll simply add a bit of soda and garnish with a lime. If not pregnant I recommend "garnishing" with a bit of Gin as well.

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From Imbibe Magazine:

2 Cups unpeeled, washed fresh ginger, roughly chopped

2 Cups Sugar

6 Cups Water

*** Bring to a boil in a pot and lower to a simmer for 1 hour

*** Strain out ginger

When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice, about 1/3 cup ginger syrup, and top with Club Soda or sparkling water.

Garnish with a lime or fresh mint.

Chinese New Year

I guess it's my birthday tomorrow! I didn't know I had something going besides Valentine's Day. Oh, by the way, you do too. Happy Birthday. The Year of the Tiger has arrived...

I have a darling girlfriend (who happens to be a fabulous architect and photographer) who's husband is Chinese. Around Thanksgiving she was saying that the turkey-stuffing-fall-pumpkin thing was never a part of his family's tradition, but Chinese New Year was one of the best days of the year. I agreed to show him a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (still pending), if she would show me how to "do" Chinese New Year. She was game; to be clear, she's going over the top to host the event of the year tonight.

In preparation, we met up to grocery shop (I love Uwajimaya, especially their seafood department) and discuss the event over steaming bowls of Ramen from their counter. Her mother-in-law stocked her with ingredient lists and even pictures of the packaging, since this is Amy's first time hosting this dinner. We grabbed Red Envelopes for the kids, lanterns, and big plastic golden apples for candy dishes. I got lost looking for Black Vinegar, but found her in the beef aisle using the hand sanitizer.

We're going to be cooking together in a few hours: noodle dishes, buns filled with goodness, and a gelatin dessert of some kind. I think we'll wait to venture into the whole roasted ducks next year.

I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes.