I Am... Small Batch Banana Bread Recipe
If you've been following this blog for a while you'll know that I have a banana bread obsession. I hardly ever make it or let myself buy it though. If I make it, I'll inevitably eat the whole loaf. And buying it just doesn't seem right for some reason. Although I will admit to having boughten the odd slice here or there while at the airport. There's something about airports that makes me feel like the calories don't count even though they probably count even more. Anyway, that was just a rambling way of saying I like banana bread and I can eat a lot of it.
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I Am... Friday Finds: 1.11.19
Happy Friday! Mike and I are going snowboarding today and I'm excited! We went on Monday and I discovered that I only like green runs but maybe today I'll try out some blues. Anyway, here's what I've been peeping at on the internet. Webstuff:
- Instagram husbands – it's a full time lucrative job these days.
- Have you heard of text therapy? These three friends put their text therapy screen shots up on the internet for everyone to see.
- Baby Shark is top 40 now...baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo.
- Does this sound like a dream job to you or a nightmare?
- The google doodle winner is a second grader :)
- Apparently around 53% of adult children are still on their parents phone plan...
- It's official, we're obsessed with nutella.
- Too much cheese. I really want to know what will happen to it. Will it just keep piling up? I guess the plan is to use up more milk so farmers make less cheese?
- Do you love fast food fried chicken? I DO.
- Just what is glitter anyway? Imagine working at a glitter factory. Glitter everywhere!
- 2019: The year where even fake news is fake.
- National parks are shut down, but Joshua Tree is still open – assholes are cutting down trees so they can drive 4x4 in the park.
- Pink salt, because it's pink, duh.
- Hello lemon sugar cookies!
- I could see myself snacking on these cacio e pepe chickpeas.
- These sesame orange noodle bowls are so colorful and perfect.
- Looking at these quarter sheet pan silpats knock offs because quarter sheet pans are my favorite size and basically the only thing that fits in our tiny oven >_<
- Thinking of re-reading The Passage (and then the other two in the trilogy) because there's nothing like a post apocalyptic book in the winter, especially if it's snowing outside.
- Is it weird to want a heated blanket?!
- Get your no chicken butter chicken right here.
- Did you know real Texas chili doesn't have beans?
- Instant Pot chicken and rice soup.
- Egg in a holes might be my favorite breakfast ever.
- With french toast as a close second.
- And mini mini pancakes as a very close third.
- Super quick and easy chicken udon to warm you up this winter.
- Bonus restaurant reviews: SF boba and Tokyo udon.
I Am... No Chicken Butter Chicken Recipe
Chicken is swapped out for nutrient and protein packed tofu and paneer for a vegetarian take on butter chicken. I spent the holiday hanging out wrapped up in blankets binge watching The Final Table – a Netflix cooking competition show featuring top chefs making signature dishes from around the world. I chose it on a whim to have on in the background while I was doodling on my iPad, but it turned out so binge-able that I went ahead and watched all the episodes in about 3 days. That's not to say that I thought it was a good show, it was one of those trashy I can't stop watching and maybe it's really bad but also kinda good shows.
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I Am... Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
January is the coldest month and it can be hard to get motivated to do all the things we promise we'll do at the beginning of the year. At the top of everyone's list is eat healthier and be more active. I've never seen the gym so busy...who am I kidding? I haven't been going to the gym. I have been working on eating more healthily though, with lots of cozy and satisfying soups.
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I Am... Boba Guys, San Francisco
Boba Guys, San Francisco Overall Rating: 3.25/5 Difficulty: 3/5 Yumminess: 3.5/5 Go: If you love boba and you believe in hype. Boba Guys is definitely one of the most well known boba/bubble tea shops in the United States. They make their teas from loose leaf, source local organic dairy, and make their syrups in house. Plus they have a cute anteater mascot. Order: If you're a boba newbie, try the Hong Kong Style Tea, with is classic milk tea sweetened with organic condensed milk. If this isn't your first rodeo, you can't go wrong with ordering any of their stapes – standouts include The Dirty Horchata (housemade horchata with a double shot of espresso), The Black Sesame Latte, and the layered Strawberry Matcha Latte. All the toppings are made in house, so be sure to hit up your favorite. Don't forget to take a peek at the seasonal drinks as well, which normally feature in-season fruit. Feel: To go to Boba Guys is to line up. There will be a line up and it'll move somewhat quickly, but not quick enough. Most of the locations are bright and light filled and full of cute poppy graphics and spaces for Instagramming. The majority of boba fiends get their boba to go, but there are a couple of spots to sit down and sip/chew your tea while people watching. Details: Boba Guys have shops in San Francisco, LA, and New York. Here are the details for the SF locations. Link to Map. Boba Guys - NOPA 836 Divisadero St. SF M-TH 11am - 9pm, F-S 12pm - 10pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm Boba Guys - Hayes Valley 8 Octavia St. #308 SF M-TH 9am - 9pm, F 9am - 10pm, Sat 12pm - 10 pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm Boba Guys - Mission Store 3491 19th St. SF M-TH 12pm - 9pm, F-S 12pm - 10pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm Boba Guys - Union Square 429 Stockton St. SF M-TH 8am - 9pm, F 8am - 10pm, Sat 12pm - 10 pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm Boba Guys Fillmore 1522 Fillmore St. SF M-TH 11am - 9pm, F-S 12pm - 11pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm Boba Guys Potrero 1002 16th. St. SF M-F 9am - 7pm, Sat 12pm - 8pm, Sun 12pm - 6 pm [caption id="attachment_25906" align="alignnone" width="1450"] Hong Kong Style Milk Tea & Lychee Green Tea from Boba Guys SF[/caption]
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I Am... Small Batch Pancakes Recipe: How to Make Pancakes for One
If you're anything like me, you love pancakes, fresh from the pan. They're super perfect for a snack or breakfast for dinner. Maybe what you don't like though is that all pancake recipes make a massive stack of pancakes. Even the pancake for one recipes out on the internet still use about 1 cup of flour for one person. I don't know about you, but for me, that's a lot of pancakes. Too many especially if you're trying to not turn into a stack of fluff.
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I Am... How to Make Egg in a Hole Toast
Sometimes the simplest breakfasts are the best, especially if they're as whimsical as egg in a hole toast. Call it what you will: toad in a hole, egg in a basket, bullseye eggs, hole-in-one – no matter what it's name is, it's delicious.
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I Am... 10 Healthy-ish Recipes to Make this January
1. Sweet and Sour Vietnamese-Style Hot Pot- everyone can cozy up at the dinner table and cook loads of veggies and lean proteins. If you skip out on the noodles, it can even be carb free. Pro tip, if you noodle-y like things but don't want the carbs, try shiritaki noodles. They're made out of konjac yam and they're practically zero calories, so if you're looking for a noodle alternative, give them a try. 2. Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower Gnocchi - This is still my favorite way to have Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi. Super simple to pan fry and toss with some parm and pepper. And the whole bag is only 330 calories! I mean, you're gonna add some calories with the parm and butter, but it's still pretty good. 3. Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu - Give me ALL the tofu! This doesn't use a lot of oil and the result is super crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside tofu perfect for all those random salad/buddha bowls you're going to be making this year. 4. Instant Pot Chicken Pho - Fast, tasty, and perfect for warming up in the cold weather. If you're looking to cut back on carbs, try it with zoodles, I do it all the time :) 5. Oven Roasted Squash - Roasting squash makes it all sweet, tender, and delicious. I've been roasting all the things and I haven't been regretting it. Naturally oven caramelized veggies are the best. 6. Vegan Instant Pot Pho - If you're looking to cut out meat in 2019, give this vegan pho a try. Super flavorful due to dried shiitake mushroom and extra hearty thanks to tofu. 7. Roasted Red Pepper Dip - Gotta have dips for all those veggies you're going to be eating. I love this smoky, savory, deeply flavored muhammara dip. It's got walnuts in it for an extra boost of antioxidants. 8. Kabocha Celery Salad - The sweet softness of roasted kabocha pairs wonderfully with crispy celery in this hearty salad. Golden raisins and craisins add sweetness and roasted pepitias add crunch. 9. Hearty Marinara Sauce - Get your veggies on with this hearty marinara sauce full of eggplant, mushrooms, and carrots. Perfect with pasta, or maybe zoodles :) 10. Cauliflower and Shrimp Paella - Skip out on the rice and sub in cauliflower in this take on paella. Light, flavorful and fresh! What are you guys going to be cooking in January? I see lots of soups and stews in my future... xoxo steph
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I Am... Small Batch French Toast: How to Make French Toast for One
Sometimes I get random cravings for french toast in the middle of the afternoon. French toast for one to the rescue! It feels like french toast should be a big batch kind of thing, with multiple eggs and entire loaves of bread, but here's how to make french toast for one with just one egg and two slices of toast.
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I Am... Chicken Udon Recipe
Chicken udon has got to be one of the most comforting meals ever. What’s not to love about tender pieces of chicken in a sweet and savory broth with lots and lots of noodles? It’s perfect for the cold weather. This is a recipe that you’ll have to go to the Asian grocery store for — that’s where you’ll find frozen udon, dashi, mirin, and cooking sake — but once you’re there, pick up some Asian snacks too. That’s totally the best part!
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I Am... Championship Award Winning Texas Style Cook Off Chili Recipe
It's chili season! If you're looking for the Texas chili championship cook off recipe, click here to skip to the recipe. For a little bit more about what we've been up to and more on Texas chili in general, read on.
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I Am... Udon Maruka, Tokyo
Udon Maruka, Tokyo Overall Rating: 4/5 Difficulty: 4/5 Yumminess: 4/5 Go: If you love chewy, slippery strands of perfectly cooked Sanuki udon. Usually ramen and soba get all noodle love in Japan, but udon is an unsung hero. You'll feel perfectly zen slurping on noods – all your troubles will melt away. Bonus, Maruka is Michelin Bib Gourmand rated so you know you're in good hands. This is definitely one of the best udons in Tokyo. Order: First up, are you feeling hot or cold udon? Cold features the texture of the noodle more while hot is warm and comforting. Both are excellent. If you want a simple classic bowl, go for the kake udon, freshly cut and cooked udon in a rich and flavorful dashi. Niku udon is a good bet if you like tender, marbled beef and hot soup with your udon. If you're looking for soupless, try the kamatama, hot udon with seasoned soy, a raw egg and green onions; it's the udon equivalent of tamago kake gohan. Whatever your udon order, don't forget a tempura side. The kashiwa-ten (chicken tempura) is particularly good and they're known for their chikuwa-ten, a long hollow tube of fish sausage. They have the usual suspects like ebi/prawn and yasai/mixed veggies as well. Feel: Your trip to Maruka will most likely begin with a line, but it moves quickly – the process streamlined. Once you get close to the front of the line, you'll be handed a menu so you can decide and order. When you get inside, they'll have a spot waiting for you. The room is steamy and fun with long communal tables, a counter, and a couple of small tables. Your udon and sides will come on a tray and you're expected to eat and then leave. Photos are frowned upon, but if you snap one quickly and unobtrusively, they probably won't scold you. Fast, functional, but oh-so-delicious. Details: Open Monday to Friday from 11 am - 7:30 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 2:30 pm, or until they run out of noodles. Closed Sundays and holidays. The main menu is in Japanese but there's a board listing the basic offerings in English. The closest station is Jinbocho, exit A5. 3-16-1 Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo [caption id="attachment_25792" align="alignnone" width="1450"] Udon Maruka Menu[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25793" align="alignnone" width="1450"] Kamatama Udon at Udon Maruka[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25794" align="alignnone" width="1450"] Kamatama Udon at Udon Maruka[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25803" align="alignnone" width="1450"] Niku Udon at Udon Maruka[/caption]
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