Ginger Pork with Peanut Sauce

I want to delve more into Chinese cooking, since I know so little about it. Sure, every one knows about egg rolls, orange chicken with rice and fortune cookies. I too enjoy the American version of Chinese food. I remember one of my teachers saying that the Chinese restaurants with the red lanterns with dragons and Happy Chinese New Year on them, and other cultural embellsionments are not the real Chinese restaurants. The more I realized it the more I noticed how many restaurants resembled this. Of course, I do enjoy the all American Chinese food, but I'm always up to a good challenge, so I've decided to become better with my Chinese cooking!

Looks like an interesting book about Chinese fortune cookies!

This time I made a good and simple recipe that in all only took about an hour to make. I like those kind of recipes, they're pretty fast and easy but it also still feels like you're cooking and not just throwing something into the microwave. I always feel better when I find a good, solid recipe rather than vouching on a quick pasta that goes into the boiling water with little to no effort.

But hopefully I will keep being inspired, and the quick pasta can wait. So without further ado, here is the latest Chinese recipe!

The main ingredients in this dish are ramon noodles, pork, spinach, green onions and some spices. Altogether, making it a dish with a good variety of flavor! The main lesson I learned from cooking this meal, is how to cut green onions. I know that sounds kind of elementary but I hadn't used them before. Use the white parts because they have the flavor! You can point out the green onions from the picture above, they do add a nice touch!

Moroccan Dish

I wanted to cook something new this time, instead of repeating the same dishes, already knowing that I can cook them. I checked out a few cookbooks at the library recently and decided to make the recipes come to life! I chose the Moroccan cookbook first, inspired by all of the exotic dishes and ingredients I had never heard of yet still eager to cook something up regardless of how familar I was with Moroccan cooking.

I decided to make a dish called Kefta. It's similar to the Syrian meatballs I have made before, and will probably make again sometime soon! But Kefta is different, it has more spices and flavoring and doesn't call for white rice or yogurt to go along on the side. I made Tomato Charmoula sauce along with Couscous for the sides, as the recipe called for. Never have I eaten so much flavor in one spoonful! I know that this recipe is a keeper, and others wanted it too! So for all the others who are new to this keeper Morocacan dish, here ya go.:)

Clementine's, an inspiration through time

Having lunch out is always a treat. And going to a place that has good food and nice memories associated with it is like adding an extra douse of sugar. The fact that I like this place so much doesn't seem to surprise me. I would pass by it every time I was on my way to work, cringing that I was actually working where I was, and wanting to turn right and go to that nice New Olreans restaurant on th corner and just sit in a booth and not have to worry about all my fears flooding into my mind. I came across this place, thinking about it for a while and never seeming to make the trip there.

So finally, after a year in half my Mom and I had lunch at Clementine's. It's known for it's New Orleans ambianence, style and influenced food. My stomach was growling and was becoming sloshy and loud and annoyingbeforehand but the food seemed to cure that almost immediately.

What drew me to this place this time wasn't the uncrowed tables, the quick service or even the nice decorations, instead it was more about remebering what was happening in my life the last time I was here. I had just changed my major from English Literature to International Studies, unsure of where it would take me and all that I would learn, overall I was excited and filled with encouraging thoughts and inspiration. It was the time close to Spring, and the onset of Easter Break, with much to look forward and a week off never seemed better. Going to that nice and enticing book store nearby, I stocked up on ideas, adventures and books and couldn't seem to get enough of books and inspiration from the World History section, nonfiction and memoirs disperesed from different parts of the world, I was captivated.

This free and enjoyable time with my Mom never seems to add up to enough, as well as these Summer days. One after another goes by, and I will look back knowing what a good time I had.

September, Sapphire and my Schwester

The first day of September marks the transition of Summer into Fall, and the attractive three day weekend, thanks to Labor Day makes us think back to Memorial Day and make us miss the sultry Summer months that have mostly gone before us. The 1st of September also happens to be my sister's birthday. Who could forget the first day of the month? Easy, simple and special to say the least and to ring in the month of September, the month that is in between hot, sunny days and brisk nights with orange leaves falling into view. Septemeber, you are one of my favorites! And to my sister, whom I usually nick name sizzle, schwester and Sue, you are a treasured sapphire.

 She loves her camera.

Who would have known that as little girls we looked like twins and as young women, we look almost nothing alike. Although we are quite different, our simarilities can be seen by all. Our quirky sense of humor (thanks Dad!) comes out in various forms and ways, our need and should I say talent for communication in written or verbal form are expressed to others so carefully and thoughtfully, our hint of interest in the German language (Ja!), and our enjoyment of walks, runs and bike rides in nature. Many things about us are opposite to one another though, which can actually make things pretty interesting, complex and maybe even a little dramatic. But these are all good things, it displays our character and our deep need to understand ourselves as well as one another. Her sense of compassion, wisdom, humor and spontinateity challenges me to see things in a new and different perspective.

And I really like my rings.

Having sisters is a gift from God. I'm reminding myself of how lucky and truly blessed I am to have sisters who can teach you so very many things about life, faith, yourself. The list is endless, and I think you begin to discover what is on that reoccuring list every single year. Happy Birthday dear Schwester!! May we keep continuing to be that endless list for eachother!

An Ongoing Dilemna...Arabic

Is your mind ever filled with dilemnas? Thoughts, ponderings, doubts, interests, uninterests..thoughts, Thoughts, THOUGHTS!! I think everyone has a dilemna once in a while, but somehow things in your mind seem to become a bigger deal than they actually are. Or, they continue to consume some of your every day thoughts and stay for a while. Maybe too long. In my case, it's the dilemna of continuing to study Arabic or not. Yes, the Arabic language that seems to look more like made up doodles and dots than an actual language. And to answer one of your first questions, yes, it's hard. Hard isn't the right word actually, maybe daunting, intriguing, exhausting and exotic are better adjectives to describe such a language.

Sometimes I feel that I have enough, or should I say plenty of room to embrace and invest time and energy into another language. Once you get down the rhythm of studying a language you feel like you can do so much more, like conquer Arabic! Hmm, not so sure since that can be a fleeting feeling, But at the same time, my mind and my heart pull towards the culture and language of the Middle East region. From taking a class emphasizing this region and culture, and soon another one, I find my eyes and fingers drift towards books and recipes in the aisles of the library that will inspire me even more. I'm a sucker when it comes to inspiration. I also like a good challenge in my court, and I know that I'm free to swing the ball right back into the next if I need a break from that particular challenge. Kinda of like Arabic.

My Arabic notebook. Isn't it just so inspiring looking at it?:)

Arabic restaurant in Rio that I loved!! Went there a couple of times:)

Even if I do or do not stick with learning Arabic, I know I will still find inspiration somewhere, I love the Syrian meatballs recipe, that I want to recreate again sometime soon! And dipping my toes in the water when it feels like the right time, and then coming back a while later is how I feel with Arabic. Of course, the reasons for becoming interested in Arabic go beyond the fact that it's intriuguing and exotic for me, Teaching and helping others wth the English language is a passion of mine, and Arabic happens to be one of the top ten languages in the world, so knowing even a little bit is helpful!

Daunting, but beautiful!

Developing your hobbies and interests and progressing your knowledge in certain areas is always beneficial to yourself, as well as meeing and connectng with different types of people. The way I see it is the more interests you have, the more interesting peron you will become! Language also goes hand in hand with culture, it's like a stepping stone into the culture once you've gotten to learn some of the language.

A book that I want to read!

And lastly, I'm interested in learning how to cook recipes from Arab countires, it's one of my goals! Food and cooking is very important in Middle Eastern culture, in many cultures actually, and I know that there are many flavors and spices that are specific to this region in the world.


I think that summarizes my interests and reasons for the Arabic language. I would love to know your thoughts, and suggestions. What language or culture are you interested in learning about?

A note from a friend. 

Sweet and Sour Sauce

I wanted to share this recipe here on Plum Tree because number 1, it's super easy and number 2, it's a recipe from China, that can have different variations to it. I've only made it once before, and everyone loved it and I was surprised that it turned out so well. Not that I'm an awful cook or anything, I just didn't know how good it would actually be!

So, I had the itch to make it once again! I was kind of under a time crunch when cooking it though, but sometimes that can be a good thing because then you're really focused on what you're doing. Chopping, stirring, chopping some more and getting too much onion rays in your eyes to even see what you are even doing, Don't you hate that? Any soultions? I've heard chewing gum can distract you, or wearing goggles? I think my lab days are over. Chopping some more, and listening to Lord Huron while seeing the meat sizzle, that's real lovely. And I finished the moment I had to go and say good bye to my creation for a while. For this recipe, you can choose to cook the the sauce with pork, beef or fish. I chose beef strips, it goes really well all together along with rice.

This recipe came from Mary Knoll International Cookbook, mentioned in my last post. I want to challenge myself with other recipes from here as well!

Oops! Don't you hate when that happens? Or maybe it makes the cookbook look more used and vintage. Yep, soy sauce decided to splatter on the page.

And there's the finshed look, with everything combined. I don't think it will be too long until I make this keeper recipe again!

Cook, Bake, Read

Lists, goals, jotting down ideas. I seem to wander into this realm often throughout the day. I also like to make challenges for myself for the year. One of them having to do with challenging myself to read more. This may sound kind of funny for those who already know me well, I'm a book worm so naturally I already like to read, and read a lot for that matter, But would you still categorize me as a book worm if I find more books than finish reading books? I would say it's debatable too.

So, ever since whenever, I stole the idea from my sister to write down all the books you've read in a year, but I've made it more of a challenge to see how many I can actually finish in a year's time. A year is a long time, but it also goes by fairly quickly when you have a hard time deciding which book to read next, (if you're anything like me). Overall, I feel pretty proud of myself. Sometimes it can feel like there's too many books and so little time. I would hate to feel how it's like with too much time, so few books.

Without further ado, here are my lists from last years finished books (2015), and books finished so far in 2016.

I've finished more books this year, without the year being over yet, compared to last year! I think it's cool to look back on the books you've read, and it brings you back to that time of year, and even remember what you were thinking when you read that part, or why you even chose to read the book 

in the first place. I looked back specifically on the cooking memoris that I read last year, since I read a good amount of them. (They're one of my favorite genres:)) And I decided to pick the ones that I would read again.

I absolutely love this book! If you have seen the movie, Julie &Julia I think this book depicts Jukia Child's life so well, it really makes you so engrossed and encaptured in her life. I love her, and love her story!

I would for sure read Molly Wizenberg's book, A Homemade Life again. Not only is she a writer that makes your mind melt like chocolate when reading, there are also great recipes she shares as well! I love her Orangette blog as well:)

What can I say about this one? Only, that she is an inspiring young woman who lives her dream while quitting her office job, goes to Le Cordon Bleu and learns how to cook. She makes internatonal friends along the way, marries the love of her life and leanrs more about herself. So yes, I would read this treasure again:)

Here is the sequel of Molly Wizenberg's memoir. This one named Delancy after the restaurant she opens with her husband and all that involves. This is almost too fast of a read, her writing glides do easily, but even still I would definately read this page turner again.

Since these memoirs are all involved with the art of cooking, I got thinking of my own cooking, and how I want to challenge myself and improve my cooking. Here are some cookbooks that I have cooked from, and want to cook more from, or just an inspiration for me,

Love his cookbook, his old TV show The Taste, and his cooking memoir Yes, chef. He has other cookbooks as well, overall they are easy to look at ,aesthetic and creative as well as original.

Fell in love with her cookbook, it's so easy to look at! She too has a memoir that I read this year. Want to look more at her cookbooks and what she brings to the art of cooking.

I really like Maryknoll's International Cookbook. Not only is it Internatonal, which is a plus, but also that it's easy to come from. I've only made two recipes from here, and I would gladly make them again, but also want to look more through it and see what else I can cook up:)

This is Nadiya Hussain, and she was the winner of the Great British Baking Show. I didn't see the whole season, but I what I saw of it, I knew that I liked her and her baking style, and was rooting for her. Now she has a cookbook and I'm eager to find and look through it!

what about plaid

What can I say about plaid? One, that I don't see it only as a pattern that can only be worn in Fall. Of course it works well with the season, but I don't like to be the norm and only take it out in Autumn. I feel that I draw towards plaid in various seasons.

I realize that I own a good amount of plaid already: I have plaid scarfs, plaid blazer, shirts, even a plaid curtain! However, it's been a year since I bought plaid material and finally, finally I am going to learn how to sew and make something out of it!

I think one of the main reasons why I draw towards plaid 95% of the time is because it can easily make a statement, but it can also be casual or turned more dressy. It could look a little more masculine at first but then instantly a touch of a fancy necklace, earrings or shoes could switch it into more of feminine look.

Plaid curtains:)

Plaid can be seen as a piece that can go with many things, and not only labeled as Fall or masculine wear. I'm excited to be able to sew this material. At first I thought about making it into a scarf, but as you can see, I already have a few of them already. I guess you'll just have to wait and see the finished result:)