Christmas Dinner: Coastal Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Spring Rolls

Belated Merry Christmas to everyone! This year I had a very low key Christmas without a big feast. Quite a contrast to Thanksgiving! I didn't have anything planned, and only decided on what to cook around 6pm the night of! I figure after such a huge Thanksgiving dinner, I wanted to keep it simple and quick. Simple it was, but it certainly wasn't quick! We didn't start eating until almost 9pm!

Turkey Day 2010

This might actually be the first time that "Turkey Day" is an appropriate name for my Thanksgiving, although I am deeply disappointed at my first turkey. In fact, I'm so disappointed at my dry turkey, I don't know if I will have the motivation to try again in the future. I brined, I buttered, and I labored, but my 10lb petite turkey still turned out like chopped winter skin. I checked the internal temperature around 2 hrs, and its fat little thigh registered at 153 *F of unsafetyness. I let it roasted for another 45 minutes but covered the white meat part with Alton Brown's aluminum turkey diaper...it simply was not a good turkey day in terms of turkey for me.

Spring Pasta Salad

If given the choice between moisturizer and foundation, what would you choose? I would go for the moisturizer without a second thought. It's too much of a hassle to put on makeup every time to feint a flawless skin. Besides, I have always been an advocate of beautifying skin from the inside. After all, isn't it true that you are what you eat? Such nonsense... Because.. if only the things that will make you look beautiful can also satisfy your cravings.. So for lunch today I tried to whip up something healthy, good for skin, and tasty all at once!

The Versatile Zucchini

Orzo Salad

When I came back from Europe last January, I invited my ex-roommate Amy over for dinner. My then-current roommate Jen suggested that she would make orzo salad for the occasion. I had my doubts because I can't imagine a cold pasta salad with raw herbs and sour dressing would be any good, but I complied. And thank god I did, this cold pasta dish has since become one of my favorite dish to make, and one of the most enjoyed dish in my family. I have made this dish many times to potlucks and others, and they were all very well received. The only problem with this dish is that it is difficult to find good orzo pasta. I only like the ones you purchase by weight at this one Safeway (market) in Castro, San Francisco. They are quite expensive as well, at $2.75/lb. Barilla makes orzo as well, but they are smaller, and the texture isn't as good.