Beauty Talk

Posted on 13th September 2012
in Misc
by blackdogfoodblog

I grew up with 2 older sisters and my mom has 4 sisters. So guess what happens when 2 generations of ladies gather together. Non-stop beauty talk. My mom used to say, you can skip brushing your teeth but do not forget putting eye cream. ( I have been using eye cream since I was 19 years old.) So I’m going to talk beauty today including my family’s beauty secret. Sorry guys, eye muffs. It’s all about ladies today. For beauty drink : I make this delicious green smoothie every day! Inspired by my beautiful Tahitian dance teacher, Adele Kurstin [...]

Luscious Blueberry Cinnamon Smoothie

Posted on 5th July 2012
in Misc, Vegetarian
by blackdogfoodblog

My friends, fellow dancer/teacher I love dearly, Aparna Khanolkar and Lisa Beck has this wonderful organization called Grace, Power and Beauty. Their offerings use the ancient Indian healing art of Ayurveda combined with music and dance, retreats, classes, workshops, delicious recipes and more. And this is my new favorite smoothie recipe from these lovely ladies. (Adapted from Aparna & Lisa’s Luscious summer tonic) Ingredients 1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries 1/4 cup fresh organic raspberries 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/4 cup coconut water (I found this wonderful coconut water with probiotic in it at wholefoods) 1~2 teaspoon cinnamon (Cinnamon is so good for you [...]

Cauliflower-Crust Pizza

Posted on 19th June 2012
in Main course, Misc, Vegetarian
by blackdogfoodblog

I met my friend, Alisa in my first year of culinary program. She was studying to be a dietitian and needed to take basic culinary classes. When I walked into the classroom (kitchen, in this case) I spotted her and I put down my knife kit right next to her. I was one of the older students…and I really didn’t feel like working next to the kids who just graduated from high schools..(no offence just because I may not understand their current lingo…) She had already finished her B.A and had a husband …Yes— she is going to make me [...]

Homemade Yogurt

Posted on 22nd April 2012
in Breakfast, Misc
by blackdogfoodblog

When I was home in Korea, I ate Kimchee in almost every meal so I never had to worry about getting enough probiotics. But now I’m here in the ‘western’ world….where probiotics come in pills and supplements, I have to make sure I get enough of them. Oh I do take supplements – coffee berry, schzandra berry, fish oil, brewer’s yeast for vitamin D, spirulina, cinnamon and a shot of aloe vera everyday, (My husband started deleting ‘Dr. Oz shows’ from our DVR….) But for probiotics intake, you can’t deny creamy & delicious yogurt. (Aside from probiotics, yogurt is loaded [...]

Sake & Food Pairing

Posted on 5th March 2012
in Asian, Bread & Sweets, Main course, Misc, Vegetarian
by blackdogfoodblog

Besides wine, Sake is my favorite drink (adult beverage, I meant). So when SakeOne (One of very few American sake makers. I think there are only 4…) contacted me, I was thrilled. They were going to send me a box of their premuim sake. Heck yeah! I will trade in food for sake anytime!!! My gosh, I was pleasantly surprised by it’s taste. So pure and clean! (If you see the term “Ginjo” anywhere on the label, it means ‘Premium’ where at least the outer 40% of the rice gets milled away – protein/fat is removed for it’s best aromatic flavor. [...]

Underground Supper Club

Posted on 1st February 2012
in Misc
by blackdogfoodblog

I ran into Chef Pink at Wholefoods market a few months ago and she told me about ‘Underground supper club’ that she was starting. And I was so excited to join this 4-hour-long delicious evening of an amazing local organic meal , supporting favorite farmers, fisherman, ranchers and of course, my favorite local Chef…. The theme of the meal was ‘Surf and Turf’ - Since we’ve been having such a wonky weird winter, Chef Pink thought what a better way to celebrate a central/southern California winter, which can be more like a summer. All paired with locally made artisan beers. I [...]

Teach me how to buggie

Posted on 30th November 2011
in Misc
by blackdogfoodblog

Since we got buggie, my motherly instinct kicked in and I have been making homemade dog treats a lot…sometimes my husband rolls his eyes when I baby the dog too much…but come on, not like I roasted a whole chicken for my dog. ^=^ (I would actually) Peanut butter and banana dog biscuits! Buggie goes crazy over the smell. He makes a circle around the oven and dance. ‘Teach, Teach, Teach me how to buggie~~~ I made double batches so I could bring them to the dog shelter where we got buggie from.

Power of your Om

Posted on 12th November 2011
in Breakfast, Misc, Vegetarian
by blackdogfoodblog

Gosh I am so happy that a new yoga studio opened up in Santa Barbara. It desperately needed a good yoga class. I have been looking for a good one since I moved here. (My ‘good’ means you barely crawl out of the class…) Power of your Om - it’s heated power yoga, but not Bikram hot (and stinky). My body is still shaking from the morning class- exactly what I was looking for. (no meditating/chanting yoga for me please ^*^ ) And having a zero body fat pretty instructor doesn’t hurt either. It does motivates you, you know. I eat healthy 70~80% [...]

Grilled Cheese 2.0

Posted on 19th October 2011
in Main course, Misc
by blackdogfoodblog

My friend, Emily and I used to go to this local restaurant where our friend is a chef, and have a glass of wine and this grilled cheese. Blue cheese, white truffle oil and honey! Ever since I had my first bite, it became my favorite grilled cheese ever. Can you smell this now? Mmmmm… it’s time to upgrade your grill cheese! Ingredients 2 slices of your favorite bread (french rustic, thick wholewheat…I don’t recommend sour dough…it competes with other yummy flavors…:)) Blue cheese 1 Tablespoon Honey 1/4 teaspoon White truffle oil (Don’t buy an imitation one. Buy real [...]

A bowlful of health & my cold remedy

Posted on 18th October 2011
in Breakfast, Misc
by blackdogfoodblog

I make breakfast for my husband every morning. So I have to come up with a lot of breakfast ideas and this is one of them. Steel cut oats with tons of other ‘stuff ‘ in it. I didn’t specify exact amount below….just add everything….till it makes sense…. Ingredients Steel cut oats (I use trader’s joe’s quick steel cut oats because I’m not that patient to cook regular steel cut oats) Teaspoonful of Wheat germ (tons of minerals, fiber, zinc, iron, anti-oxidant) Teaspoonful of Chia seeds (yeah chi chi chi chia-controls blood sugar, omega 3, it hydrates your body) [...]

Sweet & Salty Kale Chips

Posted on 13th October 2011
in Misc, Vegetarian
by blackdogfoodblog

Ok, his is the best kale chips ever. Trust me. Even my anti-kale husband loved it. Give me a bowl of this, couch, Keeping up with Kardashian and buggie on my lap, my ‘woman cave’ night is completed! Here is how I make it. Ingredients 1 bunch of kale (I prefer curly kind for this) 1 Tablespoon Olive oil 1 teaspoon Salt 2 Tablespoon Sugar 1 teaspoon Paprika Preparation 1. Rinse and thoroughly dry kale, remove thick stems. It will shrink as they bake so I usually cut them just in half. 2. Place kale in a bowl, drizzle olive oil over [...]