Author Archives: kitchenkungfu

How I learned to stop worrying and love the fish

My Korean tutor took me to the asian market one day to go shopping. While shopping we picked up a package of croaker – three whole, salted fish. They are smaller fish, but we noted that they were a lot bigger than the tiny little fishies we got in Korean restaurant. Hmmph. Anyway, I was toldContinue reading “How I learned to stop worrying and love the fish”

The Des Moines Farmers Market

Ok, so only true food geeks like me and my mom would be excited for weeks in advance about going to a farmers market. But, since we are, we were anxiously awaiting my trip to Iowa so we could hit the infamous DesMoines farmers market. After three days of sitting in my work-related seminar (threeContinue reading “The Des Moines Farmers Market”

Behold the Power of Tomato Basil Soup

A while back I discovered a recipe for tomato basil soup, I can’t even remember where. It was supposed to be a copycat recipe for the one at La Madeline restaurant. Since I haven’t had the one there I don’t know how close it is, or even how much I’ve changed it since then, butContinue reading “Behold the Power of Tomato Basil Soup”

4th of July Feast

Usually the 4th of July holiday finds Bill and I at home, chilling out, having some wine and watching random fireworks from our back deck. This year, however, we ventured out to a friend’s house to celebrate our nation’s birthday together. When you’re wine snobs like us but don’t have the budget for Caymus asContinue reading “4th of July Feast”

Blueberry Muffins, Take Two

After Sunday’s muffin disaster, I was bound and determined to conquer the blueberry muffin. I used the same recipe from How to Cook Everything, but made some changes to my technique. First, I got some baking powder that was NOT EXPIRED (recommended). Second, I made sure I did less stirring. Third, I did all regularContinue reading “Blueberry Muffins, Take Two”

Red Snapper, Kung Faux Pas and Summer Salads

A few weeks ago a friend of ours went deep sea fishing. It sounds interesting, but not sure if I could do it (physically or mentally). However, when he offered us some of his haul, I was more than happy to take it off his hands. We scored some red snapper, amberjack and mackerel. A fewContinue reading “Red Snapper, Kung Faux Pas and Summer Salads”

Makin’ Bacon: The Project

When you’ve committed yourself to only eating meat that is ethical, sustainable and preferably local, some specialty items can be difficult to find…like bacon. It was this sad world without bacon that compelled me to make my own, which began on the day that I recieved a pork side from my CSA full of joyContinue reading “Makin’ Bacon: The Project”

Chicken 3 1/2 ways

I recently obtained several real chickens from my heros at Nature’s Harmony Farm. I was totally excited because I haven’t had chicken in 2+ years (if you missed why, read here.)  What I didn’t know is how many different ways this chicken would display herself… The first night after the 4.9 lb bird was thawedContinue reading “Chicken 3 1/2 ways”