March 2008 Archives
Photos by Ms. Jen with her Nokia N95 camera phone.
I am a big fan of the Thai Kitchen Spring Onion Rice Noodle Soup Bowl. Gluten-free, check. Dairy-free, check. Egg-free, check. Canola oil free, check. Takes only 3-4 minutes to make... Sign me up!
After I first found this little gem of Jenifer friendly food goodness at Trader Joe's a few years back, I would just make it by the package directions. But ever since I have returned from Ireland, I have made it a meal by adding whatever complimentary veggies and meats that I have in the refrigerator and/or chicken broth if I have it on had.
Happy Spiced Up Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Soup Bowl:
1 package of your fave flavor of Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Soup Bowls (or any other instant noodle package, but I won't vouch for quality & gluten-free with other brands)
1/2 bowl (the plastic bowl that comes with the Rice Noodle Soup) of water
1 bowl (see directly above) of Chicken broth or veggie broth
All the packets of stuff that come in the Thai Noodle packaging.
Put all of the above in a pan on the stove that will fit plus room or find a big bowl and do it in the microwave. If stove, boil for 5 minutes. If microwave, nuke for 3 minutes.
As the soup is cooking, chop up whatever tasty vegetables and/or meat you have in the refrigerator that would be complimentary.
I like to use leafy green veggies: Bok Choy, escarole, spinach, kale, etc.
I also like to use pork (bacon or pancetta, pre-sauted/cooked), turkey or chicken leftovers, or cooked ground beef for extra protein.
Add the veggies and cooked meat to the soup, cook until boiling or the veggies are wilt-ish/ cooked to your taste.
Serve. Eat. Be happy.
many years ago, feeling somewhat homesick for my childhood home in Okinawa, Japan, i was moaning about my need for cheap & cheerful Japanese eats. a friend who lived in Palms had an idea. "i know!" he said. "you have to go to this little Japanese greasy spoon/coffee shop in an alley! you can get something with rice & i'll have a cheeseburger."
i was, understandably, dubious. but hah! little did i know...
i fell in love that morning, deeply and completely. where else can you get yakisoba and fries? gyoza and a thick chocolate shake? a tuna melt and sunomono? the little obasan waitresses were friendly and efficient, and the food was simple & surprisingly ultra-delicious. i soon was taking other friends to Tokyo 7-7 myself.
nowadays, i live within walking distance, and the obasans don't even bring me, or my husband (who over the course of many breakfasts at Tokyo 7-7 went from boyfriend to fiance to husband) a menu anymore -- they just greet us with a cheerful "Ohayo!" (good morning) and give me my delicious cha-shu royal and green tea, and bring my honey his $2.35 breakfast special #1 with a root beer float.
once you find this little neighbourhood gem (park in the Cardiff structure & walk out into the alley, not to the street), you too can quickly become a regular and decide if you like the club sandwich or the udon noodles better. or heck, have 'em both!
3839-B Main St. Culver City, CA 90230 or call (310) 204-5728 for more information. hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. parking in said Cardiff structure is first 2 hours free. cash only!
