March 2008 Archives

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.

this is a love letter to one of my favourite restaurants in Los Angeles.  ever.  why i haven't written this before, i don't know.

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!