Korean Spicy Fish Stew - Daegu Maeuntang

Korean fish stew(Maeuntang) is a savory, spicy stew with lots of veggies, fish and lots of spice. So it is my absolute favorite comfort food as well as Korean Chicken Soup (Samgyetang).
When I feel sick with a cold, the spices in this stew are like a natural remedy for me.  It clears up my sinuses and I feel my body coming back to life with energy.  I think spices also fight viruses, so it's anti-cold!
I like a delicate stew made with cod fish (Daegu), because I like its subtle deep flavor - cod fish has a mild flavor and white, flaky flesh.  So it is a very popular choice for Korean fish stew.
Also, it will be a great thing to eat after walking in the cold rain - chilly weather and spicy stew are good harmony. I love it!
And don't be scared of the spicy taste. If you eat Kimchi, you can eat spicy Maeuntang. Don't worry about it. 

For a minutes, let me explain 'Daegu Maeuntang'. 
'Maeuntang' is, as one might say, 'Maeun' means spicy and 'tang' means stew in Korean.
And 'Daegu' means big mouth, in other words 'Daegu Maeuntang' is big mouth fish stew. So Funny!
Enjoy the big mouth fish stew  :-)


(Fish stew is in the Le Creuset warming dish)

How to make it?  (I used cod instead of red snapper)
Click!      http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/maeuntang


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Spinach Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

I love pesto on homemade pasta or even toasted bread - delicious!

Usually, I like to add it to pasta dishes, because pasta has always been an easy food I could cook  :-)
This homemade spinach pesto is easy to make, packed full of healthy ingredients, and looks so pretty.  Also, it is a great  way to use spinach or fresh herbs - It's an absolutely fantastic way to use herbs. Yum.  Nothing better!

Look at this!

Spinach pesto pasta is a lot of green but, it's seriously so good - like super yum, lick the bowl clean  :-)

Spinach pesto is magic. I mean, it has a lot of uses - make this all purpose pesto sauce and serve with pasta, bread and salad... It is a magical ingredient!

Also, it will take less than 30 minutes to make and is sure to be loved by any gluten free - veggie craving - green loving - pasta obsessed gal!

How to make a spinach pesto?
http://www.food.com/recipe/speedy-spinach-pesto-176624


How to make a spinach pesto pasta with shrimp?

Ingredients
8 oz     shrimp
1/2 t     garlic powder
1/2 t     onion powder

extra virgin olive oil
parmesan, to taste
pepper and salt, to taste

1/2 C   chopped onion
1 T        minced garlic
1/2 C   pesto
1 C        cream

Directions
Marinate shrimp in garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, salt and pepper for 15 minutes.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Pan fry shrimp and set aside.
In a same pan stir-fry chopped onion and garlic until brown.
Add the spinach pesto and cream then add pasta and toss to combine.
Add in the shrimp and serve with Parmesan on the side.

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Banana Muffin

Banana muffins are quick, easy, super tasty and relatively guilt-free.
It is one of the best muffins that I've ever made - I have made it a lot of times.
I bake it when I have over ripe bananas - well, it is killing two birds with one stone!
Usually, I reduced the amount of sugar and add some nuts when I baked this muffin. Because eating less sugar and more nuts is a great eating habit!

How to bake it?   There is more than 2400 reviews and great ratings!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/42719/banana-muffins-ii/?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=banana%20muffins%20ii&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe

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Korean BBQ Short Ribs - Galbi Gui

Galbi, also know as Korean BBQ is meaty and flavorful.
Succulent Korean BBQ Short Ribs are easy to make and grill up in minutes, but require marinating for tenderness. So I always marinate the short ribs a day before eating. 
Usually, people call it LA Galbi. So they buy LA Galbi cut of beef.  But I don't want sliced bone part. Because there is some bone dust on the LA Galbi - I have to wash several times and soak in the water for a long time - troublesome job! - So I bought chuck.

If you have never made any Korean food before Korean BBQ Short Ribs is a great dish to start with. Also kids love it and it is a great way to introduce them to an authentic dish from another county that they will enjoy eating.
My Mother used to cook this for our family or when friends came over in Korea. She still cook this dish on holidays like new year's day or Korean Thanksgiving day. So, it brings very special memories of my family.
Well, enjoy Korean BBQ - you will lick your fingers as you eat this.

Refer to   http://mykoreankitchen.com/2013/03/29/la-galbi/
( I replaced apple with Asian pear and pineapple - It help to make tender meat)


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Cake Pops

Valentine's day is just around the corner.
So, I searched for Valentine's day ideas. Actually, I was excited to try a new recipe.
Chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate chip cookies, brownies and cake pops....
I wanted to share sweet treats with my friends, so I chose cake pops. It looks good and easy to wrap it individually.
I started to search for cake pop video clips and watched those with easy and simple recipes. 
Making cake pops is easy and simple. But I didn't make a smooth coating on the cake pops. The melted chocolate was stiff and it made an uneven surface and sometimes the stick came out of the cake ball. OMG!
I tried to make a natural wave pattern on the cake pop surface. It was the best result.

Refer to here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XEBTdJ67i4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ3XfC-5v3Y

According to the video clips, a block of styrofoam makes a really good holder to stick the cake pops in while they are drying. But I didn't have it. So I used a steamer because there are a lot of holes. It's a good tip! - I think a colander is good, too.

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