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Thanksgiving Feast

November 25, 2009 in Uncategorized by OSO | 2 comments

ETA: I totally forgot to post this last night after I finished writing it. Oops.

Well, I’ve spent the last half hour prepping my Thanksgiving 2009 Plan of Attack since we are D minus 2 days from the big feast, and without a plan, I couldn’t pull this off. Here’s what the menu will include:

Appetizers:
Artichoke dip
Veggie tray with hummus
Relish tray including home-canned dilly beans

Dinner
Turkey (duh)
With Stuffing (also duh for our family)
Classic Sweet Potato Casserole (more like dessert than a side dish)
Corn Casserole (my MIL’s recipe and very corn pudding-like)
Mashed Potatoes (with lots of butter and milk)
Green Beans Almandine (hands down the healthiest thing on the dinner menu)
Cranberry Apple Relish (wait, this may actually be healthier than the beans)
Bacon with Brussels Sprouts (Mr. Shoe loves brussels sprouts. I don’t. But even I can tolerate brussels sprouts if they’re bathed in bacon-y goodness)
Gravy
Rolls (because why NOT have a few more carbs)

Beverages
Sparkling apple cider garnished with pomegranate seeds
Red Wine (no, I can’t be more specific, I don’t know what we’re drinking yet)

Dessert
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cream cookies
Dutch Apple Pie
Whipped Cream (why yes, this is a dish in and of itself)

I’m full already.

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Food Bank-Making Good on My Promise

November 24, 2009 in Uncategorized by OSO | 2 comments

Firstly, between work and now this post, I feel like I’ve been writing my fool head off all night. Secondly, there are worse feelings. I actually kind of like writing now that I have some critical distance on Dante’s seventh circle graduate school and I’m no longer required to spew forth academic nonsense on command. Incidentally, for those of you academics and recovering academics out there, have you seen this Random Academic Sentence Generator from the University of Chicago? It’s hilarious, although it brings back memories of that intense terror that I’m the only person in the classroom that doesn’t know what the hell is going on. So yeah, funny in a traumatic kind of way. Ha?

So summary of previous paragraph: writing = good, graduate school = v. expensive therapy

Right. Moving on.

I took Sweet Girl down to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank today to drop off some food per our previous conversation. We had never been down there before, and I was thoroughly impressed by what I saw. The people there were so kind and helpful, and took the time to talk to us despite the fact that they were noticeably busy. When they gave away Christmas baskets last year, they gave away 1 million pounds of food in two days. I can’t get my head around that number. They typically have about 3 million pounds of food stored away at any given time. They have a HUUUUGE warehouse that we got to see, and they have massive scales to weigh it all as it arrives. I have to admit that I teared up when I walked into the warehouse. It was SO MUCH FOOD. And our donation of about 30 pounds was so small. And despite all that food, people still don’t have enough to eat. I can’t get my head around that either. I am BEYOND privileged (I refuse to say ‘blessed’ because despite my currently ambivalent religious leanings, I refuse to believe that God ‘blesses’ some with enough to eat and then would rather the rest of us starve). My daughter is growing up with all she needs and then some. It is our responsibility to give what we can, and it is our responsibility to foster that little seed of generosity in our child. So we’re going to look into some opportunities there to volunteer where Sweet Girl can participate. They’re apparently starting up a young kid’s program at the food bank, and we’ll see if it’s something she can be a part of. Again, throwing this out to the locals: anyone else interested in joining up? Or maybe the local Columbus bloggers could host a food drive for them? Or something? Help me out here, peeps.

Finally, I’ve been telling Sweet Girl about all the things you guys do to give back and help the hungry. She likes that. She asks some questions while we talk, but it’s obvious she’s thinking about all of this and taking it all in. I know it’s a lot to ask a nearly 3-year old to think about. Hell, it’s a lot for me to think about, too. But I want her to know that there are lots of good people in this world who do good things, and that she has the potential to do her own good things to make a sometimes crappy world a little better. And if that resonates with her? Well, what more could I ask for?

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Generous Beyond Her Years

November 19, 2009 in Uncategorized by OSO | 9 comments

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about being Mama to my darling girl is the joy of watching her personality emerge and grow. Over the course of the past three years there have been several of these moments where she catches me completely off guard with her observations, where she gives me glimpses of the person she is and the person she’s going to become. It’s hits me in the gut each time, and it’s absolutely humbling. This little person is amazing and beautiful and so very much her own person, and I’m overwhelmed by my love for her.

Let me get to today’s story. I’ve been struggling for weeks now to be patient with Sweet Girl while she eats. She’s a frustratingly slow eater, precisely as I was when I was a child (yes, karma’s a b*tch, and yes, my parents think this is hysterical, haha…ha…) We remind her to keep eating, we try to help her eat, we remind her some more, but she’d rather be doing a million other things and then snack later, which is a habit we don’t want to encourage. We’re working on some ways to handle this better, and today, after getting quite upset with her because breakfast had taken nearly an hour and a half, I sat her down and started to explain why it is so very important for her to take the time to eat. She needs the food to grow big and strong; carrots help her eyes see better; milk helps her bone grow strong; you know the schpiel. Anyways, I decided to explain to her that she’s very lucky to have delicious food available and that there’s little boys and girls out there who aren’t as fortunate and don’t have food to eat, and some don’t even have a place to live . Yes, a few weeks shy of 3 years old is perhaps early to begin this very important discussion; however, she’s a very astute little girl and today seemed as prudent a time as any to mention it.

After we talked a little more, I could see the wheels turning in her head. I waited, and she finally said “Mama, can I give food to the little boys and girls who have no food to eat?” “Wow, Sweet Girl, I think that that’s a really fantastic idea.”

“Mama, can I give them someplace to live, too?”

“You can, honey. There’s special groups of people who help little boys and girls who have no food and no place to live, and we can bring them food and other things to give to those little boys and girls. Would you like to do that?”

“Yes, mama, I want to do that.”

“Well, the next time we go to the grocery store, how about we pick up some extra food to give them?”

“Okay, let’s do that.”

You know, this next month is going to be chaotic at best, and it’s SO damn easy for me to lose track of how Thanksgiving and Christmas are as much about giving back as they are specifically for our own enjoyment. Leave it to my daughter to bring that front and center for us. We’re going to buy food, and we’re going to take her to a food pantry for her first exercise in service. May she always be as generous in heart and spirit, and may I have the wisdom and humility to continue to learn from her.

What I’d really like to tell her is that I asked you all to undertake the same task to buy some extra food for local families who need it. Perhaps this is something you already do, which is awesome; I’d like to tell her that, too. Perhaps this is something you’d like to do, but needed an extra nudge, like I did, to put it on the priority list. Locals, who would like to come with us this weekend to drop off food? Non-locals, would you be willing to organize something similar among your friends and neighbors? I can’t think of a better use of this blog than to turn her idea into something bigger than what our little family can do. And I think I’ll forego the new recipe idea this year for spending a little extra time and money on those less fortunate than ourselves.

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Confessions of a Procrastinator

November 18, 2009 in Uncategorized by OSO | 4 comments

Dude, I have GOT to stop waiting until 11:30 to start writing these posts. Starting much earlier, however, would break with my tradition as master procrastinator. I routinely waited until the last minute to write papers both in undergrad and grad school (not to say I didn’t do my research beforehand, it was just the writing that I put off) and only once did this truly backfire and bite me in the ass with a mediocre grade. I routinely wait until the last possible moment to pack (this backfired once when I forgot to pack underwear for a visit to the in-laws’). I routinely wait until the last possible moment to leave for the airport (this nearly backfired recently when I forgot Sweet Girl’s passport and we had to go back to the house to get it). I routinely wait until the last possible moment to leave for meetings and appointment (this backfires all the friggin’ time). For all that my anal type-a personality wants things done a certain way don’t you DARE think about deviating from My Plans, I work most efficiently and most effectively under ridiculous deadlines. (And yes, I know that this means my personality conflicts with itself; even on my best days it’s like Ringling Brothers’ around here.)

So anyways, it has come to pass that I will be hosting Thanksgiving this year for the in-laws, which actually is fine, I quite enjoy making Thanksgiving dinner. And typically, I will dash around like a crazy person the last two days before Thanksgiving trying to gather recipes from all across creation and the internet, collect all the ingredients from sundry stores around town, defrost the damn turkey in time to bake it for Thanksgiving not Christmas, and so on and so forth. I do, however, occasionally see the wisdom in trying to work slightly in advance of T minus 2 seconds from a deadline. In an effort to get my shit together before next Thursday, I’m soliciting your help for recipes. Yeah, we do the turkey and the mashed potatoes and gravy and all the normal stuff, but each year I like to add something new and interesting and hopefully edible to the spread. Last year it was maple-glazed acorn squash (they were pretty meh); the year before that it was pumpkin cream cookies (there were none of these left over because I was busy hording them in my cheeks like a chipmunk sharing them with my guests); a couple of years before that we had artichoke dip for an appetizer (if artichokes weren’t so expensive I’d bathe in this stuff). It doesn’t have to be anything terribly complicated, just delicious. So tell me, what would you suggest I add to the mix? Oh, and if there’s interest, I’m happy to post some recipes of dishes that have gone over well with the crowd here in years past, just say the word.

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Top Ten Asian Restaurants in Columbus

September 10, 2009 in Uncategorized by OSO | 4 comments

We’re back from yet another weekend out of town, this time spent at the in-laws’. I’m DONE traveling for this summer. I love it deeply, but I desperately need a break from packing and unpacking the same suitcases again and again. Now that we’re staying put for a while, I should be able to post more regularly. It’s amazing how hard it is to pen a coherent post when you’re busy wondering whether or not you remembered to pack underwear.

On to the real reason for this post! It’s Restaurant Week courtesy of the folks over at Dine Originals Columbus, which means that lots of amazing, locally-owned restaurants are offering some pretty spectacular pre-fixe menus for $20.09 or $30.09. It’s one of my favorite local events, and I try to make it point to hit at least one restaurant I’ve never tried during Restaurant Week. BUT, and this is a big but, the restaurants featured in this week-long event lean heavily towards Western cuisine. In fact, there isn’t a single Asian restaurant on the list, and as I’m half Chinese, you can imagine this bugs me a bit.

So to do my part to help promote the locally-owned Asian restaurants in Columbus, I’ve generated a list of the top places every Columbus local (and all you visitors, too!) should hit. These aren’t chain restaurants, and quite a few are mom and pop run establishments that serve excellent, authentic food. And what’s really cool is that at each of these restaurants, you will routinely see lots of people of the same ethnicity as the type of cuisine being served, which to me is a necessary measure of authenticity. Anyways, on with the list. In no particular order, here are the Top 10 Asian Restaurants in Columbus:

1) Pad Thai-3589 Refugee Rd–It took 4 years living in Columbus to discover this little gem, tucked away in a non-descript shopping center. The food here is the most authentic Thai food we’ve found in Columbus, it’s reasonably-priced, and the owners are delightful. Try the Pad Thai, Penang Curry, and the Yum Woon Sen while you’re there.

2) Indochine Cafe-561 S. Hamilton Rd.–This family-run restaurant was originally located on Main Street until they moved to their new, renovated Hamilton Road location. They feature Vietnamese and Laotian cuisine, and they often cook up daily specials not listed on the menu so be sure to ask. I have no hesitation walking into this restaurant and asking for “whatever is good today” confident I’ll get a great meal. Prices are amazing, and our family of two and a half can easily walk out of there stuffed to the gills for under $25. Try the Summer Rolls, Pho, and Chicken Wings (seriously, the marinade on these is to die for).

3) Akai Hana-1173 Old Henderson Rd.–Akai Hana, previously known as Restaurant Japan, is hands-down the local favorite for Japanese food. The food is authentic and fresh, the waitstaff courteous and friendly, and the atmosphere warm and inviting. They run daily lunch and dinner specials, and for Japanese food, the prices are reasonable. This is a popular local spot and it’s wise to phone ahead to get a reservation on weekends. Try the Sukiyaki, Nabeyaki Udon, or any of the sushi menu items.

4) Yau’s China Bistro-1493 N. High St.–For those of you Columbus locals who have been around some time, you may remember Yau’s as Wong Gei, which was located farther north on high street directly across from OSU’s campus. The menu mostly features Cantonese cuisine, and you’ll find many an Asian college student camped out in here on any night of the week. The atmosphere is very casual, but the service is great, and the food carries all the flavors of home that I miss. Try the Roast Pork Wonton Noodle Soup, House Tofu, or Singapore Rice Noodles while you’re there.

5) Ba Sho-2800 Festival Lane Center–I love this restaurant for how it makes me feel like I’m in Japan while I’m there. The space is quite small, but features some tatami-style seating, and a Japanese ambience that’s hard to find in Columbus. There’s a hot menu as well as a sushi menu, but while you’re there, look around to see what everyone else is eating, because there’s an extensive menu in Japanese for the Japanese clientele. If you see something you like, don’t hesitate to ask for it! Try the Katsu Don, Hiyashi Chuka (in the summer months only), or any of the sushi bar items.

6) Bayleaf India Bistro-1025 Polaris Parkway–One of my favorite restaurants in Columbus, Bayleaf is a relatively new addition to the Columbus food scene. The restaurant staff is hospitable, and the food is awesome. The dining room is spacious and beautiful, and eating there is overall just a nice experience. When they get busy, the food can get a little bit slow, but I’ve noticed over the past months that this has improved dramatically. Stop by for the lunch buffet, or try the Tarka Dal, Samosas, or Biryani while you’re there.

7) Cuisine of India-8475 Sancus Blvd.–This restaurant was recently introduced to me by a friend of mine who works in its vicinity. The staff was extremely helpful, and offered us an entree on the house the first time we visited simply, I think, because they recognized that we were new to the restaurant. Authentic flavors, great service, delicious food; what more could you ask for? Try the Tandoori Chicken, Gosht Tikka Masala, or any of their vegetarian entrees.

8) Taste of Bali-2548 Bethel Rd.–If you’ve never tried Indonesian food, Taste of Bali is the place to go. The restaurant is quaint, the waitstaff friendly and helpful, and the food interesting and tasty. We’ve always had great service at Taste of Bali, and each time we go, we try something new as neither my husband nor I are particularly familiar with Indonesian cuisine. The sampler platters are a great way to experience the flavors and textures of a cuisine many don’t have the opportunity to try.

9) Ka-Ya Korean BBQ-4710 Reed Rd.–Ka-Ya is another new-to-me restaurant which boasts the only real Korean BBQ in Columbus. Prices are a little high for the experience, but definitely worth trying if you’ve never had it before. The food is cooked at the table and served with traditional Korean side dishes, and is especially nice on a cold winter’s night. They serve a variety of other traditional Korean dishes, and have a sushi bar as well. The staff at this restaurant may seem brusque at first, but warm up very quickly to conversation and are very helpful in deciding what to order.

10) Min-Ga Korean Restaurant-800 Bethel Rd.–Min-Ga is an unassuming little restaurant located in yet another Central Ohio strip mall, and it is absolutely delightful. Service is friendly and fast, and the food is SO unbelievably good. As with all Korean food, entrees are served with small portions of traditional Korean side dishes, and there’s plenty of drool-worthy options on the menu. Try the Bulgogi, Dolsot Bibimbap, or Duk Mandu Guk.

If I were a food blogger, this post could have been enough material to spread out over weeks. But I’m not, and I wanted everything to be in one convenient location for easy reference. I was thinking, if there’s enough interest (has anyone even read this far?), perhaps the locals around here would want to do a 10-week Asian Dine Around Columbus Tour, and I could report back the results with pictures and more detailed descriptions. Any takers?

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