Short Rib recipe

Since my parents have been away in Florida, (10 weeks and counting) my brother and I haven't had much Korean food. In fact, apart from the occasional instant noodle bowl, I haven't eaten much of the kimchi that my aunt gave me. (That's Cat's mom's way of taking care of us.) 2 weeks ago, Larraine and I had talked about a Korean braised short rib recipe that I hadn't made in ages and promised her the recipe. Then last week my brother mentioned how long it had been since we had those short ribs...too long. So, before I sent Larraine my recipe, I made it. I carefully measured everything and made a couple of adjustments. It was a little on the sweet side, but still delicious. I took some to work for lunch last Saturday. Laura and Claudette happened to be there while I was heating it up, so I offered them a taste. Both of them asked me for the recipe so I thought I should post it. So tender...fall of the bone, yummy goodness. I'll have to make it again soon.

Carolyn's Korean Braised Short Ribs

5lbs short ribs cut into 1 1/2" long pieces. Trim excess fat if very fatty. If the chunks of meat are very large, I cut the meat into smaller chunks, bite sized pieces, still attached to the bone.

3/4 cup dark soy sauce

3 tbsp sesame oil

1/2-2/3 cup brown sugar (to taste) (I used 2/3 cup)

4-6 cloves of garlic minced (I used 6)

1-2 medium onions cut into medium sized slices/chunks

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp korean hot chili flakes ( To taste)

1/2 cup beef stock

Add everything into a big pot, except the stock. I use a LC 5.5qt cast iron dutch oven. I toss all the ingredients together until it's mixed thoroughly. Then I add the stock along the side, careful not to "rinse" the meat.I turn on the heat to medium/low. I heat until everything is bubbling. (Usually about 15-20min) Then I turn the heat down to low, just above minimum. Every 30-40 min, I give the whole mixture a turn. I cook until the meat is so tender it practically falls off the bone. Another 2 hours total. If the sauce gets too reduced, just add a little water and heat, but you should have plenty. When it's nearly finished, skim off the excess fat. (There will be quite a bit) Serve over white rice or garlic mashed potato. Serves 4-5 hungry people,

WS(as in Wah Sing) Book Club

The first WS Book Club (not including Hannah, who's taking the picture)

Our Mascot.

All our various copies of Persuasion.

Lovely Hannah discussing the book with Laurie and Halina.

Absolutely delicious Chicken Pot Pie...Maureen I need that recipe!

Last month, when a gang from WS went to Wah Sing to try the Lobster, we decided to start a book club. We had so many willing participants. Tonight was our first meeting at Maureen's place. Maureen made the most delicious chicken pot pie and salad, and everyone else made an appetizer or dessert. I made my lemon bars and chocolate chip cookies. Our book was Persuasion by Jane Austen. Over wine, tea and yummy food we discussed Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth and 1800's England in Jane Austen's last work. It was a really lovely evening filled with laughter and good conversation. The next meeting is at Anne's in May. The Glass Castle. I'll have to pick up the book soon.

Elijah's 1st birthday party

The birthday boy. How quickly you've grown.Before the festivities begin. How can you tell he's Grandma's boy?

Now that's a good looking family!

Just looking at the buffet again is making me hungry.

Cutting the "Pooh" cake

Grandmas and Grandpas on the Lee side enjoying the food.

Table number 5...the party table. Talia and Marley were animals!

See! Marley and Talia making the rounds, or the other side of the table.

Another great looking family.

We are a happy bunch!

So the day has finally arrived. Elijah celebrated his 1st birthday (a little early Mar.9th) About 100 people showed up. I've never seen so many babies under the age of 1 in one place. So many babies. They even had a blow up bouncing castle for the little kids. Everyone was in their finery. Elijah was a little overwhelmed by the attention. When it came time for him to pick his future, he was paralyzed by the crowd. Eventually, after a good 20 min...he picked the little basketball. Later on they tried to get him to pick another item and again he just sat there. He eventually crawled over the items to get to one of his grandpas.

The food was plentiful, a crazy long buffet line. We all ate till we couldn't fit anymore in. Then they even packed up stuff for us to take home. Everyone was impressed with the cake. I made it there and on display in one piece, so I call it a success!

Happy birthday Elijah! Wishing you a long and happy life. Lots of hugs and kisses, Aunt Carol

Winnie the Pooh

Eunho and Nancy asked me months ago if I would make Elijah's birthday cake. It had to be a big cake, enough to feed 100 people. No small task. I decided on Winnie the Pooh, Elijah reminds me of Winnie. I purchased all the ingredients, and was ready to go. I started to make the layers, then realized, I would be short on baking powder. I needed 4 tbsp...I had exactly 3 tbsp and 1tsp...Ugh! I even knocked on my neighbour's door to hopefully get some, but they weren't home. So in the middle of my baking, I had to go to FreshCo to buy some. Putting the cake together was another thing. Mixing the colours, trying to smooth the icing...if I had another cup of frosting it would have been easier, but at least it turned out okay. It looks better if you don't look too closely. Boy does that thing weigh a ton. Containing 4 pounds of butter, about 2kg of sugar and 12 cups of flour...it's so high that I can't actually close the box's lid. Hopefully everyone likes it.

Charlotte and Elijah

Charlotte loves taking pictures

She's actually pretty good.

He's just gotten his third haircut, in honour of his birthday.

Although I do miss the Elvis wave.

All fresh and clean from a bath...Daddy couldn't resist a squeeze.

I took the day off to prep for Elijah's birthday party. Nancy and Eunho treated me to lunch and dinner...Chick'n'Joy for lunch. It was the first time in ages. The biscuits were so yummy....they tasted like they were baked in butter. That also meant spending some time with Charlotte and Elijah. They are so cute. Charlotte is so funny. Elijah just wants to walk...he's so close. If you hold his hands, he takes off on his wobbly legs dragging you behind him. It was a lovely afternoon.

Yummy Pizza!

Last week, for Nelson's birthday, we went to an Italian pizza place called Pizzeria Libretto on Ossington. I'd have a picture, but I forgot my camera that day and Ron has yet to send me the picture of my pizza I had begged him to take. The claim to fame for this place was that it makes pizza just like they make in Italy (Naples specifically). They have imported a special oven that cooks the pizza at a whopping 850F for only 90 seconds. The crust is thin, tinged with black on the edge but soft and tender in the middle. Instead of being completely dried out, it is slightly wet in the middle and completely delicious. Even now, I'm dreaming about it.
When I was at work yesterday, I mentioned to Antonella this new "place" I had tried and she immediately said "I told you about that place! It's the closest pizza to what I've had in Italy.":) Then she mentioned another place Queen Margarita on Queen near Greenwood that has the same oven, but they take reservations. That's so close to Diana, Sooky, and Mark and Mer...I may have to convince them to try it. (Antonella also mentioned Marcello's, her favourite Italian restaurant in the city...St Clair and Dufferin...I have to try that one too!) Anyone interested in joining me?