the perfect bite

As I was eating my Greek Salad today (chopped Romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, olives, feta drizzled with Olive Oil, a dash of Vinegar, some Lemon Pepper and anchovies- which was a last minute decision/bad idea because now I feel sick), I noticed how i was piling on the ingredients onto my fork: two leaves of lettuce, a grape tomato, feta and a green or black olive which makes it "The Perfect Bite".

I first heard this term in The Mirror Has Two Faces when Barbara Streisand is explaining to Jeff Bridges how she makes the perfect bite. Something must be said for this scene to stick with me after 13 years, not even remembering what the movie was about. It has also stuck with my mom and to this day we joke about making "the perfect bite."
Lucky for us, we have Google and the ability to search and find quotes:

     Rose: You're not eating.
     Gregory: No, I'm watching your ritual. I just about got your sequence now.
     You start by rotating the plate counterclockwise ...
     ...cut on the diagonal ... remove unwanted elements ...
     And now comes my favourite part: The loading of the fork.
     It's fascinating, the percentages you use of different vegetables, -
     Rose: -to create that one harmoniously-balanced, perfect bite.

Apparently a lot of people do it, including my friend Jared- whom I got a late lunch with at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Thái So'n. I got my usual... Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong (Spring Rolls & Grilled Pork W. Lettuce On Rice Vermicelli) which was delicious, but Jared got the dish I had thought about trying and chickened out. He ordered the Pho Xe Lua (Combination Extra Big Bowl. Rice Noodles Beef Soup Six Differences Brisket, Navel, Frank, Omosa Tendon & Eye of Round.)

I watched in awe as he tore mint into his bowl, ladled soup with his spoon, added some beef, noodles, and topped it off with some drops of Sriracha and Hoisin Sauce. He repeated this step making each one the Perfect Bite. We discussed it a little further; I agreed with him that any dish with more than 3 ingredients had to be eaten in that way for the full tasting experience.

Here, Jared uses a Big Spoon
I would also like to add how amazing/annoying the service was this time around. I've been going to Thái So'n since High School and introduced friends and family to this restaurant because the food is good, cheap and the service usually speedy/attentive. There used to be a waiter who had a crush on me, and whenever I dined there, he would stare at me and try to talk to me. (You may think I am really full of myself, but I have witnesses; the rest of the table noticed how blatant he was about it too.) Unfortunately he no longer works there, though I did get many 'hellos' as I was waiting for Jared outside. But I digress. Once he arrived, they seated us immediately, as it was only half-full at 3:45pm.

About 45 seconds passed and a man brought us over some tea and asked if we were ready to order. Jared asked for some water and I said we needed some more time as we had JUST sat down. I don't think our menus were even open at that point. I kid you not, in the following 2 minutes, two more waiters came up to us with a pad and pen asking if we knew what we wanted. It was kind of ridiculous; because like I mentioned, it's not like they had to rush us out of there to seat more people. Also, Jared's soup came out about 5 minutes after he ordered. Mine took a little longer but it was still impressive to say the least.

Sick Day

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

Alas, I am sick in bed with a fever and chills. Last night, I made myself a bowl of chicken broth, somen noodles, scallions and the wontons my grandparents made me. It definitely hit the spot:




and check out the new bowl I got from CB2!! Stephen got it for me as part of my Christmas present/"I'm sorry for breaking your favorite plate, here's another one"-gift (Urban Outfitters unfortunately no longer makes the plate I loved so dearly). He also got me a matching dinner and dessert plate which I'll post another time when I cook something up. Thanks again, Steph!

Today, after I woke up with a high fever (it went to 102.6°F 103.4°F at one point), I called my mom telling her I was sick and being the very loving and generous mother she is, came over from Queens in the disgusting rain to bring me medicine, food and orange juice, among a microplane and chill mat for my laptop. Christmas all over again!

Unfortunately I napped most of the day and couldn't stand up long enough to make anything. Luckily she got me baked Cha Siu Baaus (roast pork buns) and a baguette to munch on, but I did manage to make another bowl of soup with the bok choy and ho fun noodles she brought me. I only added a little hoisin sauce for the wontons, aince I can't eat anything too salty or flavorful

Get 'Em While It's Hot and I'm Single!

I made a dozen more mini apple pies and brought them into the office. They were a huge hit!
I was going to swear off baking because several times I've baked goodies, my "significant other" and I broke up soon after. Coincidence? Perhaps. But I'm unattached, so baked goods for everyone!

Also made this little guy with the dough leftover for myself. but the fruit flies got to it that night :(

Oh well, for the best.
****
So for dinner tonight, I made my own version of my favorite dish at Saint's Alp Teahouse. Jaclyn and I order this every single time we go (and it's been many). However, she has been studying in Dublin this semester so I decided to try to recreate it at home. I made it, and realized I forgot the most important and delicious part. the "Braised Succulent Pork Chop". Oh well. I will leave it to the experts.

Here's my version:

-brown rice
-minced pork
-red pepper
-jalapeno
-onion
-egg

-hot sauce (Sriracha)
-hoisin sauce