My Korean Meal at Home

To complete #77 of my 101 Challenge, I prepared a Korean meal at home last month.  I will say, the meal wasn't terribly traditional, but it did have all Korean dishes.  Usually there is a main dish with meat, plain rice, soup, and side dishes and kimchi, but we improvised for our lunch.

We had buddae chiggae (army stew), jjajangmyeon (the black bean noodles), and bokempop (mixed fried rice).  I used what I wanted to from two soup recipes I found online, the jjajangmyeon was purchased from a nearby Chinese restaurant, and the bokempop was made from a  recipe our Korean sister Alice wrote for us in 2008.

My parents, my sister, and her boyfriend all said everything was pretty good!  I would have used less gochujang and less Spam in the stew (to make it less spicy and less salty, respectively), but it was good.  I really liked getting to have Korean foods again!  So yummy!

A very loose bokempop recipe:

Recommended for Memorial Day Weekend + Petunias in Trouble!

Guys, this week I found aphids on my petunias!  I washed them off in the shower, and then sprayed them with a water + dish detergent mixture to keep them away.  The mixture is only effective when wet, so I made some more to use again just yesterday, but I must have put in too much dish detergent, because look at them now!

New Restaurants in 2014

As part of my 101 in 1,001 Challenge, I wanted to visit and review 10 new restaurants in Atlanta over the 1,001 days.  I didn't expect to finish this challenge within 4 months!

I'm so thankful for Scoutmob and for all the deals we got to use to get 50% off our checks.  That made this challenge a lot easier on the bank.  Another perk: Caleb and I both have new favorite restaurants!  He can't get enough of Noni's meatball sub, and I would rather go to Miso Izakaya than almost anywhere else.  Anyway, here are quick blurbs on the ten!

What We're Up To

Anyone else feel like this EVERY Monday morning?

A few things from over here:

My 3 Spring Bollywood Movies

I made sure to include Bollywood movies in my 101 in 1,001 challenge, because I know they make me happy.  The colors, the drama, the nonsensical plot developments, and the pretty people.  The first Bollywood film I ever saw, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, hooked me.  I later watched a couple on YouTube on my own, saw Slumdog Millionaire, a friend introduced me to Monsoon Wedding, and then in Korea I found a Bollywood friend who took me back to the legitimate Bollywood scene once more.

Thanks to Netflix, I was able to watch these three films commercial free!  (Thanks, Netflix!)

Band Baaja Baaraat (Band, Horns, and Revelry)

A guy and a girl become business partners in wedding planning!  This means that you get to see loads of Indian weddings in this movie, which is one reason why I liked it so much.  Another is how close and personal you get with some of the more intimate details of India like the back alleys and some of the wedding traditions.  I found the plot progression to be less melodramatic, too, which makes it an excellent entry Bollywood film for people who are interested.

Atlanta's Food Truck Park!

Last month, on one of our dates, Caleb and I headed to Atlanta's Food Truck Park for lunch, then to Piedmont Park for dog watching and frisbee throwing, then to Honey Pig in Duluth for Korean BBQ (and making out in the car).

I wish I had gotten to experience a bit more at the Food Truck Park, but we did hit up three trucks in 20 minutes, so I think I shouldn't be too hard on myself.  Also, we plan to go back soon!  I can't wait, because I'm pretty sure the Indian food truck was calling my name last time!

Top left counter-clockwise: Loaded tots from Spiedie Zone, Rice bowl with avocado and cucumber added from Bento Bus, The Bento Bus, and a chocolate sea salt pop from King of Pops

Carpool Pictures

I'm very proud that Caleb and I have been able to fare just fine with one car between us for the last 7.5 months.  I work a mile away from our apartment, so I take the car on weekdays, and Caleb makes his 45 minute commute with a work buddy.  This week, though, Work Buddy is at a conference in the Midwest.  Thankfully Caleb's work gives him flexible hours, so he'll be driving me to work at 8:30 in the morning, heading to work himself, then leaving early so he can pick me up around 5:30.

While Caleb's busy driving, he is completely vulnerable to my camera.  He is also terribly handsome.  So, this happens.