It's been a long time...

since the last time I posted (or cooked), but anyhow, this Spring has been all about nostalgia. I usually try saving face by not attempting Chinese food because who can cook better than my mother? Rhetorical. I miss home; I miss Chinese food; I miss my mother, so Chinese food it was. (Plus, Chinese restaurants in Ithaca always fail to please my palate and never fail to upset my stomach--what a lose-lose situation). On this particular night, Mickey and I noshed on Corn Soup and Cold Sesame Noodles--two of my favorite, homestyle Chinese dishes.



Part 1



Part 2

Cream Corn Soup

1 can cream corn
1 cup chicken broth
1 large beaten egg
1 tsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp sesame oil
Salt & Pepper
Green onions for garnish

Pour cream of corn and chicken broth into a soup pot and heat until boiling. Turn down the heat to a simmer and stir in beaten egg. Continue simmering for a few minutes. Mix cornstarch and water to form a viscous liquid. Stir liquid into the soup and let soup simmer for a few more minutes. Add sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Garnish with slices of green onions.

Peanut Sesame Noodle

1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp red chili flakes
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tsp sesame oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic water
1/2 pound dried spaghetti
1 small sliced cucumber
1 bundle sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1 Tbsp sesame seeds

Heat the peanut butter in a microwave so that it is warm and pliable. Mix in soy sauce, sugar, red chili flakes, vinegar and sesame oil. Mince two cloves of garlic and mix with a few tablespoons of water. Let it sit while cooking the spaghetti. In a medium pot, cook thin spaghetti for about 6-7 minutes until al dente. After draining the spaghetti, drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the top and toss noodles together. Mix in garlic water without the garlic pieces into the peanut sauce. Toss vegetables together with noodles and let chill before serving. Top noodles with peanut sauce, chopped peanuts, and sesame seeds when serving. (Adapted from Everyday Food).

I must cease delaying my paper writing.

Tastespotting!