I managed to get through it. I survived it. I'm stronger for it. God answered a lot of amazing prayers for me and now it's 2011.
2011 is a big year for me in terms of many things. It is the year of my 10th wedding anniversary to Husband. We've been a couple since 1994 but didn't marry until much later. 10 years of being officially married is 2011. I turn 40 in 2011. Daughter #2 starts kindergarten in 2011. I will finally send Son, with all of his numerous allergies, to pre-school in 2011.
What it sounds like is a lot of parties should be had. I mean - a LOT. I want a few parties to celebrate my 40th birthday, a nice quiet intimate dinner with Husband for our ten year anniversary, and I think the day that all the kids are off to school - I may have my own private party in my own house celebrating my solitude. (Unfortunately for me it is only 3 hours of solitude, but hey - I will take THAT!) I imagine myself on that day, being alone, at home, with all the peace and quiet around me, pulling up a barstool, sitting down and pouring myself the tallest cup of something...(most likely coffee or chai tea, but it could be something stronger depending on how hard it was getting three kids to three different schools) and enjoying peace and quiet.
Only I don't have any home bar furniture. We don't have a bar either. We still live in our wonderfully comfortable home that I am dying to redecorate from top to bottom the next chance I get. I have no fancy kitchen, no fancy living room, no dining room furniture and no bar with bar stools. I don't really miss all the trappings of a fully decked out house - only when I think about that first day when Son and Daughters are all out of the house and I am alone.
Perhaps I'll order some barstools before that day. I'll get something befitting an-almost-40 year old who has all three kids off to school. Not sure what that looks like but I'll figure it out.
Now my wonderful readers - I want to celebrate surviving 2010 with you! Writing the blog, interacting with all of you through email and my facebook page has been really encouraging, wonderful and fun. It has been one of the ways that helped me get through a really hard year. I want to celebrate a year of cooking, living wonderfully with family and celebrating all the great things that you've accomplished this year. So, with the help of CSN stores who are sponsoring this fabulous giveaway, I am giving away $65 gift certificate valid at ANY of their stores. (Personally, I love this store...All Modern.)
Unfortunately this blog giveaway is only open to those who have a US or Canadian shipping address due to CSN shipping restrictions. (However, if you dont't live in either of those places but do have family or friends who live there who would be willing to hold on to your item for you, please enter!)
Blog Giveaway Details celebrating 2011!!
To enter to win a $65 gift certificate from CSN stores... you MUST do the following:
Leave a comment below telling what was the best dish you cooked from the blog in 2010. (please leave me some way of knowing who you are and how to get in contact with you in the event that you win.)
For an extra entry - Facebook!
You can have an extra entry if you take a picture of a dish that you made from Week of Menus and post the photo on the Week of Menus Facebook Page. Leave a comment below letting me know that you've posted a photo. (previous photos do not count. Post something new) THIS IS an EXTRA COMMENT from the one above.
A winner will be chosen at random on FRIDAY, January 14 at midnight.
(I am a former high school English Teacher, so I am bit of a stickler for rules. Entries which do not follow the instructions will be disqualified.)
Can't wait to hear all the wonderful celebrations!
Posts
97 comments:
Horseradish Garlic Crusted Prime Rib! -Jieun (jieungracechai@yahoo.com)
Macaroni and cheese. My Dad loved it and he only ever liked the kind from a box (so my mom was really impressed too) and my daughter asks for it all the time. (emilia.park@yahoo.com)
hmmm....favorite dish? how can i just put one? lots of mochi cake made....lots of asian bow tie salad...the salmon agrodolce was yummy...the green bean salad fantastic....do i qualify if i don't pick one, mrs. choi?
Posted a picture of the sweet potato pie I made for my mom's birthday at our Thanksgiving dinner gathering in Maui. -Jieun (jieungracechai@yahoo.com)
Asian Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Made all the fixings, too--my 2 year old ate all of the pickled shallots!--Liz (elizabeth.chang@gmail.com)
The dish I've made the most is a tie between several of your mochi cakes(chocolate mocha, pumpkin, berry, and green tea) and the roasted broccoli pasta-both have become family faves!
I love reading your blog entries since as a stay at home mom I can relate a lot to what you go through. Thank you for sharing what's ahead of you and your family this exciting 2011.
It's really tough to pick my favorite out of all the favorites (VB Mochi cake, Doffins, Spicy Asian slaw, your wonderful chicken dishes, Asian Salmon, and much more) but the most recent dish I made for family dinner was the highlight - Horseradish Garlic Crusted Prime Rib.
Lydia @ lovefortea@gmail.com
I modified one of your lighter mochi cake recipes using the ingredients I happened to have on hand... and ended up eating most of it myself. (-''-) Huzzah for surviving 2010, and 새해 복 많이 받으세요! ^^
oh my gosh... to narrow down just one dish is difficult. i made so many wonderful dishes from your blog in 2010. but i guess what i'm most proud of is the "Korean Spicy Green Onion and Beef Soup Yuk-gae-jahng (육개장)" that i was able to make. it was incredibly delicious, so much flavor and your step by step tutorial helped me create something really close (if not better) to what my mom makes. thank you for everything, especially the inspiration you give to me with all you have going on in life! here's to a wonderful 2011! cheers!
I made Soy Reduction Glazed Chicken - it ws great!
Sharon (tivon1@gmail.com)
I've liked almost everything from the blog but I think the dish that the whole family really enjoyed was the asian bow tie pasta salad. I've made it several times and every time I do the kids thank me for the meal in addition to my spouse and there are no left overs!
Sandy Lee (peterjakesd@yahoo.com)
my absolute favorite dish I made was the asian chicken pasta salad with the spinach and bell peppers! It was a hit at many a party. (lisayim817@gmail.com)
Korean sweet potato pie which was my very first attempt at making a pie. It was delicious. My co-worker and I both made it over Turkey Day for our families.
I got the most compliments for your Asian salmon. I made it for two dinner parties and both times everyone raved about it.
I like the apple maple glazed roasted drumsticks.
hewella1 at gmail dot com
I made your Roasted Garlic Potatoes for breakfast and all four kids ate until full.
The horseradish garlic crusted prime rib was definitely my favorite.
lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
Definitely the dairy free, egg free donut muffins. I have a son who is allergic to these ingredients, and I made this recipe and he devoured them. Awesome!!! I made them slightly less healthy though- because I dropped small balls of batter and fried them (like donut holes) and then rolled them in powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar. AMAZING! Thank you! (eileenchang@ymail.com)
Hi Joanne, I'm a longtime reader and I love drooling over your food pictures. The mochi cakes were a big hit, as were the spicy sesame noodles. Thanks for investing in this site; your efforts are appreciated by many, I'm sure.
(bonniekim108@yahoo.com)
The Roasted Garlic Potatos, yum!
My friend introduced me to your website back in November 2010 and I've been making at least one dish a week from your website. I made the Sausage, Broccoli, Tomato, Basil Pasta yesterday and my daughter loved it so much she asked to bring it for lunch today. I've made mutiple mochi cakes since November and always a hit. The hot crab dip is to die for but my MOST favorite is the Braised Korean short ribs. I don't think I've ever spend so much time on one dish before but so worth it. Thank you for all the awesome recipes you share. Can't wait to see what 2011 will bring.
The simplest recipes are always the best. Ever since I made the salt and pepper chicken wings my son asks for it so often that we end up having it almost once a week.
Hi Joanne! How can I pick just ONE favorite dish? Perhaps the one dish that my husband really likes is the simple cornbread stuffing recipe. So delicious and easy to make! Our family also loves the Korean bbq flank steak recipe. A definite crowd-pleaser. Thank you for making my life simpler with your wonderful recipes.
the broccoli and garlic were a HUGE hit as well as the scalloped potatoes! Thanks so much! (kellymin@gmail.com)
I love making the beyond velvet cupcakes. they are my go-to thing to bring to parties! everyone loves them every time. (wang.sarahb@gmail.com)
I also posted a picture on FB.
A favorite recipe? It's like asking me to pick my favorite child?! Well ok, garlic scallion noodle! Kids love it too! ~shoy
Trying to be a "good Korean", I made Dduk gook per your recipe for New Year's day for my family and friends. We were scraping the bottom of the pot by the end of the meal, it was so yummy. (hannahPTL@yahoo.com)
I'm celebrating my 10 year anniversary too this year. Congrats to you! I love all the Korean dishes. My husband and kids especially love the soy marinated chicken wing recipe. The sausage stuffing got rave reviews for Thanksgiving. But I have to say I have made at least 5 batches of the green tea mochi cakes because people can't get enough of them. I gave them as part of a treat box as gifts for family. Everyone has asked for the recipe. Thank you and Happy New Year!
I made Ginger-braised Chicken! 닭찜! It became one of my go-to dishes, and it makes me feel like I'm back at home eating my mom's amazing cooking. It's always shocking when I realized I made it myself with the help of your recipe. :D
[whang.hannah@gmail.com]
My favorite of 2010 has to be the momofuku style brussel sprouts dish. I thought the pecan rolos were easy to make, but this one comes close...thanks so much for your heart-felt, candid blog entries. Your recipes are loved by our entire family. Happy New Year! ~Esther Swanston
eswanston at gmail dot com
your firecracker shrimp recipe was to die for!!! Julie
(rjca.bae@gmail.com)
Most of the new recipes I tried this year were from your blog! A few of my favorites were yuk-gae-jang, pumpkin mochi cake, and I get so many rave reviews about the hot spinach artichoke dip (which is so easy to make!).
Thanks for blogging -- keep it up! :)
hannahk203 at gmail dot com
hmm. I've made a lot of wonderful dishes since I have discovered your blog last year. One of my favorites that I have shared with my family is your mochi cake. :) it is so simple to make and so delicious. My mom and aunts have all asked for the recipe and I have directed them to your blog. :) Thank you for your blog! I am so happy I found your blog, I have learned so much from it and still learning. aleeesah@yahoo.com)
I think the Asian bow tie pasta salad was my favorite.
Mochi cake!
MMM. BEYOND Velvet Cupcakes.
pbjmama(at)gmail(dot)com
mmm, mochi cake! my family and friends request it all the time :) (jseung@gmail.com)
Your eggrolls hands down. Everyone loves them here in NL. I actually leave out the meat and just add more noodles and veggies. For easter 2010 for fun i had an 'egg'roll party. It was a hit thanks to you! (amydebeer@yahoo.com)
Sour Cream Orange Cranberry Crumb Muffins! -Rena (Renaseo@gmail.com)
Just wanted to say I posted a picture of your sweet potato topped with apple and pear dish on the FB page. That is the first time I've successfully put up a picture! Sandy Lee
We liked the Roasted Garlic Potatoes made with cornstarch, thyme, and no lemon zest because I didn't have any. Great recipe!
blondie_31971(at)yahoo(dot)com
Definitely, definitely pumpkin mochi! I made it 3 times in the last week of 2010!!!
(melissaahn@hotmail.com)
Kalbi Jjim - we live in Korea right now and are mastering the art of our favs (with your help).
cmoliver1019@gmail.com
Posted a picture on FB page. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes!
One Dish Complete Pasta Meal! I have other dishes that I love but I must pick this one b/c this was loved by all! My little toddler, my picky eater husband and all the guests who fought for the last bite in the wok.
I really appreciate your posting Korean and Asian dishes, which is the reason I started following your blog. But the thing my friends enjoyed most? Oatmeal Toffee Pecan Chocolate Cookies!! (gracethroughchocolate@gmail.com)
I love to bake. So I was excited to try your Blueberry Mini Mochi Cake. Loved it! And so did my friends.
Wow - just one favorite. Hmmmm. It would have to be the Chocolate Pan Cake. I love it every way and every day! I have made it as cupcakes with chocolate frosting, cupcakes with vanilla frosting, layer cake, birthday cake, holiday cake with peppermint shavings...I even sold one for $30 for a fundraiser. You name it, I will try it because that cake is THE BEST!!!!! I have so many photos...I will attempt to post at least one.
(gloriatathome@yahoo.com)
Hi there! This is Grace (Bella's mom from Christian's 1st Birthday). . .I have to say that I have made many things from your blog and my ultimate favorite (among many) is the panzanella salad. I have made it for many functions and everyone absolutely RAVES!
(gracecha@gmail.com)
PS - Bella talks about Bella all the time. Funny how one meeting makes such an impression on a 3 year old!
I just got turned on to your blog a few months ago and have turned to it again and again. I replicated the whole menu from Korean Taco Night for my husband's birthday (except the cookies) and everyone enjoyed everything! The mochi cake is a close second. I can't wait to try more!
So many to choose from. I think I've made your honey soy ginger chicken the most, though. So yummy!
(gill.jin@gmail.com)
I posted a picture on your FB page!
everything mochi! (runningwoman@gmail.com)
Made Mocha Mochi Cake--so easy and yummy! And I added a little Cool Whip on top while it was still warm. It's a WIN! :)
my favorite and my family's favorite is the gal bi jim! 3 generations loved it and gave me thumbs up!
thank you WOM!
I posted a picture on Facebook of the Mocha Mochi cake...it's the first thing I've made from your blog, although I check the blog out quite often. The posts are great...I love how thorough you are and the pictures are really helpful.
I've been wanting to use one of your recipes for a while now, and I was feeling a bit intimidated about making something...haven't baked in a while, but it was so easy! I think I may tackle a dinner next...want to make something special for the hubby!
Thanks Joanne!
(lauraarhoades@gmail.com)
Hi Joanne.....there are soooo many recipes I use over and over again in our household, but I think what we cooked MOST in 2010 would have to be the Honey Soy Stir Fry Chicken. LOVE that dish!! (Sandy from Dallas)
Pumpkin Mochi cake for sure! It was addictive for the whole family. (jaimarsh@cox.net)
Like everyone else, it is really hard to narrow it down to one dish but Lawrence and I really like the sweet, sour, spicy chicken wings. They are soooooo good!
I'm always looking out for recipes that are "less intimidating." I tried the Ginger Garlic Rubbed Chicken with Honey Drizzle Recipe and it was a success! Thank you!
In harmony with my sweet tooth, I'm gonna have to say Vanilla Bean Cupcake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting. Thanks for everything! (jamesnm@whitman.edu)
I LOVE the spice rubbed chicken and the ginger sesame noodles. I made it so often the kids were saying "not this again!"
We loved the Asian Bowtie Salad.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
Today I realized I wasn't following your blog, I check your blog everyday, religiously. Can I blame it on Mommy brain?
I love every oatmeal cookie recipe posted on your blog and Make them every chance I get. But one REAL crowd pleaser and the most memorable dish I made from your blog was hands down the PUMPKIN STUFFED with DELICIOUSNESS. From the choosing of the perfect small pumpkin at the market with my 18month daughter to the preparation of scooping all that yummy filling and seeds during the holidays with family and friends and finally to the table when everyone is around ready to fill their bellies, the whole experience was just awesome. The minute I opened the top of the pumpkin, the steam and smell made my family and friends ooooooooooo and ahhhhhhh! I scraped the insides like you said and mixed the DELICIOUSNESS with extra cheese and plated it for all the guests and everybody loved it, it was amazing! It was like a pumpkin risotto but better! Just a little hint, I did add a drizzle of soy sauce ( the Japanese in me just couldn't resist). I especially loved the comment my friend made to his wife, " why don't you make this kind of stuff for me at home?"... Now THAT is truly a compliment!
Love love love your blog..especially when I'm putting my daughter to sleep and have my iPhone handy with your blog on my screen!!!
My kids and I really enjoyed your Korean beef broth. I followed your recipe to make Moo gook with the broth and it was a great meal for a cold winter day.
I posted a picture of your chocolate mocha mochi cake. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes in 2010!
one dish huh? i think i made soy braised chicken the most times?..and everyone always enjoys it..and the kids love it!!
I have to say that I especially liked the ginger soy glazed bbq drumsticks. It was so easy that even my husband made it following your directions. Delic!
hmmm, original vs pumpkin mochi cake. I guess I'd have to go with original since it was the first recipe my mom asked ME how to make :)
just posted a photo on the fb page. Hope it counts -- it's not new to you, but new to wom. crossing my fingers ;)
It's hard to decide which recipe I loved the most, but I have to say that the korean seaweed soup is one of my favorites, because I had never cooked it that way and it tasted much better. (suelyhkim@gmail.com)
posted a photo of the wings :-)
The best dish I made from the blog was Asian Pulled Pork. It's complicated what I'm about to say, but I got so many dishes out of this single dish. I got the pulled version when I cooked it properly. I got the sliced version when I didn't cook long enough but was still a huge hit with the family because it tasted like Korean Pork Belly except much healthier. And the pickled shallots...became pickled everything! I am not pickling beets with the same idea as the pickled shallots and my kids are eating beets and having competions who's tongue is more red! yay
Hae Sung Whang-Hsu
the asian pulled pork was delicious!!!
the best dish? hmm, that's hard to narrow down. i think the dish i cooked the most due to it's versatility was the soy ginger chicken - used for tacos, v-sandwiches, etc!
Two little words that bring sooooooooo much happiness: Mochi Cake! (SandraChow80@yahoo.com)
I posted a picture on Facebook of Korean Braised Short Ribs, thank you for teaching how to make something I used to think was too daunting! (SandraChow80@yahoo.com)
The best dish I made in 2010 was the Cucumber Salad. It was so delicious and everyone at my party was raving about it! Thanks :)
please contact me at carol dot ly @ gmail dot com.
it would be the chicken briyani- made it for the leaders at my church and they loved it and my sister in law (who is the biggest critic) actually wanted the recipe :) i also made the velvet cupcake and will post on your facebook page if i am able to (i am not great at posting stuff)
(helen0204song@gmail.com
Kalbi chim is on the stove now.. it's on the regular menu of rotating dishes in our home. The kids devour it and your recipe is simple and brings out the best flavor in the beef. Thanks, Joanne!
The beyond velvet cupcakes were my favorite; I'm not into adding food coloring so they were right up my alley!
ecsechrist at gmail dot com
I love your Crispy Chewy Oatmeal Toffee Cookies. My friend (and your friend) Thea made them and told me about your blog and have been hooked on both for the past year. I made the cookies this year as holiday treats for neighbors.
The best dish that I cooked was the soy braised ginger chicken. Happy New Year, and wishing you continued success and blessings!
Esther (email: khk728@hotmail.com)
posted a not so pretty pic (rush to feed the fam) of kahl gooksoo i made today :). it was super delich!
I posted a photo of the soy braised ginger chicken on your facebook page. Thank you for the recipe!
Esther (email: khk728@hotmail.com)
I've posted a photo of the Chicken Kahl-gooksoo I made for dinner. Absolutely delicious and can't wait to have it again!
jcrewphd at gmail
I just posted a picture of the baked pasta and cheese dish on your Facebook page. Talk about great comfort food! Hope I made the deadline. -Esther Yoo Swanston, eswanston@gmail.com
I loved the Mocha Mochi cake!!!
eemoody77 at gmail dot com
made your kalgooksoo for dinner tonight and posted a pic on your Facebook page! Thanks for the opportunity to win! i HEART you and your blog!
It's a toss up between the soy braised Ginger chicken and mochi cake.
The spiced nuts & pretzels (I was inspired to use dark chocolate kisses and almonds instead) to make Christmas gifts. Nothing beats a tasty home-made gift! (soondubu319@gmail.com)
I made your delicious soy braised ginger chicken for my mother-in-law. She loved it! -Esther Yun (estheryun99@gmail.com)
hmm, tough one! i think i'd have to go with the mac and cheese! although i've had your had your ginger soy bbq chicken thighs at HK & KK's house and it was AWESOME. guess that doesn't count since i didn't technically cook it. :)
mochi cake and yookaejang!
soy braised ginger chicken. also reminded me of my mom's home cooking! =)
Pretty helpful material, thanks so much for the article.
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