Gochugaru Girl celebrated her birthday this year by taking tea at Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
This may be the tallest building in the world, but does it serve the best scones in the world?*
Tonkatsu and ‘Bull-Dog’ Sauce
Gochugaru Girl is in possession of a much loved recipe book which she still uses after 25 years.
Madhur Jaffrey’s Far Eastern Cookery* was a godsend in the early days of my culinary explorations. In particular, I had to rely on it to make my own ‘Bull-Dog Sauce’.
Five Minute Salad with Apple Vinegar Dressing
Gochugaru Girl likes her guests to eat well but sometimes it is tricky to work out the quantities of food required on a daily basis.
At this time of the year, with so many visitors arriving and departing, it is easy to lose sight of what is in the refrigerator, and whether it is in a state of perkiness or advanced decay.
Hambleton Bakery West Bridgford
Gochugaru Girl has a cousin who lives in Nottingham. He and his family like fine food as much as the Gochugarus do.
We were introduced to Hambleton Bakery in May when we stayed in West Bridgford for one night, to attend the National Schools’ Regatta.
Saturday Morning Waffles
Gochugaru Girl and Mr Gochugaru have three children. They are referred to in this blog as Junior 1, Junior 2 and Junior 3. They are all sporty, and they are all super.
We had to wake up even earlier than usual this morning in order to drop Junior 3 for the start of his latest boat race (technically called a regatta). Upon returning home, we had the luxury of making one of our favourite breakfasts.
Cheese and Gochugaru Scones
Gochugaru Girl admits that Mathematics is not her forte. One of the reasons she married Mr Gochugaru was so he could deal with any domestic matters requiring the use of probability, statistics and algorithms.
There is however, one simple thing that Mr Gochugaru cannot figure out, which is this: what is an ounce?
Andong Jjimdak (안동 찜닭)
Gochugaru Girl does not believe in reinventing, deconstructing or otherwise meddling with classic dishes. She believes that classic dishes are classic because everyone loves them just as they are.
The dilemma is this: how do you serve a whole cut up chicken to three generations, aged 14 to 75, some of whom like chicken with bones and some of whom think bones are just for wild animals to chew on?
Date and Walnut Cake
Gochugaru Girl has had a long and tiring day. Despite starting at six in the morning, nothing revives her more than baking a cake (or three) to end the day.
I have some dates in my store cupboard which were bought on a recent trip to Dubai. Given its Middle Eastern origins, it is surprising that dates as an ingredient is mentioned only twice in the Bible.
Salted Duck Eggs
Gochugaru Girl has never held much interest in salted duck eggs. She would pick out the salted egg yolks in traditional Moon Cakes and glutinous rice dumplings.
Recently I had a revelation whilst eating shredded pork congee at my favourite dim sum restaurant, Yauatcha in Broadwick Street. I had a spoonful of congee with some salted eggs and I really loved it.
Toasted Sardine Sandwiches
Gochugaru Girl has heard of an enterprising initiative run by some university Christian Unions, called Text a Toastie. The premise is simple: if you have a question about God, Christianity or the meaning of life, simply text the question you would like answered, your exact location and preferred filling of the toastie. A member of the CU will come along with the toasted sandwich and aim to answer your query.
For students in the UK, popular fillings would inevitably be cheese and ham, cheese and tomato and perhaps even cheese and Nutella. Not so in Malaysia, where I grew up.