Beginning - a real one this time

All right, this time I am determined to keep up with this blog on a more regular basis. As it already has a long formal introduction from my last post, I would just like to add something simple before I begin blogging about the good stuff. This blog is EDIT: Initially but not exclusively END EDIT dedicated to all my friends from NCC, especially those who lived in or regularly visited the room in Ward my junior year of college and who cooked for me, taught me to cook, or even bravely allowed me to cook for them . That includes, but is not limited to, Yusuke, Valeria, Peggy, Matt R., Tsuyoshi, Megan E., Jislaine, Jun, Michico O., Kimberly, Jack, Megan O., and so many more wonderful friends from International Club and elsewhere who really helped expand my knowledge and appreciation of really good food.

This blog will not be a pure recipe blog but simply feature all and any good food that I ate, be it at home, or restaurant. However, I decided my first feature meal will be one that I did indeed cook, because it was recent and I was particularly proud of it. It is so American (I am American after all) and not that complicated or gourmet, but still delicious.





This was thinly cut T-Bone Steak broiled with an Apricot Teriyaki Glaze (my first time broiling meat without setting an oven mitt on fire), twice baked potatos which I found seem to be a midwest staple but unheard of here in California, and a vegetable medley with brown rice. I don't think I need to include a recipe for broiling beef (I like medium rare) or for steaming the brown rice, but here is what I used for the potatos and vegetables:

Twice Baked Potatos (one variation anyway)
Cook potatos in oven or microwave until soft. Cut potatos in half. Scoop out the insides and put them into a mixing bowl. Mix with butter salt, pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, and nutmeg. Replace the potato insides and bake until slightly brown on top.

Italian Peppers and Tomatoes (using all fresh vegetables/fruits)
Heat olive oil in a skillet at medium heat. Dice garlic. Cut peppers and tomatos as desired. Add the pepper and tomatoes to the oil, as well as garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Serve over the rice.

Drink pairing - definitely a good red wine. We had French table wine, but a good merlot from any country should work well too.

Finally, as much as I talk about food, I would like to bring attention to the reason I gave this blog the title of "World Cafe" and not simply "World Food." The word "cafe" evokes the image of unique setting that one does not go to out of a necessity to consume food, but rather for the ambiance and often even the company of friends or loved ones. While some people may indeed to prefer to eat by themselves, in many of the cultures I am familiar with, eating is all about the event, sometimes even more than the food itself. This is basically my convenient excuse to post photos of things other than food, as each picture of food has a story that I would like to share behind it anyway. Besides, narrating my own story through food clearly should not be very difficult for me. Such is my life.

As for the story behind this food and why I was so proud of it? This was my first time cooking more than just dessert or a snack for my boyfriend's parents. I was very nervous and trying out some new things at the same time, so I was just happy it turned out well in the end.

My boyfriend Matt P. and his parents, Marc & Carol, in our dining room area in our apartment, San Jose, CA


The next entry will feature some restaurant food as that is what I would really like to talk more about, (the food is usually more photogenic than my food) but at least I have now written an actual blog entry!