Sometimes we are white glove, caviar eating, martini drinking, kind of people. Sometimes we are overall wearing, chicken chasing and beer drinking kind of people.

Today’s Food Friday goes with the latter.

I have had them too dry, too ketchup-y, too bread-y, and too meat-y. But I simply love a good meatloaf. This is a GOOD meatloaf.

Today’s Feature: Overall wearing, chicken chasing and beer drinking MEATLOAF

(And let it be told for all those who are wondering, it is hard to take a good picture of a good meatloaf. This is my 1,507 attempt. It will have to do.)

Larb.  Sounds like an insult doesn’t it? Something you call someone you don’t like. “Hey there Larb Boy”.

My story about freshman year of college is a pretty humorous one now, but at the time, it was nothing short of heinous.  Then Nina came into my life. My sophomore year roommate; we shared a room in an apartment with 4 other girls. It was like a light in heaven shined down on me for the first time since I left home.

Nina.  My token Thai girl.

She was loud and fun and made me feel very much alive. She made me laugh.  She became my best friend and my comrade.  She made lists and charts for chores (a girl after my own heart). She challenged me to be a better person.  It was because of her that I finally felt at home away from home.   And it was HER who introduced me to my now husband, the love of my life.

And she taught me to cook Larb.

Today’s Feature: Larb (Ground Pork with Lime, Mint and Thai Chilies) Served with Green Salad and Rice.

Thanks Nina.  For everything.

The gym.  Healthier recipes.  (Notice I said, healthi-er.  That is because “healthy recipes” are hard for me to swallow. Literally.) Those are the signs of the first couple months of the new year.

I was browsing new recipes on Epicurious, under the “healthy recipe” section of course, and this bad boy some how made it into my browser.  I have no idea how, being that  it is clearly not a healthy recipe, but it seems like it must have been fate that brought it there since there was no other logical explanation. I am not a believer in fate, but this seemed like one instance where I should let the stars do the deciding for me.

THANK.YOU. FATE.

Today’s Feature: Salmon Corn Chowder

** Photo credit on this one actually goes to Daniel.  I cooked this one, he snapped the shot.  A little role reversal just to shake things up for you.**

In the first years of marriage the whims surprised and delighted me.  It was fun and exciting:  Random adventures to new places and cooking ideas that lead to unplanned trips to the grocery store.  Just what this plan everything girl needed to break up her routines. Then after a few years, a newborn in the house, and a tighter budget, I was a bit less enthusiastic. I got really good at the “oh-no-what-crazy-thing-do-you-want-to-do-today” look. And now, after 7 years of marriage, I can say I am back to the surprise and delight, because in all honesty, I totally adore it about him. I love the crazy whims and the “I have the best idea ever” days.  He is the yin to my yang.

And that is how things like this Food Friday happen in our house.

And of course I support him…and eat it….but only because I want to be the wonderful, supportive wife.  Yes, that really is the only reason why I would eat something as incredibly scrumptious and delectable as this.  To be supportive.

Food Friday: Homemade Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Have your own whim and make one of these to celebrate our 75 degree January weather!

Happy eating!

Staring at the Christmas tree after Christmas isn’t quite as magical to me.  In fact, I think it has the exact opposite feeling.  But thanks to a little girl in my house that thought Christmas lights and trees and decorations were comparable to Disneyland (and cried when she learned that people take them down after Christmas)…it all stayed up later this year at our house.

When I was growing up my mom always took down Christmas decorations on Epiphany (or as we called it “Little Christmas”), but for me it was never a sad day.  My mom always had a way of making it feel just as magical as the beginning of  the season. The house would fill with Christmas music for the last time, the smell of pine burning in the fire would fill my nose, and at the end of it all:  banana boats.

So this year I attempted to carry-on  an amazing thing my mom did for this little girl,   for my little girl.

Food Friday: Banana Boats

My mom did it a bit different, but this is how I did it this year:

Slice open a banana, like a boat.  Mash up the insides.  Add chocolate chip “people” and marshmallow “sails” to your boat.  Bake at 350 for about 10-15 min.(or even better is putting it in the coals of a fire til everything is warmed through and melted)

Enjoy!

In our house I think these will stay a “Little Christmas” only tradition, but feel free to make them up for your special occasion!