KimChee 101, courtesy of Teddie

 There is a huge Oriental Market only 2 miles from our apt, so I drove over there before turning in the car at 2 pm today.  Teddie gave me a KimChee Cookbook for Christmas and I found all the ingredients to make my first batch of kimchee.  I love this Korean food!!

 Step 1:  make a glue like substance out of rice flour and water.  Cool in an ice bath.

Step 2:  (not pictured)  Brine the bok choy.

 Step 3:  while bok choy is brining, make a past with crushed red chili peppers, anchovy sauce, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, sugar and a bit of that rice/water gluelike substance to thicken it.  Let it sit a while.

Step 4:  After 45 minutes of brining bok choy in salt water, rinse it 3-4 times and dry well.

 Step 5:  Using a non metal dish, toss bok choy and paste with your hands, coating well.  ( I added carrots and slivered green onions.  According to a Korean friend of mine, you can add anything!)

Step 6:  Let it sit on the counter, covered for 24 hours, then eat or refrigerate.  Kim Chee is a fermented food and has a semi carbonated twang to it, along with a little zip.  It goes with everything and is eaten with every meal in Korea. 

Happy 93rd

 

Not sure who the bearded fellow is, but I think it is Alex.  Thanks to Matt for sending the photos via his phone.

WI Tiny Free Libraries

Periodically I see these mini libraries in front of houses.  Totally free.  Take a book... leave a book.  Totally free... no card... no nothing... just fun!!!

Evening Activity

Snowshoeing at Aunt Mary's

My first significant snowshoeing excursion.  It was beautiful!!  This was an hour and a half walk up a hill then around Mary's restored prairie.  You'll notice the younger folks took some rests.  I was afraid to stop for fear I wouldn't be able to get up!!

 

Pick One

     

 

 

Here is our 14" tree again.  Unpacked from the coat closet, sitting in the living room window with the snow filled trees beyond.  I know which one I like best and I think I can pretty much guess which one some of my readers will like.  Go ahead... vote on your favorite tree  number 1 is the top one, number 2 is second from the top, and you can all figure out which are numbers 3 and 4... then pretend it is on the front of a Christmas Card from us.  (I suspect that my vote will be the minority!!)