Hon Kee on Argyle and getting to know my dad

Yesterday brought my monthly trip to Schererville to visit with my dad. I decided to tag along on their trip to Chicago. If for nothing else, but to eat a good meal. A favorite of theirs for food is Hon Kee on Argyle. It is an old haunt for them from the days of living in the city. I really wanted Vietnamese but was ok with Chinese. Our table quickly became full with good food. Pork fried rice, broccoli rabe with oyster sauce, bbq pork with beancurd, dumpling soup and sweet soy milk. While I am not vegetarian fully, I let go of any attempt to be with this meal. My favorite being the broccoli. Next time I go I am thinking broccoli and soup.



This all brings me to getting to know my dad. Part of the reason I moved to Valparaiso was to maybe get the chance to do just that. If I could separate myself from the tension filled relationship with my father from my youth, my dad is a cool guy. I assume part of having an adult relationship with my father is doing just that. Learning to get to know him as he is. Things I like from/about my dad are few so far but good. He taught me the best way to cut and eat mangoes. Mango with lime is fantastic. Truman Capote is his favorite author. He reads A Christmas Memory every year. At his insistence, I will be checking out Capote's Selected Writings to read this month. He also has seen most of Pedro Almodovar's movies although he does not seem to share the enthusiasm I have for them. And there is lots to discuss with him about cooking. So far getting to know my dad is moving along as much as it can.

In other news, the last weekend was kind of blah. Partly because I was sick and partly because I am working on fitting into a new identity that I did not have living in CU. Two interesting things have changed some perspective on life going into the week. 1. Was a trip to Chicago. I found myself looking at neighborhoods as possible living places. Not great neighborhoods granted but realizing I could theoretically afford to live in the city at some point given a job. A recognition of change of social status from student to full time employed. Felt weird regardless.
The second was clearing out my google reader. I am trying to simplify and get back to the things I love to do instead of feeling overwhelmed.
While clearing it out, I stumbled across the blog Teaching Cancer to Cry. It is written by Ezra, a bike designer in NYC, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. He went into remission and now the cancer is back Stage 3. His writing is stark, beautiful and honest. I love reading his blog. I came across it from another bike blog that I read and he had stopped updating after he went into remission. He writes about food, his worries, his wife and bikes. I am not completely sure how it changed my perspective but it is on my mind.

Busy week and quick fried "chicken" salad

So I definitely carried the momentum from Monday into the rest of the week. I am hoping this is a sign of things to come. I got some things done around the house, and my office is almost clean, organized, and usable for things. I signed up for the gym and did a couple solid workouts. The gym is closed this weekend which may end up being fine given the fact I am sick. This week has been pretty slow cooking wise. Had some social obligations etc.. Mostly I ate the red lentil dal I made Monday night for lunch most the week. I believe that could be a staple for the winter. Recipe from Happy Herbivore blog can be found here. I had it with homemade whole wheat beer bread.
Dinner consisted of chocolate peanut butter protein shakes and a version of a fried "chicken" salad. I like this dinner because its quick and filling right after the gym if I have plans on a week night.

spinach fried chicken salad
ingredients: Serving 1
2 cups spinach
1/8 cup goat cheese
1 teaspoon raisins
1 large carrots peeled and cut to your liking
2 morningstar farms buffalo wings (cooked and cut into pieces)
Honey mustard dressing
1 part honey
1 part spicy brown mustard
apple cider vinegar to taste and to thin to desired consistency

mix and serve

This weeks menu is still in the making. But will include vegan ice cream, pumpkin smoothies, and french toast

Food, Valpo and Living in Indiana

3 months down in Valpo and life is finally starting to hit a rhythm. I am finding my true joy since I have been here is cooking. Valparaiso lacks a variety of food options. Specifically Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese. So in the last 2 months, I have been learning to make things I like here. Last nights dinner was a red lentil dal, and it was not bad. Been picking up supplies at random on various trips out of town and have built a decent pantry that has a lot of the basic for Indian.

Last night was one of the first times since relocating that I felt I am finally settling in. Mondays are my late night to work, but still found time to shop and cook. Had a fantastic meal and watched Dr. Who. And was not in bed at 8:30 on a Monday night like I had been doing.

So one can expect a decent amount of talk about food and cooking here. As well as other things.