May/ June Randoms

Man, I am so behind on blogging. My free time is so different now then it was before. All of my free time is outside of the house, which I'm still getting used to. That means less cooking, more working out, more working and less blogging. But can't complain, it's great, just different.

Anyway, here are some snapshots of the past two months, including our transition from being residents of Illinois to Missouri. Which reminds me, I need to get a new driver's license. 

Seoul Taco- Kimchi bulbogi burrito, YUM!

Look at my handsome PhD! I'm so proud of my Doctor!

Becky's birthday, love painting with her

Saying goodbye to my co-workers in Champaign. I miss them so much!

I have experience stacking cargo y'know?

Got our keys to our new place! 

First night at the new house. No food, no furniture. Board games on the floor with beer and candy.

Unpacking can be... fun?

Trying some vegan food at Lulu's Local Eatery

Prepare to spend many hours and many moneys

Pho is life; Pho Grand

Eating ice cream in Saint Charles

Milkshakes and BBQ from a local favorite, Sugarfire

Kimchi bloody Mary is my new favorite from Treehouse

But first brunch (Treehouse again)

Berry and Lime & Cucumber Mint sorbetto for dessert from Gelato de Leone

Neapolitan ice cream cupcake from Jilly's Cupcake Bar

Popsicles from Whisk on a hot day at the farmer's market

Tower Grove Park

Brazilian Brunch Buffet, say that three times. Brasilia

Whatchu looking at? Laumeire Sculpture Park

Reminds me of the sculpture at UH

Latte and chocolate peanut butter smoothie from MoKaBes

Drinking cocktails with Billy at Shakespeare in the park

Love it when we get to eat with our hands. Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant

Finished a DIY project: reupholster dining chairs

Double Benedicts for brunch at Mangia

Holy moly we ate a lot of restaurants in June. But I guess that's what happens when you insatiable and move to a new city with lots of restaurants. And there's more where that came from. We've only been to less than half of the restaurants in our neighborhood, and we need to go back to some for something other than brunch. The future is looking bright, and just a little chubby. But happy belly leads to happy life, no wonder I have to spend all my free time at the gym. 

Happy eating!

-Akemi-chan

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

It's seems like it's taken us forever to get settled, but then I realize, it's only been two weeks. Back to blogging. Going to pick up where I left off, aka, when I started packing.

Spring means strawberries in my mind, and it appears the grocery stores agree. Strawberries were plentiful, and that means one thing in our house, strawberry rhubarb crisp. 

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

3 stalks of rhubarb, cut into bite sized pieces

2 cups of strawberries, cut into bite sized pieces

1/4 cup of white sugar

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup oats

1/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, rhubarb and sugar for the filling. . In another medium to large bowl, combine remaining ingredients for the crisp.

Grease casserole dish with butter, I just use what was on the butter wrapper. Fill with strawberry mixture, then top with oat mixture. Bake in oven for 35-40 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. 

Enjoy!

-Akemichan

March/ April Randoms

As our time in Champaign-Urbana draws closer to the end, I've been reflecting on some things. What will I miss bout this little town? What will we not have in St Louis that was so accessible here? What are some of the things I should do before I leave? Is there anything I left undone?

We've had so many wonderful memories here, but it's been almost 7 years, and although this town has treated us well, it's time for the next stage in our lives. In just a few short months, we'll be packing up and moving to a different state and a bigger city. Many great things on our horizon and the best is yet to come. 

Here are some little memories from March and April 2016.

Steak and kale salad with blue cheese

Lucky Charms cupcakes for St Patty's

BLT salad

Finally warm enough to drink outside

Birthday brunch at Rooster in St Louis

Birthday ice cream at Jeni's

My coworkers are so cute

Rick's Bakery Alfajores: Shortbread with dulce de leche and coconut

Mini tacos

Art Party Studio painting time

Swordfish with tomato and squash salad

Purple donuts, cuz FedEx

Roasted veggies

Goofing off for employee appreciation

Fly my prettys

Always with the treats

Coconut melon mojito

We play board games on the floor. Gose and Dead of Winter

Finally eating Papa Del's Pizza

Art Party Studio, part 2

No, thank you!

Many things will be changing the next time I post a bi-monthly wrap-up. But good things do not happen without change. As Spring turns into Summer, we will turn into Missourans. Ekk.

Akemi-chan

Apple Cinnamon Dutch Baby

I was watching an episode of Bob's Burgers, one of my favorite binge shows, when I came to the Dutch Baby episode. Everyone goes to diner that advertises their Dutch Baby, and despite it's long prep time and Bob's impatience, Linda orders the pancake.

oooOOOOooo a Dutch Baby!!! lol

I've never made or had a Dutch Baby, but the idea of a puffy silky pancake could convert this waffle-lover. Think of a custardy cake that is also crunchy and fluffy. How is this possible?! I can to find out.



Apple Cinnamon Dutch Baby
4 tbsp butter
2 granny Smith apples, sliced thinly
3 tbsp sugar, divided
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp cinnamon


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. While the oven heats, dived butter in 4 pads and put into 12" skillet. Place skillet in oven for a minute to melt butter. Once butter is melted, remove from oven, don't forget your oven mits. Take apple slices and arrange in the skillet.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and 1 tbsp sugar). Then add wet ingredients (eggs, vanilla and milk). Whisk to combine. Once combined, pour over apples in skillet. Sprinkle with remaining sugar and cinnamon. Place back in oven and cook for 20-25 minutes.

We cut ours with a pie server and drizzled everything from maple syrup, to molasses, honey and chocolate syrup. All delicious.


I need to make this every weekend, and I mean EVERY weekend. So easy and delicious I cannot live without it. There will be many Dutch Babies in my future. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to find a Dutch Baby fan club.


-Akemi-chan