新年快樂! Happy Chinese New Year

So I know I've been neglecting the blog for quite some time, but it was becoming the end of the year, end of the semester and things were crazy. My camera decided that it just wouldn't work anymore, although that shouldn't have stopped me from posting up recipes and cooking. I spent hours at school and minutes and home. My bill clearly reflected all of that time spent in my dungeon in the sky. But it's a new semester and new year. So to start things off, here's a little something I whipped up despite a lack of veggies and other foodstuffs.

And not to neglect those at home...

新年快樂! For all the students, 學習進步 and for all those working, 生意興隆! To everyone with blocks today, 金榜題名.

Pan-fried Buns with Turkey and Green Onions
Original recipe is Pan-fried Buns with Chives and Minced Pork (more traditional but you have to make do on the island)

Dough
1 1/4 cups of AP flour
6 tbls hot water
3 tbls cold water (or however much it takes to moisten the dough)

Filling
4 oz ground turkey (you can use pork, chicken, beef, a combination if you like - pork is more traditional)
1 green onion
1/2 inch peeled ginger
2 garlic cloves
salt/pepper
dash of sesame oil
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp soy sauce
2 leaves of cabbage (use any vegetable you like, this was the only thing I could find that was green and would go with the filling) - approx. 1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped

Onto the fun part.....

To make the dough, place the flour in a bowl. Make a small well in the center and add the hot water. Mix until small crumbs begin to form and the flour begins to moisten. Add 1 tbl of cold water at a time until all of the dough comes together and it's no longer sticky. I added about 3-4 tbls of water. Oil a bowl lightly and place the dough in the bowl to sit for approx. 30 min. This will let the dough rest before you roll again.

To make the filling, place the ground turkey in a bowl. Add cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper. Mix well. Mince the green onion, garlic and ginger very finely (Use a garlic press for the garlic/ginger if you so desire). Don't worry if there are a few pieces that are slightly larger. Chop the cabbage into small pieces, the smaller the better (think the size of a mini M&M) If you have chinese chives, use it. It lends a distinctive taste to the buns. If you don't like cabbage, use any vegetable you like, bok choy is a great substitute. Add all the veggies into the meat and mix well, incorporating everything.

To form the buns, divide the dough into 10 pieces. Taking each piece, flatten it into a circle about 4 inches in diameter. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of filling into the center and pinch the sides together. If there's excess dough, you can trim it off. I placed it between my hands after forming the bun and rolled it a few times to get it more even before patting it slightly. Continue until you've formed all of the buns.

In a non-stick skillet/pan, heat 2 tsp of oil on medium heat. Place the buns in the pan and fry on both sides until they're nicely golden. Add 1/2 cup of boiling water, place a lid on the pan and cook until the water has evaporated.
For a quick sauce, you can combine some vinegar, garlic chili sauce and sesame oil to taste.

The Way of the World

It's a travesty what has happened to the world.

Okay, so perhaps that's a bit melodramatic but in all seriousness, the way in which things have progressed over the years makes me wonder what has happened to people, what has changed them and caused them to lose good judgment and compassion.

Between robberies at gunpoint and the inability of guards to do what they are paid for, I wonder about the state of the world and our future. When individuals foolishly ignore the advice of elders and take risks they shouldn't (including walking through the golf course in an inebriated state), it's understandable. They don't have the right to complain. However, when the intention is well meant and there is a reason behind the actions, those in power with the ability to protect, to serve are obligated to make a difference.

In light of the events on Friday, November 18, 2011, I think it's something that everyone should think about, whether you're in a position of responsibility or not - what has happened?

Watch the video: Occupy Movement @ UCD

Read the letter: Open Letter to Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi

And do something.

As a graduate of UC Davis, I'm not proud of what happened this past friday. It's something that needs to be taken care of. As a current student in medical school, I also don't condone foolish behavior that I've seen and heard of. But different temperaments and backgrounds beget the diversity of individuals in this world.

A Match Made in Med School

Dating a Med Student

This is almost like a mini social experiment. How many med student spouses/significant others have this kind of relationship with their counterpart? Or even better, if both partners are medical students, do they both learn about gross images and then hide their "eww, gross" reactions? (Okay... I'll admit to this one. First it's ewwwww, then oOoOo. Yup. We're an odd bunch.)

I must say that #1 Don't expect to see them. EVER. is my favorite of them all. It's so true that I barely even know what I'm doing right now. I see myself. *gasp* (okay... so perhaps that's the Ting speaking. Shhhhhhh.)

Truthfully, I still haven't accepted the fact that #2 They will have many affairs... With their books. Even after all the times I've slept with Netter's. And fallen asleep watching Acland. Or gone comatose on top of Robbins. If I had known the med students were such a promiscuous bunch, I would have chosen a different profession. ;)

Then again, like the author wrote, it's not like I'm speaking from experience. This could all be made up, another little story to add to my collection. So, please, take it with a grain of salt. ^_^

Or....



(Yeah... there's not much of an alternative to this. ^.^)