chinese grandma https://chinesegrandma.com food, family and thoughtful living Sun, 19 May 2019 06:45:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.1 https://chinesegrandma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/favicon-transparent.ico chinese grandma https://chinesegrandma.com 32 32 Favorite books for school-aged kids https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/books-school-aged-kids/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/books-school-aged-kids/#comments Wed, 19 Dec 2018 16:53:25 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12385 The books that kids read in grade school – when they are discovering reading and the faraway worlds that books open up for them – are the books that become cherished, comforting childhood friends. It was from my squishy beanbag reading spot as a child that I first experienced Victorian England, the American frontier, Prince...

Read More

The post Favorite books for school-aged kids appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

The books that kids read in grade school – when they are discovering reading and the faraway worlds that books open up for them – are the books that become cherished, comforting childhood friends. It was from my squishy beanbag reading spot as a child that I first experienced Victorian England, the American frontier, Prince Edward Island, turn-of-the-century New York City and fantasy worlds of elves, dragons and wizards.

I’ve been collecting books since I was a kid and love sharing them now with my own four kids. They are all voracious readers too, and we’ve put together a too-long list of our combined favorites here to share. These are the battered paperbacks with softened edges and musty scents that keep my kids and their favorite fuzzy blankets company on a gray day.

The Great Brain by John D Fitzgerald

A cherished series from my youth, The Great Brain is a very funny collection of stories, loosely based on the author’s childhood in turn-of-the-20th-century Utah. John D Fitzgerald writes as the little brother who both admires and suffers from the scheming escapades of his too-clever big brother Tom (the Great Brain). The themes in this book of family, sibling rivalry, and childhood mischief are timeless. And the amusing adventures in small town Utah will paint a vibrant picture for your kids of life before electronics. Lively illustrations by Mercer Mayer don’t make it into the Kindle version, so I highly recommend the print books.

Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

If I were stranded on a desert island, the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder might be the books I take with me. I read them countless times in my childhood, and I’ve read them all again to my kids. The stories of life on the American frontier are told with great fondness and verve by Wilder, who published the first of the series when she was 65 years old (incidentally, John D Fitzgerald, another late bloomer, published the first of his Great Brain books when he was 49). When I read them, I’m transported to another time, where family, resourcefulness, self-reliance and persistence were the basis of daily survival.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor is a fun chronicle of a family of four sisters in a working-class Jewish family living in New York’s bustling Lower East Side at the turn of the 20th century. In addition to the heartwarming stories, I loved learning about the Jewish holidays, traditions and food, not to mention life in a New York City tenement (before the word came to have negative associations). Sydney Taylor published the first of the series when she was 47 years old – more inspiration to mid-lifers like me.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Ever since we discovered Keeper of the Lost Cities a few years ago, my kids have waited anxiously every year for Shannon Messenger’s latest installment to arrive. They all love this series, starring 12-year-old Sophie Foster who has secret telepathic abilities. Now stretched to volume 7, every one is a cliffhanger.

The Wide Awake Princess by E.D. Baker

My boys and girls all love everything E.D. Baker writes, but The Wide Awake Princess tops the list. A retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale from the perspective of Sleeping Beauty’s sister, who (spoiler alert) manages to stay awake and have a rollicking adventure trying to save the kingdom.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

In

In Princess Academy heroine Miri, along with every other teenage girl in her small village, are sent to princess training to see which of them will be the one to fulfill a prophecy. Complications arise in the kingdom, and Miri uses her smarts and pluck to save the day. Friendship and teamwork are big themes, and there’s a bit of romance too.

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

Sixth-grade boy-girl twins Alex and Conner tumble into a magic book in The Land of Stories. It’s a high-adventure fairytale mashup, a romp into what happens after happily ever after. There are six books in the series, and yes, the author is the same Chris Colfer from TV’s Glee – he sings, he acts, he writes bestselling books.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Mayrose Wood

In The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, 15 year old Penelope Lumley is hired to be governess for three children who to date have been raised by wolves. Very funny, dry and cute, the stories are pure innocent amusement with enough witty irony for parents to enjoy too. The first in a series of six.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

A team of kids are recruited by Mr Benedict to thwart and evil scheme in this cleverly crafted, fast-paced mystery. Full of plot twists and humor, this is a clean, engaging adventure.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

In Fablehaven, a brother and sister discover a secret world when they are sent to spend the summer with their reclusive grandfather. With fairy tales, adventure, a family mystery and both boy and girl heroes, there’s something in this story for everyone. Brandon Mull is a terrific writer of many series for kids, and the Fablehaven series (a total of five books) is our favorite.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Author Rick Riordan has legions of young fans for his blockbuster series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which chronicles the adventures of twelve-year old Percy. Mythology mixes with adventure, appealing characters, great humor and a little romance. You can safely buy the five-box set from the start.

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs

Belly Up Fun Jungle series by Stuart Gibbs

Stuart Gibbs books, featuring fast-paced action, winsome characters and laugh-out-loud humor, are a great start for reluctant readers. Spy School (first in a series of six), features middle-schooler Ben Ripley caught in a series of misadventures in his quest to be a spy. Belly Up (first in a series of five), follows 12-year-old Teddy Roosevelt Fitzroy in his dogged effort to solve a mystery in an animal park that adults don’t seem to want solved.

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

In The War that Saved My Life, the start of World War II in England brings opportunity to ten-year-old Ada, immobile with clubfoot and kept hidden from the world by her abusive mother. Children are being evacuated from London to the countryside, and Ada finds the determination and courage to push through her limitations and brave a new life with her brother Jamie. Kids will be riveted by the action story and inspired by the very real characters.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks is a modern book but an old-fashioned story about four sisters and their long summer holiday away. They make friends with a boy at the summer estate, and the book is a charming story of friendship and sisterhood. Girls and boys both enjoy these books – a total of four in the series.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Like Rick Riordan with Greek mythology or Brandon Mull with fairy tales, Grace Lin weaves Chinese fables into her fresh, imaginative adventure stories. My kids loved Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and the second book, Starry River of the Sky, is an equally delightful prequel to the first.

The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

Another fairy tale rewrite, this time from the point of view of the princes, The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom features boy humor and amusing illustrations. It’s an adventure tale with fun characters, and the first in a trilogy if you want more (followed by The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle and The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw).

Eleven Birthdays by Wendy Mass

Eleven Birthdays is a great book about weathering the ups and downs of friendship. In this kids’ version of Groundhog Day, two friends who share a birthday, Amanda and Leo, for the first time spend their birthdays apart. A touching story about communication, understanding and learning from mistakes. There are three more books in this Willow Falls series by Wendy Mass.

False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen

Wisecracking orphan Sage is the hero of The False Prince, a smartly-crafted adventure story about a pauper masquerading as a prince. The multilayered story unfolds with many plot twists and a lot of humor. Your reader will be happy there are two more books to follow in this Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A Nielsen.

Harry Potter illustrated edition, by JK Rowling

It goes without saying that the Harry Potter series, which took the world by storm 20 years ago, is a must for any child’s bookshelf. The new illustrated editions are stunningly rendered. We didn’t need another set of Harry Potter books, but I did break down and buy a few of these heavy but gorgeous works of art.

MIDDLE SCHOOL | TWEEN

I accidentally left this one out of my favorite teens/tweens books. I’ll append it here but also add it to the tween list.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

The Mother-Daughter Book Club features four moms who start a book club with their 6th-grade daughters, who are classmates but not really friends. As they read their first book, Little Women, together, the girls reluctantly get to know each other, and their relationships develop from there. The book also explores the tensions between moms and daughters. My daughter loves each of the characters in this book so much she wishes they could be friends in real life. The full collection is seven books.

More book recommendations

The post Favorite books for school-aged kids appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/books-school-aged-kids/feed/ 4
Favorite books for tweens and teens https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/books-tweens-teens/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/books-tweens-teens/#comments Tue, 18 Dec 2018 19:39:08 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12386 Starting around 6th grade age, it becomes hard to find books for kids. It’s hard to strike the right balance between the rosy childhood world of imagination and the colder light of reality. As children grow up, they become more aware of themselves and the world around them, and books can help give insight to...

Read More

The post Favorite books for tweens and teens appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

Starting around 6th grade age, it becomes hard to find books for kids. It’s hard to strike the right balance between the rosy childhood world of imagination and the colder light of reality. As children grow up, they become more aware of themselves and the world around them, and books can help give insight to the many issues that arise at these ages: friendship, alienation, fitting in, being different, navigating difficult or awkward situations.

The teen years are hard because kids, just emerging from their self-centered cocoon of childhood, are in low supply of the understanding and compassion that people build with age. But as with anything we want to learn, one great book can give a huge leap forward. Books can let us know we’re not alone on our journey, and they can introduce us to worlds we didn’t know existed.

Tween books have come a long way since Judy Blume. Adolescence hasn’t changed (though biologically and culturally it does seem to begin earlier than before), but the world around our tweens/teens has. I don’t have any timeless classics to recommend in this genre, but these are some books that come highly recommended by my kids, who read literally everything.

MIDDLE SCHOOL | TWEEN

Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper

Out of My Mind tells the story of Melody, a brilliant girl with severe cerebral palsy, who cannot speak or walk. On the surface, it’s a wonderfully written book that gives kids a sense for what it would be like to be seriously handicapped. But it’s also a story about being misunderstood and fighting to be understood – fundamentally relatable to all.

One for the Murphys by Linda Mullaly Hunt

In One for the Murphys, Carley leaves her unhappy home – with a neglectful mom and abusive stepdad – to become a foster child of the suspiciously happy and welcoming Murphy family. A heartfelt story about the defenses we build and learning to love and connect with people again.

Because of Mr Terupt by Rob Buyea

Mr Terupt has a challenging class of 5th graders, with difficult and varied personalities and backgrounds. Kids will relate to at least one of the seven students, all different archetypes, whose perspectives are told in different ways in the story. A book about compassion, friendship and how people are not that different under the surface.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

The Mother-Daughter Book Club features four moms who start a book club with their 6th-grade daughters, who are classmates but not really friends. As they read their first book, Little Women, together, the girls reluctantly get to know each other, and their relationships develop from there. The book also explores the tensions between moms and daughters. My daughter loves each of the characters in this book so much she wishes they could be friends in real life. The full collection is seven books.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Esperanza, privileged girl growing up at her family’s prosperous ranch in Mexico, has her life upended by tragedy and flees with her mother to a farm labor camp in Depression-era California. A multiple-award-winning book about circumstance, character, resilience and love.

HIGH SCHOOL | TEENS

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

An engaging and entertaining read by a New York Times reporter, The Power of Habit looks at the psychology of habits – how we form them, how they unconsciously run our lives – and gives us tips on how to hack our way to a better form of autopilot. We did a family read of this one – me, my husband and two teens – and we still talk about it. A good book for new year’s resolution-makers.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

A recent hit from 2017, The Hate U Give tells the story of 16-year-old Starr, who witnesses a terrible tragedy and is left to cope in the aftermath. The story involves racial themes of black and white, fairness and discrimination, perception and reality. Starr occupies two very different worlds: the neighborhood community she lives in and the sheltered bubble of the private school she attends. A well-told story about the complexities of life from the eyes of a teen.

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella (of Shopaholic fame) tells the story of Audrey, 14-year-old girl with a anxiety disorder stemming from school bullying. My daughter loved this book for its realistic family dynamics – the mom, dad and brother all very relatable and humorous in their interactions. A warm and funny read.

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run into in College by Harlan Cohen

I chuckle every time I give The Naked Roommate to a college-bound niece, nephew or friend. The title is funny, but the content is solid. Going to college is new and different territory, and it really does help to have a guide to prepare.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

The most adult-themed of the teen books here, Looking for Alaska is a coming-of-age story about a boy starting boarding school. As with other John Green novels – notably The Fault in Our Stars – there’s profanity, underage substance usage, death. But Green is able to tap into the raw emotions of teen years and portray with compassion the the very real issues of fitting in and finding one’s community of misfits.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

In direct contrast to the current fairy-tale theme in fantasy children’s books, teen fantasy is all dystopia. The Selection (first in a 5-book series) is a favorite of my daughter and many of her friends. Kiera Cass tells the story of America, who is selected to compete with 35 candidates for a chance at marrying a prince and escaping the rigid class constraints of her world. One Amazon reviewer described The Selection as Hunger Games crossed with the Bachelor, which I think makes it lighter fare than some of the other dystopian options.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Mark Watney’s Mars expedition has gone gravely awry. The Martian tells the tale of where the funny, resourceful astronaut goes from there. Mark starts the book with profanity, but it’s hard to blame him, given the circumstances. A realistic, funny adventure with some actual science thrown in.

Author Andy Weir began the story as an installment series on his blog, which attracted a fan following (many of them NASA employees) that led to self-publishing followed by mainstream publishing and a major movie deal. Great inspiration for teens.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcom Gladwell’s books, breezily written and full of entertaining stories, make good nonfiction reading for teens. Outliers: The Story of Success is about opportunity, timing and above all, practice. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking is about decision-making, good and flawed. The Tipping Point is about connections and trends. Unlike novels, these are books that can be read here and there during teens’ busy schedules – they don’t require commitment and are entertaining even in small bites.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games, published with a bang in 2010, spawned the dystopian genre of teen books. The apocalypse with a layer of reality TV. Fans of the movies may be inspired to read the trilogy.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent is the first of another dystopian trilogy, this one based in post-apocalyptic Chicago. Like Hunger Games, the protagonist is female, but the adventure-packed book appeals as well to boys.

If I didn’t already exhaust you here, check out my favorite picture books for kids or other gift ideas from the archives.

The post Favorite books for tweens and teens appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/books-tweens-teens/feed/ 3
Favorite picture books for kids https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/picture-books/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/picture-books/#respond Fri, 14 Dec 2018 23:56:42 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12383 There’s something so special about writer-illustrators of children’s books. They create a world and then personally lead you through it, the way a singer-songwriter does with music. Well-paired writers and illustrators can make a great team effort too. But the product of multiple people calls for compromise, whereas the vision of one mind can remain...

Read More

The post Favorite picture books for kids appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

There’s something so special about writer-illustrators of children’s books. They create a world and then personally lead you through it, the way a singer-songwriter does with music. Well-paired writers and illustrators can make a great team effort too. But the product of multiple people calls for compromise, whereas the vision of one mind can remain charmingly, idiosyncratically, deliciously singular.

Children’s literature is harder than it looks. Anyone can be a windbag. It takes a specific genius to be clear, simple and poetic – and, perhaps hardest of all, be entertaining enough to hold the attention of a little kid.

On top of all that, illustrations require a creative hand in addition to a creative mind. These folks have a disproportionate amount of talent.

For last-minute holiday gift ideas, here are some of my favorite illustrated children’s books, which I only just realized are almost all products of writer-illustrators:

The Big Orange Splot, written and illustrated by Daniel Pinkwater

The Big Orange Splot is the story of Mr Plumbean and his neighbors, who take pride in their neat street where all the houses look the same. A funny, lovely book about acceptance, understanding and dreams. Daniel Pinkwater is one of my all-time favorites. (Somebody please for the love of childhood put Pinkwater’s The Wuggie Norple Story, illustrated by the great Tomie de Paola, back in print.)

Fortunately, written and illustrated by Remy Charlip

Fortunately is the story of Ned and his adventure-filled day of fortune and misfortune. This book will teach your child the long and useful words “fortunately” and “unfortunately,” but the real lesson here is about rolling with the punches. (Another book we need back in print: Remy Charlip’s small red jewelbox of a book, I Love You.)

The Monster at the End of this Book, by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin

The Monster at the End of this Book is easily one of the funniest, most entertaining books to read aloud to kids of any age. Even if you barely remember Grover, Jon Stone’s writing will naturally kick your voice into your best imitation of the anxiously high-pitched blue Muppet. Stone didn’t illustrate this book, but along with Jim Henson, he was an original creator of Sesame Street.

Miss Rumphius, written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney

The arc of a life, heartwarming and heartache-ing, is told and displayed beautifully in Barbara Cooney’s story of Miss Rumphius, from childhood to old age, and her desire to leave a lasting improvement in the world. Based on the story of the real Lupine Lady of the Maine coast.

Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd

Goodnight Moon is so brilliant. Nothing happens, the words couldn’t be simpler, it’s just a little narration about a room at bedtime. But its gentle cadence, clear imagery, and thoughtful wording shepherd you from busy day to peaceful night in 131 words. Works every time. I have this one memorized for times we’re too lazy to pull out the book.

Frog and Toad, written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel

The Frog and Toad books are among the very best stories about friendship. Full of warmth and humor, adventures and lessons, misunderstandings and resolutions, every chapter is a well-crafted jewel. Arnold Lobel is another one of the greats. I read these books (this treasury has all four books in one) at least weekly for years and never got tired of them.

Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest Shepard

I am endlessly awed by the very funny, very English cleverness of AA Milne. Kids will no doubt be familiar with Pooh and friends from popular media, but I’ve never seen an animated version that comes close to the charm of the original text. These stories are masterpieces of language, storytelling and humor that kids will love and appreciate. And the original sketched illustrations by Ernest Shepard of Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo in the Hundred Acre Wood are perfection.

Curious George, written and illustrated by HA Rey

American kids know Curious George from the excellent animated show on PBS. But it’s worth discovering HA Rey’s original concept of the inquisitive, resourceful young monkey named George, as relatable to little readers as any human child. Amazon has Curious George in paperback or 7 classic books in a box set.

Go Dog Go, written and illustrated by PD Eastman

A protege of Dr Seuss, PD Eastman wrote and illustrated two of our favorite easy-read books. Go Dog Go is an amusing, aptly-named read, full of dogs and action. Kids beginning to recognize words will enjoy chiming in to this fun story.

Are You My Mother?, by PD Eastman

Are You My Mother? takes a child’s nightmare scenario – being separated from a parent – and tells a sweet story of adventure, persistence and pluck. And of course, there’s a happy reunion at the end.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, written and illustrated by Eric Carle

A masterpiece by Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has four winner elements of a classic kids book: animals, food, colors and counting. One of the best board books ever.

(On another level, this is totally a book about caterpillar overeating. Wouldn’t it be cool if human overeating worked the same way? Stuff your face for a week, rest your aching stomach for a day and wake up transformed into a beautiful butterfly.)

Harold and the Purple Crayon written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson

In this classic book about imagination, a boy takes his purple crayon and draws himself an excitement-filled journey into the world. Crocket Johnson’s story and illustrations are enduringly fresh.

The Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats

A great wintertime gift, this winsome book does a lovely job depicting the excitement of a first snowfall in the city. It won the Caldecott Award in 1963 and quietly broke barriers in its depiction of a brown-skinned protagonist.

* * *

Need more gift ideas? Check out my gift guide 2018 and other ideas in the archives.

The post Favorite picture books for kids appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/picture-books/feed/ 0
Gift ideas 2018 https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/gift-ideas-2018/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/gift-ideas-2018/#comments Sat, 08 Dec 2018 18:05:43 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12344 I don’t have separate kids and adults gifts this year – my kids are all officially old, and their Christmas requests span the spectrum from I-like-surprises (not helpful) to detailed lists with hyperlinks to specific items, size and color noted (easy). It’s not like the old days, when I’d be sifting through the toy world...

Read More

The post Gift ideas 2018 appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

I don’t have separate kids and adults gifts this year – my kids are all officially old, and their Christmas requests span the spectrum from I-like-surprises (not helpful) to detailed lists with hyperlinks to specific items, size and color noted (easy).

It’s not like the old days, when I’d be sifting through the toy world for four kids and nine cousins, looking for inexpensive amusements for stockings or gems of lasting value. I’m glad to be entering a new phase – after 17 years, this elf is tired (though the archives are always here for you).

Books are always the last on my buy list, because they don’t sell out. I’m working on a favorite book list for you too. Hope to get that out in the next few days.

But for now…my gift ideas for you this year, for big kids of all ages.

HP Sprocket mini photo printer

I get the cute retro appeal of Instax cameras, but the image quality is awful. For the money, I’d rather have the pocketable HP Sprocket printer, which spits out cute 2×3-inch prints of any photos you want to send over via Bluetooth from your phone, tablet or computer.

The image quality of any smartphone camera beats an Instax, the print quality of the Sprocket is far better, and you’ll have the digital files too. Ink is built into the photo paper, so there are no ink cartridges to buy. And – bonus! – each photo is a sticker with a peel-off back.

The Sprocket is $100 on Amazon, and packs of photo paper generally amount to $0.50 per print (Instax film is more like $1 per print). Hot tip: Amazon has a deal right now for 20 sheets for only $5, which is half the normal price.

Marquee light box

An amusing novelty for a bedroom or dorm room, these mini-marquees are both an invitation and challenge for concise creative expression. You won’t always get words out of older kids, but you may get flashes of insight from what gets displayed on their light boxes. Versions of these are sold in places from Walmart to Urban Outfitters. I like this one from Amazon ($25), because it comes with a generous 200 letters.

Floss Like a Boss tee

Wearing this shirt is like waving a Fortnite flag to every other game addict in the vicinity. Don’t be surprised if they spontaneously bust out in a stiff-armed, hip shaking dance in solidarity. Floss Like a Boss tee ($15) on Amazon, comes in a variety of colors.

Yeet tee

Boys of a certain age will find this shirt hilarious. To the rest of us, it might as well be a foreign language. I’m already laughing thinking about the mixed reactions on Christmas morning. YEET! Yeet tee on Amazon ($17).

LED color changing cat light

No one really needs an LED cat light. But who wouldn’t welcome this soft, nonsensical, color-changing friend? It comes with a remote control so you can choose from its 9 colors or let it cycle soothingly through them all. There are a bunch of versions on Amazon, but I am partial to the face on this one ($19).

Fjallraven Kanken backpack

First introduced 40 years ago, this classically simple Swedish backpack is having a moment. You can find it in a rainbow of colors at Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and Amazon. It’s $80 everywhere and rarely discounted. Be wary of fakes from China on Amazon selling for less.

Silk pillowcase for hair/skin

Curly girls swear by silk pillowcases, finding their hair smoother, less dry and more manageable in the morning. Many fans find it gentler on delicate face skin as well. The standard bearer is the Slip silk pillowcase ($80), though there are less expensive versions on Amazon ($20).

Fleece pajama pants

Everyone in my family loves fleece pajama pants for lounging around the house on a weekend. Kohl’s sells an inexpensive, highly-rated version in a number of plaids and patterns, which retails for $20 but I’ve purchased for as little as $9 on sale.

Paper Mate Ink Joy gel pens

My girls love the bright color and consistency of these Paper Mate Ink Joy gel pens for both doodling and school work (12 for $14 or 14 for $19 on Amazon). I like Christmas gifts that give people an absorbing activity after the gift-opening excitement is over.

Personalized gifts from Etsy

I admire all the crafty makers on Etsy, and there’s still a short window to order personalized gifts for the holidays. My niece is going to love this personalized cheer pillow ($17), customized for her school colors. The seller has other cheer- and sports-themed pillows; last day for Christmas ordering is December 16.

Have you seen these cityscape rings on Etsy? Skylines of cities in America and around the world – a nostalgic reminder of someone’s hometown or favorite place in their heart. NYC, Rome and Paris would all be tops for me. $38 on Etsy, available in sterling silver, 18K gold or rose gold; custom cities on request. (Note 20% off sale ends today, December 8.)

The idea of this is so whimsical – portraits of people represented by their favorite drink. Your squad will love recognizing themselves as prosecco, Bombay Sapphire, Aperol spritz or Corona. The anthropomorphic bottles are charmingly rendered, but I have to admit the smiling cup of tea is all me. Personalized drink portrait, $22 on Etsy for an unframed A4 print.

Brixton Fiddler cap

I’m slightly obsessed with these English-inspired hats, made by a young company in southern California. Classic designs with a fresh fit and feel, equally cute on guys and girls. Nice to have for a bad hair day or when you simply need a little extra in your ensemble. Find them at Urban Outfitters ($42) or on Amazon or more on Amazon.

Need more ideas? I have loads for you in gift lists from past years. Happy hunting!

The post Gift ideas 2018 appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/12/gift-ideas-2018/feed/ 2
A host’s guide to Thanksgiving https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/11/hosts-guide-thanksgiving/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/11/hosts-guide-thanksgiving/#comments Fri, 16 Nov 2018 23:08:32 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12323 Santa Claus doesn’t take Christmas off. So after being absent here since spring, I’m back for Thanksgiving, the Superbowl for home cooks and my fave holiday by far. We eat, and we give thanks. My kind of holiday. On any given Thursday, the food we eat in America is as diverse as the world –...

Read More

The post A host’s guide to Thanksgiving appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

Santa Claus doesn’t take Christmas off. So after being absent here since spring, I’m back for Thanksgiving, the Superbowl for home cooks and my fave holiday by far. We eat, and we give thanks. My kind of holiday.

On any given Thursday, the food we eat in America is as diverse as the world – meat-and-potatoes, curries, stir fries, tacos and savory stews. Thanksgiving is the one day of the year Americans – at home and around the world – voluntarily eat more or less the same meal. Growing up as the child of immigrants, dinner at my house didn’t normally look like dinner at my friends’ homes. But on Thanksgiving we were one with Americans everywhere. I still love that.

Thanksgiving’s early this year, because November started on a Thursday. Don’t stress if you’re not ready. With a little organization, there’s plenty of time left.

I’m sharing a day-by-day timeline to keep us both on track, plus a list to mark what to make and what to outsource. I have a few pro tips, and at the end I assembled all my Thanksgiving recipes here for you from the archives.

Tip 1: Make what you like most. Outsource the rest.

Thanksgiving should be a potluck situation. Sharing is the spirit of the holiday. Guests contribute a dish they like to make or want to eat, and hosts appreciate the team effort.

It generally makes sense for the host to handle turkey and gravy, since it’s hard to transport a hot, slippery bird. Side dishes, desserts and drinks are fair game for outsourcing.

I love when friends and family bring their additional Thanksgiving traditions to the table. My mom makes sticky rice stuffing in addition to my bread stuffing, and Asian stir fried green beans. For my mother-in-law in Ohio, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without coleslaw. For my sister-in-law’s Italian family, Thanksgiving turkey comes with a side of lasagna. It’s always an unexpected assortment, and we enjoy it all.

I admit I don’t really outsource the basics – turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy – because I enjoy making them. But I think it’s a wise idea to share the load. At the end of this post you’ll find a link to a printable worksheet you can use to organize your list of what to cook/buy/outsource to a willing guest.

Tip 2: Simple is good.

It’s tempting to make Thanksgiving more complex than it needs to be. You could have cornbread stuffing with sausage, apples, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts and fresh sage, next to cranberry sauce with orange zest, Grand Marnier and pecans, next to mashed potatoes with cream cheese, chives and three cheeses. But I find the complexities get a little lost, and the meal gets unnecessarily heavy.

Each dish at Thanksgiving only needs to do one job. The combination on the plate is where the magic happens.

Simple is good. Cranberries, sugar and water make an excellent sauce. Potatoes, butter and milk make perfect mashed potatoes. Bread, onion, celery and chicken broth are all you really need for stuffing. Roast turkey tastes great with a bit of oil and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. A festive drink can simply be cranberry juice and sparkling wine.

If you keep things simple overall, you can splurge on a more elaborate item here or there and still enjoy the process.

Tip 3: Invite Thanksgiving orphans.

It’s not fun to be alone on Thanksgiving. When I host, I try to invite friends who may not have a ready home for Thanksgiving dinner. Last year two Stanford undergraduate friends joined our dinner, and we brought back food to another friend who ended up sick in her dorm. I remember well my own dorm Thanksgivings when I was a California kid in college on the east coast, and it feels so good to give others the Thanksgiving meal I wish I’d had when I was far from home. Thanksgiving is a generous meal, and it’s easy to pull up another chair.

Tip 4: Make stuffing in a slow cooker.

Cooking bread stuffing in an electric crock pot is so sensible, I can’t believe it took me this long to try it. A crock pot can plug in anywhere, and it frees up a busy oven. Slow cooking also keeps the stuffing moist.

Stuffing is best with dried bread cubes, so the bread can absorb the flavor of the broth and seasonings. It’s easy to cube and dry bread in a low oven ahead of time, and then store the cubes back in the bags the bread came in. When it’s time to make the stuffing, just cook up some celery and onion in a generous amount of butter and add it to the bread.

With enough chicken broth to soften the bread.

A couple of beaten eggs mixed in will help provide the richness of stuffing cooked inside the turkey. Plus an unstuffed turkey will cook faster and more evenly, so it’s a win all around.

With a crock pot, you can cook the stuffing in the family room, garage, or anywhere you can find an electrical outlet. Your oven will thank you.

Tip 5: Save the turkey carcass.

People pay serious coin for bone broth these days. That roasted turkey carcass is treasure, not trash. Those bones hold beneficial collagen and minerals, and making incredible turkey stock with the carcass is almost no work at all. All you need to harvest that goodness is a big pot of water.

You could put the carcass in a bag and refrigerate it or freeze it to make stock later. But I find it easier just to do it right away. There’s not much to it:

Throw the carcass in a pot. Add a halved onion and a couple carrots and/or celery sticks, maybe a spoonful of peppercorns or a few bay leaves. Add water to cover and heat it to a boil. Turn down to the lowest simmer and forget about it for a few hours.

Your softly simmering pot will fill the house with the most deliciously warm fragrance as the bones fall apart into the broth, and you’ll be left with liquid gold. Use it for turkey soup when you get tired of eating leftovers, or just freeze the stock in jars for later.

THANKSGIVING PLANNER AND TIMELINE

I made a little Google doc to share with you guys, with a checklist of Thanksgiving items and a timeline for pacing out all the prep work. The timeline includes the Thanksgiving basics that I always make – turkey, stuffing, cranberry, gravy, mashed potatoes – but you can ignore what’s not relevant to your cooking plan, and I’ve also left space for you to jot your own notes.

I took screenshots of the doc so you can preview it here and see if you would find it helpful.

And once again, here’s the link: Thanksgiving planner and timeline.

Happy turkey day to all!

THANKSGIVING RECIPES FROM THE ARCHIVES

Appetizers/starters

Turkey

Salads

Sides

Desserts

The post A host’s guide to Thanksgiving appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/11/hosts-guide-thanksgiving/feed/ 2
Lemon blueberry coffee cake with crumb topping https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/lemon-blueberry-coffee-cake/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/lemon-blueberry-coffee-cake/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2018 16:40:48 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12261 Oprah Winfrey may eat this coffee cake. Right now, she might be at her Santa Barbara home, sitting on her shaded patio with a big mug of hot coffee and a square of this coffee cake, dotted with sweet pops of blueberry and scented with Meyer lemon just picked from her yard. How great to...

Read More

The post Lemon blueberry coffee cake with crumb topping appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

Oprah Winfrey may eat this coffee cake. Right now, she might be at her Santa Barbara home, sitting on her shaded patio with a big mug of hot coffee and a square of this coffee cake, dotted with sweet pops of blueberry and scented with Meyer lemon just picked from her yard.

How great to have a private chef, Oprah muses as she looks out over her sunny yard and the vast Pacific Ocean beyond, so I can have reliably great coffee cake, moist and springy, topped with that sweet crumb topping I like so much. Yes, she thinks, forking another bite of warm cake. It’s good to be me.

Has Oprah really had this coffee cake? I can’t say for sure. What I do know is that my great friend Kathleen gave me this recipe, which came from her friend, who through some connection got the recipe from Oprah’s private chef.

I just like thinking about Oprah and I both eating this coffee cake. And I can tell you for sure that it’s Oprah-worthy.

Coffee cake is a funny concept in America. Apparently coffee cake in sensible Britain is a sponge cake with coffee icing. Here there’s nothing coffee about coffee cake, except it’s served in the morning when you are likely to be drinking it.

The distinguishing mark of American coffee cake seems to be streusel – that lovely crumbly mix of flour, sugar, butter and often cinnamon – which is either scattered on top on the cake or melts into it, like pockets of spiced sweetness. Sometimes nuts are involved, sometimes a bit of fruit.

This is a coffee cake for crumb lovers. The streusel stays put on top, giving a sugary crunch with every bite.

The original recipe from Kathleen is for a lemon coffee cake. I love blueberries with it, but you could also mix it up with orange and walnut, or nutmeg and chopped apple. I’ve made it plain too, but even my boring kid eaters like the lemon-blueberry better.

Only in Silicon Valley are round Meyer lemons more common than the standard pointed-end variety. Every other yard around here seems to have a legacy Meyer lemon tree from our orchard past, and people are very generous about sharing their bounty with friends and neighbors.

Start with zest from one lemon. Don’t stress about the amount; it’s just an accent. Meyer lemon zest is bright orange, and the scent is sweeter than regular lemons.

Zest goes into the bowl with flour, white sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Add oil and lemon juice. You could melt butter instead of the oil, but oil is easy.

Mix together until all the dry flour is incorporated.

The mixture will look like wet sand with clumps. Set some aside for the topping.

Now some chemistry fun. Plain yogurt (or sour cream), egg, vanilla, baking powder and baking soda.

This mixture foams up as the acidity of the yogurt activates the leavening agents in the baking powder and soda.

Wet mixture into the crumbs.

Mix it in. An electric mixer makes it a bit easier.

Pour into a buttered baking dish and top with blueberries. (This 9″x13″ is a bigger version than the 8″x8″ base recipe; larger proportions are in the recipe notes.)

Sprinkle reserved crumbs evenly.

And bake.

You can make it a full-on brunch with an egg, spinach and feta strata.

Or not. With a hot pot of coffee or tea, no one is going to ask for eggs if they can start the day with warm cake. Tell them this is just how Oprah likes it.

Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping
This recipe may be a link in my six degrees of separation from Oprah Winfrey. It comes via my great friend Kathleen, by way of Kathleen’s friend who has some connection to Oprah Winfrey’s private chef. Who knows? All I can tell you is that this moist coffee cake with a classic crumb topping is good enough for Oprah, or anyone else lucky enough to be around when this is warm out of the oven.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • Zest from 1 lemon (2-3 teaspoons)
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven 325 degrees F.
  2. Butter and flour a 8″ or 9″ square glass baking dish.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, sugars, lemon zest and cinnamon.
  4. Add oil and lemon juice. Mix until flour is fully incorporated into a crumbly texture like wet sand with clumps.
  5. Remove 1 cup of the crumb mixture and set aside to use as the topping.
  6. In a smaller bowl, combine plain yogurt or sour cream, egg, vanilla, baking powder and baking soda. This mixture will expand as the baking powder and soda react with the yogurt, so make sure the bowl has some extra room.
  7. Add the yogurt mixture to the crumb mixture and beat with a mixer until smooth.
  8. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle blueberries evenly into batter and top with reserved 1 cup of crumb mixture.
  9. Bake 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

  • Larger version (9″x13″ baking dish): 3 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3/4 cups brown sugar, zest from 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3/4 cup vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 cups blueberries. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of crumbs for topping.
  • No-lemon version: Skip the zest. Substitute orange juice, milk or extra oil for the lemon juice.
  • You could bake this at 350 degrees F (eg if you want to bake it with something else, like an egg strata). Cook time will be less – check it at 35-40 minutes.

Here’s the link to a printable version.

The post Lemon blueberry coffee cake with crumb topping appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/lemon-blueberry-coffee-cake/feed/ 11
Egg, spinach and feta strata https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/egg-spinach-feta-strata/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/egg-spinach-feta-strata/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:48:25 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12239 I love the luxury of brunch. Brunch implies a late wake-up and leisurely morning, the kind of carefree day that allows for booze before noon. None of this actually applies to my life as a parent of four kids. But when there’s a holiday, guests in the house, or a rare weekend morning with friends...

Read More

The post Egg, spinach and feta strata appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

I love the luxury of brunch. Brunch implies a late wake-up and leisurely morning, the kind of carefree day that allows for booze before noon. None of this actually applies to my life as a parent of four kids. But when there’s a holiday, guests in the house, or a rare weekend morning with friends coming over, I like the excuse to make a big late-morning meal and pretend I have a life that allows for the indulgence of brunch.

The standard-bearer of brunch in our family is my mother-in-law’s egg, sausage and cheese strata, a gorgeous make-ahead casserole that provides a savory centerpiece for big family gatherings. Every Christmas Eve we quickly assemble a quadruple batch, stash it in the fridge overnight and bake it Christmas morning as family members casually roll in.

Last Christmas, my mother-in-law was skeptical when I suggested we try a vegetarian version with spinach and feta. But everyone loved it, traditionalists and meat-avoiders alike, so I thought I’d share it with you all for Easter. When you’re having a mixed crowd of eaters, it’s nice to have a built-in vegetarian option, and you can always supplement with bacon or sausage on the side.

Making strata is super easy. Theres no crust, like quiche, or whipping of eggs, like souffle. It’s a lazy cook’s egg dish for a crowd.

Some stratas are thick with bread, but this recipe has very little, giving it more of the soft, custardy consistency of a crustless quiche.

The basic foundation is simple: eggs, milk, a little bread, a lot of cheese, and spinach (fresh or frozen). I save bread crusts in the freezer for this, because I love finding a use for everything.

Fresh spinach needs a little cooking before it goes in the strata. It’s crazy how a huge mountain of raw spinach cooks down to nothing.

Pro tip: you don’t need to fit in all the spinach at the beginning, just add more as your first batch cooks down.

Don’t cook the shrinking spinach down to oblivion; just until it wilts down. Then give it a good shake of salt and pepper.

Assembly is the fun part. Bread cubes in a buttered baking dish (this is a supersized version of the actual recipe, because we don’t do small here).

Spinach goes over the bread cubes. If you’re using frozen spinach (which is always blanched before freezing), you can just thaw it, squeeze out extra water and give it a little salt and pepper before this step.

Then cheddar and feta.

Whisk together eggs with salt, pepper and ground mustard.

Add milk.

Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish.

Cover it and refrigerate a few hours or overnight, giving the bread cubes time to soften.

The next morning, all you need to do is bake it. So easy.

I threw some sausages into the oven with the strata during the last 15 minutes or so. And yes, I will be sharing that lovely coffee cake recipe very soon.

A delicious, nutritious Easter brunch, to balance out the candy you already ate. Happy spring!

Egg, Spinach and Feta Strata
Easier than a quiche or frittata, this beautifully golden make-ahead casserole frees you up to enjoy visiting with brunch guests. Some stratas are heavy on bread, but this one is more like a crustless quiche. Based on my my mother-in-law’s egg, sausage and cheese strata, this meatless version is loved by vegetarians and omnivores alike.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh spinach (or 10 ounces frozen; whole or chopped)
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper for seasoning spinach
  • 3 slices bread, cubed (can use more for thicker casserole; this amount will give you a more custardy texture)
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 9 eggs
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder, mixed with 1 teaspoon water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste

Directions

  1. Spinach prep: If using fresh spinach, wash spinach leaves in a colander and shake well to remove excess water. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add spinach leaves and cook briefly, just until leaves are wilted. Drain out excess liquid. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out excess water (it’s blanched before freezing, so you don’t have to cook it). Season spinach with a good shake of salt and pepper.
  2. In large bowl, beat eggs with salt, pepper and ground mustard.
  3. Add milk; mix well.
  4. Butter a 9″x11″ (3-quart) baking dish.
  5. Add bread cubes evenly in baking dish.
  6. Arrange spinach evenly over bread cubes.
  7. Sprinkle cheddar and feta over spinach.
  8. Pour egg mixture into baking dish. Poke down any floating bread cubes to make sure egg mixture gets absorbed.
  9. Cover baking dish and refrigerate overnight (or a few hours).
  10. Remove strata from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  11. Bake strata for 50-60 minutes, until browned on top, not jiggly in the center, and knife inserted in center comes out clean (if in doubt, bake a few minutes longer). Let stand 10 minutes before serving. The strata will be puffy when it comes out of the oven and settles down as it cools.

Serves 6-8 adults.

Notes

  • Optional add in step 1: 1/2 cup onion and/or 1-2 cloves garlic; cook in skillet with olive oil until softened, then add spinach.
  • Substitutions: Feel free to substitute other cheeses (you could also add more than 2 cups total if you like, but I wouldn’t recommend less). Don’t stress about the specific amount of spinach, a little more or less is fine too. If you don’t have mustard powder, it’s fine to leave it out.
  • Like quiche and frittata, this egg dish takes well to all kinds of meat or vegetable fillings, so feel free to get creative. The important thing is to make sure vegetables are cooked/sauteed first, and that any meat that requires precooking, eg bacon or sausage, is browned and drained first.

Here’s the link to a printable version.

The post Egg, spinach and feta strata appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/egg-spinach-feta-strata/feed/ 2
Best of LA: Gjusta & Sqirl https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/best-la-gjusta-sqirl/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/best-la-gjusta-sqirl/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2018 16:24:56 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12223 I’m crushing especially hard on two casually brilliant Los Angeles eateries – Gjusta in Venice and Sqirl in Silver Lake. Both have attracted a lot of media and social media love in recent years, so I thought it would be fun to take you on a virtual visit. We ate at Gjusta four times in...

Read More

The post Best of LA: Gjusta & Sqirl appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

I’m crushing especially hard on two casually brilliant Los Angeles eateries – Gjusta in Venice and Sqirl in Silver Lake. Both have attracted a lot of media and social media love in recent years, so I thought it would be fun to take you on a virtual visit. We ate at Gjusta four times in 48 hours during my last girls getaway in LA. And then I topped that off with a bonus trip to Sqirl, out of my usual LA orbit but absolutely worth the drive. Drool warning ahead.

Fresh and innovative, but still comforting and accessible, Gjusta and Sqirl both make food you would eat daily if you could. Both restaurants feel like the future of American food, made by people who fuse flavors like chefs, are connected to the earth like farmers and actually care about your health like a loving grandma.

Gjusta

I’m stalker-obsessed with Gjusta, industrial-hip bakery/deli in Venice by artist, surfer and self-taught chef Travis Lett that manages to synthesize the California ideals of health, creativity, laid-back cool and sunny gorgeousness.

Venice was a shabbier, seedier, boho neighbor to upscale Santa Monica when Travis Lett opened Gjelina, his original and iconic Venice restaurant 10 years ago. Gjelina began as a little neighborhood place on Abbot Kinney with a great dining patio, attracting neighbors with its veggie-forward, Italian-inspired, California cuisine. My friend Anne used to live down the street and was an early regular.

Then Google moved into Venice, followed by Snapchat. Abbot Kinney became hipster swanky. And Gjelina became a big-time scene. 

To service the overflow, Lett opened a small takeout shop next door, GTA (Gjelina Take Away) in 2011. But GTA offers no seating.

The allure of Gjusta, opened in a nearby residential neighborhood in 2014, is its open-door accessibility combined with a democratic, grab-a-seat dining patio. An industrial space housing an expansive kitchen, Gjusta is fronted by long counters displaying a bewildering lineup of bakery items, deli selections and a changing selection of prepared salads and pizzas. Technically Gjusta is takeout-only, but if you’re patient and/or lucky, you can snag one of the few seats inside or a table on the patio.

Lett’s particular magic is making you crave farm-fresh food that is also adventurous and good for you. And Gjusta has a cool hangout vibe, quintessentially LA-casual – glossier, blonder and more urbane than the rest of the Golden State – but also quirky and nonjudgmental.

The experience of Gjusta can be chaotic – searching out the number dispenser, navigating the printed menu and the daily specials on display, finding somewhere to sit – but when you bite into the food, it’s pure luxury.

The extraordinary sourdough bread, made with organic flour from cult favorite Central Milling Company in Utah, is the basis for the breads and pizzas that anchor Gjusta’s menu.

You won’t want to skip the crust on Gjusta’s breakfast pizza.

I first came to Gjusta last year and spent a full year since dreaming of the tomato confit-burrata sandwich. Grilled country baguette, spread with the sweet/tart concentrated flavor of roasted tomatoes, stuffed with soft, creamy burrata. Three simple ingredients, each one the very best of its kind.

This year when we came back, they were out of tomato confit. We consoled ourselves with these glorious breakfast toasts at a patio table. Tough life.

Gjusta is mobbed on the weekends, but weekdays are fairly chill.

On our second morning, tomato confit was back. Melted burrata on a toast isn’t quite as luscious as milky fresh burrata in a split baguette, but it was still dreamy. Bless you, Travis.

Even after a meal, it’s hard to resist buying a treat to go from the bakery counter.

Gjusta is known for its baklava croissants, but this time I was intrigued by a tahini croissant. One bite and it’s my new favorite – a sweet pastry with the subtle richness of sesame in the tahini paste and the added nuttiness of black and white sesame seeds sprinkled over. A little extra Gjusta to go.

Sqirl

I stayed an extra day in Los Angeles on this year’s trip, and Anne and I made a pilgrimage to Sqirl, a destination brunch spot in Silver Lake that is all over Instagram. It’s a tiny place with an intimidatingly long line down the street on weekends. The line is just to order food – you then get a number and hope a seat opens up before your meal comes. Sqirl is not a place for the tightly scheduled.

Since this was a weekday, Anne and I made the 45-minute drive from Santa Monica to wait in a relatively painless weekday line. Fortunately the weather in LA is usually nice, so the outdoor wait is not unpleasant.

Chef/owner Jessica Koslow launched her business making jams in 2011, expanding a year later into a breakfast cafe to feature the jams. Since then she’s enraptured locals, food industry veterans and Insta-fans alike with her creative take on brunch.

Once you get in the door, you can watch the staff working away in the tiny kitchen and peek at diners’ plates as you make final decisions on your order. Sqirl is a cheerfully cramped space, with a communal table and stools lining a counter along the side wall.

I love Anne for convincing me to order twice as much food as we could actually eat. The cashier took the long order and said, “So you’re ordering for your whole party?” I glanced at Anne saving me a seat and smiled back at the cashier. “Yes I am.”

First out was Sqirl’s famous ricotta brioche toast. I couldn’t choose from the three housemade jams of the day, so I went with all of the above. Inspired by the cheese blintzes of Koslow’s youth, the ricotta toast is part French toast, part cheesecake. It was like starting the meal with dessert – each bite a full mouthful of soft, rich sweetness. The ricotta is also made in house, and it’s as fresh and creamy as it looks.

Avocado toast is so California, and Sqirl’s version is extra special, with a layer of garlic creme fraiche under the avocado, a tangle of pickled carrot curls and a shower of za’atar.

The bright green sorrel pesto rice bowl is a must, but don’t expect basil, garlic, cheese or nuts here. Koslow’s sorrel pesto is a tart blend of sorrel leaves, kale, olive oil and lemon juice. Bites of preserved lemon are added into the rice, and the bowl is garnished with feta, a mild jalapeno sauce, a sliver of pickled radish and a perfectly soft-poached egg. It’s a hearty serving, with a citrusy freshness that keeps it from being heavy.

We really didn’t need the massive breakfast sandwich with egg, sausage and halloumi cheese on brioche bun. But of course it too was excellent.

Anne and I rolled out of Sqirl, laughing at our excess. It went against my Chinese grandma frugality – “no waste” is a central tenet – but it was a little thrill to take a break from my sensible adult life and have it all, all at once.

(for more LA, see my previous post, Girls getaway: Los Angeles.)

Gjusta
320 Sunset Ave, Venice
7a-10p daily

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
8a-midnight (except 11p close Sundays)

Sqirl LA
720 Virgil Ave #4, Los Angeles
6:30a-4p weekdays; 8a-4p weekends

The post Best of LA: Gjusta & Sqirl appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/best-la-gjusta-sqirl/feed/ 2
Girls getaway: Los Angeles https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/girls-getaway-los-angeles/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/girls-getaway-los-angeles/#respond Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:55:33 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12178 I’m coming clean with the fact that I, a native northern Californian, have become a total LA fangirl. Sibling rivalry is strong in California. I’m from the north, land of geeks, tree huggers, fog and earnestness. Southern California is home to sun, surfers, avocados and cosmetic enhancements. We’re all family, but like many close geographic...

Read More

The post Girls getaway: Los Angeles appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

I’m coming clean with the fact that I, a native northern Californian, have become a total LA fangirl.

Sibling rivalry is strong in California. I’m from the north, land of geeks, tree huggers, fog and earnestness. Southern California is home to sun, surfers, avocados and cosmetic enhancements. We’re all family, but like many close geographic rivals – northern and southern Italy, Yankees and Southerners, Ohio and Michigan – each side is a wee smug about being the better of the two.

The truth is, I only see LA in short, euphoric visits. I’ve been to LA maybe eight times over a decade for annual-ish girls weekends with three of my closest friends, mostly for less than 48 hours at a time. No doubt we’d have a blast anywhere, since those are the only times we all get together. And maybe it doesn’t take much to stay entertained for 48 hours.

But every trip is better than the last. The City of Angels is full of treasures – miles of powdery beach, breathtaking art, kitschy architecture, outrageously fresh and creative food. True to reputation, the city is also a sprawling congested mess, so it pays to navigate it wisely. We have a formula that works for us, but we also always work in something new. There’s never a shortage of choices in LA.

My friend Celeste, a native New Yorker who lived in Los Angeles before settling in San Francisco, got the LA party started when we planned our first weekend 10 years ago. She missed the sun of southern California, and the warmth. She missed the creative energy of LA. She missed the sushi. People, she said, were just happier in LA.

It’s true. We are ridiculously elated as soon as we get off the plane and shed our coats. We gorge on sushi, walk the beach, catch up on life. Sometimes there’s art, sometimes exercise, always some shopping and plenty of food, coffee and cocktails. It’s perfect for us.

Forty eight hours might not seem like much. But I kind of love it. We plan our itinerary to minimize travel time and prioritize the things we want to do the most: sushi for Celeste, art for Nicole, food and vintage shopping for me, and sweet Anne lives in LA and happily goes along with anything.

Sometimes we talk about reuniting in New York City, where we all met, lived and worked years ago. Like LA, NYC is also easy to fly to, and a prime location to pack in a lot of activity in two days. But when we consider New York City in January vs Los Angeles in January, it’s never much of a contest.

So here’s a slice of Los Angeles for your late-winter fantasies. It’s not a comprehensive guide, or even a best of. It’s just a template for a happy weekend, pulling in energy from a new place, enjoying new experiences, and sharing great food with friends whose simple presence brings comfort, inspiration and joy.

Santa Monica

Unless it’s a rare rainy spell, we stay in Santa Monica for the beach, the farmers market and the proximity to the airport. First stop is always Sugarfish for sushi.

After famed sushi chef Kazunori Nozawa closed Sushi Nozawa in Studio City in 2012 (we used to get carsick on the drive over the hills to get there during Friday rush hour), he opened this chain of casual value-oriented sushi joints, featuring fixed menus of his most celebrated creations. So now we have Sugarfish options all over town (currently 10 locations in LA and one in NYC).

It’s still Nozawa sushi, so even the value version isn’t cheap – Nozawa’s “Trust Me” menu runs $32 – but the quality is sublime. Perfectly fresh fish, carefully draped over warm, seasoned sushi rice, drizzled with bright, citrusy ponzu sauce. We sigh with happiness the whole meal.

Sometimes we go again the next day. Once we got takeout, but it’s really much, much better when you have it fresh at the restaurant.

Celeste and I match extra sushi orders after Anne and Nicole fold. I do my best to keep up, but invariably Celeste wins, regrets it and declares it time to get out and walk it off.

High above beach level, Santa Monica has a wide pedestrian walkway along Ocean Boulevard that is ideal for walking and enjoying the ocean views. Basking in bright sun and breathing in sea air, it’s hard not to feel good about life.

You just don’t get this level of relaxation on the northern California coast, which tends to be wild, scenic, windy and freezing cold.

To get down to the beach, you can walk on a pedestrian overpass to cross the Pacific Coast Highway. There are a few crossover points, the biggest carrying cars and a crush of people to the Santa Monica Pier.

Bike and pedestrian paths run along the beach, passing through the amusement park of Santa Monica Pier, the outdoor fitness center of Muscle Beach, and long stretches of sand and surf. We walk and talk forever.

And take bad selfies.

The Original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, proudly billed as “the birthplace of physical fitness boom of the twentieth century,” has some of the best people watching/gawking around. Regulars casually practice jaw-dropping acrobatic feats on gymnastic rings, high bars or just flat ground.

Who are these people? It’s like accidentally walking into Professor X’s school for mutants. In northern California you’ll find plenty of hikers and bikers, conventionally fit and conventionally dressed. This is like a daily open-air circus, and it’s been going on since 1934.

The bouncy, tightrope-like slacklines, installed here in 2013, are super cool. I stare mesmerized by the tricks people do on them, bouncing and flipping and turning, and realize with a laugh that I’m holding my breath.

Muscle Beach is strictly an observer sport for me, but kids aren’t afraid to have a go at it (this pic not from a girls weekend).

We skirt the crowds at Santa Monica Pier, but I do love the lights at night.

Saturday mornings we walk to the Santa Monica downtown farmers market and stock up on citrus and pistachios for snacking and the plane ride home. The abundance is such a wintertime delight, with more varieties than you knew existed of oranges, tangerines, lemons and grapefruit. As with northern California, farmers markets operate year round here.

The dried fruit vendor has everything, including sweet and chewy organic dried strawberries. They are shockingly expensive – $25 a pound – but I’ve never seen them anywhere else, and they are oh so good.

We try to fit in a little culcha. Nicole has a passion for art, so it’s always fun to learn from her.

If someone gets motivated, we might have a targeted itinerary. Other times we roam freely until things shut down.

It’s always over too quickly. Nicole and I stay up late talking after Anne and Celeste crash. And then she’s up before dawn and on a plane back to Boston.

LA is always a colorful adventure. But even better than the place is taking time to get away with people that fuel my creative and spiritual energy.

You could do a weekend anywhere – biscuits and live music in Nashville; cheese-and-caramel popcorn and comedy in Chicago; huevos rancheros and artisan markets in Santa Fe. It’s all about the time, and the people.

Between kids, work, commitments and spouses, getting away takes real effort. But these few weekends are vivid, sparkling memories for us, and they have deepened friendships into bedrock.

Northern California will always be my home, and New York City will always have my heart. But thanks to my girls, LA has become my happy place.

But wait…

I didn’t even get into the food in LA, except for sushi, which is as much tradition for us as food. It pains me to admit that food in LA is so much better than the food in the San Francisco Bay Area (don’t hate on me, SF people, we have pockets of greatness but also long stretches of bland suburbanness). But I’ve gone on too long already, so I’ll be getting to food in my next post (see Best of LA: Gjusta & Sqirl).

Travel notes

Sugarfish Sushi
1345 2nd St, Santa Monica
11:30a-10p Mon-Sat; noon-9p Sundays

Original Muscle Beach
Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica

Santa Monica Farmers Market
Saturdays 8a-1p, Arizona Ave at 3rd St
Wednesdays, 8:30a-1:30p, Arizona Ave at 2nd St

Lodging

LA is an expensive town, and Santa Monica, with its central location and proximity to the beach, is pricey. There are a number of nice hotels along Ocean Boulevard – The Georgian, Shore Hotel, Oceana Beach Club, Loews Santa Monica, Fairmont Miramar, Shutters on the Beach – that are expensive but very convenient.

Airbnb is a great alternative to hotels these days, especially for longer stays or family travel.

The post Girls getaway: Los Angeles appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/03/girls-getaway-los-angeles/feed/ 0
Slow-cooked pulled pork carnitas https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/01/slow-cooked-pulled-pork-carnitas/ https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/01/slow-cooked-pulled-pork-carnitas/#comments Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:46:47 +0000 http://chinesegrandma.com/?p=12162 Feeding a lot of people is something we do often here, so I’m always excited about recipes that make entertaining easy. My friend Brooke sent me this truly outstanding carnitas recipe last fall, and it’s quickly become a favorite for family gatherings or potlucks. In wintertime especially, it’s hard to go wrong with a big...

Read More

The post Slow-cooked pulled pork carnitas appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>

Feeding a lot of people is something we do often here, so I’m always excited about recipes that make entertaining easy. My friend Brooke sent me this truly outstanding carnitas recipe last fall, and it’s quickly become a favorite for family gatherings or potlucks.

In wintertime especially, it’s hard to go wrong with a big pot of tender shredded meat. Even if you’re not cooking for a crowd, pulled pork can be used all week for the best tacos ever, followed by pulled pork sandwiches, followed by a pork-and-bean soup. Or even just piled on top of some salad or roasted vegetables.

And if you’re having people over for Super Bowl Sunday, this is a really easy way to do it. Cook the meat all day in a slow cooker, and put it out with warm tortillas and taco fixings. Your guests will love it, and you’ll be free to watch the game (or visit with friends).

This recipe makes a lot, but don’t worry about having too much – you can always freeze leftovers in small ziploc bags as a gift to your hungry self in the future.

Seasonings are very simple. A generous amount of salt and pepper, plus a simple spice rub made with cumin, oregano and olive oil.

Rub the pork with salt, pepper and spice rub.

A bit of orange juice, onion and a jalapeno if you have it (I don’t always). This was a double batch – eight pounds of pork – and it’s no more work.

I was out of fresh onions, but in a pinch dehydrated onions work surprisingly well.

I haven’t had to skim the fat – there really isn’t much. But you can if you need to.

The meat is done when it falls apart when you try to pick it up.

The original recipe includes a final step to briefly fry up the meat. You can and should – but I’ll also tell you it’s still delicious if you don’t.

Fry it in batches, a layer of pork at a time, to brown it a bit.

The quick fry gives you nice little browned bits. But if you’re pressed for time, or just can’t be bothered, the pulled pork is still juicy and wonderful without the extra step.

Carnitas make incredible tacos, of course. But the pulled pork is also great on sandwiches, or over salads, or just snacking out of the fridge while you’re thinking of what else to eat with it.

I love sharing recipes here, and I love it just as much when friends share back. Thanks to Brooke for this one!

Party recipes from the archives:

Slow-cooked Pulled Pork Carnitas
An outstanding dish for entertaining. All you need is a pot of this plus warm tortillas and taco fixings. Adapted from Recipe Tin Eats.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (aka pork butt)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 jalapeno, deseeded, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 oranges, juiced (3/4 cup juice)

Spice rub

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation

  1. Rinse and dry the pork shoulder. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper.
  2. Mix the spice rub – oregano, cumin and olive oil – and rub all over the pork.
  3. Place the seasoned pork in a slow cooker, fat cap up. Top with the onion, jalapeño, minced garlic (don’t worry about spreading it) and orange juice. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 6 hours.
  4. When done, the meat should fall apart when you try to lift it with tongs. Remove the meat from the slow cooker and let cool slightly. Then shred the pork using two forks.
  5. There should be 1 1/2 to 2 cups of cooking liquid left in the pot. If you have excess, you can reduce the liquid by cooking at a lively simmer (either in the slow cooker on the sauté setting with the lid off, or in a saucepan), skimming off extra fat if necessary. The liquid will be very salty. Set aside.
  6. Quick sear (optional): Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large non stick pan over high heat. Working in batches, place a layer of shredded pork into the pan and drizzle over some juices. Wait until the juices evaporate and the bottom side is golden brown and crusty. Turn and just briefly sear the other side. Remove pork from skillet.
  7. Drizzle cooking juices over shredded pork and serve immediately with warm tortillas and taco fixings, or bbq sauce and buns, or however else you’d like to enjoy it.

Serves 12.

Notes

  • Salt is a big seasoning here. I’ve already adjusted it down from the original recipe, but be sure to adjust it downward if you are making less meat than indicated by recipe.
  • Cooking overnight: for lunch time entertaining, you can cook the pork overnight in a slow cooker on low. In the morning add some water if the cooking liquid has cooked off. You can keep the pork on the warm setting for another 4 hours.
  • Electric pressure cooker (eg Instant Pot): cook 1.5 hours on high. Cook for more time if the meat does not fall apart when you pull at it with a fork.
  • To cook in the oven: add 1 cup of water to the braising liquid. Place in 325 degree F oven for 2 hours, covered, then roast for a further 1 to 1.5 hours uncovered. Add more water if the liquid dries out too much. You should end up with 1 1/2 to 2 cups of liquid when it finishes cooking.
  • To store for later eating, shred the meat without pan frying and store the juices separately in the refrigerator. Pan fry to reheat the meat, adding some juices to moisten.
  • To freeze leftovers: store meat in ziplock bags or airtight containers. Freeze in small batches for convenience. Defrosts easily overnight in refrigerator.

Here’s the link to a printable version.

The post Slow-cooked pulled pork carnitas appeared first on chinese grandma.

]]>
https://chinesegrandma.com/2018/01/slow-cooked-pulled-pork-carnitas/feed/ 6
https://chinesegrandma.com/feed/
chinesegrandma.com
crawl=CC-MAIN-2019-26
205415
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:HA7ASIJLUZU7WBV2L2B5HLPL2G7XETKE
<urn:uuid:97ee18af-4503-4537-9c5a-e517675865b0>
2019-06-25T12:03:36Z
104.198.193.204
application/rss+xml
sha1:5GGAIANQSCJXZ4KAZNHMQCQMXW6K5ZDJ
<urn:uuid:5f90fafb-e7e2-46a6-ad30-305d8d28258f>
https://chinesegrandma.com/feed/
response
<urn:uuid:8ebf2e8a-8c22-49b2-a379-fd2f9353bde7>
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2019-26
publisher: Common Crawl
description: Wide crawl of the web for June 2019
operator: Common Crawl Admin (info@commoncrawl.org)
hostname: ip-10-186-182-72.ec2.internal
software: Apache Nutch 1.15 (modified, https://github.com/commoncrawl/nutch/)
robots: checked via crawler-commons 1.1-SNAPSHOT (https://github.com/crawler-commons/crawler-commons)
format: WARC File Format 1.1
conformsTo: http://iipc.github.io/warc-specifications/specifications/warc-format/warc-1.1/