AhnYoung, Chingoo (hello, Friend)!

It’s winter time and I’ve been hitting a lot of cold cities for work which makes me crave hearty and soul warming food. I decided that I would make this easy dish because it checked all of the boxes. While putting this meal together this morning, I was reminded of my time living in Atlanta.

It’s been about two months since my epic summer vacation and I’m still missing my girls and the incredible time we had exploring the Adriatic corridor. This post is my homage to the time that we spent in Croatia. This past summer was my second trip to the beautiful country, and it was nothing short of remarkable. My first trip, I went to Split and explored the Dalmation Islands. This trip, was a quick trip to Dubrovnik aka Kings Landing! I learned on my first trip to Croatia that they are one of the most industrious countries in the world when it comes to Lavender.

A few months ago I went on an epic vacation with my friends to Montenegro. We sailed around the coastal country for seven days living our best lives. We would dock daily in a new town and head out for exploration where we would inevitably stop for a drink at a cute cafe. Whenever we did that, I would always order an Aperol Spritz. Something about sipping on a spritz outdoors with a beautiful view of the sea really eased me into vacation mode. Ahh…if there is anywhere I could be at this exact moment it would be right back in Montenegro. Between the picturesque views of the beautiful mountains that butt up against the sea, the incredibly fresh and flavorful seafood Montenegro was nothing short of amazing.

I’ve shared this one with friends throughout the years and it truly is a charmer. All you have to do is marinate the meat and pop it into the crock pot and go about your day. Then when you come home, your house smells so good ands it’s quite comforting. I don’t break out my crock pot very often but when I do it’s normally for this recipe.

We all know how important breakfast is for our bodies. However, I’ll be the first to admit that I am terrible at being consistent with breakfast but on the flip side, I’m stellar when it’s time for brunch! :) This smoothie bowl is a go-to recipe for me, it’s super easy to make and it leaves me feeling full for hours. I typically will bust this recipe out when I’m on a health kick or after a hard work out or a long run. I find it to be incredibly fueling and yummy. I pack in a ton of superfoods such as Tumeric, Goji Berries and Chia Seeds.

Right before I left for college. My Korean mother ushered me into the kitchen to learn first hand how to make kimchi. Looking back, i'm always so touched by mother's gesture. Don't get me wrong, kimchi is by far one of my favorite side dishes. But being this was my first time away from home, it wasn't the first thing on my mind. But, at the time my Mom wanted to prepare me with a traditional dish that she knew would instantly comfort me. You see, I wasn't going to college a few hours away, or even half way across the country! I was going across the globe back to America where I had never really lived at past the age of 3! 

Greyhounds have become an obsession for me as of lately. If you ask me what my favorite drink is, I will most likely answer by asking what the occasion is. That's because I really pick my drinks based on the occasion or mindset i'm in. So what occasion does a Greyhound fit in? For me, it's the weekend anytime after 2pm but before 8pm and usually coupled with an outdoor scene like a rooftop or patio. Yes, that's where my obsession with Greyhounds live.

Consider this to be your warning! I can be a bit heavy handed when it comes to spicy foods! I was groomed for the heat that comes with spice so if you find my recipes to be a bit firey, please absolutely adjust! With that said, I introduce you to my spicy garlic shrimp recipe. Random fact, I have this weird allergy that was inherited from my grandmother where if I touch shellfish my hands will get itchy and puffy. I have no idea why but it doesn't bother me to eat it.

Recently, my Mom came to visit me in Oakland and prior to her arrival, I wanted to bake something in the house to make her feel welcomed. My mom is obviously a big influencer in my blog because well, she was the person who gave me very first cooking lesson. Baking to be exact. I was a highly active kid growing up, always involved in a sports team, club or activity so fundraising was always a big deal. Signature fundraisers back then usually included bake sales so my mom quickly brought me up to speed so that I could help her with the load.

his cocktail reminds me of a special time in Seoul. Special for me at least :). It's right around late March/early April,  when the mornings are still brisk when you first wake up and the sun is out and ready to great you with a warm hug.  Yes, it's the tail end of winter and the very first moments of spring. The scent of the first blooming cherry blossoms lingers in the soft distance and it's so euphoric.