jul i californien

though the weather could fool anyone, it's the end of december and we are celebrating christmas in sunny california! it's the first year that the dane has spent the holiday away from his family but he seems to be enjoying himself. yesterday evening was dinner at my aunt's with my mom's side of the family. somehow my mom got a turkey for free from the hospital she works at. later i found out that there was also a produce box available instead, but she's never been one to turn down meat... anyway she has certainly mastered the preparation of this giant bird because it was moist and flavourful; even impressing the dane, who is used to lovely duck for christmas dinner.


however, the dish i was most looking forward to was my grandma's homemade kimchi! she buries it in a clay pot in her backyard, very old school. :D


along with that she brought her infamous japchae. the one i made for my birthday doesn't even come close. must be all the love she puts into it. (:


and some other homemade korean fare... not pictured are: salmon fillet topped with fish eggs (i think flying fish) and mayo, sweet potatoes cooked in rice, radish kimchi, romaine lettuce and cucumbers to dip in red pepper paste, bulgogi, and gravy with cranberry sauce for the turkey. whew!






not to say that i didn't enjoy last christmas, which was my first time spending the holiday away from home... but it's definitely great to see the family again and taste all the wonderful comfort food they cooked. and it helps that there are a lot more vegetable options than just potatoes and cabbage. ^^