IN MY BELLY

I didn't write much last week and I know it's been hard on everyone. Bear with me. I've been cleaning out the cupboards, trying to "use up" stuff, and it hasn't been that inspiring. Bottled pasta sauce, frozen pizza, celery and ranch dip...I think I'm going downhill. A few worthy items though:

1. Granola made by ME. That's right, I like to walk around barefoot and go on nature hikes, so it's only fitting that I'd try and make my own granola. It turned out ok, but I don't think Kelloggs will be calling any time soon.
2. Samusa soup and tea leaf salad from Burma Super Star in the Richmond. Me, Alex and Kelton got there at the right time and didn't have to wait an hour. This place only keeps getting more popular, with recent profiles on the Food Network, Check Please and Bay Area Backroads. I wish they would expand already.
3. Ginger cake at Chow on Church St. That would be the warm ginger cake, with hot caramel sauce, pumpkin ice cream and fresh whipped cream. Hands down, it's my favorite dessert EVER. Fancy dancy fondants, souffles and chiffons are nice and all, but this is the kind of dessert you want to take home to meet your parents. A "real keeper."
4. Mixed vegetable soup from Lotus Garden Vietnamese on Mission St. Just needed a little nuoc cham (the spicy red stuff) to kick it up a notch (that'll be the last time I ever say that). It's not the best Vietnamese I've ever had, but the homestyle vibe completely makes up for it, with Cathy the owner chatting us up while her kids did their homework at one of the tables. Just like at my grandma's house. Well, not really, but you get the idea.

More later, I'm cookin' tonight!