Fresh Food Feast

Another great party was had on Saturday, 6/21/08. Our party is known for great food and fun. Live crawfish and fresh oysters were on the menu along with crab cakes, ribs, tri-tips, steaks, salmon, clam linguini, garlic bread, cheese platter, chicken salad, fruit salad, freshly baked banana muffins, cookies, and two cakes...

The crawfish was a big hit again. Love how the kids react to seeing bunch of live crawfish from the sack. There were squeals, laughs and giggles. Some lucky fellows went home as pets. According to Sandy who kept one alive for 1 1/2 years, feeder fish was the secret to its long life.

See the plier on the photo? OK, it's not the official tool for opening oysters but I forgot my oyster knife and the plier was the next best thing that allowed me to open the oysters up as fast as I could. The trick was to pinch the thin side of the oyster shells so there was a little opening and then slide the knife in between the shells. The oyster will open beautifully. I know, I know -- the professional oyster shuckers would have laughed their heads off but the end result was the same. Yummy!

She&She. He&He.

THEY DO! Wedding bells are ringing everywhere for same-sex couples now that they can be legally married in California.

People have their own opinions about gay marriages. However, it’s important to note that LOVE and COMMITMENTS that couples have for each other have no correlations with being gay or straight.

Many of the gay couples featured in the SF Chronicles have been together for a long time. The average length of the relationship for 15 couples in today’s article is 14.4 years (yes, I did the math) - the longest being 40 years and the shortest 3.5. To me, that’s the most precious part. RK and I have been together for 23 years, and I can certainly relate to the inseparable bond and the deep feelings that couples have for each other. It has nothing to do with the gender.

The literal translation of the Taiwanese word “spouse” is “the one I hold hand with”. It’s the world’s greatest blessing when one is lucky enough to find another whom he or she can walk hand in hand with for the journey through life.

Congratulations!

No Tomato for You!

Juicy, plump and nutritious - but you can't have it because of fear of Salmonella contamination. Hmmm... Does the newspaper have to make it sound like every single tomato is bad for you?

Yes, good to be cautious, but I think it goes with all food not just tomoates. Salmonella infection can happen any day with any food. Why just focusing on tomatoes only? Very misleading.

It's not the tomato's fault but like the poor spinach, tomato will get a bad rap for a while. At least can-tomato looks better than can-spinach.

Eat smart. Handle raw food with care. No need to panic. Tomatoes from your garden are fine.