Ok gang, I know I’ve been MIA lately and I’m long overdue to recap our last Family Dinner.
The delay started with me misplacing the SD card with all the photos I took from dinner. Don’t ask….no clue where it is. But how does a food blogger publish a post without food pics?? Yes, between the sibs and I, we had snapped some on our phones but I was determined to find that freaking memory card. But—-I didn’t. So then I started drafting the post using the pics from our phones.
And then last Tuesday happened.
I generally haven’t used this space to discuss things other than food. But the truth of the matter is, I am shaken to my core. It wasn’t just an election. It’s that the outcomes have supported a movement to lead by instilling fear and panic, to further widen the gap between gender equity, to continue to target those of historically marginalized races and religions and to regress not progress. It’s not a question of political parties but of basic human decency. I’m heartbroken, angry, frustrated, tired–and quite frankly, I’m afraid. Why? Because I’m a person of color, daughter of refugee parents, advocate of marriage equality, non-Christian, and a woman who believes that I alone should be the one who should make decisions regarding my health and body. I am the embodiment of everything that the new majority “leadership” has fought against.
What now? So where do my beliefs and I belong come 2017? Where do we start again? How can we keep up the strength and fight?
It’s these questions that have me deeply troubled and walking in a daze this past 10 days. It’s been difficult to focus in the office and even harder to get things in order for the whirlwind of family activities I’m about to embark on for the next 9 days. 9 days that include my cousin’s wedding, 2 family dinners, Thanksgiving, and lots and LOTS of time with the nieces and nephews.
Yes, you read correctly–that’s two family dinners that are scheduled. We wanted to take advantage of the time since all five siblings would be in town for our cousin’s wedding. As hectic and chaotic that I know it’ll be, I need it. I think that lots of time with my siblings and their fam while we cook will do us some good. And as much as I hurt, I need to still be me and do what I do–even if it’s a bit clunky for now.
So here’s that recap of our last Family Dinner I owe you.
Thanks to R’s fresh yellowfin catch, we made Shoyu Poke and my niece–Nini, made her infamous Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls.
Sis N took on the main course– Tamarind Dungeness Crab.
L made stir-fried Garlic-Lemon Broccolini to give us some greens.
T made Garlic Noodles and the Soju Cocktails.
And lastly, for dessert, I made the Mango-Macadamia Nut Cheesecake.
Gang, I know this isn’t my normal kind of post—far from it. But to write in my “normal” tone would feel disingenuous. And quite frankly, we need less of that in the world. So thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.
And until next time, let me leave you with a picture of this fedorable face….she’s been my steadfast cuddler and best comfort of late.
______________________________________________________
This Month’s Family Dinner Menu
Cocktails: Grapefruit Soju Cocktails
Appetizers: Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls, Shoyu Poke
Entrees: Tamarind Dungeness Crab
Sides: Garlic Noodles, Lemon Garlic Broccolini
Dessert: Mango-Macadamia Nut Cheesecake
theculinarychronicles.com 
We are so glad you are back to bogging! We miss you!
This darn spell checker! I meant blogging. I was checking your blog everyday in the last 2 weeks or so and secretly hoping that maybe you hit it big with the lottery and was merely temporarily absent to enjoy your new found immense wealth!