mi mama me mima

(click on the pic so you can actually read it. ay mafalda!)

Yesterday was mother's day in the US and made me think about my mami in Buenos Aires who is alone at the time since my dad is in Korea visiting my gparents. Pobrechita... mi mami....

I come from women who can cook- My moms mom is hardcore- she makes everything and I mean EVERYTHING from scratch. When they first arrived in Buenos Aires, there weren't any Korean grocery stores, so she figured out how to make good old traditional meals all from scratch; she makes gochujang, doenjang, and cases of kimchi on a monthly basis. You can really admire this if you understand the work and stink that this means (this stuff tastes great... but Koreans do not cook with their sense of smell). My mom is spoiled by my granma who makes all this awesomeness- but she has her weapons too. Donuts are hard to find in BA- during the 90's Dunkin Donuts opened in Buenos Aires. I remember exactly where it was, right across the street from the American embassy- of course. After competing with medialunas (croissants), Dunkin Donuts quickly packed their donuts and left the country. Good thing i had my omma who makes the best damn donuts ever (I don't even really like donuts). She never followed a recipe, she just made them... just like that- as if anyone could do it. She can make a feast with very few ingredients- she would be an awesome contestant for chopped. Most of her signature dishes are Korean but whatever she makes I kid you not- you will devour. She just makes everything delicious, after all, that's what makes a real good cook.

I wanted to write a little about her since she is truly my teacher in the kitchen. For as long as I remember, I was helping (probably bothering too) her cook. Starting with peeling veggies, graduated to dicing and then promoted to sous chef. Mami te quiero.

Here is a pic of my family circa 1992 (i believe) at the San Diego zoo. I miss my ninja turtle sweater. The kid in the back is my bro.

And.. a cute cake pop onesy pic.

I made these for baby showers. They look really cute when they are for boys, but for girls.. I'm open to suggestions on how to decorate them.

I will post some spring themed ones later this week.