Joe's Birthday Dinner

As always Joe asked for a Japanese meal for his birthday. Since we've been cooking and enjoying more Asian/ Japanese dishes throughout a year, it was not easy for me to think of something special to cook for Joe's birthday. Especially with ingredients I can find around here. So besides the sushi platter and savory egg custard cups, it turned out to be more of an experiment with venison ribs cooked in sweet soy sauce and daikon radish salad. We made sure dinner was accompanied by our trusty Japanese beer and sake though.
For dessert I made Kahlua cheesecake, with homemade Kahlua that Joe had just made. I was glad it turned out so good that Joe didn't mind me stealing his fresh batch of very tasty Kahlua.

2nd Trip to Apple Creek

It's been a while since last post... we've had some more winter and a bit of spring. Spring will be here when it decides to be here. A couple of weekends ago we went back to check out Apple Creek again. This time we didn't need snowshoes, and the stream was actually open. We also walked along the bank as we would fishing to see any changes.

Pretty much ALL the trees and logs that made it difficult, even impossible at some spots, to fish last year were GONE! The high water back in October must have push it all down. We'll see how our fishing season is going to be this year. About a month to find out.

Onto another subject, it had been a while to have gyoza dumplings at home. On my recent day off I made a batch from scratch, including skins. Well, I was slightly behind schedule, and Joe ended up helping roll out wrappers when he came home from work. He is much better at it than I am anyway. A good team effort resulted in a very successful batch. Well worth the work.

March!?

It's already mid-March. We've had some wintery weather on and off, and warm spells in between. It seems that every other weekend when Joe is off call, we have a crappy weather. Not surprised.

March 2nd and 3rd I cooked Japanese meals to celebrate the Girl's Day and think of Spring. We had tonkatsu upon Joe's request on the first day. 

March 3rd was a fish Friday during lent, so spicy tuna rolls on a menu.

The weather got cold again, in the single digits lows this weekend. And yes, Joe is off call. But the sun is out and shining bright. I'm hoping to go out for a little walk later on.