March 22, 2024
“Scrambled eggs. An anniversary dinner for two with Peking Duck & Bao Buns.”
Reading Time: 2 mins
OLPD Entry
“Scrambled eggs. An anniversary dinner for two with Peking Duck & Bao Buns.”
Expanded OLPD Entry
I was almost 6 years old when I was first taught how to cook scrambled eggs. I can remember barely being able to look over the stove at such a tender age. The kitchen was usually filled with conversation and laughter when family and friends came to eat at grandma’s house, or “Gigi”, during the holidays. There was one morning in particular, where Gigi taught us how to cook and prepare various breakfast foods. Since then, it was scrambled eggs that remained memorable for all those years. Even in the most simplistic forms of an egg dish, preparing scrambled eggs is calming, at least for me.
As the evening progressed, Iris and I celebrated our one-year anniversary of marriage at a Chinese restaurant in Austin named Ling Wu, by Chef Ling Qi Wu. Due to Iris's friend's gender reveal celebration, we celebrated our wedding anniversary on this date instead of its technical date on the 23rd of March—a slight deviation that added an unexpected twist to our anniversary plans. Now back to the story: upon arrival, we were met with a smile at the door and escorted to our table alongside a walled window. The restaurant exuded a cozy, warm energy, lit with just enough lighting that didn’t overwhelm the senses. While waiting for our appetizers, we began to people watch: our favorite past-time activity. At our first course, we placed our order for the Peking Duck, a staple of Ling Wu’s. I couldn't remember if I had eaten Peking Duck prior to this occasion, but Iris reminded me that it was delicious when she and her brother, Ben, enjoyed a variation of Peking Duck while living in the city years prior. I don't require a constant stream of activities to occupy every moment of quiet time, so sitting there with Iris was a joy in its simplicity: a pair of lovebirds sharing a quiet moment or two. It's really the little moments like these that mean the most when you think about it.
Pods & Tunes
“This one's for any of you Theo Von fans out there!”
Learning Corner
A Piece of Science
“The first vitamin was isolated and chemically defined in 1926, marking a significant moment in nutrition science. This discovery led to a focus on single nutrient deficiencies and their roles in diseases like scurvy and beriberi. Modern nutritional science, however, has evolved to study complex chronic diseases and the broader impacts of dietary patterns, moving beyond the simple nutrient-deficiency model.” (Source)
A Piece of History
“The history of food preservation techniques, particularly canning, is a fascinating aspect of food history. Nicolas Appert, a French confectioner and chef, invented the canning process in the early 19th century. His method involved sealing food in glass jars and then heating them to preserve the contents. This innovation not only extended the shelf life of food but also had a significant impact on food safety and storage practices worldwide. For a detailed exploration of this topic, you might find the information on the National Center for Home Food Preservation website insightful.” (Source)
A Word or Two
Word: “mundivagant” (adjective, “mun•div•a•gant”) (Source)
What it means: wandering over the world