Baking - The Only Way Possible

As soon as I opened the care packages from my mom (see previous post), and photographed their contents, I wasted no time getting to work on my first baking project. In anticipation, I had my recipe picked out and 'pantry' stocked with all necessary ingredients. So away I went baking Half-way to Heaven Peanut Butter Cookies. Nick loves peanut butter.

Baking in Korea is not quite the same as baking in the States. Most sweet treats involve rice as the main ingredient and for an extra slash of flavor, red bean is often added in the mix - they get pretty wild over here (I will go into more details on that in a later post). That said, most things necessary for baking are pretty easy to come by but they are packaged into tiny portions. In the above image starting from the lower left, you can see powdered sugar, flour and baking soda. The cost of these items aren't too outrageous but the powdered sugar gets a little pricey at about $1.50 per bag. All and all, the cost is well enough to support the occasional baker like me.

The first thing I realized was that I did not have any measuring spoons... so the palm just had to do. I have since acquired a set of ml spoons that are a slightly better replacement than my hand.

brown sugar, lots of chunky peanut butter, raw sugar, egg, butter.

If I would have let him, Nick would have just eaten this.

Now this is the true test of baking... only 4 cookies at a time!

So I cranked my little Electrolux to 200° C and away I went.

The filling: creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar.

Not so easy to 'whip' with a fork. I have since also acquired a whisk.

Success. The first four cookies are cooling on my makeshift cooling rack on top of the dishes rack... I desperately lack counter-top space.

Luckily the cookies only need to cook for 8 minutes but to kill time I was surfing Pinterest on the IPad.

Adding the creamy topping.

Delicious. An afternoon of hard work produced 7 peanut butter sandwiches. Well worth it in my mind.

In true form of my mother, after a day of baking I needed something salty and savory. So I cracked open some Garlic Tricuits, added some cheese, pesto, tomato, onion and baked until hot and melty. Mmm-mmm.

Rations From Home

Nick and I are quickly approaching our three month mark here in South Korea. During this time we have been fortunate enough for receive a steady supply of care packages from our parents and aunties. Recently we hit the jackpot when my mom sent us three large boxes FILLED to the brim with cravings from home.

Roughly 30 pounds of goods that needed to be carried home from our academy 15 minutes away. Luckily the boxes fit nicely into my awesome Envirosax bags! I have the Origami Pouch Set - use them most everyday.

The inventory:
dry roasted almonds
dry roasted peanuts
spicy peanut mix
sour gummy worms x2
beef jerky x2
Triscuits x3
old fashion oatmeal
Oreos - Double Stuf, naturally
valentine heart candy
Greek salad dressing!!
salt and vinegar Pringles x2 - for sharing at work
Flavor Blasted Goldfish x2
peanut butter cups
face wash x2
deodorant
deck of Uno cards - my middle school students desperately wanted to play this game
my art supplies!! ranging from pens and pencils for sketching, watercolors, paper, brushes, India ink, illustration markers, acrylic primary colors, and two design books - let the fun begin
last but not least, a cute Valentine's Day card sending lots of love

Now it is a matter of will power to not devour every last crumb in one sitting.