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.

Kim A Yun's 1st Birthday

Last Saturday we were invited to the birthday celebration for our co-director's daughter, Kim A Yun (her English name is Elise). We were not sure what to expect before arriving, but ultimately Koreans celebrate first birthday's similarly to Americans... but with a few distinct differences:

1. The child selects their future profession.
2. No gifts are opened.
and sadly, 3. They aren't encouraged to jam fists full of cake into their faces.

Just like back in the States, every party needs an invitation. This invitation however, was one to remember...

... it would not be Korean if a text message wasn't somehow involved.

The party was held at an Italian style restaurant that was rented out for the celebration. We were surprised at the number of people who turned up - around 60 plus in total. As sad as it may sound, I can confidently say that at my last five or more birthdays combined I maybe had 60 guests in total.

It was apparent that gathering as a large group of extended family and friends was important. Even if they were only able to stay for a short while, people from all across the country came to join in the celebration of Kim A Yun's big day. Being that we have just gotten to know her in the past few months, it was wonderful to see great selection of photos Tim put together from her first 365 days in this crazy world.

Baby baby Kim A Yun.

How can you not love a little one covered in tulle??

It may be hard to notice, but she is wearing a different hat and outfit in every single photo. Photo shoots are serious work here.

We asked, but never got a clear answer what the Dutch shoes were for. They are quite reminiscent of home.

One of the main highlights of the first birthday party is the traditional selection of future profession. Basically, the child is presented with an array of objects from money, thread, a stethoscope, etc. and whichever they choose first will be the career path or lifestyle the family can expect them to follow. The money clearly promising wealth, the thread representing working in the traditional arts, and the stethoscope signifying a career in medicine.

The tray full of trinkets and toys to pick from.

Before she had her pick, the immediate family members were asked which trinket they hoped Kim A Yun selected. The grandparents were divided between money, stethoscope, and a gavel (law) for obvious reasons.

However, to everyone's surprise she picked the microphone. This gem indicates that little Kim will grow up to be a K-Pop (Korean Pop) singer!

She just needs to work on her form a little and in no time she will be dominating the K-Pop scene. But I am sure Tim can wait for this day to come...

Korean Wonder Girls.

Finally, as I mentioned before - I was saddened to see that the birthday girl was not able to dive face first into a plate full of cake. This priceless moment completely made up for the whole thing....

Tim's 6 year old nephew licking the cake.

He was good entertainment throughout the afternoon. Each time he walked by our table, Nick and him would have a brief stare down followed by them sticking their tongues out at each other. I will let you guess which one initiated. Late into the party, I was casually circulating the room taking photos. As I glanced over to the cake table, I saw this little troublemaker look left, right, and left again - I immediately knew what I was about to witness and simply could not put a stop to it! No regrets.

Here are a few more photos of the whole family. Kim A Yun and her mother are wearing their matching traditional Korean dress called Hambok.

These were our party favors. I can't bring myself to use them though. It just doesn't feel right. Oh, maybe these can be used as our fancy guests towels!