Check-in: Spring Breakers and JAPAN!

It's almost here! The elusive Spring Break can finally be seen just around the corner.  

Alyssa is off to Japan today so prepare yourselves for some amazing pictures of everything and anything you can imagine.  She'll be eating great up there!  My good friend Matt is also heading to Japan for spring break today for two weeks.  SUPER Jealousssss.   I'm thinking I probably missed the memo that Japan is the place to be this break.  Whatevs aha.  I'll be cruising back home in Hawaii.  My plans include parking myself at a primo spot at a beautiful beach down (or is it up) at the North Shore and not leaving until I lose this sad, pale color.  As long as I don't have to think about school or studying I'm sure it'll be a relaxing break.  So I raise a can of Izze Sparkling Apple juice from The Curb to you all who have busted butt this past mid-term/finals week.  May your spring break be joyous, even though we totally got jipped two holidays off.  Yeah I'm salty about that, can you tell?   

良い春休みを持っている！

Have a good spring break!

Laters, 

Kiyana

P.S. Do you folks like the new banner? Big shout out to our friend Tracy for making this for us. Lord knows we would NOT have been able to do it ourselves.  

Photos taken with a Canon PowerShot G11 by Alyssa

Check-in: Mid-terms Week and Technology-savvy person wanted

Before you read any further, please take a moment to stare at the wonder and beauty that exists in the photograph.

Done? Good.

I've been drowning in recipes all night long, browsing through food blogs and watching videos on YouTube, only to find things that gnaw at my weakness: bread and cheese.  This was by far the money shot, a combination of grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese, not to mention garnishing it with my favorite fruit.  I immediately had the desire to make myself a grilled cheese only to find that I lack all necessary ingredients for it.  So I am left here, blogging about it.  

I hope this post finds you all as rested as you can be during mid-terms week and nourished with something other than caffeine and take-out.  If you have the chance go out and make yourself a damn good grilled cheese sandwich, you deserve it.  

Alyssa got to house sit for a co-worker this past week and was stoked to be able to use a full kitchen.  Not to mention said c-worker is a professional chef and has a cat.  How lucky right?  In our Latin class she equated it to a free stay-cation complete with temporary pet.  I could definitely use a stay-cation myself.    

Also, if anyone is technologically savvy and can make a banner/header/whatever it's called, I would like to ask to borrow your services.  I can't pay because hello, I'm a broke college student, but I can definitely buy you a meal.  Fair trade?  I think so.  Nothing too fancy and complicated, just something better than what I threw together on Pages.  I would love to make my own but let's face it, technology isn't my strongest point.  Contact info is to your right somewhere ---------->

That's it for now friends, eat well and I'll see you in the next post.  

Laters,

Kiyana

Photograph courtesy of http://verticalfood.tumblr.com/post/38022287912

Morsels: Himalayan Kitchen

Probably one of my favorite restaurants here in Hawaii, Himalayan Kitchen does not disappoint on any level.  You know that feeling you get when you find something amazing and never want to share for the fear that it won't be your amazing secret anymore?  That's how I felt about Himalayan Kitchen.  But eating is always better with friends so the secret is out! (Although on a night out this place can get pretty packed for such a small place.) 

Everything I have ever had here has been amazing.  And trust me when I say I've been here my fair share of times.  I am very much a ambiance eater and the decor and setting definitely adds to the over-all experience.  Himalayan Kitchen's decor and ambiance makes me wish I lived there.   You have the option of eating inside where the colors are rich and photos of the Himalayas are everywhere or you can eat outside either on iron tables surrounded by twinkling lights or on the balcony overlooking the community of Kaimuki.  I've eaten at all three places and I have to say, eating outside at night under the stars has to be one of the best eating experiences I've ever had.  I love to get dressed up and go to swanky places as much as the next person but I love being laid back and having an atmosphere perfect for good eats and good conversation.    

Mango Lassi

Yogurt drink

Himalayan Saag Dip

fresh spinach and cream cheese dip mixed with spices and served with bhatura bread

Blackened Ahi

tandoori carmelized ahi served on a sizzling platter with vegetables served with a lime, cilantro, chili dipping sauce

Chicken Tikka Madras

boneless tandoori chicken tikka cooked in spices and coconut milk

Jasmine Rice

(not shown) served with the chicken tikka madras and blackened ahi

Himalayan Kitchen hours:

5:30 - 10:00

BYOB

1137 11th Avenue #205

Honolulu, HI 96816

(808) 735-1122

All photos taken with Droid Razr by Kiyana

Comfort Food: Ozoni to ring in the New Year

Happy New Year!

New Year in my Japanese household means one thing: ozoni time.  

Ozoni is a mochi soup with clams and mizuna, a leafy green, in a fish-broth dashi, or broth, and of course mochi!  It's definitely what comes to mind when I think of comfort food.  Ozoni is one of my favorite things to eat yet I only get to eat it in during the first couple of weeks of the new year, or as long as we have mochi in the house (which in my household isn't very long).  Eating ozoni is meant to bring good health during the new year and cleanse your body to ready it for the year to come.  I hope you and your families have a great new year!