Compromise Vs. 30min running rule--Tofu meatball makeover, 2 ways

I made myself a rule yesterday, I should run everyday, only 30mins, but not 1hr. Since an one-hour running plan is always intimating and I tend to postpone it and everything else that  looks like with higher priority jumps into the queue. So I thought what if I did  it only 30min each time, it  would be easy to keep it on and I would still have energy to run the next day , so  the rule is : No more than 30min!

But the reality is I was super cold, tired and hungry after school, then you can guess, I didn't go...

It is frustrating anyway.  I can easily break my rules without any guilty, how horrible it is! How about my dream about being a real chef? Will it also be compromised? Will it be able to survive from various complicated  factors in real life?

I do other art things as fun and I enjoy it, because I know I will never feed myself by art. But when things become serious, it also brings in more pressure. Is my dream realistic? Am I really talented enough?

Is it too late?

Maybe I should just stop worrying but keep this blog on.

It is kinda boring only have poached tofu meatball, so I worked on them a little bit and made them over in two ways- pan-fried and deep-fried(panko version), the dipping is hoisin sauce. And it is a nice match, I think.

Say Happy Bday in 'person'--Poached Tofu/shrimp meatball

Today (11/10) is XiaoDandan's birthday. I noticed that in facebook , then I decided to give her a call instead of writing the several words in facebook. And I did, she sounded very happy to hear that from me. We are close friends, we should TALK. Do you agree?

I also remember, the other day, my another friend's birthday, I pinged him to say happy B-day, he was so surprised that I knew his birthday , which I did appreciate facebook. And I am sure he was happier to get the wishes on IM. It was a communication between friends, which means an 'asking' will be followed by an 'answer'.

So if you can , make a call or an email,  at least an IM to your friends on their Bday. I guess your wishes will stand out, because it's specially from you in person

I know Xiaodandan likes steak, not sure she is also a fan of tofu, but should be, ( Chinese girls love Tofu~~)
But I am sure Cindy will like it, ' Hello,Cindy, how are you?'

This is something I learned from '天天饮食‘, very healthy but delicous.

I mixed 'meatball' with what I had by hand: parsley, minced garlic, shrimp, sausage, water chestnut, tofu (medium firm one, pre-processing: boil it so that it will get rid of some water, but still not recommend to use firm tofu)

Use blender to mix them, add a little bit starch, egg( which I think is optional), if too dry, add unsweetened soymilk(or milk or chicken broth)----don't worry , it won't get apart, adding water into meatball is the sercret to make it juicy, season it with white pepper, salt.

Prepare a bowl of startch water, while heating a pot of water or chicken broth.

When water is lukewarm, wash meatball with startch water , then put it into the pot. When the water just starts to boil, turn the heat down to medium , let it simmer.

when meatball are floating in the pot, they are done.
I like the cruching surprise from water chestnuts  : P

Cooking is my espresso--Baked Teriyaki Tofu with basil and pesto

I was so tired from work. With the concern about my see sight, I thought I really had to make myself carrot soup, and also some pesto chicken for lunch. That was what I thought after work, but after I walked home ( it was a long walk from central), I really wanted to do nothing but going to bed. Since I was not happy with going to bed at 9:30, hung out for bit. Then, I thought I might want to cook. So I just cooked, lemon-ginger carrot soup and pesto chicken. and I was amazed by myself, after cooking, I have been feeling so relaxed and happy :) That' me, maybe I was born to be a cook???

Teriyaki tofu is very simple. Usually I would marinade tofu with teriyaki sauce overnight, but if it was in a rush, I only marinaded it for about 15min, and I boil tofu in marinade sauce, after the sauce is almost gone, put tofu in oven( I used toaster oven), until it is dried.I saw a recipe to dip broiled tofu with pesto, so I copied it here, but I think it's just OK. But it goes perfectly with basil, sandwich tofu with 2 pieces of basil leaves. Cindy, my officemate likes it very much. Haha, we have been educated ladies should eat more tofu, so almost every Chinese woman like tofu~~

Weekend Despression--Bacon Wrapped Tofu

Really, I am super depressive in the weekend, and usually Friday night is the worst. But last night, thanks to my friends, making me laugh all night and my cheek hurt :D.
It was very annoying that I woke up early in such a humid summer Saturday which meant I had to figure out how to kill a long day. But the positive side was I was able to watch a movie with an early bird ticket. I was going to watch Ponyo, but got there late, so watched the very popular District 9. But it didn't bring me any good mood, it is gross, violent and sad. So I decided to stay in the theater and watch Ponyo . YES, it was a wise decision, and it 's about love, and make you feel life is actually beautiful.

I was going to re-do the bacon wrapped chicken breast, but that little Ponyo doesn't have enough power to brighten my day. So it was degraded to bacon wrapped tofu. But surprisedly good, especially with cherry tomato, a BTT.
I was worried about soft tofu was not as good as firm ones, but it come out perfect. Maybe firm tofu would be very dry. You can never conclude before you try.