Sunday Social #3: Food

1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

There are so many types of food I enjoy, but I would have to go with pizza. They're so good right outta the oven. 

2. What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

Definitely donuts. There's a Yum Yum Donuts down the block and I love their donuts, especially the maple bar. Yum!

3. What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?

Since I'm Chinese, I'm sure there are a lot of things others would say are weird/crazy that I find totally normal. When I was younger, I believe I had quail. I didn't know it was quail and my sister told me it was chicken. It totally tastes like chicken, but never again. I think it's more of a mind thing. 

4. What foods do you avoid at all costs?

I don't eat raw fish, even though I love sushi..... cooked sushi. California rolls, shrimp tempura rolls, I'm fine with. No raw fish or eggs for me. 

5. What meal reminds you of your childhood?

When my sister and I were younger, we would get fresh palatha when it was our birthday. My parents are from Myanmar, so we love Burmese food. There aren't any places that sell fresh palatha around here, so we settle from frozen ones. It's made out of a special kind of dough. You can eat it with sugar or curry. Good stuff. 

6. Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

Last year on my long term assignment, I baked a lot because it helped relax me. I found this Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe online and still remember the aroma that filled the kitchen while it was baking. It was heavenly and tasted as good as it smelled!

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  Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
  

  makes about 18-20 cookies

  2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  1/4 teaspoon salt

  8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted and cooled

  6 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, melted and cooled

  1 cup loosely packed brown sugar

  1/2 cup granulated sugar

  1 egg yolk, at room temperature

  2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  1 1/2 ripe medium bananas, mashed

  1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips

  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

  Mix the flour, salt and baking soda in a bowl and set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together cooled peanut butter and butter with both sugars until combined. Whisk in egg yolk and vanilla extract until smooth. Add in the mashed banana and mix until combined – mixture will not be smooth. Gradually add in the dry ingredients, mixing with a large spoon until a dough forms. Fold in chocolate chips.

  Shape the dough into the size of a golf ball (or size of your choice) and place on a nonstick baking sheet about 2 inches apart from each other. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden and the middles are puffy – do not overbake! Let cool completely then dig in. I suggest letting these cool completely before storing them in a sealed container or bag, and they will stay very soft because of the banana.

  *I had to bake longer than 12 minutes, but I guess that's up to the baker and your oven.