Cooking with Ashley!

So… if you know about my family at all, odds are you know there is amazing food at my house. And, when I say amazing, I really mean: AMAZING. In fact, you might have even heard me complain about it (and possibly heard it a lot, especially if you are a school friend xD), and how I sometimes wish I wouldn't go home on weekends because it is ridiculously hard to keep from getting fat! >_<

Anyways, so because my dad and mom are both amazing at cooking (and my sister bakes…), well… it just is never really necessary for me to cook. Since, I couldn't make something that the rest of the family would like better, right? So… I just don't. =P

This, while considered briefly before my trip, clearly was not thought about enough. Because, once I arrived here, it was like "Oh shoot, I need to feed myself. Kjasbldj alkd asfl da!"

…

Yes, so, cooking has indeed been an adventure. I've been made fun of by a certain friend who apparently cooks wonderfully yummy Chinese food (FEED ME!), because for the first week or two, the main thing I was "cooking" was gyoza and stir-fry vegetables - though was amongst other ramen/soba/noodle-type things, okay?! Haha! But, I want to get better, so while I'm definitely asking for recipes from my mom, I have decided to keep trying on my own in the meantime! Because this is an aspect of my study abroad that so immensely amuses myself (yes, I laugh at myself - a lot xD), I thought I'd share with you the process of cooking tonight's dinner! xD

For the next few minutes, welcome to my mind! ;)

Cooking with Ashley~ ;)

[at the store] Oooh, bok choy! Discount! I'll cook that tonight!

[at home half an hour later] Oops. I didn't buy any meat. What am I going to make… Hm, I know my parents make bok choy with oyster sauce, and I have that. Okay, I'll do that! And… I have bean sprouts. And tofu. This can totally be a meal.

*prepares pot and bok choy*

Oh wait, I guess I should maybe look up an actual recipe, that might be smart. xD

*googles "bok choy oyster sauce" and clicks first site*

*Scans quickly* Okay, I am not going to use all the other ingredients, but no worries. I totally gots this. x)

*Ignores the use of oil and garlic and ginger, and just boils water (also finally looks up the kanji on the burner and realizes that she should have been using the other button all this time… At least I know now, so yay?), and throws bok choy in, waits, then takes out*

Perfect! :D

*Didn't realize that was supposed to keep the water in the pot for the sauce. So, just put a tiny bit of water in with some oyster sauce  and pepper and garlic powder*

*Quickly realizes this probably wasn't the right thing to do, and actually reads the instructions this time*

Ohhh…

Psh, no worries. I can fix this. *pours in some water. Stares at for a minute* Hmm, that was probably too much water. But not my fault, I don't know what 100ML is, and don't have a way to find out!!

*remembers she bought a measuring cup*

Okay, forget that happened…

*after a bit longer, is bored* This is taking forever. I'm going to cook my beansprouts now, instead of frying them with the tofu after. *chucks some in*

Perfect! :D

*pulls out* Okay, now to wait till my sauce boils down…

…. *couple minutes later* GOOD ENOUGH!

*pours on the bok choy* Snap, I probably should have tasted that first… Nah, I'm sure it's fine! =P

... Oh shoot, I forgot the tofu. *stares at package* Um…. Oh! I'll just cut it up and eat it with shoyu (soy sauce), like at home. Is like that just as a side dish, but no one has to know that. (Shhhh!) x)

Done!! :D

いただきます！！！(Itadakimasu!!!) xD

And…. Yes. That was my dinner-making process tonight. No joke. :P And… probably no one else would eat what I just made, but I thought it was fine! See, this is why it's a good thing I'm only cooking for myself, because while you all would probably hate it (doesn't it look okay though, at least??), I am content (maybe I have weird taste buds?), and so it's all good! In fact, maybe it's more healthy this way, since clearly I am simple and use only very basic ingredients... Maybe? lol!

Oh, and I'm also super glad I have my own kitchen in my room. I can't imagine having to be in a shared one and have people watch me not know what I'm doing. :P

So… yeah. Totally just failed the Matsumoto name, as I clearly do not possess the amazing skills of my predecessors. Maybe I'll get better after some cooking videos or something.  Or… maybe not. LOL xD

Unless.. Anyone want to teach me? ;D

(Btw, I had dessert too, if you are concerned that I might not be full at this point:

Of course, this lovely dango was half-off. I am a discount shopper if I ever buy sweets here. xD)

Alright, hope you enjoyed laughing at me as much as I enjoyed writing this post~ xD Bye, everyone!! ♥