Let’s welcome August with a noteworthy appetizer recipe & some other foodie pictures! I’m completely behind on editing & uploading all the pictures I have on my SD cards, so one of these days there’ll just be a post with a bunch of pictures & guess what? YOU’RE GONNA ENJOY IT…maybe. So, let’s talk about my new recipe that I obnoxiously named “Sensational”. Look, I can feel your eyeballs rolling out of your orbital fossa, but bear with me – the catchier the title, the more likely someone will check out the recipe. What makes this recipe so sensational? KEWPIE MAYO, duh, obvi, like srsly how is dat even a q?? In all seriousness doe, the combination of Kewpie mayonnaise, sesame oil, masago, & imitation crabmeat really bakes well atop New Zealand green mussels. The umami is strong with this one & I think that if you love shellfish, this is a great recipe for you to try out. It’s actually not too expensive to make given that you have sesame oil, ponzu sauce, sesame seeds, & Kewpie already. Who would have that already? People who love to make Japanese food, gosh. If you love Japanese food, invest in those ingredients; you’ll find that they are used in many recipes.
Sensational Baked Green Mussels
What I love about this recipe is that sometimes there’s just a bit extra crabmeat mixture so you can use it to make sushi or top it on salads or rice.
Hoped y’all liked my GIF! Be sure to check out my recipe for more details. I’m optimistic that someone will eventually try this & also think it’s as great as I do. But you know who else thinks my Instagrammies are likable? One of those guys that runs the Instagram account of SORTED Food. I think I might’ve slapped my face out of shock that they “liked” not just one photo, not two, but three of my photos. Since they have such a huge following, my Instagram erupted with notifications & I gained over 100 new followers within 7 days. It’s insane & completely awesome. In addition, three of the recipes I submitted to Food Gawker got accepted, so I’ve been getting a nice influx of traffic, which is really quite encouraging!
Sure, I didn’t gain a million followers overnight or anything, but the small gain was exciting. It’s really quite reassuring when others think the content you put out there is worth that double tap. What about you, visitor of mine? What small thing made you smile this week?
Foodie Adventure Pics You’re Supposed to Like, But No Hard Feelings If You Don’t
Here are all of the pictures that were taken weeks ago, but are now being uploaded. All my photos have titles – just hover over them to see!
IKEDA
Josh & I ate at IKEDA to celebrate the completion of his dissertation. Afterwards, we saw Godzilla since Josh loves dinosaurs & things that go, “BOOM!” I don’t know what my expectations were, but I was pleasantly surprised the movie was good. Plot? Check. Likable characters? Check. Killer reptile? Check. Things that go BOOM? Triple check.
The Attic
After my birthday, Josh took us to The Attic in Long Beach because he knew how much I was itching to try the place for their “Build Your Own Bloody Mary” menu; also, their mac n’ cheese with Hot Cheetos was definitely intriguing. 10/10 would visit again – my Bloody Mary was amazing because I built it, so if it was bad, it’d be my own damn fault.
That appetizer sampler, while delicious, made me feel so disgusted with myself. None of it was remotely healthy & I just felt so unhealthy. I should’ve picked a healthier option, but I had to try all those appetizers!!!
Vegas
For America’s birthday week, Kelcie, Jimmy, Josh, & I all went to Vegas. We met up with Josh’s friends from Florida & disappointingly saw 0 fireworks, but lots of intoxicated club goers! I didn’t get very many opportunities to take more pictures of things–Aria’s pool rules forbade cameras, but I took pics on my iPhone ANYWAY–so this album is fairly pedestrian. Some iPhone photos are sprinkled in, so apologies for potato.
I only posted a few pictures from the trip here, so be sure to click the album if you’re feeling nosey/curious/stalkerish to see more. Before I stop talking, I recently got interested in trying Astro Photography, so Josh & I are planning a trip out to Joshua Tree soon, but only if he can finish writing his paper in time! There’s too much light pollution in my city & I’ve never gone camping or been to Joshua Tree before so I’m really hoping that my boyfriend can finish his smarty pants paper so we can gooooooo…after my class is over of course.
di
i had to look up the recipe. lol thanks for it! i love baked mussels!!! i’m sure that your recipe will be yummmmyy i just have to make it right. AND i work at that starbucks in front of Ikeda and I eat there all the time…so good! and the Attic’s …shredded beef poutine (i think?) WAS BOMB! ok im done. no comment on vegas because vegas is the death of me! hope you’re doing welll! π
Tiff
Diiiii! Don’t you just miss those Xanga days? Haha just kidding, no one misses those days. -_- I didn’t know you worked at that Starbucks! We have to catch up one of these days so you can tell me all you’ve been up to & how your program in NYC was!
I know we all hate LA traffic, but if you’re ever in Westwood, there’s this place called Sol that has AMAZING poutine…like 11 different kinds. Yeah, 11. There’s even a 3 poutine sampler if you can’t decide.
Darianne
I’ve never had mussels before, I’ve always been told they weren’t too pleasant, but those look tasty! This whole post is making me hungry!
Ice Pandora
Build your own Bloody Mary menu? Sounds fun! And the kewpie mayo looks so good! I am not a big fan of oysters but when you add something extra on top like cheese or this kewpie mixture of yours, I will definitely eat it! Xx
Tiff
Do you mean mussels because I didn’t use oysters haaha. If I had oysters, I would’ve just eaten them raw. π
Holly
Mussels are my absolute favourite! I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy them. Oh wow! Getting your pictures liked by SORTED is pretty amazing! I have one of their recipe books.
I went to see Godzilla a couple of months back and I was pretty disappointed. I though the story was seriously lacking excitement. Perhaps they can recover it with the second one.
By the way, your swimming costume is stunning! π
Tiff
I really love their take on some classic recipes. It might not be traditional, but their spin on it is so lovely to see. I personally prefer my mussels baked with something on top of it if they’re New Zealand green mussels, but if they’re the nice black mussels, well, moules frites popularized by the French = the best!
I’m so curious how you thought the story lacked excitement when a giant reptile was tearing apart the city trying to attack two large alien looking creatures that were trying to mate??? RT & other critics gave it a 73% which is preettty good for a summer blockbuster of things blowing up haha. I prefer Avengers saving the day, but I mean, it was quite enjoyable.
Thank you! I got my one piece online. π It’s not even translucent when you get in the water!
Holly
I just thought it was a pretty slow movie. I kind of wish Bryan Cranston had been in it more.
Cailee
YUM! …Btw, just found your blog!! LOVE it! Your photography is seriously sooooo beautiful!! way to go π
Tiff
Thanks for stopping by & leaving a comment. π I appreciate the kind words about my photos. π
Raisa
Congrats on your new followers! It takes some time, but consistency and quality posts definitely pay off! π I was absolutely shocked when my Tumblr themes were featured a few times, but it felt great to know that people like what I do. I’m actually working on a new theme now (albeit slowly because real life decided to pay a very lengthy visit).
I love the gif btw! I think I’d like to see more of those in your posts. I’ve been experimenting with gifs lately too for my gaming clips. Perhaps if we get really good at it, we can do some very sweet cinemagraphs. π
Tiff
I just googled what cinemagraphs are & they take a huge dump on gifs like…how do I even save these files as a .webm?! How amazing. I want in on this. But for now, I’m definitely adding way more GIFs! EVERYONE LOVES GIFS!!! The only problem is that my GIFs are such large files (780 by 520 px, 256 color, lots of frames) that they can’t be uploaded onto Tumblr unless I make them smaller for Tumblr, which is a possibility…but additional work. More GIFs coming your way, woman!
Nancy
Your OG topping on these green mussels sound really delicious… Even more delicious than the Japanese restaurants around! I remembered trying baked green mussels from a few places and it’s practically baked mussels with masago and a couple of chopped green onions on top. This is kind of like spicy California rolls.. But on mussels instead of rice. Congratulations on the plug and promotion from SORTED Food! This week just started soooooo I’ll save the smile for when I finally get my hands on those Sprinkles Cupcakes at Glendale this Wednesday *o*.
I have yet to see Godzilla and the rest of the coolio summer movies like Transformers. The sushi pizza seems interesting. It’s really sushi stuff on top of fried wonton skins? A bit random, but Josh has nice eyebrows.
Vegas looked like fun! And you two look cutesy together! Good luck with the rest of the class and paper (on Josh’s part) and hope the camping trip works out π
Tiff
Thanks Nancy! π I know you’re really into making Japanese food at home, so maybe you’ll try it one day! Lots of CA rolls have just plain old Krab + avo + cucumber, so using the krab mixture recipe will really one-up a CA roll!
I heard the new Transformers movie was kind of a flop! I actually read about how it was a flop, but you know how Michael Bay is…EXPLOSIONS!!!!!!!1111!!! 360 DEGREE ANGLESSSSS!11!11111oneone!! LET’S NOT FORGET ABOUT THE HERO SHOT! LAMP POSTS! A million things happening in one frame to make it look complex & dynamic!!!
Josh thanks you for the eyebrow compliment! We thank you for the cutesy comment too. π Camping trip did indeed work out! Pictures to follow.
Tara
Holy, moly, your recipes look amazing! I saw that Cat had tried your chickpeas curry, so that made me curious to see what other things you have here, and I’m impressed. I’m going to have to follow and see what else you post in the future π
Your other adventures look quite fun, too! I’m not sure if I’ll ever make it to Vegas, but if I do, I’ll sure take the chance to do so!
AND HOMG. That build-your-own-Bloody-Mary place looks amazing. I love the concept! I’m not a fan of tomato much, but I sure don’t mind a good Bloody Mary!
Tiff
hah thanks, Tara. I’ve added more recipes this year than I’ve had in the 5 years TB has been around, so I hope you’ll find something that strikes your fancy.
Alice B
you know what, I’m just gonna cry at your pictures and your blog and your recipe section.
oh and have i mentioned how much i love the way you write your posts? they’re always so….jazzy with a slight of sass and just plain cheeky catchy?
i looooove kewpie’s dressingggg x__x ugh… i tried their sesame soy sauce first and i was in loveeee *o* and then i bought the roasted sesame one (still new, haven’t tried it). maybe i should try their mayo next… but eh mayonnaise scares me now TvT
i’m so amazed you can cook shellfish *o* you amazing chef you!! people who can’t cook shellfish usually have their shellfish smelly at the end of the day so… ah, my stomach is growling… aw craaaaaap (/_\)
your instagram is glorious *bows down* i’m one of your 800++ followers, that one follower who’s always drooling and crying at your food pictures. hands down to your photographs.
godzilla is a pretty cool movie *o* i like the godzilla haha so fat and plumpish >wA<
your iphonographs are lovely too *o* are they edited with vsco too? π
Tiff
Haha aww thanks Alice! You’re too kind. It’s important to wash the shellfish before cooking with them. If they’re extra stinky, they’re probably not too fresh to begin with. I actually edited my iPhone photos from Vegas with Lightroom! I was limited in how much I could change without ruining the pic though….stupid jpg….
Jessy
I love that the topping for the mussels doesn’t change color. The colors of the ingredients look so vibrant and sooo appetizing! I’m not surprised that SortedFood would be interested in your instagrammies haha π Love their channel!
I was very happy to be back home from vacation and the new teen wolf episode… I’m addicted ^^
And the sushi… wow! That looks mad girl! We don’t have that in the Netherlands D: Not as good as this anyway.. :p
I hope Joshua will be finishing his “smarty pants papers” very soon haha. Can’t wait to see what Joshua Tree looks like π
Tiff
Thank you for all of your kind words, Jessy! π π
That’s always such a small simple pleasure in life, right? Being really busy & then your favorite show comes back on. It’s the small things in life, ya knowww?
hah it’s okay!! This type of sushi is totally Americanized sushi. It’s delicious, but you get tired of it so you end up ordering just the “boring” stuff because it’s better. Simple dishes, wonderful flavors.
He finished!! & the pictures for Joshua Tree are up. π
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ
Yeah, as you might know already I love Japanese food. What is Kewpie mayonnaise? Intriguing. Sensational is the right word for this recipe! You look so cool in that gorgeous bikini. I want one π
Tiff
Kewpie mayonnaise is this wonderful Japanese mayonnaise that’s much more flavorful & slightly sweeter than regular old mayo. It’s used in many Japanese dishes. Try it out one day if you can find it! The logo is a little naked baby haha. Thanks for the compliment!! I got the bikini online from ideeli! I’ll give you the brand later because I don’t remember it right now, I’m sorry!
Cat
I actually didn’t know what Kewpie mayo was! I had to look it up, haha. Now I want to try some, and your new recipe too. The topping for the mussels look amazing π
Wow, you have a lot of Instagram followers! Congrats on the recent increase!
Yum, all of the food looks great, and I think it’s cute how one of the sushi rolls look like lollipops. The food you got at the Attic makes me want to eat unhealthy! Mac n cheese sounds sooooo good right about now π
I love your bathing suit by the way! That’s such a cool shape π
I’ve been really wanting to get some good photos of stars in the sky, but I haven’t been to a good place for it yet. Even when I was on Big Island where they cut down on light pollution, I didn’t have too much luck. I hope you’ll be able to try it! I’d love to see the results!
Tiff
Kewpie mayo is such a little gem of Japanese condiments. It’s used so often in all of these Americanized rolls in California that it gets abused, but it’s supposed to be used sparingly haha. This recipe is really good though, major crowd pleaser!!
The Mac n cheese with hot Cheetos was amazing, but man since I’m so conscious about eating healthy, I felt so guilty about eating it. So good though, my body will get over it haha.
Thanks!! When I saw the bathing suit online, I just had to get it. Thought it was a good shape for my body type. π
I think Big Island is actually too small in terms of being able to get away from light pollution. You’d have a better time of it on a small remote island though because it would be far enough from the cities. I had some luck, but the moon made it much harder to capture the milky way. π oh well, I’m overall happy! You live in a huge state!! You should be able to find a good place for star photos away from the city. It’ll just be a long drive though haha.
nyuu
LiKe OmG, KEWPIE MAYO, duhhh! LOL But really, whoa, whoa! We have a master chef here. It still amazes me how people can take simple ingredients and make it taste like restaurant quality. I am so amused by the gif btw. lol Iβm sure someone will follow your recipe! π I donβt even know how to buy fresh food, so yea T_T Iβm pretty useless in the cooking aspect of life. HOWEVER, Iβm like super amazing at eating, wink-wink~ XD Jk. Ughβ¦too much food porn >.< I canβt sit here and be tortured like this! -storms off-
Tiff
Cooking is really easy! I think baking requires a lot more skill & you’d be surprised how delicious you can make anything if you just follow a really good recipe. I’m sure you know how to buy fresh food since all it takes is going to the grocery store! Just pick out foods that don’t look like they’re on their way out (wilting, browning, mushy, etc) & you’ll be fine. Buy green bananas so they last longer, check egg cartons to see if any are smashed, open up plastic boxes that berries are in to make sure none of them are moldy, basic stuff!