choosuk

some korean ladies in the area wanted to celebrate "choosuk" together.
so i did my part and made something korean myself~ some things that you don't get to see at all in north dakota.

sweet potato bread.

i don't recall exactly how those from the korean bakeries taste. and too bad i can't just run out and purchase one to do a taste comparison. but considering that i figured out the recipe on my own and i got compliments each time i made it, i'd say it's pretty decent. but you know me~ there's always room for improvements.

yak-shik.

now this one, i did follow a recipe on some packaging. it lacks a few ingredients (like chinese dates and pine nuts) for obvious reasons~ b/c there are none around here! i think even if i had access to them, i would omit them b/c i really don't care for them. but you notice~ i did manage to put in lots of chestnuts. again, chestnuts are something i couldn't find anywhere (e.g. the commissary, wal-mart, super target, asian grocery store, local supermarkets). it's weird... don't north dakotans have "chestnuts roasting in the open fire" around christmas time?? anyway, i love chestnuts and you can't ever stop me from eating them. in fact, it's my craving for chestnuts that got me thinking i wanted to eat yak-shik, even though i've never been a big fan of this sweet cinnamony dessert. so i'm sure you can imagine my excitement when i found these precious delicacies in minneapolis not too long ago.

i didn't get to have much of it. but i'm going to bed happy just thinking about chestnuts.