What is better to eat during the holidays than a meal that warms your heart? During the holidays, my family always sticks to non-traditional holiday meals. Instead of fruitcake, eggnog, candied yams, and roasted potato, we have traditional Khmer meals. There is nothing that can warm my heart more than a meal that reminds me of my heritage.
For the main course, instead of having beef wellington or a roasted turkey, we have Yao Hon. Yao Hon is a Cambodian Hot Pot. Each Khmer family makes their Yao Hon differently, but my family makes it from chicken stock (we also have an abundance of vegetables to cook within the hot pot). It is a quick meal to make since we only need to prep the stock and the sides to put in the pot.
For an alternative to a warm cozy bowl of soup, we have Nombajok. Nombajok is similar to ramen, but the noodles are made from rice. Nombajok has different types of broth: the traditional Khmer broth is made from fish, but throughout the years, Cambodians have picked up different spices. It all depends on the family; for example, some Cambodians put curry in their nombajok.
For dessert, instead of fig pudding, we have Nom Som Jayt, which translates to dessert banana. It looks like sushi but is considered dessert. It is made from rice, mixed from condensed milk, banana, and beans, then wrapped in banana leaf. When you leave the Nom Som Jayt out for a while, the banana turns purple and becomes much sweeter to eat.
Hiccups is a restaurant located at 1946 N Lakewood Blvd Long Beach, CA 90815 which offers a wide variety of milk teas, smoothies, fruity teas, and slushies. They also have many different types of food from different Asian cultures to choose from.
As you walk into the restaurant you would instantly notice the aesthetic interior decor they have which makes the small restaurant look pleasing to the eye. But because it is small, I imagine that when it does get crowded, the restaurant will get packed rather quickly. There are also not many tables which would make it hard for you to find a seat when it’s packed which was the problem I had when I went.
Their service could use some work with paying more attention and interacting more with their customers and the wait time for the food to be done took longer than expected around 25 or 30 minutes.
Their bite-sized popcorn chicken is crispy and seasoned well. Another thing when combined with the sweet and sour sauce (provided with the order) it gives the chicken a nice sweet and savory flavor.
The Beef Pho was a little disappointing taste-wise. The beef included in the pho was well cooked and also gave a bit more flavor to the broth but the broth itself was a little bland. I also did not like the type of flavor the herbs added to it.
The Boba Thai Tea had a great sweet taste to it just like you would expect a Thai tea to taste like and the boba had a soft texture to it which brought it all together. They did add in more ice than what I had originally asked but it was ok.
Hiccups seems to be a nice place to meet up with friends or family to order some food. They have a good selection of drinks and a good variety of different dishes to try out. Some of the food might not appeal to everyone but they are still worth eating the others types of the other food that they offer.
It’s that time of the year, when families gather and enjoy a big meal together, and well, let’s be honest, get fat together. Oh yes, Christmas is just a couple days away and I already know that some of y’all cannot cook, so I’m here to supply you with one of the best side dishes to add to your Christmas dinner, mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes recipe:
Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cook: 30 Minutes
Ready: 40 Minutes
Ingredients:
-2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered -salt and pepper (seasoned to taste)
– ½ cup of Milk
-½ cups of sour cream
-¼ cup of freshly cut chives
Double in ingredients to make a bigger portion
Directions:
Set a big pot with water and bring the water to a boil and add salt to the boiling water.
Place 2 pounds of Golden Potatoes, peeled, and quartered, into boiling water and boil for 25 minutes. To test if your potatoes are cooked fully , stick a fork through the potatoes, and if your fork comes out with no problems, then they are ready.
Drain potatoes from water.
To mash your potatoes, oh can get a handheld potato masher, or an electric mixer, and mash/mix your potatoes until nicely, add ½ cups of milk while mixing.
Once potatoes are mashed stir in ½ cups of sour cream and chives.
As a student, I recognize the amount of food wasted during lunch and nutrition; some food is just left on school benches. What if the food was better? How much food will be conserved and not thrown away or half-eaten?
I think we should look into fresh and better meals for students and faculty alike. What makes it bad? I think the biggest reason why it’s so flawed with some students is that some foods that are prepared are non-nutritious or simply unappealing. We come to hear students all the time groan about school food. “Ugh I hate this,” or “I’d rather just starve and eat when I get home,” is what most students say. I think the spicy mozzarella cheese sticks and the “turkey” sandwiches are disgusting somewhat. The worst thing that they do is that they don’t prepare meals fresh, and sometimes they are left soggy and disgusting. We must look into ways for food to be prepared fresh, hot, and ready. Why don’t they hire caterers to deliver food to our school? There must be some restaurants out there willing to cater for students; which consequently will also boost and encourage people to come to their restaurants if their food is good.
This cranberry chutney is garnished with walnuts and whole cranberries.
Don’t let their petite sizes fool you; these Cornish Game Hens are packed with flavor.
This sticky rice stuffing is topped with freshly sliced scallions.
Doesn’t this pumpkin cheesecake look good?
Turkey
People often judge the entire Thanksgiving dinner based off of the turkey, which explains its central role at the table. Wow your guests and make them believe you are the next culinary prodigy by using these ideas:
Deep Fried Turkey
For a fairly simple twist on your baked turkey, deep fry it in the traditional redneck fashion. Popularized by the likes of Paula Deen and Guy Fieri, fried turkey has emerged as a popular new dish for families to serve at the Thanksgiving table. A recipe on the Food Network recommends cooking “the bird” for four hours to achieve a true five-star taste, so plan on setting aside a day with your deep fryer to ensure that the turkey is both crispy and moist.
Turducken
If you have any hardcore meat lovers in your family, consider making a turducken this Thanksgiving. The turducken features three meats in one: a 3-pound duck, a 4-pound chicken, and a 21-pound turkey, all tied together as one big bird. Eating this will make you feel like a bonafide glutton. So if you are in the mood to enter a food-induced coma on Thanksgiving, try a turducken and get your Tums ready— you’ll need it.
Tofurkey
For a real holiday turn around, surprise your guests with a deceivingly filling meatless dinner. Many companies like Tofurkey, Gardein, Quorn, and Magic Vegan offer meatless options to both meat lovers and meat shunners around the country. It is a healthier and more humane alternative than roast turkey, so you will feel good knowing that you saved one turkey from slaughter and cut back on three hundred calories in the process. For these reasons, do not be surprised if the tofurkey ends up tasting better than the actual bird!
Cornish Game Hens
Eat an entirely new bird species this Thanksgiving by giving Cornish Game Hens a try. A miniature version of the chicken America has grown to love, the Cornish Game Hen packs the same taste in a smaller package. Cooking multiple is an easier task than cooking turkey, as the hens roast faster than their larger counterpart. You can even use the same spice rubs and brines, like the one provided below. Make Thanksgiving less stressful this year and buy yourself some Cornish Game Hens!
Cranberry Sauce
Instead of serving cranberry sauce out of an aluminum can and heating it up before guests arrive, try mixing it up this time with these options:
Ginger Peach Sauce
Instead of the usual cranberry sauce to accompany other Thanksgiving dishes, a delicious Gingered Peach sauce is a great alternative for those who want to try something new. This sauce is made with sliced peaches that are processed till smooth. The addition of ginger adds a spicy contrast to the sweetness of the peach, and this flavor duo will rock your taste buds. Try it this Thanksgiving and prepare to be amazed.
Cranberry Chutney
What is a chutney, you might ask? Though the name seems exotic, it is nothing more than a combination of fruit and spices. Try adding an exotic twist to your bland cranberry sauce by making cranberry apple chutney. Sounds bizarre? Fear not, for the complex flavors of your chutney will make it a staple every Thanksgiving. Combining cranberries, raisins and apples with a variety of spices and simmering the concoction will give you a delicious result.
Cinnamon Apple
A cornucopia of praise will emanate from the Thanksgiving table with this sauce. This cinnamon apple cranberry sauce is prepared by first boiling cranberries, cranberry sauce and sugar together with a cinnamon stick. Once it boils, apples should be added and boiled until tender, serving to further enhance the sauce’s flavor. Add cornstarch until you reach the consistency of thinned-out jam. After refrigerating, the sauce will be a wonderful addition to the Thanksgiving table.
Onion Confit
Pronounced “con-fee,” the French word confit typically refers to food slowly cooked in fat. People often associate it with fine dining rather than a homestyle meal, so impress your guests this Thanksgiving with the knockout recipe provided below. Surprisingly, it is a cinch to make! By cooking cipollini onions on low heat, the natural sugars of the onions are released and impart a sweet taste, counteracted by the red wine vinegar. Give your guests another reason to swoon and prepare onion confit!
Pumpkin Pie
If there is one thing Americans can unanimously agree upon, it is the alluring decadence of Thanksgiving desserts. Among these seasonal confections, no one can forget pumpkin pie, an American staple at the Thanksgiving table, and its mouthwatering aroma. As timeless as it is, it can never hurt to spice things up with these new and unusual alternatives:
Pumpkin Cheesecake
This life-changing cheesecake is one of the few true competitors to pumpkin pie. Made with cinnamon graham cracker crust, canned pumpkin, and brown sugar-spiced caramel rum sauce, it is a great alternative for those who are not very fond of pies. Expect to enter a state of euphoric bliss by eating this delicious hybrid for dessert.
Bananas Foster Trifle
Walnut pound cake rich with brown sugar, creamy vanilla custard, cinnamon rum, and sticky meringue-coated bananas is just enough to send your taste buds to heaven. This trendy twist on pumpkin pie is a favorite among trifle and cake lovers alike. Although it is a calorie bomb, it is made within only two hours, which surely beats the three to four hours of the traditional pumpkin pie.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie Tarts
For those who desire a healthier alternative to pumpkin pie, this vegan alternative is a perfect match. These little tarts contain vegan butter, gluten-free flour, pumpkin puree, and vanilla glaze. When baked, they take on an airy consistency and resemble the most decadent pumpkin pie, but with half the calories. The pumpkin butter snuggled in the piecrust gives it a cute, mess-free appearance, making it a feast for both the mouth and the eyes. Eat healthy and deliciously by making these tarts for Thanksgiving!
Stuffing
Stuffing is like the sidekick of the turkey: a good one can make it seem better, and a horrible one will lead to severe consequences. Make your Thanksgiving table better by trying these ideas:
Mofongo Stuffing
Instead of stuffing your turkey with bread and onions, try this recipe! This new take on traditional stuffing is not for the faint of heart. Use unripe plantains, garlic, bacon, and ajíces dulces or sweet chili peppers for a Puerto Rican twist. Take a trip to San Juan by spicing up your lackluster stuffing this Thanksgiving.
Pear, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Stuffing
New things can be scary, but this culinary adventure might just have your guests (and your stomach) thanking you. It is the 21st century, and it is time to give your dated stuffing recipe a little variation! Tender pears, bread cubes, and toasty walnuts topped with blue cheese are baked to perfection in the recipe provided below. Your revamped stuffing will impress the entire table, and keep your family satisfied.
Kalua Stuffing
Baking in a oven is so overrated. If you’ve got shovels and a backyard, make your own oven in the comfort of your backyard! A traditional cooking method in Hawaiian culture that uses the imu, an underground oven. Use your traditional stuffing recipe and bake it in your imu till it is fully cooked. If you want, you can have a full blown luau and bake your turkey like that too! For those who are unadventurous, just add liquid smoke to your dishes to give it a Kalua feel. Digging a hole and cooking your stuffing in the backyard for hours is so much more interesting!
Sticky Rice Stuffing
Instead of a boring American style recipe for stuffing, try this delicious Chinese version. Naw Mai Fun is a sticky rice stuffing that is a staple for many Chinese-American families during Thanksgiving. It includes sticky rice, Chinese sausages, and chestnuts; think of this as a cultural twist to stuffing. It will leave your guests feeling like they just came from Beijing, not your Thanksgiving table!
The scrumptious vegetarian burger from the Veggie Grill.
Latte art from Portfolio Coffeehouse.
Made of sliced roasted beets, seasonal greens, radishes, goat cheese and red wine vinaigrette, this salad is surely one you must try when you go to At Last Cafe.
The shrimp plate with rice and a garnish of lime at Open Sesame.
Open Sesame
5215 E 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803
“The restaurant had garlic bread that was really delicious.” – Mia Grayson, Junior
Of the many delicious restaurants on Second Street, Open Sesame is easily a contender for one of the best. The restaurant even had to open another location on Second Street to deal with the popular demand for their authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. The eclectic style of the restaurant and the large portions of lamb and pita they give you makes it feel like you are eating an amazing home-cooked meal. So, the next time you take a leisurely stroll down Second Street and cannot decide on what to eat, remember that Open Sesame never fails to satisfy your appetite.
Number Nine
2118 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA, 90814
“It had a fun environment and good food. I really liked its hollow halls.” – Theo Lee, Freshman
If you want to eat great Vietnamese soup in a hip area, check out Number Nine. Located on Fourth Street, the restaurant is a haven for hipsters who are scouting out for another Instagram opportunity. Do not be worried, though; their food lives up to the hype. The most popular dish is their pho, served in a variety of ways. The meat comes to your table raw, and you watch it cook right before your eyes. They are also known for their tofu vermicelli and shrimp spring rolls. After you watch the latest indie at the Art Theatre, walk down the street to taste what Number Nine has to offer.
Portfolio Coffeehouse
2300 East Fourth Street Long Beach, CA 90814
“The atmosphere there is really nice and light-hearted; it’s a casual area where workers are very welcoming.” – Lauren Temple, Senior
If you are looking for another productive place to study for that final, look no further than Portfolio Coffeehouse located on Fourth Street. Though there are appetizing menu options offered daily, the place specializes in coffee provided by Illy, a premier Italian coffee roasting company. If you are feeling decadent, try getting a nice pastry or a scoop of ice cream to go along with your cappuccino. For Poly students, Portfolio is an area of comfort, where students can have a snack and chat with friends, or study in a spacious place.
Viento y Agua
4007 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
“The place is really big. Overall, I think it has a cool atmosphere and nice feel to it.”- Kelsey Sry
Abstract art, open mic nights, and chunky monkeys. What wouldn’t you love about this coffeehouse? Not only does Viento y Agua serve some of the best coffee, smoothies, and sandwiches in Long Beach, but it features work by up-and-coming local artists. If you’re lucky, you can also catch an open-mic night, where talented musicians gather together to share their music and inspire those present. If you are in the mood to have a non-Starbucks frappucino, Viento y Agua is the spot for you.
Berlin Bistro
420 E. 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802
“It was a cute and modern restaurant; how could anyone not love it?” – Fiona O’Leary
As a neighboring eatery to Fingerprints, the local music mecca of Long Beach, Berlin Coffeehouse offers Fourth Street wanderers a quaint place to sit and sip after a long search for the perfect vinyl album. Berlin serves a variety of coffees and teas, but it is most reputable for its food options. Snack on their sweet potato fries, or if you are willing to splurge, try ordering their Ahi Tuna Burger. It is a perfect place to hang out with friends; get a bite to eat, and then stop by next door to listen to Fingerprints’s in-store concerts. Music lovers still have to eat, don’t they?
Lola’s Mexican Cuisine
2030 E. 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
“The food was delicious; I tried the steak burrito there, and it was really good.” – Sam Hale, Junior
With its blue neon sign and complementary orange exterior, Lola’s Mexican Cuisine puts a unique twist on a traditional Mexican meal. One of Fourth Street’s most popular restaurants, it’s almost impossible to order something that won’t please your palette. Whether it’s their perfectly proportioned street tacos, or the signature creamy green avocado dip and chips, Lola’s lives up to their slogan: “Full belly, happy heart.”
The Veggie Grill
6451 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90803
“It was a nice alternative, being able to have vegetarian food with full meals.” – Madi Alexander, Sophomore
Vegetarian or not, You will surely enjoy the vegetarian food offered at Veggie Grill, even if you are the most carnivorous person on the planet. The all-time favorite is “All Hail Kale,” which mixes together marinated kale, quinoa, red cabbage slaw, corn salsa, roasted walnuts, and ginger papaya vinaigrette into a delicious salad. Another noteworthy dish is the Bombay Bowl (herb-roasted vegetables, steamed kale, cannelloni beans, green curry, and a variety of freshly cut vegetables), served with sweet potato fries. Doesn’t this make your mouth water? Come visit the Veggie Grill and try the delicious food; it’s tasty and good for you!
At Last Cafe
204 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA 90812
If you are looking an amazing place to eat this weekend, check out At Last Cafe. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, At Last Cafe has a wide variety of American comfort food on top of daily specials and delicious desserts. The restaurant is most famous for their brick chicken, which is essentially chicken cooked under a brick and served with smashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. If you are looking for something more saucy, consider getting the creamy three-cheese macaroni topped with seasoned bread crumbs. Is your mouth already salivating? If so, then visit At Last Cafe soon.
Babette’s Bakery
1404 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
When you walk through Poly, it is hard to find someone who hasn’t visited Babette’s Bakery. Offering many choices of desserts and breakfast items, a Babette’s signature “sunrise croissant” or chocolate chip muffin is the perfect item to eat on your way to school. If you are one of the select few who still have not visited this local institution, be prepared to leave with more than just one sweet treat.
Taqueria Mexicana
Various locations around Long Beach
Hungry for tasty tacos and mouthwatering burritos? Make your way down to Taqueria Mexicana for authentic Mexican cuisine. The most popular option is the carne asada burrito served with rice, beans, cilantro, onion and salsa. Tacos are filled with varieties of meat to pick along with beans and rice at a very good price. In addition, the Taqueria serves California specialties, like the legendary “Cali Burrito,” a concussion filled with carne asada, cheese, sour cream and golden-brown fries. Get your burritos today! You won’t regret it.
