Seaweed Soup (mi-yuk gook)

Thank you everyone who wished me a happy birthday either early or belated!!! It was really sweet... hehe~ :)

Anyways, I made this soup long time ago. I think 2 months ago or so. I'm not too sure... lol~ :X In the Korean culture, you make this soup for health since seaweed is good for you. We eat this soup during birthdays, as well as, for someone who just came out of the hospital either from giving birth or sickness. I need to make this soon for myself. ;)

If you need some guidance with the ingredients, you can check my Korean Cooking 101. ;)

Ingredients:
water
beef
garlic
ginger
dried seaweed
1 spoonful of sesame oil
chopped garlic
salt
black pepper

Step 1:
Grab a pot and add water, beef, garlic, and ginger. Cook the broth until the beef is done. While it's cooking, the fat will float to the top. Take it out with a spoon. I'm sure you don't want to eat the fat... hehe~ ;)
Once the beef is done, let it cool and then cut it into small pieces.

Step 2:
Get a bowl and add water to the dried seaweed. Let it soak for 30 minutes maximum. If you soak the dried seaweed for too long, it will be very soft. I usually like it crunchy that's why I only soak it for 30 minutes.
Since I like my seaweed a little bit crunchier, I fry it in a pan. I squeeze out the water with my hand and cut it into smaller pieces. Once the water is squeeze out, I fry it in sesame oil and chopped garlic for about 5 minutes.
I take out the garlic and ginger from the broth. Then I add the fried seaweed and chopped beef. Cook for about 30 minutes and seasoned it to your taste. I usually just added salt and black pepper.
Now you can eat with rice and kim-chi! :)


Yesterday, I checked out this small shop owned by a Korean. I really need help... lol~ :P I bought another headband with a ribbon *sigh*!!! :X
The best part is that it only cost $1.99!!! I got such a good deal or at least I think so... hehe~
Then I checked out Forever 21. I've been wanting to get this hair pin for a month now. They finally carry it... wheee~ It's kind of funny because I wanted the blue one, but I ended up getting the cream one. I thought the cream looked better on my hair than the blue. :)


I'm also going to end this post with the last Hello Kitty doll I made or at least for some time (need to make one more for my niece who's birthday is in September).
Here's a picture of all the Hello Kitty dolls I made for my nieces (click here and here to see the first two).
These dolls are for my oldest brother's children (he has 3 daughters only). They're birthdays are in April, May, and this coming June. The only reason why they haven't received their gifts yet is because I haven't seen them yet. They're coming to visit this coming weekend which I'm excited!!!... wheee~ I hope they like it!!! :/

I tried to make different colored dresses because the dresses has buttons on the back. I thought it'll be fun if they switch the outfits or maybe that's the child in me... lol~ :P The only thing I tried to do is adjust to their favorite color with the ribbon by the ear. The two oldest like blue and the youngest like purple. Excuse me I meant lavendar or that's what she says to me... lol~ They're too cute! :)