Plot Twist!

Brilliant.

[Spotted via Pinterest]

Asian Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Back in my UCSD days, late night study sessions were not complete without boba tea and spicy chicken from Tapioca Express. To this day, I can't eat this snack without thinking about all the good times I had in college. When I stumbled across this recipe for Asian Popcorn Chicken on Rasa Malaysia I knew I had to try to make it. This recipe is on point and filled my belly with nostalgia like you wouldn't believe. Rasa Malaysia makes cooking quality Asian food less scary and is my go to place when I am craving Asian food. 

Asian Popcorn Chicken (serves 2)

Ingredients

8-10 oz chicken thighs, cut into bite-size cubes

2 stalks Thai basil leaves

1 cup cornstarch

Oil for frying

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Marinade

2 cloves garlic

1 inch piece of ginger, minced

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of sugar

1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

1 teaspoon of oyster sauce

1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions

1. Combine marinade ingredients in large bowl and stir to combine. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.

2. Heat oil in pan. Dredge chicken in cornstarch evenly and shake off excess. Deep fry the chicken until it turns golden brown. Remove from oil and drain excess oil by laying chicken on wire rack lined with paper towels.

3. Quickly flash fry basil leaves in the same oil you used for the chicken. Remove from oil and drain excess oil by laying leaves on wire rack lined with paper towels.

I served the chicken with white rice, steamed brocolli and carrots and a side of sweet and sour dipping sauce which can easily be found at any Asian grocery store. Enjoy!

[Asian popcorn chicken]

Confetti Eggs DIY

Here's a #throwbackthursday photo for ya! Easter 2010, the first year I bought confetti eggs for the Easter egg hunt. Best (and messiest) idea ever. Confetti eggs or cascarones can be bought in store or made at home. I wanted to make some this year but the store bought ones are such a time saver and what do you do with all those eggs? Maybe next year we can make a real mess with glitter filled eggs!

[Look how itty bitty my nephew Nolan is here!]

[Gotcha John! Haha]

Got some time to spare? Here are instructions on how to make confetti eggs at home from mom.me.

[For completely instructions and a supply list, visit mom.me]

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Years ago I had the good fortune of being in Oxford, UK just before Easter. I recall walking passed sweets shops filled with giant, elaborate chocolate eggs and bunnies and bakeries displays filled with hot cross buns. I'll admit that up to this point, I did not know that hot cross buns were a real thing. I had only heard it mentioned in that one nursery rhyme! Ever since that trip to Oxford, I've been wanting to make hot cross buns for Easter and I think this year is going to be the year. I love to bake but baking bread is not really my thing so this is a little scary. I'm going to use the recipe I found on JoCooks since the measurements are available in cups and teaspoons. 

Hot Cross Bun Superstitions

-Sharing a hot cross bun with someone with will ensure friendship throughout the coming year.

-Buns should be kissed before eating because they have a cross on them.

-To avoid shipwreck, bring a hot cross bun on board with you.

-Hang a bun in your kitchen to protect again fires and ensure that all breads baked that year will turn our perfectly.

[Hot Cross Buns spotted via JoCooks]

Happy Spring!

[Originally spotted on Design Seeds]

Deep Space Crib Bedding from Land of Nod

Well crafted, adorable and brightly colored. Check, check, check! The new "Deep Space" bedding from Land of Nod is perfection. The collection includes a quilt, crib skirt, crib sheet, changing pad cover and toddler sheet set.

Tiny Whales SS15 Tee Collection

The "winter storm," aka 3 days of rain, that just passed through has me daydreaming about summer. I can't wait for the longer days and our trip to Cabo. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that I stumbled across photos of Tiny Whales SS15 collection on Instagram. It makes you want to put your shortest shorts on and head to the beach, no? I want it all. These shirts would pair perfectly with the Sam Shorts from Cotton On Kids.

[Dreamin' Tee $26]

[Golden Child Tank $26]

[Golden Hits Raglan $34]

[Snack Shack Tee $26]

Projects, Projects, Projects

Moving never fails to open up a Pandora's box of projects that need to be done in order for us to settle in. My poor husband is tired of hearing me say, "I have an idea!" If you've been following me on Instagram (@sdmama), you know I've been staining and painting IKEA furniture like mad and reorganizing elements of Parker's baby room into his toddler room. I can't wait to post photos and tutorials soon!

Completed projects
1. Install recessed lighting
2. Unpack
3. Paint/stain IKEA TARVA dresser and nightstands
4. Paint every room in the damn house
5. Cut and hang curtains

To Do
1. Paint and makeover for Parker's playhouse
2. Backyard overhaul
3. Kitchen command center
4. Hang frames
5. Chalkboard for Parker's room
6. Paint pergola

[Two IKEA Tarva nightstands sanded and ready for staining.]