KFC -- Korean Fried Chicken

Today was our Valentine's Day. With it falling on a Monday, and knowing we would be busy on Sunday, we decided to do something special today instead. "Something special" meaning spending the day together, not feeling like we had to do anything in particular.

It actually started yesterday, with a text from Matt saying "Tomorrow night I think I'd like to find something new and interesting to cook, and then we can play a game or watch a movie. Whatever you like, my love!" I know that doesn't sound so exciting to most, but give me a complicated new recipe and the time to make it and I am thrilled. So I happily visited my favorite websites, looking for something interesting to make.

I came home to fresh flowers and a card. Matt doesn't like to buy cut flowers because they die so quickly, so he always buys me plants.

This morning, we went to breakfast at Chiggy's on Kelly St. on the recommendation of Hip and Carly. It was a great breakfast. Good food, fairly inexpensive, and we talked about the progress on the bathroom and our plans for the day. Then we drove down to Salem to my sister's salon to get Matt's hair cut and mine colored. I always think he looks so handsome with a fresh haircut.


After that, Matt was happy to be able to buy a vacuum to replace the one which was killed by plaster dust and insulation. Mainly because he could turn to me at the register and say "Happy Valentine's Day, Babe." The cashier at Sears thought it was hilarious also.

Since we were in Salem, we went to the newly renovated Market Basket. This one opened about a month ago, and it's the largest one I've seen, with a surprisingly vast array of ethnic foods and special ingrediants. We bought plantains, and chicken wings, and the makings of ceaser salads and headed home.

So, fried plantains,


Parmesan crisps with ceaser salad topping,


And twice-fried chicken with Korean gochujang (red chili paste), honey, ginger and garlic. They're like the Korean version of buffalo wings only sweeter and more complex than the American hot sauce. But seriously, the double-frying is key. I think these would have been great with any kind of sauce.


And to end the evening, I finally got Matt to watch all of Star Wars IV: A New Hope in one sitting. Or rather, one snuggling on the couch. He did sort of fall asleep 3/4 of the way through. Sigh.