Silver Linings

 Are there things that changed in your life over the last two years due to the pandemic that you don't see changing soon? Silver linings that came from a horrible shared situation for all of us that you can see the value in and are thankful for? With how hard these past 24 months have been, I know it's hard to see the good sometimes, but I truly believe they can be found if you look.

One of the things that came about because of the pandemic in my world is a new Facebook page for our community that has grown into something nobody could have ever imagined. In March of 2020 when the governor announced all restaurants had to shut their doors to dine-in customers, for hopefully 2 weeks, a group of people in our city immediately started a public page aimed at supporting local restaurants for take out/curbside business. Many were trying to quickly adapt to focus on carry out orders, and some that had never even offered carry out were trying to figure out how to implement it so they could keep the lights on.

The idea of this page was simple. Share pictures and shout outs to local restaurants and spread the word about their food, staff and support this new world of carry out as much as possible. Well, I am here to tell you this page exploded! By the time restaurants could reopen their dining rooms in May, there were thousands of followers and local joints saw their carry out business double or even triple. 

Now here we are almost 2 years later, and the page is still going strong, and has turned into this amazing place for the community to come together to share restaurants recommendations, ask questions, share terrific meals, give shout outs to the servers, staff and owners who are working so hard, and in some ways still struggling. 

Our city has a pretty amazing foodie community, and this Facebook page has shone a light on it in a way I don't think any of could have imagined. There is no doubt it will stick around long after we say good-bye to this pandemic once and for all.

With all that being said, I still love finding ways to enjoy great take out quality recipes at home. This Korean Beef and Cabbage is a quick cooking stir fry with simple ingredients that is full of flavor and can be on your table in almost no time! In about the time it takes to steam some rice to serve it over! 

Oh, that reminds me of another great thing about the last 2 years. If your local grocery store is out of things you need, have you ever stopped by an Asian market? We have quite a few around us, and while we've always shopped them, they became a God send when we couldn't find things in our other stores. In fact, the soy sauce and sesame oil I used in this recipe game from our favorite Asian market! (Hence the total random thought at the end of this post.)

 The world has been put through the ringer over the last two years, but I bet if you look closely, and think really hard you might be able to find a silver lining of your own that was a blessing in disguise. Something you've decided to keep around once you throw your mask away once and for all; and years from now when you look back, you can actually be grateful for. 

 

Korean Beef and Cabbage

1 lb. ground beef

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 TBS sesame oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 cup carrots, shredded

2 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped 

1 (14 oz.) can bean sprouts, drained, rinsed and patted dry

Cooked white rice for serving

In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Set aside. In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown beef until no longer pink. Add cabbage and carrots and sauté for a few minutes until they just begin to soften. Add bean sprouts and sauce. Stir well and sauté about 5 minutes for flavors to develop. Serve immediately with cooked rice and extra soy if desired.