Six in Seoul

This was SO GOOD, and isn’t it pretty!!  You will love it too, if you just make the commitment to make it....go ahead, commit.  OK, now that you committed, it is a 'little' time consuming, when I say time consuming, I'm talking maybe 40 minutes or so, really not bad at all.  I did cheat a little and used jarred sauce, see in the back ground of the picture above?  I used my favorite sauce from Rao's.  If you live in the states, you can easily get it, just head to your local Whole Food, HEB, or Kroger & you should be able to find it,  unless you live on the west coast, I don't think they have it there yet. If someone reading this lives on the west coast, will you run out and see if you can find it?  Then would you mind posting the answer in my comment section?  Thanks!

OK, on to the recipe....I got the original recipe here, but I made a few changes, so here we go.....

For Sauce:
1 jar Rao’s Marinara

For Eggplant Stacks:
2  medium eggplants
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus additional for drizzling
3/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced, divided
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
1/2 pound fresh spinach
1 cup packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 pound cold fresh mozzarella, cut into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices

Bake eggplant:
Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lowest position.

Cut 12 (1/3-inch-thick) rounds from widest portion of eggplants. Brush both sides with 2 tablespoons oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt (total). Bake on an oiled baking sheet, turning once, until golden and tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm, covered. Leave oven on.

Make egg patties and sauté spinach:
Stir together bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, half of garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then stir in eggs and water.

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Drop 4 rounded 1/4 cups (the original recipe called for 1/3 cup, but I thought that was too thick for my clan, so I reduced it) of egg mixture into skillet and cook, turning once, until patties are golden brown and puffed, about 4 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.( I had a few extra patties)

Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and cook remaining garlic with red-pepper flakes, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add spinach and basil and stir until just wilted, then stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Assemble stacks:
Arrange 4 egg patties about 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Top each with 2 Tbsp tomato sauce, 1 slice mozzarella, 1 eggplant slice, 2 more tablespoons tomato sauce, another eggplant slice, and spinach mixture. Bake until cheese melts, 5 to 10 minutes. Drizzle with additional oil and serve remaining sauce on the side. 

Ummmm.....heavenly!

Boy 2 lost his first tooth Monday during lunch at school!

After taking the kids to Kid Nanta Saturday afternoon Hubby and I headed out to Olympic Hall Saturday night for the Jason Mraz concert!  We had talked about going, mentioned it to our neighbors & it just so happened they had tickets they were not going to be able to use, so we took them off their hands.  Our neighbors forgot to mention the tickets were on the FLOOR!  This concert was awesome!  Jason Mraz is a great entertainer.   Half way through the performance everyone in seats were still sitting, and he made them get up and dance.

At the end of the show he brought out his camera and took pictures of the audience.  He also brought out a Polaroid and took pictures of himself and the band and threw them into the audience!

Remember I saw Nanta a few months ago?  Well I was talking to one of my Korean friends and she mentioned that she took her kids to see Kid Nanta.  I didn't even know there was such a thing!  So my friend made reservations for us gave us directions and sent us on our way.  I knew it was going to be interesting getting there because the way Koreans give directions is seriously foreign!  It should have taken us only 15 minutes to arrive at our destination after exiting the subway, but it took us 40, when we were ready to throw in the towel and catch a cab, the cab driver looked at me, shook his head and pointed at the building across the street and behind us. 

We arrived just a few minutes before the show started. The show was bright, loud and fun!  The whole show as in Korean, but the kids didn't seem to mind.  I think Boy 2 enjoyed it the most, with Boy 3 close behind.  Hubby was the least interested, he took a little nap, although I don't know how because it was so loud!

This next picture is of things you cannot do in the theatre....can you figure it out?

Me and the kids after the show....

After the show we headed out for a little chow.  Boy 1 eyed a nice little Korean restaurant while we were walking.   Boy 1 is always happy as long as we are eating.

Heading back to the subway.  I love this picture!

  I started this blog because when I found out I was moving to Korea I scoured the internet looking for information on Yongsan Garrison from the family point of view.  I never found what I was looking for, so Six In Seoul was born in my mind.  I want to give my readers a broad idea of what it is like living here, I hope I am doing Korea justice.  I recently realized I need to put more information in about moving here.  I am adding a new category, 'moving to Yongsan' on the right hand side of this page.   Feel free to pass this on to anyone you know that might be moving here.

Over the past few months I have talked to a few people moving here, and one of the questions they have about moving to Yongsan is about the furniture the Army issues you.  Let me tell you, I was worried about that too.  You see, if you are Army and you move here, you are only allowed to bring 5,000 pounds (I think that changes with the size of family you have).  5,000 pounds!?!?  Are you freaking kidding me you ask...no, I am not.  That means about 3/4 of my household goods are in storage.  The good thing is the army does issue furniture to you; the bad news it the army issues furniture to you.  Let me start by telling you the army issue furniture is not pretty, but we are all in the same boat, and almost everyone has the same 'style', or 'nonstyle' (I know, that is a made up word) here on post, so after your initial shock, you settle into the though and realized it is going to be okay after all.

II am going to start with the living room.  I feel very lucky because in my opinion I got the best pattern available for the living room set. 

The pillows do not come with the furniture; you will need to buy your own.  Yes, the couch and chairs (you get 2 chairs) are as firm as they look.   Notice the carpet?  BRING YOUR OWN!  You can buy carpets here, but the selection is not great and you might have to wait a while especially if you arrive during peak season.  With that being said, if you arrive during peak season, just as many people are moving out as moving in.  People moving out are anxious to get rid of things so, many people give away and or sell TONS of stuff. Any given day in April - August you can find tons of great stuff sitting out by the dumpsters. AND they put it there, beside the dump and not in it so people will take it. (And remember most tours here are only 2 years.) OK, back to the floors, they are hard linoleum big tiles, if you have ever lived in military housing before, you know what I am talking about.  Here, I will show you.....

That looks like a school cafeteria floor doesn't it?  Well, that is my dining room, so basically the same thing! :)

Next up is the one bookshelf they give you.  This is something I wish we would have brought - another bookshelf or two.  The furniture comes in 3 colors, the cherry wood I have here, an oak color and a very light color.  You do not get to pick your color, you can request, but I'm not sure it will do any good.

Next up is the desk.  They give you one desk, chair and bookshelf that is supposed to go on top of the desk.  We didn't think it worked to well together, so we separated the desk from the shelf (bookshelves are the short ones on the left side of this photo). Also, we wanted more desks - a desk for each child's room.  We put in a special request explaining why we wanted more than the allotted amount.  Our request was approved and we received 3 desk. 

Let's move to the dining room.  (again...colors can vary)

Picture #1 - Notice how the chairs in the dining room match the living room furniture?  Again, we got lucky.  Not all dining room chairs match the living room furniture. 

Picture #2 - china cabinet

Picture #'s 3 & 4 - the buffet

OK, let's head upstairs.  For the master bedroom you will get 1 queen size bed, 2 night tables, 2 lamps, 1 chest of drawers and 1 dresser.  Here is a sample of the bed & night table.

For the kid’s rooms, you can get a dresser and a chest of drawers, although I would not suggest it because there is not enough room.  You also get a twin size bed for each child. 

Notice how the chest of drawers and the beds do not match?  Nice.

I think that about does it for this edition of 'Moving to Yongsan'.  Stay tuned for more to come.

OH, I almost forgot you also get 2 end tables and a lamp for the living room. If you have any questions please feel free to ask!

This past Monday (between all the puking) we headed to the Coex Mall to go to the aquarium.  This was the first time I had been to the Coex mall, and I was amazed at how freaking large this place is & I only saw a VERY small portion of it!  I can't wait to go back!

We took the subway to the COEX mall.  To get there by Subway take the green line, line #2 to the Samseong stop - exit through gates 5 & 6, follow the signs to the COEX, then to the Coex Aquarium.   If you decide to drive, there is parking at the Coex, & the aquarium will validate your parking 50% off for the first 3 hours.  The price for the Aquarium is 15,000 won for adults, 13,000 for youth & 10,000 for children, less than 48 months is free. The aquarium could take anywhere from 2-5 hours to enjoy, I think we spent just over 3 hours here. Now that you know how to get there,  how much won to take, & how much time you will need, let go! 

This aquarium is fun for kids of all ages; I think Boy 1 even had fun!   This aquarium had some really fun & cool exhibits. 

Where ever you go in Korea, you will always find a kimchi pot....

This exhibit was baffling to Hubby...he said it went against the nature of physics or something like that.....  J 
See the little fishies swimming up inside the tubes?  I had to tear him away.....

We all had fun with the mirrors....I told Boy 2 if he kept drinking Coke, he might end up as big as he is in the mirror...

I told you Boy 1 had fun, can you see the fish in the toilet?  I have a serious fear of this, but with snakes.  I never go to the bathroom without looking in the toilet because I am afraid a snake will be in the toilet and it will bite me on the bottom.  Crazy, I know, I can thank a sister-in-law for that one.  TMI?

I don't know why, but Boy 3 thought this was SO COOL!  He laughed out loud and YELLED for everyone, even strangers to come look at the fish in the washer!

Girl and I were digging these goldfish.....

Half way through they had a play area for the kids....

After the half way mark, they brought out the big tanks.....

This was a great aquarium...if you live here,you should go!

Yes, Antonio is the new love of my life.  I first read about Antonio in a magazine, and Antonio sounded dreamy.  Fresh mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella, imported creams, the freshest ingredients, hand made, owned and operated by 3 Italian chefs!  I knew I had to try it.  Hubby and I decided to go for Valentine's day ( a little late because of all the puking going on in our house).  We thought we were going to have to go to ChumgDam, which would have been find,  but when I looked Antonio up on the internet I was pleasantly surprised to find out they have TWO locations, the second location just opened in December in ITEAWON!!!  Waaaaa--whoooooo, only 10 minutes from our house! 

When you leave post from the walk out gate, go to the main drag in Iteawon.  Walk on the left side of the street, pass the Hard Rock, cross the little alley street (the one with Flying Pan Blue on it), staying on the main street, and you are almost there....it is right above Krazy Burger, we walked past it 3 times before we found it.  I don't know about you, but I go on sign overload making it hard to find specific places, so I took a picture for you.

See, 2nd floor between the 2 green signs.  You enter right behind where I am standing.  The restaurnt was warm and inviting and I was going to be disappointed if I didn't like the food. 

From where we sat, you could see into the kitchen where one Italian chef (he is the one in the back) was preparing our meal.  From what I understand, there is always one of the three owner/chefs at each restaurant preparing meals.

When I looked at the menu I was a bit overwhelmed, it is HUGE!  There is a partial menu on their website if you would like to take a peek.  We started off with a very basic, salad, but one of my favorites, the Caprese salad.  One bite, and I knew I was going to like this restaurant.  The tomatoes were the freshest I have had in months & the buffalo mozzarella just melted in my mouth, it cost 18,000 won.  For our main course we ordered two items to split.  The first item was the margherita pizza at 17,000 won.  This pizza was divine!!  The crust was perfectly thin and crispy on the edges, soft and yummy in the middle.  This was the best pizza I have had since I have been here.  I would go back for this pizza alone.

The next item we ordered was the Spaghetti al Peperono Allo Scugilo...go ahead and say that 3 times fast.  In translation, that is a slightly spicy dish made with a white wine sauce, fresh tomatoes & seafood!  This dish was delightful and came in at 22,000 won. 

After such a wonderful and authentic Italian meal, I had to ask if they had cannolis, my favorite Italian dessert.  YES, they have cannolis!  Just not tonight...they sold out on Valentines day and have not had time to make more.  They promised to have some the next day.  Even though I was disappointed,  this was good news, I know they make them fresh!!  So, we ordered the Tiramisu.  The wonderful, melt in your mouth Tiramisu.  I've never been so happy with Tiramisu in my entire life. Seriously.

If you live here, and you have been craving Italian food, RUN, don't walk to Antonio's, and while you are there please order a margherita pizza to go for me!! 

If this chair could talk, it would be able to tell some great stories to you.  This chair has been with us for about 11 years, almost as long as Boy 1.  I gave it to Hubby when we lived in Colorado, he is such a big Bronco fan & he worked so hard on finishing our basement.  At the time, I felt he 'needed' it, and I thought it would ALWAYS live in the BASEMENT, not my living room.  What can I say?  I was young and stupid.   Look at the seat....it will soon be like the recliner in the show 'Frasier', with duct tape on it. YUCK!    Remember I told you Boy 3 puked on this chair on Saturday, well Girl puked on it on Sunday. Today, Monday we are still waiting for someone to puke on it.  My bet is Boy 2, or maybe the dog.  Oh, another thing, the dog has taken up residence in this chair, thinking it is his own.   So, why am I telling you all this?   I want you to have fair warning when you come to our house....DO NOT sit in this chair.  It has been though a lot and it stinks!  I would throw it out if I thought Hubby might not cry.  Today I am going to clean it, but I am so afraid it will destroy it, and then I will have to live with the silver tape for the next 11 years.

How nice it was for Valentine's day to fall on a Saturday!   We started our morning off with strawberry, banana smoothies and heart shaped, pink - even though you can't tell they are pink from the picture, chocolate chip pancakes.  Don't you just love my heart shape plates?  I got them in Yeoju, at my blue and white place.  Lovely, I have 4 different sizes. 

Check out girl....I taught her well....

Yes, she is taking a picture of her breakfast.  I always break out the 'bar' glasses for special occasions, the kids love drinking out of them.

Isn't Boy 2's hair great?   He went on a photo shoot on Friday after school -  I FORGOT the camera!!! I couldn't believe it!  I have never forgotten the camera, and get this....he worked for BURBERRY!!!  For those of you that don't know Burberry, go to this link.  He wore outfits that were more than 1 million won!  The photographer said he would email a few pictures to me before the magazine went to print.  I won't hold my breath though.  Anyway, that is why his hair is curly.  He hated it, but Hubby and I love it!

After breakfast we spent the afternoon playing games.  After games we planned to  take the kids out for pizza and a movie, bring them home, put them to bed, have Boy 1 babysit, then go out  on our date. While I was getting dressed, Boy 3 started complaining, saying his tummy hurt, to the point where he laid down and ask me to rub it for him.  I did this for a while, but I needed to finish getting dressed, so I passed him off to his dad.  As soon as I was dressed and started walking down stairs I heard some funky noises....then Hubby yelling at me "I need some help here...", when I got down stairs he was holding Boy 3 over the sink while Boy 3 was puking his little guts out.  Hubby didn't make it to the sink in time either...the first round was all over Hubby and his Denver Bronco recliner!  (I’m so glad I passed him off!) Happy Valentines Day to us!  Hubby still took the older kids out, I stayed with Boy 3, but we cancelled our plans for the night...maybe tonight....

On a recent trip to the fish market, I got stuck behind this.  A man pulling this cart (walking) in the middle of the street.