Binging with Arthur B!

Arthur B. is a classmate of mine who I've always admired for his travel destinations and Instagram artistry. While we chat every once in a while at school or at a party, it's mostly small talk, so I was excited to hear about his favorite Columbus restaurants and his favorite recipes! 

Growing up, who made food at your house? What did they make and what was your favorite thing to eat?
My mom usually cooked, pretty much 50-50 split of Chinese food and American food. I don't know if I have a favorite, but some dishes that I loved were chicken pot pie, Korean curry with rice and beef, chicken and dumplings, rice porridge (shi fan, or congee) with other side dishes for lunch

What made you start cooking? What was it like when you first started cooking?
Out of necessity in college after the meal plan was over. Definitely was throwing together more canned/pre-packed foods to create meals

Do you have any special philosophies on the groceries you buy or the food you decide to eat?
I try to buy fresh produce when possible, occasionally going to farmers markets in the summer. If I could buy all of my produce organically or from farmers markets, I would. I tend to not eat a lot of red meat -- probably prepare it once a month or less for myself at home. Considering moving to one or two meatless days per week.

Where are your favorite places to go out to eat or order in--every day and special occasion?
Brassica, Si Senor Peruvian sandwiches, Momo Ghar, Potbellys Sandwiches, Tensuke Express = order in
Wolf's Ridge, Akai Hanna, Marcellas = special occasion

What's your favorite food (home cooking or pure trash hehe)--like the food that makes you totally swoon.
Love potbelly's chicken salad sandwich, it's my crack for some reason

A favorite recipe from Arthur that he got from a Youtube cooking show, Binging with Babish. This Youtube channel is interesting in that it recreates recipes from popular TV shows and movies. Arthur says that he watches it religiously, and I know several medical students in our year follow the channel as well! Based off a Youtube search, this recipe for shwarma with pita and tabouli salad is from the episode titled "Shawarma from The Avengers," which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iErqWGwso7o

Marinade:
2 cups yogurt
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
8 cloves crushed garlic
1 tsp ground sumac, cumin, coriander, allspice, cinnamon
1 grated small onion
Salt + Pepper
Marinade chicken thighs 2 hours or overnight 
Grill/bake/skewer

Pita:
150 g all purpose flour 
1 cup water
1 pack active dry yeast
Let slurry sit for 20 min
Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
slowly add 225 g all purpose flour
few pinches of salt
knead for 5-6 minutes until tacky dough forms
Lightly oil, cover and rest for 2 hours (should double in size)
Divide into 8 pieces on floured surface, rest for 30 minutes, flatten until thin
Fry on medium-high heat until bubble

Tabouli Salad
3/4 lb cherry tomatoes chopped in quarters
Salt tomatoes to drain water
Chop parsley, hit with salt to remove liquid
Mince cucumber, scallion, mint, combine with tomatoes and parsley
Add 1/4 cup of heated tomato liquid to 1/4 cup bulgar wheat
Season with EVOO, salt, pepper
Coriander, allspice, cumin, cinnamon

Taziki Sauce
Shredded cucumber
Greek yogurt 1-1.5 cups
Juice 1 whole lemon
Dill (1 handful, finely chopped)
1-2 cloves of garlic​

A reflection...

In the first post of this blogging project, I said that food has always been an easy way for me to understand and relate to people around me...