A Reunion, a Wedding, a Birthday, and a Michael Jackson Impersonator

Roses salvaged from a wilted centerpiece from cousin D's wedding.

September was a busy month. I reconnected with my college roommate, celebrated my cousin's wedding with the family, celebrated Pablo's 2nd birthday with the family, and had jury duty at the same courthouse as the trial for Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray.

Luckily work slowed down a bit this month to make room for all that activity.

Che Bap Tim (Vietnamese Purple Corn Pudding)

Considering how much I love purple foods, it's not surprising that I got excited when I saw these ears of purple corn at the 99 Ranch Market - Monterey Park. And at three for $1.17, I promptly bought sets for my aunts and uncles and my friend DP, who loves corn too. Plus, she dropped off some jackfruit and her GPS for me to borrow for a road trip, so purple corn was a small thank you.

Despite the label at the market, the corn was more reddish-violet than purple, and when cooked, it just became gray. Well, shades of gray. Not quite the same color as making Vietnamese corn pudding with yellow corn.

I've already blogged Che Bap (Vietnamese Corn Pudding) years ago, but used powdered coconut milk for that recipe. So for the purple corn, I decided to cook it all in canned coconut milk. The result was a much thicker pudding so use powder or canned coconut milk according to your preference. But does it really matter? Corn, coconut, tapioca, all my favorite ingredients in one dessert.

Hot Pot, Hot Pot! - Monterey Park

Shortly after I dined at Little Fat Sheep - Monterey Park, the owner divested the franchise, turning several of his locations into Happy Sheep Cafe Shabu & Grill - San Gabriel and Happy Sheep Cafe - Rowland Heights. He sold this location to one of the employees, who changed its name to Hot Pot, Hot Pot!

So different owner, but same employees. My friend DP and I decided to check it out one night to see if the food quality was the same too.