Cabbage Roll Soup

This is another of those recipes whose flavors and smells bring back so many beautiful memories! As far back as I can remember - which admittedly is not very far! - I've loved eating cabbage rolls, but haven't much enjoyed making them. On the rare occasion I've attempted them on my own the cabbage leaves have either been to firm or too soft, cracking or tearing with abandon and leaving me with quite the mess afterwards. By contrast, my godmother and Ukrainian and Russian friends' cabbage rolls are always so beautifully perfect, a feast for the eye as well as the mouth.

Cucumber Salad with Gochugaru

This is a simple, delicious Korean recipe for oi muchim taken almost entirely from this site. My only adaptations were to add some garlic (because of course!) and substitute some Chinese black vinegar for the rice vinegar called for. What results is a beautiful side dish, especially for a hot summer or early fall day!