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Stuffed Tofu in Tomato Sauce
Fried tofu stuffed with minced pork, woodear mushrooms and bean thread noodles bathed in a tomato sauce is a simple, yet satisfying weeknight meal.
Canh Cà Bung | Eggplant & Tomato Soup
Canh cà bung is a North Vietnamese specialty. The soup is composed of eggplant, tomatoes, tofu and pork ribs seasoned with turmeric & garnished w/Vietnamese perilla. I usually eat it with either steamed rice or vermicelli rice noodles.
Solitude in Confinement
The halting decrescendo of the urban symphony pulsating through the city’s streets abruptly faded into a deafening silence following the confinement order. The bustling whir that once animated my day-to-day has temporarily given way to an achingly muted solitude. As we all retreated to our respective nests, the quiet stillness reverberated throughout the confines of my home. I tried to drown out the hushed air with music and the sounds from my own routine movements, but eventually the murmur of my own voice eclipsed all else.
Poulet à la moutarde | Mustard Chicken
The simplicity of this French classic makes for a quick, yet delectable weeknight meal. Served with rice and a side of greens, this mustard chicken will satisfy just about any appetite!
Cake Salé au Poulet et Curry | Chicken Curry Savory Cake
This variation of the French cake salé | savory cake infuses the flavors of a traditional Vietnamese chicken curry into a radiantly colored loaf. You’ll often find such savory cakes served alongside apéritifs during the cocktail hour. Given how easy they are to make and their versatility, they also make an ideal hors-d’œuvre for picnics or potlucks. They travel well and can be served warm, room temp or even cold.
Roasted Chicken Legs with Lemongrass & Curry
Whipping up a satiating weeknight meal doesn’t have to be a complicated affair. Preparing these roasted chicken leg quarters with lemongrass and curry require minimal time and effort and only a few kitchen staples.
Khổ Qua Xào Trứng | Sautéed Bitter Melon & Scrambled Eggs
Bitter melon is a gnarly looking veggie with a pungent bitterness to match, which may deter the uninitiated palate. Nonetheless, I invite you fearless eaters out there to broaden your palate and test your palate’s threshold for bitterness.
Vietnamese Basil Seed and Malva Nut Drink
One of my favorite ways to stay cool during this past summer’s heatwave is with this Vietnamese basil seed and malva nut drink. The basil seeds (hột é) look very similar to chia seeds, but they are slightly smaller and don’t need to soak for as long. The seeds are often paired with malva nuts (đười ươi), which puffs into an algae-looking blob. It, too, has a slightly gelatinous texture and imparts a subtly earthy flavor. Both seeds have a very mild flavor, so the drink needs a little bit of sugar to give it more body.
Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad | Gỏi Đu Đủ Tôm Thịt
Dressed with a traditional nước mắm sauce, this simple yet zestful green papaya salad (gỏi đu đủ tôm thịt) topped with pork belly and shrimp will take your taste buds on an unforgettable flavor adventure that will have you begging for more once you empty your plate!
Roasted Bell Pepper and Leek Quiche
The ease and versatility of quiches make for a delicious Sunday afternoon lunch or a light weeknight meal. You can add virtually any combination of ingredients you like to them. For this quiche, roasting bell peppers brings out their sweetness, which complements the savoriness of the feta and sautéed leeks. Paired with a simple green salad, this roasted bell pepper and leek quiche will certainly satisfy just about any appetite!