Savoring life's delicious moments
This xá xíu chay (vegetarian char siu) is a satisfying stand in for the meat version of pork char siu. It can be served in a number of dishes, such as stir-fried chow mein noodles, steamed buns, Vietnamese sandwiches, etc.
When I’m craving something light and flavorful, yet am feeling unmotivated to cook, this is the dish I turn to. Pad see ew is simply flat rice noodles stir-fried with soy sauce. My meatless version with fried tofu and mikado spinach only takes 15 minutes to whip up, making it an ideal work from home lunch or satisfying weeknight dinner after a demanding work day.
This spicy lemongrass king oyster mushroom dish is a meatless version of gà xào sả ớt (lemongrass and chili chicken). Although the cooking time is much shorter than that of the chicken dish, it’s equally as flavorful and delicious.
Though meatless, these vegetarian egg rolls are far from bland, especially when served over a bed of vermicelli noodles and fresh Vietnamese aromatic herbs and dressed with a nước mắm sauce.
February tends to be the coldest month in Paris. I like to keep warm with this cauliflower soup when I’m craving a satisfying, yet fuss-free meal.
Chả Hấp Chay (steamed tofu pâté) is a vegetarian take on the classic Vietnamese chả trứng hấp, which is a steamed egg meatloaf with ground pork. This meatless version is composed of tofu, onions, wood ear mushrooms, beanthread noodles, and fermented tofu, which imparts a satifying umami flavor. The steamed tofu dish is vegetarian and vegan friendly and best enjoyed with a side of steamed white rice and sautéed greens.
Similar to bò kho in flavor (beef stew) but much quicker to make, fried tofu and king oyster mushrooms are simmered in a broth seasoned with lemongrass, chilis and a blend of spices. The king oyster mushrooms add a satisfying meaty texture, while the combination of chili peppers and spices gives a bold depth of flavor. The dish packs such a punch that you may even forget that you’re eating a vegetarian dish!
I don’t recall ever having had this variety of Japanese eggplant back in the US, but this has become one of my vegetables of choice for its milder taste and ease of preparing. This dish is an ideal weekday meal because it is composed of easy to find ingredients and only takes 15 minutes to throw together. Though meatless, this savory-sweet dish is chock-full of flavor and will leave even the pickiest taste buds satisfied.
Change is inevitable, but may not always be as timely as we would like. When inertia starts to become too comfortable, you yourself must sometimes catalyze the disruption of static routine. This is where I was last year when I realized that I had reached an impasse in my career.