Monday, December 25, 2006

Christmas Dinner 2006

Happy Holidays Everybody! Roasted Acorn Squash stuffed with Ricotta and Freshwater Prawns...spent a little too much time in the oven lolIngredients: -1 large acorn squash-1 cup ricotta cheese (approx)-1 egg-1 stalk celery-1/4lb fresh prawns-3-4 mushrooms-salt, pepper What to Do: Cut squash into 1” thick slices, remove seeds. Chop mushrooms, celery and prawns (save a few to garnish later). Mix together cheese, egg, celery, prawns, and mushrooms....

Friday, December 22, 2006

Buche de Noel (Vanilla Sponge with Raspberry Mousse and Chocolate Cream)

Vanilla Sponge: -4 eggs-120g sugar-120g flour-1/4 tsp baking powder-1tbs vanilla extract *Separate eggs and beat white until foamy, gradually add in the sugar and beat to obtain medium peaks, add in egg yolks one at a time. Mix together flour and baking powder. Sift and fold flour mixture into eggs. Bake in jelly roll pan at 350’F until lightly golden. Filling and Icing: -200g raspberries-100g sugar (approx)-400g whipping cream-powdered sugar-cocoa...

Friday, December 8, 2006

Ghẹ Hấp Lá Chanh Chấm Muối Tiêu Me (Blue Crabs Steamed with Kaffir Lime Leaves served Tamarind and Pepper Dipping Sauce)

Ingredients:-blue crabs-kaffir/thai lime leaves-1 tsp tamarind powder (the kind used to make tamarind soup)-1 tsp sugar-thai chilies (optional)-1/3 tsp black pepper-3 tbs coconut juice or waterWhat to Do:Steam crabs over high heat with lime leaves in the steaming water. Mix together tamarind powder, sugar, chillies, pepper and coconut juice to make dipping sauce. Give the sauce a taste all flavor should be even, adjust accordingly. Serve steamed...

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Xôi Vò (Mung Bean Coated Coconut Sweet Rice)

Success to making this snack is when the rice is crumbly yet can hold together when you squeeze it (think of pie or cheese cake crust) thus the name "Xôi Vò" as Xôi means cooked sweet rice and Vò means to squeeze or roll. To make this happen mung beans are used not to just add flavor and color but to coat the rice making it crumbly and less sticky. Be warned this snack is not easy to make, but the taste is so worth the effort.Ingredients:-150g...

Monday, December 4, 2006

Canh Nghêu Nấu Mướp và Lá Quế (Clam with Sing Kwa and Basil Soup)

Ingredients:-1/2 lb manila clams-1 large sing kwa or zucchini-1/2 large onion-1/2 bunch each: basil and cilantro-1 green onion-2 cloves garlic-2 thai chilies (optional)-1 tbs fish sauce-salt and sugar to taste-waterWhat to Do:Wash clams, cut onion into wedges. Peel sing kwa and cut into bite size pieces. Crush and mince garlic, chillies and green onion. Roughly chop basil and cilantro. In a large pot heat 1/2 tsp oil. Add garlic, chillies, and...

Saturday, December 2, 2006

Bún Mọc Thang (Chicken and Pork Noodles)

This dish is the result of marrying Bún Mọc with Bún Thang, thus the name Bún Mọc Thang. Both Bún Mọc and Bún Thang are noodle soups from Northern Vietnam. Bún Mọc Thang was conceived and given birth to in Seattle, by yours truly :D. So....technically, Bún Mọc Thang is an American dish...after all it's created in America by an American. LOLIngredients:-1 chicken-3 eggs-4 shitake mushrooms-1lb vietnamese ham (chả lụa)-1lb pork meat paste (uncooked...

Friday, December 1, 2006

Bánh Mì Ngọt Nhân Xoài và Phô Mai (Mango and Cream Cheese Bun)

To make this, you start out off with 2 ripe mangos and make a mango purée. The mango purée is then used in the sweet bread dough and the filling.Mango Purée:-2 large ripe mangos-1/2 tsp lemon/lime juice*Blend mango flesh and juice in a blender until smooth, run the mixture through a sieve and discard and fibers left in the sieve.For the Bread Dough:-50g sugar-170g warm milk-170g mango puree-1 tbs yeast-130g butter (salted at room temperature)-390g...