Fried Tofu w/ Baby Bok Choy

This entire week, I've been out of my work mode. Sorry, I've been lazy and haven't really cook anything apart from what I've already posted. Always sticking to simple dishes.

Another dish using ingredients found in the fridge.


Cut 4 blocks of firm tofu into bite size pieces.


Add some oil to a frying pan and fry the tofu pieces. Season with a little bit of soy sauce.


My favorite soy sauce, not too heavy.


While the tofu is frying (toss to fry evenly), crush a couple cloves of garlic, mince a small knob of ginger, slice 4 shallots, and match-stick 4 scallions.


Cut the ends to separate leaves of 7 baby bok choys. Wash and drain.


After some minutes, the tofu will be nicely fried and brown. Remove onto a bowl or plate lined with paper towels.


In the same pan, infused shallots, garlic, and ginger in a little oil. Shallots first, then garlic, then ginger.


Add pepper flakes.


Deglaze with soy sauce, water, and a little oyster sauce.


Bring sauce to boil and add in the bok choy, let cook for a couple minutes.


Add scallions and the fried tofu. Serve with rice.

Potluck 8.7.10

I held a potluck last night with a few family and friends. I'm glad most of everyone could make it and for those who couldn't, hopefully we can hold another sometime soon.

The Contributions:



Brother: Beef Green Bean and Snow Peas Stir-fry




Nga: Thai Fried Rice (2 Versions: Tofu & House) & Eggrolls


Phuong: Gumbo (3 versions: Seafood, Meat, & Seafood/Meat)


Julie: Clear Dumplings//Banh Bot Loc (2 Versions: Vegetarian & Meat/Shrimp)


Lisa: Thai Papaya Salad


Me: Vietnamese Beef Stew//Thit Bo Kho


Hoa: Scallion & Shallot Butter Baked Mussels


Van Sisters: Sweet Dream Individual Pastries

There was so much food and everything was delicious. We finished the night off with some karaoke. Julie and Jennifer - you gals are a singing force to be reckoned with. Thanks everyone who came and big thanks to the sibs for your help!

Choco Pie!

As seen in Korean Dramas, most especially: Thank You. I was excited to try this when Phuong bought some since I've seen it so many times in kdrama series. It tastes a lot like Moon Pies.





Good news: It's been MONTHS since I've last watch any series! Viet-dubbed rentals...fanfics...streaming subbed/raw (desperate) videos - Done with it.

Pan Grilled Lemongrass Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

The lil bro cooked dinner tonight.


Baked chicken drumsticks

I was bored so I made something simple, pan-grilled shrimp for lettuce & herb wraps.


Marinade peeled and deveined shrimp with: minced lemongrass, minced shallots, minced garlic, dash of soy sauce, teriyaki marinade, sesame oil, sugar, salt, pepper, and hot pepper flakes.


I skewered the shrimp...just because... =)


Add butter to a grilled pan heated at Medium.


Pan-grill the shrimp


Serve with soft green lettuce and choice of herbs (mint, vietnamese coriander, and fish mint)

Watermelon with Chili Pepper Salt / Dua Hau Cham Muoi Ot

Cold, crisp watermelon tastes good all on it's own and I never thought about eating it any other way until a few years ago. I saw an Aunt eat watermelon with chili peppers and salt and thought "why would someone ruin a good piece of watermelon with salt and pepper?!?!". I tried it myself and it didn't taste too bad. Pretty good actually. The salt made the watermelon sweeter and the chili gave it a little kick. I guess it was one of those Savory Sweet affects again (always a fan of the flavor combo).


Cut up a chili pepper.


Add salt


With a pestle, smash the chili and salt together into a paste


Dip watermelon in the chili salt and enjoy!