Fall Potluck 2011

It's been a while since I held a potluck and with no plans for a Saturday night, I thought it would be nice to gather up some family and friends- eat, drink, sing, and just have fun.



The Spread.


Lang whipped up some of my now favorites, Orange-Creamsicles.


Phuong's Banh Bot Loc, always a hit.


Phuong also made Fire-Cracker Shrimp.


Spunks make an awesome Lasagna =)


Vang brought pizza - best crust!


Hue made Artichoke Dip, first time trying it and I like!


Using the rest of the Pate I had left over from my previous post, I made Banh Pate So. I formed them into a different shape and used the whole egg instead of just the yolk for the egg-wash. I prefer the egg-yolk only wash, gives a better color.

Thanks Quang and Khoa for the drinks - might have to have another get-together to finish up the rest. Big thanks to everyone who made it!

Food Venture: Sahara Mediterranean Grill

Groupons are great for saving money, they're bad because sometimes they have you eating out more than you probably should. Phuong bought groupons for Saraha Mediterranean Grill and needed to use it before it expired. This called for a food venture!



Fresh oven-baked bread and garlic sauce. Got to love garlic sauce.


Hommous! I've grown to LOVE this stuff. The best hommous I've had yet.


Cream of Broccoli Soup


Fattoush Salad. Refreshing.


Charboiled Lamb Chops


Chicken Sandwich

All the dishes were delicious, I didn't get to taste the soup and sandwich though. The bread was so warm and fresh, we had two baskets full - and a refill on the garlic sauce too! So good. The lamb was cooked perfectly. I'd definitely go back for sure!

Banh Pate So | Pork Pate Pastry

I was introduced to this pastry by my older brother years ago. During my TVB drama days, Anh Cuong would make weekly trips to the Vietnamese video store to rent the lastest drama series for me, mom, and Phuong. He'd also stop by the Vietnamese store and brought home this pastry for me ever so often when they had them.
It was introduced to me again by his now fiance, Chi Tammy, during their most recent visit here. Incorporating bits and pieces of different recipes I found on the web with some of Chi Tammy's techniques, I baked up some of my own fluffy and flaky yumminess!

18 small pastries:



Thaw a package of puff pastry (2 sheets)






As the sheets thaw, prepare the filling. In a bowl, mix together 1 lb. of ground pork, 2-3 tablespoons of pate, 1 medium onion - diced, 1 small carrot - shredded and cut into small pieces, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 green onion - cut into small pieces. Season with fish sauce, salt, and black pepper.


Also prepare the egg yolk wash - beat together egg yolk and toasted sesame seeds.


For small servings: Cut each sheet into 9 squares, fill half of the square with pork mixture, leaving the edge free to be sealed.


Fold over the other half and press edges down with a fork to seal. Brush the yolk over the top of the pastries. Place them on a non-stick baking sheet and pop them in a preheated 325 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.


Serve while they are fresh out the oven.


2nd batch without egg-wash.



I forgot the step of slitting the top of the pies to allow steam to escape. With no place else to go, the steam escaped through the bad seal job, causing the openings hehe Not bad for the first attempt!

Westview Orchards and Cider Mill - Fall 2011

It's a strange feeling, almost mid-October and we're getting 80+ degree weather here in the mitten. Apple picking season is here and you know what that means!...delicious hot & fresh cider donuts paired with cold crisp apple cider!

It just didn't feel right to walk around the orchard in summer clothes with the sun beating down on us. I was hoping that the boot and sweater season would be here with a little chill in the air. I shouldn't complain, I'm sure we'll be in for quite a brutal winter season. The longer we can fend off the winter weather - the better!

Hailey's first cider mill experience:



Standing in line to purchase donuts and cider










Cinnamon sugar donuts


Plain is best!


Apple Fruit Flip - Pretty good!


Cider Barn


On top of a giant haystack




Picture of the corn maze - just in-case we get lost ;)



Unfortunately the weather had us pretty worn-out. We did not finish the maze nor did we get a chance to go apple picking or try the Grill on the Hill's food. If you go, plan to spend a good 5 hours out there to experience everything!

It's a great place to take the kiddos, check out the site: http://www.westvieworchards.com/