Fermented Fish Dish | Mam Dua Ca

This past summer when big sister Lien and Andy got engaged, Andy's mom brought up from Texas some fresh fish that could be used for fermenting. I'm not sure what the name of this fish is, only that it's shiny silver in color, thin, and long. The fish was cut into about 1/2 inch pieces, salted, and jared for fermenting.

A couple months later, mom used it to make a fermented fish dish called Mam Dua or Mam Ca.



Dried pieces of green papaya from Vietnam soaked in water to re-hydrate and drained.


Rinsed and drained pickled eggplant from the jar. Cut into halves.


Chili Radishes from the package; Washed, drained, and cut into small pieces.


Seasonings and spices go in.

The potent stuff!


Time to take it outside to add the fermented fish. The smell can be overwhelming inside the house.


Mix well with gloves!


Pack in jars.


Give the vegetables a couple weeks to absorb the seasonings and it's good to eat.


Compliments well with boiled pork belly and a plate of raw vegetables (green leaf lettuce, mint, cilantro, and fish mint). Served with rice.

I like to bunch everything up in a lettuce wrap and eat it that way. But if I'm hungry or just craving - I'm satisfied with a bowl of rice and the mam.

A picture video of Lien & Andy's beautiful engagement. Jul 4.09 weekend



*Stop the playlist music*

LOL Random 1

I feel so tired these days. Gotta work Saturdays this month at the job and some Sundays at the shop. I catch myself resting my eyes at my desk a few times now, yawning like crazy throughout the day, and taking in more coffee. Feels strange cause I'm not usually like this. And where do the days go? There's barely anytime after work to do anything before it's time to go to bed, wake up, and start the routine all over again.

We don't have kids over often so it's nice when the 'lil cousins come over. Ethan says the silliest things and gives us all a good laugh. They came over Friday to hang out and stayed for Taco night. Easy to prepare, fun for the kids to make, and the folks love 'em too!



Phuong bought some fresh sweet strawberries that day too. Her and Brandi decided to make Chocolate covered Strawberries.



Mmm =)

On Saturday, Phuong threw together a Lasagna. Adapted from a Paula Deen recipe. Is it me or does this girl really like Paula Deen's recipes? hehe


Layers of sauce

Layers of Oven Ready Pasta and Cottage/Parmesan Cheese Mixture

Layers of Mozzarella

Ready for the oven

Yum.

Anh's Boston Cream Cupcakes.

Yum-O! I want another. hehHappy Birthday Kimi!

Books: I read about 3 more pages of The Eclipse (Yay?) hehe Reading at this rate will get me no where. I'm thinking I should stop and just wait for the movie.

Movies: Book of Eli. I give it a 3/5.

Music: I cannot find new stuff that's a good listen so I'm listening to old songs. Some oldies but goodies:

- Thuy Hang: Tinh Xot Xa (Feel So Sorry)

- Shin Hyesung: Take Me To Your Heart

- Van Quang Long: Boi Tin Loi The
- Vonda Shepard: Baby Don't Break My Heart Slow
- Jimmy JC Nguyen: Tinh Xua Nghia Cu 2

Good Night.

Chicken Noodle Soup with Bamboo Shoot | Bun Mang Ga

Day off! Working 7 days a week, it's nice to have a break that's not on a holiday. Stayed in and did some cleaning (room was looking a terrible mess), washed a few loads of laundry, watched two episodes of the Kdrama - Will It Snow For Christmas (recommended!), and helped Phuong make Sticky Rice Cakes (Banh It).

Steamed on pieces of banana leaves, topped with scallion oil & fried onions, served with a sweet fish sauce.

We tested the dough on the Kitchen Aid mixer I got Phuong for her birthday and it works! We now know that it can handle rice flour...but the ultimate test? Tapioca starch!

I've had banh it with a pork and shrimp filling. I've had che troi nuoc, a dessert made from the same dough but filled with a sweet mung bean paste. But I've never had mung bean & pork together in a banh it before, it's surprisingly good!

I'm also going through my credit card bills to pay off all the debt I created during the holidays and birthdays. Tet is only a month away and you know the superstition - it's good luck to enter the new year debt-free. So that's what I'm doing. One of my goals this year is to better manage my money. The past year that I've had this job - I've been spending way too much. Time to start cutting back.

The winter weather is really taking its effect up here in the Mitten and soup is always nice to have on cold days like these. One of my favorites, Chicken Noodle Soup with Bamboo Shoot.

Cut a whole chicken into serving-size pieces. Put the chicken into a large pot and flavor with fish sauce, sambal chili paste, salt, pepper, hot pepper flakes, a little sugar, mushroom seasoning, slices of ginger, a few cloves of crushed garlic, and 2 halved medium onions .

Prepare sour bamboo shoot (Fresh bamboo shoot if you can), sliced pineapple, and wedges of tomatoes.

Sear the chicken for 5-10 minutes on high heat, add 1 can of chicken broth and enough water to cover all the chicken. Add the bamboo and pineapple. Season the broth with salt and fish sauce. Bring to boil and let cook for about 30 minutes. Bring the heat down to medium and add the tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes and its ready. Don't forget to remove the unwanted foam that surfaces.

Serve over rice vermicelli noodles, a sprinkling of chopped cilantro and scallions, and a platter of your favorite herbs and lettuce. Condiments: Sriracha & Soy Sauce/Fish Sauce

Warm Beef Salad | Xa Lach Bo

Something quick, simple, and satisfying.

Marinade strips of beef with fish sauce, salt, black pepper, pepper flakes, sambal chili paste, sliced shallots, and minced garlic.

I like to used hanging tender - it's flavorful, usually not tough, cooks well, and isn't dry.

Prepare some lettuce of your choice (I'm using Iceberg) and sliced boiled eggs.

Stir-fry quickly over high heat in a slightly oiled frying pan. Add a few spoons of water to create a sauce.

Pour beef with sauce over the lettuce and egg. A squeeze of lemon or lime all over and served with rice.

5! 4! 3! 2 ! 1! Happy New Year!

Rang in 2010 with some wonderful people on new years eve. The night was fun but traffic was a pain.

I have a tinkling of feeling, it will be a good year.


The Gals Cr. Kimmy


Cheers! Cr. Kimmy
On new years day, we met up with the nieces and nephews at Tokyo Sushi and Seoul BBQ. This is my favorite sushi spot. I'm not a big fan of sushi, but this place has THEE BEST salad ever!! Everyone had the miso soup and ginger salad, we ordered a few rolls (including the very popular YumYum), gyouzas, ton katsu, and 3 orders of the Tokyo Salad.


Classic iceberg salad, raw tuna, Japanese egg, and masago smothered in an AMAZING dressing.

My attempt to recreate the sauce was a complete failure. When Cuong asked the waitress what was in it - she said it was her mom's secret recipe! Bummer.

After eating, we went to their place for another night of Karaoke fun!

Ended the weekend by attending the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at the Detroit Opera House.



The performances took the audience on a journey into China's history (Ancient time and Modern day) through classical dance and song. The orchestra was great, must admit though - I almost dozed off to the soft music. I stayed awake just so I didn't miss any of the performances. I really liked the female dances - especially the Handkerchief dance. The way the dancers twirled the handkerchiefs in their hand reminded me of a chef tossing a pizza dough. Amazed I was. heh

Books: My coworker lent me the 3rd installment to the Twilight Saga (The Eclipse). I don't know how people read it. I'm trying to get to the point where it's really interesting... where it's so good that the pages will turn on it's own, but I can't seem to get there. I've had the book for about three weeks now and I don't even think I'm a fifth ways through.

Movies: If you haven't yet, watch Avatar - one of my favorite movies of 2009!

Music: Getting into the spirit a little early. Listening to Nhac Xuan. New Playlist.

A Happy Holiday

Guess who owns a 'blanket that has sleeves?' One of my bosses got tired of hearing complaints about the office temperature so he went out and bought Snuggies for everyone. My workspace is near a large window so it gets pretty cold.

I love my workspace! Yes, I'm a sticky notes girl! hehe This is about 20x better than the cubicle I had in the old office, the sticky notes were 20x worst. The window can be a little bit of a distraction though. Sometimes I look out to Downtown Birmingham and just people watch. It's so pretty when it snows too, I can sit and watch the snow fall for hours, but then I realize that there's work to be done.


How I keep warm at the office: X-Hot Double Peppermint Mocha. My year-round Starbucks drink. The one below the building makes it the best.
Christmas was really nice this year. Woke up and opened gifts. Met up with nieces and nephews TP, Kim, Cong, Brandi, and Ethan for some dim sum at the best Chinese restaurant, Golden Harvest. Pictures of the deliciousness not available since I forgot my camera at home. Camera phone wasn't working either because I accidentally washed it the night before. Yea, nice move! I heard somewhere that if you put a wet phone in uncooked rice, it helps revive the phone. I did just so and my phone works again!

After dim sum, we went to Anh The and Chi Thuy's house. Made gingerbread cookies, banh nam, pigged out on some McD's and hung around until it was time to head out for the Chuong Trinh Song Ca Concert at the Caesars Windsor Casino in Canada.


Brandi & Anh Cuong


Phuong's house with Lisa, TP, and Ethan's decor.


I like the xmas tree back door =)


With nephew TP before the concert. The peppermint mocha at the casino Starbucks was not good...
Attended my first Vietnamese concert and it was great!


Hosted by Nguyen Ngoc Ngan, performances by Nhu Quynh & Truong Vu, Luu Bich & Nguyen Hung, Minh Tuyet & Bang Kieu, and the Liberty Band.
The concert started off with a number by the Liberty Band followed by NQ & TV with Nho Nguoi Yeu. I was hoping so much that these two would do a duet. If only they sang Em Hau Phuong, Anh Tien Tuyen - would have made the show 100x better. hah

They did one more duet I believe and each did a couple solo songs. Nhu Quynh's (one of my favorite singers) vocals are amazing. Luu Bich did her solos and was joined by Nguyen Hung for a few duets. Nguyen Hung sung a couple songs and busted out a few of his ballroom dance moves. Minh Tuyet came out next. She sang a few songs and was accompanied by Bang Kieu for their duets. They must have saved the best for last because Bank Kieu was pretty awesome! I've never been much of a fan of his, but I am now. The guy was hilarious, got the audience involve, and pretty much out-sang everyone - yes, even the talented Nhu Quynh.

Some of the songs performed that I could remember:

NQ & TV: Nho Nguoi Yeu
NQ: Nua Vang Trang - with Techno remix (I prefer the original)
NH: Huong
MT: Em Phai Lam Sao
MT & BK: Goi Thi Anh Da Biet (One of my favorite songs of theirs)
MT & BK: Boi Vi Anh Yeu Em (This is a good one too, also sung by Phan Dinh Tung)
BK: Thi Tham Mua Xuan - with techno remix
BK: Le Da

Celebrated Phuong's Birthday on Saturday


The Dynasty from Sweet Dreams Pastries - White and Chocolate mousse between Vanilla and Chocolate chiffon
On Sunday, I went to a cousin's baby shower (Delicious party food!) and then a get- together at TP's for his birthday. A night of poker, karaoke, shots, laughs, and fun. Came home and got a good night's rest...month-end, year-end, and a shortened work week meant work overload.

Fish Noodle Soup | Bun Cha Ca

When I was younger and living in Louisiana, I remember watching my mom make fried fish patties (Cha Ca) quite often. I'd eat them right as she finished frying them. Fresh, hot, and good! Our family moved to Kansas after Hurricane Andrew hit and during the 3 or 4 years that we lived there, I can't recall mom ever making this. We moved to Michigan and it is back on the menu - YES!

Mom usually makes the fish paste by combining the meat of King fish, pork belly, shallots, garlic, fish sauce, salt, pepper flakes, black pepper, and baking powder in a food processor. The fish paste is formed into patties and fried in hot oil to make the fried fish patties or formed into balls and not fried to make fish balls (Ca Vien). Both types can be used for Sour Fish Soup (Canh Chua Cha Ca) or Fish Noodle Soup (Bun Cha Ca).

You can buy the fish paste labeled 'Cha Ca' in plastic tubs in the frozen food section of your local asian market. I've also used the already fried and frozen patties a couple times - they taste pretty good. Eventually, I will get around to making my own batch of fish paste. For now, I will use Mom's since she makes a lot, packs them into zip lock bags, and freezes them for whenever we want to use them. The latest batch was made from the King fish I brought back from my trip to Florida in late September.

Making Fish Noodle Soup:

Sour bamboo shoot, cut sour mustard, sliced shallots, minced garlic, and sliced fresh pineapple.


The fried fish patties flavored with fish sauce, pepper flakes, and salt.


Start off by infusing the oil, shallots, and garlic.


Add water, bamboo, sour mustard, and pineapple. Bring to boil.


Add the fish patties and bring back to a boil. Cook for 5 more minutes and its ready!


Serve in a large bowl with rice vermicelli, a handful of raw lettuce mix, and sliced scallions. Condiments: Sriracha and Light Soy Sauce

Out and About

I should really make it a habit of posting more frequently. Wait too long and there's too much content. I'll try my best to organize the last couple week's events and dishes in a couple posts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OLDER SISTER PHUONG!

Last Saturday, Phuong made LOTS of Steamed Buns(Banh Bao)

So many!

A sweet bun filled with savory pork meat mixture, chinese sausage (lap xuong), and half a boiled egg.

On Sunday I had dinner with Phuong, Lisa, and Kimmie at our favorite Thai restaurant, Sala Thai. The food is always delicious, the service is great, and I just love the oriental atmosphere. There are 3 locations here in Michigan, but I've only been to the one in Sterling Heights since its closer to home. The other two are located in Detroit, one at Eastern Market and the other on Lafayette. Check out the website for the menu, awards, and info on all 3.

For appetizers, we had Chicken Wings and Spring Rolls.

Lisa had Chicken Pad Thai (one of my favorites)

I ordered the Seafood Curry

Phuong had the Pad Cashew

Kimmie had Pad See-ew if I remember correctly. We also order Chicken Fried Rice to go for the brothers. The fried rice is sooo good!

On Monday, Hanh and I went to see the Jersey Boys show at the Fisher Theater. When I saw the commercial back in June or July I had to make sure I bought tickets. Not only was I fascinated by the rags to riches story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, but I fell in love with the familiar songs.

A Medley of Sherry, Walk Like a Man, and Big Girls Don't Cry by Jersey Boys' London cast.

Other great favorites:
Begging
Oh, What A Night
My Eyes Adore You (Beautiful song!)
Fallen Angel
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
Rag Doll

We headed out a little early to get dinner before the show. After getting lost for about 30 or so minutes (due to my awesome sense of direction), we finally settled with The Majestic Cafe. We just ordered a few dishes and shared.

The restaurant was darker than most and light came from the candles at the tables.

Potato Chips and Fried Cheese Raviolis for appetizers

Chicken Carbonara with Basil Fettucini. This was good, especially because of the prosciutto.

Grill Greek-Style Pizza. My first time having Humous and I didn't like it too much. The pizza itself wasn't bad though.