The next destination: Bien Hoa, Vietnam!

It's been awhile since I wrote anything meaningful on this blog. Life happens. However, I am going to embark upon another adventure soon. I feel bad that the URL to this blog is wanderingtummies.blogspot.com, but I haven't posted much on my "wandering". I started this blog when I was living in Denver, Colorado. Since then, I've moved to Orange County, California then up to San Jose, California, then back to Orange County, California. I haven't given any of you a clue in what life or food is like here. In 3 months, I will be embarking on a TEFL-ing adventure across the world. How will I document this great adventure if I can even consistently document my adventures in the States? Granted I have been busy since I got back from Colorado, but that's still no excuse.

So, I'm going to make a resolution to regularly post and document my last 3 months in Southern California. I will try to take you guys around my frequent hangouts and the awesome things that goes on in Orange County. To make up for lost time, here are a few things that I have graphically documented recently.

Disneyland - the happiest place on earth!

I bought an annual pass at the beginning of last year. It was Michael's Christmas present for me. Yes, we totally, completely splurged for Christmas last year. Not so much this year. However, these were from December. Christmas is my favorite time to go to Disneyland. However, with my pass expiring in four days. I think this was the last time I'll be able to spend time in Disney.


Christmas Shenanigans!

I have an office now. This is my Christmas Tree. I decided to make my little place more festive. I love holidays.

Newport Beach Harbor  They hold an annual Boat Parade during Christmas. The pictures I took of the Boat Parade didn't turn out too well. 

My feeble attempt at making a gingerbread house.

94 days until I leave for Vietnam. I can't wait. Until next time (hopefully it will be soon), Happy Eating!

Undying CRAVINGS!!!

If I haven't mentioned this already, I'll mention this again. I am Asian. Thus, living in this country, I sometimes crave certain food. Also, if rice isn't a part of my diet for a while, I get massive cravings for it. Sometimes, after I eat foreign food such as American, Mexican, Italian, etc, I get cravings for rice. Nothing fills me up like rice does. The fullness that I get from rice is different compares to other food. I really don't know why.

With Vietnamese food, the cravings that I get from time to time is different from when I crave food such as tacos or steak or a burger. Steaks or tacos or burgers are food I get in "the mood" for. Other things such as rice or curry or..."Chè"

"Chè" is a Vietnamese dessert. It's also a dessert I've been craving. Actually, I am not sure if it's strictly Vietnamese, because one I have been craving for is called Chè Thai.

Chè is sort of like a pudding, for the lack of a better word. It's can be liquidy but also a little thick, too-like pudding! Usually the liquid is coconut milk. Sometimes it could be a sort of a caramel sauce. They are devilishly delicious. They are the ice cream of Vietnamese people.

So, several days ago, I was craving for Chè Thai. (Quick lesson on Vietnamese adjectives or modifying words always follow after the noun its modifying...kinda like spanish! So Chè Thai would loosely translated Thai Pudding.)

I hadn't had Chè Thai in a very long time. It is made up of crushed ice, lychee jelly, canned lychee, jackfruit, and jelly. They're all swimming in a deliciously sweet sea of coconut milk.



I don't know why here in America they classify it as a drink because it really is not a drink. It is a dessert. If you order it with your food, all the crushed ice will melt by the time you get around to eating it.

Writing about it makes me crave it oh so much. I think I will have to get myself some soon. You all should try some too.

As always, Happy Eating!

My Great Inspiration!!!

Aside from being a Food-a-holic, I am also a Graphic Designer, filmmaker, animator, poet, writer, and so much more. Although my drive has decreased a lot lately due to changes and stress, sometimes I still urges to do things. That's why there a times when I go on cooking/baking/eating binges of certain things. It's also why when I cook I never cook the same thing twice.

I always has urges of inspirations, "what ifs" moments, and "oooh, maybe I should...". There are a few recipes in which I stay true to. One of them is a Tuna and Macaroni Casserole. Sometimes I put mashed potatoes in it. Sometimes I don't. I like potatoes, but since this special treat is usually an order from my brother. I cook the way he likes it. I really don't know how else to change it though. So, it stays as is.

For the rest of the time, though, I find creative ways to do things even when I try not to.

As I mentioned above, I am a filmmaker or at least for now, an aspiring filmmaker. I co-own an animation company. This has nothing to do with the animation company, though. I have been trying for months to come up with a show or at least a concept for an animated show for a company in Japan. So, as I was thinking and going through what to write for today's post, an idea came to me. It's not so much an original idea but I want to make a show about food/cooking and such.

I like transforming magical girls show. So, I thought I should incorporated it somehow. Michael wants me to do a Magical Girl as Defender of Good Food and fight against Evil Organization of Obesity and Bad Food. It sounds a little too out there for me though. I don't know I'm still thinking about that so...yeah...Will keep you all posted.

EDIT: For those of you who knows a thing or two about anime and japanese shows, just think about it in terms of shows you know. I was thinking something a long the line of a cross between Sailor Moon and Yakitate Japan! What do you all think? Too much? Too generic...at least for Japan? Too weird?

A Little of This and A Little of That

I am Asian American. Thus, my taste palette has a little bit of Asian mixed with a little bit of American. Some might find that to be a great thing. "You can cook both American and Asian food," they would say, "That's terrific!"

No, no it's not, and no, I can't. Everything I cook is just that: a little bit of Asian mixed with a little bit of American. When I cook American food, or even Italian or Mexican, whatever dish would have a hint of Asian in it. When I cook Asian food, it would taste a little American. Nothing I cook would ever taste exactly like an American dish or an Asian dish.

It's a little frustrating sometimes. I am learning to accept that part of myself. I am a Traveler. I have no definite home (Read my Traveler Blog).

So, with my Asian-American-ness, I spiced up this favorite Vietnamese shrimp dish.

I call it Spiced Pan Roasted Shrimp.

Spiced Pan Roasted Shrimp




Shrimps
green onion/scallions
butter
old bay seasoning
chili powder
salt
pepper
sugar
fish sauce

1. sprinkle some salt, pepper, old bay seasonings, and chili powder on the shrimps to marinade for about 5-10 mins, longer if you would like.
2. while the shrimps are marinading, sliced up the green onions
3. when the shrimps are done marinading, heat up a pan on high heat and melt the butter
4. add the shrimps, now here, it really depends on your taste, sometimes I like to leave the heat on high and cook the shrimps until it's cooked and there aren't much trace of juices left and then toss in the green onions for about 10-20 seconds.

This time, however, I turned down the heat about half way and let it cook until the shrimp is almost done. Then, I tossed in the green onion and let it cook until the shrimps were all the way cooked.

If anyone really want the original Vietnamese recipe, I can always post it.

I can never cook a traditional Vietnamese dish because I can't. The way I cook is not the same. So, when I crave a traditional Vietnamese dinner, I have to crawl to my aunt's house and eat. They try to teach me, and I try to learn. However, when I cook even when I suppress the creative "what if" urges, it still doesn't taste the same.

It makes me frustrated sometimes. Other times, its not too too bad.

As always, if you're brave enough to try these recipes, tell me how it went. So, Happy Cooking!

Kitchen Re-Stocked!

I got Spicy Pickles today. It was delicious. It is definitely my favorite American chain sandwich place. However, if you're in California, try Lee's Sandwiches. Or if you're in Denver, go down to Federal Blvd and Mississippi and try Ba Le Sandwiches.

Vietnamese sandwiches are the best! Hands down. They are simple, delicious, and uber inexpensive. Mario Batali made a Vietnamese style sandwich on Iron Chef once. It looked delicious.

Very few of Vietnamese food can be made so readily. Most takes days to prepare and make. That's why I don't make them often though I love them so much: wet rolls, egg rolls, phở, etc.

Shopping Spree today!! It's not clothes. It's groceries! I'm so excited. Restocking the kitchen for the first time in a few months. I got curry roux for my spontaneous curry cravings. Furikake for rice balls. Rice vinegar. 20lbs worth of rice. Olive oil, sauces such as hoisin, fish, and soy.



Oh, so many possibilities!!! I am so giddy.




For dinner was stir fry with rice. I haven't had stir fry in so long. Oh yes, I also bought egg noodles. But it's rice tonight. Awesome, delicious, yummy rice.



It's a quick stir fry with baby bok choy, fried tofu, onions, and ginger with hoisin sauce and a little bit of fish sauce. Salt and pepper, of course.

I am fairly satisfied with my kitchen now. So, as always, Happy Cooking!

Madeleine Muffins!

If anyone of you are a fan of French pastries, you will know of Madeleine cakes. They are more of a cookie than a cake, but it's debatable. Some people also call French butter cakes or French lemon butter cookies. Madeleines are shell/scallop shaped cookie with a crispy outside a soft inside, like most French cookies. These little cookies are a French tradition, a French favorites. They are like the chocolate chips cookies of America, the tea and crumpet of England. A batch of Madeleines and a cup of tea. There's really nothing better.


I have been wanting these since I was reminded of them during the movie Transporter - Great movie btw. Then, I got the cravings. I needed those soft buttery cookies with a hint of lemony taste. There were a few obstacles in my way. Money's a little tight lately. Milk, butter, and eggs were of sort supply. Also, there was the fact that I needed to work my head off. Rent and bills do not pay themselves. My cravings just grew and grew.

In a desperate attempt, I tried to find an eggless recipe. I have butter and I can always subsitute milk for tea. Tea gives the Madeleines a better fragrance anyway.

When I was scrounging around for recipes and ingredients, Peter proposed to go grocery shopping since he had extra money. No one could tell how ecstatic I was. An hour and a few bags of groceries later, there were salmon steaming in the oven and Madeleines on a plate.

My last obstacle was the mold. I did not have the shell shaped mold. But, my cravings got the better of me. Therefore, I took all the ingredients that make a Madeleine a Madeleine, tweaked it to make it into a muffin. Here is the result.

They have the crusty outside, the soft inside, the lemony and buttery taste. The only thing missing was that it wasn't sweet enough. Consider this though, Madeleine usually are dust with sugar. I thought maybe next time I will make a little sugary glazed to brush on top. Or just add a little more sugar.

Madeleine Muffins

1 c all purpose flour
1/8 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 c milk
1/4 cup tea
4 tbs butter
1 tsp vanilla


Preheat oven to 400F
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
Melt butter.
Mix well butter, milk, tea, vanilla, and egg into the flour mixture
Use a whisk to whisk the batter into a good consistency
Pour into muffin pan and bake for 15 - 22 mins

Food - The Best Medicine (Ultimate Tomato Soup - Recipe)

Food is the best cure for most illnesses. I say most because there are so many illnesses caused by the toxic we create in our society today. Food, no matter how good it good, even nutrition wise, cannot save a man from a sickness created by synthetic chemicals.

Still, for the most part good, nutritious food will be able to cure most ailments.

Michael hadn't been feeling so great the last couple days. He slept and ate in inconsistent schedules in addition to working and stressing excessively. So, he woke up not feeling too good.

Food to the rescue.

I would normally make him some sort of noodle soup. I would have loved to make him "Pho", the vietnamese equivalent of chicken noodle soup. Only to the Vietnamese, they are more of a treat and we calculate our wealth according to how many bowls of Pho we can buy with our salary. But I didn't have all the ingredients for it, most importantly, the ingredient with curing abilities. Also, I've been making a lot of noodle soup dishes, and so he requested that I make non noodle soup...soup.

Here's a great curing soup. Tasty too.

Ultimate Tomato Soup

carrots
celery
tomatoes
garlic
onions
can tomato paste/soup
1 can of chicken broth

preheat oven to 425 degrees
cut tomatoes in fourths
season with garlic, dry basil, and salt
place on baking tray drizzle with a olive oil
bake for about 12-15 mins

saute garlic and rings of onions in butter on high heat
add carrots
when carrots is a little tender
add celery
let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 mins
turn heat half way down
add chicken soup
wait til boil
add tomato paste/soup
add baked tomatoes
stir and let simmer for about 10 - 20 mins

If you would like you can add little meatballs as it simmers.

Porky's Favorite Meatballs

Pork
finely chopped onion
1 egg
salt and pepper

combine all ingredients and rolls into balls
add to soup

My meatball had a little too much eggs in it. So, it spread out to the soup, but it only enhances the taste. I really liked it.

Michael and Peter ( and I, too) devoured this soup.

Ever since we moved in together, Peter had had mostly Asian dishes: curry, bo kho (Vietnamese beef stew), bo luc lac (shaken beef), ramen, udon soup, assorted Japanese bread, etc. But, I think I will be making more of either Italian dishes or Spanish dishes. My little baking binge is almost over I think. At least for now.

Happy Eating!