Saturday, October 1, 2011

Vietnamese Style Pulled Pork and Slaw

This posts deserve an exclamation point because I was really excited to make and can't wait for my friends to try.  I was inspired by a recent pulled pork party I went to and learned that the slaw goes on top of the pulled pork.  On top of that, I became an aunt this weekend! What's not to celebrate, right?

The recipe was very simple but I have to tweak it a few before I can be sure.  Simply, I used coconut juice, coconut milk, pineapple juice, star anise, all spice, fish sauce, and other seasonings.  The slaw came with cabbage, carrots, scallions, radishes, with toasted almond & lemongrass (yup, I toasted the lemongrass - delicious!). The slaw dressing had olive oil, egg, lemon juice, fish sauce, garlic, bird's eye chili, salt & pepper, and sugar.

I cooked 4 lbs of pork shoulder and hand pulled it.  My plan is to serve it with the slow and some sticky rice.  I could steam some mantou buns but unfortunately, I don't own a steamer.


Please excuse the photos' quality - I took everything with my iPhone. Yeah, goooo iPhone!



Shoulder in broth & brewing...


The first batch pulled (yes, my pot was not big enough for all 4 lbs of shoulder to cook)


Making the slaw... you notice how I julienned the carrots? Pretty sweet, eh?


It's quite easy.  I do it the old school style by slicing it into thin pieces and stacking them.


Voila! Sorry, no cabbage photo here but I mainly sliced them thin and then chopped them into smaller pieces.  Again, it is a slaw and not just a salad.


Thinly sliced scallions.


Julienne some radishes.


Layer basil and prep them for chiffonading (french word minus the ing).


What you do is you roll it then slice it.


Mix, Mix, Mix.


On the stove, I toasted some raw sliced almonds with chopped lemongrass.  Smells wonderful!


Add the toasty deliciousness to the slaw. Then mix, mix, and mix!



The final product in the pot. Oh so delicious.


Agreed? Hand pulled - gotta' love it.


The other day I made a fontina and taleggio mac 'n cheese. :)



Thursday, September 15, 2011

Stockholm and Copenhagen

I've moved, I've gone to Sweden, I've gone to Denmark, I've returned, and I've failed to blog...

I don't blame anyone for not following my blog, anymore.

Again, I am too wordy... enjoy the photos!


First day in Stockholm and our friend, Elise, is making us a Swedish cheese pie! It was oh so yummy. I went back for 3rds and 4ths.


This was Adel's first crawfish experience. Who would have known that Swedes have crawfish parties?! How awesome is that.



Yup, I'm not kidding. Although these guys come precooked in a secret sauce.



Yup, they come out like this... straight from the box and ready to eat.


This was our lil' set up. There was definitely a lot of food but the crawfish and cheese pie stole the limelight. Yes, we had hats and all.


Cooking breakfast for Adel - he didn't trust my eggs-making-skills so I had to show him how it's done.


Lots and lots of parsley... I think he misses homemade tabouleh.


Swedish eggs... they're pretty cute!


Combine the ingredients and add some creme fraiche. Trust me.


YUM!


International Food Market in the City Centre - so much fun!


The paella stand is to die for...


The prince's cake... uber light and delicious.


Adel cooking us traditional lentil soup with spinach and pine nut beef the way his mother would make it.


Lentil soup w/ extra lemon and olive oil.  OH SO DELICIOUS.


Having lunch with our wonderful host, Angelique.


I have to start making this dish.


Paludan - the best place ever in CPH.


Our lunch within an art gallery within a library... fantastic!


We make out way to La Glace - the oldest bakery in CPH and because they only have paperware - everything was 50% off. SCORE!!! We went there three times within a 2.5 day span.


Back in SLM, I brown some pork shoulder to make an outrageous curry for my BFF.


The aroma was definitely intoxicating - it's been a while since he has had a home cooked meal.


I call this my mise en place.


I make a hearty chicken soup with carrots, corn, and cabbage. The 3 C's!


The finished product...


Crisp green beans tossed with crunchy candied garlic...


No meal is complete without a yummy and healthy salad.


And that's all folks. I failed to take the many photos of food I ate at restaurants for fear of looking like a tool.  This was me on my ride to CPH.


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

It's My Birthday!!!

The day finally came... it couldn't come soon enough...?  In any case, I had an awesome birthday.  Everyone from my family to my friends made this day so incredibly special starting a week ago.  From organizing an amazing dinner to heart warming cards and thoughtful gifts, I could not have asked for more.  Maybe an iPad 2 but no, seriously, this is probably my best birthday yet.  I can't wait for next year!

Enough with my being chatty - enjoy the photos.

The birthday started out with a beautiful bouquet from Winston Flowers.  My favorite place to give and receive flowers.



First thing on Monday morning, I was given a whole boxful of these delightful cookies! Who can resist Momofuku Milk Bar Cookies?! Not I.


The next surprise came from Beacon Hill Chocolates,


and I got macarons!!!


Then my coworkers put together this spread for me. Best. Place. To. Work. Ever.


Can you feel the love?!

My friend Lola bakes me a margarita cake - there was rum in the frosting.  Can we all say YUM now? Yes, I'm trying to make a wish.


My mother made me a platter of 50 egg rolls.  Very, very delicious and yes, I'm partial.


The rest of the spread came from Trader Joe's.  I didn't have time to cook.  :(


Spinakopita, mac n' cheese balls, taquitos!

More taquitos and more egg rolls.


And the night ended like this...

Sorry, can't post the rest... :D