recipe: thanksgiving side dishes

thanksgiving with my family (which includes the extended relatives) has recently become more of a joint effort. all the kids at the "kids table" have grown up and have something to say with their own dishes. i love potluck dinners. it's a great time for those family members to show off their tried and true recipes or even attempt new ones. i always look forward to my cousin's rich ranch mashed potatoes dish. in previous years, we had great little starters that included homemade stuffed mushrooms and deviled eggs. of course no vietnamese thanksgiving would be complete without a couple of spring or summer rolls on their plate. alas, i won't be joining my family this year for the annual feast. i'll be on a gastro-journey in spain, but that just means that i'll have to share my recipes online. so here is my contribution for thanksgiving 2009.

golden-crusted brussels sprouts
(serves 4)

ingredients:
8 oz brussels sprouts
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
salt to taste
1/4 c roasted walnuts, chopped
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

instructions:
washed the brussels sprouts well, removing any questionable outer leaves and cutting them in half. in a pan, add olive oil and add a single layer of brussels sprouts with a sprinkling of salt. over medium heat, cover the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes until the bottom of the sprouts turn a golden brown color. flip over the sprouts and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes uncovered until the other side turns golden as well. plate the brussels sprouts and sprinkle with cheese and chopped walnuts.



warm butternut squash and chickpea salad
(serves 4)

ingredients:

dressing
3 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp water
juice of 1 lemon
1 garlic clove, minced
salt to taste

salad
1 butternut squash (2 - 2 1/2 lbs), peeled, seeded and cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch chunks
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped (for garnish)
1/4 c flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

instructions:
for the dressing, add all the ingredients in a small bowl, whisk and set aside.

preheat the oven to 425 degrees. in a large bowl, combine the butternut squash, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 garlic clove, salt and pepper. tossed until the squash is well coated and transfer to a baking pan. roast the squash for 20-25 minutes, tossing the vegetables once or twice in the oven, until soft. after the butternut squash is done roasting, remove from oven and let cool.

in a saute pan over medium heat, add the remaining olive oil, garlic, onions and chickpeas. cook for 7-10 minutes, tossing frequently, until the chickpeas develop a golden crust. midway, add salt and pepper to taste.

in another large bowl, combine the butternut squash, chickpeas and dressing and toss until well coated. place the mixture on a large serving bowl and garnish with red onions and / or parsley. i didn't have any garnish on hand this time around so i omitted this step, but might i add the red onions give it a great bite!

photography: new york city marathon

recipe: roasted marrow bones

the first time i tried roasted marrow bones was earlier this year. my friends and i headed to parkside restaurant in downtown austin for some more lushness after a night of drinking. as recommended by the server and some friends, i chose this succulent snack for my late night fix. this wonderful delicacy has been used to flavor foods in several different cultures, including vietnamese cuisine, and acted as vital sustenance for the early hominids. when one asks me what it tastes like i think "a rich and savory jelly that's perfect for spreading on toast." the richness is usually cut by the fresh vibrant flavor of herbs and a sprinkling of sea salt. i thought about recreating this dish in my own home all summer long, but found it rather silly to make a dish for 1. so i invited a friend over for dinner to act as my guinea pig. the outcome was a success (otherwise i wouldn't be posting this). this recipe was adapted from fergus henderson's recipe posted in the new york times.



roasted marrow bones
(serves 2)

ingredients:
2 - 2 1/2 lbs of beef marrow bones (also known as shank bones - these are usually cut in 3-4 inch pieces)
1 cup flat-leaf parsley (chopped)
2 tbsp capers
4 pieces of sliced bread (toasted)
coarse sea salt for sprinkling

instructions:
preheat the oven to 450 degrees. line a baking dish with foil and place the bones, marrow-side up, in the dish. roast the bones for 20 minutes or until the marrow starts to separate from the bones. it is normal for some of the fat to drip out from the bottom, but make sure not to overcook.

while the bones are roasting, rinse and chop the parsley and set aside in a small bowl. add capers to the bowl and toss. toast the pieces of bread and cut in a diagonal to create 8 triangular pieces.

remove the bones from the oven and plate the ingredients for each individual person. to enjoy, fork some of the marrow out from the bone and spread it on the toast. add some of the parsley mixture and a sprinkling of sea salt on top.

recipe: pate chaud

a few weeks ago, my roommates and i hosted a potluck dinner for a friend's birthday. our 20+ guests had various dietary restrictions that ranged from carnivorous appetites to i'm-a-vegan-but-i-wear-leather views. to accommodate for some of these preferences, i opted to make 2 types of lasagna rolls: one with prosciutto and one without. our birthday guest even brought delicious delights in the form of pint-sized pot pies. she had created 2 varieties as well: chicken and vegetarian. when i inquired about the seemingly-laborious nature of these pies, she simply replied "i bought the dough at the store and made the filling myself."



that had me thinking about my favorite savory meat pie: the pate chaud. this french-influenced vietnamese pastry is made with buttery puff pastry and filled with a simple aromatic meat filling, usually pork, beef, chicken or a combination of those mentioned. i don't find them often here in new york city, but with the convenience of puff pastry being sold at the stores, i decided to make some at home.




pate chaud
(makes 12 pastries)

ingredients:
1 pkg (12 oz) of puff pastry (thawed)
1/4 lb lean ground beef
1/4 lb lean ground pork
a quarter of an large onion (diced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 black pepper

instructions:
in a large bowl, mix the ground meats, diced onion, minced garlic and salt and pepper thoroughly.

before working with the puff pastry, flour a clean surface area and roll out the dough to 1/8th inch thick. cutout 24 circles that are about 3.5 to 4 inches in diameter - i used a drinking glass to cut the pattern. you may have to combine the scraps in a ball and roll out the dough again to get all 24 circles. transfer the circles to 2 large baking sheets. after all the cutouts are made, scoop 2 tbsp of the meat mixture on 12 of the circles and press down on the middle of the meat patty so that they are not so rotund. for this method, i used a 2 tbsp cookie dough scoop and used the backside of the scoop to press on the meat patties. afterward, cover each meat-filled circle with the rest of the circles. seal the pies using a fork or your thumb by pressing down on the edges.

preheat the oven to 400 degrees. while the oven is heating up, lightly beat 1 egg and brush the tops of the pate chaud with the egg wash. bake these in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until a golden color develops. you may even freeze these pastries in the freezer until you're ready to eat them. let them thaw for 10-15 minutes first before brushing it with egg wash to bake.

recipe: kale two ways

kale is one of my favorite vegetables, rich in vitamins c and k and full of antioxidents. it's similar to chard, but a bit tougher which is why it's perfect for soups or stews (but we'll save those recipes for the colder months). in the midst of a warm and muggy august, i pondered ways to prepare this delectable delight without too much "cooking" in my hot stuffy kitchen. i was reminded of the time when i dined at alias (on the lower east side) and having this incredible shredded kale side dish. it was quite simple but it had the fragrant olive oil and lemony flavors that i love so much. later on, a dear friend of mine duplicated this dish to go along with a wonderful pasta entree. her kale dish was equally delicious. now it's my turn; while my rendition needs a bit of tweaking (my kale was not "shredded" enough), i'm happy to share it. accompanying this simple salad is a dish of crispy crackly chips that is sure to please any kale or vegetable hater. enjoy!



kale two ways: shredded kale & kale chips
(serves 2)

ingredients:
1 bunch kale
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 lemon
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp roasted pine nuts
(extra) salt and pepper to taste

instructions:
take apart the kale bunch and rinse each leaf and dry thoroughly. de-stem each leaf by cutting out the middle steam and discarding it.

shredded kale
take half of the kale bunch and finely shred the leaves with your knife; the thinner the pieces the better it will soak up the marinade. after the leaves are shredded place, it into a large bowl and set aside. for the marinade, combine 2 tbsp of the olive oil, minced garlic, juice of 1 lemon, salt, parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper in a small bowl and whisk thoroughly. add the dressing to the shredded kale and mix until all pieces are coated. let the kale marinade for 1 to 1.5 hours at room temperature.

when ready to serve, spoon some of the marinaded kale in a dish and garnish with the toasted pine nuts.

kale chips
preheat your oven to 350 degrees. with the other half of the kale bunch, roughly chop the leaves with your knife. large pieces that are 2-3 inches in diameter are most desirable. place the leaves in a large bowl and pour in 2 tbsp of olive oil and mix until all the pieces are coated (you may end up using more than 2 tbsp, if needed). add salt to taste and toss thoroughly. on a large cookie sheet, spread the kale leaves out in an even layer and place it in the oven to bake for 10-15 minutes - until the leaves are slightly brown and crispy on the edges. to serve, platter it on a large plate or in serving bowl.

recipe: black beans and rice

a couple of weeks ago, my friends and i scrambled into ruben's empanadas in the east village for lunch. i ordered the combination plate that included a giant empanada of my choice (beef chili, to be exact) and a plate of rice and black beans. while the latin dumpling wasn't the tastiest i've encountered, my meal reminded how simple and filling beans and rice are. one of my close friends always cooks up her go-to recipe of cuban black beans and rice for dinner. i've yet to try hers, but this inspired me to make a healthy version of my own.



black beans and rice
(serves 2)

ingredients:
1 c dry white rice
1 1/2 to 2 c of water
10-12 strands of saffron
4 tbsp cilantro (finely chopped)
1/2 lime
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 small bell pepper (chopped)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili pepper
splash of white wine (optional)
20 small green olives sliced (or 10 large ones)
1 can (15 oz) black beans (rinsed and drained)
salt and pepper to taste



instructions:
cook 2 servings of white rice as instructed. if using a rice cooker, rinse and drain the rice (twice) and add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water (depending on the type of rice) and the saffron threads. for reference, i used whatever i had around: nishiki medium grain white rice and used 1 1/2 cups of water. after the rice is done cooking, add chopped cilantro, juice of 1/2 a lime and salt to taste. mix thoroughly.

while the rice is cooking, add olive oil to a saute pan and turn on the heat to medium. chop the onion and mince the garlic and add to the pan to cook for 2-3 minutes. then chop the bell pepper and add to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes. after the vegetables soften up a bit, add the cumin and chili pepper and stir for 1 minute. a splash of white wine can be used to de-glaze the pan and mix the brown bits into the mixture. finally incorporate the black beans and sliced olives to cook for an additional minute, adding salt and pepper to taste.

on a large plate with the saffron cilantro rice, spoon the black beans on top. i accompanied my meal with a simple salad.

project: star crossed slouchy beret

i've been working on a long-term scarf project for about 6 months now and started on this instant gratification knit to give myself a break. currently, hats are the only 3-dimensional wearables that i can knit, as i'm still learning more intermediate skills. it's a shame that i missed out on a sweater class last year offered for fairly cheap through UT's informal classes. lessons in new york are quite pricy so i've mostly stuck to simple projects like scarves and hats. anyway, i'd been itching to make a hat that was neither beanie nor cap - something chic and casual looking but without the kitsch. this led me to think about the french - because who knows chic and casual better than them? perhaps a beret or cloche? both styles definitely embody that french 'chic-ness'.





some months back, i stumbled upon this popular beret pattern on ravelry and immediately gravitated towards the slouchy shape and star motif, which is exactly what makes this hat casual. to add to the leisurely feel, i decided on a rustic gray tweed which i purchased at hill country weavers in austin before i moved. it was a project-in-queue for a while until last week. i was able to complete this quick knit in less than a week and am rather pleased with the way it turned out. alas, i must wait until cooler weather arrives but luckily with the way this summer is going in new york autumn will be here in no time.

recipe: vietnamese rice soup with fish (chao ca)

this past weekend i strolled through the ever-busy chinatown and was in awe of their vast selection of produce. i was ecstatic and wondered why i didn't come here sooner to shop. it reminded me of the wonderful food markets in asia where everything is fresh, inexpensive and can be purchased in just the desired amounts: $4 for 2 lbs of cherries, $1 for 3 bundles of green onions. all these fresh ingredients inspired me to make a vietnamese dish, which i don't do very often (probably due to the fact that i'm a bit intimidated of buying the necessary foodstuff that aren't readily available at whole foods or the local grocery stores). while i do complain that there aren't enough vietnamese restaurants in new york city, it was the perfect opportunity to brush up on my vietnamese culinary skills.



vietnamese rice soup (chao), also called congee, is a staple in the vietnamese diet, as it is in many east asian cultures. there are many different kinds of rice soups, chicken being the most common. it's often made when one feels sick. in my case, my mother would often make me a batch after those monthly visits to the orthodontist (in high school) where i couldn't eat anything harder than a banana. my favorite one she made was a fish variety. this recipe was adapted from the well-known vietnamese cooking teacher and cookbook author, andrea nguyen.



vietnamese rice soup with fish (chao ca)
(serves 2)

ingredients:
meat & marinade
1/2 - 3/4 pound firm white fish fillet (such as halibut, cod or sea bass)
3 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 tbsp chopped cilantro

rice soup
1/2 c jasmine rice
2 green onions
1 leek (white part only)
3 1-inch chunks of ginger (peeled)
4 c stock (chicken, seafood or vegetable)
2 c water
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp chopped cilantro
salt and white pepper to taste

instructions:
make sure the skin of the fillet is off before cutting it into 3/4 inch chunks. place the chunks in a medium-size bowl or tupperware container and set aside. in this recipe i used a .69 pound of halibut.

marinade
grate fresh ginger and roughly chop the cilantro then set aside. in a small bowl, combine fish sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar and salt. then add the ginger and cilantro and mix thoroughly. pour the marinade over the fish and mix until all the pieces are covered with the marinade. cover the container and refrigerate. in this "ceviche" approach to cooking, the acid in the vinegar break down the protein of the raw fish to "cook" the fish without heat.

rice soup
cut the white part of the green onions into 1-inch portions. next, cut the leek in half and then into 1-inch portions as well. finally, peel and cut fresh ginger into 1-inch chunks.

before cooking the rice, rinse the rice by putting it into a large bowl and adding water. swish the rice around with your hands until the water turns milky then drain. repeat this process one more time. this removes some of the starch from the rice.

place the rice into a large pot and turn the heat on to medium. dry out the rice grains until it turns a light golden color. add stock, water, green onions, leeks, ginger, sesame oil and fish sauce and turn the heat to high to bring to a boil. afterward, partially cover the soup and bring down the heat to a low simmer. cook for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice grains have opened up and the soup begins to thicken. you may want to add more water if you desire a more watery consistency. with a slotted spoon, remove the large chunks of green onion, leek and ginger from the soup to discard. add salt to taste and fresh cracked white pepper. i didn’t have any white pepper, so i used black pepper instead.

while the soup is cooking, chop up the remaining green part of the green onion and place into a small bowl. then roughly chop the cilantro and add to the bowl.

20 minutes before serving, let the fish sit out at room temperature. divide half of the fish mixture into 2 bowls by spooning the fish and placing it into the middle of the bowl. while the soup is still hot, ladle the soup into the bowls and garnish with the green onion and cilantro.

to eat, you can spoon some of the fish from the bottom and mix it into the soup to cook it a bit.

recipe: pesto pasta with broccoli

to many of my carnivorous friends, they often wonder how someone who used to be such an avid meat-lover could make vegetarian dinners and be completely satisfied. it didn't happen overnight, but i do think it started when i was training for my first marathon. the five-and-half-month group training program pushed me like i have never been pushed before (i.e. - 5:45a speed workouts; sunday morning long runs) but all this running was just one part of the equation. i hadn't always been the most healthful eater and could have definitely consumed less meat and more vegetables. training had me thinking about my body and how i could treat it better to prepare myself for those grueling speed workouts and prep races; and so started the weekly carb-laden meatless meals. after perusing many vegetarian food blogs, i finally 'got' all those ingredients that could make my meal hearty and satisfying without actually adding meat. in all honesty, i could have probably just increased my carb intake and still have been able to train adequately, but what mattered to me was that it made me feel good to consume less meat. although, i still occasionally enjoy a juicy medium rare burger my desire for meat has waned. i continue to cook vegetarian dinners, including this this vegetarian pesto pasta, weekly and with the right ingredients it does satiate my craving for a hearty meal.

pesto pasta with broccoli
(serves 1)

ingredients:
3/4 c dry whole wheat penne pasta
1 1/2 c broccoli florets
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of minced garlic
juice of 1 lemon
1/3 c toasted walnuts (roughly chopped)
6 large pitted green olives (sliced)
1/4 c of your favorite pesto
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp of shredded parmesan cheese

instructions:
cook the pasta as directed by the package. while the pasta is cooking, prep the following ingredients:

• if you purchased raw walnuts, start toasting the nuts the same time as the pasta starts cooking - put it onto a cookie sheet and into a 350 degree oven; the nuts should be done in about 12 minutes; then roughly chop
  
• cut broccoli into bite-size florets
• slice green olives
• mince garlic

1 minute before the pasta is done, throw in the broccoli into the pot and cover. the green of the broccoli should take on a brighter hue; then drain.

with a saute pan or skillet over medium-low heat, add olive oil and garlic and cook for 1 minute. then add the drained pasta and broccoli and saute for 30 seconds before adding the juice of the lemon and sauteing for another 30 seconds. incorporate the walnuts, olives and pesto into the pan and cook until hot (1-2 minutes). add salt and pepper to taste then transfer the pasta onto a plate before sprinkling parmesan cheese on top.

recipe: japanese tuna salad

in the winter of 2007, i was visiting new york city for the umpteenth time and ate a izakaya restaurant (yakitori taisho, to be specific) where i first tried onigiri. while i was thoroughly enjoying my asahi beer and right-off-the-grill meats, friends at my table were putting in orders for japanese rice balls. i had never heard of these while living in texas and when i think back upon my japanese food experience, the closest item that came to mind were those spam musubi snacks sold in the abc shops in hawaii. curious, i placed an order for the umeboshi variety and was in for a treat. the powerful flavor of the pickled plum was quite unexpected. it was slightly sweet, mouth-achingly sour yet savory at the same time. i liked it. i was glad to have an abundance of rice to accompany it because i could only take small nibbles of the plum at a time. since moving to new york, i've been able to try the other flavors as sold in the many east village japanese stores but i'm always disappointed at the amount of tuna or salmon they put in those varieties. the flavors aren't as strong and you feel like you just end up eating a whole bunch white rice. tonight, i decided to create a very simple dinner using similar ingredients as my favorite onigiri: tuna. i served mine with a handful of boiled and salted edamame.



japanese tuna salad
(serves 1)

ingredients:
1 serving of cooked japanese white rice (room-temperature or slightly cold)
1 can (6 oz) tuna in water, drained
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp japanese mayonnaise *
1/4 tsp soy sauce
1 tbsp of your favorite furikake rice seasoning **

instructions:
in a small bowl, combine tuna, sesame oil, mayonnaise and soy sauce and mix thoroughly. add the tuna mixture on top of the cooled bowl of rice and sprinkle the furikaki seasoning on top.

notes:
* "kewpie" is the most well-known brand
** can be found in your local asian grocery store; see wiki entry here