Travel

Moto culture

Two weeks in Saigon is enough to gather up the courage to ride a moto…and then leave while my safety rating is still at 100%. 

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Seafood Cioppino

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small fennel, thinly sliced
  • ½ pound (about 1½) leeks, ends trimmed, halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally ½-inch thick
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ Tbsp. dried parsley
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1/8 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/8 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp saffron threads
  • 2 14oz. cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup homemade tomato sauce
  • 1 cup dry white or red wine –OR– ½ cup pernod, if no fennel
  • 1 seafood bullion cube
  • 4 to 6 ounces large shrimp (16 to 20 count per pound), shelled and deveined
  • ½ pound large scallops
  • 6 ounces firm, light-flesh fish, cut into 1½-inch pieces
  1. In a medium, heavy-bottom pot heated over medium-high heat, add the oil, then stir in the onions, leeks, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, pepper and saffron. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent and the herbs are fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes.
  2. Add wine or pernod and cook off a bit.
  3. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce and seafood bullion cube. Cover and simmer gently to develop the flavors, 30 to 45 minutes. The cioppino base can be made ahead of time to this point; remove from heat, cover and refrigerate up to one day (reheat before continuing).
  4. Add seafood based on cooking time. Serve over pasta, rice or with bread.
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Stir Fry Sauces

Dark Sauce 1
E.g. beef & broccoli

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
  • 4 tablespoons water

Dark Sauce 2
E.g. beef & asparagus

  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon black/dark soy sauce, for coloring
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ cup water
  • Pinch of salt

Light Sauce
E.g. mushroom chicken

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 dashes white pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • Salt, to taste
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Pan Fried Glazed Tofu

  • 1 package tofu, cut into triangles
  • Cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ cups broth
  1. Cut tofu into triangles, then coat all sides with cornstarch.
  2. Whisk the rest of the glaze ingredients in small bowl.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. When skillet is hot, add tofu in single layer and cook until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Turn tofu with tongs and cook until second side is browned, 4 to 6 minutes more. 
  5. Add glaze ingredients and cook, stirring, until glaze is thick and tofu is coated, 1 to 2 minutes.
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Five Spice Roast Chicken

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbls. kosher salt
  • 2 Tbls. toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp. five-spice powder
  • 1 Tbls. rice wine vinegar
  • 6 chicken leg quarters, 4 ½ – 5 lbs.

Marinade chicken for at least 2 hours, up to overnight. Roast at 425*F for 45-50 minutes.