Monthly Archives: April 2009

Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Soup

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vietnamesesoup

Recently, James and I went to a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch and I ordered the sweet and sour soup.  While I enjoyed their version, I was itching to get home and try it out for myself.  If you’re familiar with Vietnamese cuisine at all then you’ve probably heard of Pho.  It’s actually pronounced FUH not FOE as most Americans (including myself) say.  I’m a long time fan of Pho but I never knew the Vietnamese had yet another amazing soup up their sleeve!

  • 1 32 oz carton of chicken broth
  • 4 scallions, sliced into 2″ chunks
  • 3 roma tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup pineapple, sliced into 2″ chunks (see tips)
  • Gourmet Garden lemongrass, garlic and ginger 
  • 2 tbs Asian fish sauce
  • 2 tbs tamarind paste (see tips)
  • 2 cups winter melon sliced into thin strips (see tips)
  • 1/4 lb shrimp, peeled and de-veined
  • fresh mint, cilantro and basil for garnish
  • 2 tbs canola oil
  • 2 jalapenos, 1 sliced in strips, the other in rings for garnish
  • juice of 2 limes, 1 for soup and one reserved for garnish
  • 1 cup bean sprouts

 

Heat a large pot over medium heat and add canola oil.   Heat oil for a minute and add lemongrass, garlic and ginger.  Stir using a wooden spoon allowing the flavors to combine and heat through for about 3 minutes.

Add in chicken broth, fish sauce, tamarind paste, winter melon, sliced jalapeno, scallions and pineapple and juice of one lime.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes.

Add in shrimp, tomatoes and bean sprouts and cook just until shrimp turns pink, about 3 minutes.  Remove from heat.

To serve, spritz with lime and top with fresh herbs and jalapeno.

Tips:

  • I used fresh pineapple but you can certainly substitute canned.   Just be sure and get it in juice, not syrup.
  • Winter melon can be found in International food markets. 
  • Tamarind paste is preferable as it is more of a tart flavor, however, you can substitute with tamarind chutney.  They can be found in the Indian section of the International aisle at the grocery store.

Bold Jewelry

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As was very evident at NYC Fashion Week, bold jewelry is huge right now and will continue to be well into Fall/Winter 09. 

The only rule?  The bigger, the better!  Some of my favorites include this piece by designer Candace Ang for Urban Outfitters.  It’s sort of tough and feminine at the same time with it’s mix of metal and pink frills.

candace-ang-studded-satin-necklace

This cuff from Accessories & Beyond is definitely eye catching yet still toned down enough to wear with just about anything.

accessoriesbeyond-cuff

These earrings from Free People are a nice change from your everyday gold hoops.

coin-earring

One of my favorite places to find bold statement jewelry online is Ebay.  I’ve scored some really unique finds over the years.  In the real world?  Try looking for Estate sales!

Lettuce Pork Rolls

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porkrolls

Realizing this is my fourth Asian inspired recipe on the site, I’m seeing a pattern here….

Anyway, this recipe is great for a quick and easy lunch on the weekends.   Light, flavorful and fast. 

Dressing:

  • 1 tbs Asian fish sauce (see tips)
  • juice of one lime
  • 2 tsp minced ginger (see tips)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2  tsp minced lemongrass
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • splash of rice wine vinegar

 

Whisk all ingredients and set aside.

Pork Rolls:

  • 2 tsp grape seed oil (you can substitute with canola if you’d like)
  • 1 lb boneless pork cutlets, about 1/2″ in thickness
  • 2 cups shredded napa cabbage
  • 1 seedless english cucumber, julienned (see tips)
  • 1 red pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • head of butter lettuce, ribs removed (see tips)
  • salt and pepper

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Season cutlets with salt and pepper to taste.  Saute until lightly browned, about 2 mins per side.  Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly and slice into thin strips.  Toss with half of the dressing.

Toss your cabbage, red pepper and cucumbers with the remaining dressing. 

To assemble rolls, lay lettuce leaf out on flat work surface and top with a few slices of pork, and your cabbage mixture.  Be careful not to overstuff or they won’t roll easily.  Place rolls seam side down and cut in half to serve.  If you’d like, secure rolls with a toothpick.

Tips:

  • Fish sauce can be found in the International aisle at your local grocery store.
  • Instead of mincing all that garlic, ginger and lemongrass, why not try Gourmet Garden? 
  • To julienne is to create what resemble little matchsticks.  Do this by halving the cucumber lengthwise, then again crosswise and slice into 1/4″ thin strips.
  • Cut a ‘v’ in the leaf to remove the hard white part, or rib, as it can cause the leaves to break while rolling.

Joaquin Phoenix launches a clothing line

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When Joaquin Phoenix started showing up on TMZ in a crazy beard and sunglasses, we assumed he’d either become a junkie or was preparing for a role, but when he started trying to rap on stage…it was obvious something else was going on.  Eventually, people realized that Phoenix’s entourage included brother-in-law and wanna-be filmmaker Casey Affleck directing a team of videographers, indicating that this whole affair must be some kind of publicity stunt.

Well the guessing is over and we were all right, it was just a stunt!  Introducing MESH HAT, a new mens clothing line designed by Phoenix himself!

On Friday in New York City, Joaquin Phoenix is set to launch “Mesh Hat” in front of a select gathering of media and industry professionals.  The line, reportedly designed entirely by Joaquin is based around quirky synthetic fabrics and challenging color combinations cut in an easy, relaxed fit that runs couter to the emo styles of today.  In a nod to his animal rights activism, his entire line is certified cruelty free, and uses no animal-based materials or byproducts, instead focusing on layers of structured nylon and other synthetic fabrics to create a fashion-forward but very wearable look.

Pricing and availabilty are undetermined and the bulk of the details will be revealed Friday at the event in New York, but a few details can be gleened from the press release.  Wondering how he suddenly made a move into fashion?  Joaquin himself says:

“I found myself becoming very depressed when looking into my closet one day last fall and I decided to throw everything out except for a few pair of jeans and a trashbag that I wore as a shirt for a while.  At some point, I lost my jeans.”

And what’s the significance of the brand name?

“I like mesh hats.  Sometimes people call them trucker hats.  I think I lost a shoe around here somewhere.”

We’ve been given a sneak-peek through an unnamed media contact and have agreed not to share photographs of the line, but we have been given permission to post a number of the original sketches.   Give these sketches a peek and we think you’ll agree that Joaquin Phoenix has discovered a new talent!

sketch1sketch2