My Dad's 60th Birthday

My siblings and I had been planning my dad's 60th birthday bash for months.  We decided on an "Asian Wedding" theme since all three siblings decided that most likely any dreams of a traditional Asian Wedding from us three kids were shot.  This was going to be perfect since we were essentially throwing a party that my dad would have dreamt for any of his kids but the focus would be on him!

In the madness of planning this party we kind of forgot to let my dad in on all the details.  Surprisingly enough, my mom did too.  Apparently, all 70 guests didn't mention a peep to my dad either.  We had no intention of having a surprise party but that was exactly what it turned out to be.  The look on my dad's face when he arrived was priceless and of course no family party would be complete without my dad getting somewhat emotional.

We held the banquet style dinner at Mandarin Cove Restaurant  in Downtown Portland.  George did an amazing job in helping to create a perfect 10-course Chinese dinner.  The Pham's LOVE taking photos (we are a vain bunch), so we hired a local photographer to document the night and had a little backdrop where everyone could take photos.

We couldn't have picked a better DJ for the occasion.  DJ Monkey spun some modern day American beats along with some traditional and not so traditional Vietnamese jams.  He got everyone on the dance floor!  I'm not going to lie, at times I felt like I was at a middle-aged Vietnamese dance party but it was SOOOOoo much fun!

Great food, fun music and in the company of our loved ones!  I would have to say that this party was a success.  Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Mom & Mama's Home Cooking

Since moving to Santa Barbara, one of the things that I miss most is home cooking.  And when I say home cooking, I mean my mom's Vietnamese dishes and mama's (mother-in-law) Thai/Lao meals.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!

In April, we made a quick weekend trip back to Portland and both moms spoiled us with some delicious favorites.  The first question either one would ask is, "What would you like to eat?"  Well, don't mind if I do...

BO BIA
I love Vietnamese salad rolls of all types.  However, I don't often get the luxury of eating "Bo Bia". So it was definitely a treat when my mom made them for us on our last visit home.  Bo Bia is a salad roll that is filled with Chinese sausage, jicama, eggs and dried shrimp.  You dip the Bo Bia rolls in a peanut and hoisin sauce. It is a common street food snack that you would find in Vietnam.

PAPAYA SALAD, LAO SAUSAGE & STICKY RICE
One of my favorite treats when going to Mama's house is having her papaya salad.  No one does papaya salad like Mama!  She loves experimenting with her papaya salad recipes by coming up with slightly different sauce concoctions.  I can't seem to figure out her secret recipe (yet) but as long as she keeps making it, I'm content eating.

 Papaya salad is not complete unless if you have it with a side of Lao sausage and sticky rice.  Mama doesn't actually make the sausages herself.  Mama tells me that anytime she craves these sausages she puts in a special order to some Lao Grandma who makes them out of her home.  This Lao Grandma must have some magical powers because these links are bursting with flavors of lemongrass, chili peppers and garlic in each bite!

Easter Dinner for Two

This was the first Easter we (my husband and I) have spent away from Portland.  I have been trying to get back into the habit of trying out new recipes and what better way than to create a gourmet Easter Dinner for two!

Feeling overly ambitious, the two items on the menu were:  "Open Ravioli of Spot Prawns and Avocado with Chilled Tomato and Basil Consomme" (recipe by West Restaurant  in Vancouver B.C.) and  "Roast Rack of Pork with Romesco" (Neil Perry).

After 3+ hours of slaving in the kitchen, we dove into our meal and it was well worth it!  Not trying to pat myself on the back or anything but it was SCRUMPTIOUS.

OPEN RAVIOLI OF SPOT PRAWNS & AVOCADO W/CHILLED TOMATO & BASIL CONSOMME

Like the name of this appetizer, it takes just as long to make (but again worth it!).  First I had to blanch and marinate the prawns with juice from a lemon and an orange, cilantro, chile, EVOO, salt and pepper.

That was the easy part.  Next was step to create the consomme.  The tomato consomme consisted of carrots, onion, celery, a fennel bulb, leeks, garlic, tomatoes to name just a few.  The clarification included chicken breast, beet root, carrots, onions, celery and egg whites.

Served with the consomme was an open ravioli filled with an avocado mixture and the marinated prawns.

Looks simple but the process was extremely tedious.  But once we took a bite, our mouths were bursting with fresh and heavenly flavors!  There were some ouiiiiis and ahhhhs with each bite.

ROASTED RACK OF PORK W/ROMESCO

I rubbed the pork rack with sea salt and some red wine vinegar.  Then I slowly roasted it in the oven.  Next I created the Romesco which is a Spanish sauce that is usually served with barbecued or roasted foods.  I hand crushed some garlic, sea salt, chillies, almonds in a mortar.  Then folded in some homemade breadcrumbs along with paprika.  A dash of red wine vinegar and EVVO to create a saucy consistency.

The MAIN dish!  Doesn't look super fancy but tasted SUPER fancy.

Finally - to celebrate our first Easter in Santa Barbara, we toasted to some local Pinot from Costa De Oro.  Not as "oaky" as our NW Pinots.  However, filled with lots of fruit notes but not sweet.  Loved it!