Banh Mi!

It's time to ketchup, mustard! Seriously, this hiatus has gone on too long. So, in no particular order, get ready for a marathon of updates. Because there haven't been any posts since January, but there have been many delicious meals.

Of late? I tried my hand at some Banh Mi (which autocorrects to "Bang Mi"...glad I caught it. That would be awfully misleading).

My inspiration was a relatively new place on South First called Elizabeth Street Cafe. They offer French Vietnamese Cuisine and although we haven't been, I stumbled upon a recipe for the pork sandie around the same time I heard about the restaurant and thought I'd try it out.

I made a few adjustments (used thinly cut pork chops instead of tenderloin--cheaper, required less pounding, nearly as lean), but otherwise pretty much followed the recipe. There are quite a few steps (like pickling the radishes and carrots) that may seem complicated, but are totally worth it.

I'll be curious to see how ours rivals Elizabeth's...I'll have to document when we go and let you know. Any good sandwich discoveries lately?

Happy Searching!

Pleasin' Indonesian Chicken

Looking for an easy and flavorful way to prepare chicken? Look no further! Indonesian Ginger Chicken (courtesy of Ina Garten) is incredibly tasty and couldn't be easier.

I wanted to deliver a meal to one of my friends who just had a baby and this chicken seemed perfect. Simple without being boring, the chicken is marinated overnight in soy, honey, garlic, and ginger. Ina's recipe called for 2 whole chickens (cut up), but I just used a mix of what was on sale. I got a package of drumsticks and and a package of breasts (which I cut in half because they were huge...like, double Ds).

Put them in the fridge, then put them in the oven the next day. After an hour (and removing the foil halfway to crisp up the glazed skin), the chicken is done. Served with steamed rich and some sauteed veggies, this Indonesian was pleasin'. Easy? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely!

Happy Searching,

Madam Mam's is Thai-riffic

Do you ever go to a restaurant and order the exact same thing every time? Being the lovers of food that we are, Ryan and I make it a point to expand our gastronomical horizons and sample different dishes. But. I love me some curry. And I just can't seem to make it past the Panang...

Thai cuisine--I know--is much more than just curry. I mean no disrespect to the culture or culinary world by seeming so narrow-minded. But this is one of those instances where I find a good thing and stick with it. Panang Curry is my Thai version of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I order it every single time.

Sure, I'm willing to try other things (usually off of Ryan's plate, since I always order the same thing). It's just that I love the contrast of the spicy red curry, the cool coconut milk, and the sweet Thai basil, all swimming together in a luxurious broth.

Madam Mam's is just the place for my Thai fix. It's a perfect example of why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover; at first glance, it appears to be a bit rundown. The plywood signs adorning the restaurant have been painted bubblegum pink with red letters.

So when we entered and found these bright, whimsical umbrellas hanging from the ceiling,

our reservations were beginning to fade away. Enter some delicious Panang Curry and they were gone completely!

Ryan ordered some sizzling pork soup that arrived in a giant bowl and had equally big flavor. We also shared an order of Chicken Satay which was awesome--grilled perfectly and served with a savory peanut dipping sauce.

If you're ever in South Austin and feeling like it's time for some Thai, don't let the signage scare you... Madam Mam's is the place to go!

Happy Searching,

Perfect Pad Thai

Sometimes I take my husband's fabulous cooking for granted. With Ryan in the kitchen, the bar has been raised and I have become accustomed to gourmet meals on a nightly basis. It's a compliment, really...I know dinner will be delicious because he's such a great cook.

Then sometimes he makes a dish that really reminds me how lucky my taste buds are. Something over-the-top tasty.

This Pad Thai was perfection. Whole wheat linguine wok-tossed with shrimp, chicken, cilantro, bean sprouts, peanuts and spices...aMAZing. Another one of the key ingredients was fish sauce, which is found in the Asian Foods aisle (with a wretched smell but incredible taste....don't let it dissuade you). I really believe this stinky delight is what elevated the dish from good to gone-in-three-minutes.

I think I told Ryan how delicious it was between each and every bite. Maybe we can have it again tonight...

Happy Searching,