Last weekend was the 4th of July weekend. The weather was perfect for Barbecues, parties, cook outs, fireworks and get togethers with friends and family. On the 4th of July morning, I woke up early, started my coffee maker making Columbian coffee with infused butter scotch. I spent my morning with a cup of coffee, Flaxseed bread toast with butter and read my favorite magazines ( Food & Wine Magazine & Bon Appétit Magazine ). It was a pleasant, comforting and harmonious morning to spend time by myself and read about what I love.
Then I started packing up some beach clothes, sunglasses, books, sandals, sunscreen, food, etc for a weekend trip which I got invited by my friends Yui & John, They have a vacation house in New Buffalo town in Michigan .
For 1 and a half hour drive, I arrived to the two-story lake house with a giant pool in the back. The smell of sand, sound of waves and the cool air welcomed me to the nice and relaxing weekend. I feel so lucky that I have friends who welcomed me to this fantastic paradise place. I was so happy to be here.
The sunset on the 4th of July evening settled me into calm and relaxing time with my camera and the sound of waves.... We ended the night with fireworks, flavorful sausages ( Riviera Italian Imported Foods), a glass of wine ( dark horse : Cabernet: very fruity, blackberry, plum, blueberry. and a touch of tobacco) and ice cream (Oink's Ice Cream and Yogurt : rocky road and pistachio. I highly recommend pistachio. You might go nuts with its creamy, nutty, pistachio flavor.
I am a foodie girl, and food is visible everywhere I go, especially on weekend vacations. It doesn't matter how long the vacation is, food will be cooked and served non stop. It seems they are sharing this common thing with me. They served food non stop, I thought I was a little pink pig :) ..... I am happy to be fed ...
On the delightful Sunday the sound of waves was telling me to keep sleeping and resting, but the smell of warm rice soup, ribs flavor, cilantro, celery, green onion and a touch of garlic kept waking me up. The plan for this morning was "Comforting Pork Ribs and Rice Soup" : my mom's recipe from childhood.
Let me tell you ... Everyone was thrilled after trying this yummy soup.... I would like to share this with you ....... Thank you Ma Ma !!! I had this soup every Sunday morning... That is right, you heard it right! Sunday Breakfast ..... I started with Ribs :-) It is not as heavy as it sounds ... I think this is a kind of comfort food for me. Warm soup gets my morning started with a touch of seasoning herbs and ribs. My mom makes sure that we have enough protein throughout the day. :) What I like about this soup is you can season and adjust the taste on your own just like in other Thai dishes such as noodle soup, congee soup( porridge soup ) or rice soup served with condiments ( fish sauce, sugar, chili vinegar or dry chili flakes) on the side. Comforting Pork Ribs and Rice Soup
Ingredients
1 cup Thai Jasmine rice 2 pounds Pork Ribs tip, cut in 1 inch diameter 10 cups Chicken Broth 2 cups water 1/4 cup cilantro, thinly slice 1/4 cup Green onion,thinly slice 1/4 cup celery leafs 4 cloves Garlic, cut in a half 3 stalk Celery, cut in 3 inch diameter 2 tablespoons Light Soy Sauce 1 teaspoon White Pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar crunchy pan fried garlic bits condiments
Steps
In the large pot over high heat bring water to boil. Add pork ribs bring it to boil, in about 2 minute. The reason boil with water first, to prevent the blood that come out of the ribs while you cooking. So the broth come out clear. Place the ribs to the medium bowl and set on the side. In the large pot over high heat bring chicken broth, celery and garlic to boil. Turn the heat down to medium low, add ribs, light soy sauce, sugar, white pepper and salt. Let it simmer for an hour. Take the celery and garlic out of the pot. Turn the heat up to medium, add Thai Jasmine rice for 10 minute. Keep stirring every 3 or 4 minute to prevent rice stick on the bottom of the pot. Turn off the heat, add cilantro, green onion and celery leafs. Serve soup with crunch pan fried garlic bits on top and condiment on the side.
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Fireworks, barbecue, tacos, grill and desserts …… They are to celebrate and to appreciatie on the 4th of July.
This is my second favorite holiday of the year. It is Summer! Grills, Barbecues and parties are outside to enjoy the nice fresh air and sunny days. I am starting to think about popsicles …. :) What is your favorite thing to cook for 4th of July ? For me, it is screaming barbecues. The smokiness, a mark of charcoal, a juicy meat, tasty sauce and the smell of grilling … a glass of rum cocktail , whiskey or beers ….. with my sunglasses and sunscreen on that is my kind of celebration for the 4th of July. For this 4th of July I am choosing skirt steak with Thai marinade!!!! Trust me you will love the flavor from the herbs I use, the perfect crispiness and caramelization will make you ask for a few more pieces…. And with a side of papaya salad or Thai Radish Salad ( For someone who can't find papaya) on top of the steaks with a glass of Cocito cocktail ……. Hmmmmmmm……. Bring the picture back while I am on the beach in Thailand…. Heaven!!! Grilled pan Asian Marinate Skirt Steak Recipe
These are the menu ideas for 4th of July:
-Grilled pan Asian Marinated Skirt Steak Recipe : Thai marinade flavor makes this piece of steak a the home run. - Roasted Barbecue Ribs with smoky spicy Coffee Dry Rub (Oven) : Smoky and a kick of spicy, you might need a beer to cool down - Seared Pork tenderloin with cocoa-Chili Mexican spice rub tacos: convenient for parties! cook pork ahead of time at home, pack it and you have a taco party outside ! - Mini red curry cornbread loaves : you might wonder if you have cornbread or red curry with rice. - Spring fresh fruit salad : Mint flavor refreshing on hot sunny days - Moist and Delicate Coconut Layers Cupcakes : quick and easy cupcakes to bring for parties. I tell ya, coconut through and through in every inch of the cupcakes - Cocito : Bourbon adding the twist into this drink
Ingredients
2 pounds Skirt Steak 5 tablespoons Brown sugar 4 tablespoons Light soy sauce 1 tablespoons Asian sweet soy sauce 5 tablespoons Oyster sauce 5 tablespoons vegetables oil 1 teaspoon Kosher salt 2 teaspoon Ground peppercorn 5 tablespoons Carnation evaporated milk or milk for substitution 8 cloves Garlic Minced 1/4 cup Chopped cilantro Steps - In a medium mixing bowl mix in Brown sugar syrup , Light soy sauce, Asian sweet soy sauce, Oyster sauce, Kosher salt, Minced Garlic, Chopped cilantro, Carnation evaporated milk and 2 tablespoons vegetables oil. Whisk ingredients together until it is blended. Gentry place skirt steak in to the tub and make sure you coat 2 sides well, marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight. - In a large grill pan over high heat add remaining oil, until it starts smoking, then gently place marinaded skirt steak piece into the pan. You have to make sure there is not a lot of excess marinate sauce on the steak while you put into the pan, to prevent a lot of oil popping. - Place the meat diagonally on the grill marks and cook in about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium rare. Don't try to over cook more than medium rare. - Let the steak rest in covered foil for 10 minutes. - Cut the steak with a sharp knife a cross the grain. Serve with Papaya Salad , Radish Salad and Sticky Rice.
Happy 4th of July Everyone ....
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AuthorHi, I am Natty! And Thank you for stopping by!! I am a foodie girl who has a passion for cooking, exercise and photography. There are so many favorite recipes from my family and friends I have tried throughout my journey that balances out and makes a healthy meal. I would like to take you on a journey to a different pantry around the world to share my favorite stories and recipes. My hope is that they inspire and benefit you. "You love someone, you open yourself up to suffering, that's the sad truth. Maybe they'll break your heart, maybe you'll break their heart and never be able to look at yourself in the same way. Those are the risks. That's the burden.Like wings, they have weight, we feel that weight on our backs, but they are a burden that lifts us. Burdens which allow us" Bones Don't wait for the perfect moment,take the moment and make it perfect. - Zoey Sayward- Archives
June 2017
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