Our first visitor, Dave's mom came to IL last week to spoil us. The day before she came, it was sunny and 80 degrees. The day she came in, and every day until she left was overcast, rainy, and COLD! It didn't get above 50 degrees the whole time she was here.
This "unfortunate" turn of events set the perfect stage for us to stay inside, snuggle up, and EAT EAT EAT.
And EAT we did...especially when Banoi is around!!! Her motto is..."Better not be dieting when I'm cooking!" Love her!!!
[Banoi and the happy son!]
[Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio
Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Pork and Egg Roll
a.k.a My #1 FAVORITE DISH!!!]
[Original Pork Spare Ribs]
[Lemon Grass Pork Spare Ribs]
Braised Pork and Eggs]
This is traditionally and Vietnamese New Year's dish, so we obviously "had" to make an exception and have it "late" because we missed it at New Year's. Sooooo GOOD!!!
[Mia Jane loving Rice Noodles]
Spring Rolls on the Grill]
Banoi did not mess around. This night was awesome. We had pork, shrimp, and squid ready to grill table side as we rolled, and rolled, and rolled spring roll after spring r
oll for each other to devour. It was sooo fun and delicious. Good thing it was still raining, because it gave us another excuse to EAT!
[Coleslaw for Mien Ga...YUM!]
Glass Noodle Dish]
This dish has been one of (my MANY) favorites since Dave and I started dating almost seven years ago. You add the coleslaw to the side or eat with the soup, and
it is delicious. Of course, Banoi did not disappoint with this one either!
[Name that dish...]
Believe it or not (and those that know our Banoi BELIEVE IT) there are 3 meals here.
Yes, we're pigs. I think this was the first night Banoi was here. She was on a mission to FEED our poor-student selves...and she succeeded. Look closely, and you will see Banh xeo, shrimp and garlic, and pork and garlic. My mouth is watering.
[Note above: Dave's mouth is still full as he goes for more shrimp and garlic.]
Vietnamese Pancake]
The kicker to banh xeo...is that they have coconut milk in them...which of course makes them de-li-cious. They are filled with meat and bean sprouts, then as you eat them, you wrap herbs and lettuce and dip them in nuoc mam (fish sauce). They.are.to.die.for.
[The famous Banoi eggrolls. Ohhhhh...]
[Banoi making Ginger Chicken Wings]
This seems like a lot of pictures...but sadly, I didn't get shots of her beef pho (soup), and her bbq ribs...and possibly some other dishes??!!! I'm not sure. I blame it on the food addict's blur, I do know that.
Everyday we'd wake up to a full blown breakfast, Dave would stay home and study while we'd hit the American and Chinese grocery stores for ingredients, we'd come home to only have Banoi knock it out of the park with a full blown lunch, then go take naps, only to wake up to a grand slam dinner.
We miss Banoi.
Good thing she stocked our freezer with all the hits for meals to come though!!!
9 comments:
I've never dreamed of being adopted until this moment. . . I love food. And that looks delicious!
I'm now very hungry. When is Banoi coming back to town and may I please please please come to dinner one of those times :) This food looks fantastic. I'm glad you had a good time with family.
P.S. I (Teah) actually made the above comment. I guess Donovan was the one logged in, but he said to tell you he's perfectly willing to be invited too. :)
holy freaking cow!! I'm in bed reading this and my mouth started watering- especially after walking 3.5 miles on the DREADMILL.... momma can really hook up the good eats!!!! I can taste the chicken wings just thinking about them. Love you guys- Wes
Awesome! Love the kitchen table. We were wondering if Mia eats better now that she's strapped into a high chair. Also- I had to read the post twice, and it wasn't until the 2nd to last picture, that I realized that Banoi is a PERSON! Ohhhhhh! I thought it was some secret ingredient or spice that you put in everything, but then I got confused when it said "Banoi making ginger chicken wings." Go back through and read it- you'll laugh at what the banoi spice might be!
Also, Adrian is wondering why we never had any of this food....
I am totally dieing for those egg rolls! All the food looks so very yummy. Do you think she would come stock my freezer?! ;p
Becky, I am so thankful that you married into a family with a wide-spread,culturally diverse love of food. You are so adventurous and brave when it comes to trying and loving new things. You were meant for Dave! I was laughing as I looked at your pictures, thinking how my sweet husband would starve if he married a Vietnamese woman. Ahh Mr. Picky!
wow! she makes it as good as the restaurants!
and i didn't realize how grown-up Mia is becoming, too!
Love,love,love Banoi. Could she come spend some time with me? Looks like you had a great week.
Post a Comment