Food —
Developed from a constant longing for the new flavors of America's growing diversity, paired with an immigrant's innate seek for authenticity in Vietnamese food, I've been exploring the hidden gems within my heritage. The dishes I grew up with, cooked by my mom on otherwise mundane week nights — who, by the way, never measures anything — beyond the banh mi's and pho’s. This project seeks to transcribe these memories, so I never forget them. Welcome to my childhood dinner table.
Banh Xeo (Savory Turmeric Crepes)
Bánh Xèo is a traditional Vietnamese dish, translating to 'sizzling pancake' for the sound it makes with the batter hits the pan. It's a crispy, turmeric crepe usually stuffed with pork, shrimp, mung beans, beansprouts, and/or scallions. It's my absolute favorite meal, full of memories of when my Mom used to make growing it — the smells of turmeric and coconut milk used to fill the home. It's messy and fun to eat; seemingly complicated but the recipe makes many portions for you to test and customize its insides.
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Banh Chuoi Nuong (Vietnamese Banana Cake)
Growing up, we would always have a surplus of bread and bananas around the house; they were my dad’s easy on-the-go snack or breakfast before he headed out for his 5am shift. This baked banana bread pudding uses up both of those when they’re a bit past their prime. There’s so many things you can swap in with things you have in your pantry, and it still comes out so satisfying.
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Thit Kho (Carmelized Pork Belly & Egg)
A family-style classic dish full of fatty caramelized and braised pork belly and eggs simmered in the sweet, but light, saucey broth, Thit Khao is an indulgent weeknight dinner. A comfort dish of mine growing up, my mom uses Coco Rico coconut soda, a staple in Vietnamese cooking, in her dish but this recipe replaces it with water and honey for the everyday pantry.
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