// heirloom tomato = baby watermelon //

heirloom tomatoes from Trader Joe's

So cute. Thought I'd post pics. Ok, as you were...

// cucumber & tomato salad //

I needed a side for my honey-mustard chicken wings. Tweaked some online recipes that I've found to use what I had at home already. Simple and perfect for the hot weather outside. Bring it to a cook-out, dinner party, etc. It's pretty quick and cheap to make.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cucumber, sliced and seeded (I used 4 smaller Persian cucumbers. they're just crispier and better)

1/2 onion, yellow sweet, sliced thin

3/4 carton of grape tomatoes (halved) 

2 tablespoons cilantro, fresh chopped

6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge if you have time. 

// pineapple juice //

Found this at Trader Joe's the other week. I learned a trick at the bar I used to waitress at back in the day when taking a tequila shot. You can just shoot a little bit of pineapple juice immediately right after the shot and it cancels out the tequila taste. I like it a lot better than the whole salt and lime combo. Try it next time, just ask for a "pineapple back" with your shot.

// ham loaf //

Isn't the pig shape, cute?

made baked mac & cheese w/roasted veggies

Yup. That's right. You heard me. HAM. LOAF! If you love meatloaf (or ham), then you might just have a new favorite meat-in-the-form-of-a-loaf dish. Had some friends over for dinner and it was their first time having it. A few stated that it was their favorite meal I've made so far. Others, who were too full still went for 2nds and 3rds. Curious? You can find the recipe here.

// Biscoff spread //

Game changer, folks. If you thought the cookie was enough to make you fly Delta, then you've gotta try Biscoff in spread form. Best. Spread. EVAR!!!!!  I just put it on top of a toasted english muffin. You can find it at your local Publix. Next to the peanut butter. Smears!

// banh xeo //

My mom was visiting from Orlando for a few days, so I already had my food requests in before she even arrived. "Banh Xeo" is one of those dishes that are tricky to make (it's all about the batter, pan and technique). We usually just get the pre-packaged batter mix and then leave out the coconut milk that it says to add. Everyone tweaks it their own way, some add beer for crispiness and the filling also varies. My aunt used a lot more seafood - baby octopus/squid, shrimp, etc. I like mine pretty simple with just a little bit of pork, shrimp and a lot of bean sprouts. Unfortunately, I don't have a go-to recipe since I've tried it twice before without my mom's help and failed. Your best bet is to learn while watching a professional Vietnamese mom make it. It's also one of those dishes that one person is cooking while everyone else eats as it comes out. So, it's kind of chaotic in the kitchen and you will smell like banh xeo/oil for the rest of the night. Just a fair warning. Totally worth it, though. ;]

// cuuuute chopsticks //

You can never have enough good-looking chopsticks in an Asian household. Got these at Super H-Mart off Pleasant Hill Rd. in Duluth today.