Author Archives: Xin Mời Ăn

Turkey Tacos

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Growing up, I ate Vietnamese food for dinner almost every night. A typical dinner consisted of rice, one meat or fish, one vegetable, and one soup dish. The occasional “American” dinner night, however, was a special treat for all of us. It meant, “thank lord, the weekend is finally here!” For those special nights, my mother would usually make dishes such as spaghetti or tacos. I remember helping her with all the taco toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, and cheese. What I remember most, though, was the Old El Paso Taco Kit. Ya’ll know what I’m talking about – that yellow rectangular box filled with everything you need to make tacos at home! From taco shells to the salsa packet, this kit was a little box of magic to me. :) Continue reading →

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

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Michael LOVES plum tomatoes when they’re in season. Not only are they sweet and juicy, they also have less seeds than other kinds of tomatoes. We were at the market one afternoon and saw the freshest plum tomatoes ever – bright red, perfectly ripe, but still firm to the touch! I wasn’t really in the mood to have a hot meal for dinner because of this everlasting heat wave, but I didn’t want just a salad either. As a compromise, we decided to make bruschetta. Plus, we had plenty of fresh Italian basil in our herb garden!

I kept the ingredients in this recipe very simple to ensure that nothing overpowers the sweet tomatoes. You could, of course, use any kind of tomato if plum tomatoes aren’t available or to your liking. Pair these little bites with a bottle of cool, crisp white wine and you’re set! Continue reading →

Lime Centerpieces

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Decorating with citrus fruits is super easy and makes any centerpiece look extra special. One way to save money is to use what’s on sale. I decided to make this fun and bright centerpiece for a dinner party last spring because limes were a bargain at the grocery store (10 for $1!). But you could use lemons or oranges if they’re on sale at the time. Just choose flowers that go well with the colors. Continue reading →

Quinoa with Raisins and Pine Nuts

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If I could have it my way, I would eat nothing but rice, pasta, and noodles for every meal, every day. But let’s face it, my body has changed since I entered my 30s and it does not accept carbs the way it used to. So my philosophy nowadays is to eat healthy, carb-less dinners (packed with flavor, of course) during the week so that I can eat all the carbs my heart desires on the weekends! :)

Nonetheless, there are weeknights where I get a little weak and give in to carbs. (Don’t judge, I’m only human.) For those “exceptions,” I try to at least eat healthy carbs.  That’s why quinoa, pronounced “kee-nwa,” is my new best friend! While people often mistake quinoa for a whole grain, it is actually a seed; however, it can be prepared like most whole grains. Not only does quinoa taste delicious, it’s super healthy for you as well!  This seed is packed with protein and amino acids, which means you stay full longer! It’s also gluten and cholesterol free. Continue reading →

Strawberry Arugula Salad

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Strawberry Arugula Sald

I was really inspired to make this salad after our trip to Panama. We stayed at a beautiful secluded beach resort, The Bristol Buenaventura, about two hours west of Panama City. We had an amazing time! The scenery, food, and service were truly exceptional.

On our first night, I surprised Michael by ordering the Strawberry Arugula Salad because I usually don’t like arugula. I always found it to be too bitter for my taste buds; however, I really wanted something cool and refreshing for dinner given the hot and humid weather. What a great call! The salad looked so pretty and appetizing with its bright and vibrant colors. More importantly, it was so good and refreshing! I loved the balance of sweet strawberries and savory blue cheese because it really brought out the spiciness of the arugula. Continue reading →