Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
James Reston
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Honore de Balzac
Friday, December 7, 2012
Cha Hue – Hue Style Vietnamese Ham
Guest Post from Ravenous Couple
Vietnamese hams, or chả is ubiquitous part of Vietnamese cuisine. But like many Vietnamese dishes, the people of each region add special touches to a dish and call it their own. And it’s no different with chả Huế, a relative unknown compared with chả lụa. This ham originates from Huế, the ancestral capital of Vietnam and is often eaten as a snack and as a meat topping to the classic bún bò Huế soup. In fact, we’re always a tad disappointed when we don’t get a nugget of chả Huế in our soup. Why so? Well, to the generically mild pork paste giò sống, a generous amount of minced garlic and cracked pepper corns are added, transforming a typically mild chả into one with a delicious kick.
You can make your own pork paste or buy them premade in the frozen or refrigerated section of your Vietnamese market. Individually wrapped and steamed in banana leaves, these make for great gifts when visiting friends or relatives, especially with the Lunar new year, Tet, right around the corner. Here’s a short video on how to roll chả Huế.
Chả Huế
Yield: 10
Ingredients:
- 1 lb raw pork paste (giò sống)
- 1 tbs of coarsely cracked white or black peppercorns
- 1 head of garlic finely minced
- 1/2 tbs sugar
- 1/2 ts fish sauce
- ~10-12 sheets of 4 x 6 inch banana leaves and thin 6x 1/4 inch banana leaf strips to tie
Prepare your steamer. Combine all the ingredients into a mixing bowl until well incorporated. You can pinch off 1/2 ts and microwave it for about 30s and season to taste. Add more garlic and/or peppercorns if you like it more spicy.
Place about 1 heaping tbs of mixture onto one end of the banana leaf. Fold over the side edges and roll the pork mixture. Seal with the banana strip by giving it several twists and tuck the loose ends under. See video above.
Steam for 10 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked. Enjoyed immediately or at room temperature.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Song : We wish you a Merry Christmas
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
No Action Will Get You Nowhere
Guest Post from Susie:
Sometimes you learn things in elevators. Especially when you get into an elevator and expect the elevator to read your mind.
Yesterday when I was out on the town in Vegas shopping at the outlet stores, my sister and I got into an elevator. We waited patiently for the elevator to move and it wasn’t until my sister chuckled and asked whether or not I had actually pressed the floor button that I realized we hadn’t moved.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Canh Chua Vietnamese Sour Tamarind Soup and Life in the Mekong Delta
From Tebetian highlands to the lowlands of southwest Vietnam, the Mekong river and it’s thousands of tributaries meanders it’s way across 39,000 square km in Vietnam known as the Mekong Delta or miền tây (western region) , encompassing the lands immediately west of Saigon to the very southern tip, Cà Mau.
Dubbed as a biologic treasure trove, the waters of Mekong river is a way of life for over 17 million inhabitants. It’s waters and rich soil help to produce half of the countries rice crop each year as well as an abundance of fruits. It’s also home to large aquacultural industry raising catfish, basa, and shrimp.
Life here revolves around the river–owning a boat is just as important as a scooter, if not more, as it means you can ferry your crops to the market to sell to earn a living. The Cái Răng market in Cần Thơ, is one of the largest floating markets in the region. Mainly a wholesale market for fruits and vegetables, this normal way of life has become a must see destination for anyone visiting this area.
Each morning at sunrise, the market is teaming with activity. Hundreds of large wholesale boats from all over delta converge and drop anchor in the market, hanging their crops on bamboo poles to signal what’s in season and for sale. We’re not sure if there’s any order to it all–bananas on one end or dragon fruit on the other, but the the large boats create lanes, or market aisles if you will, for smaller retail boats (and tourists boats) to weave through. Instead of aisle numbers and shopping carts, check the bamboo poles weave your boat to your vendor, place your order and soon bundles of fruit and vegetables are tossed onto your boat. It’s an extraordinary way of doing business that you’ll ever experience.
If you see household items on the boat such as cloths or pots and pans, or even pets on boat it doesn’t mean it’s for sale. Some families actually call the boats home!
As with markets on land, there’s no shortage of food options to satisfy all the hungry vendors and visitors. You can flag down floating cafes to indulge your cafe sua da morning fix as well as banh mi boats to satisfy your breakfast cravings.
Oh, but you’ll rather have a bowl of hủ tiếu instead? No problem! There’s a boat for that too. Just good luck trying to eat a bowl of noodles in a floating boat. After you manage that, the noodle lady will navigate around find you and retrieve her bowl and chopsticks. The ingenuity and perseverance of these people are simply amazing.
But the Mekong Delta isn’t known for hủ tiếu or even pho for that matter. It’s known for dishes that uses the abundant seafood and vegetables from the region such as hot pots called lẫu mắm made from salted fish as well as one of our favorite soups, canh chua. We adore canh chua because the contrasting flavors of sour, sweet, and savory and we also love the contrasting textures of all the different vegetables. Literally translated as sour soup, canh chua combines all the wonderful abundance of this region, incorporating seafood (such catfish, snakehead, eel, shrimp among others) along with colorful medley of tamarind, pineapple, tomatoes, okra, elephant ears, bean sprouts and a variety of herbs such as lemony ngo om. Enjoy canh chua with some steamed jasmine rice as part of a traditional Vietnamese meal or alone with some rice vermicelli noodles.
Everytime we make this dish, we’ll always remember the floating fruit vendors and life on the Mekong. If you’re visiting, hire a private small private boat to visit the market early around sunrise or slightly after when it’s most busy.
Canh Chua Sour Tamarind Soup with Prawns
Yield: 4 servings
We love using prawns for this dish but you can use your favorite seafood. Any firm white fish steaks would work well.
This recipe requires preparing tamarind pulp. It's best to use wet seedless tamarind typically sold in 14 oz blocks instead of juice or concentrates, although you certainly could if pressed for time. For why and how to prepare the pulp, see this link. by Leela of shesimmers.com
Ingredients:
- 6 cups of water or fish stock
- 1/2 lb large prawns, cleaned
- 1 cup tamarind pulp puree
- 1/2 sweet pineapple, peeled, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tomatos, cut in wedges
- 2 tbs sugar, plus additional to taste
- 1 tbs koshar salt, plus additonal to taste
- 1 tbs fish sauce
- 1-2 elephant ear stems, peeled and sliced on diagonal 1/2in thick
- 1 cup okra, sliced diagonal
- 2 red chilli, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup of bean sprouts
- 10 springs of rice paddy herb, roughly chopped
- fried garlic
Combine the tamarind pulp in equal amout (i.e 14 oz block, 14 fl oz water, roughly 1 cup) of hot water in a large bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Work the pulp with your hands until dissolved, squeezing out the puree and then tossing away the membranes. You're left with just the thick brown pulp puree. You can also strain the pulp through a fine sieve instead of using your hands.
In large pot bring water to boil and then add prawns, tamarind pulp puree, tomatoes, pineapple, okra, fish sauce, salt and sugar and bring back to boil.
When prawns are pink and tomatoes are just tender, add bean sprouts and elephant ear stems and season with additional salt or fish salt and sugar to taste. It should be sweet, sour, and savory.
Remove from heat and transfer to serving bowl. Finish with rice patty herb, fried garlic and optional chili.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Chinese noodles stall in Saigon
Not far from my place, there is one noodles stall, right in the corner between Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong, how many times I pass by, always crowded.
One evening, I tried to order some noodles takeaway, two waiters seemed so busy and ignored my order. I decided not to come back, never ever... until today.
Today on the way back home with my old friend, having different thing in mind but when we passed by this noodles stall, I suddenly mentioned to my friend about what happening before, look at the stall, just opened, still empty. We decided to give it a try. Only typical Chinese noodles: yellow noodles and wonton.
As many other stalls somewhere else in Saigon, they also have their own homemade noodles in a tiny wooden drawer - that could be one of their secrets to keep customers coming back.
My friend ordered a "dry noodles" without soup, actually a small bowl of soup served separately. What I like is a thin, crispy, golden shrimp cake on the top, but not the crunchy pork rind (tóp mỡ - dried piece of fat).
I didn't see this deep fried shrimp cake on top of noodles for long!
My order - just a bowl of noodles with soup, we still want won-ton but not ready yet! Good and very surprisingly clear soup. I forgot to ask them not to add a spoon of fat, but it was too late!
The soup is so clear as water, with some shining rings of fat, slices of cooked pork meat.
Noodles here are good, not too soft, a bit strong as we expect.
After we sat down, ordered, just few minutes later, all tables were quickly occupied, it was around only 5:00 pm at that time and they do business until late at night.
By the way, I heard there is a noodles stall near to Tân Định market, on Nguyen Huu Cau street, over hundred year old, a third-generation family business, still at the same place. Hope will share with you very soon.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
“Best job in the world!”
Text
The deadline has officially passed to apply for Australia’s six “Best Jobs in the World”, which includes such titles as “Chief Funster” and “Taste Master.”
More than 40,000 people from nearly 200 countries have applied for the six-month positions that come with a 100,000 dollar (Australian dollar) salary. Interested applicants were asked to create a 30-second video explaining their qualifications and most were of high quality says Karen Halbert of Tourism Australia.- They are all mad, we’re really excited it’s going to be a really tight contest but an amazing outcome when we pick the final six.
First officials have to choose 18 finalists among the 40,000 entries who will be flown to Australia for interviews and final selection. Other vacant dream job positions are Outback Adventurer, Wildlife Caretaker, Lifestyle Photographer and Park Ranger. The six winners will be announced on June 21.
Vocabulary
Tight - close or equal in score, progress, or ability.
Outcome - something that happens as a result of an activity or process.
Vacant - not occupied by a person : available to be taken by someone.
Video
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Chicken at "Garden Mai" - Gà Vườn Mai
I realize that Vietnamese love chicken much more than beef or pork. Chicken is an unavoidable item for any traditional celebrations, this "bird gives birth every day" always has a special place on the altar during any of family anniversaries.And whenever we talk about chicken - it should be "Vietnamese chicken" (gà ta) or "garden chicken" (gà thả vườn). These two phrases means a kind of chicken being kept freely in the farm, not in a huge industrial cage, they are not fed with special industrial bran, but anything they find in the garden, from human's leftovers, rice to the earthworms. Those "free" chicken are smaller in size, give less meat but their meat is far better, tastier than the"industrial chicken".

Last night I've been to a place - called "Gà Vườn Mai", an eatery - famous for their seven chicken dishes (only garden chicken!): steamed chicken with green onion (gà hấp hành), roasted chicken with garlic (gà rôti), chicken with Vietnamese mint (gà hấp rau răm), sour and sweet salad with chicken (gà bóp thấu), steamed chicken with fermented tofu (gà hấp chao), with salt (gà hấp muối)...

When they serve, not a plate of few pieces of chicken, but a whole chicken. So either you go there alone or with friends they always serve a full plate. Better be in company, if you don't want to end up with a lot of leftovers on the table.

Roasted chicken with a lot of garlic. Very tasty.



We couldn't order all seven chicken dishes in their menu, I would love to try others, so I surely come back here one day. The only problem I have is how to get here! It's a real tricky, the place looks very spacious but located in small alley that we do need a guidance. But believe me, it's worth trying!

Here's the address 958/10/13/18 Lac Long Quan, Tan Binh district, (one "/" means one alley, so we need to turn right or left at least three alleys to get there!)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
ESL Podcast : Talking About Movies
Download Podcast
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
SCRIPT:
Martin: What did you think of that movie?
Joanna: It was okay, but I’m not really into big-budget movies with a lot of special effects and big-name stars.
Martin: Oh, you’re a film snob. I bet you only watch indie films made on a shoestring budget with low production values.
Joanna: No, that’s not true. I just don’t like crowd-pleasers that are predictable. I like movies that stretch the imagination and have some artistic value.
Martin: You mean you like those weird movies with no plot and a lot of strange characters. They’re artsy, but leave you totally confused.
Joanna: I don’t mind some ambiguity, if that’s what you mean.
Martin: Well, I’m going to see the new Spiderboy movie next week. I don’t suppose you want to come?
Joanna: Spiderboy? I’ve been looking forward to seeing that movie.
Martin: But it’s a big-budget blockbuster.
Joanna: I can’t watch artsy films all the time. Variety is the spice of life, don’t you think?
Reference
Timeline of the most expensive productions:
Year | Production |
---|---|
1946 | Duel in the Sun |
1947 | Forever Amber |
1951 | Quo Vadis |
1956 | The Ten Commandments |
1959 | Ben-Hur |
1962 | Mutiny on the Bounty |
1963 | Cleopatra |
1978 | Superman |
1988 | Rambo III |
1990 | Die Hard 2 |
1991 | Terminator 2: Judgment Day |
1994 | True Lies |
1995 | Waterworld |
1997 | Titanic |
2003 | The Matrix Reloaded The Matrix Revolutions |
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (2001–2003) | |
2005 | King Kong |
2006 | X-Men: The Last Stand |
Superman Returns | |
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest | |
2007 | Spider-Man 3 |
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End | |
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) |
snob [snɑb /snɒ-]
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Advertising Jobs on the Internet [ ESL Podcast ]
Script:
Wendy: I just heard that you’re not going to use a recruitment agency to fill the new position.
Pedro: No, I’m not. There are so many Internet job boards out there that I think we can find good candidates without using headhunters.
Wendy: But headhunters do a good job of weeding out people who don’t have the right experience or qualifications.
Pedro: Yes, but they also charge a large commission. I’m going to post an ad on a few major job boards to see what happens. Most of them don’t charge a listing fee so there’s no harm in trying.
Wendy: I predict you’re going to be flooded with applications, and it’s going to take a lot of time to separate the good from the bad.
Pedro: That’s where you come in.
Wendy: What do you mean?
Pedro: You are my assistant, aren’t you?
Wendy: Yes.
Pedro: And your job is to assist me, right?
Wendy: Yes.
Pedro: Good. Roll up your sleeves and get ready for a busy week!
Friday, May 4, 2012
China’s Blind Lawyer May Come to the US
Nghe Audio về Chen Guangcheng , 1 luật sư mù có quan điểm bất đồng chính kiến với nhà cầm quyền Trung Quốc và đang tị nạn chính trị ở tòa đại sứ Mỹ
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
English quote: the greatest battle is
… not physical but psychological.
Chào!
Today we want to share with you a a great inspirational quote of a English writer, playwright and broadcaster. He says:
The demons telling us to give up when we push ourselves to the limit can never be silenced for good. They must always be answered by the quiet, the steady dignity that simply refuses to give in. Courage. We all suffer. Keep going.”
I think when the going gets difficult, we must calm our doubts and keep on going.
Vocabulary
Nugget – a piece of valuable information.
Prolific – producing a large amount of something.
Play writer – a person who writes plays.
Broadcaster – to tell (something that is private or secret) to many people.
Dignity – a way of appearing or behaving that suggests seriousness and self-control
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Play Bloomin' Gardens
Are you green fingered? How does your garden grow? You will need to be really horti-cultured to succ-seed at this garden-based puzzle game. Good luck! If you are studying at high school, college or at home, take a break from learning English and enjoy this fun game! Great for all learners of English, ESL and EFL. We love getting your feedback, so students and teachers - please do let us know what you think of Bloomin' Gardens...!"
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Alfred Korzybski
Thursday, March 8, 2012
James Magary
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
St. Valentine's Day The Language of Love
1. I love you
2. I really like you
3. I want to go out with you
4. I want to be with you
5. You are everything to me
6. You mean the world to me
7. I have nothing without you
8. Be mine
9. You have changed my life
10. You are in my heart
11. I have always loved you
12. You are so special
13. You are so beautiful
14. You are the best
15. You make me so happy
16. All I want is to be with you
17. I'm yours always
18. We were made for each other
19. You are special
20. You are my whole world
Tell us what you talked with your lover in Valentine’s day by email info @ tienganhvui.com .
Monday, January 2, 2012
make or do 2
1. _______________ a bet
2. _______________ a job
3. _______________ the dishes
4. _______________ a skirt
5. _______________ the cleaning
6. _______________ your hair
7. _______________ believe
8. _______________ amends
9. _______________ some damage
10. _______________ a home
11. _______________ fifty press ups
12. _______________ some yoghurt
13. _______________ a fortune
14. _______________ a model
15. _______________ a noise
16. _______________ your best
17. _______________ the washing up
18. _______________ an application
19. _______________ some work
20. _______________ some harm
21. _______________ a favor
22. _______________ a man of you
23. _______________ a profit
24. _______________ an error
25. _______________ the washing
26. _______________ your nails
27. _______________ do
28. _______________ well in something
29. _______________ a promise
30. _______________ some practice
31. _______________ a reservation
32. _______________ a mess
33. _______________ your duty
34. _______________ ends meet
35. _______________ an effort
36. _______________ your own thing
37. _______________ an enquiry
38. _______________ some money
39. _______________ waves
40. _______________ eyes at someone
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Make or Do
Complete each gap below with either
make or do:
1. _______________ the laundry
2. _______________ an appearance
3. _______________ something crazy
4. _______________ a phone call
5. _______________ a fuss
6. _______________ your worst
7. _______________ laws
8. _______________ the big time
9. _______________ the honors
10. _______________ war
11. _______________ an excuse
12. _______________ someone feel uncomfortable
13. _______________ yourself proud
14. _______________ sense
15. _______________ sure of something
16. _______________ your way home
17. _______________ an exam
18. _______________ a fire
19. _______________ a face
20. _______________ a decision
21. _______________ business with someone
22. _______________ a date
23. _______________ a fool of someone
24. _______________ justice to something
25. _______________ an impression
26. _______________ an incision
27. _______________ more harm than good
28. _______________ too much
29. _______________ a speech
30. _______________ the grade
31. _______________ the newspapers
32. _______________ a suggestion
33. _______________ a crossword
34. _______________ hay while the sun shines
35. _______________ the shopping
36. _______________ history
37. _______________ some exercise
38. _______________ the trick
39. _______________ someone else’s dirty work
40. _______________ a mistake
For more fun tests, quizzes and games log onto www.teinganhvui.com now!