chop chop a to z

jasmine sugar cookies

2009-05-27T09:20:00.005-07:00

It has been so long since I last updated this blog. Am I lacking in cooking inspiration? Absolutely not! I have to confess that I have not left my kitchen empty one day, except when I was traveling or being far from home. You could say that cooking was my basic instinct since I was a child. And now I have the hubby to feed. Homemade food is healthier, more delicious, and cheaper. Those factors

Vietnamese cold spring roll

2008-12-28T13:53:00.001-07:00

Happy (belated) Holidays to all of you! I hope you had a memorable and very Merry Christmas. Wish you have a Wonderful New Year 2009!Some of my friends asked for the sauce recipe for these fresh and healthy spring rolls. They reminded me that there are still a lot of recipes on my Vietnamese blog that I have not translated into English. Recipe by van--chop chop a to zIngredients:Serves 44 rice

Salmon and veges with creamy sauce

2008-12-18T18:41:00.003-07:00

An ultra pleasant dish to join Seven Fishes Feast, hosted by Maryann from Finding La Dolce Vita, and Joe from Italyville.Recipe by van -- chopchopatozIngredients:Serves 22 Atlantic salmon fillets (8oz each)1 carrot or 12 baby carrotshaft head broccoli florets, rinsed, cut into bite-sized pieces2 medium potatoes, sliced 1-inch thick1/2 tsp chicken bouillon2/3 cup heavy creamsea salt and pepper to

Matcha green tea cookies

2008-12-17T08:35:00.006-07:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here comes a little deer in fir forest! I got this recipe at "For the love of dessert" from here.Ingredients:3/4 cup (2.25 oz) Confectioners sugar5 oz Unsalted butter, cut into cubes1 3/4 cup (8.5 oz) All-purpose flour3 Large egg yolks1.5 TBS Matcha (powdered green tea)1 cup Granulated sugar (for coating) Method:1) Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.2)

Chicken and mixed veges in a puff pastry shells

2008-12-15T13:34:00.007-07:00

I used ingredients I had on hand and here is what I came up with! A creamy and flavorful appetizer that turned out rather prettily. It is good enough to make for a dinner guest or any festive occasion. I sent it to the Original Recipes- Culinarty Round-Up Event hosted by Culinarty by Lore Ingredients:1 sheet (5 oz) of homemade puff pastry or 6 frozen puff pastry mini shells1 cup cubed cooked

New updates

2008-12-15T11:00:00.002-07:00

Are you tired of your kitchen? These tea towels will add color and unique accent to your kitchen!They are on Etsy http://vijako.etsy.com

Macaroon

2008-12-10T15:02:00.006-07:00

Christmas is approaching, but I am about to write a post about Thanksgiving dinner. How outdated this feels! Sorry about the prolonged absence.Let me share with you these little French cuties – macaroons! I am so glad that I was successful on the first try. The texture is a perfect balance of crunchy outside and chewy inside. It is so wonderful! For sure, this is my springboard to more adventures

Homemade-pineapple-jam tart

2008-11-26T11:07:00.003-07:00

I am aware of my negligence of posting recently. That does not mean I am not cooking and baking any more, just that I am totally engrossed in embroidery. I really enjoy listening to beautifully smooth sounds of jazz while embroidering, and this makes me too busy to even think about snacks during the day :) But my love for food is everlasting. I still keep seeking out new recipes to try. And a

Featured items from Etsy shop

2008-11-14T15:17:00.004-07:00

Have just listed tea towels today, more to come soon! http://vijako.etsy.com

Apple-stuffed chicken breast with caramelized onion

2008-11-11T07:25:00.003-07:00

Since I have never planned menus ahead of time, sometimes I can't decide the menu for a meal. On average, I go to the grocery store once a week, and I try to buy mostly seasonal & on-sale ingredients. The menu for a day is always based on the ingredients I have on hand, and it often comes together at the last minute when I check the fridge before starting to cook. I also want to use ingredients

My Etsy shop

2008-10-29T13:57:00.003-07:00

Hello my dear readers!I am so happy to introduce you to my new shop on Etsy.http://vijako.etsy.comI've only posted here about food so far, but I have to confess that I've had a passion for embroidery since I was very young. This Etsy shop is the result of my efforts. I love stitching and I fall in love with each piece that I make. I hope that through the VIJAKO shop, my works can be passed on to

Pumpkin custard

2008-10-23T19:02:00.008-07:00

The sun sets early and cold breeze comes along with the darkness. Piles of pumpkins appear at every grocery stores. It reminds me that autumn is finally here. So I decided to translate this recipe from my Vietnamese blog to welcome the coming of autumn. Hopefully a wonderful season for all of us! Recipe adapted from hereIngredients:1 medium pumpkin200 ml coconut milk4 eggs1 cup palm sugar (or 3/4

Whole wheat walnut bread

2008-10-16T15:01:00.004-07:00

After reading through The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart, I feel more confident about baking bread at home without getting scared about the result. It's a wonderful book that explains all the basics of bread baking technique. It encouraged me to create my own favorite bread recipes, and this is one of them. It has a wonderfully moist, chewy

Bacon wrapped bean sprouts

2008-10-13T18:20:00.006-07:00

Bean sprouts are very common in Asian cuisine. Fortunately, it is not hard to get in average grocery store. Their delightful crunch and mild flavor make for an enjoyable experience in this simple side dish, a great combination of bacon--as a high-fat ingredient and mung bean sprout--as a healthy food, being free of cholesterol.This was created to join the Round-Up Event of Original Recipes

Candied orange zest

2008-10-08T19:10:00.001-07:00

After reading a candied pomelo zest recipe on AllAbout, one of my favorite Japanese food websites, I kept thinking about this sort of candy, thinking it must be good. But it's hard to find pomelo around here. I decide to substitute orange for pomelo, and the result didn't disappoint. Its aroma is so attractive that I wanted to eat more and more. Let me share this recipe with you.zest of 4

Vietnamese noodle "Phở" seasoning

2008-09-29T15:08:00.002-07:00

Whole clovesStar anise Coriander seedsBlack Cardamom Rock sugar (optional)Black pepperCinnamonDried clementine skinGolden grilled onion & old ginger

Pineapple jam

2008-09-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's always fun to pick the freshest fruits and make them into my own jam. When the jam is bubbling on the stove, it produces a sweet, pleasant aroma all around the house. It is also very satisfying to savor the taste of seasonal fruits year round. In last strawberry season, I made jam twice and it supplied enough for breakfast for half of the year.This was my first attempt at making pineapple

Banana nut bread

2008-09-15T12:03:00.001-07:00

This moist bread with light banana and coconut flavor is one of my favorite recipes to end up ripe bananas. Adapted from "Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook"Ingredients:3 cups all purpose flour1 tsp baking soda3/4 tsp salt3 large eggs2 cups sugar1 1/3 cups vegetable oil2 tbsp vanilla extract1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut1 cup pecans, or walnuts, toasted and finely

Coconut ice cream with pineapple chunks

2008-09-09T22:38:00.001-07:00

After successfully creating coconut ice cream, this time I went one step further, adding fresh pineapple chunks. The result is... NOT BAD! This is best to eat right after it comes out of the ice cream maker. The fresh pineapple tends to become icy in the ice cream when store in freezer.It's a lot of fun to create something, even when the results are unexpected. Sometimes, after spending time to

Pan-fried tilapia with tomato sauce

2008-09-04T16:31:00.003-07:00

(Serves 2)2 tilapia fillets1 large ripe tomato, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped2 garlic cloves, finely chopped1 shallot, finely chopped1 fresh red chili, seeded, chopped or 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes1 sprig basil, chopped1 tbsp white wine2 tbsp corn starchsalt, black pepper, olive oilsugar (optional)Method:Tomato sauce:Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, shallot,

Orange Sorbet

2008-09-03T16:15:00.007-07:00

Adapted from "Joy of Cooking"A perfect refreshing dessert for hot summer. Aren't they pretty?Ingredients:2 cup fresh orange juice1 cup sugarzest of 1 medium organic orange, removed in strips1 tbsp fresh lemon juiceMethod:1) Combine 1/2 cup orange juice, sugar, orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring just to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.2) Remove the pan

Japanese mixed rice -- "Takikomigohan"

2008-09-02T19:10:00.001-07:00

Do you like rice and soy sauce? If so, you will be satisfied with a bowl of this mixed rice. In Japan, this dish is usually served in the Fall. But I eat throughout the year.Here is the way I made.Ingredients:4 servers1 1/2 cups Japanese rice, washed and drained in a colander about 30 minutes11 oz (300 g) boneless skinless chicken thigh, cut into small pieces1 pack shimeji mushroom, removed

Cinnamon raisin pecan bread

2008-09-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Adapted from The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary BreadI first tried making bread when my sister-in-law invited me to make whole wheat loaves together. I can still remember how fun it was to knead and see the dough rise. And when it was baking, the house was filled with a wonderful smell. Now, I am convinced that nothing is as good as homemade bread. I can save a lot

Coffee ice cream

2008-08-29T09:00:00.002-07:00

Adapted from " Joy of Cooking"This season in Phoenix, when one longs to travel to the mountains or the sea, ice cream is a perfect choice for me to end a sweltering summer day. Coffee has to be one of the most refreshing treats. So, how about homemade coffee ice cream? why not?This tasty, creamy dessert with the tantalizing flavor of coffee is the best ice cream I've ever tried. Many thanks to "

Vietnamese dipping sauce

2008-08-28T09:00:00.002-07:00

I can still remember my first few months in Japan, my first time far away from Vietnam. I was 23, and I had only eaten Vietnamese food before. It was certainly an exciting time for me to learn new things, and enjoy real sushi, awesome sashimi, etc. But it was difficult to get used to the daily meals. They're similar to Vietnamese in that rice is the staple food, and soy sauce is a common

Pan-fried chicken thighs with sage

2008-08-26T17:38:00.005-07:00

One of my husband's favorite dishes. For me, the best point of this food is that it's fast and easy. It takes just 20 minutes to prepare and cook, but it turns out really really good. The sage gives an attractive flavor even though you do not need to marinate before cooking. My husband said sage has a magical effect. I absolutely agree :)But why thighs?I know, thighs have more fat than breasts.

Coconut ice cream

2008-08-25T19:55:00.001-07:00

I decided to send this recipe to the Original Recipes- Culinarty Round-Up Event hosted by Culinarty by LoreI love ice cream and this is my original recipe. My husband and friends love it very much. I am really fond of my coconut ice cream version :)Ingredients:3/4 cup + 1/2 cup (300 ml) whole milk1 can (400 ml) coconut milk1/2 cup sugar1/8 tsp salt1~2 cup shredded sweetened coconut, toasted3 egg

Caramelized onion Gorgonzola Pizza

2008-08-25T19:54:00.003-07:00

Adapted from "Nick Stellino's Passione: Pasta, Pizza, and Panini" Ingredients:1 recipe traditional pizza doughflour/ cornmeal or oil for dusting4 tbsp olive oil4 cups sliced onion2 tbsp roasted garlic pulp1/4 tsp salt1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper4 oz prosciutto or ham, thinly sliced and cut into ribbons1/2 tsp dried thyme1/4 tsp red pepper flakes4 oz Gorgonzola cheese, crumbledMethod:1)

Celebration bread

2008-08-25T19:48:00.001-07:00

from The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary BreadIngredients:3 cups (13.5 oz) unbleached bread flour3 tbsp (1.5 oz) granulated sugar3/4 tsp (0.19 oz) salt3 1/2 tsp (o.39 oz) instant yeast (*)1 1/2 tbsp (0.75 oz) orange or lemon extract2 (3.3 oz) large eggs, slightly beaten1/2 cup (4 oz) buttermilk or any kind of milk, at room temperature1/4 ~1/2 cup (2~4 oz) water1 1/2

Chocolate Covered Cheesecake

2008-08-25T19:46:00.001-07:00

Adapted from "Taste of Home magazine October/November 2007"Ingredients:1 cup (100 g) graham cracker crumbs1/4 cup (40 g) finely chopped pecans1/4 cup (50 g) butter, meltedFilling:2 packages 8 ounces each (455 g) cream cheese, softened1/2 cup (100 g) đường1/4 cup (60 g) sour cream2 eggs1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractCoating:8 ounces (240 g) semisweet chocolate1 tablespoon shorteningMethods:1) Line a

Vietnamese grilled cinnamon ham

2008-08-25T19:41:00.003-07:00

Serve as an appetizer or with French bread, or use in any recipe of your creation.Ingredients:1 lbs pork loin or pork butt or shoulder, chilled2 tbsp fish sauce1/2 tsp salt1 tbsp sugar1 tbsp ground pepper2 tbsp vegetable oil30 ml cold water1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1/2 tbsp baking powder1 tbsp potato starch (or corn starch)For garnish:1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1 tsp honey1 tsp oilMethod:1) In a large

Baked Salmon parcel

2008-08-25T19:21:00.002-07:00

Ingredients: (serve 1)about 8 ounces Atlantic salmon40 ml heavy creamdill (use leaves only)course sea saltblack pepperMethod:1. Chop dill leaves into small piece. Put one slice of salmon on foil, sprinkle rough sea salt, chopped dill, pepper on the salmon.2. Pour heavy cream over the salmon.3. Twist both sides of the foil and the top so that heavy cream don't leak out.Bake at 350 °F for 15 ~ 20

Carrot soup

2008-08-25T19:15:00.004-07:00

Ingredients:3 carrots (about 12 oz/ 350 g)2 1/2 ounces/ 70 g uncooked short grain rice1 medium onion5 cups chicken broth3 tables spoon olive oilheavy creamsaltDry parsleyPreparation:1) Wash rice, drain water.2) Peel carrots, chop into small pieces. The smaller the carrots are, the quicker the soup will be done.3) Chop onions.Methods:1) In a large pan, brown chopped onions in olive oil over medium

Banana gelato

2008-08-25T19:13:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:4 ripe bananas (about 1lbs, weighed in skins)150ml whole milk80 g sugar1 tbsp lemon juice2 tbsp dark rumMethod:1) Set up your ice-cream machine. You need to be able to use it immediately the preparation is finished.2) Put the sugar and milk in a medium sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Set aside to cool.3) Peel the bananas, purée

Baked trout parcels

2008-08-25T19:10:00.002-07:00

Serves 22 tbsp olive oil2 garlic cloves, minced1 medium onion, chopped1 celery stick, choppedsalt and freshly ground black pepper4 sprigs of rosemary2 tbsp dry white wine2 x 12oz trout, cleanedTo garnish: sprigs of rosemaryMethod:1) Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add the garlic, onion and celery. Fry gently for about 5 minutes until soft and golden. Add some salt and ground black pepper, 2

English Muffins

2008-08-25T19:08:00.001-07:00

from The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary BreadIngredients:2 1/4 cups (10 oz) unbleached bread flour1/2 tbsp (0.25 oz) granulated sugar3/4 tsp (0.19 oz) salt1 1/4 tsp (0.14 oz) instant yeast (*)1 tbsp (0.5 oz) shortening or unsalted butter, at room temperature3/4 ~1 cup (6~8 oz) milk or buttermilk at room temperaturecornmeal for dusting(*) You can substitute other

Strawberry ice cream

2008-08-25T19:02:00.001-07:00

Adapted from " Joy of Cooking"Ingredients:1 quart strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 4 cups or 450 g)3/4 cup sugar1 tsp vanilla2 cups heavy cream1 cup whole milkMethod:1) Combine strawberries, sugar, vanilla in a food processor. Pulse 2 to 3 times, just until the fruit is crushed. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerator 1 hour.2) Add heavy cream, milk. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3

Pepperoni Pizza

2008-08-25T19:00:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:1 recipe traditional pizza dough 1/2 cup pizza sauce200 g ( about 7 ounces) Mozzarella cheese50 g (1.7 oz) Pepperoni sausage, sliced200 g Parmesan cheese1/4 tsp dried oreganoMethod: 1) Preheat the oven to 500°F. If you are using a pizza stone, place it on a middle rack and preheat it with the oven. If you are using a pizza pan, arrange the rack near the center of the oven.2) Place

Pollo Alla Cacciatora

2008-08-25T18:54:00.001-07:00

Hunter's Chickenfrom "The EssentialItalian Cookbook"Serves 44 tbsp olive oil4 slices pancetta or bacon, chopped1 large chicken, about 3 pounds, cut into 4 pieces2 garlic cloves, minced2 red-skinned onions, rougly chopped1/2 pound tomatoes, skinned and chopped1/2 pound tomatoes, skinned and chopped1/2 pound mushrooms, slicedsprig of rosemary1 bay leaf2/3 cup dry white wine1 1/4 cups chicken

Melon Sorbet

2008-08-25T18:52:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:1 large melon1/4 cups sugar2 tbsp honey1 tbsp lemon juice1/4 cup waterMethod:1) Combine water, sugar, honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.2) Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer into a medium bowl. Stir in lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 1 to 2 hours.3) Cut melon in half and discard the seeds.

Cinnamon squares

2008-08-25T18:48:00.001-07:00

Adapted from "Baking: from my home to yours"Ingredients:1 1/4 cups plus 2 tbsp sugar1 tbsp plus 21/2 tsp ground cinnamon1 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour2 tsp baking powder1/4 tsp salt3/4 cup whole milk2 large eggs1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract10 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled3 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, or 1/2 cup mini chocolate chipsFor the

Lemon Sorbet

2008-08-25T18:45:00.001-07:00

from " Joy of Cooking"2 1/3 cupsIngredients:1 1/2 cups water1 1/4 cups sugarZest of 1 lemon, removed in strips1/2 cup chopped mint (optional)1/2 cup fresh lemon juice1 tbsp lemon vodka (optional)Method:1) Combine water, sugar, lemon zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Stir in mint.2) Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and

Roasted garlic pulp

2008-08-25T18:42:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:garlicbay leafolive oilsalt, peperMethod:Preheat the oven to 350°F.Cut off the top of heads of garlic to expose the cloves. Place the garlic cut side up, in a small baking pan.Drizzle with olive oil and season with a dried bay leaf and pinch of salt and pepper.Cover the pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and sweet.Cool slightly. Squeeze the roasted

Fried chicken

2008-08-25T18:37:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:8 chicken drumsticks, skin on2~3 cup whole milk1 tbsp plus 1 tsp salt3/4 cup all purpose flour1 tsp paprika1 egg, beaten2 cup vegetable oil for fryingMethod:1) Put the chicken in a big enough Ziploc. Pour over the milk to cover and sprinkle with the tablespoon of salt. Shake well to mix in. Seal the Ziploc and leave in the refrigerator for overnight to help tenderize the meat.2) Tip

White bean and macaroni soup

2008-08-25T18:33:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:500 g pork belly skin-on1 cup dried white beans1 onion1 carrot1 celery stick1 garlic clovefew sprigs of parsley1 sprig of sage1 bay leafsalt, pepper150 g macaroniMethod:1) Soak beans overnight.2) Chop finely onion, carrot, celery.Mince garlic and parsley.3) Drain the beans and put in a large saucepan with the pork, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, sage, bay leaf, one teaspoon

Cheese pizza

2008-08-25T18:24:00.002-07:00

Adapted from "Nick Stellino's Passione: Pasta, Pizza, and Panini" Ingredients:1 recipe traditional pizza doughFlour or corn meal for dusting1/2 cup pizza sauce1/2 cup freshly grated Mozzarella cheese1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese1/4 cup freshly grated Asiago cheese1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzolla cheeseMethod:1) Combine the four cheeses in a bowl.2) Preheat the oven to 500°F (260℃). If you

Traditional pizza dough

2008-08-25T18:02:00.004-07:00

Ingredients:1 1/3 cups warm water 105~115°F (40~46℃)2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast3 1/2 ~3 3/4 cups all purpose flour2 tbsp olive oil, plus additional as needed1 tbsp salt1 tbsp sugarMethod: 1) Sprinkle active dry yeast on the surface of warm water in a large mixing bowl ( or in the bowl of an electric mixer). Let stand until the yeast is dissolved, about 5 minutes. You will see a froth form on the

Mango sorbet

2008-08-24T21:57:00.006-07:00

Ingredients:3 ripe mangoes3/4 cup sugar1/2 cup water2 tbsp fresh lime juice2 tbsp Pyrat rumMethod:1) Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.Remove the pan from the heat, transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in lemon juice. Refrigerate until cold, about 1~2 hours.2) Peal, slice and puree mango.Add the cooled sugar syrup

Friday Dinner

2008-08-22T02:15:00.006-07:00

We have a small group gathering every Friday for spiritual study. It helps me to deepen my faith in God. And for sure, every Friday evening is a relaxing time for all of us enjoying our potluck, chit chat, etc. I love this activity so much, and hope to have more chances to hang out with all of them.But last Friday was a special day. It was not only a day being observed as a Holy Day of Saint

Links

2008-08-20T23:10:00.001-07:00

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Recipe Index

2008-08-20T23:07:00.030-07:00

(Click on the [+/-] to expand and collapse)Sweets, Yeasted baked goods, etc[−]Sweets* Almond cookies* Apple cake* Apple pie* Banana cake* Banana chocolate chips muffins* Banana nut bread* Butter cookies* Candied orange zest* Carrot cake cookies* Coconut macaroons* Cinnamon squares* Chocolate chips cookies* Cheesecake* Chocolate covered cheesecake*

Contact

2008-08-20T23:00:00.001-07:00

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About me

2008-08-20T22:59:00.006-07:00

Hello!I am a wife, crafter, language tutor, freelance writer and food lover.I grew up in Vietnam, graduated from University in Japan, and moved to Arizona in 2006. I started my Vietnamese blog "góc bếp" at the end of 2006 and "chop chop a to z" is an English version. Both are as places where I would love to share my food discoveries, crafting projects, also beginner gardening experiences, random