NomNom's Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi

Today is one of those quintessential picture perfect, sunny San Diego days that remind me why we spend so much money to live here. I want nothing more than to be outside, but I'm realizing that most of my day will be spent inside. Why, you ask? ...because I'm going on vacation (um, and I haven't started packing!)  Don't feel too sorry for me.



Drowning in packing madness, I have no recipes for you this fine day. I have been spending the week trying with all restraint possible to resist that daily trip to the grocery store and basically finish up whatever is left in the fridge. Though this difficult task of mine has not ended up in any gourmet meals, I do have an amazing culinary experience to share with you. Even better, right?

Do you have food trucks in your city? Apparently this is the "new thing" in cities like Portland and San Fran though I haven't found it to be too prevalent here in SD (yet). Well, lucky us - the NomNom Truck based out of LA came for a little weekend visit. I randomly spotted them not once, but twice in one weekend - quite a feat for a banh mi truck that posts its ever changing location on its website, twitter and FB.



The first time I spotted NomNom, I giggled with glee. But, I was basically wearing pajamas out in public. Usually my attire does not prevent me from consuming delicious food, but wouldn't ya know... Food Network had their cameras rolling. No matter how much I love good food, I was not going to be seen on Food Network in my PJs. I sulked away, imagining how good the food must be and cursing myself for leaving the house in my sweats from the early 2000s.

Luckily, I visited the Farmer's Market across from our house the next day, and there they were-- no cameras rolling! I treated myself to this amazingly delicious and tasty Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi sandwich. I'm embarassed to admit - I've never tried one of these traditional Vietnamese sammmies (usually filled with pork) but now I know, I have been truly missing out. Nom Nom's version is pure bliss: toasty baguette + cilantro + carrot and daikon radish + lemongrass chicken (I skipped the jalapenos). If you can locate this truck, try it. Pajamas or no pajamas -- its worth it.  Plus, the truck is uber cute.

Check it out:
Nom Nom Truck
Location in LA area varies by day!

I'll be out for a few weeks but keep eating good food in my absence!

Curry Orzo Shrimp, a leftover remake

Blink...Blink...Blink...

I've been trying to compose a post for days now, and finally realized that I have developed quite the friendship with the blinking cursor. Despite the multitude of daily inspirations, my Blogger screen has remained blank, and for once in my life I'm at a loss for words! I'm hoping it's just a funk and I'll soon snap back into reality.

In the meantime, I've done a fair amount of cooking recently, though we've been eating out a lot with visitors and friends. As a result, our refrigerator is fully stocked with leftovers from DC's finest eating establishments. If anyone's interested in a city-wide restaurant taste test, just come a knockin at our door.

Last week, we enjoyed dinner at Satay Club, an Asian fusion restaurant highlighting Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Malaysian cuisine. I may be missing some, but those are the main countries I noticed on the expansive menu. The food bordered on excellent, with our favorite being the Curry Laksa, a mixture of rice and egg noodles in a coconut curry broth. We loved that tasty broth so much that even after we devoured the rest of the meal, we brought home just the broth for a little leftover re-do. Every gal deserves a cheatin' speedy dinner, don't ya think?

Using the rich coconut curry as a start, I sauteed red bell peppers, mushroom and garlic until softened, then added them to the simmering curry broth. I threw a little spinach in there for vitamins and good measure...A few peeled and deveined shrimp make everything tasty, also feeding my ever lasting shrimp addiction. Simmer until they are barely pink.

...and throw in cooked orzo (1 cup uncooked). Continue to simmer for about 5 minutes and voila! you've got yourself a hearty meal! I'm not sure if its common to combine orzo with curry, but we loved how the little pasta soaked up the sauce and turned these leftovers into a main dish. I'll certainly be using this combo in the future.

If you're an adventurer, try these recipes for laksa, found through the wonderful Food Blog Search.

• Laksa from Let's Get Wokking!
• Curry Laksa from Appetite for China
• Shrimp Curry Laksa from Chilefire
  

Asian Satay Club
4654 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016 (202) 363-8888

www.asiansatayclub.com

Whisknladle: San Diego Restaurant Review

I have been meaning to try out Fresh(er) in La Jolla for quite some time. So long, in fact that it has since closed and has been replaced by Whisknladle, a lovely restaurant with an even lovelier mantra printed on both their menus & above the entrance: "We believe food & wine should be cherished for their simplicity and treated with the most basic philosophy; you get out of the pot what you put into the pot. Our life's mission is to make you feel great, pure & simple." After being seated in their beautiful outdoor patio (perfect for people watching, might I add), Our friendly waiter explained the restaurant's use of local, farm grown organic ingredients and a commitment to serving and using homemade goods: breads, cheeses, cured meats, sorbets, and even ice cream. Well, I'm not sure who's manning the ovens at Whisknladle, but I'd like to thank him personally for the piping hot, crusty rosemary roll that immediately followed.

Outdoor patio at Whisknladle

Though I had to restrain myself from ordering nearly everything on the menu, we started with a Roasted Pear and Vanilla cocktail for myself and a Palm Belgian beer, both new beverages for us. I ended up forgoing my almost inevitable order of ahi tuna and instead chose the Simply Grilled Scallops and Shrimp, served with vegetables from local Chino Farms. Hubby ordered the Red Wine Braised Lamb with Scallion Mashed Potatoes. Though I'm not an overly picky eater, it's still rare that I'm blown away by an entree at a restaurant. Both of our dishes were absolutely excellent. The scallops were seared to perfection and accented by a light white wine sauce with a hint of citrus. Hubby's lamb was tender and flavorful - certainly a hearty, comfort food dish. We ended our amazing meal with the most delicious and light Mini Angel Food Cake topped with strawberries, cream and glazed almonds. Our server and the server assistants were gracious throughout our visit. Never intrusive, but always attentive and energetic about the great things that Whisknladle has to offer.

Bottom line: our service was excellent, the food was overwhelmingly delicious and the outdoor patio provided for some entertaining people watching & will be great this summer. We can't wait to return.

1044 Wall St
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-7575
info@whisknladle.com