Proud of my Heritage

I often hear the term, "what's in store for me today?" I can now say that life is filled with surprises and how you react to it is how big or small the surprise is. Here's a little story for you: On a Tuesday evening we drove to Santa Monica for some Food Trucks. After stuffing our faces we decided to take a tour around the area. We stumble across a store name Phu Kaw, my first thought was what does that mean? And second, it didn't interest me but the guys went in so I follow after. We walked into what looks like a second hand store with the smell of incense. The guys pointed out the tribal clothing that they had it was from modern pieces, to traditional, and some I've never seen before. I was shock to find out that the sale's lady knew what Hmong was. And to my surprise I fell in love after seeing Hmong clothes hanging on the wall. Each piece had so much history you can tell by touching it. Yes, this made me so proud of my heritage, so proud of being Hmong! I cannot wait to go back. So, this brings me back to the question "what's in store for me today?" Well, the next time you question yourself just go with your gut because you are bound to discover something unexpected. Here I leave you with two photos: one is a handmade bag with Hmong Embroideries (Paj ntaub) and the second is a picture of Hmong Green Dresses (tiab hmoob ntsuab).

Hmong Village Painting

This murals was painted at Hmong Village in St. Paul, Minnesota by The Author Unknown. I cannot wait to go back and see the finishing touch. Isn't that beautiful? This mural is a picture of Hmong Village back in Laos.

QEEJ

I like to share with you a little bit about my Hmong culture. Above is a picture of some very talented Hmong boys playing what we call Qeej. "Qeej" is pronounced Kang. Qeej is a Hmong instrument that is played in honor of celebrating Hmong New Year's. I invite you to come enjoy St. Paul, Minnesota Hmong New Year. St. Paul New Year is held during Thanksgiving every year at The Civic Center.

A Quick Snap Of Today's Lunch

Do you see that? I'm having tacos for lunch, lucky me! From the 4lbs corn tortilla we bought there are only 4 tortillas left so I decided to make the last of my tacos. It was very simple: marinated asada from Larios (they are so tender btw!), shredded cabbage, onions, cilantro, lime, and Salsa Arbol. Salsa Arbol is one of my favorite sauce! Others might prefer salsa verde, or tomatillo verde salsa. I chose salsa arbol for its red color and mild flavor because I'm not a big fan of spicy food. Here's a recipe I thought you might like if you don't already know what salsa arbol is: http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/view?recipeID=114 (credits to Rick Bayless, I'm a huge fan of his work!) The smell of squeezed lime with cilantro along with all the goodies in this taco and the corn tortillas makes my mouth water. I don't know what is it about this aroma that gets to me but don't make it stop. Tacos are my weakness, I can indulge in 4 of these and maybe more. I'm also obsess with the smell of tortillas, ever stop while shopping because you can smell it a mile away? I do, makes me want to hug it and take it home! Maybe corn tortillas was the smell of my past love, who knows? Well, that's all the time I got for today gotta get back to my lunch, cheers!

New is better.

Isn't it fun to try new things? My mind explodes with curiosity when it comes to food I call it my food adventures. I'm open to new things and I like to keep my options open for food that is. This weekend is about asian foodies. Here is a secret I learn: my advice is to go an asian grocery store on a weekend because they feed you. Hey, free food don't be afraid to try it unless it looks scary then walk away! Some new stuff can look scary at first but you won't know until you try it. And I think this is a great way to try new things so, go check it out. It's fun and did I mention it was free? Go take advantage of free things thank me later. I only ask that you be open minded to their food and culture, likewise.

Here was my experience: Today, we went to a local Korean market and guess what? We went for white peaches but came home with a can of boba strawberry soy drink, some fruit that looked like sea urchin pretty scary! But it wasn't sea urchin its actually Rambutan, and we got some gochujang sauce. Let's start with gochujang sauce, why gochujang sauce you might ask me? FYI, If don't already know the sauce it is a red paste mixed in bibimbap. It's a combination of sweet and spicy, I like it mixed in with rice and an easy over egg, dip my veggies in it, and my meat. But you can eat it with anything. I like it like how my husband likes his sriricha. This particular item was not new not new to me, I've had it before just stalking up because its always good to have it handy.

Now to the fun stuff, the fruit that looks like a sea urchin. We originally was trying to pick up some lychee but a fellow shopper stop us and suggested that Rambutans tasted better, meaning maybe the two was comparable so I was sold. It did look intimidating at first and when we got home I even made my husband peel it (for me yes, I'm spolied lol). I was not disappointed very pleased, tasted just like a grape, it was good!

The last item was a can of strawberry soy milk with boba. While looking around for something "new" this can just stood out and I just had to try it. Now if you're looking for a great experience support your local asian markets, weekends are a great way to try out their samples =) (free food may vary FYI) Thanks enjoy!
Below are some items we didn't buy but it was fun to look at ;)

and my husband was a good sport he let me follow him around with his basket (that had wheels lol) super awesome.

Sunday Funday *wink wink!*

RAMEN NOODLES

Its been a while since my last update. I promise a ramen blog so here it is tada! Ok, I'll make this quick and painless as possible. We went out the the famous Daikokuya Ramen it was in Little Tokyo, (LA) Ca. http://www.daikoku-ten.com This place was smaller than I expected and get ready for the hour long wait ^_^ I assure you it's worth it! This cloudy soup with ramen noodles, boiled egg, and chop green onion really goes a long way. The first picture are a few items the soup comes with. I guarantee you will go home happy with a full tummy! Much different from pho that I really can't compare but I'll have it over pho any day... The picture says it all. I added a link above please check it out for yourself.

Essential Tools For My Hmong Kitchen

1.) Veggie Jumbo Peeler:
Great for shredding cabbage! Did i say shredding? Your right yes, I did! The shredding technique we use with a knife now we can use with a peeler. This peeler is 8cm wide, blade are sharp, and it makes thin slices. Your cabbage would be perfect in every same cut for khob poob or in kab yog! You can also use it for onions, it slices every piece of onion so thinly. It goes perfect when I make kab yog and laab, just imagine that!
http://www.japanbargain.com/servlet/the-3000/Japanese-Peeler/Detail

2.) Green Onion Cutter:
Ever use a fork to fork your green onions to perfect strings? Please welcome this to your home if you haven't! This onion cutter works great! I was so excited to use it I couldn't help it I made laab! I was so happy when every strand of green onions was cut so finely to strings. No more forking if you know what I mean! I love it won't live without it!
check it out:
http://www.japanbargain.com/servlet/the-1886/CUTTER-GREEN-JAPANESE-NEGI/Detail

3.) Thin Julienne Peeler:
This is not just any julienne peeler, its thinner compare to the one we use for papaya salad. This peeler makes very thin julienne strings, just think about sweet potato or sweet yam slices in fine strings deep fried yum! I absolutely love they way it julienne my carrots into what looks like the size of bean thread (clear noodles). Great for garnishing and great for salad!

 

Look at the size of those teeth, they are sharp and you know they will get the job done. Sorry, I don't have a link to this item. If you like more information fill free to contact me.

One Of My Favorite Childhood Fruit:

I just want to share with you this rare loquat fruit that I found. It is pretty common here in cali yet, you can't find this fruit at any local grocery store. And neither can you find this in Minnesota! This fruit is normally ripe by spring to early summer, its the size of an apricot with a rich yellowish color. You can find a tree here at just about every corner that's how popular they are. I remember as a kid every summer we go climb this tree, we pick a grocery bag full and take it home. Its been apart of my childhood memory for as long as I can remember and is one of my favorite fruit. I recently spotted a loquat tree near my apartment a few days later we came back to get a taste. The sweetness of this fruit brought back so many good memories. I'm sure you can agree with me "it's little things like this that we live for". Certainly, in a bite I have relive my childhood memories! Ps. Pictures do no justice ;)

my favorite mexican foodies:

I am truly a Fresno girl, a piece of my heart will always remain here. No matter how far I am every time I come back to this place I am reminded of my youth and childhood. Wonderful memories took place here and no one can take that away from me. My pop recently moved back here unfortunately, my parents have split up nonetheless, I learn to make this a positive experience for me, my pop is my excuse for driving up here on a random weekend. It never gets boring its like self discovery warped up in Fresno! I enjoy going to old places that feels like new because I haven't been here in ages. Many won't agree with me but I am in love with Fresno love it so much that I want to marry it haha! I love the culture, the diversity, the people, and the food...FOOD! It was the motherland that I was born in it made me, "Fresno" is where I get my love for mexican food no, it's the reason why I fell in love with mexican food. In any way that you choose to view it you get my point I love mexican food mmm mm!

Let me share with you my favorite mexican food. If you don't have love for it you will now I promise you. When I first moved to Minnesota friends tell me all the time how much they hate mexican food. Have they tried it? I don't know and if they did they probably had a bad experience. In Fresno, there's no such thing as bad mexican food, trust me! The hole in the wall is the best and I always say exaggerating, "even if they threw it on the ground a couple of time to make it I would still love it." My favoirte so far are food trucks that sell authentic mexican tacos. I love the corn tortillas with carne asada, onions, cilantro, mexican chile salsa, and squirts of lime mmmm! Tacos never fail me they're always good any time of the day especially 2 in the morning hehe.

My recent most favorite right now has got to be Robertitos carne asada fries: http://www.yelp.com/biz/robertitos-taco-shop-fresno-3 Can I just say at 2am the lines are long and the drive thru is packed you know its gotta be good! Carne Asada Fries is fries with lots of melted cheese, onions, of course carne asada meat, sour cream, and guacamole all mixed in together. That can't go wrong ;)

My brother in law's FAV is the nacho carne asada, instead of fries its chips.

I think they're both great! If you make a stop in Fresno don't for get Robertito :)