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Shredded Lime Chicken with Vietnamese Coriander and Pickled Onions / Thịt Gà Bóp Với Rau Răm
Another simple dish that elevates the boiled chicken into a refreshing and healthy entree is my mom’s shredded chicken mixed with lime juice, Vietnamese coriander and pickled onions. It is deceptively simple, filling and healthy. Vietnamese coriander is an herb that can usually be found in Asian markets or grown at home. It has a bite and mild citrus scent. This is the herb that really makes the dish. If this herb is not available, you can substitute it with Thai basil.
This dish is rated easy.
Ingredients
½ a chicken
½ of an onion, thinly sliced
½ of an onion for the stock
4 cloves of minced garlic
1 lime
¼ cup of Vietnamese coriander or basil if the Vietnamese coriander is not available
½ teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder
1 tablespoon of rock sugar
salt
pepper
2 Thai chili
Rau Ram
Directions
In a large pot, boil 7 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of rock sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt. Once the water comes to a boil, add the chicken and ½ an onion and boil for 25 minutes on medium heat.
Source: laviepartagee.com
The chicken will be cooked when you poke a hole into the meat and the liquid comes out clear. Remove the chicken and let it cool. Save the broth for another recipe such as crab and asparagus soup.
In a bowl, combine ½ of a thinly sliced onion with 1 tablespoon of water, ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of sugar and juice from ¼ of a lime. (Tip: microwave the lime for 10 seconds to allow the juice to flow.)
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Shred the chicken into bite size pieces.
Source: laviepartagee.com
To the chicken, add ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and 2 thinly diced Thai chili. Mixed the chicken by hand to incorporate the ingredients.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Mix by hand to incorporate the mixture.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Add the pickled onions and pickled juice to the chicken mixture.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Add ¼ cup of rough chopped coriander leaves and another ¼ teaspoon of pepper to the chicken. Add ½ teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder to the chicken and add the juice from the remaining lime.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Plate and enjoy this light and delicious chicken dish.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
For more recipes, visit our EAT page or Recipe Index.
Authors: Susan Tran and Chau Hoang
Words for Thought
What it is like to travel on Spirit Airlines for the first time.
For a “well-worn” traveler, I have always looked for the best value in airfare and not simply focusing on the lowest possible price. For that reason, I have not taken a budget airline in the past few years. I finally had the opportunity when I needed to book a direct flight to Las Vegas for my birthday trip. I was eyeing Jet Blue but, alas, they did not have a flight that would accommodate my travel schedule so I bit the bullet and booked with Spirit Airlines. Here is what I discovered when taking Spirit Airlines.
- Read the fine print before you book your tickets. This is one airline where it’s worth your time to read the fine prints! If you don’t, you will have sticker shock on what they will charge you. The “add on fees” will end up costing you more than taking a normal airline flight.
- Make sure to book, check-in and pay for everything in advance. Spirit Airlines will charge a premium fee for printing out your boarding pass, paying for your Carry On or checking in your luggage at the airport. It will cost you less to check-in and pay everything at home.
- Spirit Airlines IS NOT part of the TSA Approved service. For those with Global Entry, you will not get “TSA Approved” on your ticket. This means you will go through security the old fashion way. Be prepared to come to the airport earlier.
- MEASURE your carry on. I saw an Spirit Airlines personnel charging people extra if the carry-on looks bigger than the exact measurement in their fine print! I was worried so I took a measuring tape and made sure my carry-on fits the requirement. If not, it will cost you an arm and a leg.
- The $8 additional leg room upgrade on the plane is worth it. The other seats are so jammed in there that I don’t know how someone over 5 ft. can sit comfortably!
- The seat DOES NOT RECLINE. I was not aware of this and for a 6 hours flight, this is pure torture.
- There is NO POWER OUTLET at your seat. You will need to bring extra source of power for your mobile devices.
- There is no WIFI either. You can’t even pay for it!
- There is no entertainment (no television screen, no magazine, etc…) during your flight so you will need to bring mobile device or a book to read.
- The selection of drinks and snacks are limited and costly. There is no hot water or coffee to purchase either. My tip is to bring your own thermos and fill it up at the café prior to boarding. Also bring water and food as there is only junk food for the flight.
- The staff is friendlier than most US airlines that I’ve been on. Our cabin crew had a wicked sense of humor and kept me chuckling throughout the flight.
- The plane was cleaner than I’ve expected.
Overall, you get what you pay for. As long as you are aware of what you are getting yourself into, then the flight will be enjoyable. I found that my fellow passengers who took some things for granted were “upset” during their flight and grumbled about the outrageous fees. This is the Chinatown bus of flying. You get in, bring extra things to make your flight comfortable, be on time, and it will save you a few bucks in the end.
Author: Thai-Anh Hoang
Farmer’s Market Grilled Cheese Sandwhich
One of many great things about living in NYC is the abundance of farmer’s markets in many different neighborhoods. I discovered a small market two blocks away from my apartment after strolling around the area on one random Sunday. This is now my place to go for fresh seasonable vegetables straight from the source. The weather finally turned from summer to autumn and nothing is better to welcome the cooler weather than grilled cheese sandwich served with a bowl of hot tomato soup. I saw some vibrant tomatoes, onions, freshly baked country bread and fresh Gouda cheese which inspired me to create my version of a grilled cheese sandwich for a fall day.
Ingredients for 1 Grilled Cheese Sandwich:
2 slices of Gouda cheese or any mild melting cheese
2 thick slices of red tomato
2 thick slices of yellow tomato
1/4 of a red onion thinly sliced
1/2 of a ripe avocado
2 slices of country white bread or any type of dense bread
2 tablespoons of melted butter
a few squirt of sriracha (not pictured)
Directions:
Cut each tomato into thick slices. You will only need 1 to 2 slices of each tomato per sandwich.
Thinly slice 1/4 of a red onion and set aside.
Heat up 1 teaspoon of butter in a small sauce pan.
Add the red onions and stir. Generously salt and pepper the onions and cook on medium heat until the onions are caramelized. This step will only takes a few minutes.
Cut an avocado in half.
Cut a few slices into the avocado with the “shell” on.
Using a spoon, scoop out the slices.
Heat a grill on high. In the meantime, brush the melted butter on both side of each slice of bread.
Toast one side of the bread on the grill. Once the bread starts to turn golden, flip the bread over and grill the other side.
Top one slice of bread with a slice of Gouda cheese, the tomatoes, the avocado, and the caramelized onion after that.
Add sriracha to your desired heat level for a nice kick. The spicy and sweet chili will complement the Gouda and the vegetables nicely in this sandwich.
Add a second slice of Gouda cheese and top with a slice of bread.
At this point, use any heavy dish to weigh the sandwich down so that the cheese can melt and bind the sandwich together. Once the bottom of the sandwich turns golden brown, flip the sandwich over. When that bottom turns golden brown, the sandwich is ready to eat.
Enjoy this delicious grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup.
For more recipes, visit our EAT page or Recipe Index.
Author: Chau Hoang
Words for Thought
Hotel Review: Fusion Maia Resort (Danang, Vietnam)
Fusion Maia Resort (Danang, Vietnam)
Address: Truong Sa, Vietnam (+84 511 3967 999)
http://maiadanang.fusion-resorts.com
We stumbled onto Fusion Maia accidentally when a friend of mine decided to stay at the resort for a short holiday and invited me to join her. The resort is so well hidden that even the entrance from the main road can easily be missed. Driving through the bamboo lined driveway to the front lobby, you can’t help but feel like you are being transported to a secluded oasis. Fusion Maia is completely different from other top luxury resorts dotting the beach. It’s a luxury boutique resort that specializes in spa and holistic living. La Vie Partagee would describes the resort as a cross between a five star spa and being on a private island getaway in Vietnam with a dash of Bali thrown in. The resort is a “villas only” establishment with each villa having its own private pool. Your one night stay includes 2 days of spa service per person. There are 2 hours of spa service per day per person. For those who want privacy, relaxation and indulge in spa treatments, this is the place to stay. Here is La Vie Partagee’s review on this unique resort.
We stayed at the resort two times in a span of two weeks. The first time we had the pool villa and the second time, we had the Delux Beach Villa.
Pool Villa
Source: Fusion Maia
Source: Fusion Maia
Source: Fusion Maia
Source: Fusion Maia
Delux Beach Villa
Source: Fusion Maia
Source: Fusion Maia
Beach Area
Source: Fusion Maia
PROS:
- The resort is the ultimate spa getaway!
- Each “booking” includes a villa with a private pool.
- There is a pristine private beach with a variety of lounging options (i.e. cabanas, lounge chairs, etc…)
- The resort has the largest world class spa facility in Danang!
- Service is top notch and discreet.
CONS:
- The spa staff can be inconsistent in their work so be sure to request the same person if you like him/her.
- Food options are pricey, very limited and not up to the expectations of what you would normally find in a luxury resort of the same calibre.
- Room service can be very slow.
FINAL HOTEL ASSESSMENT:
For our hotel’s reviews, we will provide ratings based on the following criteria:
1 (Terrible) to 5 (Excellent)
-
Cleanliness: 5
The Fusion Maia hotel is spotless and lives up to our expectation for a 5 stars luxury resort.
-
Reviews of hotels from various sources (i.e. Trip Advisor) are accurately reflecting the current condition of the accommodation: 5
The Fusion Maia receives rave reviews on Trip Advisor. It is indeed considered the best luxury resort in Danang. The comments regarding improvements are in line with La Vie Partagee’s experience during our stay.
-
Hotel room description is the same as the booking information website: 5
Only the Deluxe Beach villas are situated in front of the beach. The other villas are staggered throughout the property. The walk is pleasant and beautiful so it is not a “negative” to book other villas. Try to book the villa closer to the spa pool as we ended up spending most of our time at that gorgeous pool when we are not on the beach.
The regular villas have an open-plan living concept and a courtyard with a private swimming pool. The pool is small. We would describe it as a “lap pool”.
The 2 Deluxe Beach Villas are Fusion Maia version of “penthouses”. They are designed for larger groups. These villas have direct access to the ocean. They have a large open-plan living room and dining room with 3 bedrooms. The master bedroom and 1 of the bedrooms have direct access to the private backyard with a large pool. Each bedroom has its own bathroom. The pools in the Deluxe Beach Villas are normal sized pools. There is also an outdoor shower, lounge chairs, etc… A unique feature of the Deluxe Beach Villas is that they can set up “barbecue” in the private backyard.
-
Check In Process: 5
Customer Service is friendly and discreet. The porter welcomes you when your car pulls up to the driveway and walk you to the front reception. The welcome staff provides refreshment while you wait for check in. After the paperwork has been completed, the staff will give you a tour of the facilities and make sure that you are happy with the accommodation. Overall, the process is relaxing. They try to ensure that you feel “taken care of” as soon as you arrive.
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Staff’s ability to speak English: 4
We find that the reception staff is able to articulate in English and most of the hotel staff can speak English. We did see a concierge who is a westerner on staff to assist with foreigners. The only problem is that the spa specialists (i.e. masseuse, facialists, etc…) speak limited English. If you have any questions, you will need to speak to the spa receptionists before the service.
-
Food/Beverage Service: 3
Food is the only issue La Vie Partagee has with Fusion Maia. The choices are limited and not to our expectations for a luxury resort. Fusion Maia is located directly on the beach and is approximately 10 minutes from central Danang by car. Guests are limited in their food options and will need to take a cab to sample better food selection. Service is also slow and takes a long time from placing your order to when the food arrive to the table.
Source: Fusion Maia
Source: Fusion Maia
Source: Fusion Maia
-
Issue resolution from management: 5
We had limited issues when we stayed at the resort. Those were resolved quickly by hotel management.
-
Customer Service: 5
The staff is friendly and try their best to accommodate the guests. We needed late check out and were able to stay in our villa past the “check out” time.
-
Spa: 4.5
This is a “spa centric” resort and they surpass our expectations. The spa facility is incredibly large, beautifully designed and spacious. The spa consists of 16 treatment rooms, two beauty salons, steam rooms, saunas, private Jacuzzis, a yoga studio, a library and a boutique. They also have a Natural Living program and lifestyle consultation available during your stay. Our favorite area is the complementary salt scrubs option to use near the steam room. The pool area located at the spa features a waterfall and a variety of lounge options. We highly recommend this pool instead of the pool next to the beach. It is also less crowded and more tranquil for those seeking the ultimate relaxation experience. We tried a variety of services during our stay and requested our family to try different ones as well. The group unanimously agrees that the Full Body Care menu was the best option. The group’s top picks are the “Stretch-Release Flow Massage” and the “Natural Living Massage”. The group also felt that the spa experience can range depending on your spa specialists. The group found that we like certain specialists and requested the same few specialists during our stay.
Source: Fusion Maia
source: Fusion Maia
OVERALL RATING: 4.5
Helpful Tips!
- This is not a “kid designated” resort even though we did see a few families with children. It’s ideally situated for couples, friends and honeymooners. There is limited activities designed for children here. We recommend other resorts that cater to more families along the beach.
- Make sure to book your spa service as soon as you arrive. We highly recommend reading the spa menu before your arrival.
- You can request a certain spa specialist if you like the one you have to ensure that you get the best service for your spa selections.
- Take advantage of the free yoga classes by the beach!
- You should stock up on water, drinks, fruits and snacks as the resort is not within walking distance to a nearby store.
- Request late check out if you have a later flight as they do not charge an extra fee.
- There is a free mini-bus to Hoi An, a UNESCO site near Danang.
For more articles, visit our TRAVEL page.
Author: Thai-Anh Hoang
Aunt Qua’s Famous Fried Dumplings
My aunt Qua is known for her juicy fried dumplings so much so that there are lines of people upset because she no longer sells them. Luckily for me and for our readers, she decided to teach us how to make this deceptively simple dish. The fried dumplings are juicy and sweet while the deep frying gives them a nice crunch. Covered in fried sweet onions and dipped in a unique soy vinaigrette, these dumplings will be gone in seconds. These are the best fried dumplings I have ever tasted and I’m excited to share the recipe in today’s post.
There are three cooking methods to cook the dumplings. You decide based on your preference.
a. Deep frying (the preferred method)
b. Pan frying. We used this method for this demonstration as the hotel did not have all the equipment we needed.
c. Boiling
This recipe is rated easy and makes approximately 50 dumplings.
Ingredients:
1 lb of ground pork
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
50 round wonton wrapper
1 1/2 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder
2 large yellow onions or sweet onions for approximately 3 cups of diced onions
1 1/2 tablespoons of vinegar
1/4 cup of light soy sauce
vegetable oil to deep fry
sugar
water
Source: laviepartagee.com
Directions:
In a large pot, put 3 cups of diced onions in 3 cups of water to boil for 15 minutes.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Strain and run with cold water. Let the water drain out and use a towel to press any excess water from the onions. The onions should be dry so the water won’t dilute the filling and make the dumplings soggy.
Source: laviepartagee.com
In a large bowl, add ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of ground pepper, 1 ½ teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder, and 5 teaspoons of sugar. Add the dried onions and mix the mixture by hand for the best result.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Using a round wonton skin, add approximately 1 tablespoon (leveled) of the filling to the skin and spread the filling out evenly.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Fold the wonton skin in half and press down on the edges to seal the dumplings.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
At this point, you can either boil, pan fry or deep fry. For the best result, deep fry the dumpling at 300F until the dumpling floats to the top. This is the same for boiling the dumpling.
For pan frying, fill the oil up to about an inch or so up the side of the pan. Heat the pan to 300F. You can test the heat with a piece of onion. The oil is ready when you place the onion in the oil and it bubbles along the edges without turning the onion golden brown right away.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Add the dumpling to the pan and have a lid handy. Carefully add 1 tablespoon of water to the pan and close the lid right away to prevent the oil splatter. This is a trick to get crispy and moist fried dumplings. This is the reason why deep frying is better because the more oil you have, the less it will splatter when you add the water.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Cook 1 side of the dumpling until it is golden brown (approximately 3-4 minutes) and flip to cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes. Each batch of fried dumplings should be cooked with 1 tablespoon of water.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Thinly slice 1 small onion and fry the onion until it turns golden brown.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Sauce:
In a sauce pan, heat up ¼ cup of soy sauce, ¼ cup of water, 1 ½ tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of sugar plus 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir to mix and add 1 diced Thai chili. Once the sauce boils, turn off the heat and let it cool.
Source: laviepartagee.com
Source: laviepartagee.com
Top the fried dumplings with fried onions and dip in the sauce.
Source: laviepartagee.com
For more recipes, visit our EAT page or Recipe Index.
Contributor: Qua Tran
Author: Chau Hoang
Weekend Unexplored: Gatsby Afternoon
Held annually on the second Sunday of September, the Gatsby Afternoon picnic attracts hundreds of American 1920 and 1930 enthusiasts to the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate in Oakland, California. From approximately 1 pm until 5 pm, revelers can immerse themselves back to the time of flapper dresses, the foxtrot, and fashionable hats. New York may have its own version of this event on Governors Island but it pales in comparison to the event hosted by the Art Deco Society of California and its East Bay residents.
All guests must be in vintage-style attire. It’s required, meaning there are no spectators. Only participants are allowed on the grounds. Maintaining the vintage atmosphere is indeed enforced: no jeans, shorts, sneakers, polo/tee-shirts, baseball hats, pantsuits. If an attendee arrives without appropriate attire, he or she is directed to the Costume Closet, a vintage rental/sale station on-site.
I arrived early before the gates opened to grab one of the front spots in line at the entrance. Wearing a printed vintage style dress, I dressed it up with white gloves, ribbon, and a bonnet. I carried a basket full of food that would contribute to my group’s spread of dishes for our picnic. At 1 pm, horse-drawn carriages and vintage car shuttles transported us across the grounds of the Dunsmuir Mellman Historic Estate. Outdoor rented tables, umbrellas, and chairs were set up in front of the mansion as well as a a fine display of vintage cars. Groups were starting to claim their spots on the grass, and my own group found a nice shady spot by a pair of trees. It was time to set up our spread.
With my tummy full of wine, cheese, and bread, I took the opportunity to tour the mansion. The house was the home to Alexander Dunsmuir, the son of a coal baron from Victoria, British Columbia, and his wife from 1878 until 1901. It was then bought by I.W. Hellman Jr., a banker of Wells Fargo Bank, to serve as his family’s summer home for the next fourteen years. Today, the mansion has been designated a National Historic Site and still houses original owned by both families.
Returning outside, I scouted out the outfits of others and enjoyed the music of Don Neely’s Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Folks were already dancing to the swing beats of brass by 1:30 pm.
By the afternoon, the Decobelles, a historical dance troupe, would perform for an even wider audience.
My camera snapped picture after picture of those around me. It really did feel like I stepped back in time.
My afternoon ended with the tunes of Oh Baby in my ears and the memories of swinging skirts and dancing feet.
If you want to attend the next Gatsby Afternoon, buy tickets in advance from the Art Deco Society of California.
For related info, visit our TRAVEL page.
Author: Jenifer Lam
Inspirations for Fall Decorating
The gathering of family and friends starts this season. I want to share some of my favorite Autum decor, from table settings to door wreaths, that can help make your reunions unforgettable.
Color
When hosting a dinner party, we want our table to look amazing. The key is to pick a color scheme and create contrast around it. For example, if you choose orange as a main color, deep greens and blues will complement it and make the color jump off the plate. If you choose light colors, then dark browns and gold will make the lighter colors shine. Another color option is purple, which is a great alternative to the red, green and gold for the season.
Candles
Candles are this season’s favorite as they create a warm ambiance. You can add some spices, various nuts and leaves around them to enhance the cozy vibe.
Wreaths
Wreaths are another fall decor I see everywhere. They are hung on walls and doors.
My suggestion would be to create your own palette with the inspirations above. I love how deep blues interact with the fall palette. Adding them sparingly as napkins, table cloths and pillows will create a nice contrast to the traditional decor.
I hope you enjoy the fall season and don’t forget to share with us your favorite picks.
For related articles, visit the DESIGN page.
Author: Daniela Olmedo
Featured Photo: www.prettystuff.tumblr.com
La Vie Partagée 