Pho Time

Sometime last week I went back to Pho Time in Niu Valley and got some takeout. Everything was good, but special mention needs to be made about the calamari. The crispy coating was perfectly done and made it outstanding. 

Calamari ($11.00)


Combo Baguette ($8.00)


Lemongrass Tofu Banh Mi ($8.00)


Spring Roll and Pork Sausage Vermicelli ($13.75)

On Da Desk

Pho Noodles

This is the bag of pho noodles that I used for the noodle soup that I made recently. I had picked it up from Don Q.



I was at the Asian Market the other day and decided to grab another bag. That's when I found that there were different widths to the noodles.  

I bought the thinner 1 mm noodles from the Asian Market.

Pho Time

Sweetie and I went to check out the just-opened Pho Time in Niu Valley a few days ago. 

The food we ordered tasted kinda the same as Bale which is closer to my house, so not sure if I'd make the switch for those items. But other things on the menu looked interesting so I might try out those later.



Spring Roll/Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli ($13.75)


Tripe/Tendon Pho ($11.00)

On Da Desk

This is what I'm working on right now.  The photo reference is from a site called Unsplash.  Unsplash is loaded with photo images that you can use for free. Very cool.

What I'm coming to learn from trying to do this exercise is the variation in tonal value (lightness/darkness). I'm also learning to ignore the flaws that I discover in my initial sketch and to just keep going. And enjoy. Maybe it's a life lesson thing too, no?

My Vietnamese Tomato Noodle Soup

I made this! The broth came out ono even though I forgot about the fish sauce. The egg/ground pork was weird to me so I gave to Kona. 

For sure I'll make this again, but will just stir fry the ground pork and leave out the eggs.



Ingredients:

2 eggs
1/2 cup ground pork

2 big cloves garlic, minced
2 tbs. dried shrimp
2 tbs. oil
2 tomatoes cut in pieces

5 cups chicken broth
2 tbs. fish sauce

pho rice noodles
green onions, parsley

Directions:

Beat eggs until frothy, gradually add to ground pork. Set aside.

Stir fry garlic and dried shrimp in oil. Add tomatoes. 
When tomatoes are softened add stock and fish sauce. 

Gradually add egg/ground pork mixture. Do not stir to avoid separation of egg from ground pork. 

Pour over noodles. Garnish

U Owe Me

This sign is outside of the Surfboards by Pinder shop near King and Punahou. It's been there awhile.

Sweet Li Hing Ginger

$14.50/pound at the Crack Seed Store in Kaimuki.  So ono.

Ame-ra Tomato

Every time I go to J-Shop I always look at these tomatoes, but I've never bought any. They're supposed to be super sweet. 

Maybe next time.  I'll let you know.

Chinatown

Here are just a few random photos that I took on our Chinatown outing.

Magic Salt

I was at Whole Foods a bit earlier than usual yesterday to get my 2/$5 pizza. I had never seen this breakfast pizza before so I decided to try it.

It actually turned out to be a bit bland for me.


So I sprinkled some of this Magic Salt on top of it. 


And it magically became ono! I got the salt from Cleta last year as omiyage from Japan, but I have seen it at a market here. Not sure if it was at Marukai or Don Q. 

Thelma's Filipino Restaurant

Landon and I were in Waipahu this past weekend to pick up some avocados from my friend Harri. THANK YOU, HARRI!!

While we were there, Lan suggested that we get some food from Thelma's. 

Shrimp Sarciado ($10.50)


Thelma's Special ($11.50)


Pork Sisig ($11.25)


This empanada was actually from the bakery to the right of Thelma's. I wanted to include it here because it was so good.

Last Night's Dinner

Landon is dieting and not eating dinners this month. Wendell decided to have a protein shake for dinner. And so this is what I made for myself.

It came out yummy!


I used this salmon from Costco.


And I busted out this bread from the freezer, also from Costco.

CPK

I met Cleta at California Pizza Kitchen in Kahala yesterday. I hadn't seen her in awhile so it was nice catching up.

We shared a pizza and a salad. Thanks for the treat, Cleta!!

Margherita Pizza ($15.99)


Roasted Veggie Salad -  half size ($12.99)

Café Kaila

Our Keurig broke yesterday, so that's how Wendell and I ended up at Café Kaila . . . for the coffee.  

When I suggested going there, Wendell balked and said that he didn't wanna wait in line. I told him, "No worry; the line goes fast. It's big inside." 

He said, "Is it fru fru food? How's the portions?" I looked up the menu online and read out some of the items to him. He decided he wanted to try the Frittata Omelet (open-faced omelette baked with potatoes, onions, mushrooms, Monterey jack and parmesan cheeses and choice of Portuguese, Italian or link sausage, bacon, ham or mixed veggies).

When I signed in at the door I saw that there were only two people ahead of us. We waited just a few minutes before being called. 

Wendell changed his mind about the Frittata and got the pancakes ($9.25).  He loved it . . . said it was better than Eggs 'n Things. 


I almost got the Frittata so that Wendell could try it, but he said, "Nah, no need" so I got the Traditional Eggs Benedict ($12.95). The Traditional comes with Canadian bacon and turkey . . . so unvegetarian, but sometimes you just gotta "sacrifice".  It was very good. Even the potatoes were tasty. And the best thing . . . I only ate one, so the other one is still in the 'fridge for me to eat later. Yessssssss.


Side note:  Cafe Kaila uses Waimana eggs from OK Poultry in Waimanalo, my absolute favorite eggs.

Colin's Chocolate Cookies

Colin made some onolicious chocolate chip cookies recently and wanted to share the recipe with you.





Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 sticks (1 cup) softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbs. imitation vanilla
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Steps:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2.  Combine flour, baking soda and salt in 1 bowl. Set aside.
3.  Mix butter and sugar in a larger bowl. Beat until creamy.
5.  Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well.
6.  Stir in flour mixture.
7.  Add chocolate chips.
8.  Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Cook 11 minutes.
9.  Enjoy. (Tip: Best eaten warm. The next day microwave for 10 seconds).