Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: And so Day 91 begins. It began very early for me, as I went to bed so early last night (tired after finishing the big newspaper project?). Up with the chickens. Always a good thing when it is going to be over 100-degrees, and a certain someone is a few days behind on her Fitbit steps.
Wouldn't you know - the day I wake at 6 o'clock, is the day the construction workers next door are absent all day. All. Damn. Day.
After I had finished two miles, Dave joined me for another mile or two (after his bike ride). That was nice!
A Vietnamese dinner tonight: Sesame-Crusted Tofu cakes with nuoc cham sauce. I prepare this dish about once a year. Apparently, My Driver is not a fan of the sweet-spicy-fishy nuoc cham sauce. Sucks to be him, because I just LOVE this sauce. Though often difficult to find Thai chilies in the Coachella Valley, jalapenos are every where, so I just substitute. No one knows.
I use the recipe from Alexandra Cooks, as it is really a good one. The only change I make is to use about 1/2 cup panko and two Tablespoons each of white and black sesame seeds. (If I follow her recipe, I always run out of the panko coating mix.)
Tonight the tofu block was only cut into 12 pieces, but any configuration would work. Maybe cut the 12 pieces into 24 triangles to use as an appetizer? Maybe just cut into 6 pieces for a heartier portion? The tofu squares were fried and moved to a paper towel-lined baking sheet, and popped into a 200° degree oven to rest while I stir-fried veggies in minced ginger, a splash of soy and a splash of sesame oil.
Two heads of baby bok choy, a handful of pea pods left-over from last night and a bit of red pepper for color. There was also jasmine rice (for My Driver).
Until my next update, I remain, your fishy correspondent.