Vietnamese coffee...

Last fall we enjoyed a get away in Da Nang, Vietnam. We are looking forward to a return trip this fall as well. Its a perfect long weekend get away from Hong Kong. Its a quick one and a half hour flight from The Kong and most resorts are a short drive from the airport. Add in the pristine beaches and wonderful food. Especially, the Vietnamese coffee. Its very strong and sweetened with condensed milk. Very refreshing when iced in this stifling Asian heat. But with a little practice and a special coffee filter you can recreate this deliciousness at home. 

Begin with a dollop of sweetened condensed milk.

The most integral part is the coffee filter. I purchased mine on Shanghai Street. The coffee grinds need to be dark roasted and ground coarse. I used two tablespoons of Starbucks Espresso blend ground for french press. Place the grounds into the press and firmly screw down the inside filter. 

Pour one cup of boiling water into the filter and let the water drip for four minutes unless it stops dripping earlier.

Sir the coffee and milk together.

Enjoy hot or iced. 

Enjoy first thing in the morning or as an afternoon energy pickup. Even better with a couple amaretti cookies and chocolate covered coffee beans!

xox,
Christine

photography by Heidi Selch

shanghai street...

Why weave through the ikea maze when you can meander with the natives on Shanghai Street. Shanghai Street has everything you could possibly need. There are baking shops, 'white' porcelain shops, knife shops... If it's good enough for Anthony Bourdain, it's good enough for me. On my most recent trip, my list included white congee spoons, Vietnamese coffee filter, tiny white porcelain spoons and any gluten free goodies I could get my hands on. 

Of course, I found everything I needed and then some.

There's the Vietnamese coffee maker above. I have sweet memories of my iced morning coffee on the beaches of Da Nang. Now I just have to figure out their elusive method. But how hard can it be?

I have collected steamer baskets in all possible sizes. Does anyone have tried and tested gluten free recipes for dim sum? I also stack them up and corral goodies in them as well. 

Having a party? Shanghai Street has several baking shops as well. You won't miss them. One of them is affectionately named, 'I love cake.' 

This is where I purchased my pan for Hong Kong traditional egg waffles. 

Lunch anyone? After all that shopping we were hungry, but we decided against the various dried meats. Cafe Mido was closed due for Spring Break. So we found a dim sum restaurant down the street.   Before I leave Hong Kong I will return to Shanghai Street for one of their massive several inches thick round chopping blocks. I think the hubs also mentioned a set of knives. If you watch the Anthony Bourdain clip that's what he was after on Shanghai Street as well. And if you walk far enough down Shanghai Street, you'll run into the jade market... 

xox, 

c

photos courtesy of Heidi Selch