So I was in Palm Spring this past weekend getting ready for the FoodBuzz 24, 24, 24: Palm Springs Three-Way event. Which means I was really damn busy.
But I know that Mondays are reserved for all of you TomatoManiacs out there. So despite the fact that I had parties to attend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Plus I had to play a big part in getting dinner for 50 prepared for our Three-Way party. I was resolved to get a TomatoMania post up here today.
According the TomatoMania calendar I was supposed to be cooking and posting one of the winning tomato recipes on SippitySup today. Because I promised to cook and post about all the winners over the course of the tomato growing season. Scott will be back with more growing tips next week.
I know my obligations. I take them seriously. So I had the winning recipe cards in my bag. But I have to admit I was not super excited about adding one more cooking task to my already kitchen intensive weekend. But a promise is a promise.
So there I am in the grocery store buying all the things I need for my Three-Way creations. I was feeling quite a bit overwhelmed and that’s when I noticed I had a few tweets waiting to be looked at.
“Wellâ€, I thought. “It can’t really hurt to just peek at the tweets now could it?†In reality I was in massive denial mode. I was so stressed about how I was going to get all these kitchen tasks done, but I was also feeling guilty for putting my TomatoMania cooking duties on the back burner so to speak. Checking out my twitter account was just one more way I could procrastinate. For those of you who remember Grumpy Greg with Chicken Livers, I hope this is a little insight into my mood.
Anyway, I got this tweet from Jennifer at Savor The Thyme: “savorthethyme@sippitysup shrimp yum.…and tomatomania recipes are???â€
She was responding to my Spicy Vietnamese Shrimp. But I knew exactly what she meant when she asked about the tomato recipes! She was reading my mind. She was feeling my indecision.
So I made up my mind then and there I would make her winning Roasted Yellow Tomato Soup recipe for lunch that very day.
So I tweeted right back. I even got a confirmation from her on one of the recipe’s ingredients. Hey, I was in the grocery store and I had the recipe card with me.
As she so aptly put it 6 or 8 tweets later: “savorthethyme@sippitysup Tweet and you shall receiveâ€.
Anyway that is the less than democratic way I decided to choose Jennifer’s recipe for this weeks ManiacMonday tomato recipe.
Thanks for making my life a little bit easier Jen.
It was actually the perfect recipe to cook while I was already in the kitchen with the oven on. I simply roasted the potatoes and tomatoes while I was doing other prep for the party.
The rest of the recipe practically makes itself. I mean I was already sautéing onions for the party, what’s a few more. There was Greek yogurt in the fridge leftover from breakfast. It was all rather painless in fact. That’s because this is a very intuitive recipe written by a very good cook.
And the perfect lunch it was. I ate a bowl all by myself and took a few minutes away from the party planning. It was quite delicious. I followed the recipe very faithfully. I knew Jennifer had put some thought into it and I wanted to stay true to her hard work.
I did have to add about 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar at the end, right before I served it. I suspect my tomatoes were less than spectacular. I felt the added punch of acidity brought the tomato flavor foward. Otherwise the potatoes may have stolen the show here.
It is so hard to find good produce in Palm Springs. I do not know why (all those rich people). The mediocore tomatoes may also explain why my soup is so much more yellow than Jennifer’s.
But it still turned out pretty, don’t you think? And for me, on this particular weekend. That was the best part!
This soup is so pretty that the photos practically take themselves! I did not have time to waste with food styling, props, or any of that stuff.
Between this soup’s vibrant color and the beautiful light in the desert, I could not help but get a pretty shot.
Now if those FoodBullies over at FoodGawker would just agree.
Note: I am smiling when I say this! Sassy is part of the SippitySup brand!
SERIOUS FUN FOOD
Greg Henry
SippitySup
Ca Phe VN has launched its own Banhmi – Banh Mi SaiGon – every Saturday at the Saigon Street Cafe – Benjamin Close, Broadway Market E8 10–5
5 pork, traditional Southern style baguette – excellent light bread with cha bong, steamed pork, cha, gammon ham, pate, pickled diakon & carrot, cucumber, spring onion, coriander, gravy, Vietnamese mayonaise & chilli.
Ca Phe VN 07780784696
i love ‘baguette+more’ in greenwich: lovely ‘banh mi dac biet’, ‘banh mi thit nuong’ with grilled lemongrass-marinated pork, prawn rolls, mushroom soup, soft leaf-wrapped marinated beef…
however, yesterday tried ‘viet baguette’ on macbean st. in woolwich (NOT the west end one, which may be an unrelated business), and the ‘banh mi dac biet’ was very good. did get the impression that they were reining back the strongest condiment tastes (fish sauce, red chili, pickle vinegar), but good quality. I’ll definitely go back, but ask for STRONGLY flavoured next time!)
new banh mi place in London at Broadway Market London every Saturday 9–5. check out new website http://www.banhmi11.com for more info.
I just finished reading the acticle for the 10th time and my mouth just waters. I live in London and I miss this sandwich so much. I actually go to the sandwich shop AND the pho shop as soon as I land, before I go home to see the family! If you are in Arlington, Texas, go to Ba Le as I think they have awesome sandwiches. The bread is like no ordinary. Yes you can get baguettes anywhere, but genuine Vietnamese baguettes are very crisp outside and almost like air inside. It has to cover you with crumbs by the time you are done eating as when you bite into the bread, it is so crunchy, it flakes off into a billion pieces and you end up wearing it. But there is no shame as your mouth and tummy will be so happy, who cares!
They make so many sandwiches there that the bread is sometimes fresh from the oven and still warm. One more advice Greg, next time try the traditional cold cut sandwich. It has headcheese in it — odd combo, but oh so classically Vietnamese. This sandwich is the closest I have tasted as compared to ones in Vietnam.
I was just surfing tastespotting when I saw a picture that looked exactly like the three dollar sandwich I go to the Tenderloin and risk being stabbed in line to acquire! Nothing against the wonderful patrons of Saigon Sandwiches, but the neighborhood is a bit…intense. I was delighted to find this glowing review of such an interesting San Francisco treasure!
Don’t overlook the vietnamese tidbits on the counter. Those watermelon rinds are delish.
But to be fair it’s tenderloin adjacent (but only slightly adjacent.…like 1/2 block!). I like the place a lot GREG
… I can’t seem to break from ordering pho or bun cha but after hearing about its wonders from such trusted tastebuds, I promise that banh mi is my next order!
A friend started talking about banh mi few days ago on another forum and then this popped up on Tastespotting. The synchronicity was such that I had to try it. I made it tonight and had my very first banh mi sandwich. And my second. Your recipe is wonderful and the sandwich delicious.
Thanks!
You made it? That is so cool! But afterall what kind of blogger would I be if I could not read your minds.…GREG
You know, I’ve always seen these Vitnamese delis and I’ve never tried them. I guess the spiciness intimidates me. I don’t tolerate a lot of heat, you see, so I’m always terrified of purchasing something I won’t be able to eat, I’m so cheap! But thanks for providing us with an at-home version. I’ll make it and control the spicy-level, because they do looks lovely and very enjoyable! I’m glad you had a good trip, and I’m glad you’re back 🙂
This is my all time favorite sandwich. I could eat them every day. I take the train down to a Viet part of town just to get these. Usually one or two along with a bowl of bun kho. Who needs wrongway when you can get one of these for $3. Great post.
I’ve never had one! It looks so good! I need to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Your great post is a good start!
I should mail you one! You (of all people in the world) would truly appreciate it. GREG
This was an entertaining post as usual! I of course would get the tofu version, but if I understand what you are saying, the experience is just as important as the sandwich. I think I would be freaked out the first time I walked in there, but now I know what to do…if I ever make it out west.
It sounds like you had a great time, especially with the Spud! Awesome.
…all true. GREG
its my first time here and already loving it. The bahn mi sounds great..wonder if you also get veggie versions!!
The tofu version is also excellent. It lacks the uncomaprable sweetness of pork, but I liked it very much. GREG
I love bahn mi sandwiches, although I am less adventurous and tend to stick to chicken.
…the bahn mi that is. I found another good spot for same while I was in SF — latte express on 5th st — I had the tofu special, very tasty, though, come to think of it, it might have cost a bit more than 3 dolla and didn’t have any endearing group ordering system! In any case, now that you have introduced me to bahn mi, I think I need to introduce bahn mi to Dublin — it’s a very worthy project I think…
Lucky you to get to eat at the Zuni Cafe. Sounds like you had fun. Vietnam food sounds really good — like the French touch but that’s not a surprise coming from me. Sadly no chance of good Vietnamese food here in the mountains. Thanks for taking us along on your adventures Greg.
Sam
To me bahn mi is perfection! It doesn’t get any better, the zippy taste, and crunch between two halves of a french role. Living in SF — they take their bahn mi’s seriously, and I noticed that there are the usual options, some stores, try to branch out and make their own specialties. A new Vietnamese place near me offers a fish ball bahn mi for example. But seriously, its like the last great deal, they usually average $3 — $3.5 and they are just so tasty! I have this link on my site, but wanted to share it: http://battleofthebanhmi.com/ Funnily enough, the person is also on FoodBuzz.
Greg: I’m glad you decided to de-lurk. Your enthusiasm for bahn mi is awesome!! I’ll refer this place to my SF-dwelling friend The Gourmet Pig. Best, Cathy D
I am glad that you guys had fun, and that dish looks great!
I always look forward to your comments! GREG
Beautiful job. I love Bahn Mi sandwiches!
I’ve put this in the place I need to eat the next I go back to the bay area. There’s actually a new Vietnamese place near my house. I wonder if they’d have this on the menu. I must find out.
I’m drawing a blank at the moment at what a “Hollywood” Bahn Mi would be. But I’m sure you’d make an awesome one. The nice thing about LA is that we’re so culturally diverse in ingredients here that it can be made from anything.
I put a yelp link in the post to help folks find it. I hear there are other good Bahn Mi in SF, but this is where I went! GREG
At first that bahn mi doesn’t look so exciting, but after reading about it, not only do I want it, I want it now, and I want it in San Francisco, and I want it at that little place you mentioned. I want to stand in line and wait knowing I’m in for a treat.
…the first time I went there I was very put off by the line. So I peeked and the window and saw all these little “subs” and thought “that is what all the fuss is about”. But for 3 dollars you cannot have a more culinary experience anywhere in San Fransisco. I was obviously converted! GREG
Wow. I’d like to do so many bad things to that sandwich it looks so good.
Sadly, a quick search has yielded no local source for bahn mi:( I’m going to have to try to make my own.
I can imagine you bbq-ing the pork first and making your own version. Yum! GREG