Journey to Peace Village

I had a real unique Thanksgiving. Inviting my students over for dinner, I rounded up a chicken and some of the fixins for a not quite traditional dinner. Chien and Thu tracked down some corn and sweet potatoes. (The sweet potatoes here aren't orange and taste "planatin like.) They also got some fruit and cucumbers.

I set to work on the chicken and dressing. The chicken was a small "Quan ga," a special Vietnamese chicken about five or six pounds. I don't have an oven, so I simmered it in orange juice (from freshly squeezed oranges) and white Dalat wine. I made some dressing from bread, apples, onions, garlic, and seasoned with some thyme I luckily snatched up at the Fivi mart.

The chicken was a huge hit. It turned out juicy and tender and unlike other Thanksgiving, no leftovers. The stuffing was different. It wasn't quite as good as back home, but it generally tasted the same. The Vietnamese were intrigued by it, but preferred the standby of rice. Cucumbers took the place of pickles, and were accented by hot pepper. The fresh corn was delicious and sweet.

All and all we had a great time and the Vietnamese loved Thanksgiving.

Labels: food, Viet Nam and the West