There’s something magical about a steaming bowl of noodle soup on a chilly day—comforting, aromatic, and brimming with flavor. This Lemongrass Shrimp Noodle Soup is no exception. It draws inspiration from both Vietnamese and Thai cuisines, blending the bright, citrusy notes of lemongrass with the read more
This Korean Egg Soufflé, know as gyeranjjim, has deep roots in Korean cuisine and is a beloved comfort food, often found in home-cooked meals. Traditionally, it’s steamed gently until the eggs puff up into a soft, custard-like texture, making it an ideal banchan (small side) read more
If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s also packed with nutrients, look no further than the avocado smoothie. This luscious, creamy treat is inspired by the Vietnamese sinh to bơ. This creamy blend of ripe avocado, sweetened condensed milk, and ice is a delightful way to start your day or enjoy as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. In Vietnam, this smoothie is a popular street food, due to its rich texture and satisfying flavor. The result is a drink that feels indulgent yet offers a wealth of health benefits. Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrients. Rich in healthy fats, they help keep you full and energized throughout the morning. They’re also packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making this smoothie a balanced option for breakfast or even dessert, so let’s get into it.
This season was a mango growing disaster in Miami, a complete letdown. I was actually in a funk. But a couple weeks later, avocados came into season and it looks like they came in with a vengeance. So feast or famine? I choose feast;)
I know Florida avocados get a bad rap but I have a theory. I think that’s because too many people in the US are used to industrial food. Everything has to look the same and taste the same or it’s not good. Maybe we need to embrace differences and changes more readily. Yes Florida avocados are more watery. But why is that a bad thing? The sweet, mildly grassy taste is refreshing and delicious. Plus it’s much fresher, growing just a couple miles away. So please try your local foods and give them a shot. Florida avocados, which are larger and have a lighter, more watery texture, can also be used for a slightly less dense smoothie and half of one will work for this recipe. (Slice the other half and make my Avocado Fries!)
Start by slicing the avocado around the middle and twisting the two halves apart.
Now comes the part that elevates this from a regular avocado smoothie into something magical. Condensed milk is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, prized for its rich, creamy sweetness. It’s commonly used in a variety of desserts like my version of bánh flan (Vietnamese caramel custard). Perhaps most famously, it’s a key ingredient in Vietnamese iced coffee, where it balances the boldness of strong, dark coffee. In smoothies the condensed milk adds a velvety texture and sweetness, creating a deliciously indulgent tasting treat. I put in 8 tablespoons, which gives it a light sweetness, but if you want the smoothie sweeter you can certainly use more.
Now I add ice to make it chilled and fluffy, and water to thin it out a bit.
These creamy delights are great on a sweltering day, often served over ice in Vietnam. Whether a quick breakfast, easy afternoon snack, or a sweet way to end the day… avocado smoothies are a delicious treat that always hits the spot!
Let me know when you try them, and don’t forget to tag us in your pics @funkyasiankitchen, we love hearing from you! Looking for some more refreshing drinks to ride out the dog days of summer? Try our Strawberry Lychee Lemonades or some Iced Barley Tea.
Keywords: sinh to bo, smoothie, avocado, breakfast, healthy sweets
It’s the constant refrain of summer; it’s too hot to cook but we still need to eat. Chilled Kimchi Noodles to the rescue! This refreshing mashup combines both Korean and Japanese flavors, resulting in a cool and satisfying meal that’s the perfect antidote for those read more
I am traveling in Japan right now, visiting family. And you might not know this, but Japan has the best fruit in the world. Fruit here is meticulously grown in small crops, and carefully selected for perfect sweetness and appearance. Some fruit, like our prized read more
Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the humble unsung hero, the rotisserie chicken. Dress her up or dress her down, she’s always recipe ready! Like a lot of people, I can’t resist grabbing one of Costco’s famous chickens whenever I’m there, and I’ve developed several recipes that take advantage of its delicious convenience (not to mention its budget friendly price). This Lemon Chicken Salad is one of my favorites, and I hope it will be one of yours too. I know it’s all pumpkin spice this and autumn that, but frankly the weather across much of the country is still really hot, and this cold no-cook salad with a bright and savory dressing is a great way to beat the heat.
I love this dressing so much. It’s got all of my fave flavor boosters; like freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and mirin. Lots of lemon zest and fresh squeezed juice add bright citrusy flavor.
Then I just stir in the minced garlic and ginger, and a sliced Thai bird chili. You can omit the chili if you’d like; we like it hot around here…
Once the dressing is done, I quickly compose the salad. I used rotisserie chicken in this recipe, but any leftover chicken will do. And the flavors are so robust that any mild seasoning on the chicken will not interfere. You can give the chicken a quick rinse if you are concerned, but I wouldn’t bother.
I like to cut the chicken into large chunks so it feels substantial and I like the herbs to be roughly chopped so you can tell what they are. The secret to making leftovers appealing is to have it look fresh and deliberate, like you intentionally made the salad this way. No sad leftovers here…no one will know.
I love endive in this salad. Its slight bitterness plays really well with the dressing and it’s available well into the cold winter months. You can sub any other chicory you prefer, or even arugula or watercress.
My Lemon Chicken Salad makes a wonderful light supper, or brunch highlight and leftovers are perfect the next day…leftovers from leftovers? Let’s make it a thing. Grab a rotisserie chicken today and see for yourself! Let me know what you think by leaving a comment, and of course tag us in your pics @funkyasiankitchen, we love hearing from you.
Dressing:
Keywords: rotisserie chicken, lemon, quick, salad, dinner salads,
Hi there!
I’m Kazu, a restaurateur in Miami who wants to show you all of the best tricks for creating restaurant quality Asian meals at home.
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