quick pho ga (vietnamese chicken noodle soup)

the first time i had pho was at my brother's and his wife's place some years back. it was actually a pho bo, which means with beef. 'pho' is a traditional vietnamese noodle soup dish, consisting of rice noodles in a clear meat broth. the meat is actually cooked with bones and everything, to give the soup a hearty, meaty taste. on top of the soup, there's usually a lot of fresh, raw ingredients such as sprouts, herbs, and limes.

i remember my first pho well. since my sister in law is half vietnamese, they actually cooked a version of the vaporous soup that, to me, had a very original vietnamese, flavorsome and intense taste to it (a little getting used to is probably normal). what makes the pho so special is that it takes both, a lot of spices for a good broth - and a lot of time to cook it to perfection. i've always wanted to cook an original, proper pho ga (i.e. with chicken).

now, there really are a lot (really a lot) of tipps and instructions in the web on how to do a proper pho. honestly? a little intimidating... on top, you're supposed to cook it for around 8 hours! i mean, what person with a proper job can actually go to such length, especially on a weekday?

then, last week i just thought: what the heck, i'll just invent my own interpretation of a pho. a quick pho. a nice, vaporous pho. one with chicken! yes, a pho ga. perfect for a wintry evening. with all the traditional, lovely things inside, that make a pho broth perfection: coriander seeds, cloves (!), star anise, cardamom and cinnamon. i put the spices in a tea bag so i didn't have to seeve them out after cooking. basically, i just made the pho without cooking the complete meat for hours on end. i just added a little chopped chicken tot he broth. and trust me, the broth turned out nicely meaty - after all.

if you are looking for a proper pho guide, try out steamykitchen's here. it's very elaborate.

here's my picture guide (sorry i forgot to add the spices, see above):

pho ga - simple as that! and if you were wondering: yup, pho is actually pronounced 'fuh' (so yes, the 'pho king' would be prononounced... well, you know... lol).
love
scarlett

the first snow & christmas preparations part II

it's been a bitter cold week. with the first snow in the city, it feels more and more like christmas. here's what i saw this week:

1 these christmas tree baubles, waiting to be hung up on the huge tree on paradeplatz, in front of credit suisse.

2 the first snow. i was like a kid, taking hundreds of pictures from my office window. none of it able to capture the beauty of a snow storm, i'm afraid.

3 this snowy tree in the dark. doesn't it remind you, too, a bit of a japanese cherry blossom tree?

4 this tiny gingerbread man sticker. i got it as a christmas decoration on my computer at the office, the other day. he's all smiles (maybe he doesn't know his actual purpose is to be eaten, harrharr).

5 and another little man: my snowman. build a snowman: check!

6 the open air fondue at the zunfthaus zur zimmerleuten near the river in zurich. the air is ice cold, the view is spectacular and the fondue nice and warming... all together a really nice winter-kick-off event.

7 a walk around thuerlersee in the snow. hardly anybody was walking there that day, i guess everybody else was busy shopping christmas presents down-town. so good, breathing in all that fresh, cold air. the scenic beauty of the nature is just like a medecine. we even saw a white (!) duck! probably an albino one. i hope it's not lonely... at least to us it felt like a porte-bonheur.

8 and last but not least: my little box tree outside, already illuminated (or to be frank: still, from last year), with the snowy mc donalds scenery (which i spare you this time) in the background.

enjoy the christmas countdown, everyone!

winter essentials

last weekend, i've been listening to the first christmas songs. some of you might think that's terribly early to start. but i can't help myself. i love getting out my christmas compilations (on itunes...) and listen to them over and over again. and diana krall's 'christmas songs' were the perfect opening to the holidays.

apart from singing along and humming christmas songs, like, all the time, there are a few other essentials that i put on my list of things to do this winter...

1 make christmas cookies and chocolate truffles, for both, own use and gifting
2 prepare the flat with just the right amount of (dispensable but indispensable) christmas decor
3 go for a nightly stroll through the snowy city and drink hot mulled wine somewhere outside
4 watch my all-time favorite christmas movie 'a christmas story' (which i finally tracked down on dvd last year)
5 build a snowman (however tiny) and participate in at least one (minor) snowball fight
6 have both, a cheese fondue (preferably an open-air one) and a proper fondue chinoise
7 wear moon boots to work, and don't take them off all day
8 listen to diana krall's christmas songs (okay and maybe sarah connor's and mariah carey's, too...)
9 take int the beauty of christmas decorations everywhere, such as the swarovski tree at hb
10 write season's greetings to my loved ones
11 go skiing (after 18 year's of intense only-snowboarding)
12 find the perfect, tiny, red lace panty for new year's eve (since you're supposed to wear one for good luck)
13 paint my nails in a glittery, festive polish and wear fancy, gold lurex tights
14 take a long bath in a posh, christmasy scented bubbly bath
15 spend a night in, snuggled up in front of a fire, with that special someone

simply tartan (forever)

it's obvious by now that i (heart) all things with a hunter / trapper / lumberjack feel to it. by this, i mean rustic shirts, comfy knits and furry elements. i know i've posted a lot of checked shirts, lately. but did you know that there actually are many different wordings for 'checked'? in fact, 'checked' is the lamest word of them all. much nicer, i think, is 'plaid', with its double meaning and connotation of 'wool blanket'. and the word i like best for 'check' is actually 'tartan'. tartan is a specific weaving pattern that implies the belonging to a scottish clan. in other words: every family has it's own tartan (or so i like to think). wouldn't it be nice to have one's own tartan?

anyhoo. i could easily wear a variation of tartans all winter (not sure if my better half would like it. i've got a feeling he thinks i'm playing 'dress up for the country side' whenever i'm wearing it...). i would either dress the tartan up with rock chic elements or casual lumberjack basics (or sometimes a little bit of everything).

here are my favorites of each category. have fun combining them!

1 topshop contrast check nightshirt navy blue
2 forever 21 faux shearling plaid vest
3 moncler plaid vest
4 forever 21 plaid poncho
5 dsquared tartan jacket
6 topshop tartan box cross body bag
7 dr. martens short tartan boots
8 dr. martens high tartan boots
9 topshop contrast check lounge shorts navy blue

1 mac tartan tale collection
2 topshop small tartan cross body bag
3 dolce & gabbana plaid shirt dress
4 forever 21 plaid poncho
5 random plaid trapper cap
6 converse plaid chuck's
7 dolce & gabbana fitted plaid shirt
8 dsquared plaid hiking heels
9 random plaid clutch
10 vivienne westwood tartan winter bag
11 dsquared gold stud plaid shirt
12 mac tartan tale collection

1 lowlife triple stud belt
2 fendi short patend lace up boots
3 patricia field stud belt
4 burberry prorsum the studded bag
5 twelve by twelve jeweled clutch
6 mac black kohl and eye liner
7 sephora licorice shampoo and bath
8 topshop cutwork vintage jacket
9 thomas sabo sterling silver skull ring
10 jimmy choo biker boots
11 h&m paillet jacket
12 topshop black corset lace bra
13 topshop black leather strap detail ribbed knit palm warmers
14 topshop faux fur leather leggings

1 steffen schraut smokey grey oversized cardigan
2 topshop knitted reindeer jumper
3 topshop grey fairisle pom pom knitted trapper hat
4 coal grey cashmere mittens
5 vanessa bruno chine knit pullover
6 topshop moto vintage jamie jeans
7 flipflop grey city hikers
8 topshop cream aran cable knit skirt
9 ugg knit boots
10 random city hiker
11 topshop lurex slubby tee by kate moss
12 reluxe recycled knit oversize snoof scarf

1 random fur trapper hat
2 prps fox fur collar parka
3 polo ralph lauren olive military coat with lambfur lining
4 sorel boot caribou
5 mukluk mokkassin boot
6 dior fur bag
7 missoni long fur vest
8 r13 olive shearling parka
9 barbour beaufort

what are your favorite ways to wear tartan?

week in objects: christmas preparations part I

it's christmas countdown already, and i love it. the earlier the preparations start, the better. in fact, i love december and the major holiday so much, with all its bustle, i am thinking about getting the whole month off, year after year. but of course, that's not feasible. so i just squeeze in some pre christmas activity whenever it's possible. it was a rather boring week, really. but nonetheless, the christmasy glow has started.

1 my nephew felix - hiding in my lantern. no, great, really.

2 santa bath boms from lush, my first pre christmas present for the ladies in our family. they smell so awfully nice, i had to make sure not to eat them accidentally... trust me.

3 though i regard shopping centers per se as rather ugly, i must say the (is it new? never caught my eye before...) christmas illumination at letzipark is rather nice. well, niceish. compared to harrod's it's just utter trash, but hey, it's not london, after all.

4 love the smell of mandarines. on men, too, yum... (okay, too much information, sorry)

5 tiny knitted caps that are being sold on top of each innocent smoothie - so they are not freezing in the fridge. and they're actually for a good cause, too. cute idea. 

6 a stack of books, ready next to my bed for the cold months.

7 the amaryllis i got last week. in flower much too early. darn, but really? i can feel for her. she's just as excited about christmas as i am.

8 new deer cups! a gift! i'm completely smitten with them. thank you!

9 this etoile etagère for cakes, cookies and other goodies (note: i know i'm crazy: i actually got seven of them as a gift for my girl friends. well, i hope they are not reading my blog. otherwise: shhh... just pretend you didn't read it, will you?)

10 galia's sneakers at la stanza's lately. not exactly christmasy, but because she's such a cool cat.

happy weekend everyone! (note: i'll spend it singing (since we absolutely need this rehearsal as the concerts start in two weeks. i repeat: in two weeks! i have to get the lyrics in my head...) and in bed, since i'm sick again. darn! i'll grab those new mugs and drink tea on end. at least a tiny amount of bliss...)

love

scarlett

folk favorite in november: bon (h)iver

bon iver is an american indie folk band founded by justin vernon a few years back. the first album, 'for emma, forever ago', was produced by vernon alone during his stay at his father's cabin where he spent the winter. apparently to recover and recuperate from a break up from both, his former band and his former girlfriend. in an interview he said: "i left north carolina and went up there because i didn't know where else to go and i knew that i wanted to be alone and i knew that i wanted to be where it was cold".

it was during this winter, in solitude, devoted to his music, where vernon came up with the moniker for his band: bon iver. 'bon iver' is derived from the french 'bon hiver', which originally means 'good winter'.

most interesting how you can actually hear the cold and lonely winter in his music. it feels like he's sitting in a flanel shirt by the fire, staring into it, dreaming and humming to himself in a state of half-consciousness and sadness. in other words: i love his music.

my favorite song is 'blood bank', off the album (ep) of the same name. the lyrics are pretty and gloomy in one. just like a perfect winter's day.

then the snow started falling

we were stuck out in your car

you were rubbing both my hands

chewing on a candy bar

you said ain't this just like the present

to be showing up like this

there's a moon waning crescent

we started to kiss

and i said i know it well 

that secret that we know

that we don't know how to tell

i'm in love with your honor

i'm in love with your cheeks

what's that noise up the stairs baby

is that christmas morning

if you are curious and want to listen to bon iver, you can actually download three songs on his website here. he even has some songs on the twilight soundtrack (funnily, just like my folk favorite in september, band of horses, which you can read about here). and one song, monster, was even performed by kanye west this year. so i guess it's only a matter of time until bon iver is present in all the common and conventional 'cd-stores' (ugh, the word alone is terrible).

in this spirit: have a happy and fulfilling winter, everyone! bon (h)iver! love and warmth, and may someone that you love make sure to be rubbing and thus warming your cold hands.

scarlett

pre-christmas family gathering (introducing my roots salad)

christmas is a big deal in our family. we usually spend it together, all of my family, with my grandparents and my mother's two sisters and their hubbies, at my parents'. my mom usually starts to plan the christmas dinner three to four months in advance. we usually brood over the menu long before anyone is in a christmas mood. we would shift around the motto and the dishes and ingredients forever before everyone is happy at last. but you will hear about that later well enough.

this year, unfortunately, we won't all be together to enjoy christmas. so my mom and i hosted a pre-christmas meal with the family at my place.

i wanted to make it a rustic, simple, straight-forward meal. think chalet ambience paired with thanks giving. finally, we agreed upon a four course meal.

as a starter we had a plate with various jerky and salumi together with a freshly squeezed lychee and tangerine juice.

then, we had a wintery root salad with garlic tarte. i've always wanted to make something wintery and healthy with a lot of different roots, but didn't find a satisfying recipe. so i came up with my own creation. we used many different roots: beets (actually a funky organic white and pink striped one, i've never seen that kind before but they looked like candy, so pretty!), white, yellow and orange carrots, white radish, turnips, turnip cabbage and celery, all raw. to freshen things up we added a small apple and some blue cabbage, a lot of lemon and orange juice and chopped mint. we were afraid the salad would turn out too heavy and 'earthy', at first. but then: the roots salad was the most colorful and tasty thing i tasted in a while!

the garlic tarte turned out very creamy and rich. let me tell you something about garlic: our whole family goes crazy about it. we especially like it grilled, toasted or caramelized. what? okay, any kind, really... and we strongly (want to) believe that garlic stinks less severe when it's caramelized and or grilled to softness. but really, after that day, i think that's just a myth (at least that's what my boyfriend told me that night...). but whatever, the tarte was too good to resist, anyway. so i happily embrace any garlic-euphemistic myth. keeping the faith!

as a main course we had pumpkin risotto. we took care not to mash the pumpkins into the risotto but instead place the roast pumpkin cubes on top of it, while keeping the rice a clean white (you will have to take care to only use white or whiteish fonds, best a self-made chicken broth). we added some freshly fried pumpkin chips on top, some popped pumpkin seeds, a few drops of dark pumpkin oil and a sprig of thyme and rosmary each as decoration.

the dessert was a 'magenbrot' parfait (or semi-freddo). i wrote about home-made magenbrot earlier, here. however, we bought it for the parfait and simply mashed and mixed it with egg whites and whipped cream. we served it with a nicely sour quince cranberry confit and a chocolate tarte with chocolate pumpkin cream cheese topping (honestly, the topping was a dream, but the cake looks prettier than it tasted. i think the recipe is not worth remembering).

side note: making up our minds about the menu didn't take us quite as long as the full-on, real christmas dinner would. but nevertheless, it still took some two hours' consideration and argument on the phone. that's almost always the best part of cooking: the planning. now enjoy my pictures! and leave a comment if you want to know the (intuitive) recipes.