Meat & Poultry
In Vietnamese cooking, “món mặn” (salty dishes) means meat, and it’s the star of the table. Rice makes up the bulk of a meal, but it’s the deeply flavorful protein that everyone reaches for. Pork and chicken are the workhorses; beef is a luxury, celebrated when it appears. Think of these recipes less as fixed dishes and more as techniques you can apply to whatever cut you have — served family-style with rice, soup, pickles, and herbs.
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Nini’s Mandarin Chicken Salad
20mins – his is my take on Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken Salad and Kona Grill’s Oriental Salad. If you know, you know that these salads are amazing because of all of its textures and its sweet and tangy sesame dressing. I’m taking what I love about both salads and combining them into one.
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Roasted Nước Mắm Sauce (aka Nini’s Secret Sauce)
3hrs 15mins – This is the sauce I created on Top Chef: All-Stars Los Angeles, while my mom stood next to me questioning what I was doing to nước mắm. She came around after one taste. It’s roasted, sticky, sweet, salty, spicy, and it took me very close to winning the challenge.
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Grilled Chicken Kabobs
1hr – Grilled chicken kabobs loaded with vegetables and served with a bright, herby chimichurri sauce. Easy to prep ahead and perfect for feeding a crowd.
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Ginger Scallion Steamed Chicken and Fish
1hr 10mins – This is one of the most comforting dishes that is a staple in my kitchen. In this recipe, I will show you how to steam both fish and chicken. The ginger scallion sauce is a bright compliment to both.
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Chicken Fried Steak with Miso Gravy
40 mins – This is my take on a Southern classic chicken fried steak with a miso white gravy. This dish is not for the faint of heart because it is very rich. Serve it with a fresh salad for a nice balance.
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Buffalo Wings
50 mins – Enjoy this riff on the classic buffalo wings. These wings are double fried Korean-style, doused in my homemade spicy buffalo sauce, then dipped in my homemade ranch dressing.
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Green Chile Cheeseburger
45 mins – Green chile cheeseburgers are a must have dish that I always get whenever I am in New Mexico. This particular burger is in the style of a smashed burger (my fav).
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Tacos Al Pastor
2hr 15mins – This is one of those dishes that’s all about bold, layered flavor with a little heat and sweetness in the mix.
