"United Nations" Cooking Class

One of the first things I did upon our arrival here in Saigon was to research my cooking class options and sign up for one at the Vietnam Cookery Center. It was fun - although they wouldn't let us play with knives or fire or prep any of the actual ingredients. I did learn to make a scrumptious carmelized pork in a clay pot and a nice mango/lotus root salad. I digress - back to the most recent class. I found an eco-tour operator here in the city offering three unique options, one of them being cooking classes. If you are ever here and want to do an interesting tour you can book through their website: Connections Vietnam.

This time when I booked the class I had playmates along - the amazing women that I have met while living here in the Ava Apartments: Emma from China, Susan from England, and Emelia from Argentina. If Dominique (Africa) had been available we would have had all continents covered! We ventured out after getting the kids off to school to a neighborhood on the other side of the city where we met our guide, Bao Anh and instructor Ms.Nghia. Bao Anh is studying International Business and is hoping to study abroad in Europe. Ms. Nghia is a retired engineer and teaches these classes a few times a week. One of her specialties is carving centerpieces from fruits and vegetables. We looked through photo albums of her work and I still can't believe some of the centerpieces she has created: peacocks, lobsters, dogs, and a phoenix/dragon for a wedding. We were also lucky enough to meet her husband and daughter.

After arriving at Ms. Nghia's home and taking a few minutes to learn about each other Bao Anh decided to call us the United Nations Cooking Class. A short walk down the street brought us to the local market - a great discussion about local ingredients and local foods ensued. We picked up a few ingredients and returned to Ms. Nghia's home to prepare our menu of spring rolls and beef pho. It was a lovely, interesting morning spent cooking, talking, and comparing cultures. My friends in Maine can look forward to spring rolls, beef pho, carmelized pork in a clay pot, and mango/lotus root salad at our next dinner party! (You can find lotus root in Maine, right? LOL)