Modern Family Moment in Thailand.

Wow, we've been in Thailand for two days and I haven't had the time to post. What a whirlwind weekend we had. Leaving Jamaica and making a stop in Iowa for our nieces graduation from medical school has kept me busy and behind in my daily job of feeding my family and posting the results! Never fear, they didn't starve. We ate plenty this holiday weekend. My parents came to town and we feasted on a wonderful barbeque spread at Kiley and Erich's followed by an adventure down to Zombie Burger for a taste of the gourmet burger life. I would highly recommend the bacon blue cheese fries.... you really don't need a burger after that!

So along the whirlwind theme, I must confess a story that happened on our way to Zombie. We comically laugh a lot about our dysfunctional family when trying to coordinate anything. It's hard to direct 13 people into doing anything which means we always eat late no matter what. Well Sunday was no different. We were waiting for my sister Barb to arrive and for Herb to wake up from his nap and for Mimi to wake up and for Katy to get changed and for Hannah to arrive home from a graduation party. Finally we were ready to leave. During all of this, Elie and Katy her monkeying around and Katy disappeared upstairs, upset for being kicked to the ground...we all exited the house and got caught up in the frenzy of cars. Hannah was driving aunt Barbie's car but I needed to drive with them because aunt Barbie didn't know the way. So finally settled in our rides, my phone rings, my house is calling???? Andy is in the street in the van with the rest of the tribe. Odd why the phone is ringing... I look up and Katy is running out of the house crying.. yes, it appears for a moment, she went missing. Left like poor Kevin on Home Alone, though different because we hadn't left the driveway due to our slight dysfunctional family. Neighbors watching, laughing. A funny moment for all but my baby, Katy. Who had the smarts to immediately call my phone once she heard the door slam and the silence begin. My heart was aching for her fear but also happy that she is equipped to manage a real situation, if forced to.

Monday came and we tried to regroup as human beings of reality. The day brought us grocery planning and purchasing, garage sale prepping, laundry, homework and dinner. Since Elie chose Thailand, we enjoyed the only meal she will most likely love or like this week, Pad Thai Beef. I'm not exactly a connoisseur of Pad Thai eating or cooking, I didn't know what recipe to choose. There are plenty of online recipes to stumble upon... just not sure if I hit the "one". Though three kids all said they liked it. I guess it is a thumbs up for Monday night. Tuesday night to continue... too tired to continue.

Pad Thai with Beef (Adapted from Emeril's Pad Thai)

8 ounces  dried rice noodles

1/4 cup Fish Sauce

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2-3 tablespoons sugar or coconut palm sugar, adjust to taste

1 tablespoon tamarind paste (Didn't find in store so didn't use)
1/2 teaspoon  crushed red pepper
3 tablespoons  coconut oil (I used canola)
7 cloves  garlic — minced
1 lb  beef, pork, or chicken (or a combination) — sliced in 1/4″ strips; or shrimp halved lengthwise
2 large  eggs
8 ounces  bean sprouts (about 2 cups) — rinsed and dry
2 cups  green onions (2-3 bunches) — white and green parts, chopped
1/3 cup  roasted, unsalted peanuts — coarsely chopped (I used salted)
1/3 cup  fresh cilantro leaves — minced
1 tablespoon  lime juice
1 whole  lime (optional) — cut into wedges for garnish

In a large bowl, combine the noodles with enough warm water to cover.  Soak until just tender, about 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, vinegar, tamarind paste, crushed red pepper, and sugar; stir until the tamarind paste and sugar dissolves and is well blended. Set aside.

In a wok or large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or just fragrant.  Add the meat and cook until the just cooked through, about 2 minutes.  Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Add the eggs to the skillet and cook, stirring to break up into small pieces, about a minute.  Add the onions and allow to cook for 30 seconds to soften slightly. Add the sprouts, onions, fish sauce mixture, and noodles, and cook until mixed well and warmed through, stirring frequently.

Add the reserved meat and peanuts, and cook for 30 seconds to incorporate into the noodles.  Toss with the cilantro, lime juice, and serve immediately with lime wedges and Sriracha sauce on the side.