I have made banana muffins many times. Today was banana bread’s turn because bananas ripen so fast. I personally love banana with chocolate. Again, I added my husband’s favourite nuts — walnuts, to the mix. I made a simple recipe for banana bread and add chocolate swirls on top. I start by making chocolate sauce. In a stand mixer, I mix butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time and follow with vanilla. I fold dry ingredients in with a spatula until it’s well mixed ( don’t overmix it). Then I fold in chopped toasted walnuts and pour everything into a loaf pan that I’ve already buttered. I bake in 350 degree F for 58 minutes. My favourite part is here: I take pictures and send them to my husband at work – to tease him… haha!

Banana Bread Recipe

1 1/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup room temperature butter

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs (room temperature)

3 ripe bananas (mash)

1/2 cup toast chopped walnuts

Chocolate sauce

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup milk

Put everything together and double boil it. Set it aside for the last part of the process. After pouring the chocolate sauce on top of the batter, use a toothpick to swirl the sauce.

I used to eat Rad Na once a week in Thailand. There is one place in Saladang, close to my previous job, that had awesome Rad Na. Even though I don’t know their secret, this is exactly how it looks. This is basically my family version. I start by marinating sliced pork with minced garlic, soy bean paste, mushroom soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, tapioca flour and water. Tapioca flour and water will soften the meat (this is a secret from Papa Kitcharoentham). Marinate pork for at least 4-6 hours in the fridge (it could also be as long as a day). The rest of the process starts 20-30 mins before serving. Angel Hair noodle needs to be soaked (in room temperature water or cold) for 20 minutes before use. I begin by stir frying the noodles in hot oil with sweet soy sauce and put it aside. In the same pan, make simple fluffy scrambled eggs for Rad Na’s accessory and set it aside. In a hot wok, stir fry marinated pork with oil (I prefer olive oil or canola oil) and Chinese broccoli until the vegetables are cooked.  Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce and a little bit of sugar mixed together. Add chicken broth (roughly 2- 2 1/2 cups) and wait for it to boil. Dissolve tapioca flour with water and add when the sauce boils, stir it quickly to prevent lumpiness of the sauce. Then it’s time to assemble it all: put noodles in a bowl and pour the sauce on top. Don’t forget to add the scrambled eggs on top. I like to add chilli flakes and lime juice (optional) before eating. In Thailand, you would be offered condiments (chilli flakes, sugar, fish sauce and vinegar), so you can create your own taste for the dish.

Pad si ew is a close friend of Pad Thai for foreigners because they are put in the same category (noodle) in Thai restaurants. It is essentially stir fried noodle that my husband and I can get enough of. I finally found broad noodle in Asian groceries in my neighbourhood. I have a little secret that I’ve been given by a chef from a Thai restaurant. Start cooking the meat and egg in hot oil and add the noodle when egg is almost cooked through (can’t add the noodle right away because the noodle will become soggy). You have to add when it’s a little wet, so it will attach to the noodle. Stir the noodle with sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce and a little bit of vinegar to balance the saltiness and then stir in Chinese broccoli. Try not to overcook the vegetables because they will look like a leftover dish.