The Bonne Vivante
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Oxford, MS food blogger.
Good eats. Good living. Good people. Good vibes. Hakuna Matata.
The BBB Plate at Big Bad Breakfast We stopped by to get some breakfast of champions at Big Bad Breakfast before our lengthy trip to Nashville. I stuck to the good ole, never-fail BBB plate consisting of grits, bacon, tomato gravy, and biscuit. Their jams are home-made & absolutely succulent. I couldn’t choose the blackberry over the raspberry, vice versa, so I had both on my biscuit. MmmmMmmmmmmmmm.

The BBB Plate at Big Bad Breakfast

We stopped by to get some breakfast of champions at Big Bad Breakfast before our lengthy trip to Nashville. I stuck to the good ole, never-fail BBB plate consisting of grits, bacon, tomato gravy, and biscuit. Their jams are home-made & absolutely succulent. I couldn’t choose the blackberry over the raspberry, vice versa, so I had both on my biscuit.

MmmmMmmmmmmmmm.
The Woodstock burger My friends and I took a trip to Nashville, TN to see M83. The show was sublime. We went to Burger Up! for lunch the next day. It’s my second time going since my last visit to Nashville. I ordered the Woodstock burger. What made this baby special? It had a unique Jack Daniels sauce blanketing over the meat, bacon, and cheese. This was sided with house fries and the traditional pickle! Once again, sublime.

The Woodstock burger

My friends and I took a trip to Nashville, TN to see M83. The show was sublime. We went to Burger Up! for lunch the next day. It’s my second time going since my last visit to Nashville. I ordered the Woodstock burger. What made this baby special? It had a unique Jack Daniels sauce blanketing over the meat, bacon, and cheese. This was sided with house fries and the traditional pickle! Once again, sublime.
Beef Panang Curry at Rice and Spice Hands down, this is my favorite dish at Rice and Spice. 

Beef Panang Curry at Rice and Spice


Hands down, this is my favorite dish at Rice and Spice. 
Sausage & biscuit + Strawberry muffin + Coffee at Bottletree Bakery Another pretty Tuesday at Bottletree Bakery. Here’s to finals week.

Sausage & biscuit + Strawberry muffin + Coffee at Bottletree Bakery


Another pretty Tuesday at Bottletree Bakery.

Here’s to finals week.
Half Smoked Salmon BLT Sandwich & Cup of Portuguese Seafood Soup at Lusa’s Portuguese Bakery Sunday’s my favorite day of the week to eat at Lusa’s because the soup of the day is Portuguese seafood soup! It is a very rich bisque with tender mussels submerged in it and topped with bits of cheese—my favorite so far. & the smoked salmon BLT provided the perfect harmony with its crispy bacon texture,smoky salmon flavor, and horseradish sauce’s kick. No food left behind.

Half Smoked Salmon BLT Sandwich & Cup of Portuguese Seafood Soup at Lusa’s Portuguese Bakery


Sunday’s my favorite day of the week to eat at Lusa’s because the soup of the day is Portuguese seafood soup! It is a very rich bisque with tender mussels submerged in it and topped with bits of cheese—my favorite so far. & the smoked salmon BLT provided the perfect harmony with its crispy bacon texture,smoky salmon flavor, and horseradish sauce’s kick.

No food left behind.
Wine Wednesday + kabobs!

Wine Wednesday + kabobs!
This was by far the best Bottletree Tuesday. Good company just makes food better. I got a bowl of Chicken & dumpling soup! Again, I am never disappointed by Bottletree’s soups. It’s deliciously creamy & made full-heartedly. More important than the food on the table are the people in the chairs. -Anthony Bourdain

This was by far the best Bottletree Tuesday. Good company just makes food better. I got a bowl of Chicken & dumpling soup! Again, I am never disappointed by Bottletree’s soups. It’s deliciously creamy & made full-heartedly.

More important than the food on the table are the people in the chairs. -Anthony Bourdain
Vegetarian Summer Rolls!

First of all, I am a  proud member of a green organization called Campus for Clean Energy. The name says it all. We planned a potluck for our final meeting, & I was aware that several members had either a vegetarian diet or a healthy one. Thus, I thought it would be better to come up with one tasty vegetarian dish rather than two different dishes reserved for separate diets. Lucky me! I grew up in a Vietnamese home, & Vietnamese dishes are almost always full of fresh and healthy ingredients. With an added bonus, my mother often enjoys whipping up a vegetarian-friendly meal, so I’m experienced with vegetarian ingredients and know what tastes yummy together. Voila, vegetarian spring rolls! Not just the typical vegetarian spring rolls, these were created by yours truly. They’re delicious for even meat-lovers. 

Ingredients (makes about 24 rolls):

  • Organic spearmint (about two bundles or two packages)
  • Organic baby springs (one of those box packages)
  • Organic extra firm tofu (2 packages)
  • Vermicelli small rice noodles (1 package)
  • Rice wrapper paper (1 pack is more than enough)
  • Seasoning for tofu: (1 tlbspn ground cumin, 1 tlbspn garlic powder, 1/2 tlbspn ginger powder, 1/2 cup soya sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar)
  • Peanut oil
  • Sauce: ( 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup Hoison sauce, splash of soya sauce)
  1. Start boiling the noodles. Instructions should be on the package.
  2. Dice the tofu into tiny cubes and mix the seasoning in.
  3. Heat a large skillet on medium high, fully covered by peanut oil (about 1/2 inch deep)
  4. Fry the tofu until crisp and golden brown
  5. Put several sheets of paper towels on a plate to absorb excess oil from tofu when you set the tofu aside.
  6. For the sauce, add the two ingredients together, microwave for 45 seconds, and mix well.
  7. Get a large bowl of hot water & completely submerge the rice paper in the water for about 3 seconds and put it on a plate.
  8. To the rice paper:  Add a layer of noodles, a smear of sauce, some baby springs, 4-5 leaves of spearmint, & tofu on the center of the wrapper. 
  9. To roll it: Take the end of the paper that is towards you and fold it over the ingredients. Then, fold the left and right side of the paper over it. Lastly, roll! It may take some practice. There are plenty of tutorial videos on youtube if you need extra help!

Happy eating!

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Peanut caramel apple at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Gourmet chocolate so rich, one bite & you’ll as if you were born gold. What can go wrong when there’s “chocolate” in the name? In fact, you’ll be greeted by Truffles the giant bear once you walk in, so sit by him while you gaze wide-eyed at the infinite variety of covered-apples waiting to be picked by you. Apple’s not your thing? There’s chocolate, so much chocolate. The only thing missing is Gene Wilder. I gnawed this treat to the core. 

Peanut caramel apple at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Gourmet chocolate so rich, one bite & you’ll as if you were born gold. What can go wrong when there’s “chocolate” in the name? In fact, you’ll be greeted by Truffles the giant bear once you walk in, so sit by him while you gaze wide-eyed at the infinite variety of covered-apples waiting to be picked by you. Apple’s not your thing? There’s chocolate, so much chocolate. The only thing missing is Gene Wilder.

I gnawed this treat to the core. 
Steak Hibachi dinner with Salmon Roe at Toyo Today, I went to Toyo with my friend Susan. I’ve been to Toyo numerous times before for hibachi and have never left with unhappy taste buds. Hibachi dinner here is a little on the pricey side, but the food portion will be sufficient for two meals. If your budget is low, then catch them before 2:30 for a discounted lunch price! Our dinner started off with a belly-warming clear soup that introduced a little taste of onion and a little texture of mushroom. The salad was light with a refreshing crunch covered by their custom-made sauce. In addition to the starters, I ordered some salmon roe separately. I enjoyed it with my hibachi just the way I would enjoy a slice of pickle with a sandwich. Be aware that I don’t pop the entire thing in my mouth. Just a few pieces of roe come a long way. Somewhat similar to caviar, it has a salty, fishy, and buttery bite. It’s not for everyone, but I think it’s tasty. Now to the hibachi, our medium-done steak was tender with a fine flavor of iron. The rice was nicely fried without being stripped of moisture. The vegetables were far from bland, for they were excellent at soaking up essence. We left as happy campers.

Steak Hibachi dinner with Salmon Roe at Toyo

Today, I went to Toyo with my friend Susan. I’ve been to Toyo numerous times before for hibachi and have never left with unhappy taste buds. Hibachi dinner here is a little on the pricey side, but the food portion will be sufficient for two meals. If your budget is low, then catch them before 2:30 for a discounted lunch price! Our dinner started off with a belly-warming clear soup that introduced a little taste of onion and a little texture of mushroom. The salad was light with a refreshing crunch covered by their custom-made sauce. In addition to the starters, I ordered some salmon roe separately. I enjoyed it with my hibachi just the way I would enjoy a slice of pickle with a sandwich. Be aware that I don’t pop the entire thing in my mouth. Just a few pieces of roe come a long way. Somewhat similar to caviar, it has a salty, fishy, and buttery bite. It’s not for everyone, but I think it’s tasty. Now to the hibachi, our medium-done steak was tender with a fine flavor of iron. The rice was nicely fried without being stripped of moisture. The vegetables were far from bland, for they were excellent at soaking up essence.

We left as happy campers.
BBQ nachos at Handy Andy’s Handy Andy’s is the friendly joint for those seeking a filling meal during lunch breaks. It’s a lot of succulent barbecue for a small budget. I sampled the place for the first time today. I saw professors working on papers, grad students scanning the paper, and charming old folks exchanging old-folks jokes. In other words, it won me over for future visits. I ordered the BBQ nachos. It’s probably the best tasting barbecue for its fair price. The pulled pork was tender, and the barbecue sauce had a nice balance of flavor. However, the jalapenos were too soft, but heck, I’m here for the barbecue. I recommend ordering this but with the chips on the side because they get soggy with sauce pretty quickly! (unless that’s how you like your chips) Hours: Mon - Sat:10:00 am - 8:00 pm Sun:9:00 am - 10:00 am 

BBQ nachos at Handy Andy’s

Handy Andy’s is the friendly joint for those seeking a filling meal during lunch breaks. It’s a lot of succulent barbecue for a small budget. I sampled the place for the first time today. I saw professors working on papers, grad students scanning the paper, and charming old folks exchanging old-folks jokes. In other words, it won me over for future visits.

I ordered the BBQ nachos. It’s probably the best tasting barbecue for its fair price. The pulled pork was tender, and the barbecue sauce had a nice balance of flavor. However, the jalapenos were too soft, but heck, I’m here for the barbecue. I recommend ordering this but with the chips on the side because they get soggy with sauce pretty quickly! (unless that’s how you like your chips)

Hours:

Mon - Sat:10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Sun:9:00 am - 10:00 am 
The Secret History at Big Bad Breakfast. I can’t walk out of Big Bad Breakfast without feeling like a changed person. I walk out like a champ, much happier, livelier, & readier to take on the day. It’s no surprise feeling that way after mouthfuls of their incredibly hearty breakfasts or lunches, named after works of literature (Big Bad Love sounds familiar?). The down-to-the-roots southern hospitality is never absent, and the aroma of coffee and bacon will perhaps bring you back to your grandmother’s kitchen. Always with fresh ingredients straight from the farmer’s market, BBB won’t be feeding your souls with processed foods. What more can I say? Their biscuits are made from scratch, perhaps from the fairies. Their jams are preserved by pros. & Hands down, their grits are the best. It’s the place to experience Oxford vibes. I ordered The Secret History today. The picture says it all. The main course is the omelette filled with garden herbs, tomatoes, and cheese. It’s fluffy enough to float you away to…somewhere. Nothing at BBB disappoints me. If you plan to get this dish, be sure to get a side of bacon or sausage if you’re a meat lover! Hours: Mon - Fri:7:00 am-1:30 pm Sat - Sun:8:00 am-3:00 pm 

The Secret History at Big Bad Breakfast.

I can’t walk out of Big Bad Breakfast without feeling like a changed person. I walk out like a champ, much happier, livelier, & readier to take on the day. It’s no surprise feeling that way after mouthfuls of their incredibly hearty breakfasts or lunches, named after works of literature (Big Bad Love sounds familiar?). The down-to-the-roots southern hospitality is never absent, and the aroma of coffee and bacon will perhaps bring you back to your grandmother’s kitchen. Always with fresh ingredients straight from the farmer’s market, BBB won’t be feeding your souls with processed foods. What more can I say? Their biscuits are made from scratch, perhaps from the fairies. Their jams are preserved by pros. & Hands down, their grits are the best. It’s the place to experience Oxford vibes.

I ordered The Secret History today. The picture says it all. The main course is the omelette filled with garden herbs, tomatoes, and cheese. It’s fluffy enough to float you away to…somewhere. Nothing at BBB disappoints me. If you plan to get this dish, be sure to get a side of bacon or sausage if you’re a meat lover!

Hours:

Mon - Fri:7:00 am-1:30 pm

Sat - Sun:8:00 am-3:00 pm 
Grandma Suzy & Grandma Kimmie’s peanut butter & chocolate Easter bunny cookies. We’re not actually grandmothers, but we would be good at being one.  One night, my friend Suzy and I were craving cookies, & luckily we had all of the necessary ingredients to make them! One of the ingredients included Lindt’s milk chocolate Easter bunnies. It’s the best peanut-butter & chocolate-chip cookie I’ve ever had. Fresh out the oven, the gooey chocolate covers your teeth like a warm blanket. Once cooled, it’s chewy and perfect with a fat glass of milk. Thinking about the cookies, I may just make another batch. Recipe: ~2 cups broken milk chocolate  1 stick of butter (microwave for 25 seconds) 1/2 cup of peanut butter of your choice 1/2 cup each of white granulated sugar & brown sugar 1 egg 1.25 cup of all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp each: baking powder & baking soda 1/4 tsp: salt Preheat oven to 375. Mix all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl really well.  Grease the cookie pan. Pinch out the cookie dough (about a table spoon) and form the cookie dough so that it looks volcano-like (kinda like a cone) on the cookie pan. Bake for about 10 minutes, & you’re done!

Grandma Suzy & Grandma Kimmie’s peanut butter & chocolate Easter bunny cookies.

We’re not actually grandmothers, but we would be good at being one. 

One night, my friend Suzy and I were craving cookies, & luckily we had all of the necessary ingredients to make them! One of the ingredients included Lindt’s milk chocolate Easter bunnies. It’s the best peanut-butter & chocolate-chip cookie I’ve ever had. Fresh out the oven, the gooey chocolate covers your teeth like a warm blanket. Once cooled, it’s chewy and perfect with a fat glass of milk. Thinking about the cookies, I may just make another batch.

Recipe:

  • ~2 cups broken milk chocolate 
  • 1 stick of butter (microwave for 25 seconds)
  • 1/2 cup of peanut butter of your choice
  • 1/2 cup each of white granulated sugar & brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1.25 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp each: baking powder & baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp: salt

Preheat oven to 375. Mix all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl really well.  Grease the cookie pan. Pinch out the cookie dough (about a table spoon) and form the cookie dough so that it looks volcano-like (kinda like a cone) on the cookie pan. Bake for about 10 minutes, & you’re done!
N5 Noodle Clear Soup with Chicken at Rice and Spice in Oxford, MS. Like the chicken flower? This meal already looks appetizing, but be careful when choosing your spice!  Sometimes, I miss my mother’s Vietnamese noodles, so I picked this meal contrary to my usual favorite: beef Panang curry. Most of my friends see me as the warrior of spice, for I eat spicy foods without breaking a sweat. So, spicy for me would probably mean fire on their tongues. I tend to like broths a little less spicy, so I got a level 4 spice instead of 5, but the broth was much spicier than what I expected. The broth had a simple sweet flavor of chicken broth with a trace of a charred onions, perhaps. It’s definitely satisfying for the noodle-cravers! However, I recommend sticking to level 1 spice or no spice if you can’t take spice well. Happy eating! Hours: Tue - Wed:11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Thu - Sat:11:00 am - 9:00 pm Sun:11:00 am - 3:00 pm

N5 Noodle Clear Soup with Chicken at Rice and Spice in Oxford, MS.

Like the chicken flower? This meal already looks appetizing, but be careful when choosing your spice! 

Sometimes, I miss my mother’s Vietnamese noodles, so I picked this meal contrary to my usual favorite: beef Panang curry. Most of my friends see me as the warrior of spice, for I eat spicy foods without breaking a sweat. So, spicy for me would probably mean fire on their tongues. I tend to like broths a little less spicy, so I got a level 4 spice instead of 5, but the broth was much spicier than what I expected. The broth had a simple sweet flavor of chicken broth with a trace of a charred onions, perhaps. It’s definitely satisfying for the noodle-cravers! However, I recommend sticking to level 1 spice or no spice if you can’t take spice well. Happy eating!

Hours:

Tue - Wed:11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Thu - Sat:11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Sun:11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Marinated sirloin steak, seasoned corn on the cob, & a cold glass of Moscato for desert! Simple dinner like this allows you to sit down with your lover or friend, or both, so you won’t have to stand around in the kitchen all night. It’s filling, and with texture and flavor like this meal, it settles all cravings. Corn on the cob seasoning ingredients are in this previous post: http://spoonfulsoflife.tumblr.com/post/21805498881/more-grilling-angus-beef-burgers-bbq-potato My marinade recipe for 2 steaks: 1/4 cup dark brown sugar Honey (drizzle for 15 seconds) 1 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1/2 tablespoon: ginger powder, paprika, dried rosemary, salt, pepper 1 tablespoon soy sauce Mix well in a Ziploc bag or a mixing bowl. Smother the steaks in the marinade, & refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hr. The longer, the more flavorful.

Marinated sirloin steak, seasoned corn on the cob, & a cold glass of Moscato for desert!

Simple dinner like this allows you to sit down with your lover or friend, or both, so you won’t have to stand around in the kitchen all night. It’s filling, and with texture and flavor like this meal, it settles all cravings.

Corn on the cob seasoning ingredients are in this previous post: http://spoonfulsoflife.tumblr.com/post/21805498881/more-grilling-angus-beef-burgers-bbq-potato

My marinade recipe for 2 steaks:

  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • Honey (drizzle for 15 seconds)
  • 1 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon: ginger powder, paprika, dried rosemary, salt, pepper
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Mix well in a Ziploc bag or a mixing bowl. Smother the steaks in the marinade, & refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hr. The longer, the more flavorful.

ST