So about three weeks back, my pops telephoned me and told me that both he and my mom, and six other members from my extended family were going to come visit Washington and Canada from Orlando, Florida. He told me that they would be spending about three to four days in Canada first, and then the remainder of their week tour back in Washington.
I could tell from the tone of his voice that he was hoping I could join them, because I have not seen them both since my last visit in July, 2015. It was very strained and longing, but I had to regrettably inform him that I had to work and that I have to be at the markets on the weekends. And he kind of resigned himself to that.
Then he calls me back about a week later and tells me they are arriving on September 3, 2016, and if I could take the time off to come meet them at the airport. And being poOr, and being extremely busy, and just finding out about their coming visit, I agreed to take a day off from the market. I knew that meant a lot to both he and my mom, and I am excited to be there at the airport tomorrow when they arrive.
One of the things I hate most in life is going out to eat and spending money at restaurants. Personally, I never thought it was worth it because whatever it is that I wanted to eat, I could cook better myself, unless it was dim sum, Popeyes chicken, and Chick Fila - I'll spend money all day long at those establishments. But, for the most part, I think eating out is such a waste of money and you never get what you pay for. So I told my dad that I wanted to cook the family Pho when they arrived first here in Seattle, and to show that I care :).
I'll be the first to admit that I am not a very good son. I have never been very family-oriented, and I value my independence, but I wanted to be a good son this time around, and thus why I took out the time from my busy schedule to prepare a grand meal for my family, and please enjoy the photos and the stories associated with:
so i was at the checkout counter yesterday at a restaurant wholesale establishment with just these two items. the point of sales girl asked, "so you're making pho (which kind of surprised me that she figured out i was making pho from just these two items)?" so i mentioned to her that my parents and family are coming to visit me on saturday and i will be cooking pho for a family of nine. she then skeptically asked me if i even knew how to make pho, so i simply replied, "i make the [very] best :)
or at least i think i do, but if it tastes like the best pho i have ever eaten, that is all that matters :)
when you go through life lying to yourself enough, you begin to believe those lies are truths
these are going into the oven and will be put on broil for about 30 minutes to bring out the wonderful aromas
Beef Oxtail, the star of the show
Chuck Roast, the other star of the show
Pure Pho broth and its associated fatty contents
Enough Rice noodles to fee me for about a day
And this, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the final product :)
Thank you for accompanying me on this journey.
-The Kimchi Whisperer-