Sandwich Shop Goodies 4 – Xôi bắp (sweet sticky rice and corn)
Every morning at six, sometimes five thirty, my dad went to the market with my mom’s grocery list, and on the way back picked up something fresh for my breakfast. He had to be extra early if we wanted xôi that day, because the warm morsels folded up in banana leaves wouldn’t last past six thirty. Sweet xôi was a popular morning food, until they started putting in lap xuong and pork floss and turned it too close to a lunch thing. But our xôi lady, and later her daughter, never made anything but sweet sticky rice in their loyal steamers. Every morning, sitting on a plastic stool and head half-covered by the cone hat, they surrounded themselves with three or four shining aluminum wok-like basins on the low table, neatly cut squares of banana leaves, old newspaper and rubber band in the side basket. Those aluminum basins often had peanut xôi, black xôi (which actually looked purple), and one other speciaux du jour. My mom was so concerned with my health that she would pick off all the peanuts if my dad got the peanut xôi, and I got really bored with black sticky rice and sweetened bean paste, so there was no telling what I would get for breakfast. On rare occasions it was corn. My favorite.
Without the seed coat and the yellow tip, each kernel was all soft, white and plump, must be twice its natural size. The sticky rice too was gummy, hardly discernible from the corn. I’d try to eat all the sticky rice first and save my precious puffs for last. Our xôi lady always covered the white palmful with mash mung bean, a big spoon of sugar, and a pinch of fried shallot. Arguably the fried shallot tempered the “sweetness” of this xôi, but it’s not as crucial as sugar and sweetened mash bean. Something I didn’t realize until years later.
We moved sometimes at the end of sixth grade, then again, this time across the Pacific, at the end of eleventh grade. My chance of eating corn xôi dropped like the housing market in Detroit. Partly because the cling wrapped stuff on styrofoam plates doesn’t at all look like Ms. Điệp’s warm morsels. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw it at Kim’s Sandwiches, not wrapped up but in aluminum trays behind the counter. Sure, they put it in styrofoam boxes when you order, but that’s still better. I got two for five dollars.
It might have been bad timing. I blamed it on our late morning arrival: xôi is best when it’s just thirty minutes out of the steamer, cool enough not to burn yet warm enough to keep the sticky rice gummy and moist. Our xôi was cold and dried up. But it was also bland. Lack of sugar in corn xôi made it un-corn-xôi-like. The grains and kernels were coated with mung bean powder, not mash, hence we got a heap of powder-coated grains and kernels instead of corn xôi. This is the Northern Vietnamese style, but frankly it’s incomparable with the Southerners’ sweet twist.
On a brighter note, Kim’s Sandwiches’ savory xôi, with roasted chicken and green onions, proved worthy of toothwork. Although the sticky rice was also cold and dried up, the meat was plenty and flavorful to boost.
On an even brighter note, the corn xôi was well-salvaged by a sugar dispenser and a microwave.
———————————————————————————————–
Xôi bắp and xôi gà ($2.50 each) from Kim’s Sandwiches
(in the Lion Supermarket area)
1816 Tully Rd 182, San Jose, CA 95111
(408) 270-8903
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh ú tro
Next on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh khảo/bánh in
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
1What i do not realize is if truth be told how you are not really a lot more neatly-favored than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize thus significantly when it comes to this topic, made me for my part consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved unless it is one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
2I always was concerned in this topic and stock still am, appreciate it for putting up.
3I got what you mean , regards for posting.Woh I am pleased to find this website through google. “Since the Exodus, freedom has always spoken with a Hebrew accent.” by Heinrich Heine.
4Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was searching for! “Better and ugly face than an ugly mind.” by James.
5Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My website is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Many thanks!
6Thanks on your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back sometime soon. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice weekend!
7I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
8Deference to article author, some wonderful entropy.
9What Is the Horse Gelatin Trick For Men
10When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
11Thanks so much for giving everyone a very superb opportunity to read critical reviews from this site. It really is so pleasant and also packed with amusement for me personally and my office colleagues to search the blog a minimum of three times in one week to study the latest guides you will have. And of course, I’m also usually motivated concerning the incredible tricks served by you. Certain two facts in this posting are definitely the most impressive I’ve ever had.
12Dead indited subject material, Really enjoyed looking at.
13Electronic Business Card – The Smart Card. Create and share your professional electronic business card easily. In minutes. Choose from 100+ templates, connect with clients, and grow your business today!
14I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and reporting! Keep up the great works guys I’ve added you guys to our blogroll.
15Hello my loved one! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include approximately all vital infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this .
16This actually answered my downside, thank you!
17Respect to article author, some superb information .
18I got what you mean , appreciate it for posting.Woh I am glad to find this website through google. “Money is the most egalitarian force in society. It confers power on whoever holds it.” by Roger Starr.
19I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make such a magnificent informative site.
20I love what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the good works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
21You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
22Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
23Together with everything which seems to be developing throughout this area, all your points of view tend to be somewhat stimulating. Even so, I appologize, because I can not give credence to your whole theory, all be it stimulating none the less. It looks to everyone that your opinions are not entirely rationalized and in actuality you are yourself not really entirely confident of your assertion. In any case I did appreciate reading through it.
24Thank you for sharing with us, I believe this website genuinely stands out :D.
25Real nice layout and good written content, absolutely nothing else we need :D.
26Good info and right to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks 🙂
27I’ve recently started a website, the information you offer on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
28When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
29What i do not realize is in truth how you are now not actually much more neatly-liked than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You understand thus considerably in relation to this matter, made me personally consider it from numerous numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs great. At all times handle it up!
30You should take part in a contest for the most effective blogs on the web. I will suggest this site!
31Of course, what a splendid website and revealing posts, I surely will bookmark your site.Have an awsome day!
32Some really nice stuff on this internet site, I like it.
33Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
34Ice Water Hack Recipe
35I enjoy your writing style really enjoying this internet site.
36Awesome website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thanks!
37It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
38I couldn’t resist commenting
39Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
40This is the precise weblog for anybody who needs to seek out out about this topic. You realize a lot its nearly exhausting to argue with you (not that I really would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just nice!
41This design is spectacular! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
42Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this web site needs far more consideration. I’ll most likely be once more to read way more, thanks for that info.
43I like this weblog so much, saved to fav. “Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.” by Peter De Vries.
44Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
45Thank you a lot for giving everyone an extremely brilliant possiblity to check tips from here. It’s usually very pleasant plus stuffed with a good time for me and my office co-workers to visit your site the equivalent of 3 times a week to find out the latest guidance you will have. And definitely, I am just certainly motivated with your terrific inspiring ideas you serve. Selected 4 areas in this posting are essentially the most suitable we have all had.
46I want to express my appreciation to this writer just for rescuing me from this situation. After searching throughout the world wide web and meeting ideas which are not beneficial, I figured my entire life was gone. Existing devoid of the strategies to the issues you have resolved by means of your entire blog post is a critical case, and the kind which could have badly affected my entire career if I hadn’t noticed the website. Your own skills and kindness in touching all things was crucial. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not encountered such a stuff like this. I’m able to at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks for your time very much for the reliable and sensible help. I won’t hesitate to propose your web site to anyone who will need assistance on this issue.
47Can I just say what a aid to search out someone who truly knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know find out how to bring a difficulty to mild and make it important. More people must learn this and perceive this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more widespread since you undoubtedly have the gift.
48My brother suggested I might like this website. He used to be totally right. This submit actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how so much time I had spent for this info! Thank you!
49F*ckin’ tremendous things here. I am very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i’m looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
50