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This past Sunday was glorious in Chicago. I had a early meeting and Certain Someone played some golf. We knew we wanted to take advantage of the sunshine and BBQ. I have a spacious deck in need of repair. Currently a team is using it to work on the roof. Certain Someone has never really enjoyed my deck. In years past it was teaming with flowers.Me and my condo association are stalled on the maintenance of the deck.A neighbour is holding up the process of repainting and varnishing it. So until its settled I don't feel like enjoying it. But the deck is what motivated me to buy the condo in the first place.So anyway the night before we went with some friends to dine on Argyle Street. Argyle St is up to the north and is teaming with Vietnamese business. On our way to dinner we stopped in a grocery when I loaded up.
Certain Someone got into the act and started adding the condiments and noodles he liked. I searched for more exotic finds like Pandan extracts,
Star Anise( look at this huge bag!), Tamarind Pods,
,Lychee's, and this amazing BBQ sauce in can that is a paste of spices and dried fish in a oily base. 
We sampled this at a friends house and were hooked.At least I was.We both thought of using our loot in the Sunday BBQ.Four bags of groceries for under $30.A BARGAIN!
We sampled this at a friends house and were hooked.At least I was.We both thought of using our loot in the Sunday BBQ.Four bags of groceries for under $30.A BARGAIN!
So I woke up Sunday and marinated 4 chicken breasts in the BBQ sauce I purchased. This sauce comes with a plastic lid and seems to go a long way. It took us a while to light my old rusty charcoal grill. But Certain Someone got up and got it going. I had some Zucchini and green pepper I planned to grill alongside the chicken. Certain Someone was in charge of the noodles. We planned to slice up the grilled veggies and fry them up in the noodles with some garlic. Half my vegetable were lost as my grill basket came loose . But we saved half. He choose the thick white chewy Vietnamese noodles.
The chicken had been marinating for hours and I decided in addition to add a final brush of Hoisen Sauce on the final moments of grilling. 
All in all we created a nice summer late lunch while we discussed buying some nicer deck furniture, Certain Someone enjoyed it outside for a change and suggested we do this more this summer. I'm all for it.Stay tuned for this weekend when Certain Someone flies solo and takes out the WOK for a guest appearance.
The chicken had been marinating for hours and I decided in addition to add a final brush of Hoisen Sauce on the final moments of grilling. 
All in all we created a nice summer late lunch while we discussed buying some nicer deck furniture, Certain Someone enjoyed it outside for a change and suggested we do this more this summer. I'm all for it.Stay tuned for this weekend when Certain Someone flies solo and takes out the WOK for a guest appearance.I will be closing voting on the Tamale Open Roundup Friday May 10. Please be sure to get your votes in.
23 comments:
These stores really entertain me. I can stay in there for what seems like hours, looking at all the exotic ingredients. Your chicken looks fab :)
That sounds like a perfect "deck" meal! I'm begging my hubby to get some patio furniture this year to enjoy outdoor eating.
Your Asian barbecue looks and sounds delicious! I wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to use most of those ingredients. :)
What a great meal!
I have a teeny little deck, maybe big enough for two chairs at most, but will see if I can get out there for at least an ice cream.
j
Courtney, this is the "Glamah-cue"!
The weather's nice out there and eating outdoors is now the rule, not the exception.
You always make me so homesick for Chicago. I used to live in Rogers Park so Argyle was South of me, but you did get a fantastic stash of yummy looking goodies.
I have opera tickets for La Traviatta next week up in Mich. So I'll be hitting any ethnic grocery I can find! (And I've never been to the Lyric because when I lived there I was far too starving poor college student to afford it. Someday!)
Wow you bought a ton of stuff! Hubby is more into Asian food than I am...fear of the unknown I guess! That chicken and noodles look great though!
This post made me really hungry, which is bad, because it's past 11 at night.
Sounds delicious. I love what a roguish, recipe-less chef you are!
I'm amazed at all your exotic ingredients, and how you'll put them to use, especially the tamarind. Can't wait till CS has his debut!!
That chicken really looks good! I'm getting more into Asian cooking and I love it, even my 2 year old does :)
Did you manage to get the pandan extract? I bought some a few weeks ago, still thinking about how I will use it...
I love Vietnamese noodles - a bit softer than the Italian version. Looks like a lovely meal to me. Had fun shopping for all those ingredients???
Great BBQ! I love anything with an Asian twist! I'm glad you found pandan juice...
Cheers,
Rosa
That chicken looks really lovely! Its 'strange' for me to see pandan in cans when I have two bushes just outside in my garden! But its always fun to see local (for me that is) ingredients used where its not local!! :)
Dang, that all looks so good. Hoisin sauce at the end was a great idea. Get that deck going!
Coco your a star this sounds and looks SO good! Bring out the BBQ I say just love grilled food :)
Rosie x
Sunshine and moderate heat are the best!!! What a great shopping you did and great lunch too!
I never bought asian noodles... I wonder if they taste similar to pasta????
Great food! You make me homesick for the days of BBQ-ing on your wooden deck! I have only lived in California two years. Other than that Chicago has been my home (born and raised). I used to live at Sheridan & Granville (by Loyola). I'll see you at the Taste!
I posted on bbq sauce last year and my secret ingredient was soy sauce! The flavors are fantastic together. You're making me long for a back-yard bbq now.
Sounds fantastic- I shop at my local Asian Market quite often- it's amazing what you can come away with for very little cash.
I love the Hoisin on the chicken- an excellent choice!
Cheers!
I love going to our local Japanese or Korean markets. They are so much fun with so many wonderful foods.
Although my kids don't care for the meat section of the Korean market...they can't stand the sight of the black chickens.
Natalie @ Gluten a Go Go
Now that's crazy, we were definatly thinking on the same wave length. Your recipe looks superb!
I love the Asian flare to the BBQ Glamah:D I did discover a new Asian market today close to home so that's a bonus:D
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