Dinner with friends…

Friend: I’m training for a mountain bike race this summer.

Hubby: I’m doing 6 packs in 6 weeks.

Friend (impressed): !!

Hubby: I’m in week 1 for the past decades or so.

Friend: ??!

Vietnamese braised salmon

(Adapted from Vanh Khuyen)

3 lbs salmon (skinless, cut into 2″x2″ pieces)
6 tsp brown sugar
6 tsp fish sauce
2 tsp chicken Knorr
1 tsp ground pepper
Caramel sauce (2 tbs sugar + 2 tbs canola oil)
1 shallot (peeled, chopped)
5 garlic cloves (peeled chopped)
Freshly ground pepper

1. In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar + fish sauce + chicken Knorr + ground pepper.
2. Add salmon pieces and marinate.
3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbs sugar + 2 tbs canola oil under medium-high heat to make caramel sauce.
4. When the sugar mixture turns into a dark tea color, turn off the heat.
5. Immediately add chopped shallot + chopped garlic.
6. Stir well.
7. Turn on the heat to medium, and slowly add the salmon pieces.
8. Add the marinade sauce + 1/2 cup water into the skillet.
9. Cook uncovered for about 15′.
10. Add freshly ground pepper before serving.