Pate Chaud

Pate Chaud/Banh Pate So

Pate chaud is a popular French influenced Vietnamese snack. It's translated as meat pie/hot pie and I like to call it the Vietnamese version of an Empanada. A simple and modifiable meat mixture, encased in buttery puff pastry and baked to a golden crisp color.

Always crimple the edges

Ready to Bake!

Yummy flakiness

My sister and I made Pate Chaud a.k.a. Banh Pate So for Thanksgiving. I got the recipe from my aunt! No need for me to go buy these anymore. Pate chaud is one of my favorite vietnamese snacks! Banh Pate So (pate chaud-hot pie) was a common treat that we ate while growing up. I usually get my pate chaud from Che Cali (Vietnamese deli). Lee's Sandwich pate chaud pales incomparison to Che Cali. Although not as well known as the banh mi, the other popular French influenced dish, banh pate so is often found at the vietnamese delis that sell banh mi. You can use any meat for the filling, but we like pork. You can put as much or as little additional fillings as you like as well.

We made it with puff pastry squares. I bought the puff pastry from a middle eastern store that my mom frequent. I've tried using other brands to make this and it didn't turned out right. I'm sticking with the middle eastern puff pastry. You can make extra which keep really well in the freezer. Just thaw and bake.

Allow the puff pastry to defrost in the fridge and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the meat with whatever you want to use. Cut the pastry squares in half. Add the meat mixture to center of the pastry. Be careful not to add too much and leave space at the edges to seal the pastry. Brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash and fold it into a triangle. Crimple the edges with a fork to seal. Brush the top of the pastry with egg wash for a beautiful golden color. Finally, poke a tiny slit at the top to allow steam to release and allow the puff pastry to rise. Bake for about 35-45 minutes or until golden brown.  Happy baking!

Allow it to cool before plating it

I could eat these all day

xoxo,
Kat

Spotted

In LOVE with this DOTTED Look!!!

Spotted: a parade of pretty polka dots. I have been loving polka dots lately. It’s definitely one of my favorite fresh print this season (actually, all season). The polka dot is a classic pattern that is easy to mix and match, it’s also a simple way to perk up your wardrobe. My dotty love affair began when I, who was a child of two, had a fashion-forward, navy and pink polka-dotted swimsuit. Since then, I have been smitten with the dots.

Polka dots, which is a playful pattern, gives off an energetic, fresh-face vibe that's appropriate no matter how many candles you're blowing out this year. It is seen on iconic runways of DVF and Marc Jacobs. Spots are surprisingly hot. Mix them with a sheer material or a skin-baring silhouette and you'll end up with the most alluring, sexy-sweet effect. They play well with others. You can even pair them with stripes and florals. I especially love the neutral dotted print in classic combinations such as black and ivory, navy and black, or navy and white. Go bold for a dramatic, eye catching look or opt for subtle dotted details if you wish to stand out in a very chic, subtle manner. 

I especially love the dotted print in neutrals and classic combinations such as black and ivory, navy and black, or navy and white. I love seeing polka dots paired with fall colors and materials such as cashmere, tweed, leather and denim. Go bold for a dramatic, eye catching look or opt for subtle dotted details if you wish to stand out in a very chic, subtle manner. It’s the easiest of all prints to mix, which is why it’s a staple in my closet. Get dotty ladies! Work a pair of dotted flats or get sophisticated with a spotted silk blouse!

xoxo,

Kat

Natalie Cape-Toe Flat

I'm loving Fall 2012's "It" shoes. Loeffler Randall hit the nail on the head with these quirky polka dot beauties!!! These pretty Natalie cap-toe flats runs $295 and below the Tamsin pumps are now $245.

Tamsin Pump

 Lastly, my current craze is dots on jeans! Do you love the polka dot skinny jeans trend or do you LOVE the polka dot skinny jeans trend? I mean, really. It’s the best thing to happen to your legs since lycra.

Emma Stone stuns on the RED carpet in this Dress!

Effortless Chic in Dots