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Bang-Co (Connie) Aboubakare

@occomestibles

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Made 20 lbs of galbi last Friday for our college group and they devoured it. We grilled the beef short ribs and served them with grilled corn with scallion oil, salad, kimchi, and rice for a full meal. Got the short ribs at @samsclub . This will be perfect for Father’s Day — easy, well-loved, and always a hit.
Recipe’s below.

Korean Beef Short Ribs
• 10 lbs beef short ribs
• 1 jar of Galbi marinade (29.6 oz)
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce
• 1/2 cup light soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (or 4 tbsp)
• Sprinkle of black pepper
• 6–10 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
Except for the short ribs, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

In a tray, pour in 1 cup of the marinade and spread it around. Working in batches, layer the short ribs into the tray, pour another cup of sauce over the meat, and rub it in well. Repeat the process until all the meat is coated. Make sure the ribs are fully covered in the sauce. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Grill and enjoy with rice, salad, and kimchi.

#occomestibles #simplerecipe #galbi #shortribs #kbbq #grilledmeat taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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89

a year ago

This Vietnamese braised catfish in clay pot is a classic in our home—comforting, flavorful, and always a favorite at the table. Pairs perfectly with a plate of stir-fry ong choy with garlic (recipe a few posts down!). Here’s how I make it, step-by-step:

1 lb of catfish steak
2 sprigs of green onions chopped
2 shallots minced
3-4 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp water
1/2 tsp of seasoning mix
2 tbsp of veggie oil
3 tablespoons of fish sauce
Sprinkles of black pepper
3-5 Thai chili peppers (optional)

- Wash catfish with salt, rinse, then soak in 2 tbsp of vinegar for 20 minutes.
• While the fish is soaking, chop green onions, mince shallots and garlic, and set aside.
- Make the caramel: cook 2 tbsp of sugar and 4 tbsp of water over low to medium-low heat. Keep an eye on it so the sugar doesn’t burn.
- After 20 minutes, drain and rinse the catfish, then pat dry.
- When the caramel turns a golden brown color, add the catfish, seasoning mix, green onions, shallots, garlic, fish sauce, vegetable oil, and black pepper.
- Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
- Carefully flip the fish to the other side and toss in the chili peppers.
- Cover and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer for 10-15 more minutes to reduce the liquid.
- Season to taste & enjoy with a warm bowl of rice and some stir-fried ong choy with garlic.

Seasoning Mix:
It’s a 1:2 ratio of salt to sugar. I keep a jar of it by the stove and use it in almost all my cooking—it saves so much time!

#occomestibles #cakho #braisedfish #vietnamesefood #vietnameserecipes #homecookedmeals #vietnamesecuisine #ocfoodie #claypot #vietnamesecomfortfood #ngon taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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100

a year ago

I love food wrapped in banana leaves—and bánh giò is one of my favorites. It brings back great childhood memories. My mom would make a few dozen and leave them out for us to snack on after school, wrapped in foil. I was lucky enough to learn how to make it from a sweet mom at church. Here’s how:

What You’ll Need:
•1 pack banana leaves
•Square plastic wrap
Filling:
•1 lb ground chicken
•1.5 cups dried wood ear mushrooms (soaked, chopped)
•1 brown onion (chopped)
•1 tbsp chicken bouillon
•1 tsp sugar & 1 tsp seasoning mix
Dough:
•1 bag rice flour (16 oz)
•½ bag (1 cup) tapioca starch
•2 cans chicken broth + 2½ cups water (6½ cups total)
•1 tsp sugar
•2 tsp chicken bouillon

•Veggie oil
•Steamer
Instructions
1. Prep Banana Leaves:
Rinse and dry leaves. Cut into squares. Layer banana leaf over plastic wrap, place a smaller leaf square on top. Fold diagonally.
2. Make Filling:
Soak mushrooms 20 min, drain, chop. Chop onion. Mix with chicken, bouillon, sugar. Cook until done. Let cool.
3. Make Dough:
Mix all dough ingredients, strain. Cook on medium with 1 tsp sugar & 2 tsp chicken bouillon, stirring constantly. When thick and lumpy, turn off heat. Stir until smooth.
4. Assemble:
Brush the inside of the banana leaves with oil. Add 1 spoon dough, 2 spoons filling, top with 1 spoon dough. Fold into pyramid shape.
5. Steam:
Steam 20–25 min. Halfway through, lift lid to release steam, then continue cooking.

#occomestibles #vietnamesefood #vietnameserecipes #banhgio #homecookedmeal #dumplings #bananaleaf taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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59

a year ago

Nine homemade courses, one talented friend, and a wonderful evening spent around the table. ❤️

We enjoyed a beautiful spread of charcuterie, fresh homemade focaccia baked by her daughter, garlic noodles, bread and butter, seared octopus, sashimi salad, salmon belly sashimi, shrimp scampi, and steak. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious.

I also made one of the charcuterie boards with beef salami and beef sausage to share. Great food, great conversations, and even better friendships. We definitely left with full stomachs.

charcuterie board, homemade dinner, girls wine night, home cooking, dinner with friends, orange county, foodie taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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2 days ago

A shout out to our kitchen crew, and thank you for preparing delicious homemade meals for all of our athletes during the first weekend of our Sports Ministry Tournament. This homemade bún bò xào was one of the many meals we had.

See you all for round two!

sports ministry tournament, church athletes, homemade meals, bún bò xào, church kitchen crew, Vietnamese church, volunteer ministry, Vietnamese food taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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5 days ago

A big thank you to Gomen Ramen, @gomenramen_oc, and Che Vie, @eatchevi, for generously providing dinner and desserts for our Girls Round Robin after two hours on the courts. The ramen, chicken and squid karaage, and coconut and avocado chè were a great way to end the evening, and we definitely enjoyed everything!

They also brought extra bites and treats so other players at @pickleballxscape could enjoy them too.

We’re so grateful for businesses like @gomenramen_oc and @eatchevi for being part of our Girls Round Robin and helping make these nights a little more special.🥰

If you’re looking for a great meal, @gomenramen_oc is currently offering a $7.95 dine-in lunch special and a free kids meal. @eatchevi will also have a BOGO Mango Chè on July 22.

Be sure to follow them for their latest specials and stop by to show them some love. ❤️

ramen, vietnamese desserts, girls round robin, pickleball orange county, orange county food, ramen orange county, vietnamese food, Orange County restaurants taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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9 days ago

One of our favorite weekly adventures. ❤️

Every week, I pick the grandkids up from school a little early and take them somewhere fun. This week, we headed to Crystal Cove State Park, @crystalcovestatepark.

Their favorite part? Riding the shuttle to the beach. It’s only about a 5-minute ride and costs just $2 per adult (kids ride with you), so the three of us got there for $4.

This is one of my favorite beaches because it’s clean, the bathrooms are well maintained, there’s plenty of parking, and there’s even a restaurant right on the beach, @thebeachcombercafe. We have a California State Parks annual pass, @castateparks, so we never have to worry about paying the $15 parking fee each visit.

They spent the afternoon playing in the sand, splashing in the water, and having the best time together. Seeing their smiles, hearing their laughter, and watching them enjoy these little adventures is my favorite part of the day. ❤️

If you’re looking for a fun and easy outing with little ones, this is definitely one worth saving.

crystal cove state park, orange county beaches, family adventures, things to do with kids, beach day, california state parks, newport coast, grandparents and grandkids, kid friendly beach taken in Crystal Cove State Park by @occomestibles

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10 days ago

A shout out to our amazing kitchen crew who came early each night to prepare dinner for our VBS staff. ❤️

Here’s what we had during VBS week: macaroni short rib soup, bulgogi udon, bún bò xào, Hainan chicken rice, spaghetti with meatballs and sausages, and Vietnamese bánh canh with chicken and homemade fried fish cakes.

Vacation Bible school, church volunteers, children’s ministry, volunteer appreciation, homemade meals, vietnamese food, Vietnamese church, kitchen ministry taken in Hội Thánh Tin Lành Orange by @occomestibles

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14 days ago

A quick recap of the first two days of VBS 2026. ❄️. From worship and Bible stories to games, crafts, and dinner together, it’s been a great start to the week.

We’re grateful for everyone serving behind the scenes and to everyone who prepared dinner for our staff and volunteers. Also thank you @spabymode for the delicious udon, and to @dtn.tech for making our VBS shirts again this year. We appreciate your continued support over the past five years.

We’re looking forward to the rest of the week. It’s not too late to join us—we’d love to see you there!

📍 Orange County Vietnamese Evangelical Church- 2130 N. Grand Ave.Santa Ana, CA 92705

📅 Monday–Friday
🕢 7:30–9:00 PM
👧 Potty trained through 6th grade

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

vbs 2026, vacation bible school, orange county church, kids ministry, family activities orange county, summer church camp, Vietnamese church taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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17 days ago

Our Fourth of July with family, food, and fireworks. 🇺🇸❤️ Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend!

fourth of july, july 4th, family time, holiday weekend, fireworks, backyard bbq, family gathering, summer fun, good food, orange county, southern california taken in Orange County, California by @occomestibles

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20 days ago

One of my favorite soups growing up. I love the light tartness from the pickled mustard greens, and it’s always so comforting with a bowl of warm jasmine rice. This batch was made with homemade pickled mustard greens that my friend gifted me, which made it even more special. 💚

Recipe:
.Heat a little oil in a pot.
.Sauté chopped green onions until fragrant.
.Add the seasoned sliced meat and cook for a couple of minutes.
.Add the mustard green stems and stir-fry for about 1 minute.
.Add the leaves and cook for another minute.
.Pour in 1–2 cups of the pickled mustard green brine and 6 cups of water.
.Add 1 tomato (cut in half), 1–2 tablespoons seasoning mix, 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
.Bring to a boil and skim off any foam.
.Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
.Season to taste. If you like it a little sweeter, add a little sugar.

Serve hot with a bowl of warm jasmine rice.

pickled mustard greens soup, vietnamese home cooking, easy soup recipe, comfort food recipe, homemade soup, Vietnamese food, Vietnamese family dinner by @occomestibles

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25 days ago

Another friend’s birthday celebration, this time at @mikiya.official Cerritos. We had a great meal. We enjoyed the Wagyu, sashimi, sweet shrimp, fresh wasabi, and bone marrow, and everything was fresh with plenty to enjoy throughout the meal. My favorite is still the tomato broth. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a birthday or enjoy a casual dinner with family and friends, @mikiyashabu is worth checking out, especially if you love shabu shabu and quality meats. Tag your shabu shabu buddy. ❤️

wagyu shabu shabu, all you can eat, ayce wagyu, hot pot, japanese food, cerritos restaurants, birthday dinner ideas taken in Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House Cerritos by @occomestibles

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a month ago