Straight from the paddy field

I don't get any Vietnamese food for what feels like an age, but then I get an invitation to a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch, and an offer of a homecooked Vietnamese dinner on the same day. I am certainly not complaining, I miss popping home for a dose of mummy's special cooking every now and then, its not like the ₤1 megabus has a service from Nagoya to London.

The food was, obviously, beyond gorgeous and just hit the right spot. I really need to learn how to cook like my mum does, the only thing I can make that is slightly Vietnamesey is a very very simple soup with mince pork, shallots and vegetables. I need to master phở, spring rolls, stir fry, soups...