Shrimp Wontons & a Colombian Wedding

This January, I dedicated a post to a fallen foodie friend in which I mentioned I still dream about her. Last weekend while I sat reclined in my bed against my fluffy pillows, I found satisfaction in knowing I finally finished posting a new recipe for Shrimp Wontons with Coconut Tom Yum Sauce. My former LA roommate, fellow Bruin, & friend Gabriela sat next to me in her pajamas, looking through New York’s live SnapChats. It was Gaby’s first time in Boston & we were planning our next foodie destinations. Without a story to write, I decided to put off writing a blog to accompany the recipe, hit the lights, & went to bed. I dreamt that Gaby & I were riding the MBTA throughout Boston except the T was an outdoors roller coaster. When we got off at our destination, we were greeted by Kim, my friend who passed away more than a year ago. It took me a moment to register that she’s no longer with us, which meant I was dreaming so I quickly hugged her & we were off on some adventures at what seemed like a strange amusement park. I awoke to a foggy recollection of the warmth of her embrace, the smoothness of her skin, & the echo of her laughter in my head.

These shrimp wontons are special because they were inspired by 7 Seas Restaurant, which hosted one of Kim’s memorials. I ate a lot of things that day I can’t remember, but those wontons were unforgettable & it made me wish Kim could still be around to taste it. Josh, Vy, & I inhaled this place of delicious shrimp wontons, but I was determined to remake the recipe. 7 Seas is now closed, but if I can revive one thing about that place, it’s those wontons. This recipe is also dedicated to Annie Kim Pham, who loved her shellfish, wontons, & cheese. It’s funny that even after her passing, we still find ourselves meeting at places with good food. Although she couldn’t be there physically with us, we were there because of her. I wish the circumstances of trying these wontons for the first time were different though.

Shrimp Wontons with Coconut Tom Yum Sauce

I promised I’d share a funny Kim story:

Everyone who knew Kim knew she had an extremely bubbly personality & silly persona. She was the definition of shy’s antonym, but an ugly truth about the girl was that…she…she was always late. It didn’t matter if she had intentions of leaving for somewhere really early, she just got to her destinations late. Since we were all used to her lack of punctuality, we decided to mischievously tell her earlier meeting times hoping that she’d arrive at the time we needed her to be present. One day, Vy & I had plans to pick her up from her house to grab a bite to eat. We were just sitting at Vy’s house talking about the estimated time it would take for us to pick Kim up & decided to call her to come outside. We sat around in Vy’s kitchen laughing about telling Kim to come outside to my car when we hadn’t even left yet. Vy told me to hold off on driving to her place for about 10 minutes & then we got a call from Kim asking us if we were outside. Vy lied & giggled, “yeah we’re outside, just come out, we’re waiting for you.” To our surprise, Kim had finished getting ready & went outside looking for my car.

Walking outside of her house, she called Vy. “I don’t see you girls…are you sure you’re on my street?” Kim asked.

Vy giggles & whispers off the phone, “Kim is actually outside looking for us. We should probably go.” Then returns to the phone, “Yeah, don’t worry we’ll be there in just a second!”

The both of us laughed ourselves into my car & jetted to pick up Kim. She didn’t have us waiting very long, but she was in good spirits when she hopped into the backseat. “You guys tricked me!!!” she exclaimed with an air of laughter & slight annoyance. She was always all smiles, that girl, even if we did indeed, trick her.

Andrea & Josh’s Destination Wedding in Bogotá, Colombia

FINALLY THESE PICS ARE DONE. Josh was a groomsman in his friend’s–also named Josh–destination wedding in Colombia. He was allowed a plus one so I was thrilled I got to be part of Andrea & Josh’s big day. They got engaged in Boston & visited the city on their anniversary, so I had drinks with them months before they were to be married. I also took them to have dim sum for the first time while they were here. If they could appreciate dim sum, I knew their wedding food had to be good. Okay, shutting up. Here are pics:

Thursday: Welcome to Bogotá

Inside our room.

Andrea & Josh gifted each of their guests a bag of goodies – a little taste of snacks from Colombia. Josh was a groomsman so he got a special gift.

Josh & I ate these…wicked fast.

Our room’s view.

We got arepas shortly after landing & went to a restaurant at night (not pictured).

Friday: Exploring Bogotá + Cocktail Party

Our hotel had an AYCE breakfast so we took advantage of their offerings.

An omelete & some fruits. When I travel outside of the US, I suspend my pescetarian lifestyle in order to experience each country’s culinary culture.

Our first stop was to the Museo del Oro to see some of the most valued South American gold artifacts.

Josh looks at things on display.

Jessica walks to the other side of the museum.

In a room all by itself, this tiny little gold boat is remarkably detailed.

We were escorted into this dark room to watch a light show with these gold pieces. The show was accompanied by a native soundtrack.

After the trip to the museum, Brett was intrigued by the fresh mangoes that were being sold by street vendors. He purchased one for 1000 pesos ($0.38 USD) & dove right in.

Our next stop was Plaza de Bolivar. L-R: Jessica, Emily, Brett, Josh, Christian, Gil, Eric, Vanisia, & baby Caliah.

Walking towards the center of the plaza.

Walking around the plaza

So, this kid doesn’t know how to read & tried to go inside a construction area that says, “DANGER DO NOT PASS.”

Despite this grumpy face, she was really good all weekend & was the life of every party. I’m almost positive I have more photos of her than Andrea.

The guys make like birds & flap.

Riding a llama with your baby is totally normal in America.

No llama drama allowed.

The guys with the exception of Josh, are posing like they’re trying to bring back boy bands.

Pretty.

Cheese.

Pretty.

La educación no es un negocio; education is not a deal/negotiation.

I don’t know, maybe it’s a white people/Floridian thing? Hahh kidding. I don’t understand Florida.

Seriously, you guys, what’s up with Floridians?

Ever since Josh & I watched the episode of Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain in Colombia, I was determined to try this restaurant. How often do we get to eat the food we see on TV? Not very, so I jumped at this opportunity.

We got two tamals, two freshly squeezed mango juice, & hot chocolate with cheese, buttered bread, & their specialty pastry. Our meal’s price? Less than $15.

This tamale had chicken, vegetables, rice, & was made out of maize. It’s steamed in banana leaf, keeping the tamale so moist. It was the best tamale of my life.

This hot chocolate is a traditional Colombian drink, served with buttered bread, white cheese, & almojábana, all perfectly matched to dip in the hot chocolate.

Really pretty.

Anything for that shot.

The gorgeous view of the city.

High school friends!

I don’t understand their shenanigans, I just take photos of it.

Like seriously, can someone even explain what’s happening?

Some people are all about the bass, these guys are all about the fun(k).

Cheese.

Parmesan.

Sleepy baby is sleepy.

After our trip around Bogotá, it was time for A&J’s cocktail party on the roof of the hotel.

Josh & I got a picture with the soon-to-be newlyweds!

Caliah has discovered a sense of self & knows that the very large black box that I’m holding does some sort of magic when I press a button, which generates a picture of her.

Now she knows that she should smile for the camera.

There were about 3 things that didn’t have meat in them, but because I suspended my pescetarianism for the trip, I had no complaints. Everything tasted amazing & I had about two servings.

Isabella was hired to sing at the party, but Eric joined in to play the guitar while she sang songs.

Andrea & Josh surprised her dad with a thank you present.

They got him a very nice watch.

Daddy Christian lifts baby Caliah into the air & she couldn’t be happier.

Saturday: The Wedding

The beautiful wedding between Andrea & Josh took place at Hacienda Marquez.

The scenery was beautiful.

There were ominous clouds looming over, so we were expecting some heavy rain.

They had a board for guests to sign rather than a guest book.

Eric & Christian pose on a tiny stone bench before the rain starts.

Look at these besties lookin’ flyyyyy!

We look like we’re going stag to a wedding, but our boyfriends are in the wedding.

Hacienda Marquez is a gorgeous locale, have I mentioned this yet?

Josh cheesin’ before his big moment!

Steven wanted a picture next to “this cool tree.”

Siblings!

Josh’s dad & sister pose with Josh before his big moment.

When Andrea & Josh visited Boston, Andrea had concerns over the floral arrangements because she couldn’t physically be in Colombia to see what they’d look like. Looks like they turned out exactly how she wanted them: elegant!

About to say their vows.

Intimate moment between the newlyweds.

About 40 minutes after their first kiss as newlyweds, they were off!

So, they had 3 different ceviches & I got a mixture of all 3 of them about 7 times.

All 3 ceviches in one cup with some plantain chips. Heavenly.

The beautiful reception.

Your reception heavily depends on a beautiful centerpiece & theirs did not disappoint.

Everything was laid out so nicely.

Can’t get over how simple, yet beautiful this centerpiece was.

Josh is a sweets guy, so it’s no wonder the cake is none other than a delicious chocolate one with whipped cream frosting.

This wedding ornament was customized to include both their pets: a cat named Butters & a dog named Blondie.

Finally, I get my boyfriend back so now we can take couples pics!

The brothers pose.

After the newlyweds took some pictures elsewhere, it was time to walk into the reception. But first, Josh had to clean up Andrea’s train.

The newlyweds.

Such a beautiful couple.

Pretty floral bouquet.

Andrea looks like royalty.

Caught a photo of Andrea’s older brother Danny & his girlfriend Ashley during a candid moment when the sun hit them in a really pretty way.

Guys having fun. So much Florida all up in this.

Caliah is completely fascinated by seeing herself appear on a screen on the back of a tiny camera.

A normal moment of laughter between the guys.

It’s Josh’s wedding, he can Reservoir Dogs if he wants to.

We actually went outside so we could take more couples pictures, but then the guys…just took over the shoot.

Ashley & Danny pose for the camera!

FOOD IS HERE. This was some of the best wedding food of my life. None of that Chinese Seafood dinner boring stuff, I’m talking delicious after delicious. These martini glasses came out with two pieces of jumbo shrimp with an edible rice stick. Waiters came by & filled the glass with a deliciously creamy shrimp bisque. They accidentally served an extra, so I ate that too because I’m fat.

Palate cleanser was delicious. Lulo is a delicious Colombian fruit.

You know how most weddings have you choose between salmon or steak? No choosing here, you get both.

Salad was not so bad, but I wasn’t crazy about it. I did love the little balls of potatoes though.

Salmon was cooked to perfection & the steak had a delicious mushroom gravy to complement the grass-fed meat.

Cheesin’ for the camera.

Jaamal is having a blast, but it looks like Caliah is having a face palm.

Andrea & Josh are geniuses. They had a dessert buffet table with many tiny different dessert options + an amazing chocolate cake. This wedding made my stomach so happy, you guys.

These newlyweds actually got to eat their delicious wedding food. Besides the ceviche, they missed out on the ceviche.

Toddlers are pretty much drunk adults, so seeing Caliah dance was really adorable & funny. They have limited mobility with their limbs so the best way to dance = bouncing up & down!

Andrea & her father have their FDD.

Andrea & Josh have their first dance.

Because no wedding beyond 2010 is complete without a Photo Booth!

Had to get a photo with the newlyweds!

Christian & Vanisia, the beautiful parents of the adorable Caliah with the newlyweds.

Josh cradles Caliah while she takes a little nap after all that dancing.

What seemed like a Catholic ceremony ended with a little Hora.

Most of Josh’s groomsmen were Jewish so, the Hora was a must.

New Recipe & Pictures

• Shrimp Wontons with Coconut Tom Yum Sauce
• Welcome to Bogotá
• Bogotá
• Andrea & Josh’s Wedding

More photos from Bogotá & Gaby’s & my Boston food adventures next time.