goals

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culture

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food

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travel

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courage

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persistence

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endurance

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hard work

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effort

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goals ⋆ culture ⋆ food ⋆ travel ⋆ courage ⋆ persistence ⋆ endurance ⋆ hard work ⋆ effort ⋆

Ben and Buck Tu

Determination

Ben is from Laos, BuckTu the water buffalo was his pet since he was born, Buck Tu helped him work in the rice fields and Ben would ride on him all the time. 

As a child he enjoyed playing outside with his family, especially swimming in the creeks and rivers. As a young man, life wasn’t easy as he escaped his home land and lived in refugee camps.  When he came to America he had to learn English and worked hard to do well in school.  In college he met his wife and they had 3 children.  Before having children Ben had learned to play the piano very well. With his love for playing the piano, he encouraged his children to play. Ben loved to watch his children learn to play as well as they did.  It gave them the opportunity to serve others and bring joy in their lives. 

As an adult, he enjoys golf and other sports.  He also became a successful business owner. First with lawn care and then finally as a land owner and builder.  He gives credit to God and hard work.

Purchase Book

Favorite Recipe - Mango Sweet Sticky Rice

A classic Southeast Asian dessert! Soft, sweet sticky rice smothered with creamy sweet coconut sauce, then paired with sweet, juicy fresh mangos.

PREP Time: 10 mins
COOK Time: 25 mins
TOTAL time: 35 mins

  • ·      1 Steamer

  • ·      2-3 fresh mangoes

    ·      1 cup glutinous/sweet rice

    ·      1 cup coconut milk

    ·      1 tbsp coconut milk

    ·      1/4 cup sugar

    ·      1/4 tsp salt

    ·      1/2 tsp corn starch

  • 1.    Soak glutinous/sweet rice for 2 hours, or up to overnight. Drain water when ready.

    2.    Using a steamer, steam sticky rice for 20-30 minutes. Check on the 20 minute mark. If rice is soft and not hard in the middle, it is done.

    3.    While waiting for rice to cook, slice mangoes.

    4.    Prepare the sweet coconut sauce by bringing 1 cup of coconut milk, sugar and salt to boil. Once it reaches a boil, bring 1/2 of the sauce into a small bowl and set aside.

    5.    Combine 1 tbsp of coconut milk and corn starch, then add that into the pot to thicken the sweet coconut sauce. Boil for a few minutes until sauce is thickened.

    6.    When rice is done, add the non-thickened sweet coconut sauce (the sauce set aside on Step 7) to rice and mix well. Set aside and let it cool for 15-20 minutes.

    7.    Once cool, place rice onto serving plate(s), pair with mangoes, and drizzle the thickened sweet coconut sauce onto rice.

    8.    Serve and enjoy!

  • Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 344mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 3mg