Gỏi Rau Muống Trộn Bò Tái Chanh (Ong Choy Salad with Beef Tartare)

Ingredients:-1 1/2lb rau muống-1/2 large onion-1 tbs sugar-1 tbs vinegar-rau răm-1lb tender beef-2 tsp fish sauce-juice from 2 limes + sugar-fried shallots What to Do: Pick leaves off ong choy and cut stems into approx. 3 inch long pieces. Wash, drain and shred into thin strips (use a sharp knife or special tool for shredding this veggie…which you by at most Vietnamese grocery stores). Slice onion into thin slice and marinate in sugar and vinegar...

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Chè Bắp (Corn and Rice Pudding with Coconut Milk)

Ingredients:-200g sweet rice (aka glutinous rice)-5 large ears of corn-water-1/2 tsp salt-200g sugar-1 can coconut milk/cream-3/4 tsp tapioca starch-4 fresh pandan leaves (optional) What to Do:In a large pot of water boil corn with pandan leaves and salt. Once corn is cooked remove and cool, retain water to make the pudding. Meanwhile, wash and soak rice in water. Once corn has cooled enough to handle, use a knife to remove the kernels. In a...

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Canh Khoai Mở (Fat Potato Soup)

Literally translated this root vegetable means Fat Potato or Fat Yam. There are 2 types, white and purple. Most stores here call it Chinese yam. The flesh is translucent white (or purple) in color and is very soft and slimy. To make the soup the “yam” must first be peeled. Afterwards, a spoon is used to scrape the flesh into a smooth paste. Sound like a lot of work? It’s actually not… the flesh is very soft and easy to scrape… only takes...

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Hủ Tiếu Xào Bò (Xào Khô) (Beef Chow Fun-Dry Version)

Ingredients: -1/2lb beef -1/2lb fresh rice noodles (aka rice ribbon) -approx. 1 ½ cups bean sprouts -3 tbs dark soy sauce -oyster sauce, salt, sugar, pepper -3 tbs oil -3 cloves garlic -4 green onions -2 tbs cooking wine (optional, to flambé) What to Do: Slice beef into thin slices and mix with 1 tsp oyster sauce, pinch of sugar and pepper. Unravel noodles and toss with 1 tbs oil. Wash and cut onions into 2 inch long pieces. Crush and mince garlic....

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Củ Cải Mặn Xào Thịt Ba Rội (Preserved Turnips with Pork)

Ingredients: -1/2 lb unsalted bacon (pork belly)-approx 1 cup preserved turnips-3 cloves garlic-sugar and salt to taste-1/2 tsp oil What to Do: Soak turnips in water for about 15 mins, wash and drain. Meanwhile, slice pork into thin pieces and mince garlic. Fry garlic in oil until fragrant, add pork and mix well before adding turnips. Stir-fry over high heat until pork is cooked; add sugar to taste and salt if needed. Note: Preserve turnips...

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Đậu Hủ Xào Tứ Xuyên (Schezuan Style Stir-fried Tofu)

Ingredients:-1 piece tofu -1 Chinese sausage-1/4 ground pork-3 cloves garlic-1 tsp Schezuan peppercorns-dried chilies (optional)-1/2 tsp each: oyster sauce, sesame oil-salt, sugar, and pepper to taste What to Do: Coarsely mince sausage. Cut tofu into small bite size cubes. Mince garlic and set a side. Add sausages into a hot pan and fry until fragrant and releases some oil. Remove sausages from pan and add Schezuan peppercorns. Fry the peppercorns...

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Canh Rông Biển (Seaweed Soup)

Ingredients:-1/4lb ground pork-1 ½ pieces seaweed (kind used for making soup)-6 cups water-salt and sugar to taste-1/2 tsp oil What to Do: In a pot stir fry pork in oil until fragrant, add water and bring to a boil. Skim surface and move the pot off the stove. “Grill” the seaweed sheets on the stove until fragrant and crackles. Bring the soup pot back onto the stove and add the seaweed. Wait until the soup comes back to a boil before serving,...

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Sương Sa Lá Dứa Nước Dừa (Pandan and Coconut Jelly)

Recipe: http://pwmf.blogspot.com/2005/10/sng-sa-cn-bn-basic-agar-agar-jelly.htmlTo make the lotus design:-Cut Jelly into thin strips after it sets.-Cut the strips at an angle to get diamond shaped pieces.-Arrange the diamond cut jelly to make a flow...

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Đậu Hủ Chưng Tôm (Steamed Tofu with Prawns and Soy Sauce)

Ingredients: -1 piece soft tofu (approx. 1lb) -12 prawns -1 green onion -a few sprigs of cilantro -1 tbs oil -3 tbs soy sauce -2 tbs water -1 ½ tbs sugar What to Do: Peel, devein, and crush prawns. Cut tofu into 12 pieces and arrange on a heat safe dish. Place a prawn on each piece of tofu and lightly press into place. Steam on high heat for 5-8 mins. While tofu is steaming, wash and shred onion into thing strips, cut cilantro into short...

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Khổ Qua Ngâm Nước Mắm (Bittermelon Pickled in Fish Sauce)

Ingredients: -2 large bittermelons (approx. 1 ½lbs)-1 recipe basic fish sauce What to Do: Wash bittermelons and cut in half lengthwise. Remove seeds and slice pitted melons at an angle into thin slices. Soak bittermelon slices in fish sauce for at least 24 hours before serving. ...

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Canh Hẹ Nấu Đậu Hủ Non (Tofu and Chive Soup)

Ingredients: -1/4lb ground pork-1/2 tsp each: pepper, fish sauce-1 green onion-pinch of sugar-salt to taste-1 piece soft tofu (approx. 1lb)-1 bunch Chinese chives (approx. ½-1lb)-6 cups water What to Do: Mix pork with pepper, fish sauce, sliced onion, and sugar. Wash chives and cut into short pieces. Cut tofu into bite size pieces. Boil water and add pork ½ tsp at a time (to make meatballs), add tofu and bring soup back to a boil. Skim surface,...

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Bánh Thuẩn (Steamed Cup Cakes)

Ingredients:-2 whole eggs + 1 yolk-200g flour-100g wheat starch-1/2 tsp baking soda-200g (ml) club soda-250g sugarWhat to Do: Beat egg whites until stiff; add in yolks one at a time. Add sugar and baking soda and beat until thick and creamy (about 10-15mins). Add flour and club soda and mix to make a smooth batter. Steam on high for about 10 -15 mins.Note:This recipe is a modified version of hugbear’s recipe posted in Nurkochen. The recipe is modified...

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Chè Sen Trần (Lotus Seed Tong Sui)

The goal when making this dessert is to end up with tender melt in you mouth lotus seeds that can still hold their shape…until it goes in one’s mouth...of course :p. The mali or pomelo flavor should enhance the flavor of the lotus not compete with it. The syrup should be slightly sweet and the sweetness should be infused in the lotus seeds. Ingredients: -300g dried lotus seeds-1 ½ tsp lye water or 3 tbs baking soda-water-rock sugar-1/2 -1...

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