Introduction: A Taste of Vietnamese Cuisine
If you’re a fan of Vietnamese cuisine or just a foodie who loves exploring new recipes, you have probably come across the delightful dish known as Bánh Cuốn. This post will guide you through a traditional banh cuon recipe, step by step, so you can bring the authentic taste of Vietnam to your kitchen.
Understanding Banh Cuon: Vietnamese Rice Rolls
Banh Cuon, directly translating to “rolled cake,” is a popular breakfast dish in Vietnam. They are essentially thin sheets of steamed rice batter filled with a savory mix of ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and seasoning, typically served with a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots, fresh herbs, and nuoc mam cham (a tangy fish sauce).
Where to Find the Ingredients
Most ingredients for this banh cuon recipe can be found at local supermarkets or Asian grocery stores. You’ll be looking for main players like rice flour, ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and Vietnamese ham (chả lụa). For the freshest herbs, consider sourcing Thai basil and spring onions from a farmers’ market.
Preparing the Batter
The secret to the perfect banh cuon lies in the rice batter. It’s a mix of rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, and water, whisked together in a large bowl. The batter should rest at room temperature to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency. Remember, the size of your pan will determine the thickness of your rice sheet, so choose wisely!
Perfecting the Pork Filling
Over medium heat, sauté ground pork in a frying pan with vegetable oil, adding finely chopped wood ear and shiitake mushrooms. Season with black pepper, oyster sauce, and fish sauce. Cook until the pork filling is well browned and fragrant.
Mastering the Rice Sheet
To make the rice sheets, heat a nonstick pan over medium high heat. Pour a thin layer of the batter into the pan, swirling to cover the entire surface. Cover and let the batter cook until the edges start to peel away. Be patient, as rushing can tear the delicate rice sheet.
Rolling the Banh Cuon
Once your rice sheet is ready, lay it flat on a cutting board or work surface. Place a spoonful of the pork filling in a straight line along one edge. Carefully roll the sheet over the filling, tucking it in as you go. The result is a neatly packed rice roll, ready to be garnished and served.
Finishing Touches
Before serving, garnish your banh cuon with fresh herbs, a drizzle of scallion oil, and a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots. Don’t forget the tangy nuoc mam cham on the side! For a vegetarian option, you can easily replace the pork with tofu or your favorite vegetable.
Where to Enjoy Banh Cuon
While you can find banh cuon in Vietnamese restaurants worldwide, there’s nothing quite like making it at home. But if you’re visiting Vietnam, you’ll want to try this dish in its birthplace – Northern Vietnam. And if you’re in the US, Orange County is known for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Conclusion: Your Turn to Try this Banh Cuon Recipe
There you have it – the authentic banh cuon recipe straight from the heart of Vietnamese cuisine. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t nail it the first time. With a little patience and practice, you’ll soon be rolling up these mouth-watering Vietnamese rice rolls like a pro. Happy cooking!
Authentic Banh Cuon Recipe – A Taste of Vietnam
Banh cuon, a popular dish from Northern Vietnam, is a delicious feast for the palate. The light and delicate rice paper rolls filled with a savory mixture of minced pork and mushrooms are a delight.
Ingredients
Rice Batter
- 1 cup rice flour
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup tapioca starch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup finely chopped wood ear mushrooms
- 1 small finely chopped shallot
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup fish sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chilli, finely chopped
Instructions
- Make the rice batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the rice flour, tapioca starch, and salt. Gradually add the water, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Set it aside to rest for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the filling: Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the ground pork and cook until it's no longer pink. Add the chopped mushrooms, shallots, fish sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes until the flavors are well combined. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, sugar, water, and vinegar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the minced garlic and chopped chilli. Mix well and set aside.
- Cook the rice paper: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Stir the batter, then ladle a thin layer into the pan. Tilt the pan to evenly distribute the batter. Cover and cook for about 1 minute until the edges start to curl.
- Assemble the banh cuon: Carefully peel the rice paper from the pan and place it on a flat surface. Add a spoonful of the filling in the center, then fold in the sides and roll up into a cylinder. Repeat with the remaining batter and filling.
- Serve the banh cuon with the dipping sauce on the side. For added flavor, you can garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro and mint, and also fried shallots.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, you can replace the ground pork with tofu or your preferred vegetables. You can also use soy sauce instead of fish sauce for a vegan-friendly recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 1200mgCarbohydrates: 50gNet Carbohydrates: 48gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 15g