Phở
This is hands down the most frequently requested Viet dish in our house and a regular. Phở is a beef noodle soup and is indisputably the most stereotypical Viet food. It is served with a rice noodles and most commonly with beef in a clear beef broth. There are probably as many phở versions as there are Viet women in kitchens making dinner for their families.
The first time I made this, I asked my family what I could do better next time, and they said: make more! The ingredients are easy to find at the Asian grocery, and it’s easy and fast to make, too. I have never cooked with watercress before. It sounds like one of those things that's really healthy. And now I know it delicious. KInda has a zip to it.
Along with pho, this is the most comon Vietnamese food made in our house. If you're a guest in our home, you'll get put to work rolling them up too. Fresh spring rolls, also called salad rolls, typify Vietnamese cuisine. IMO, what makes these rolls delicious is the simplicity of the ingredients. Fresh herbs and flavors, combining together. A great appetizer or a light lunch. And easy enough to make vegetarian by leaving out the meat and still tasty.
This is a chicken variation of traditional beef pho. It is one of my favorites to have the flavors wafting through the house. Translated it pretty much means chicken noodle soup but of course Vietnamese. And as with all phở, it's largely all about the fresh toppings... basil, mint, hoisin sauce, Sriracha, bean sprouts, lime juice squeezed in! Maybe that's why my kiddos like phở so much, because they get to "assemble" their dinner at the table, and I mean who doesn't like that!
This is a traditional Vietnamese sandwich. Kinda like VietNam’s counterpart to the American hamburger, but it’s French-Vietnamese fusion food, so it’s so much more yummy! The ingredients are easy to find at your local Asian market and everyone loves this one, including my young kiddos.
Lemonade with a ginger kick. Perfect for a hot summer day. One of the Crazy 8 kiddo's favorites! When I have left over ginger from a recipe, this is a go-to drink.
Bò Kho is a traditional Vietnamese beef stew. It’s comfort food. Probably every Viet kitchen has its own version. This version is a combination of the basics. It’s not as thick as an American stew, but more hearty than a soup with beef, carrots, and traditional Viet flavors like bay leaf, ginger, and anise. Sop up the rich broth with a French baguette like the Vietnamese do or serve with rice.
This was one of the first Vietnamese recipes that I attempted, and, so it's not hard. In fact, it's easy. And now it's a regular at our house. I love lemon grass. And aside from the aroma, it makes me feel almost like I really know what I'm doing. As usual, I prefer French crusty bread to sop up all the yummy broth. Papa prefers noodles.
Grilled beef has been marinated in a tasty lemon grass marinade. It is served on rice noodles and topped with a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce. I know I say they all are, but this one really is one of my favorites.
A traditional curry with traditional Viet flavors, including lemongrass and ginger. Easy to make and easy to adjust the amount or spiciness. Accompany with white rice or my favorite a baguette of crusty French bread. Yummmmmm!
A wonderful summer dish (kinda more like a big relish) with lots or julienned green papaya for a base. Shrimp and pork added and a tangy Veit dipping sauce for a dressing. Top it with peanuts and fried shallots and it's just wonderful!
This pork is a popular Chinese and Vietnamese cross over dish! Just like the crazy 9s! It's often seen in Chinese restaurants with red food coloring in the marinade resulting in the pink outer layer around the pork, (You know what I'm talking about, right? The pork bits in the fried rice that have a neon-ish red/pink hue on the outside?) No need to actually add food coloring. It's just as tasty without it.
Doing a little construction. More recipes on the right-hand column. More coming soon!
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