I've been making my wife traditional Vietnamese dinners and here are some photos (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter JohnWH
- Start date
JohnWH
Well-Known Member
I type with a bloated belly full of broth.
'Twas the wife's birthday, and she asked for soup.
What looks like a simple meal was anything but. My first attempt turned out thankfully satisfactory, given the high stakes of the evening to impress. A little wine on the side to smooth over any potential disappointment was a needed foresight.
Phở Gà - Phở is a popular noodle soup dish found at any Vietnamese restaurant 'round town over here. Some places do better than others. Quality and flavor of the broth is key. Normally it is a beef soup (thin sliced brisket or flank steak), but common alternatives include shrimps, beef meatballs, fishballs, or in tonight's version chicken. In making the broth from scratch, this was a half day ordeal. Parboiled chicken legs, roasted and toasted spices (coriander seeds, cinnamon, star anise) in a cheesecloth bag, onion, ginger, simmered for hours. Shredded off the chicken meat after removing and discarding the skin, the bones returned to the soup for a final simmer. Strained of solids, the broth remaining is fairly clear-ish in color and fragrantly inviting. Rice noodles are added with the meats, with various herbs leaves, onions, blanched bean sprouts, limes on the side for personal preference. Spicy chili sauce and sweet hoisin sauce on side for personal taste.
'Twas the wife's birthday, and she asked for soup.
What looks like a simple meal was anything but. My first attempt turned out thankfully satisfactory, given the high stakes of the evening to impress. A little wine on the side to smooth over any potential disappointment was a needed foresight.
Phở Gà - Phở is a popular noodle soup dish found at any Vietnamese restaurant 'round town over here. Some places do better than others. Quality and flavor of the broth is key. Normally it is a beef soup (thin sliced brisket or flank steak), but common alternatives include shrimps, beef meatballs, fishballs, or in tonight's version chicken. In making the broth from scratch, this was a half day ordeal. Parboiled chicken legs, roasted and toasted spices (coriander seeds, cinnamon, star anise) in a cheesecloth bag, onion, ginger, simmered for hours. Shredded off the chicken meat after removing and discarding the skin, the bones returned to the soup for a final simmer. Strained of solids, the broth remaining is fairly clear-ish in color and fragrantly inviting. Rice noodles are added with the meats, with various herbs leaves, onions, blanched bean sprouts, limes on the side for personal preference. Spicy chili sauce and sweet hoisin sauce on side for personal taste.
JohnWH
Well-Known Member
Chúc mừng năm mới!
Happy (Lunar) New Year! Also called Tết Nguyên Đán.
New Year happened midweek, so our usual family party wasn't done here until last night Saturday. We did up Viet flavored chicken legs, pork chops, and a store bought sausage called lạp xưởng which I think is actually Cantonese but popular nevertheless. It featured in the fried rice, as well as plain on its own. Various pickled veggies, greens, white rice available, a cold shrimp salad, fruits, and Western air fryer snacks. Everyone left happy. Kids get money in their envelopes.
Happy (Lunar) New Year! Also called Tết Nguyên Đán.
New Year happened midweek, so our usual family party wasn't done here until last night Saturday. We did up Viet flavored chicken legs, pork chops, and a store bought sausage called lạp xưởng which I think is actually Cantonese but popular nevertheless. It featured in the fried rice, as well as plain on its own. Various pickled veggies, greens, white rice available, a cold shrimp salad, fruits, and Western air fryer snacks. Everyone left happy. Kids get money in their envelopes.