5.29.2010

A taste of Vietnam

The lovely and brilliant Joanne of Eats Well with Others is hosting a fun new monthly foodie challenge blog called Regional Recipes. This month's challenge is Vietnam. I've never tried cooking Vietnamese food so I was really excited to give this challenge a shot.

IMG_9637

I took a trip to the library and found Authentic Vietnamese Cooking Food from a Family Table. So many great recipes to choose from!!

IMG_9636

I finally settled on Com Ga Ginger and Garlic Rice with Chicken with Nuoc Mam Gung Ginger Dipping Sauce and a side of Mang Tay Xao Stir-Fried Asparagus.

IMG_9639

The dipping sauce had fantastic flavor and was perfect for dipping the chicken.

IMG_9642

The entire meal was delightful but I have to say, the asparagus was especially delicious. I picked it up today at farmer's market so it couldn't have been more fresh and scrumptious!

Com Ga
adapted from Authentic Vietnamese Cooking

2 cups of long grain rice, such as jasmine
2 tbsp canola oil
2 large cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh ginger
3 cups chicken stock
1 bunch fresh cilantro, tough stems removed (I used about 1 cup of leaves)

8 boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
1 tbsp canola oil
1 clove chopped garlic
1 cup chicken stock

Place the rice in a bowl with a few cups of water. Gently swirl your fingers in the bowl to allow the starch to separate from the grains. Repeat this process 3 times until water is fairly clear. Drain thoroughly. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger and stir fry until golden. Add the rice and stir until lightly golden, 3-5 minutes. Stir in 3 cups of stock. Scatter the cilantro across the top. Cover and cook until rice has absorbed all of the liquid, about 25 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to rest, covered for 5-10 minutes. Fluff with fork.

While the rice is cooking, prepare the chicken. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Add the chicken. Brown chicken on each side. Add cup of stock, cover and simmer for about 5-7 minutes until done.

Print Recipe

Serve with Nuoc Mam Gung
adapted

1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp sugar
juice of 1 lime
3 oz ground ginger
1 minced scallion (I forgot this)
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/2 cup canola oil

Combine all ingredients. Whisk well. Allow to stand for 30 prior to serving.

Last, but certainly not least.

Mang Tay Xao
adapted

1 1/2 tbsp canola oil
1 large clove of minced garlic
1 bunch fresh asparagus, sliced diagonally into 1 inch slices
1 tbsp fish sauce
freshly ground black pepper

Heat oil in a wok over high heat and stir-fry the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus. Season with fish sauce and pepper. Stir-fry until tender crisp, about 5 minutes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and will definitely make it again...soon!

I am submitting this to Joanne for Regional Recipes -Vietnam.

Share/Bookmark

30 comments:

Sook said...

Oh I love Vietnamese food! They are usually very healthy and delicious! This dish looks fabulous.

Jhonny walker said...

This is super duper fantastic...bookmarked!

Olive said...

looks delicious Kim! I've never made Vietnamese food before, I'll save this recipe :)

Joanne said...

Thank you so much for joining in! I love the sound of that ginger chicken...I've been on a ginger kick lately. Using raw ginger makes all the difference in a recipe like this. I'm so glad you had fun and yeah that asparagus looks good!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

It looks like you did a fantastic job!! Great challenge.

chow and chatter said...

wow great job love Joannes blog i need to get in on this

yum

Jeannie said...

I have never cooked Viatnamese food before either. Looks delicious! Especially ove the asparagus. Rice? I'll pass on that, somehow I am not so into rice, I don't know why.

Claudia said...

Yes, all does look grand - and that asparagus is calling my name. Libraries are a source of great cookbooks, aren't they? I love how fresh and sparkling everything is.

TKW said...

Vietnamese food is my absolute favorite! Now that you've jumped in, I hope you try noodle bowls or summer rolls! Delicious!

Christo Gonzales said...

you can cook for me any time - should we schedule something?

Allyson said...

I'll have to give this a go. I have to admit, I've been really intimidated by anything exotic...Thai, Ethiopian, Vietnamese...even though the commissary here on base has a great international aisle. But you make it look pretty easy and oh so yummy! I LOVE dipping sauces. I think every meal should include them.

Also, because we just moved on base and I have access to all of these international goodies, I'm doing a new feature called "Try a New Food Tuesday" where I will go to the commissary and buy something I've never heard of, eat it, and blog about it. I plan on searching your site to see if you have any good recipes with the item. But fear not, I shall give you complete credit for anything I borrow! I want to spread The Ungourmet love!! Happy Memorial Day weekend, Kim!!

Pam said...

This sounds and looks delicious! I love the great combo of flavors, especially all that ginger! Yum!

Cathy said...

Your Vietnamese dinner looks so delicious Kim. I especially like the dipping sauce with the chicken and asparagus. There are great flavors going on here.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Kim, you really out did yourself here. Your meal looks gorgeous, sounds delicious and is relatively easy to do. It will be a wonderful addition to the round-up. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Angie's Recipes said...

I want to try this one! Looks so irresistible! And the presentation is perfect.

Fresh Local and Best said...

Isn't fresh asparagus great?! I love the natural sweetness and crisp texture of these tender stalks. Vietnamese cuisine is my favorite. The distinct combination of cilantro, lime and fish sauce jazzes up any meal.

Faith said...

I meant to participate in this cooking challenge, but the month just slipped away from me so quickly! This dish sounds incredible, Kim!

teresa said...

it's all so pretty! i have never had anything vietnamese, excellent job!

tasteofbeirut said...

Kim
This is indeed a delicious and fairly speedy dish; love Vietnamese food too but have never tried it; I will start with this!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

This really is an appealing combination of flavours Kim. I am not that familiar with Vietnamese but am alwyas willing to try any and all Asian foods.

koralee said...

Oh this looks amazing! Thank you once again for another yummy dish. Hugs for a great new week. xoxo

♥peachkins♥ said...

It looks fantastic..with Vietnamese food, I love Pho and Pomelo salad best!

The Peach Kitchen
blowing peachkisses
peach and things

pigpigscorner said...

Love Vietnamese food, great flavours!

Katie@Cozydelicious said...

What a fantastic meal! Yum! Those asparagus look so tasty. I've never made anything like that sauce - I'm going to have to try it. Thanks!

jacqueline said...

Dearest Kim, vietnamese food are yummie! I love their noodles with lots of greens! Your vietnamese dish turns out perfect!! Sooo yummie! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

Julie said...

Sounds just scrumptious!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Asian food is one genre I've never attempted. It scares me...which is a shame, because I love it. It looks like your meal was very successful!

Reeni said...

Ginger and garlic is such a delicious combination! Who knew Vietnamese food could be so good? This looks fantastic!

sweetlife said...

the ginger chicken looks amzing, love the pics

sweetlife

Marisa said...

You went all out! And I must agree with you - that asparagus looks especially delicious.

Related Posts with Thumbnails