Banana Blossom Salad, or Nộm Hoa Chuối in Vietnamese, is a refreshing and light dish that's widely loved in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s not only delicious but also packed with nutrients from the banana blossom and other ingredients. Today, we’ll walk through the detailed steps to prepare a tasty Banana Blossom Salad that will make a great addition to any family meal!
Ingredients for Banana Blossom Salad
- Banana Blossom: 1 blossom
- Pork Belly: 200g
- Shrimp: 150g
- Bean Sprouts: 100g
- Herbs: Cilantro, basil, and perilla leaves
- Roasted Peanuts: 50g
- Lime: 2 limes
- Fresh Chili: 1-2 chilies
- Garlic: 1 bulb
- Seasonings: Sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, salt
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Banana Blossom Salad
1. Preparing the Banana Blossom
- Banana Blossom: Slice the banana blossom thinly and immediately soak it in water mixed with a little vinegar or lime juice to prevent browning. Let it soak for about 15-20 minutes, then rinse and drain thoroughly.
2. Preparing Other Ingredients
- Pork Belly: Wash and boil the pork belly until cooked, then slice it into thin, bite-sized pieces.
- Shrimp: Clean the shrimp, peel, and devein. Steam or boil until fully cooked, then slice them in half lengthwise.
- Bean Sprouts: Rinse the bean sprouts and let them drain.
- Herbs: Wash the herbs (cilantro, basil, perilla leaves) and chop them finely.
- Roasted Peanuts: Gently crush the roasted peanuts, but leave them in fairly large pieces for a crunchy texture.
3. Making the Dressing
- Prepare the dressing by mixing 3 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of chopped chili. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. Adjust the sweetness, sourness, and spiciness according to your taste.
4. Mixing the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the banana blossom, pork belly, shrimp, bean sprouts, and herbs. Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad, and gently toss to ensure all the ingredients are well coated.
- Let the salad sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
5. Serving the Salad
- Transfer the salad to a serving plate and sprinkle the crushed peanuts on top for an extra crunch. You can garnish with extra herbs and chili slices for a more colorful presentation. This Banana Blossom Salad can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as part of a main meal.
Tips for Making the Perfect Banana Blossom Salad
- Always soak the banana blossom in water mixed with vinegar or lime juice right after slicing to keep it from turning brown.
- Choose a young, tender banana blossom for the best texture—crunchy and not too fibrous.
- For added variety, you can include fried tofu or thinly sliced boiled pig ear to the salad for extra flavor and texture.
Conclusion
Banana Blossom Salad is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for hot days or when you want to switch things up for your family’s meals. Follow this detailed recipe and enjoy the crisp, fresh taste of natural ingredients in this classic Vietnamese salad!
Tags:
#BananaBlossomSalad #VietnameseCuisine #FreshSalad #HealthyEating #NomHoaChuoi #VietnameseSalads #ShrimpPorkSalad
0 Comments