Month: July 2020

Thịt ba chỉ (bacon or pork chop) bite size.
Marinate and do a quick stir-fry with some cooking oil – depending on how much fat you already have in the meat.)
I do it straight in my pressure cooker, minced garlic optional.

Add the sliced eggplant (whatever size you like, long or round) and pre deep-fried tofu.
Sprinkle in some salt. Add some turmeric powder.
Add oyster sauce if you like.
Cook it to the tenderness of your choice.
Add as much tía tô as you like, maybe 5 minutes before serving.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiso

Toward the end, taste it, and add more oyster sauce if needed.
I usually add a little shrimp paste (which can make a big difference in the taste.)
Add more turmeric powder if needed.
You would need to make the dish a few times before you know how much of each type of seasoning and herbs to use.
Some people like it with tomato and betel leaves. (And without meat).

I only use about a third of the water, and don’t find the need to blanch the eggplant since the cooker can do the job with less water.

Like so:
https://youtu.be/9ucCLEw_phU

My latest venture is a type of small chicken.
It’s small like a cornish hen and it takes a while to cook if using a regular pot.
It’s not all soft like the regular chicken you buy at the supermarket.
It’s firm but tender at the same time.
It’s called stewing chicken or stewing hen.
Thịt nó chắc tương đương gà tre của VN mình á.

http://wholenaturallife.com/how-to-cook-stewing-hens/

All you need is lemon grass and dried chili pepper (the dried chili pepper can be found at the dollar store or 99 cent store).
Smash one or two stalks of lemongrass and throw them into the slow cooker (I use the leaves also).
Add a little salt with some water (however much up to you).
I like to eat the hen with vermicelli so I use more water – just like when I cook “bún thang”.
When the meat is tender to your liking, adjust the seasoning.
I add some chicken powder and fish sauce.

The hen is small; it will fit into the pot and you don’t even need to season it beforehand.
If you like mushrooms, use nấm hương (Shiitake mushroom) or nấm mèo (wood ear mushroom).
Bamboo shoots will do, too.
As do carrots, celery… just try whatever you like.