The storage life of banh chung depends on the temperature. At room temperature, it can be stored for 3-5 days, but this time may decrease in hot and humid weather.
If vacuum-sealed, banh chung can be preserved for 5-10 days under normal conditions. Alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator, which can extend its shelf life to 15-20 days.
However, it is not recommended to keep banh chung in the refrigerator as it can become hard and lose its texture. This phenomenon is known as rice hardening.
If you fail to consume all of the banh chung, you can store it in the freezer. When thawing, it is best to do it slowly in the refrigerator before steaming or boiling it to restore its softness.
In January, the weather tends to be hot and humid, which provides a favorable environment for bacteria and mold growth. Banh chung, being a high-moisture food with meat and fat, is particularly susceptible to spoilage.
Consuming spoiled or moldy banh chung can lead to stomach ache, diarrhea, or food poisoning, which can be harmful to your health.
Here are some tips for storing banh chung:
If any part of the banh chung has white mold or has fermented with a sour smell, it means that the packaging has been damaged, allowing mold to grow. In this case, you should discard the affected portion. The remaining part that is not spoiled should still retain its normal delicious taste.
Due to the hot and humid weather in Vietnam, especially during the Lunar New Year, it is recommended to adjust the refrigerator temperature to around 5-10 degrees Celsius if you intend to store banh chung in it. If storing in the freezer, the temperature should be below 3 degrees Celsius.
Here are some delicious dishes made from banh chung:
Banh chung fried without oil:
Frying banh chung without oil is incredibly easy. First, cut the banh chung into small pieces for convenience. Then, pour some water into a pan and bring it to a boil. Place the banh chung in the boiling water and use a spatula to crush it. Finally, continue frying until the excess water evaporates and both sides of the banh chung turn golden. Then, remove it from the pan and enjoy!
Banh chung fried with black pepper sauce:
The main ingredients needed for this dish are black pepper sauce, banh chung, spring onions, shallots, garlic, chili, ginger, and seasoning such as chili sauce, fish sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, and cooking oil.
First, cut the banh chung into bite-sized pieces and fry them until golden. Then, prepare the black pepper sauce by washing the ingredients and grinding them. Next, stir-fry the ground ingredients with the black pepper sauce until the mixture thickens. Adjust the taste and turn off the heat.
Finally, serve the fried banh chung on a plate and enjoy it with the black pepper sauce!
Banh chung fried (bánh tét) with sweet and sour sauce:
Ingredients for banh chung fried (bánh tét) with sweet and sour sauce:
1 piece of banh chung or banh tet
100g of dried shrimp
1 teaspoon of chopped shallots
1 teaspoon of chopped garlic
2 tablespoons of tamarind paste
Seasonings: chili sauce, fish sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, and cooking oil
Instructions for cooking banh chung fried (bánh tét) with sweet and sour sauce:
Step 1
Mash and stir-fry the dried shrimp
First, wash the dried shrimp and let them drain. Then, mash them into a paste.
Next, stir-fry the shallots and garlic until slightly golden. Add the mashed dried shrimp and stir-fry for about 1 minute.
Step 2
Make the sweet and sour sauce
To make the sweet and sour sauce, add the following ingredients to the stir-fried shrimp: 1 teaspoon of chopped chili, 4 teaspoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste, 3 tablespoons of chili sauce, and 1 teaspoon each of seasoning powder and fish sauce.
Simmer the mixture over low heat until the sauce thickens. Adjust the seasoning to taste and turn off the heat.
Step 3
Cut and fry the banh chung
Start by removing the banana leaf wrappings from the banh chung and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Next, heat a pan and add about 2 teaspoons of cooking oil. Wait for the oil to heat up, then add the banh chung pieces and fry one side over low heat for about 5 minutes, until golden. Flip the banh chung and fry the other side until golden and crispy. Once the banh chung is golden and crispy, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
Lastly, arrange the fried banh chung on a serving plate and drizzle the sweet and sour sauce over it. Now, it’s ready to be enjoyed!
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