Rau diếp thơm, a vegetable belonging to the Lettuce family, is one of the popular short-term vegetables in Vietnam. The herbaceous plant of rau diếp thơm has a cylindrical stem with branching at the top.
The leaves grow alternately from the stem with soft stems, long and wide leaf blades that do not curl. In addition, the leaves of rau diếp thơm have a thin texture and are divided into gentle serrated edges on both sides of the leaf. Towards the tip of the leaf, they become narrower as it goes higher.
Nutritional content in rau diếp thơm
Rau diếp thơm has a diverse and beneficial nutritional content. According to nutrition experts, rau diếp thơm is very beneficial for the development of children, the elderly, and women in the pre-menopausal stage.
Rau diếp thơm contains a high amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, along with important nutrients such as calcium, iron, and protein. It is a suitable vegetable for raw consumption.
Thanks to these nutritional properties, rau diếp thơm is often used in delicious dishes such as salads, regular raw vegetables, or sandwiches. Additionally, this vegetable is also suitable for making soups, hot pot, and many other dishes.
Health benefits of rau diếp thơm
Rau diếp thơm is a vegetable belonging to the Lettuce family, which can be commonly grown in Vietnam. This short-term vegetable has a cylindrical stem with branching at the top. The leaves grow alternately from the stem, with soft stems, long and wide leaf blades that do not curl. In addition, the leaves have a thin texture and gentle serrated edges on both sides. Towards the tip of the leaf, they become narrower. Rau diếp thơm has significant nutritional benefits and is suitable for various groups, such as children in their development stage, the elderly, and pre-menopausal women.
Rau diếp thơm not only helps to cool down and reduce heat, but it also has a low caloric content, making it suitable for weight loss. This vegetable also contains a high amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and nutrients such as calcium, iron, and protein. Moreover, rau diếp thơm is often processed into delicious dishes such as salads, raw vegetables, sandwiches, soups, hot pot, etc. In addition, the zeaxanthin in vegetables helps to improve vision and prevent cataracts. Rau diếp thơm also supports skin and eye health thanks to its high content of vitamin A and beta-carotene.
For pregnant women, rau diếp thơm provides folate and vitamin C, which support the health of the fetus and the immune system. The nutritional composition of this vegetable also contains vitamin K, which maximizes bone strength and prevents osteoporosis. These benefits make rau diếp thơm a good choice for health and improving the quality of life.
How to Cook Delicious Rau Diếp Canh with Ground Meat
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients for cooking Rau Diếp Canh
Marinate the ground meat with 1 teaspoon of seasoning for 15 minutes. Split the rau diếp into stalks, remove the yellowish leaves. Then wash them and soak in diluted salt water for about 10 – 15 minutes to make them cleaner. Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges. Rinse the spring onions. Use a small slice of the onion to sauté until fragrant.
Step 2: Cook Rau Diếp Canh with Ground MeatHeat up a pan and add a little cooking oil. When the oil is hot, sauté the onion (you can replace it with purple onion). Then add the ground meat, sauté until it absorbs the spices evenly. When the meat is almost cooked, add a little salt and tomatoes. Stir-fry until the tomatoes are soft. Add a little water and bring it to a boil, adjust the taste if necessary.
When the water starts boiling and the tomatoes are soft, add the rau diếp and stir well. Rau diếp cooks quickly, so only wait for the soup to come to a boil and then turn off the heat (you can add some seasoning powder before turning off the heat). Prepare a bowl and pour the soup in to enjoy.
Rau diếp thơm can be eaten raw, and it can also be prepared into various delicious dishes such as stir-frying, steaming, boiling, salads, or served with hot pot or grilled meat.
Step 3: The finished dish of Rau Diếp Canh with Ground Meat