Home Food & Receipts The Mighty Banana Blossom: From Pig Feed to Asia’s Top Delicacy –...

Food & Receipts

The Mighty Banana Blossom: From Pig Feed to Asia’s Top Delicacy – Unveiling Two Simple Recipes

12 November, 2024

Vietnam proudly boasts three signature dishes in the top 86 mixed dishes recognized by Taste Atlas in August. Besides pho tron (mixed pho) and goi bo (beef salad), nom, a harmonious blend of fresh vegetables such as banana flowers, cucumbers, papaya, green mangoes, chilies, and roasted peanuts, secured the 20th spot.

Some variations of this dish also include shredded boiled chicken or beef jerky for an enhanced flavor profile. Nom is typically dressed with a sweet and sour fish sauce and often accompanied by shrimp crackers on the side.

Banana flowers, once undervalued and fed only to livestock, have now become a culinary “specialty” in Vietnam, especially in hot pots and salads. According to traditional medicine practitioner Bui Hong Minh, Vice President of Ba Dinh Oriental Medicine Association, banana flowers are known for their sweet taste and cold nature in traditional medicine, offering remedies for issues like abdominal distension and menstrual disorders.

In addition to these benefits, banana flowers are rich in dietary fiber, calcium, vitamins, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. Incorporating banana flowers into your daily meals not only boosts your health but also promotes skin beauty and anti-aging. Particularly, antioxidants such as quercetin and catechin found in banana flowers help improve glucose absorption, thereby reducing blood sugar levels and better managing blood glucose control.

Banana flowers are rich in calcium, vitamins, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium.

Pork Ear and Banana Flower Salad

Ingredients:

– 1 banana flower

– 1 pork ear

– 1 carrot

– Fresh herbs such as basil, coriander, etc.

– 100g roasted peanuts

– Lime or kumquat

– 1 clove garlic, ginger root

– 2-3 chilies

– Fish sauce, sugar, chili sauce, salt, cooking oil

Instructions:

– Prepare the banana flower: First, soak the banana flower slices in diluted salted water with a splash of lime juice for about 15 minutes to retain color and reduce bitterness. Then, drain and set aside.

– Handle the pork ear: After preliminary processing, boil the pork ear in salted water with a bit of crushed ginger and a quarter of a lime. Once cooked, immediately soak the ear in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain and slice thinly.

– Prepare the garlic: Finely chop the garlic and divide it into two portions for later steps.

– Make the dressing: Sauté half of the chopped garlic. Then, add 2 spoons of fish sauce and 1 spoon of sugar to the pan. Simmer over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly. For an extra kick, add a dash of chili sauce and turn off the heat. Once cooled, squeeze in some lime juice and stir to combine.

– Toss the salad: In a large bowl, dress the banana flowers with the prepared dressing. Add shredded carrots for a pop of color and extra crunch. Then, toss in half of the chopped garlic and the sliced pork ear. Let the flavors meld for about 5 minutes before draining off the excess liquid.

– Finish the dish: Finally, sprinkle in the fried shallots, roasted peanuts, chopped herbs, and chilies. Your delicious and appetizing pork ear and banana flower salad is now ready to be served!

This unique salad not only delights your taste buds but also delivers a nutritious punch with its fresh and wholesome ingredients. It will surely add a special touch to your meals and make them more enjoyable!

Banana Flower and Clam Salad

Ingredients:

– 250g fresh clam meat

– 1 banana flower

– 1/2 orange

– Fresh herbs such as basil, coriander, and parsley

– Seasonings: fish sauce, pepper, sugar

Instructions:

– Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, fish sauce, pepper, and sugar until well combined.

– Prepare the ingredients: Thinly slice the banana flower and soak it in salted water to maintain its freshness and color. Rinse the clam meat thoroughly to remove any impurities.

– Toss the salad: In a large bowl, add the fresh herbs and pour the dressing over them. Toss well to ensure the herbs absorb the flavors.

– Add the clams: Finally, gently fold in the clam meat. Let the flavors meld for 5-10 minutes before serving.

This refreshing and tasty banana flower and clam salad is an excellent choice for family dinners or parties. The combination of fresh clam meat, crunchy banana flowers, and fragrant herbs will surely delight your palate and offer a unique culinary experience!