Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Weekend Wind-Down: Indulge in These 3 Mouth-Watering Delights for the Perfect Family Get-Together

The weekend is here, and it's time to indulge! Gather your loved ones and feast on these delectable delights. From mouth-watering treats to refreshing beverages, it's the perfect recipe for a cozy get-together. So, dig in, chat the night away, and savor every moment.

Administrator

1 September, 2024

Steamed Chicken with Luffa

Ingredients:

– 1 delicious free-range chicken.
– 300ml fresh coconut water.
– A handful of fresh shiitake mushrooms and baby portobello mushrooms.
– Several luffa (loofah) gourds.
– Marinade for the chicken: 5 shallots, ½ tsp of peppercorns, 1 tsp of turmeric oil, 1 tbsp of fish sauce, and salt to taste.

Instructions:

– Prepare the chicken: After cleaning the chicken with lemon, salt, and ginger wine, pat it dry.
– Prepare the mushrooms and luffa: Clean the mushrooms and, if desired, split the portobellos to speed up cooking and make them easier to eat. Peel the luffa, wash it, and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
– Make the marinade: Peel and mince the shallots, then mix them with salt, pepper, turmeric oil, and fish sauce.
– Marinate the chicken: Rub the marinade all over the chicken, inside and out. Gently massage the chicken to help it absorb the flavors, then let it marinate for 30 minutes.
– Cooking: Line the bottom of a pan with the baby portobellos, place the chicken on top, and pour in the coconut water. Cover the pan, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the luffa and shiitake mushrooms, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes until everything is cooked through.

The result is deliciously tender chicken with a wonderful aroma, complemented by the subtle sweetness of the luffa.

Grilled Tilapia

Ingredients:

– Tilapia: 1 kg
– Vermicelli: 0.5 kg
– Aluminum foil: 1 small roll
– Fresh herbs and vegetables: Lettuce, coriander, rice paddy herb, etc.
– Spices: Garlic, shallots, chili paste, fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar.

Tips for choosing fresh fish:

When buying tilapia, look for firm, fresh flesh with no signs of softening. Check the gills: if they are bright red, the fish is fresh. If they are dark red or black, it’s best to avoid.

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the fish

Clean the fish with salt and remove any scales. Use ginger and white wine to eliminate any fishy odor. Make diagonal cuts along the fish to allow the spices to penetrate the flesh.

Step 2: Prepare the marinade

In a bowl, combine 1 minced garlic clove, 3 minced shallots, 1 tbsp of sugar, 2 tbsp of fish sauce, 1 tbsp of chili paste, and 1 tbsp of rice vinegar. Mix well to create a homogeneous marinade.

Step 3: Marinate the fish

Coat the fish with the marinade, and stuff the remaining mixture into the cavity. Wrap the fish in aluminum foil and let it marinate for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Grill the fish

First grilling: Place the fish in an oven preheated to 190°C for 15 minutes.

Second grilling: Flip the fish and grill for another 15 minutes at the same temperature.

Third grilling: Open the foil to expose the fish, and grill for an additional 10 minutes at 200°C until the surface turns golden and crispy. Adjust the timing to your personal preference.

Result:

Perfectly grilled tilapia should be moist, not dry or burnt, with tender flesh that retains its natural sweetness. The skin should be a beautiful golden color and crispy. The best way to enjoy this dish is by wrapping the fish, vermicelli, and fresh herbs in lettuce leaves, along with a sweet and sour dipping sauce—an irresistible combination of flavors!

Shrimp and Pork Belly Vermicelli Rolls

Ingredients:

– Large freshwater shrimp (or shrimp of your choice): 250 grams
– Pork belly: 300 grams
– Vietnamese pork sausage (giò lụa): 150 grams
– Eggs: 3
– Vermicelli noodles (bún hến or bún lá): 800 grams
– Long-stemmed Chinese chives
– Fresh herbs and vegetables: Curly lettuce, basil, coriander, and rice paddy herb
– Spices: Shallots, garlic, sugar, fish sauce, pepper, chili, vinegar, and lime

Instructions:

Step 1: Reduce rice cooking wine

In a pan, combine the rice cooking wine with palm sugar and ginger. Simmer over low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and becomes syrupy. Turn off the heat and let it cool.

Step 2: Fry the shrimp

Clean the shrimp and marinate them with ½ tsp of salt, 1 tsp of sugar, and 1 tbsp of wine to enhance their flavor and remove any fishy smell. Once the shrimp turn red, remove them from the pan and let them cool. Peel and devein the shrimp, then butterfly them by cutting along the back.

Step 3: Boil the pork belly

Rinse the pork belly and boil it with a few crushed shallots. When cooked, plunge the meat into cold water to keep it white and firm. Cut the pork belly into thin slices, approximately 3 cm thick.

Step 4: Make thin omelets

Beat the eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and a dash of white wine. Heat a pan, add a tsp of oil, and spread it evenly. Pour a small amount of egg mixture into the pan and quickly swirl to form a thin layer. When the egg is dry, flip it and remove it from the pan. Repeat this process until you have used all the egg mixture; you should end up with about 6 thin omelets. Cut the omelets into small pieces.

Step 5: Prepare the remaining ingredients

– Vietnamese pork sausage: Slice it thinly.
– Chinese chives: Blanch them quickly in boiling water, then soak them in cold water to retain their green color.
– Vermicelli: Cut it into 3 cm long strands.
– Fresh herbs and vegetables: Wash and dry them.

Step 6: Assemble the rolls

Place the ingredients on a lettuce leaf in the following order: shrimp, pork belly, omelet, and a drizzle of the reduced rice cooking wine. Carefully roll up the lettuce, ensuring the shrimp and pork are visible on the outside. Tie the roll with a blanched Chinese chive to make it look more appealing.

Step 7: Prepare the dipping sauce

Cut radish, cucumber, and carrot into small cubes. Mix salt, sugar, and vinegar in a 1:1:1 ratio. For the dipping sauce, combine 3 tbsp of fish sauce, 2 tbsp of sugar, 1 tbsp of lime juice, and 5 tbsp of water. Stir well, then add minced garlic and chili to taste.

Result:

These vermicelli rolls are not only delicious but also crisp and refreshing, making them an excellent choice for entertaining guests. Serve them with the dipping sauce for a perfect blend of flavors!

Frequently asked questions

Preparing and indulging in mouth-watering delights such as the ‘Ultimate Comfort Food’ Lasagna, the refreshing ‘Summer Breeze’ cocktail, and the indulgent ‘Chocolate Indulgence’ cake is the perfect way to relax and connect with your family over the weekend.

Lasagna is a classic comfort food that is hearty and satisfying, perfect for a cozy night in. The ‘Summer Breeze’ cocktail adds a touch of refreshment and elegance to the evening, while the ‘Chocolate Indulgence’ cake is a decadent treat to satisfy any sweet tooth.

For the lasagna, you’ll need ground beef, Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, pasta sauce, and lasagna noodles. Layer these ingredients and bake for a hearty meal. The ‘Summer Breeze’ cocktail combines vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup for a refreshing taste of summer. As for the ‘Chocolate Indulgence’ cake, it’s a rich chocolate cake with a fudgy frosting, made with flour, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, and chocolate chips.

To enhance the ambiance and make the evening extra special, consider setting up a cozy outdoor seating area with soft lighting and comfortable cushions. Add some fun board games or card games to keep everyone entertained. You could also create a themed evening, such as an Italian night, with appropriate music and decorations to transport your family to a different place.