Food & Receipts

Vietnam’s Hidden Gem with the Shrimp-Shaped Curved Tree, Offering Abundant Health Benefits

Although it grows wild on the forest edge, every part of this tree species is valuable. It is even likened to the longevity vegetable but very few people in Vietnam know how to eat it.

Administrator

24 December, 2023

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Dương xỉ is a type of vegetable that grows abundantly in the mountainous regions of Vietnam. It is rich in nutrients and offers many health benefits. Research shows that dương xỉ contains a high amount of protein, fats, fiber, carotene, 16 types of amino acids, trace elements, and vitamins B and C.

Regular consumption of dương xỉ helps to nourish the body, boost the immune system, cool down the body, detoxify, relieve gas, support digestion, improve vision, regulate blood pressure, and enhance longevity.

Studies have also shown that dương xỉ contains a large amount of antioxidants that are beneficial for cardiovascular health, prevent fatigue, and help prevent cancer-causing agents.

You can prepare dương xỉ in various ways such as stir-frying, making salad, or cooking soup. Here is a recipe for making crispy fried dương xỉ.

Crispy Fried Dương Xỉ

Ingredients

– Dương Xỉ: 200g

– All-purpose Flour: 100g

– Cornstarch: 100g

– Eggs: 1

– Water

– Seasonings

– Cooking Oil

Instructions

– Wash the dương xỉ thoroughly and soak them in diluted saltwater for about 10 minutes to remove any remaining dirt. Then, rinse them several times with clean water.

As dương xỉ is a wild vegetable, the price is not too expensive. You should choose dương xỉ with less hairy surface and purple stems. The ones with more hairs and green stems are usually more mature and fibrous.

– Cut the dương xỉ into 4-5cm long pieces. Then, boil a pot of water on the stove, add some salt. After that, put the dương xỉ into the pot, turn on high heat, and blanch the vegetable for about 3 minutes. Take it out and soak it in cold water to keep it fresh, crispy, and not too soft.

Blanching the dương xỉ before cooking helps to remove some substances that are not beneficial to health.

– In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, egg yolk, a little amount of seasoning, chicken powder, cooking oil, and enough water to form a thick mixture.

Note that you should not include egg whites because it will make the batter soft, causing the dương xỉ to lose its crispiness.

Next, coat the blanched dương xỉ with the flour mixture and prepare for frying.

– Heat up the cooking oil and fry the coated dương xỉ until golden. Then, take them out and let them cool on a plate.

– Once the dương xỉ is completely cooled down (about 15 minutes), heat up the oil for the second-round frying. Note that since the dương xỉ is already cooked, you only need to fry it for about 20 seconds. This method helps the dương xỉ have a crispy golden crust without being burnt or bitter.

Take out the fried dương xỉ and enjoy. This dish has a rich aroma with a crispy golden crust. Inside, it is sweet and refreshing. Dip it in spicy chili sauce for the perfect combination.

Some notes when eating dương xỉ:

Although dương xỉ is beneficial for health, you should also note:

– Do not consume too much as dương xỉ contains protopernin, which can be harmful if accumulated excessively in the body.

– Wash and blanch dương xỉ multiple times in boiling water before cooking to remove any impurities.

– Do not eat dương xỉ together with foods rich in vitamin B1 such as peanuts, soybeans, etc. The enzymes in dương xỉ can easily destroy vitamin B1 and affect the absorption of nutrients in the body.

– Due to dương xỉ’s cold and sweet nature, people with weak digestive systems should be cautious, especially pregnant women.