Escargot, the French delicacy, often conjures images of elegant restaurants and buttery garlic sauces. But this recipe offers a deliciously different, simpler approach to enjoying these land snails: boiled snails with green pepper. Forget the fussy preparations; this recipe emphasizes the natural, earthy flavor of the snails, enhanced by the vibrant freshness of green bell pepper. We’ll show you how to prepare these often overlooked gastropods in a way that's both quick and remarkably flavorful, resulting in a dish surprisingly accessible to home cooks.
This straightforward method highlights the snail's tender texture and allows the subtle sweetness of the pepper to complement the unique taste. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that's both satisfying and unexpected. Ready to learn how to create this delightful dish? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions below!
Tools Needed
- Pot
- Pot scrubber
- Mortar and pestle
- Basket
Ingredients
- Snails: 1 kg
- Green pepper: 80 g
- Chili peppers: 5
- Shallots: 3
- Garlic: 3 cloves
- Lemon leaves: a few
- Lemongrass stalks: 6
- Rice
- Cooking oil
- Sugar: 1 spoonful
- Seasoning powder: 1/3 spoonful
- MSG: 1/4 spoonful
- Fish sauce: 3 spoonfuls
- Water: 600 ml
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Clean and Prepare Snails
- Soak snails in water with rice and chili peppers for 1-2 hours to release dirt. Cover the pot.
- Wash snails thoroughly until the water runs clear. Use a pot scrubber to clean the shells.
- Boil snails briefly with lemongrass and lime for 1 minute to enhance fragrance and cleanliness.
- Wash the boiled snails again two or three times.
Step 2. Prepare the Flavorful Broth
- Heat cooking oil in a pot. Sauté minced garlic and shallots until fragrant. Add sliced lemongrass and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add 600 ml of water and stir. Add sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, and fish sauce. Stir to combine.
Step 3. Cook the Snails with Green Pepper
- Add the snails and green pepper to the boiling broth. Cover and let it boil for 1 minute on medium heat. Add lemon leaves and turn off the heat.
Read more: Quick & Easy Dry Chicken Noodle Pho Recipe
Tips
- Thoroughly cleaning the snails is crucial for a delicious, non-fishy broth.
- Cover the pot while soaking the snails to prevent them from crawling out.
- Serve hot and enjoy the flavorful broth.
- Consider serving with ginger fish sauce or sweet and sour garlic chili fish sauce for an enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Where can I buy snails for this recipe?
You can often find snails at specialty seafood markets, some farmers' markets, or even online retailers. Check with your local purveyors.
2. Can I use a different type of pepper?
Yes! Other peppers like bell peppers in different colors or even a milder chili pepper could work, but the green bell pepper provides a good balance of flavor and sweetness.
This simple recipe proves that delicious food doesn't require complicated techniques. Enjoy the unique and surprisingly satisfying flavors of boiled snails with green pepper – a dish that's both adventurous and approachable. Now go forth and impress your friends and family with this unexpected culinary delight!