Celebrate Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, with a delicious and authentic feast! This year, we're focusing on two vibrant dishes guaranteed to impress: crispy shrimp rolls (Gỏi cuốn tôm) and a rich, flavorful shrimp pot (Lẩu tôm). These dishes represent the best of Vietnamese cuisine, blending fresh, bright flavors with satisfying textures. The shrimp rolls offer a delightful crunch, while the simmering shrimp pot provides a comforting warmth perfect for a festive gathering. Both are surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner cooks.
From perfectly plump shrimp to fresh herbs and flavorful broth, we'll guide you through each step, ensuring your Tết celebration is a culinary triumph. Ready to create a memorable meal that captures the spirit of the holiday? Let's dive into the detailed, step-by-step instructions below and get cooking!
Tools Needed
- blender
- freezer
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare Ingredients & Marinades
- Wash and soak wood ear mushrooms and vermicelli in warm water for about an hour until softened.
- Wash, peel, and grate taro. Cut vermicelli and taro into shorter lengths.
- Blend lean pork, shrimp fat, shallots, garlic, seasoning powder, sugar, and MSG until smooth. Add chopped onion and coriander.
- Finely grind shrimp separately, adding flour for toughness. Freeze the ground meat and shrimp for about an hour, then grind again for a smoother texture. Wrap and freeze again for two hours. Repeat the grinding process one more time.
Step 2. Assemble & Shape the Rolls
- Mix shrimp, pork, wood ear mushrooms, vermicelli, taro, green onions, salt, sugar, and MSG. Add egg yolks. Season to taste.
- Add turmeric powder and cooking oil to the mixture to create color and prevent sticking. Roll the mixture into shrimp rolls.
Step 3. Fry the Crispy Shrimp Rolls
- Roll the spring roll filling. Fry for about 5 minutes. Arrange them on a plate to prevent sticking. Freeze for 3 hours.
- approximately 10 minutes for thin rolls, 13-14 minutes for thick rolls.
Read more: Saigon's Famous Fish Hot Pot: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tips
- To make crispy spring rolls, fry them over low heat for about 15 minutes.
- Adjust the ratio of shrimp and meat in the filling according to your preference.
- If you don't want to grind the meat, you can use store-bought minced pork.
Nutrition
- Calories: Unavailable
- Fat: Unavailableg
- Carbs: Unavailableg
- Protein: Unavailableg
FAQs
1. Can I prepare the shrimp rolls and shrimp pot ahead of time?
Yes! The shrimp rolls can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The shrimp pot broth can also be prepared in advance, and the shrimp added just before serving to maintain freshness.
2. What kind of shrimp is best for these recipes?
Fresh, raw shrimp is ideal. Look for large shrimp (21-25 count per pound) for both dishes. Peeled and deveined shrimp will save you time.
3. Are there any substitutions I can make for ingredients?
Yes! Feel free to adjust the herbs and vegetables to your liking. If you can't find specific ingredients, similar ones can often be substituted. For example, you could replace rice vermicelli with another type of noodle.
Enjoy your delicious and authentic Vietnamese Tết feast! These crispy shrimp rolls and flavorful shrimp pot are sure to impress your family and friends, bringing the warmth and joy of the holiday to your table. Chúc mừng năm mới! (Happy New Year!)