Beef And Lemon Grass Wrapped In Betel Leaf Bo La Lot Food

BEEF AND LEMON GRASS WRAPPED IN BETEL LEAF: BO LA LOT

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the beef, lemon grass, spring onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Allow flavors to infuse for at least 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pick the individual betel leaves and wash in cold water. Lay the leaves flat on a cloth to dry.
• To form the rolls, lay a large betel leaf (or 2 smaller leaves), shiny side down, on a board with the stem of the leaf pointing towards you. Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the beef mixture onto the bottom edge of the leaf. Work it into a sausage shape, then roll the leaf from bottom to top and place the seam flat on your bench to stop the leaf from unrolling. Repeat this process until you have used all of the beef. The mixture should make about 20 rolls.
• Cook the parcels, seam down first, on a grill or barbecue hotplate over medium heat, turning to color all over, for about 5 minutes, or until done.
• Place the cooked parcels on a bed of vermicelli noodles, and then drizzle with a tablespoon of nuoc mam dipping fish sauce and garnish with fried red shallots, peanuts and chilli.
• Combine the fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir well and cook until just before boiling point is reached, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. To serve, add the garlic and chilli, then stir in the lime juice. Store tightly sealed in a jar in the fridge, for up to 5 days. Yield: about 1 cup

VIETNAMESE BEEF GRILLED IN GRAPE LEAVES: BO LA LOT

Steps:

• Mix together the beef, shallot, garlic, lemongrass, sugar and fish sauce in a bowl.
• If using grape leaves, rinse, drain and pat them dry. Put about 2 teaspoons of filling in the center, slightly closer to the wider end. Fold the wide end over the filling, fold in the sides, and then roll up carefully, making sure the filling is completely and tightly enclosed. Repeat the process with the remaining leaves and beef mixture.
• Depending on length of skewers, slide 3 to 5 beef rolls crosswise onto each skewer. Grill over a barbecue (make sure flames have subsided and coals are red, with white ashes) or on a well-oiled grill pan over medium-high heat, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with Nuoc Cham sauce for dipping.
• Whisk together the sugar, water, fish sauce, and lime or lemon juice in a bowl, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the garlic, chile, and shallot if using, and let stand for 30 minutes before serving.