The Best Bún Bò Xả Ớt Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Food

VIETNAMESE NOODLE SALAD WITH LEMONGRASS BEEF (BUN BO XAO)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Cut the sirloin against the grain into slices a little less than a quarter of an inch thick.
• Then, cut each slice into chunks about 1/2-inch wide. Place into a medium bowl.
• Mix the beef chunks with the nước mắm (fish sauce), garlic, and lemongrass.
• Divide the noodles between 2 bowls. Top with the julienned cucumber, pickled carrot and radish and finger chilie (if using).
• Heat the peanut oil in a wok to smoking point. Stir-fry the beef for about 2 minutes.
• Divide the beef between the 2 bowls.
• Top with fresh herbs, peanuts, and fried shallots.
• Serve with nước mắm pha on the side.

BUN BO (GRILLED LEMONGRASS BEEF NOODLE SALAD)

Steps:

• To make the marinade paste, pound the onion, garlic and lemongrass with a mortar and pestle or with a food processor until coarse. Add in the salt, black pepper, curry powder if desired, and fish sauce. Stir mixture over the beef and marinate for 1 hour or overnight if possible.
• Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add the vermicelli noodles and cook for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Drain, refresh under cold water, drain again and set aside.
• Thread the meat strips onto the bamboo skewers. Grill till done to taste.
• To serve, place a portion of noodles in a large soup bowl. Then place the beef, lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, mint leaves, fresh coriander, carrot and 1 teaspoon crushed peanuts on top of the noodles. Dress the ingredients with 2 tablespoons nuoc cham, or more to taste - I use around 4 tablespoons for each serving. Toss the ingredients together and serve. Repeat the process for each serving.

BUN (VIETNAMESE HERB NOODLE SALAD)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and add the noodles; let sit for 2 minutes.
• Remove noodles from hot water and shock them by placing them in a bowl of ice water. Drain in a colander.
• Place the noodles onto a serving bowl and cover with the cucumber, scallions and herbs. Garnish with black pepper, garlic and peanuts.
• Before serving, pour the Nuac Cham sauce over all and toss before serving.