Vietnamese Pancakes Recipes

VIETNAMESE PANCAKES

Steps:

• In a medium-size bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Then whisk in the rice flour, 3/4 cup of water, salt and sugar. Set aside for 10 minutes. Strain the batter through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
• In a 10-inch skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, and cook, stirring, until just softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the pan, and set aside.
• Return the skillet to the stove, and raise the heat to high. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, and heat until very hot. Pour in half the rice-flour batter, and swirl it quickly around to coat the pan evenly. Add half of the mushrooms, and cook, covered, for 1 minute. Remove lid and add half the shrimp, ham, bean sprouts and scallions. Cook, uncovered, until pancake is golden brown and crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes more.
• Use a spatula to loosen the edge of the pancake, and carefully slide it out onto a serving plate. Return the pan to the heat, and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Pour in the remaining batter, and cook the second pancake in the same manner, using the remaining mushrooms, shrimp, ham, bean sprouts and scallions. Transfer the pancake to another plate. Garnish the pancakes with the basil and mint, cut into wedges and serve immediately with soy sauce dip (see recipe).

BANH XEO (VIETNAMESE SHRIMP PANCAKES)

Steps:

• Marinate the shrimp and pork loin with the fish sauce and MSG in a glass or ceramic bowl for 30 minutes.
• Mix rice flour, water, coconut milk, green onions, and saffron powder.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Drop 1/4 of the rice flour mixture and fry a large, thin pancake until bubbles form and the edges are dry, 3 to 4 minutes.. Put 1/4 of the shrimp and pork mixture on the pancake. Reduce heat to medium, add 1/4 of the bean sprouts and basil, flip, and cook until browned on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Fold pancake in half and transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining batter and filling.
• Mix lime juice, fish sauce, water, sugar, red chiles, garlic, and MSG for sauce together. To eat, roll the pancakes up together in a mustard green leaf and dip in the sauce.

BANH XEO (VIETNAMESE CREPES)

Steps:

• Mix rice flour, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and turmeric together in a large bowl. Beat in coconut milk to make a thick batter. Slowly beat in water until batter is the consistency of a thin crepe batter.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot and garlic; cook and stir until fragrant but not browning, 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp; saute until cooked through and opaque, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with fish sauce and salt. Transfer filling to a bowl.
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
• Wipe out skillet and reheat over medium heat. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoon oil. Stir crepe batter and pour 1/2 cup into the hot skillet, swirling to coat the bottom. Lay 3 or 4 of the cooked shrimp on the bottom half of the crepe. Top with a small handful of bean sprouts. Cook until batter looks set and edges start to brown, about 1 minute. Fold crepe over and slide onto an oven-safe plate.
• Place crepe in the preheated oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter and filling.
• Serve lettuce leaves alongside filled crepes. Break off pieces of crepe and roll up in lettuce leaves to eat.