Archives

Chicken, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli

This Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli is made with rice noodles and is the Ultimate Summer Dish that is always served with fresh veggies that are then topped with a grilled meat of your choice and has an authentic fish sauce / dressing for serving.

Looking for more Thai dishes?  Try my Vietnamese Shrimp plating with Spring Rolls, Sweet Thai Chili Chicken, Thai Red Crab Curry, Thai Basil Mussels or Red Thai Chicken Curry.

Never made a Vietnamese salad before? No problem! This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of creating a delicious, healthy salad in the comfort of your own kitchen. It also will show you how to make homemade Vietnamese Salad Dressing to go on top of this salad. 

WHAT IS VIETNAMESE NOODLE SALAD CALLED

(Bun Bo Xao) in Vietnamese. Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli is a refreshing and healthy dish to serve on a hot summer day.

This flavorful and versatile recipe is packed with fresh herbs and veggies, protein, and a tangy dressing that will satisfy your taste buds and keep you feeling refreshed.

Thai Vermicelli salad can also have the addition of grilled pork and shrimp as well. If you would like to create that, simple grill some shrimp or sliced pork and season with salt to serve. 

WHAT IS VIETNAMESE SALAD

Vietnamese Noodle Salad is served with warm or cool noodles, fresh cold vegetables and cooked meats of your liking. Typically grilled pork, shrimp or beef. The noodles are always Vermicelli rice noodles that come with a light Thai inspired sauce. 

It’s fresh, filling and just like they serve in Thai restaurants.

If you have been to this blog before you will know that I’m a fan of Thai food and eat it often.

I used to go out to enjoy this food at least every other week, but now make it more at home. Because it is easy to do and saves me a ton of cash at that too!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Vietnamese Salad Vermicelli with Shrimp

HOW TO MAKE VERMICELLI SALAD

  • You will want to make two marinades, one for the chicken and one for the sauce that you will serve alongside these bowls.
  • Fresh lemongrass is very important here for the chicken marinade, it gives it that really intense lemon taste. So be sure to get your hands on a few stocks that you will simply chop and place into the marinade.
  • The longer you marinade the chicken the better. If your making it for dinner then simply marinate it in the morning or the night prior. Then basically the rest of the dish can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes. Easy peazy!

What makes these rice bowls so good is the fresh ingredients and the authentic Vietnamese Salad Dressing.

WHAT IS VIETNAMES SALAD DRESSING

It is a traditional dressing that is used on almost every type of Vietnamese salad dish and the recipe can be found below. It serves very well over cold salads, that are then topped with a marinated then grilled meat protein of your liking.

VIETNAMESE SALAD DRESSING

Also know as “Nuoc Mam” sauce which is a sweet, salty, sour and spicy dressing.

  1. 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  2. 1/2 cup cold water
  3. 1 lime (juiced)
  4. 2 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
  5. 1/4 cup fish sauce
  6. 3 tbsp sugar
  7. 1 red chili (de-seeded and sliced, or substitute 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or Sriracha)

This makes enough for roughly 2 people. 

Substitute for Nuoc Mam sauce?

Soya sauce mixed with some red hot chili pepper flakes

The first time I ordered this salad, I was not expecting much.

That was years ago, I remember the day to a tea. I was with my aunt and she took me to this whole in the wall restaurant that I was not expecting to become my favorite restaurant in town. 

Fast forward 10 years later, you will find me going to the same restaurant ordering the same dishes. 

So, whenever that Thai salad craving hits and I’m not heading out to a restaurant. 

I will simply make this dish in the comfort of my own home. 

Trust me it’s pretty darn easy too!

So follow along and soon you will be a master chef in making Vietnamese rice bowls at home just like me 🙂

WHAT IS IN A VERMICCILI SALAD

  • Carrots, cucumbers, fresh herbs such as cilantro, shredded iceberg lettuce and a meat protein of your liking.
  • Thai marinade and Vietnamese salad dressing

Feel free to add other veggies such as Beans sprouts, fresh herbs, jalapeno peppers. 

Now doesn’t that sound healthy and fresh? This is one of the best salads if you ask me.

IS VIETNAMESE SALAD HEALTHY

Yes, it is packed full of fresh vegetables and herbs along with a lean protein such as shrimp

Keep in mind though the soya sauce and fish sauce has a high sodium content so you may want to use a lighter soya sauce or less dressing on your salad.

If you like a bit more heat to your vermicelli rice bowls.

Then go ahead and serve along with some “hot chili sauce” or if you prefer a sweeter dish try a “sweet chili sauce”.

LIKE THAI FOOD AS MUCH AS ME? 

Then you will want to try my other Thai inspired recipes on this website!

Sweet Thai Chili Chicken

 Thai Red Crab Curry

Thai Basil Mussels

Red Thai Chicken Curry

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Beef Vermicelli

2 Comments

These Beef Vermicelli noodles are super simple to make and are packed full of flavors from Thai food that you have come to expect and love.

Because everyone thinks i’m some kind of highly skilled Asian chef, when really im just following some basic steps to obtain this lovely dish. 

This recipe is very easy to prepare and has red and yellow peppers along with bok choy in it among some other very important ingredients. 

I used to order this often from my local Vietnamese restaurant, now I make it myself.

Today you can find many different types of ways to prepare this popular dish, this is my take on this delicious recipe.

I hope you give it a try and let me know what you and your family think. 

Some people like to make this dish with shrimp, chicken or pork. 

And others like it purely vegetarian, which is good also. So do what works best for you, after all it’s your meal. 

You will want to start marinating the beef first and while its marinating you can then soak the vermicelli noodles.

Also preparing the vegetables around this time is perfect too. Since the actually cooking part takes less than 15 minutes.

To me this vegetable mixture is perfect, peppers and bok choy works so well.

The only traditional ingredient I didn’t add here was thai basil which you can top this dish with at the end if you’d like.

You can always substitute Thai basil leaves for regular fresh basil leaves.

I didn’t have any on hand today so I used cilantro instead which works good too.

Also I like to use Garlic chili sauce, which gives it the right amount of heat vs cutting up fresh whole thai red chilies.

They are just to hot for me to handle, and I always end up with burning hands.

I like to add 2 tbsp of this Garlic chili sauce to my recipe, however for this one I used 1 tbsp in the ingredients section because I’m sure more people prefer a milder dish.

ENJOY!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

The best way to get ahold of me is through the comments! I absolutely love hearing from my readers, and I respond to each and every comment I receive.

Appetizers & Sides, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout, Soups & Stews, Vegetarian

Tom Kha Soup Vegetarian

Leave a comment

This Vegetarian Tom Kha Soup is a traditional coconut based broth soup that is often served with or without meat protein. 

Making this soup at home is not difficult all.

So whenever I have a craving for some Tom Yum Kha Soup.

This the recipe I follow, always. My mouth is watering already, because it’s due time for another bowl.

WHAT IS TOM KHA SOUP

It is a popular Thai soup that consists of a coconut broth that is simmered in ginger, known as “galangal” and some other special ingredients!

If you can get your hands on pre -made “Tom Yum paste” and some coconut milk. 

You will be in business to make this soup in less than 20 minutes..

This soup is really easy to make and super super tasty! So follow along… 

Have you ever been to a Thai restaurant and checked out their soup menu? 

Well then, you probably would have seen this popular soup there. 

It is a very unique soup and there really is nothing like it!

The first time I tried Tom Yum Kha soup was while on vacation a few years back.

We stopped at a little Thai Restaurants along the way to our final destination.

Trusting the amazing reviews we read online would lead us to an amazing place.

And where pleasantly surprised to try this soup for the first time and where hooked immediately thereafter. 

WHAT DOES TOM KHA SOUP TASTE LIKE

This soup is absolutely delicious and is one of my all time favorite soups. 

It contains sour, sweet and spicy notes that your sure to love.

So whenever I have a craving for this tasty soup, I now make it at home. 

Let me show you how 🙂

What is the difference between Tom Yum and Tom Kha soup?

Basically the only difference is that the broth of Tom Kha has the addition of coconut milk in it.

Tom Yum is the same soup without the coconut milk.  

Then there is sometimes the addition of chicken or shrimp. 

I love both Tom Kha Gai and Tom Yum soups.

And you can tweak with the amont of coconut milk you want to add to the soup as your taste prefers.

I like to use just half a can of coconut milk for this soup.

And so I have added just that for this recipe, leaving you the option to add a whole can if desired. 

You may have thought that making this soup at home would be difficult.

But I’m here to tell you it is not!

With all the instant “Tom Yum pastes” available in the grocery store today, you will find yourself pleasantly surprised at how easy this soup is to make at home. 

IS TOM KHA SOUP HEALTHY

Yes, very. The broth has lots of nutrition in it. If you are looking to lose some weight, then this soup will defiantly help with that. 

IS TOM KHA SOUP KETO

Tom Yum soup & Tom Kha soup is 100% keto.

DOES TOM KHA SOUP HAVE NOODLES

Some people make this soup with vermicelli noodles. If you do decide to as well, simply add them once the soup is cooked. And of course be sure the noodles are cooked!

DOES TOM KHA SOUP HAVE DAIRY

No, just coconut milk. 

WHAT GOES INTO TOM YUM KHA SOUP

  • Chicken
  • Shrimp
  • Mushrooms
  • Tomatoes

HOW TO MAKE TOM KHA SOUP

This soup traditional was made from scratch, however that takes a fair amount of time and you must source some not so easy to find ingredients. So I have provided an easier method to making this traditional soup that tastes exact the same as making it from scratch in a mortar. 

EASY TOM KHA SOUP

3 tbsp Tom Yum Paste, 1 can Full fat coconut milk, 5 cups diced mushrooms, 4 cups 1L No Sodium (Vegetable stock) or water, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup of diced chives. Garnish with fresh chives and limes. 

FROM SCRATCH:

  1. To make the paste yourself, start by tearing the “Kaffir lime leaves” in half to release their flavor. Then slice the bottoms of the lemongrass stalk off and peel away any dried outer layers. Then smash with a rolling pin to soften the stalk which will release the flavors. Cut open your “Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies” (wear gloves as there hot) and remove the seeds, or use “Red Thai Chili Paste” in replace of. And then also tear the “Kaffir lime leaves” in half to release their flavor too, and set to the side.
  2. Add in your bruised “kaffir limes leaves, lemongrass and galangal slices” and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes (never allowing it to boil) until the liquid is infused with all those delicious Thai flavors. If using the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and galangal slices and discard before going onto step 2. See recipe card!

Notes:

  • Add in the lime last, you do not want to cook the lime because it will ruin the flavor.

 

 
 
Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood, Soups & Stews

Thai Seafood Soup (Tom Yum Talay)

Image Leave a comment

One of Thailand’s most popular soups is this Thai Seafood Soup also known as (Tom Yum Talay). This sour soup is packed with amazing flavors that you’re sure to love.

I had a bit of a hard time finding the traditional ingredients of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves that make up this delicious Soup.

However, he managed to track down an old friend who now works close to this new Asian market.

Who directed him to all those ingredients we needed there.

You can try cooking this soup the traditional way with “Galangal”, “Lemongrass”, and Kaffir Leaves which most Asian markets carry.

Otherwise you can simply purchase a bottle of “Tom Yum paste” which most major groceries stores carry and create the same soup.

The Thai word talay or taleh means ‘sea’ and refers to the seafood in the soup. You can use a combination of seafood if you like, however in this recipe we will be using SOLE fish.

Either way this soup will turn out great whichever method you choose. We recommend that if your wanting to cook it from scratch then you should  buy all the Thai ingredients if possible frozen. 

Because they can be stored in the freezer for the next time your going to make this soup. So if you like Thai food as much as we do, don’t be afraid to make it yourself.

Once you do it once or twice it becomes like second nature. And  tastes just as good as those from your favorite restaurant, if not better. 

One of my favorite thai soups of all time

Lemongrass, Galangal and Kaffir lime leaves, along with Thai Red Chili Paste can be found in most Asian grocery Tom Yum Soup Paste can be found in almost any Supermarket.

What I do is buy my “Lemongrass”, “Galangal” and “Kaffir lime leaves” in frozen packs that my Asian grocery carries. This lasts much longer, and enables me to make many different Thai dishes before I need to restock.

Notes:

  • Add in the lime last, you do not want to cook the lime because it will ruin the flavor.
  • Do not eat the “Lemongrass”, “Galangal” and “Kaffir lime leaves” there just for flavoring
  • Want more heat, simply add in more Thai Bird’s eye chilies or Thai Chili Paste.
  • Caution when preparing Bird’s Eye Chilies, these chilies are very hot and can burn the eyes.
  • You can use brown/white button, cremini, and oyster mushrooms for this recipe.
  • You can use Sole, Shrimp or Tilapia fish for this soup.

 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

Chicken, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood, Soups & Stews

Thai Chicken & Shrimp Soup (Tom Yum Goong)

Leave a comment

Thailand’s most famous soup recipe is healthy and simple to prepare. However if you’re not accustomed to cooking Thai food Bubba explains, then you’re going to have to source out some ingredients to make this recipe. Nice thing is that once you find them, you can store them and reuse them for creating this recipe or a number of other Thai recipes which call for similar ingredients. Its completely up to you if you want to cook this soup the traditional way using “Galangal”, “Lemongrass”, and Kaffir Leaves which most Asian food stores carry OR you can purchase a bottle of “Tom Yum paste” which most major groceries stores carry and this soup will turn out just as great. If you’re going to make it the more traditional way then Bubba recommends buying the “Galangal”, “Lemongrass”, and Kaffir lime leaves frozen because this way you will get twice the amount and then you will have plenty extra in stock for the next time to make this soup. You will find the two different cooking methods below.

Kitchen Essentials:

To make the Soup:

Start by preparing the paste:

  1. You can either use the store bought “Tom Yum Paste” or make it yourself.
  2. To make yourself, start by tearing the “Kaffir lime leaves” in half to release there flavor. Then slice the bottoms of the lemongrass stalk off and peel away any dried outer layers. Then smash with a rolling pin to soften the stalk which will release the flavors. Cut open your “Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies” (wear gloves as there hot) and remove the seeds, or use “Red Thai Chili Paste” in replace of. And then also tear the “Kaffir lime leaves” in half to release there flavor too, and set aside it all aside.

The Stock:

  1. You will need the heads and shells of 15 prawns. Fry the prawn shells (with some olive oil) in a stockpot until pink, then add your four cups of Chicken Stock and bring to boil. Simmer covered on medium ~ low for 5 minutes, and discard shells. You can also add more shrimp shells/heads if you want a stronger shrimp stock.

The Soup:

  1. Soak your Vermicelli rice in warm water for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.
  2. Wash your Chicken thoroughly, slice and add it to the stock.
  3. Now put the bruised “kaffir limes leaves, lemongrass and galangal slices” or “Tom Yum Paste” in a pot and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes (never allowing it to boil) until the liquid is infused with all those delicious Thai flavors. Then remove the lemongrass, and galangal slices and discard.
  4. Next, add in the Vermicelli noodles, your shrimp, and then either the “Thai Bird’s eye chilies” or “Red Thai Chili Paste” cook till the shrimp is no longer pink.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Serve immediately

In Thailand Tom Yum soup is served with rice and or another Thai dishes. However I like to add Vermicelli noodles to this soup and it becomes a meal.

Notes:

  • Add in the lime last, you do not want to cook the lime because it will ruin the flavor.
  • Lemongrass, Galangal and Kaffir lime leaves along with Thai Red Chili Paste can be found in most Asian grocery. And Tom Yum Soup Paste, can be found in most Supermarkets.
  • What I do is buy my “Lemongrass”, “Galangal” and “Kaffir lime leaves” in frozen packs that my Asian grocery carries. This lasts much longer, and enables me to make this soup a few dozen times before I need to restock.

 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe id love to hear how it turned out! You can post a review/picture below or via Instagram and let me know. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!