Banh Chung

Banh Chung Recipe - A Traditional Vietnamese Dish

Region / culture: Vietnam | Preparation time: overnight | Cooking time: 6 hours | Servings: 8

Introduction

Banh Chung is a traditional Vietnamese rice cake that is rich in history and flavor. It is made from simple, yet nutritious ingredients including glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, all wrapped in bamboo leaves. This dish is not only a culinary delight but also a symbol of gratitude and respect towards ancestors during the Lunar New Year celebration. In this recipe, we will guide you through the steps to create this iconic dish, sharing tips and tricks to ensure your Banh Chung is perfect.

History

Banh Chung has a history that dates back thousands of years to the era of the sixth Hung King. Legend has it that during a contest to find his successor, the youngest prince, Lang Lieu, poor and without means, created a square cake symbolizing the Earth, using the available ingredients: rice, mung beans, and pork. This humble offering won the king's favor for its simplicity and profound meaning. Since then, Banh Chung has become a staple in Vietnamese culture, especially during Tet, the Lunar New Year.

Ingredients

200 g of glutinous rice, soaked overnight
100 – 150 g of mung beans, soaked overnight
100 g of pork, cut into chunks, seasoned with salt and pepper
0.5 tsp of salt
6 bamboo leaves (or aluminum foil)

How to prepare

Steam or boil mung beans with half a teaspoon of salt until they are soft. This may take up to 45 minutes, depending on the size of your steamer.
Thoroughly smash the beans.
Place 2 leaves in one direction, slightly overlapping, then place 2 more leaves perpendicular to the first layer, also overlapping. Repeat this process for the last layer.
If using aluminum foil, place the foil pieces crossing each other.
Spread half of the rice on the leaves, and top it with half of the mung beans.
Place the pork on top of the beans, and then add the remaining beans followed by the remaining rice.
Fold the leaves or foils tightly over the cake, forming a square shape. Use string to secure the cake.
Place the cake in a large pot, cover it with water, and boil for approximately 6 hours.
Add water every hour if necessary.
After 6 hours, remove the cake from the pot and submerge it in cold water for a few minutes.
The cake can be stored for up to 10 days in a cool, dry place.
To cut the cake, open it and use the string to divide it into 8 portions.
Best served with pickled onions.

Variations

While the traditional Banh Chung includes pork, variations of the recipe can cater to different dietary preferences. Vegetarian versions can substitute pork with tofu or mushrooms. For a different flavor profile, chicken or beef can be used in place of pork.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To ensure your Banh Chung turns out perfectly, consider these tips:

- Soak the glutinous rice and mung beans overnight to reduce cooking time and achieve the right texture.

- When wrapping, make sure the bamboo leaves are clean and flexible. Briefly blanching them in boiling water can help.

- Keep the water level consistent when boiling the cakes to ensure even cooking.

- A tight wrap is crucial to prevent water from seeping into the cake.

Serving Suggestions

Banh Chung is traditionally served with pickled onions to cut through the richness of the cake. It can also be enjoyed with a side of fresh herbs or a light dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, and chili.

Cooking Techniques

The traditional method involves boiling the Banh Chung for several hours. However, modern adaptations include steaming or even baking for a less labor-intensive process, though boiling remains the method of choice for authenticity.

Ingredient Substitutions

For those who cannot find bamboo leaves, aluminum foil is a practical alternative. Additionally, if glutinous rice is not available, short-grain rice can be used, though the texture will differ.

Make Ahead Tips

Banh Chung can be made ahead of time and stored in a cool, dry place for up to 10 days. For longer storage, it can be frozen and reheated without losing its texture or flavor.

Presentation Ideas

When serving, cut the Banh Chung into neat squares or slices. Garnish with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs to enhance its visual appeal and balance its richness.

Pairing Recommendations

Banh Chung pairs well with light and refreshing beverages such as green tea or a crisp white wine. These pairings help cleanse the palate and complement the dish's flavors.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

To store, keep the Banh Chung in a cool, dry place for up to 10 days or freeze for longer storage. To reheat, steam or microwave until heated through. If frozen, thaw before reheating.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

A single serving of Banh Chung contains approximately 250-350 calories, making it a substantial part of a meal, especially when paired with other dishes.

Carbohydrates

A serving of Banh Chung is a good source of carbohydrates, primarily from the glutinous rice, providing the necessary energy for your body. Approximately, each serving contains about 45-55 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

The fat content in Banh Chung mainly comes from the pork. Depending on the cut of pork used, the fat content can vary. On average, a serving might contain about 10-15 grams of fat, contributing to the dish's rich flavor.

Proteins

Banh Chung is a moderate source of protein, thanks to the pork and mung beans. Each serving typically provides about 10-20 grams of protein, essential for building and repairing tissues in the body.

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is also a source of various vitamins and minerals. Mung beans contribute iron, potassium, and B vitamins, while pork adds an array of B vitamins, particularly B12, and minerals such as zinc and phosphorus.

Alergens

Banh Chung is gluten-free, but it's important to note that it may not be suitable for individuals with allergies to legumes (mung beans) or those who are sensitive to pork.

Summary

Overall, Banh Chung is a balanced dish, providing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, along with essential vitamins and minerals. It's a hearty, nutritious option that can fit into a balanced diet.

Summary

Banh Chung is a traditional Vietnamese dish that embodies the rich culture and history of Vietnam. This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to making Banh Chung, along with nutritional information and serving suggestions. Whether for a festive occasion or a special meal, Banh Chung is a delicious and meaningful dish to share with family and friends.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Banh Chung. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the ways of my grandmother in the kitchen. She was a master of Vietnamese cuisine, and I was always in awe of the delicious dishes she could create.

One day, as I sat at her feet watching her prepare a feast for a family gathering, she pulled out a worn and tattered piece of paper from her recipe box. It was the recipe for Banh Chung, a traditional Vietnamese dish made of sticky rice, mung beans, and pork, all wrapped in banana leaves and boiled to perfection.

I watched as she carefully explained each step of the process to me, her hands moving deftly as she measured out the ingredients and layered them in a large square mold. She told me how this dish was traditionally made to celebrate the Lunar New Year, a time of renewal and rebirth.

As the Banh Chung boiled away on the stove, filling the kitchen with its savory aroma, my grandmother regaled me with stories of her own childhood and how she had learned to make this dish from her own grandmother. She spoke of the time and care that went into preparing each ingredient, and how the act of making Banh Chung was a labor of love.

I listened intently, absorbing every word she said and committing the recipe to memory. I knew that one day, I would carry on this tradition and share the secrets of Banh Chung with my own children and grandchildren.

Over the years, I practiced making Banh Chung countless times, each batch better than the last as I honed my skills and perfected the recipe. I sought out advice from other cooks and experimented with different variations, adding my own twist to the traditional dish.

I learned that the key to a delicious Banh Chung lies in the quality of the ingredients – the sticky rice must be soaked just right, the mung beans must be cooked to a perfect softness, and the pork must be seasoned with just the right blend of spices.

I also discovered that the process of wrapping the Banh Chung in banana leaves is an art form in itself. The leaves must be softened over an open flame, then carefully folded and tied with strips of bamboo to create a tight, compact package that will hold its shape during the long hours of boiling.

As I grew older and my own children began to help me in the kitchen, I passed down the recipe for Banh Chung to them, just as my grandmother had done for me. Together, we would gather around the stove, each taking on a different task as we worked together to create this beloved dish.

Now, as I sit here writing this story, I am filled with a sense of pride and joy knowing that the tradition of Banh Chung lives on in my family. The recipe that was once just a piece of paper in my grandmother's recipe box has now become a cherished part of our heritage, a link to the past that connects us to our roots.

I am grateful for the lessons I learned in my grandmother's kitchen, for the knowledge that was passed down to me through generations of strong, resilient women who knew the power of food to bring people together and create lasting memories.

And so, as I share this story with you, I hope that you too will feel inspired to carry on the tradition of Banh Chung in your own family, creating new memories and passing down the secrets of this ancient recipe for generations to come.