Hey there, foodies! Today I’m super excited to share one of my absolute favorite Vietnamese treats that’ll make your afternoon tea time feel like a mini vacation in Saigon! Let’s make some Bánh Bột Lọc – these adorable translucent shrimp and pork dumplings that literally melt in your mouth. Trust me, once you try these bad boys, you’ll be obsessed!
So, picture this: I first tried these at my Vietnamese friend’s house, and I literally couldn’t stop eating them. Her grandmother kept giving me that knowing smile – you know, the one that says, “Yeah, I knew you’d love them!” 😉
Let’s get cooking, shall we?
Ingredients (makes about 20 dumplings):
– 1 cup tapioca starch
– 1/2 cup hot water
– 1/4 lb shrimp, peeled and chopped
– 1/4 lb ground pork
– 2 shallots, finely minced
– Fish sauce, pepper, and salt to taste
– Banana leaves (if you can find them!)
– Scallion oil for drizzling
Now, here’s where the magic happens! First, mix that tapioca starch with hot water until you get a play-doh like consistency. Girl, don’t worry if it feels sticky at first – that’s totally normal! Set it aside and let’s work on our filling.
(BTW, if you’re loving this recipe so far, make sure to follow me on Newsbreak for more mouthwatering recipes like this one! I share new recipes daily that’ll make your taste buds dance! 💃)
For the filling, mix the shrimp, pork, shallots, a splash of fish sauce, and a pinch of pepper. This is where you can get creative – I sometimes add a little extra fish sauce because, hello, flavor!
Now for the fun part: Take a small ball of dough, flatten it, add your filling, and wrap it up like you’re protecting a precious jewel. If you’re using banana leaves, cut them into small squares and wrap each dumpling. No banana leaves? No problem! Just wrap them in plastic wrap.
Steam these babies for about 15-20 minutes until they become translucent. When they’re done, drizzle some scallion oil on top and serve with sweet chili sauce. The dumpling skin should be slightly chewy and crystal clear – it’s literally food art!
Pro tip: Make extra because these disappear FAST. Trust me, I speak from experience! My husband literally hoards these whenever I make them. Men, am I right? 🙄
If you enjoyed this recipe, pretty please follow me on Newsbreak for more delicious Vietnamese recipes and other Asian cuisine adventures! Drop a comment below and let me know how yours turned out – I absolutely love seeing your creations and hearing your kitchen stories! Did the wrapping part drive you crazy? Did your family fight over the last dumpling? Spill the tea! ☕
Until next time, happy cooking, loves! Remember, cooking is all about having fun and making memories… and maybe showing off a little on social media! 😘 #VietneseCooking #FoodieLife #CookingWithLove
